How to Pillage a Village

                                                                           

My ghost hunting friends and I headed to Mt. Holly, New Jersey to spend the day with some pirates. I was hoping to see Johnny Depp, but (insert long sigh, here.) I did meet some really nice people.

                                                                    

Jean, on the left, is our lead ghost hunter and Rita, on the right is our ghost whisperer. The young man in the middle is some poor soul we yanked off the trail.

                                                                        

There were lots of activities throughout the day, including several combats presented by the Society of Creative Anachronism. This is a living history movement where the members have a “hands-on” approach to history. The SCA period encompasses pre 17^th century Western Europe with an emphasis on the middle Ages and Renaissance. Their site is www.sca.org

                                                                             

                               Here are some of the members performing.

                                                                                                                                     

We also met some members of the New Jersey Renaissance Fair. The lady in blue is Countess Spencer and the lady beside her is of noble blood, the Duchess of North Umberland.                  

                                                                        

The pirates on the street are part of the same group and they put on a wonderful show.

                                                                             

We decided to do some shopping while we waited for the Gypsy belly dancers to begin their act and I was lucky enough to run into a friend. Author Danielle Ackley-McPhail was there promoting her books. Please check out her site, www.badassfaeries.com and order some great books.

                                                                            

I finally found a pirate’s vest to use for my Steampunk persona, but I still need a few more items before the next Dorian’s Parlor in September. Here I am with my friends.

                                                                                                                             

                We can never stop in Mt. Holly without going to the Ghost Hunter Store.

                                                          
                             We did some shopping and I said hello to a friend.

                                                         

Another Great Weekend

            Last week, I promised to get back to you about the little vintage clothing store we happened upon on our visit to Mt. Holly’s Ghost Store. The name of the store is Vassies Couture Vintage and Retro Boutique, located at 18 High Street in Mt. Holly, N.J. 08060. Gloria and Ada are the two sisters who own this special shop, and these wonderful ladies go out of their way to make sure you leave their shop happy.

          Sharon(friend of sisters) far left, Jeanine Dupree( center) and Gloria and Ada (owners)

     One of my ghost hunting friends wasn’t able to find an outfit last week for the next Steampunk Event, but the sisters made sure that when we returned this week, they had what Jeanine Dupree needed. Take a look

The ghost hunters, Gretchen Ziegler, Jeanine Dupree, and I will be returning to this little Treasure Chest, again.

This month starts the Bicentennial Celebration of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. I took two of the grandsons to visit. There were plenty of activities to keep the boys busy, and I got to visit with former staff and volunteers.

                                       Amanda ( part of my birthday angels) and good friend.

                                          Barbara Perlmutter and husband. She worked as a volunteer in the
                                          Changing Exhibit when I was the Manager. She still volunteers for the
                                           Academy.

                                    

                                

      Nathan and Joshua had a chance to do some digging in the Big Dig, visit the butterfly exhibit and Outside-In. Make sure you take the time to visit this amazing place. You won’t regret the trip, and tell them, Miss Marie sent you.

   

                                             Me and the boys!!! See you soon                                          

 

Another Busy Weekend and why I don't sleep

Another Busy Weekend and why I don’t sleep

            On Friday, I met with a good friend Denise Ferraro to see a special exhibit at the Constitution Center. Denise and I were excited to see the Bruce Springsteen exhibit, which was showing on the first floor of the Center, wonderful exhibit, go see it.

     After stopping in the café situated on the first floor, we made our way to the second floor to see a live performance called “The Living News”.

            You need to see this and I mean soon. It’s free, okay, no excuses. What an exciting and unique way to introduce the current constitutional issues at stake today. The three talented young actors presented both sides of a controversy using film, music and current news broadcasts. They covered religion, gun control, and the death penalty in such a way as to open the door to meaningful discussion between opposite sides.

            After the performance, the actors, Felicia Leicht, Katie Keith, and Jamal Douglas, along with the Stage Manager Allison Heishman and Assistant Manager Robin Stamey took the time to ask the audience their feelings on the issues presented in the show.

            See this show and take the kids.

            Friday night, my ghost hunting friends and I went to the Quarter Note Café on Kings Highway.  We were treated to an amazing night of great music, and I do mean GREAT.

            The band is called Biker Fish and consists of three very talented young men, one who’s only 15. They played multiple instruments and did it well. Their names are Peyton Pleninger, Jeff Deppa and Michael O’Leary. I hope to have pictures soon and will let you know when they play again.

            Saturday, two of the ghost hunters and I visited Mt. Holly, N.J. to visit our favorite Ghost Hunter Store,

but on the way we stopped at this new vintage clothing store hoping to create a Steampunk outfit.

     The helpful owners were able to show a large selection of true vintage dresses, blouses and skirts. Gretchen Ziegler, collector of wayward spirits is now ready for the next Steampunk Event, but we need to return next week to Mt. Holly to find an outfit for Jeanine Dupree, a Representative and Protector of the Spirit World.

            So…what am I doing on Sunday? Putting the finishing touches to my Sci-fi Short Story, and then send it out to a Publisher.