Hysterical Historical Memories

The Conneaut Lake Historical Society celebrated its 10th anniversary with a seven-scene skit titled "Hysterical Historial Memories". The event, held in the Ballroom of the Hotel Conneaut, was advertised as featuring the Whistling Tummies. Apparently the Whistling Tummies have quite a following. The Ballroom was packed. The skits, memories and songs covered the history of the Historical Society as well as history of the lake. Bob's grandfather, Larry Sousa, was even mentioned. Larry Sousa owned the Midway Hotel on the lake and apparently refused to accept a check from Gene Kelly because the actor wasn't from around here.

The kids playing running games in the park before the show.

Here they are - the "World Famous" Whistling Tummies.

A close up.

Veterans were honored at the end of the show. Servicemen stood while the song was played from their branch of the military. Here is my Uncle Jim standing along with fellow members of the Air Force.

The kids on the porch of the Hotel Conneaut after the show.

Dollar Spaghetti Night

After a year's hiatus, Oakland Beach Golf Course brought back one of our favorite lake traditions - Sunday night Dollar Spaghetti Night. Hard to believe, but it is just what it says. A plate of spaghetti with sauce is a dollar. A sausage or a delicious homemade 1/4 pound meatball on top of your pasta is an additional $2; and garlic toast, salad and drinks are extra. The golf course is a short walk from our cottage and we're there every Sunday night of the summer.

New this week, the waitresses had t-shirts that read "The Buck Stops Here - $ Spaghetti is Back"

Tessa enjoying her spaghetti.

The kids' end of the table.

Practicing putting after dinner.

The pond at the golf course.

The Shenandoah Caverns

We took a break from the heat by visiting the Shenandoah Caverns, where the temperature underground was a refreshing 55 degrees. The price of admission includes a visit to their two other attractions - an exhibit of parade floats from all of the big parades (Rose Bowl, Macy's Thanksgiving, etc.) and an exhibit of old department store window displays. I'd call that a great roadside attraction. We didn't have time for the floats or the window displays, but were impressed with the caverns.

You can see why they call these Bacon. These six-foot-plus formations were once in Nation Geographic.

A 'Low Water Bridge' over the Shenandoah River

We visited a low water bridge in Strasburg, Virginia. The bridge sits just a foot over the Shenandoah River, so when the river rises it's impossible to drive across the bridge. Residents must plan ahead and park a car on either side of the bridge and walk across the high suspension bridge. Even though the bridge was not under water at the time of our visit, we walked across the suspension bridge.

The suspension bridge.

The Shenandoah River.

The low bridge for cars. You can see the base of the suspension bridge at the right.

Cooling off in the river.

Our Trip to Virginia

A covered bridge that we spotted in Bedford, Pennsylvania on our drive to Virginia.

In addition to being absolutely beautiful, the Shenandoah Valley is full of history, including many battlefields of the Civil War.

The kids with Grandpa in front of the site of the Battle of Cedar Creek.

A beautiful valley view.

At the Battle of New Market site.

The kids with Grandpa, sitting in front of the summer kitchen of the farmhouse that sat in the middle of the Battle of New Market. The family hid in the house's basement during the battle. We walked through the farmhouse, its basement and its outbuildings.

Road Trip to Virginia

We've had a wonderful visit to Bob and Carol's house in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

The kids with Grandpa at the Civil War's New Market Battlefield.


-- Post From My iPhone

Ben's Puzzle Masterpiece

Although this 3-D puzzle began as Ben's project, we all became addicted.

In the early stages.

We stayed up late to finish.

Ben placing the final piece.

Ta Da!