Dancing in the Rain.....
Even though is was long awaited, the final performance of Sunset on the Mississippi was to be our "last hurrah" with the cast taking pictures and reminiscing about the season. It never happened as the 30 percent chance of rain turned into a torrential downpour that drenched the outdoor stage and wreaked havoc on Nauvoo. It all broke loose as we parked the car on our relegated perch above the stage. We marveled at the ferocity of the storm and how it virtually obliterated everything in the distance from our view. Soon there was thunder and lightning and an e-mail cancelling the performance. And then almost obliterated from our view we noticed shadow figures on the stage. In between waves of rain we soon could make out four of the YPM girls dancing their hearts out in the rain. I love youth and their enthusiasm....it gives ups life.....excitement....and wonder.
Yet in all of the disappointment we remembered a story that needed to be told. Elder Shultz, our beloved leader of Nauvoo Productions. A week earlier he had taken an expected helicopter trip to Iowa City having fallen victim to a stroke. His daughter had found him unable to move in the shower and summoned the necessary help. Fast forward a week to Thursday night....there he is driving his trusty golf cart down to the Sunset Stage to see for himself if there could possibly be a show. The eventful week had seen him go from left side paralysis and it's associated side effects to eating cheese burgers and telling his numerous and continual jokes. It was rumored that this was really the cause of his remarkable recovery and release....the doctors and nurses just couldn't take it any more.
Yet we all know....don't we? Here in Nauvoo we come to expect these sort of things. We don't take them lightly....we do our work.....we fast and exercise our faith and prayers. We don't know the outcome....we just put it into God's hands and trust in his outcome. Elder Shultz has worked so hard I am sure God had a hand in it so he could be here at the end and say good-by to those wonderful and obedient YPM's that have brought us such joy and buoyed us up.
We also said a fond farewell to the Brown's who left this week. He has been the editor, along with me, in the Sarah Granger cast since last November. His strong voice will be missed.
Last, but not least, we have this bull who shows up nightly for "Stomped on my Heart" and the USA medley where our teamsters take shots at roping it....they seldom miss (from two feet). Each night the bull gets a different name...Big Mac, Sir Loin, T-Bone....but there are two of the sweetest YPM sisters that make this character come to life. They never get any personal recognition. So I have attached the best I could find. Thank you, Sisters......you are the best!!
If a Tree Falls in Nauvoo.....
....It's Best You are Not Under It!!
The same storm that caused Sunset t be cancelled also changed the landscape of Old Nauvoo and scattered trees and limbs all over the place. The Friday FM prayer meeting soon became a mustering of the troops to scour the town and pick up all the tree limbs that were all over the city. It would take a lot of time and manpower to clean up not only those limbs that had been blown off trees but also those that were hanging on or still stuck in the trees.
The most spectacular was the two large trees that had been destroyed and fallen. A large massive tree next to the print shop came crashing down blocking the roads in all directions. The grounds employees were called out that night to clear it but the destruction was impressive and complete.
The Witbeck's were in the back of their house when their house lost power. The Johnson's who lived in the upper apartment did. The massive tree in the front of the house came crashing down and literally crushed Elder Witbecks FM truck and grazed the Johnson's car. It was an impressive sight...not necessarily to see the destruction but rather to see how a large and seemingly stable tree was destroyed. There is a strong analogy as this tree had been rotting and decaying from the inside for years....yet seemingly was as the other large trees nearby. This is often the way apostasy works inside of those who let small and seemingly insignificant things work on the spirit from the inside. Eventually the destruction is so severe that the wind of trial can destroy us. Sometimes it isn't the big things that destroy us but rather the small things that are left to grow and fester until the bring to pass our utter destruction and loss of testimony.
Rendezvous.........
....The Show Goes On!!
The Browns departure this week also brought on Elder Hughes as the new editor. I can vividly remember the stress of preparing for my "debut" so I have a lot of empathy for those chosen to fill this role. We had two full shows Friday so the missionaries weren't allowed to come up and watch. I would have like to seen it....but I did get to hear parts of his performance through the small speakers provided back stage. He and Sister Hughes did very well and will be marvelous in their roles. I hope they continue to perform their roles as Peter and Abagail in the nights they are not the editor and Relief Society president.
This was the last week the YPM's would be performing. With that comes the end of Jimmy and Marie. Our Tuesday night performance was limited to one show as the YPM's were given the cultural hall so all three of the Jimmy and Marie (and Pa) teams could perform for the other YPM's who hadn't seen them.. I was editor and extremely grateful for that. The days have been long and arduous lately and by the time the second show gets going I am extremely fatigued and find it difficult to concentrate. My elation for one show soon ended when I was asked to stay on and do my role as editor. It was a fantastic experience as well as a tender mercy. I did it willingly because I wanted to....really wanted to. These young people are so special, talented, and enthusiastic. They brought the house down as they watched these performances. What a treat.
I wouldn't call this a "senior moment" although maybe I should. Elder Norman was doing his usual gruff Jed role. He is outstanding. There was Elder Hughes, first time editor, telling Jed that the Saints weren't being forced out...they were going willingly. After that we go into our "Willingly" song. Except this time Elder Norman audibly says "BULL"....thinking only the editor can hear.
Hearing for seniors is deceptive....I don't think more than half of the packed house heard.....and we had another one of those moments when most couldn't keep it in and laughter broke out. I kept a straight face. It was worse than trying to hold a sneeze back.
Elder and Sister Norman will be returning home at the first of September.....I think it's time.
It's the Bottom of the Ninth....
.......We are Going to Extra Innings
Three weeks ago our FM director sent his pregnant wife and three kids back to Salt Lake for a summer visit with the family. He joined them ten days ago. Then he set out to remodel the bathroom and paint the house, I have heard rumors that the bathroom remodel was supposed to be a surprise. Well, they are returning this Sunday.....one way or another it will be a surprise. The bathroom masterpiece has been a typical "Nauvoo Challenge" and with the numerous stairs to climb and the number of trips required it has certainly taken it's toll on the time and the physical stamina of all of us. Elder Van Horn is not one to do anything half heartedly and we have built this with some of the projects being done for the first time. It may not be the way the pros due it but we created our own support system for holding up the ceiling tiles which for the most part stuck....or struck Elder Van Horn or broke on the floor as they fell. They are now up and in place. We only need to finish the grouting....and install the cap on the wall and threshold so the glass can be measured to be put in. For two weeks now we thought this was ordered.....seems it's not.... so who knows when we can finish. Good news is the glass will be installed three weeks after the cap. At least there will be a toilet and sink.
Thursday and Friday Sister Gibson and Van Horn came in a started a massive clean up to get the mess that construction had brought. Some of the sheet rock dust was so thick you could write a masterpiece on it. The carpets will be cleaned Saturday.
So after traveling for two days in the car with a pregnant wife and three kids the family will arrive back Sunday....one way or another it's going to be a surprise!! We will spend a couple of days next week working around them to complete what we started and also do a couple of more additional projects that have been assigned. All this...and not to mention, they are serving dinner to his boss who will be in Nauvoo for the first days of the week.....might I suggest eating out?
Ft Madison....
.....an 1812 Experience
Nine miles North of Nauvoo on the western side of the Mississippi across the dreaded toll bridge
lies Ft. Madison, Iowa. We have been there countless times and passed the rebuilt fort but have never taken the time to stop in. Saturday became the day. We first visited the museum and were treated to a guided tour through four separate buildings that contain a lot of memorabilia from the towns history. The flag that flies over it is the 1812 version with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. The next flag reverted back to the thirteen stripes as it became apparent that there could be a really wide flag in the future...or something that looked like pinstripes.
One of the displays was a miniature version of an ice cutting operation that took place there in the early days. It explained how ice was farmed on the river. First the snow cleared off then it was scored about three inches deep so the cutters could cut the symmetrical ice blocks that were of a size that could be placed in the original ice boxes. One figure that was thrown out I found rather astounding was the depth of the ice could reach 24" to 30". We surely haven't seen anything like that around here for years. It seemed like a pretty risky operation standing on the ice cutting the blocks. One unintended cut or crack or a slip and it was river city and probably the cemetery when your body was found. We did find a typical ice box in the museum and Sister Gibson pointed out that it was a "Gibson". Who knew?
The fort was a re-construction of one built in 1805-1813. It was intended more as a trading post with the Indians in the area and manned by many who were recruited by rather devious means to a life of difficult labor and circumstances. Turns out that most of the soldiers there were alcoholics who relied on whiskey to make it through the day. One of the most severe punishments administered was withholding the daily allowance. Withdrawal was severe and there were a couple of reported cases of deaths.
It was pretty much a government program designed to keep peace with the Indians and relied on government contractors to supply the fort with the necessary food and supplies to trade with the Indians. It was involved in on battle during the War of 1812 and soon thereafter was burned to the ground as the last soldiers left after being supplied spoiled and rotten meat for their rations. It was never rebuilt....until the current restoration.
Odds....At the End
Elder Bass took a moment out from Sunset to enjoy his bubbles. It would be good for all of us to grab a bottle of bubbles....
We received a text from the Pettit's with this picture. We couldn't quite figure out what it was all about. A phone call later we discovered that these were some of Christi's friends visiting. They had been visiting the sites when the stumbled on the Pettit's who were serving in the Brigham Young Home. The next night they came by Sunset and watched the performance.
Christie was invited but she couldn't make it due to some prior commitments. She did surprised us when she told us she had an opportunity to come for the weekend. She was looking forward to seeing us perform in Sunset and Rendezvous. Timing is everything so the idea was scrapped as we weren't doing the Editor when she would be here and she wouldn't get here until after Sunset...which was rained out anyway.
We are still hopeful and excited that she will be able to come at a later date.
The most spectacular was the two large trees that had been destroyed and fallen. A large massive tree next to the print shop came crashing down blocking the roads in all directions. The grounds employees were called out that night to clear it but the destruction was impressive and complete.
The Witbeck's were in the back of their house when their house lost power. The Johnson's who lived in the upper apartment did. The massive tree in the front of the house came crashing down and literally crushed Elder Witbecks FM truck and grazed the Johnson's car. It was an impressive sight...not necessarily to see the destruction but rather to see how a large and seemingly stable tree was destroyed. There is a strong analogy as this tree had been rotting and decaying from the inside for years....yet seemingly was as the other large trees nearby. This is often the way apostasy works inside of those who let small and seemingly insignificant things work on the spirit from the inside. Eventually the destruction is so severe that the wind of trial can destroy us. Sometimes it isn't the big things that destroy us but rather the small things that are left to grow and fester until the bring to pass our utter destruction and loss of testimony.
Rendezvous.........
The Browns departure this week also brought on Elder Hughes as the new editor. I can vividly remember the stress of preparing for my "debut" so I have a lot of empathy for those chosen to fill this role. We had two full shows Friday so the missionaries weren't allowed to come up and watch. I would have like to seen it....but I did get to hear parts of his performance through the small speakers provided back stage. He and Sister Hughes did very well and will be marvelous in their roles. I hope they continue to perform their roles as Peter and Abagail in the nights they are not the editor and Relief Society president.
This was the last week the YPM's would be performing. With that comes the end of Jimmy and Marie. Our Tuesday night performance was limited to one show as the YPM's were given the cultural hall so all three of the Jimmy and Marie (and Pa) teams could perform for the other YPM's who hadn't seen them.. I was editor and extremely grateful for that. The days have been long and arduous lately and by the time the second show gets going I am extremely fatigued and find it difficult to concentrate. My elation for one show soon ended when I was asked to stay on and do my role as editor. It was a fantastic experience as well as a tender mercy. I did it willingly because I wanted to....really wanted to. These young people are so special, talented, and enthusiastic. They brought the house down as they watched these performances. What a treat.
I wouldn't call this a "senior moment" although maybe I should. Elder Norman was doing his usual gruff Jed role. He is outstanding. There was Elder Hughes, first time editor, telling Jed that the Saints weren't being forced out...they were going willingly. After that we go into our "Willingly" song. Except this time Elder Norman audibly says "BULL"....thinking only the editor can hear.
Hearing for seniors is deceptive....I don't think more than half of the packed house heard.....and we had another one of those moments when most couldn't keep it in and laughter broke out. I kept a straight face. It was worse than trying to hold a sneeze back.
Elder and Sister Norman will be returning home at the first of September.....I think it's time.
It's the Bottom of the Ninth....
Three weeks ago our FM director sent his pregnant wife and three kids back to Salt Lake for a summer visit with the family. He joined them ten days ago. Then he set out to remodel the bathroom and paint the house, I have heard rumors that the bathroom remodel was supposed to be a surprise. Well, they are returning this Sunday.....one way or another it will be a surprise. The bathroom masterpiece has been a typical "Nauvoo Challenge" and with the numerous stairs to climb and the number of trips required it has certainly taken it's toll on the time and the physical stamina of all of us. Elder Van Horn is not one to do anything half heartedly and we have built this with some of the projects being done for the first time. It may not be the way the pros due it but we created our own support system for holding up the ceiling tiles which for the most part stuck....or struck Elder Van Horn or broke on the floor as they fell. They are now up and in place. We only need to finish the grouting....and install the cap on the wall and threshold so the glass can be measured to be put in. For two weeks now we thought this was ordered.....seems it's not.... so who knows when we can finish. Good news is the glass will be installed three weeks after the cap. At least there will be a toilet and sink.
Thursday and Friday Sister Gibson and Van Horn came in a started a massive clean up to get the mess that construction had brought. Some of the sheet rock dust was so thick you could write a masterpiece on it. The carpets will be cleaned Saturday.
So after traveling for two days in the car with a pregnant wife and three kids the family will arrive back Sunday....one way or another it's going to be a surprise!! We will spend a couple of days next week working around them to complete what we started and also do a couple of more additional projects that have been assigned. All this...and not to mention, they are serving dinner to his boss who will be in Nauvoo for the first days of the week.....might I suggest eating out?
Ft Madison....
Nine miles North of Nauvoo on the western side of the Mississippi across the dreaded toll bridge
lies Ft. Madison, Iowa. We have been there countless times and passed the rebuilt fort but have never taken the time to stop in. Saturday became the day. We first visited the museum and were treated to a guided tour through four separate buildings that contain a lot of memorabilia from the towns history. The flag that flies over it is the 1812 version with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. The next flag reverted back to the thirteen stripes as it became apparent that there could be a really wide flag in the future...or something that looked like pinstripes.
One of the displays was a miniature version of an ice cutting operation that took place there in the early days. It explained how ice was farmed on the river. First the snow cleared off then it was scored about three inches deep so the cutters could cut the symmetrical ice blocks that were of a size that could be placed in the original ice boxes. One figure that was thrown out I found rather astounding was the depth of the ice could reach 24" to 30". We surely haven't seen anything like that around here for years. It seemed like a pretty risky operation standing on the ice cutting the blocks. One unintended cut or crack or a slip and it was river city and probably the cemetery when your body was found. We did find a typical ice box in the museum and Sister Gibson pointed out that it was a "Gibson". Who knew?
The fort was a re-construction of one built in 1805-1813. It was intended more as a trading post with the Indians in the area and manned by many who were recruited by rather devious means to a life of difficult labor and circumstances. Turns out that most of the soldiers there were alcoholics who relied on whiskey to make it through the day. One of the most severe punishments administered was withholding the daily allowance. Withdrawal was severe and there were a couple of reported cases of deaths.
It was pretty much a government program designed to keep peace with the Indians and relied on government contractors to supply the fort with the necessary food and supplies to trade with the Indians. It was involved in on battle during the War of 1812 and soon thereafter was burned to the ground as the last soldiers left after being supplied spoiled and rotten meat for their rations. It was never rebuilt....until the current restoration.
Odds....At the End
Elder Bass took a moment out from Sunset to enjoy his bubbles. It would be good for all of us to grab a bottle of bubbles....
Christie was invited but she couldn't make it due to some prior commitments. She did surprised us when she told us she had an opportunity to come for the weekend. She was looking forward to seeing us perform in Sunset and Rendezvous. Timing is everything so the idea was scrapped as we weren't doing the Editor when she would be here and she wouldn't get here until after Sunset...which was rained out anyway.
We are still hopeful and excited that she will be able to come at a later date.
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