Working Hard, Witnessing Living History

This past week has been quite good at the rental branch. Our assistant manager Miranda has been off on vacation this past week, but the rest of us have stepped up to keep things going so well.

Home on Thursday (26 April), I helped mom with her new lawn mower, which she bought the day before. (The previous one had engine damage that was impossible to repair.) After trying to get everything set up, I was able to mow the front lawn with the new mower. It worked out very well.

I was back at Circus Flora (http://circusflora.org/) Thursday night for another volunteer shift. We had a very nice crowd for the show.

After a full day of work yesterday, I relaxed at home that night. This morning, though, I was at Jefferson Barracks County Park (https://www.stlouisco.com/parksandrecreation/parkpages/jeffersonbarracks) for World War II Weekend (https://www.facebook.com/events/2047820755453633/), a living history event this weekend. Reinactors of German, US, British, Canadian, and Soviet troops camped at the park--complete with authentic uniforms, arms, equipment, and accessories. I saw a skirmish involving the Germans and Americans, with troops shooting blanks while giving visitors a feel for World War II small unit combat. It is quite a nice event and rather appropriate it is being held at a former military post.

Later.

IPMS/Gateway Meets; Circus Flora Returns

Last Tuesday (17 April), I went straight from work to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) to help run this month's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/) meeting. We had a demo on making snow for models and model bases, and we had the Model fo the Month "Beauty Contest." I showed the 1:48 scale RF-80A kit I'm working on right now.

I was in Midtown St. Louis Thursday night for the peanut-free preview of this season's Circus Flora (https://circusflora.org/) production, "The Case of the Missing Bellhop." This was my first volunteer assignment of the season, and after helping clean the seats I acted as an usher. This year's show is a mystery comedy with plenty of thrilling acts. This includes the trick horse riding of the Alanian Riders (https://alanianriders.weebly.com/), and they did not disappoint. This year marks the first year for Circus Flora in its new permanent location on Washington Avenue about two blocks east of Grand Boulevard.

Two nights later (21 April), I was back for the official opening night of "The Case of the Missing Bellhop." We had a great crowd for the show, and I performed the same duties as I did on that preview performance. I was so happy that the show was so well received by this crowd, and look forward to more of the same during the run, which lasts until 13 May. Hope you can check out the show; you won't be disappointed.

I worked at the Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) branch Saturday morning, filling in for Marvin. It was busy, but we got things done in good order. I then got lunch and bought some work shoes.

Yesterday morning, I refereed SLYSA (http://www.slysa.org/) matches at Sportport International (http://www.sportportintl.com/). I was scheduled to work three matches, but the first was not held as neither team showed up. The other two went well. I stayed to run line for the early part of another match until the assigned official arrived from another field. After the matches, I got some lunch at Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/). The baked salmon was most tasty. This airport serves lunch on Sundays for $7 per person.I then treated myself to ices coffee and pound cake at Starbucks (https://www.starbucks.com/) in Creve Coeur before coming home.

Later.