Early yesterday morning, I attended a public hearing at the local school, a required informational gathering prior to an upcoming town vote on a warrant article. We will vote on whether the town should accept the gift/donation of a historic meetinghouse/church building. Two committees made presentations. The first recommended that the town accept the meetinghouse, that it might be moved to a site beside the new library and behind the historic Town Hall, eventually to be incorporated into a future Town Hall complex. The other committee explained the rationale for saving this building--if we don't, it will be demolished to make way for a convenience store--and offered up a slate of representatives from state and national preservation organisations. They unanimously and wholeheartedly endorsed the plan for re-use as presented, and further stated that the building is in excellent condition and is already one of the buildings included on the Preservation Alliance's "Seven to Save" list.
I'm a longtime supporter any and every plan to safeguard this building. I hope the voters feel the same when they go to the polls on February 13th.
Last night, the Chap and I attended the Governor's Inaugural Ball. A pair of fairy godmothers made this possible--each of their first names begins with S, and I am immensely grateful to both for providing our two tickets!
The entire time I was primping and dressing, the tune from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella was running through my mind: "The Prince is giving a ball! The Prince is giving a ball!" Only in my version, The Prince was The Gov.
Here I am, ready to hop into my pumpkin carriage--
--actually, a black and slightly mud-spattered European manufactured automobile. We were feeling exacly like Cinderella and Charming by the time we set out in our chariot, adorned with the official House of Representatives licence plate that enabled us to sail through the tollbooths.
First there was a reception with open bar and snacks. We wandered up to the area where the musicians were to admire the life-sized ice sculpture of reindeer and a huge scaled-down representation of our state.
There was a bit of a mix-up on the meet-up spot with one of my S-Fairies. Soon after we connected, she sprinkled some of her fairy dust, and a pair of extra seats magically materialised at our preferred table. Here's its lovely fresh-flower centrepiece.
It was a three-course meal: shrimp and salad, followed by salmon and beef and vegetables, and last a raspberry mousse sort of thing in a saucer made of chocolate.
The Governor made some remarks, inviting us all to the dance floor. He introduced the band--Jerry Lewis and the Playboys--and the festive atmosphere spiked. When not chatting with our friends (hard to do over the music), or spotting political celebs, the Chap and I enjoyed slow dancing.
And a bit of fast dancing, too, to the Hit Tunes of the 50's (before I was ever born!) and 60's (no comment, other than I was way, way too young to appreciate the Top Forty of that decade.)
We moved from the dance floor to a private reception room where there was a receiving line for a grip and grin with the Gov and his wife. Stationed right there was an official event photog who captured the moment (which can later be purchased for a substantial fee!)
You'd think that would be enough to satisfy us. But no, we were up bright and early and off to church to welcome the Bishop, who was making his visitation to our parish.
It was a most festive occasion, he gave a super sermon and afterwards we had a delicious meal in the Undercroft. He then met for a little while with our Vestry.
Are we finished yet? Oh, my no. In half an hour, we're off again, to help our former Rector celebrate his new ministry with his new congregation. (The Chap will be one of his presenters.) The Bishop will be there also, to preside and preach, and I expect to see many of my favourite people in our diocesan family, along with some of our own parishioners and our new priest.
If we get a repeat of this morning's sermon, I won't mind at all. It was that good!
I'm planning a Very Quiet Day tomorrow.
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