Summer

We get so caught up in the flurry of summer its hard to remember to take photos of all that is happening.  The schedule of special events piles up as do summer visitors.  Sometimes people say there are only two seasons in Montana: winter and summer guests.  And perhaps it was the severity of the past winter that makes this particular summer seem to fly by.  Before it disappears entirely, there are a few dates you want to remember, exciting things happening at the Historical Village or for its support.

On August 5, the Eureka Montana Quilt Show takes place which is certainly a remarkable experience.  Early morning if you are tempted to show up to help, hundreds and hundreds of quilts are hung on store fronts along the main street, in the Historical Village and in the Memorial Park.  It is a day of kaleidoscopic transformation and beauty with quilts of all shapes and sizes, booths, demonstrations and art offered.  And then in the late afternoon, volunteers take down the quilts (many of which have been bought by then) and the town goes back to its normal somber colors.

Again this summer, the Tobacco Valley Board of History will put on a luscious dinner for forty at a private residence on Dickey Lake. The five-course meal including wine is the perfect summer evening to enjoy wonderful food and conversation with friends while being served and listening to live music.  The setting overlooks the lake so you watch the golden sun reflect off mountains and water as you finish your meal.  Tickets are limited so contact us immediately if you want to order yours. The dinner occurs on August 12 starting at 6:00pm.  Proceeds go towards maintenance of the Historical Village.

On August 22, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks puts on “Macbeth,” a performance free to the public and wonderful. The troupe of professional actors goes around the entire state putting on these full length plays.  The Historical Village is the perfect location in the evening for this, to sit on the lawn watching the theatrical magic unfold.  The play begins at 6:00pm but you might want to come early to get a good piece of lawn for your blanket or chair.  Delicious box dinners made by Cafe Jax will be for sale starting at 5:00pm.  A portion of the dinner sales as well as donations help cover the cost of bringing the Shakespeare troupe to Eureka.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer.

 

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The lilacs are blooming

The lovely quilt with pale green and lilac florals is finally done and put away.  Perhaps we will offer it for sale at the Eureka Montana Quilt Show in August.  Or raffle it off next year. It is easy to imagine it gracing a bed in a guest room or given as a gift to newly weds.  As always, when examining a quilt we take off the frame to ensure there aren’t mistakes, I marvel at the countless stitches, all that wonderful energy  added to the quilt by the women who sewed on it over the months.

The quilt is in the cupboard now and the old school house is set up as part of the Historical Village museum again.  I stopped by the other day as the museum is always the ideal place to buy postcards of the valley or handmade items.  I was surprised that although it was during regular hours, the museum was closed.  I heard later the volunteer in charge is having a tough time finding enough people to put in an afternoon every week.  It doesn’t sound like much does it?  The museum is open 1:00 – 5:00pm and with a bit of time to open and close all the buildings and such, perhaps four and a half hours. That is what someone would give if they volunteered to help out in the summer (and yes, you are allowed to take vacations): one afternoon a week for four and a half hours.

Before anyone starts to get too blustery about this – four and a half hours out of MY day?!?! – lets think about it.  Last year the New York Times ran an article stating the average American spends five hours a day watching television and then there is the time (additional hours) spent on their tablets, smartphones and computers.  This doesn’t include work time but the leisure time people spend absorbing media.  Could that be the kicker?  Perhaps people think leisure time should be…well….leisurely. It shouldn’t be volunteering.  Perhaps volunteering seems too much like work.  Fortunately as the bubble of Baby Boomers move into retirement age, there are more studies being done on volunteering and its benefits.  Volunteering can keep you physically active, socially connected and mentally stimulated.  So instead of sitting alone on the couch surfing the Net this summer, why not sign up to help at the Historical Village?  Thanks.