THE GLIMMERSTONE LITERARY SOCIETY
First Annual Writers Weekend at the Cavendish Inn
July 23 and 24, 2005
By Marjory Diane Lyons, Ph. D.
There is no dearth of cultural activities in the southeastern quadrant of the Green Mountain State of Vermont! What a terrific turnout we had for the FIRST ANNUAL WRITERS WEEKEND at the Cavendish Inn in Cavendish, Vermont. And what a romantic site for a congregation of writers and publishers and would-be authors as well.
The over-nighters began arriving on Friday, July 22, and with each one's arrival the excitement built. About mid-afternoon ,Joan McIver came in, camera in hand talking about the Vermont covered bridges and Stuart McIver followed her onto the porch and remarked, "What a lovely drive we have had down from Burlington!" That started a chattering about the trip up from Fort Lauderdale on Jet Blue and the drive down I-87 through the Green Mountains to I-91 and the exit west to Vermont Scenic Route 131. Two minutes after you turn off the highway onto 131, you feel you are in another time zone, and with it, an aura of relaxation sets in. The McIvers sat on the open porch and we plied them with cool iced teas and views of the terrace and gazebo and gardens beyond. It was time to begin to let go.
But not entirely. This was the night before the First Annual Writers Weekend and there was work to be done. We looked over the twin dining rooms, arranged the four-top tables (covered in chocolate brown cloths), set out the speakers table, laid out the agendas and the hand-outs. The result was a professional and dramatic setting in the old historic Inn, with the speaker to stand in front of the fireplace facing the bay window and the participants to be gathered around.
By the time Betsy Lampe and Betty Wright got there from Tampa on Northwest, just after dark, after an hour and a half's drive from Manchester New Hampshire, we were seated at the dining table, just ready for dinner. The noise level rose as each friend was welcomed by the hosts, Tim and Peter Jefferson, and my daughter Gail Harpold and husband, Marty Harpold. Soon the table was full of jostling and joking folks.
After dinner, Betsy had some folding to do of her handouts. Betty was well-prepared with hers, so the group then toured the grand old (built in 1844) mansion and the adjoining barn and listened to Peter entertain us with his guitar playing until time for bed.
The next morning, July 23, 2005, after breakfast we would hold our FIRST ANNUAL WRITERS WEEKEND sponsored by the Glimmerstone Literary Society. It was like the Night Before Christmas.
* * * * * * * *
For information, rates, packages and forthcoming literary events, check out the website www.cavendishinnvt.com Call Tim at 802-226-7080 Or Marjory at 954-249-1333 |
