The Book Signing, Parade & Fair During Pioneer Days

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A most delicious beginning to a most delicious day. Beth’s Eggs Benedict was the best breakfast of the trip!  I was up at 4:30 am, too excited about the book signing to sleep.

We went to the mural dedication at 11 am.

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This photo doesn’t do justice to how realistic each individual appeared. I could imagine snapping my fingers and them coming to life and leaping off the wall. They were painted by Kelly Meredith, a local artist who has done several breath-stealing murals in the area.

She’s also the President of the Butternut Historical Society and a town council member. And she does it all with a smile. Great great lady! Here she is at the second mural unveiling, where she gave the closing speech and quoted a line from Six Train! It gave me goosebumps. She’s standing with George Faltinosky, a retired schoolteacher who lends a hand whenever and wherever needed.

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Troy Scherwinski, the Village of Butternut President gave the opening speech.

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Walter Fischer, son of the famous wrestler Charlie Fischer, was the keynote speaker for the dedication.

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Despite the rain, there was a wonderful turnout for the mural dedication, “Every Life Tells a Story”.

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People gathered to take pictures with their ancestors in the mural.

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Then we went to the second mural dedication on the side of the Butternut Area Historical Museum.

After the dedication, Dad and I went to the museum to get books and carry them over to Ruth’s Quilt Shop to set up for the signing. It was ten minutes before the signing was set to begin. We opened the door to over a dozen people, waiting to have their books signed. Ruth had set out coffee and her delicious homemade scones.

Jody Scherwinski leapt in to help and between the three of us, we were set up for the signing in record time. Big thank you to Jody–she stayed with us for the entire event and was an absolute lifesaver!

Sorry to say I have no photos of the book signing because it all went so fast! (If anyone has any, please send them my way!)

We had 48 books left to sell and we sold them all. People were purchasing multiple copies. Dad had to stand up and regretfully request that each person only buy one book.  We still sold out early on and had to take preorders!

We sold a total of 58 books and took preorders for 17 more! It was my best signing ever.

Toward the end of the signing, poor Dad had to step away from the cash box and go outside because of an emergency back home. We had no cell service in the building and Mom was texting that our well collapsed in CT! Luckily, Jody jumped in and helped process orders and make change. She’s such a great person.

(BTW on the well front, parents had to drill a new well and set up water storage tanks in basement. Let’s just say I need to sell several thousand more books to help cover that cost.)

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As the signing wrapped up, Ben who helps out at the Historical Society came in and presented me with butternuts. They are the reason Butternut got its name. We took the whole container home and are planning to plant a few in our yard. That way a little of Butternut will always be with me!

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Later that night, Dad and I met up with Kim and John from the Third Story Writers Guild for drinks at the CCC.  Then we headed to AJ’s for dinner–prime rib. Great dinner conversation about Ian Hunter and Buffy.

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And Brennan’s Green Brier to meet Terry Brennan and have another drink. It was the place to be on Saturday night. And the drinking songs. I’m still giggling about them. And trying to figure out how to work them into my next book.

The next morning it was in the 40s/50s. Everyone was dressed for fall. The coldest Pioneer Days’ parade yet people told me. Here is a pic of me and George getting ready to be in the parade! It was so exciting to see all the floats at the school lining up and waiting to make their way down the parade route! Kelly stopped to give me a corsage (it was a lovely lily). I can’t believe she has time to do all these things!

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George went to the local dollar store and got felt letters to spell out “Say Hi to Kourtney” and put it on the driver and passenger side doors. Everyone was saying hi and waving. It was the most awesome moment ever. I’ve never felt some welcomed in my life!

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After the parade, Dad and I went back to the museum to take a few more preorders.

Then we headed up to the fair to meet Kim and her daughter, Lexie.

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We got a few more preorders there too!

Then we went to meet Ken and Lori Kiefer of Deer Haven Lodge. Dad got to feed the deer and we ended up in Glidden for dinner. But first, here’s a shot of us with the black bear.

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We ended up having a delicious meal with Ken and Lori at the Green Lantern. This restaurant had terrific ambience. So much thought and attention was given to every detail of the place.

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And the food. OMG. I loved their fried cheese curds and fish fry! Teresa also placed a preorder with us!

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Then I went back to Munro Manor and sat beside the fire.  Jack and Ella took turns sitting with me and when Beth came home we had a great talk. And that’s how my last night in the Northwoods ended.

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