Stardate 2009.270 - Maryland Wine Fest

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The end of the Fall BOD in Pittsburgh was only a few days from the Maryland Wine Fest, and too close to fly home and immediately return, so I accepted the invitation to spend the week with Senators in the area.

I left the Fall BOD hotel with Harry and Sandy Kolodner for the trek to their home in Delaware. After a full weekend I was pretty sleepy but managed to stay awake during the drive with pleasant conversation. Upon arrival at their home we settled in and Harry cooked some Tuna steaks and an accompanying salad which was outstanding and just light enough for an early bed time.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Harry had coffee ready when I got up and around 9:30AM we set off to visit the Longwood Gardens. We had a fabulous lunch at the Terrace Restaurant then strolled through the conservatory. They are renovating the huge pipe organ and have much of the workings displayed - what a grand instrument. The gardens are part of the du Pont estate and are referred to as the world's premier horticultural showplace, and it is all of that. It rained pretty hard so we did not see the outside gardens but the inside was magnificent. The rain stopped just as we were heading back to the car. We returned to the Kolodner home and again had a great dinner, checked on my emails and after a few cocktails headed for bed.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Coffee was ready again as I rose and packed by luggage for my next host. We launched at 8:30AM to meet Danny Nuessle who was my tour guide for Gettysburg. We arrived at the visitors center and viewed the displays of firearms used during the Civil War until it was time for the Cyclorama show. What a grand painting. I do not know the exact size but it must have been over 150 feet long and around 50 feet high. Formed in a circle which placed the viewer in the center of the battle, seemingly on an overlooking hill. The action was highlighted entirely by the manipulation of the lighting. The room was darkened and the action started as the lighting mimicked a sunrise over the battlefield. flashes of light hit the painting simulating cannon fore exploding with all the appropriate sounds. the lighting became brighter as the simulated day progressed and the painted combatants seemed to actually be moving, The sounds of gunfire and shouting men made the vision seem very real. There was even some lighting tricks that showed smoke rising from a cannon ball explosion. They stimulated all of the senses during this brief experience.
Danny and I took in more of the museum before deciding to go into town for lunch. Time was getting short so we did not venture outside to the battle fields and monuments. This would probably take a few days and is a good reason to return.

Lunch was at the Farnsworth House tavern where the staff dressed in period costumes and served on Pewter plates. The building still had over 100 bullet holes in the brick walls as this was the location where Confederate Sharpshooters were sheltered while Union soldiers fired at them. We then drove to Judy and Danny's home where we could change and meet up with Judy before leaving for Anne Johnson's home and a Reception by the Virginia Senate in my honor.

And what an honor it was. There were many Maryland and Virginia Senators there and it was appropriately decorated with, what else, Star Trek photos and memorabilia. I learned later that Art Esenberg had supplied all the decorations. Senator Bob Lindholm, the second president of the US JCI Senate was there and presented me with a 15th anniversary book which had much of the early history of the US Senate. This was a very relaxing gathering and Virginia Senate president Ariel and her folks did an outstanding job. Lots of food and drink as well as conversation and fellowship. Of course there were plenty of photo opportunities. My everlasting thanks for a wonderful evening.

Presidential Assistant Jeanne Vanderhyde joined us there and I was transferred into her care. We returned to her home near Baltimore.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

I slept late and when I awoke Jeanne was already gone to work. This was a down day where I pretty much lazed around. I went for a walk in the morning then spent the rest of the day checking and answering the ton of emails that had accumulated over the past few days. Denise had noticed that I had booked my flight back from the British Drumming out for the Wednesday after the winter BOD so I called the airlines and rebooked for the Wednesday prior to the BOD. I called Wendy so she could do the same since the airlines would not allow me to rebook for her. I found Star Trek Enterprise on the telly and watched that until Jeanne returned from work. We were off to dinner then back to her house where we watched some TV then retired for the evening.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

I was up to say goodbye to Jeanne as she left for work then packed and was ready when Diane Baerveldt picked me up for the trip to their "Beach House". I unpacked and we left for a tour of the area. Stopped for lunch and had a salad and perhaps the best creamed clam chowder I had ever tasted. Then it was off to walk the 2.4 miles of the boardwalk. Diane drove us around the town and showed me where their original cabin was located. It was not an upscale development and Golf course. We stopped at a farmers market to get some fresh corn for dinner. Then back to the house just before John and Debbie Price arrived. We had a few cocktails while Diane cooked a great dinner - a glass or two of wine, some pleasant conversation with good friends, a romp on the floor with Tucker their dog (and the official entertainment committee,) then it was off to bed,

Friday, October 2, 2009

We were all up a bit before 9Am as we needed our rest before working the wine fest. Breakfast then off to Ocean City for our work shifts. Jeanne took the day off and joined up with us at the festival grounds. We had an hour or so before our work shift began so we imbibed in a bit of the "grape Juice" and a group of us went go to the Pizza Shack for lunch. We were in time to assume our assigned duties for the afternoon. My assignment was to apply wrist bands to all the attendees. It was quite fun joking with everyone. I worked that task for an hour and a half then was reassigned to one of the vendor booths to pour wine until 7PM and the close of the fest for the evening. The group of Senators headed to the Captains Galley restaurant home of the "Worlds Best Crab Cakes" so naturally I had to try them. After dinner the Senate hospitality room was open at the hotel where Calvin joined us. He had just driven down as he had to work all day Friday. We left to return to the Baervelt castle where we had cocktails and conversation until midnight.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Up and a leisurely breakfast on the porch. Calvin was on the early shift so he was soon on his way while the rest of us left around noon for our 1PM afternoon shifts. Jeanne and I did a shift with wrist bands and drink tickets until 4PM when we went for a sandwich with Harry. We were back for reassignment at 5PM and I was sent to the Beer booth to finish the day at 7PM. Everyone then gathered at the hospitality room where dinner was served with Lasagna, salad, shrimp and all the trimmings. Maryland president Letha Grimes presented me with a Maryland shirt, a hummingbird sculpture and a photo of a hummingbird that she had taken from her window at home. I returned the favor by presenting her with her pips, pin, flag set and the new logo cap.

Everyone was quite tired after two days of working the wine fest so we departed around 9PM. Back at the house we enjoyed each others company until 11:30 when my weary eyes told me that it was time to call it a night.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Jeanne and I arose early and packed our luggage into her car for a fast getaway to the airport after brunch. All the Senators began to gather for brunch around 9:30 and we enjoyed their company and had a group photo taken before Jeanne drove me to BWI and my flight home.

What a great week with president Lethia and all our Senate friends. I will always have fond memories of these friendships.