A Harvest of Holiday Tales

A Harvest of Holiday Tales

November 10, 2008

Leaf raking and cozy lambswool slippers greet the season at the Ross Ranch where all things pumpkin permeate the home decor of props, while golds, browns, forest greens and burnt oranges are the colors of choice for costuming.

That is, of course, unless I'm in my traditional Pilgrim attire. Then, Dutch caps, tall hats, petticoats, aprons, and waistcoats reign! Contrary to the plain black and white of popular historical illustrations, the early Christian Pilgrims who first settled the American colonies were very creative folk, wearing many colorful hues in their funtional wardrobes. Settling the New World was not a job for the faint of heart or slothful of habit.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: My recreations of the First Thanksgiving in story features a poetic song first penned in 1623, recounting daily life adventures on Plimoth Plantation. Props and costume accessories assist volunteers for interactive audience participation.

This year, I am working on a fresh re-telling of the familiar story through the eyes of Squanto - the Indian who befriended the Pilgrims and taught them how to tame the land and survive in their new colony home. Through his help a peace treaty was signed between the new colonists and the Native Americans. A three day feast of Pilgrims and Indians in celebration of a fruitful harvest and new friendships is what we celebrate as "Thanksgiving" - when the Christian Pilgrims gave thanks to God for His safekeeping and provision in the New Land.

Sarah Hale picks up the next chapter in the story when I tell of her 19th century efforts to have Thanksgiving declared as a national holiday uniting all the states to pray and give thanks to God on the same day. After many attempts through letter writing campaigns to various presidential administrations, her petitions were finally taken to heart at a time when unity was most wanting in our country. During the Civil War, President Lincoln saw declaring a day of national Thanksgiving as the right thing to do to encourage healing in a broken country.

For the younger set, tales of Barnaby Bear's Straw Hat, silly squirrels and colorful falling leaves are just the thing to mark the season. Then, suddenly, the Christmas holidays loom large before us!

HOLIDAY TALES: All the sparkle and wonder of Christmas from a child's eyes inhabit Miss Kathy in this upcoming festive season! Returning favorites such as Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, A Victorian Christmas, The Night Before Christmas, Sabuda pop-ups, nutcrackers, kitty-kats, Mortimer Mouse, and my new original tale about a rusty old tin soldier, his broken drum, and the snowy white owl who brings him new hope will debut in December, with shows adapted for each age group.

FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES: "Vintage Toys and Childhood Treasures" features toys and dolls from the early to mid-20th century displayed around the base of a 1950's aluminum Christmas tree with vintage glass ornaments! Not to be missed in visual display with story, song, and nostalgia for all!

COMING IN 2009: Plans are underway for my 2009 Summer Reading Program events with the New Jersey State Library theme - Getting Creative with a Good Book! Pageant Wagon Productions is all about getting creative, so expect to see a program with plenty of emphasis on the arts: painting with Creative Cordelia, acting with Theatrical Theodora, singing . . . dancing . . . and great reading suggestions for all ages!

MELODRAMA 2009: The script should be finished by the end of January!! March is read-thru and then - Whew! June is just around the corner for our newest project celebrating 5 Years of Pageant Wagon Players and Melodrama Summer Theatre - vaudeville style!!

SEND THIS TO A FRIEND who you think would be interested in the enrichment programs of Pageant Wagon Productions LLC and Miss Kathy. Encourge others to subscribe to my newsletter and help me get the word out about our many speaking, storytelling, educational and entertainment programs for children of all ages! Who do you know that works in elder care, adult day care, education, libraries, community organizations, church ministries, or for that matter - anyone looking for terrific entertainment for children's birthday parties? Forward www.pwpstorytellers.com to them and remind them to click on the Newsletter Page.

May you and yours enjoy a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday with horns o'plenty and cornicopias of joy!

Joy to you all!
Mr. Ed and Kathryn "Miss Kathy" Ross