What a weekend! Wayyyyy too much eating, buckets of libations, just enough birthday revelry, and maybe one clandestine. Wonderful weather. I looked myself over real good getting up at the guesthouse yesterday, and as long as I don't feel 55 or look it, I'm happy with that!!! The display case is holding up nicely if I say so. The parade was very fun and festive, and I got the vibe from the crowd everyone seems ready for happy days again. Could it have been an omen? Granted we were in Biden Country...but still, even overhearing some people who were even republicans...can't stand this party and administration. We got back in mid evening last night, and enjoyed some pints with a bonfire.... now two days to enjoy before heading back into the rat race. Hopefully a day to get caught up at the Casa, and then one day to relax.
By the time this goes to post, I and the clan should be on our brooms in flight to Rehoboth Beach for the annual Sea Witch Festival and parade, some dining, and maybe just a small tripple of a libation. It will also be a celebration of me turning 55...and they aren't letting me forget it. At least I don't feel, look or act my age! But they know me so well.
My actual birthday is the Sunday...but I will be off for six days.
A regular reader here of several years will know the tradition of the Dragans. I have featured them over the years many times this time of year. They are all creatures made with love, wire and papier mache and other materials, and each one has its own unique personality. For more than 20 years, visitors flocked to North Union Street each Halloween, where it's big business. On Halloween night, so many people are in costume and trick or treating, all the streets literally shut down, and flood with town folk and visitors. But Dolores Dragan, a retired high school art teacher created the Halloween House, affectionately known, became local legend- drawing thousands to marvel at her hand crafts sculptures, color characters and playful scenes that transformed her huge house and yard. I love talking with her when I go into Lambertville from New Hope. Such a warm person, and she told me once how each character was based upon someone she knew or other town folk. But since moving I just heard from a friend, Dolores decided to stop the labor-intensive work setting up her home for Halloween and asked the Lambertville Creative Arts Fund to carry her work to a new chapter and share the magic. Her beloved creations now come to life as the Memory Maker's Trail of Magic- a month-long, citywide celebration produce by the group, and the creations appear throughout Lambertville shops, businesses, store fronts, dining establishments and community spaces. In the few times I met her, it was never about the decoration she said but rather the role of memory making. She always said she wanted kids to remember this when they're 70. I know I never saw anything like it. Here are some of my pictures from over the years.
While the set up might not be the same as seeing all the gang altogether, well over 80 creatures, not to mention at night with black light, its great she loaned them out all over town. Dolores gave this town a gift that went far beyond Halloween- she gave us a moment of fun for a holiday and memories that will last.
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