DAN RICE DAYS 2015

Well, another Dan Rice Days has come and gone.  It’s the first weekend of August, every year, and it’s in Girard PA, where LETTERS TO MARY takes place (partially). 

It was a beautiful weekend – the weather and the setting were perfect.  We were under trees, with our shade canopy to protect us from falling ‘issues’, and sandwiched between Gary (the bottlecap necklace seller) and Patty (the garden club ticket-pusher!).  Lovely people, and were supportive with help and patience.

Autmn and I got there about 1pm on Friday, and together struggled to put the canopy together and get the table set up.  She was a big help and very creative with helping arrange everything to look attractive and draw people’s attention.

The first thing that happened was that Autmn went to get her face painted.  She had an ‘allowance’ of spending money, and that was priority.  I loved the design she chose and was sorry the next morning when it was smeared to the point that she had to wash it off.  So glad for photos!

Saturday’s day pretty much got into the swing of things with the parade.  Dan Rice himself lead the way down main street with lots of fun (and candy-throwing

floats!) to follow.

I was fortunate enough to sell a number of books, and had people come up to me to say how much they had enjoyed reading LETTERS TO MARY that they purchased last year. 

My favorite sale was to a very young couple.  She was captivated by the Civil War and the project of the actual letters, and asked the price of the book.  She looked up at him and said she really wanted to purchase the book.  He stood tall and said, “I’ll get it for you!”

“Oh, are you SURE you want to do that?” “Of course.”  He pulled out his wallet and handed me $20, and I gave him change.  I autographed the book to ERICA (with a ‘c’!) and she rewarded him with a big KISS.  They were both beaming when they walked away!  Ahhhh, young love!  I wish them lots of years of happiness and kisses – and reading good books!

Before the afternoon was much underway, Autmn took a little more of her money and got another face painting.  I’m not sure which I liked best – they both looked so cute on her pretty young face!

Many thanks to Autmn for her help, and for her patience, and her great gift of salesmanship!  She was really drawing them in!  And another big thanks to my parents who offered hospitality and the sacrifice of letting us spent the days playing in Girard! 

So until next year, Happy Reading!