Today was another really unique experience. Queen Annie took us to Pilgrim's Place, which is a retirement community in Claremont whose residents have all dedicated their lives to the service of others. Some were ministers, some were missionaries, some worked for non-profit organizations. Now in their retirement years, they are still serving. All year they work on various arts and crafts, and on the second weekend in November, they dress up like Pilgrims and turn their community into an arts and crafts fair to display and sell all the beautiful and unusual items they have made. The money goes back into their community to provide financial support for the residents. It was so uplifting to talk to these humble people who are so full of God's love and still so full of life and energy - very inspiring to say the least.
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| All through the community, little booths are set up displaying all sorts of arts, crafts and handmade items |
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| We wasted no time and immediately started checking things out |
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| There were all types of beautiful scarves, blankets, and clothing items as well as ceramics, wood carvings and creations, plants, just about anything you can name. |
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| Even an antique sewing machine that caught Barbara and Annie's eye |
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| Debbie found a cute new Red Hat |
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| And Carol found a penguin jacket - how appropriate is that? |
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| There was a replica of the Mayflower that "sailed" through the streets |
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| with some very cute Pilgrim kids aboard |
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| Or if you prefer, there was a little train that you could ride |
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| Hungry? They had a nice turkey dinner to solve that problem |
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| We took a break from shopping to indulge our appetites |
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| A little more shopping and then . . . |
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| It was time for the show. This band supplied the music and we enjoyed the sing-along |
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| These were the narrators of the story that started with our nation's beginnings at Plymouth Rock |
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| then centered on the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement |
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| and ended with the wish for Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men and Women |
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| What a wonderful way to begin the holiday season! |
