Music, Music, Music

Our Shrewsbury concerts are usually held outside
the Shrewsbury Meeting House.

And we get a big crowd. A different food vendor
comes each time and provides dinner.

Our friend Sally joins us each summer for 
all Opera North productions and we have a
lovely picnic first. 

 

We don't lack for opportunities for live music near us of every kind. This last week alone we saw the New York City Ballet at Saratoga, the Marriage of Figaro at Opera North in Cornish, NH and singer/song writer Rod MacDonald right here in Shrewsbury. Earlier we saw The Little Prince and next week The Man of La Mancha, both Opera North Productions. 

That's Opera North's tent named "Charlotte"

The view from our picnic spot and the Opera North tent. It overlooks the Connecticut River.

A view inside the tent for The Little Prince!

Sunset at the outdoor Vermont Symphony concert
in nearby Castleton

This Thursday we're seeing White Christmas at the Weston and a few weeks later The Book Club Play at the Dorset. Right here in Shrewsbury we have a series of 6 concerts throughout the summer and could go to any number of others in nearby communities. Sean and Will joined Scott for a Vermont Symphony Orchestra evening and we'll get down to Marlboro for one of their Chamber concerts.  The choices are endless! And that's only July!

Another Great Fourth of July

Scott set up a "Slip & Slide" out on the lawn and it got plenty of use. 

We have been hosting a Fourth of July weekend since around 1982 or 3. So over 50 years. For most of that time it was 5 families: Wolfs, Silversteins, Youmans, Barns, Bond D'Arpas, and ourselves. Until 2007 it was held at our home in Ludlow, Tall Timbers on Lake Rescue. When we moved to The Hundred Acre Wood in Shrewsbury, the party continued. Now there is a third generation appearing! 

Sean, Nora and Grace try to persuade Rowan to
jump in.

Sean & Will

Rowan and Grandpa

This year we had 18 total gather over 5 days, coming and going at different times. First to appear was our youngest son Sean and his husband Will and son Rowan, along with our daughter Zoë, who flew in from California. Then our next oldest son James with his wife Morgen and son Kolya. Morgen's sister Claire, her husband Bill and daughters Grace and Nora joined us again this year the following night. Larry Barns and Zuzia came the same day. Finally Scott Silverstein, his wife Laura and son Calvin drove down from Richmond, VT for two days. We missed members of the Wolfs, Bond-D'Arpas, Youmans and the senior Silversteins this year. 

Zuzia, Kolya, Morgen, Claire, Bill, Heather & Zoë

The weather was generally excellent with only one day of occasional rain. Most people were up at the lake mornings and afternoons! As usual there were amazing meals at least three times a day. We also celebrated Rowan's second birthday although the actual date was a few days later. I'm sorry to say that I was very remiss in taking photos! But a selection from the very few are included here.  More on July doings in my next post!

Sean Rowan, Kolya

Claire & Nora , armed with a water gun!

Morgen in the second tube 

On the swim raft: Scott, Will, James, Laura and Zoë & Morgen behind. Calvin and Kolya are in the water. 

Scott, Rowan, Sean, Will, James, Zoë, Scott S. and Morgen

Of course S'mores were on the menu! Laura and
Claire are supervising Heather, Kolya and Grace.

Kolya became quite efficient at them!

Rowan's birthday cake was a hit with 
everyone - lemon cake with yogurt.

Morgen, James and Zoë enjoy a good book!

Our one rainy day we had a thunderstorm with good sized hail!