Some errands

Kent and I are both way overdue for haircuts.  We find a Great Clips and in just a half hour are both looking much spiffier.  Kent’s stylist even managed to move his part back where it belongs.  The last couple managed to move it nearly an inch lower on the side giving him a bit of a comb-over look…even though he has no need for one.

Some grocery and sundry shopping.

Now for the fun stuff.

The New England Carousel Museum.

It is billed as a museum of the history of the carousel.  Sounds interesting.  We find our way to a narrow street then a very small, maybe 15 car parking lot along-side a blocky looking industrial building.  It is not looking impressive from out here but the door is standing open and we have to check it out.  Not a lot of glitz here but the woman at the counter is enthusiastic about their story and just as we are checking in I hear carousel organ start up.  I‘m in for whatever there is to see.

We start with history…here the story of the carousel begins with knights on actual living steads riding a big circular track competing as to who can hit targets with a lance thingy.  (this is the origin of the brass ring game on more modern carousels).  In Europe they began as kids entertainment.  In North America trolley operators added carousels at the end of line to encourage ridership.  They became more elaborate as lines competed and even more so as immigrant craftsmen added their skills and designs to the horses.   Three unique categories emerged; Coney Island, Philadelphia and County Fair as the use of carousels expanded. We move to the actual carvings at the museum which are arranged into these categories. There are 100s of mostly horses with a smattering of wildlife and farm animals.   Notes point out the unique marks identifying the most prominent carvers for each style.  One could read for hours.

I am excited to find an exhibit that tells of the creation of the menagerie for the Greenway Carousel in Boston.  I just rode it this summer.  It is beautiful. No traditional carving here though.  Each creature comes to life as a plaster over wood frame sculpture.  A silicone mold is made then fiberglass resin and cloth are cast and pressed into the mold.  Voila, a bird, a tiger, a grasshopper.   And another and another and another just like it.  They are beautiful but I must say it is not as romantic as the vision of a craftsman plying together dozens of wooden blocks to create a rough form then laboriously carving to life a one-of-a-kind creation.

It is marvelous to be able to see so many pieces at one location.  I wonder how many carousel horses there are scattered across this country.

A little disappointment when I see that the working carousel is not full size so no adults on the horses, just the carriage.  No thanks, it’s just not the same.  Not enough carousel organ stuff either.  I love the sound and to watch the old punch tape driven, mechanical action bands.

It is a great place.  Go if you get the chance.

Family time

Today we meet up with Tammy.  She is on the east coast on holiday and we managed for our paths to cross here around Hartford, Rocky Hill to be exact.  We enjoy a bit of reminiscing and catch up on health and happenings over dinner at Saybrook Fish House.  It is a fun evening; plus, food was great and service wonderful.