Tag Archives: International Accordion Festival

Solstice Time

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Solstice Time

The summer solstice happened this week. To me it was just a day like any other, although some people engage in ceremonies to celebrate this event.

There was nothing too earth shattering in my life on June 21st, although thank you Amazon Prime for the timely delivery of my pastels and my sketchbook. That program I attended at the library really impacted me. Now I just needed to stay home long enough to create a masterpiece.

Yesterday morning I ventured down to the gazebo to watch the accordion parade. The International Accordion Festival is going on this weekend in Leavenworth. Later on today I’ll be attending a dinner outdoors with a view of the river. It’s a perfect venue where we will be serenaded by accordionists.

I enjoyed a leisurely brunch at the golf club today with my friends. We were disappointed that we didn’t see any deer today. Perhaps they’re hiding from the bears and cougars who have more than made their presence known in our town this season.

Cascade High School was the place to be yesterday afternoon when we attended a performance of The Jungle Book. Upper Valley Connection’s Icicle Players did a superb job.

Last night it was open mike at the senior center. Somehow I have become one of the regulars this year. Last night I sang only in English although I have done other selections in Spanish and in French.

Tomorrow we’re off to Ellensburg and then I’ll be working on crafts in preparation for Vacation Bible School.

Perhaps on Tuesday I may find time to play with my pastels after I teach a fitness class.

I was in Peshastin the other day and took photos of a beautiful rose garden.

Enjoy!

This Weekend in Washington

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This Weekend in Washington

Is it really Friday again already? It was just Monday!

The Accordion Festival started yesterday here in Leavenworth. There will be music galore throughout the weekend at the gazebo and in the Festhall. Saturday will feature a parade throughout the town. I enjoyed all of this immensely last year.

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But I have different plans for this weekend. I’m going to Cashmere with friends to take in Founders Day celebrations. A barbecue and time at the Pioneer Museum are on the list. Upper Valley Connection are performing The Little Mermaid again this year. One of my friends will also be on a float in the parade.

The real kick-start to the weekend happens tonight at Icicle Junction. The Nazarene Church is holding a mini-golf and pizza event for the kids and I am one of the many volunteers. Here’s a shot of us all at last year’s event.

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Also on my to do list for the weekend are visiting a friend in hospital, buying tickets for summer theater performances and regular Sunday church services. My characters are talking up a storm today so I will dive into my current work in progress once I get this post up.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Last Weekend in Leavenworth

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Last Weekend in Leavenworth

There is always a flurry of activity on the weekends in Leavenworth. Last weekend was the International Accordion Festival. Lively music filled the air both indoors and outdoors. The Festhalle and a number of restaurants and bars featured accordionists.

Saturday morning I attended a seminar and demonstration of various types of accordions. The Upper Valley Museum was a perfect venue for this event. The program itself was in the lovely sunroom overlooking the river. The man who spoke had brought in several items from his personal collection.

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Here are a few of the different accordions that were on display.

When the program was over, I headed downtown to the gazebo to watch the accordion parade.

A special treat was when they all gathered up on the gazebo and played Edelweiss and The Happy Wanderer. The participants were of all ages. The youngest was the little girl in front playing her toy accordion.

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In the evening I was invited to a dinner party where one of the accordionists entertained us with a variety of tunes. His grandson also performed for us.

Sunday morning at church………you guessed it…………one of the pastors was up there with his accordion playing with the band.

My plans for the upcoming weekend include volunteering at a mini-golf and pizza event for the youth group from church as well as attending a performance of The Little Mermaid over at the high school. Can’t wait!

Friday Hodgepodge

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Friday Hodgepodge

It’s Friday afternoon. After two days of rain the skies have cleared and the sun is shining. Folks around here tell me this is unusual weather for Leavenworth at this time of year. The highs the past couple of days have been in the 60s. But I am still in awe of the beauty of the clouds enveloping the mountaintops, even though they are still snow-capped. This was the sky yesterday evening.

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The other day we were out in Cashmere as my friend had to pay his car insurance. The office was sandwiched between a liquor store and a marijuana outlet. Here’s the sign on the highway advertising this little strip mall. An interesting combination.

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The Pioneer Museum in Cashmere was especially an interesting place to be last week. The children in the local elementary school and their teachers wore period clothing and had classes in the school house, complete with quill pins. At recess they jumped rope, played with hoops or enjoyed games of checkers. Apples were the common snack.

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Waterville is a quaint town about an hour away from Leavenworth. This old barn with its advertising caught my eye.

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We drove up in the hills to a home in Monitor. How is this for a view?

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The International Accordion Festival happens this weekend in Leavenworth. Yesterday some musicians gave us a preview at the gazebo.

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Tomorrow I’m off to the Upper Valley Museum here to attend a seminar and concert featuring accordionists. And tomorrow evening, in the spirit of the accordion festival,……………oh, I’ll save that for another blog post.