Medford's 2011 Apple Festival - to - Mt Holly's Witch's Ball!!!
14/10/11 19:54
We
started to play music around 11:00 am - to an eager,
busy, happy, enthusiastic group of Fall festival
goers – who had come out to enjoy the
absolutely magnificent weather – on a most
perfect afternoon… at the historic site of Kirby's
Mill.
It seemed as if the crisp, cool, sunny Autumn day - just wrapped it’s fingers around you.
The breeze was light and hinted with the warm scent of cinnamon, apples, carmel, popcorn, pies, donuts and cider… mixed with that old smell of fall leaves and earth… Mmmm – it’s one of those smells you never forget... There was a hint of distant, antique tractor motors - that whirled and popped… that traveled gingerly - down the middle of the street… drawing a big wooden cart of fresh apples behind it.
Children danced to our music… women broke free of their 'Mom' roles – and lightly moved - to their remembered childhood dances… reveling in the pure joy of the day, sunshine, music and atmosphere.
Cyclists strolled by, wheeling their bikes… pausing to listen… to enjoy the music, people, sunshine - and the day… and the hours, and the gentle, joyful activity... just rolled on.
So the afternoon flew by as if Autumn’s magic… had cast a spell on everyone – in a plethora of color… orange, reds, sage greens… and gold.
It was one of those perfect kind of days… One that you will always look back upon… and remember… but probably not be able to quite recall the exact year… or the precise age… but it WILL be marked - as one of those memorable points in time… A wonderful fall day… full of memories… but in an unrecalled year… vague… but so vibrant… in the colors of our mind’s eye... and that recall... will guarantee - a smile.
A special thanks to my wonderful and talented fiddle student Shaun… who handled the merchandise table with Phili this year. I could NOT have done it without you… And I was really proud to get you up with the band - and hear you play so boldly and strong - despite your pounding heart! Good JOB Shaun!!!
Then - Ohhh... the night came on... darkness ensued... and it was onto Mill Race Villiage – and their annual Witch’s Ball…… and Ohhhhhhh MYYYYYY…
I went with my favorite haunter… after getting dressed up for the ball… Here I am with my beloved & charming “Magenta”… (Original Abbie) who most graciously escorted us through the huge crowds of Mill Race Villiage… and got us – through the most transformed – magical setting you can imagine in the villiage… Pausing briefly – for a photo op – with the famous “Mona” – (pictured: "Magenta", me & 'the Vicar")
We meandered through the crowded streets that were crawling with all sorts of strange creatures... ranging from centaurs, to goblins... dragons & fairies... and.. mmm I'm not quite sure what this guy was... but "it" was creepy!!!
We saw a welcoming door and stopped briefly by "Jersey Made" which had Holly hopping with customers... THEN... we set out to find - “Pinelands Folk Music & Basketry Center” where my dear friend Mary awaited us… with a big smile and warm hearty hug… and she brought us into her shop which was richly scented with woodsy, delightful candles... and stocked with every instrument imaginable... Exactly a place where a crazy musician (like me) can get LOST in delightful... but often drooling, unabandoned lust - over any and all - of the fine musical instruments for sale there!!!!
So we played a string of tunes with Rich Carty - as he cheerfully pattered away on a Hammered Dulcimer… I strung along on fiddle… Phil, was leaping between Irish whistle, and a bodhran - which he pulled down off the wall… and even though we’d already played for a good 4+ hours at the Apple Festival... It was still fun & wonderful - to get to play more tunes with Rich at the shop... there in the transformed, apparitional and dark - heavenly hours - of the Witch's Ball!
Thank you - so very much - to all of the fans and friends who came out to support the band on this wonderful afternoon and evening… OH! This was just the BEST year yet… and I appreciate all the love and support! We have the BEST fans - EVER! xoxo
Read More...
It seemed as if the crisp, cool, sunny Autumn day - just wrapped it’s fingers around you.
The breeze was light and hinted with the warm scent of cinnamon, apples, carmel, popcorn, pies, donuts and cider… mixed with that old smell of fall leaves and earth… Mmmm – it’s one of those smells you never forget... There was a hint of distant, antique tractor motors - that whirled and popped… that traveled gingerly - down the middle of the street… drawing a big wooden cart of fresh apples behind it.
Children danced to our music… women broke free of their 'Mom' roles – and lightly moved - to their remembered childhood dances… reveling in the pure joy of the day, sunshine, music and atmosphere.
Cyclists strolled by, wheeling their bikes… pausing to listen… to enjoy the music, people, sunshine - and the day… and the hours, and the gentle, joyful activity... just rolled on.
So the afternoon flew by as if Autumn’s magic… had cast a spell on everyone – in a plethora of color… orange, reds, sage greens… and gold.
It was one of those perfect kind of days… One that you will always look back upon… and remember… but probably not be able to quite recall the exact year… or the precise age… but it WILL be marked - as one of those memorable points in time… A wonderful fall day… full of memories… but in an unrecalled year… vague… but so vibrant… in the colors of our mind’s eye... and that recall... will guarantee - a smile.
A special thanks to my wonderful and talented fiddle student Shaun… who handled the merchandise table with Phili this year. I could NOT have done it without you… And I was really proud to get you up with the band - and hear you play so boldly and strong - despite your pounding heart! Good JOB Shaun!!!
Then - Ohhh... the night came on... darkness ensued... and it was onto Mill Race Villiage – and their annual Witch’s Ball…… and Ohhhhhhh MYYYYYY…
I went with my favorite haunter… after getting dressed up for the ball… Here I am with my beloved & charming “Magenta”… (Original Abbie) who most graciously escorted us through the huge crowds of Mill Race Villiage… and got us – through the most transformed – magical setting you can imagine in the villiage… Pausing briefly – for a photo op – with the famous “Mona” – (pictured: "Magenta", me & 'the Vicar")
We meandered through the crowded streets that were crawling with all sorts of strange creatures... ranging from centaurs, to goblins... dragons & fairies... and.. mmm I'm not quite sure what this guy was... but "it" was creepy!!!
We saw a welcoming door and stopped briefly by "Jersey Made" which had Holly hopping with customers... THEN... we set out to find - “Pinelands Folk Music & Basketry Center” where my dear friend Mary awaited us… with a big smile and warm hearty hug… and she brought us into her shop which was richly scented with woodsy, delightful candles... and stocked with every instrument imaginable... Exactly a place where a crazy musician (like me) can get LOST in delightful... but often drooling, unabandoned lust - over any and all - of the fine musical instruments for sale there!!!!
So we played a string of tunes with Rich Carty - as he cheerfully pattered away on a Hammered Dulcimer… I strung along on fiddle… Phil, was leaping between Irish whistle, and a bodhran - which he pulled down off the wall… and even though we’d already played for a good 4+ hours at the Apple Festival... It was still fun & wonderful - to get to play more tunes with Rich at the shop... there in the transformed, apparitional and dark - heavenly hours - of the Witch's Ball!
Thank you - so very much - to all of the fans and friends who came out to support the band on this wonderful afternoon and evening… OH! This was just the BEST year yet… and I appreciate all the love and support! We have the BEST fans - EVER! xoxo
Read More...
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Fall Apple Festival - Historic Kirby's Mill - Saturday - October 8, 2011
04/10/11 13:17
If
you’re looking for something wonderful to do
this week end to really bring the feeling of fall and
family… you don’t want to miss Medford's
Annual - Fall Apple Festival – It's the 32nd
year of the festival, and what remains at the core of
its continued popularity is the delicious menu of
apple products that are available for purchase and
sampling.
Jennifer & the Boys of County O'Cean have had the honor to be asked to be the featured performers - in the main barn at the festival this year – and will be performing from 11 to 3 pm!
Admission is free – (There may be a small fee for parking.) Make sure you wear walking shoes cause there’s tons of great stuff to see… crafts & food… all sorts of interesting demonstrations… old cars… and the EVERYGHING APPLES!!! Last year they had some 95+ selected crafters and various food vendors... plus the Museum Shop set up within the beautiful, and historic building of Kirby’s Mill… which will be open too!
Location: Kirby's Mill - 275 Church Road, Medford. It was rumored last year… there were 22,000 people who visited this event… so it’s a big to-do!
"I think the amazing variety of apple products that we have each year is what continues to draw the crowds, as well as the quality of work from the artists and crafters who appear at the festival," said Bill Stauts, who's also treasurer of the Medford Historical Society, which presents the event annually.
"There's something for everyone at the Apple Festival," said Stauts, a Medford resident for 53 years, "and, obviously, there's always something good to eat, too."
Read More...
Jennifer & the Boys of County O'Cean have had the honor to be asked to be the featured performers - in the main barn at the festival this year – and will be performing from 11 to 3 pm!
Admission is free – (There may be a small fee for parking.) Make sure you wear walking shoes cause there’s tons of great stuff to see… crafts & food… all sorts of interesting demonstrations… old cars… and the EVERYGHING APPLES!!! Last year they had some 95+ selected crafters and various food vendors... plus the Museum Shop set up within the beautiful, and historic building of Kirby’s Mill… which will be open too!
Location: Kirby's Mill - 275 Church Road, Medford. It was rumored last year… there were 22,000 people who visited this event… so it’s a big to-do!
"I think the amazing variety of apple products that we have each year is what continues to draw the crowds, as well as the quality of work from the artists and crafters who appear at the festival," said Bill Stauts, who's also treasurer of the Medford Historical Society, which presents the event annually.
"There's something for everyone at the Apple Festival," said Stauts, a Medford resident for 53 years, "and, obviously, there's always something good to eat, too."
Read More...