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Sunday, June 21, 2026

Folk Festival, Post 2

62°f/16.3°C, mostly clear. Small rain squalls passed through yesterday evening, a d more predicted for today.

Back to Glenville:

The old country store is one cool place for an antiques nut like me.


We actually have an old washer like this out in the garage. Not working, though.





We have a stereoscope like this one e in our booth, and sild another one last month. 

A young man discusses honey with an older guy. This was typical at Glenville---age differences made no difference as everyone there was into the oldtime ways and arts.


My friend Mack's books for sale. He was the festival president for many years.


Larry and I also found our way up the steep street to the old bank building for a photo shoot that will apparently make us look like old west Bank robbers or something. Can't wait to see that!

In the bank, such intricate ironwork, and look at that oak counter.


The photographer, appropriately attired, greets her next customers.


Around the corner, this fine door was on the municipal building.


The enormous city hall!


As I took that last photo, I saw a little face observing me. Can you see it?


After the photo session we went to see the quilt show. Wow!



My preference is the hand-quilted ones, so that's what I photographed.



This embroidered and hand-quilted presidential quilt was finished 1985, I believe, and ends with Ronald Reagan. Such excellent embroidery in this.


Then I went to the singalong sessions while Larry rambled around outside before heading to the van for a nap.  It was so much fun to sing again! The first session was gospel songs. Now, I don't really know any gospel songs, having been raised Catholic, but it was easy enough to pick up the words. I couldn't read the lyrics eitger, because our leader, Ginny Hawker, forgot her readers, so I lent her mine. I learned that I am quite a good lip reader. Might come in handy when my hearing starts to go.

After the gospel songs, the next session was  general, old-timey songs, and I was the only woman there for quite a while. It was a relaxed session, with different guys sharing a song. I sang an old ballad, Little Omie Wise, one I hadn't sung in years. Funny how it can come back like that.

The last session was similar but many more people came in. They had all been at the fiddle and banjo contests, I think. Val Mindel led this singing, and it was just wonderful, with lots of songs I had never heard before as well as a few old favorites. So many good singers there! Afterward, Val complimented my voice, which made me happy because I really wondered if I had lost my singing ability.

I finally left, regretfully,  since I knew Larry was probably getting anxious to go home. Had I been there alone, i would probably have been rolling in at midnight after watching the square dances, the evening concert, and then hanging around the jam sessions. Ah me. What do you do when one wants to go and one wants to stay? I wish I had someone else to go with, honestly,  because Larry usually wants to leave long before I do, and we miss so much.  On the other hand, I really enjoy doing things with him, and would feel guilty if he wasn't there. A conundrum. Do you have this problem with your mate?

We missed a lot actually, since the festival started Thursday night: a trivia contest, shape note singing, a spelling bee, the lumberjack and muzzleloader events, the whole hands-on crafts area, the Civil War encampment and related activities, and so much more. Next year we will be sure to get a room so we can enjoy more of what's offered. And I can stay up late and Larry can go to bed!

Today, Sunday the 21st, is my 7/th birthday, and Father's Day. This morning I asked Larry, since it was a special day for each of us, who was going to get up and make the morning tea and coffee? We both did, actually! It has been a busy day, no visits from my sons as they have the annual kayak trip with their Dad every Father's Day, but I heard from them and from many of our grandchildren. So nice. I spent thr day catching up housework, and sanding two big pieces of furniture. Yuck, but had to be done. Larry mowed and picked the peas, which i shelled and froze.


I guess it was an odd way to spend what should have been a special day, but then we had lunch at that nice place on the river on Friday, and yesterday just enjoying ourselves, so we did our celebrating early.  Worked for us!






Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Folk Festival 2026

61f/16C, partly cloudy but beautiful day. High of about 80.


Well, after a good night's sleep, we decided we would go to the WV State Folk Festival in Glenville after all, about an hour and a half away. After all, it only happens once a year, and we have missed it the last several years. There are many friends we don't usually see except there at the festival, and as we get older that face time seems more important than ever.

And what a good time it was! Beautiful drive across winding Route 33, and in town early enough to get breakfast at the Common Grounds restaurant,  where we immediately ran into a half dozen friends. Then outside for a little browsing the crafts, and then the parade! 



Glenville is a small town with a good, small university,  in a not-very-populated county, but they sure pulled in people from all over West Virginia and out of state too. I don't remember  a high school band ever being in the parade before, but the Gilmer County High marching band was there this year. Apparently they had one song ready--Mountain Dew-- but they played it faultlessly, several times.

Then there were the Belles. Each county selects one older woman to be their representative,  and the ladies dress in period outfits. They are honored throughout the festival with various events. Most of them walked the parade route, which was only about 4 or 5 short blocks. Here is my friend Mack Samples' wife Thelma, representing Harrison County.


And here is our Jackson county Belle. She must have been the youngest one!


This year there was something new to us--young Belles! 


There were also tiny tots representing some counties. 


This festival almost died out about 15 years ago, but new ideas like this are bringing in more young people and that young blood is what is needed. The many young faces I saw attested to the success of efforts to bring youth into the festival.

I had a nice visit with a few storytelling and writer friends, then stopped into the country store, where I ran into Mack Samples,  who has a new book out. A quick photo and a hug, and a book went into my bag. 


More next time!  



Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Friday, June 19, 2026

A Cool Auction and a Fine Restaurant

56f/13 3C, mostly clear, low humidity.  High reached 79.

It was auction pickup day today, so we were on the road. This auction offered many unique Asian items, quite different from the usual in our area. There were many toys and gaming items too, along with collectibles from popular shows like Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, and Nascar collectibles. I brought home some interesting stuff, like these:

This is a jewelry armoire, about 3 feet tall. 


Gorgeous glasses made in France. There were 2 sets, the others are rocks glasses.


This 3-foot diameter wood wall hanging is stunning.


This horse is huge and heavy. Sadly he was damaged and repaired, so I got him for $1.00. The repairs are actually done quite well.


This is a 4-feet long framed tapestry.


And you know I would buy the peacock teaset!


This trunk was much bigger than I realized. In nice shape inside, still has the tray.


The room dividers that I was so excited about turned out to be a disappointment.  I had hoped they were mother-of-pearl inlaid like others I have seen, but either the inlay was never done or someone removed it. So sad. 


There are two of them, and I still think they will sell, but they were not what I thought. Neither was this one:

I had hopes that it might be silk, but it is not. Still very pretty though. Overall I was happy with our buys, and I think they will add a unique touch to our booths.

Afterwards we stopped at a place I have wanted to check out for well over a year: The House of Wines, near Marietta,Ohio. Not only do they offer a large selection of wine and beer,



they are also a restaurant,  offering outdoor dining beside the Muskingum River.




My meal was delicious--I had already cut my sandwich in half before thinking to take a photo! It was a bacon chicken cranberry thing with lettuce and tomato and a sauce, with homemade ketchup, and a real treat for me, fries! Rarely have them.


Larry pronounced his Reuben sandwich and Swiss onion soup absolutely perfect. I took a photo of his but it came out terribly blurry. Oh well.

We had planned to go to the West Virginia State Folk Festival tomorrow,  but we are both so tired, I am not sure we will make it. We'll see!







Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
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