I’ve taken my butter churning “Portable Historic Program”
on the road a couple of times recently. First, I trekked
over to Madison, NJ, where I engaged the public in a bit
of butter making on behalf of the Museum of Early Trades
and Crafts (METC). I was there during the Farmers Market
that’s held on Thursdays every fall in front of the Museum.
Fortunately, numerous young’uns stopped by to “take
a turn at the churn,” and we made a couple of batches
of lovely butter. It was great fun all around, and I had
a marvelous time. HUZZAH!
Then I hit the road again with the same program for an 18th
century festival at Dyker Beach Golf Course, here in Brooklyn
(wow. golf. in Brooklyn. who knew?!). Turns out, it was really
an “18th Century Heritage Celebration” that was organized
by Delores and George Frenzel, partly as a neighbors-friends-
and-family shindig and partly in recognition of their individual
80th birthdays. It was also a Rev War re-enactment, of sorts,
with General George Washington and other assorted officers,
along with the mustering of troops, the shooting of muskets
and cannons, a lady spinning yarn, dancing, general historic
chit-chat, and so on. Then, there was a FABULOUS banquet
on top of it all, with a wonderful spread of fantastic food.
A simply marvelous time was had by all, including ME!
HUZZAH, again!
Needless to say, finding photo-taking opportunities at each
event was extremely difficult! I did manage to grab a few,
however, as you’ll see below. Let the butter churning begin!
_________________________
First, at the Farmers Market, outside the Museum of Early
Trades & Crafts, in Madison, NJ:
TA-DA!
Pre-churned butter for tasting:
Away she goes!
Churned-on-site butter:
Second, the 18th Century Heritage and 80th Birthday Celebration:
The 18th century celebration begins:
My butter-churning station:
Spinster Viola Prevete:
Let the mustering begin:
Presentation of George Washington, other officers, and militia:
The troops are ready:
FIRE!
The young’uns joined in the fun:
The planners, organizers, and 80th birthday kids, Delores and George Frenzel:
