Sunday – Return to Dunn State Park
From 2013 to 2017 I attended monthly music jams held at the visitors center at Dunn State Park in Gardner, MA. It is a wonderful venue. The center has great atmosphere with picture windows overlooking the pond, a fire in the winter months and good acoustics. It was helpful that the staff was a fan of the music and would often just sit at a table to listen.
However things changed after 2017. The park administrator was transferred to another park and the jam moved downtown to another venue in downtown Gardner. When COVID appeared almost all the jams came to an end. However a few pop-ups appeared during the warmer months. During one of these recent pop-up jams we talked of the days when we jammed at Dunn State. Heidi Jeldres took that as an action item and talked with the park officials about using the center.
Heidi Jeldres took action and asked the staff about having a monthly jam at the park and they agreed. Once a month on Sundays from noon till 3:00 PM. The first one was a success. These will only occur until Memorial Day when the Park opens officially but it bodes well for next fall and winter.
Monday – Harry F. Cotterly Funeral
I wrote a bit about Harry “Butch” Cotterly last week when we attended a celebration of life luncheon in Westboro, MA. Harry served in the Army and was laid to rest in a military cemetery at Fort Devens Post Cemetery in Massachusetts. I’m always moved by the dignity and solemnity of the flag folding and playing of taps.
In keeping with Harry’s alter-ego PYROMAN, we lit sparklers after the ceremony.
Tuesday & Wednesday – Cousins Visit
My cousin Chris Poltrack and his wife Lisa came to visit my mom who will be 102 this month. We went out to dinner and next day I spent time with them exploring our corner of the Monadnock Region. First stop was The House By the Side of the Road. Lisa wanted to buy some pansies.
House by the Side of the Road
What’s not to love at this greenhouse and nursery. It has rambling greenhouses with some unusual plants, turtles, koi and a giant gnome.
Besides the giant gnome, we spotted a giant cactus.
Oddly enough we spotted a lion wandering among the foliage.
Greenfield Inn
My cousins stayed at the Greenfield Inn in Greenfield, NH. I believe it was built in 1895. It has a parlor which is exactly what one would envision. The Christmas tree was a nice touch.
Before dinner, Chris and I played some tunes at the Inn. The host and hostess were most gracious, even taking a photo for their brochure. I’m always in awe of my cousins ability. He can jump from playing a Rolling Stones tune to finger picking a Joni Mitchell tune with ease. He explained that he has “pet songs” that he likes to work with. Some good advice from my talented cousin. Later we had dinner at the Toll Booth Tavern at Crotched Mountain Golf Club.
Friday – Blooming Flowers
Spring has come inside and out. One of the orchids give to me by Angelika Weber flowered with intensely red blossoms.
Outside one of my newer Hellebores sported this attractive flower.
Saturday – Birding
It is so much fun watching Titmouse grab peanuts that are almost as large as their heads. They fly off with them and presumably cache them away.
Analog Photo of the Week
Stepping into the time machine to share a photo from the past, shot on film. Unlike digital photography, I cannot be certain of when or where this was taken.
Messina was my sisters Golden Retriever. She was a loving dog who was great with my kids. I’m guessing this photo was taken in the mid 1980s. When she came to New Ipswich, she would spend as much time in the water as possible, chasing and retrieving thrown sticks, truly a retriever.
