Lakeside 2008, week 5

Last night at the auditorium we enjoyed the wonderful toe tapping performance of Rhythm in Shoes from Dayton. Their program says, "Based in Dayton, Ohio, the creative capitol [sic] of the Heartland, RIS has toured in 47 states as well as Canada, Japan and Ireland, pursuing the company's mission: to engage the world in music and dance." I had no idea Dayton was more creative than Columbus, Indy or Chicago.

Today the craft show on the lakefront begins. I've already inspected the early set ups and saw some great things. The Women's Club Tour of Homes is also today. Marian the Librarian called me Saturday with a plea to help as a hostess. Usually, I say No to these things, but based on the time schedule and job requirements, it looked pretty easy. So today I'll be telling people about the architecture and history of Green Gables, the home of the Women's Club, which is Steamboat Gothic and built in 1883. I have an encyclopedia of American home styles here at our cottage (picked up for $1 at a Port Clinton book sale) and looking at it, I think Green Gables is actually "carpenter Gothic," not "steamboat Gothic."

Steamboat Gothic architecture, a term popularized by Frances Parkinson Keyes novel of that name, is sometimes confused with Carpenter Gothic architecture, but Steamboat Gothic usually refers to large houses in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys that were designed to resemble the steamboats on those rivers. From Wikipedia

This week I'm taking a watercolor class from Bob Moyer. We bought one of his paintings last year in the art show. I missed the first two classes because we were in Columbus.

There was a huge storm when we got here yesterday, but it then cleared and now it is cool and sunny, just perfect for all the activities and visitors today.