Pleasant Teamwork, by Jim

What was your favorite moment at the North Carolina family reunion?

There were lots of favorite moments, and among them were these two: Susan and I tried to convince Steve and Sandy that making “thin pancakes” for the Banman army was a step too much and maybe they could do something simpler. Nope, not a chance. It was a joy to watch the S&S team at work making this family favorite for 13 people, and doing it with panache, apparent ease and much pleasant teamwork.

My second favorite moment was Jake at work on our evening games. He leapt into action with enthusiasm and came off with one hugely winning response (both in the competitive and pleasing senses), which I shall not elaborate on to protect the guilty. And they know who they are!

Extra! What was your favorite moment in July?

One of my most fulfilling experiences was the Fourth of July celebration at Four Mile House the morning of the departure of the five of us for North Carolina. I’ve been a docent there for a year. Four Mile House is a historic structure, the oldest remaining building in Denver, and makes an enormous effort to attract guests to this historic event. There are Civil War enactors shooting off a cannon every 15 minutes, quilters, a beekeeper, speeches by Lincoln and Jefferson actors and a band playing patriotic songs. I was on a planning committee for tours of the house. It’s a sauna in summer and our traditional 40-minute tour is simply out of date for the occasion.

This year we decided to have “actors” portray historic events as a “guide” swiftly takes guests through. Audrey and Natalie consented to help in period costumes and they looked charming in long dresses and bonnets. But as we began the day, we learned an actor or two failed to show up and Susan swiftly became an actor in the 1883 parlor sewing suffragette banners and pretending to be Mrs. Booth, who with her family lived there from 1863 to her death in 1926. Audrey was with her, soaking her hot feet in a basin with fake ice cubes as she tore apart cloth strips; Natalie joined “Mary Cawker” in the 1860 parlor packing for the arrival of the stagecoach. I was so pleased, and proud of Susan, Audrey and Natalie.

What’s hot and what’s not in August?

It’s been mercilessly hot in Denver. That is, until last Friday (8/15) and we’ve actually had the furnace on. It snowed in the mountains and they’re a touch white. Paul and Eldine Harder, who live in North Newton, were with us three days and we enjoyed that. Paul and I were best men at each other’s weddings. Eldine and Mom/Mary were childhood playmates in Buhler. The two of them made mud pies together. Boy, do we need a picture of that! We’re looking forward to a day with T.J. and Jennifer in Grand Junction in early September.