Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Friday, November 6, 2026

This and That

 What a relief I feel after the Blue Wave!  Don't you?  It's like tRump has been deflated by this election that showed he is not the emperor he thought he was.  

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At our polling place we passed out I Voted stickers created by elementary students.  Here's the one I wore once I voted.


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Sunday, Dan and I attended the film screening of two old silent movies at the Newport, NH Opera House.


The Opera House is on the second story up a long flight of steps. It's also used as the Town Hall.  Lots of old wood.  Photo below doesn't do it justice.


The silent movies: "Van-ar-chy" and "Where Are Your Husbands?" were created by Billy B. Van who once lived in NH.  Filming of both of these silent comedies took place in nearby towns.  Members of the audience could recognize some of the locations specifically the houses even though they were filmed more than 100 years ago.





The screening included a newsreel of the times. So fears of anarchy and women's suffrage were front and center at the time of these silent films.  They were wonderfully preserved.  A pianist and a sound person accompanied Van-ar-chy and had recorded the accompaniment for Husbands.

These are the only two films by Billy B. Van in existence.  The Van-ar-chy one was recently discovered in Japan by happenstance.  Most films of this era disintegrated because of the type of recording.

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Scenes from our walk last week along the Sugar River rail trail.  This one included a covered bridge.














If the rain holds off today we may take a walk in Vermont, just across the Connecticut River from us.



10 comments:

Tracy said...

I don't think I have stopped smiling yet!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

There is something inherently appealing about a covered bridge.

DrumMajor said...

Amazing history. I'm wondering what the white dots are on the inside, left, in the covered bridge. I don't see any on the right. (Not too many covered bridges in Kansas.) Linda

Acorn Hollow said...

I head about that silent film on the news. The theater here has silent movies in a regular basis. I keep thinking I should attend one.
Your walk is beautiful.
Cathy

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful shots of the bridge! Good way to celebrate!

Tom said...

Last Sunday we saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame accompanied by a theater organ. Of course the covered bridge is a treat to see.

Anvilcloud said...

Both the silent movie and the covered bridge are pretty cool.

Kay said...

Those covered bridges are so wonderful. I remember looking for them in Indiana decades ago.
And yes, we were truly relieved on Wednesday morning.

DeniseinVA said...

A wonderful post and I would love to visit that old theater. A wonderful way to celebrate and yes, I am feeling more optimistic these days.

Fun60 said...

Brought back memories of my visit to the US a few years ago when I saw covered bridges for the first time.