Empire Builder 1st class

Joel and Steph returned by air yesterday from their cross-continental rail journey to Oregon. The passenger trains west of Chicago are 2-story and they had the full works. Close to the Pacific coast they saw some forest which looks to me like Pacific northwest.

historic singing

Sunday afternoon two of my choirs, Table Singers and Foresingers, sang at the Historical Society's 50th anniversary event along the banks of the Millstream where it crosses Rte. 30. it was too hot to require costumes, but I did wear my hat. Carl Hess and David Sauder beside me. Dennis Kauffman almost hidden. Jessica and Sarah did deck out completely for the Foresingers set. But, below, the Table Singers just tried to be comfortable in 90 degrees. Photos by Edie Hess.

1950s salute includes my group

Yesterday the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with an outside event. Both of my choirs, Foresingers and Table Singers, presented half-hour sets. Alongside the tent was a display of 1950s autos, including an Avanti which I had never seen. Avanti was the top-of-the-line Studebaker sports toy. You see what was so worldly about the world in that Cold War era. You can see why deciding to paint your bumpers black had some traction in those days.

office mail

I work half-time for Harmonies www.harmonies.org. Nearly every day some mail comes. Most of it looks commercial. This envelope which came last week reminded me that once upon a time stamps ruled. You just kept adding them until they added up to the required amount. It fostered mental arithmetic, something my father excelled at and liked in his one-room school close to today's Park City.