Cleveland has one interesting thing to see

While in Cleveland to tend to the family graves, my son and his daughter and I also got to go to see the Christmas Story House.  This is the home that was used in the movie, the Christmas Story--the one with Ralphie who wants the Red Rider Rifle.  After entering the home and listening to how this project came about and was developed, they actually let us go everywhere in the house and touch anything!  Granddaughter got to handle the rifle under the tree, sit inside the kitchen cupboard where Randie was hiding, etc.  Then we got to go across the street to another house that was filled with pictures, movie posters and actual outfits that were worn during the movie.

And, my son actually bought one of the leg lamps.

TN is bueatiful

After leaving Gettysburg I was off to Dollywood in TN to help a friend who put up a craft booth for the month of October.  I was really impressed with how professional looking the booth was created even before my friend brought in her merchandise to sell. 

My friend, Jane, mostly sells her all hand made of cloth dolls in dozens of styles and she let me bring in some of my own crafts--like the colorful fall quilt hanging on the rack outside the booth and the tote bags hanging behind the man standing in front of the booth.  Made myself a little money and had a really nice time at Dollywood.  The only down side was there were a couple of days when the temperature was barely 40 degrees in the morning, but eventually it warmed up nicely.

Dollywood was all decked out for the fall season as you can see from some of the pictures below.

I again went to see the Titanic Museum and it was again spectacular.  Something else that is always fun to see is the Christmas Palace.  Santa and his reindeer are actually life size and hanging from the ceiling.  Every space was filled with magical scenes and trees.

And, of course, there was the beauty of the mountains.  I had really hoped I would again get a chance to see the elk, but did not have any luck with that one.  Look closely and you will see snow on the top of the mountains in the one picture.

Another great Apple Harvest Festival

This past weekend turned out to be hot once again after a very mild and almost cool summer, but that did not keep people away from the 49th Annual Apple Harvest Festival in Arentzville, PA.  I was so pleased to see even more crafters at this event than last year.

While at the fair I was able to pick up a few things that will be set aside for Christmas, and, of course, I got my supply of hand made soaps.  The only disappointment was I was just a moment too late to get any of the Christmas Cabin scent, which is a favorite of a LOT of people.

And, then on the way home, as usual when leaving this fair, I got turned around on the roads and came home a completely different way than I have ever gone before.  But along the way I had a pleasant surprise--I found a home fabulously decorated for Halloween.  The designer, the lady in pink shorts, was putting the finishing touches on her display.  Her helpmate saw me taking pictures from my car and called me over to get a closer look.  They couldn't have been nicer, and told me how they love doing this display each year.

If you would be interested in seeing this display, head west out of Gettysburg, PA, on Route 30.  Turn left onto Old Route 30 just before you get to the intersection that will take you to Cashtown.  You only need to go two tenths of mile on Old Route 30 to see this wonderful display.

An excellent train ride

A new venue has opened in New Freedom, PA, called Steam Into History.  The ticket office is freshly painted and interesting inside.  The train itself has a brand new locomotive created in the style of the 1860's engine with three passenger cars--one of which is an open air car.  While on the ride there was a lady in period attire to discuss what happened to the civilians during the battle of Gettysburg.  The train ride lasted for 2 1/2 hours through very pleasant countryside.  You can check out their schedule for train rides and the different first person interpreters or the musicians who will be on board for train rides at steamintohistory.com

I talked with one of the volunteers about when this project was first started, but he was too new to have all the information.  I was amazed at how complete everything was from the buildings with their fresh paint and new displays to the excellent condition of the railroad cars, especially since they just opened in June of this year.  All in all a very pleasant afternoon.  Just one word of advice--bring along some bottled juice or water for the ride--I was so thirsty by the time we got to Hanover Junction, and the line for the ice cream truck was too much for me to be standing out in the heat.

Remembering another big anniversary

In the art gallery at the Majestic Theater there is currently a display of photographs showing the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.  There were many scenes of old enemies gathering now as comrades.  These photos will be on display until early December.  I only hope more people can be made aware of them.

Mater has been found!

For weeks I have seen a truck sitting in an empty lot, and then suddenly it was gone.  A couple days later I again saw it in front of a towing company garage all decked out and looking a whole lot like Mater from Cars.
Just be aware Mater is happy advertising for this local towing company in Littlestown, PA.

New museum opens in Gettysburg

A new museum, the Seminary Ridge Museum, opened in Gettysburg on July 1.  This opening was in conjunction with the 150th celebration of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The museum building was a part of the Lutheran Seminary.  And, it was up in the cupola that Brig General Buford surveyed the area before the Battle of Gettysburg.  The building has been restored, and the exhibits showcase how the building was being used as a hospital during the battle.  Many of the rooms are decorated with enlarged paintings by Dale Gallon.  There are interactive things to do.  The one I enjoyed the most was where you could sit down at a screen and go through a series of questions to see how you might handle a situation--such as, If you were a Quaker, and found a slave hiding in your barn, what would you do?  You go through a series of questions about the scenario, and then they tell you who this actually happened to and what that person did.  There are also a number of rooms that are decorated to look like they did when used as a hospital.  There has been a great deal of attention taken in putting these rooms together--right down to seeing flies on the faces of some of the sleeping men.

This museum is open from 10AM to 5PM, and they will let people enter up until 4:30PM.  However, a half hour could never be enough time to see all this museum has to offer.  When visiting, you would want to have at least 1 1/2 hours to enjoy all four floors.  Also, for an extra charge, you can be taken on a special tour to the cupola and get a wonderful view of the entire area just like General Buford.  If, however, you don't have the nerve--like me--to climb all the way up there, there is a display with photographs showing you the 360 degree view from the cupola.

Another interesting note is that as you go from room to room, you will occasionally find a light gray stripe of paint on the floor at times.  These indicate where a wall used to be.  In many cases as you enter a room through an archway, you will find a door to your left and a door on your right with fireplaces at either end of the room.  But when you see the paint marks on the floor, you then realize you have entered an area that was formerly two students rooms.  A unique use of space.

I feel this museum has been very well done and well worth the admission.