Life in Nauvoo- part 2

(Still according to Sherilyn)

We recently were called as Assistant Zone Leaders which keeps us hoppin' even more than before. We have a Zone leadership meeting every morning before we head down to our various sights and do a little extra traveling around taking care of administrative duties.

When our cast is preforming for Rendezvous we are also in charge of opening up the Cultural Hall and getting it ready for the show. We greet the visitors and take their tickets and Elder Dickson gives them an opening pep-talk to stir up their enthusiasm for participating. In the height of summer when the sights were open until 6pm and the show started at 6:15 (and we were running 2 to 3 shows a night) our duties also included making assignments for cast members to bring food for a potluck/buffet style dinner to snatch down between scenes and shows.

ELDER DICKSON

Tours and Demonstrations

'Blacksmith and Farrier Shop'

Here along with talking about the blacksmith's duties he also gets to demonstrate how to make a horseshoe and makes "prairie diamonds" for everyone to take home.

'Gunsmith'

'Tinsmith'

'Brick Yard'

Here they also make small bricks for everyone to take home.

We hope you all take the opportunity to come and enjoy this special place. You truly can feel the spirit of those devoted saints who came here at the invitation of a Prophet and a few years later faithfully left at the invitation of another Prophet to go west.

If you have trouble finding your way, just look for the beautiful white temple that beckons from the hill above the Mississippi.

What we've been up to in Nauvoo -part 1

Janice and Sherilyn thought we needed to put together a more comprehensive view of what we do here in Nauvoo, IL on a day to day basis- so here is our life (according to Sheri).

'Rendezvous' is a play put on 6 nights a week year round, once or twice a night depending on the number of people wanting to see it that night (during the heaviest parts of the summer we occasionally performed 3 times a night). Each performance is 70 min. long and tells a little bit of the story of the Saints when it was time to leave Nauvoo and head to the west.

There are 3 casts that rotate performance nights- we are in "Z" cast and for the month of October we are assigned Wednesdays and Saturdays.

We have special costumes that are made only to wear on stage. These clothes are a little more fancy than the ones you will see us wearing at any of the sights.

Have no doubt, this is a musical and everyone in the cast sings...

yes, everyone!

Sister Sharon

Tours and Demonstrations

In the 'Family Living Center' we demonstrate some of the regular activities the family members would need to do to live comfortably. Until recently we were assigned as assistant sight managers here which meant we were here 3 days a week.

The pioneers made wool thread for clothes

candles

used scraps of old fabric to make rugs and quilts

baby-sat grandkids (oops, that's not part of the demonstrations)

cooked meals and made breads.

'Boot shop'

Tours in the 'Seventies Hall'

When you first arrive in Old Nauvoo, one of the best things to do is take a wagon ride around town and get an overview of all the sights.

Narrating on the 'Wagon Ride'

Life is busy here and we love it!

The shawl is finished!

The new shawl completed!

Not bad for a an old guy!

Building the shawl on an Egyptian

loom.

This one is a keeper. Sharon wearing the hat she wears in the Relief Society Sister's scene in Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo performance.

Picture taken in front of sleigh at the family living center.

Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo

Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo

Elder Dickson in the middle singing willingly at Rendezvous.

Happy Birthday Sharon!

I had a great 70th birthday. I served in the bakery that day so here are some pictures. When visitors are not in that is the chair I sometimes sit in. On the table is the cake Dad made for me and the bear he gave me for my birthday. And the beautiful flowers and cute cupcakes and card that Jamie and girls gave to me. I heard from all of my kids and my mother, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Bill and Aunt Nina. My other daughter, Robin Jones also called. I love you all!!!

Our Last Day of Freedom!

This was our last day of freedom before we go on stage. This is our practice group. Sharon made a quick trip to Antarctica looking for penguins...ha ha. Just the Mississippi doing it's thing. It looked pretty with the snow.