Hope for Tomorrow
Page 16
Summer was almost over, and the town was planning one of their biggest first annual events ever, the Hope Valley Family Festival! Last year this time they had all enjoyed a potluck/talent show that Rosemary had brought to life in the newly remodeled, Billees. So, this year they were going in a slightly different direction. In Brook Springs, Nathan, Dee, Allie, and Emily as well as the Landoch family, had such a great time end-of-summer festival, that they shared what they did at that event giving Hope Valley new ideas.
In Minnie's Cafe the Chickadees were gathered with most of the other ladies in town. Rosemary was still offering to head the festival even though she had minor twinges of morning sickness still, but everyone knew she was the natural go-to-gal event planner of Hope Valley. Dottie had assured her to go to the meeting as she would be waiting for a return telephone call from Deborah White.
Word had spread that the good news was out! Rick O'Neill had returned to work and was working right there at the Cafe with Joseph on the expansion. Christy was so thrilled that Rick was right there where she was with little Timi Anne.
With a pen and paper in hand Rosemary surprised everyone as she entered joining the full room of ladies chatting away. Minnie had plenty of coffee, tea, and muffins for anyone who might need some nutrition for their marathon planning day. Now was the time to speak up and get your suggestions in. Billees would provide lunch there so Minnie and the ladies were not under any time restraint.
After the ladies had their refreshments and settled into their chairs, Minnie led with an opening prayer. Rosemary called the meeting to order by tapping on her coffee cup with her spoon.
Minnie quickly interrupted Rosemary and let her know that Mary O'Neill and Anne Lipinski had offered to help organize the festival since the group didn't know if she would feel up to it with pregnancy sickness.
Mary and Anne nodded their heads, "It's all right. We just thought it would be a way of thanking the community for caring and prayers when Rick was injured." Both Anne and Mary knew it best to hand over the plans to Rosemary as she would take over either way.
"Nonsense," Rosemary said, "of course it's fine. You two can be in charge of the food table. Back by popular demand, Bill has offered to barbecue a pig again, like last year. Heads all nodded with big smiles. We will, of course, bring any side dishes to the buffet table. We want a variety of food so make a list and if anyone asks to give them a category. Maggie and Sam will be there to help you both, so no worries," Rosemary thanked them, "They will provide the beverages. Ladies, time is of the utmost importance now. So, no dilly-dallying around she warned when the chatting began up again. We have a dessert contest this year and need someone to oversee this."
Joyce spoke up, "I'd be glad to help, if I have a partner," as she looked around.
"I'll help you Joyce," Debbie offered. "We can make the table real pretty like too!"
"Okay, that's a start," Rosemary jotted notes, "but we need judges. Whom should we ask?"
Emily spoke up then, "I don't want my son because he knows my baking all too well." she laughed.
Dee joined in, "Most everyone does, Ma!"
"How about some new folks, bachelors perhaps?" Susanne suggested.
"Yes, Dr. Scholl, Ben Carmon, and Gunther Burmeister." Rita was quick to rattle off.
The ladies all agreed, "That would be perfect!" Christine agreed.
"All right, we have our judges, now to see if we can get them to agree." Rosemary laughed.
"Speaking of Gunther, our newest Mountie will be the umpire for a father/son baseball game in the afternoon."
"This will be so fun; I just know it. The young girls will be cheering their dads and brothers on." Susanne added.
Rosaleen excitedly suggested "We could have a dunk tank as a fundraiser for the library. I talked to Gunther about it and all the coaches, even some others might be up to being in the dunk tank. What do you think?"
The ladies loved the idea! "Yes! I can't wait to dunk Bill!" Molly admitted.
"Well, there are more ideas too, but let's go on for now. We have games to play! Suggestions?" Rosemary inquired.
"Ring toss, the kids like that!" Nancy announced.
"3-legged race," Marijane called out.
"Wheelbarrow race," Sherri added.
"How about a water balloon toss?" Marge asked.
"Fishing contest," Luciana urged.
"All right, all right ladies! Great ideas? Now, who wants to be in charge of them?" Rosemary looked around.
Brenda wasn't too sure, but asked Marge sitting next to her, and she agreed, so Brenda spoke up, "We will, Marge and I."
"This is wonderful ladies!" Rosemary was thrilled the meeting was going to smoothly and well, "Dee, can we count on you to be in charge of the music? It'll be all yours to plan whatever you'd like."
"I'd like that. What I'd really enjoy is having the children sing the songs they learned at Summer Bible Camp. They were so good and not everyone got to see the Noah's Ark skit," Dee started.
"Perfect!" Elizabeth agreed. "We could have them do a little portion of the skit; it was so adorable." She looked at Jane, "How about dancing the Horah too?"
"Oh, just to let you know, the Hopefuls will be showing "Daddy Long Legs" film in the evening at Billees. It's our first time bringing a film back to Hope Valley," Rosaleen shared happily, "and we plan on having one a month!" The group was thrilled to hear this.
"This is such a relief! You Chickadees and all ladies are the very best! Thank you for volunteering. We must get busy on this as it's just a few weeks away. Now, to let you in on a SECRET, and I mean it ladies. Especially you Dee, Emily, and Rosaleen! That day a Superintendent from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will be coming to honor our Mounties Nathan and Gunther for their outstanding work capturing Harvey Toliver, Clay, and Jude. They will be presented with RCMP commendation medals! Isn't that exciting?"
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 17
The Chickadees and other ladies left Minnie's Cafe talking to their friends about the Family Fun Fest and making detailed plans as they were very excited to do up the town with a memorable festival. Rosemary was delighted to see them doing their share all busy and happy little chicks, with her as the mother hen. Part of her wondered how much longer she would be the event planner with expecting now. Surely, she would be able to handle the bridal shower for Molly, the bachelor party would have to be up to Lee, but she knew the Chickadees wanted to make Bill's party one for the books. Of course, the wedding and reception! Then, she had Dee's baby shower, Canada Thanksgiving potluck festivities, and of course all the fun events for Christmas: the pageant, tree lighting, and caroling! She had to be well, the town was counting on her! Rosemary grabbed her notebook and walked straight to the lumber office.
Without saying hello, "Lee, what a morning! We have some fantastic plans for the Family Fun Fest for Hope Valley and I've got it all under control," she smiled happily with herself.
"Did you ever doubt yourself, Rosie?" Lee gave her a quick peck on her cheek as he walked back to his desk.
"Well, yes I did. This little one of ours has kept me under the weather, but I'm back to myself and ready to guide my little chicks! Now, to get an article in the Valley Voice about our Festival, I better get busy. Sorry, I can't talk Lee, perhaps later," she quickly furrowed her brows as she got busy writing her article, as Lee looked puzzled. Lee chuckled to himself thinking, happy wife, happy life.
Flo and Molly rushed over to Dottie's Apparel and checked with her about the dresses. When they walked in, Molly was standing by the register just saying goodbye on the telephone. When she looked up and saw the anxious looks on Flo and Molly's faces, she ran from behind the counter and gleefully hugged her friends. Dottie's face and demeanor changed from formal calmness to utter joy.
"Ladies, you'll be so elated to know that I just finished my phone call with Deborah White and she has accepted the fact that, as I pointed out to her, there were no prices listed in the catalog with the dresses. What she quoted me over the phone was actually wrong, as she read the prices from her paperwork which had the decimal point in the wrong place!" Dottie was laughing now.
"So, does that mean, she agreed to sell us the dresses for the quote she gave you over the phone?" Molly was still cautious and asked again for clarity.
"Yes, Yes!" Dottie answered. "At first she tried to deny her quote, but then she didn't want me to pursue this any further as she didn't want her name and the company to get a bad reputation, so she agreed to stick to the quote."
"Whew!" Flo was relieved. "Dottie, thanks for handling this. I'm afraid, I'm not very good at sticking to my guns, so I'm always asking Ned or Katie to handle any discrepancies."
Molly grabbed Dottie and Flo and danced in a little circle. "I am ecstatic! Now, we can get on with the fittings. Thank you, Dottie!"
"You better tell Bill, he might still think he did something wrong," Flo suggested.
"Flo, you are so right. Bill got the brunt of my frustration. I need to make it up to him. I'll ask Faith if I can take a longer lunch and ask my guy for a ride in his Roadster with a picnic!" Molly declared. "Thanks again Dottie, you're a doll!"
"Have a wonderful time!" Flo called out.
Flo stayed with Dottie to try on the dress and get her fitting. Molly stopped by the library and shared the good news with Rosaleen that her dress was over at Dottie's and she would like her to come for a fitting.
"All right mom, I will. Oh, don't forget to ask Bill if he will be willing to participate in the dunk tank. It's all for the library fundraiser," Rosaleen reminded Molly. "I've got all the coaches and Ben Carmon signed up and I will also ask Dr. Scholl and Mr. Jensen."
"How about Ned, Mike, Kevin, Henry..." Molly was busy rattling off more names.
"Mom, we have to have them for other plans," Rosaleen began sounding a bit suspicious to Molly.
"Other plans, what other plans?" she asked determined to get in on all the details her daughter was contemplating.
"Oh, nothing, just a few ideas Maggie, Katie, Lana, Lisa, and I came up with," she began to giggle.
"Miss Sullivan, I am your mother and I demand to know what sort of mischief you are up to!" Dottie tried to sound authoritative but was really nosy.
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise," Rosaleen shrugged, knowing her mother was faking her outrage, "we have to get them to agree first, then I'll let you know!"
"Rosaleen, stop teasing me, and be out with it now, lass!" Molly scolded her daughter.
"Have a fun lunch with Bill, Mom!" Rosaleen teased as she looked back down at her books. Molly left her daughter rather disgruntled, but she had to get back to the infirmary.
Later, when she and Bill went for their picnic ride, they found a lovely spot not far from town that was quiet and peaceful. A small creek was running through the grassy field. Bill shook out the blanket and then pulled a few wildflowers. As he came closer to Molly, he kissed her forehead and placed a flower behind her ear. Molly was touched by his sweetness and almost cried.
"I'm so sorry Bill, I took out all my frustration over the dresses on you darling, will you forgive me?"
"Red, there's nothing really to forgive, I just tried to tell you that YOU were the one who mattered to me. I guess I better learn to keep my mouth shut," he winked.
"Me too," Molly said when Bill bent down, and pulled Molly close, and they both laughed before they kissed.
After eating their picnic lunch, Molly told him that Rosaleen wouldn't tell her about an idea she and the other girls her age was thinking of as a fundraiser for the library. "She wouldn't give, Bill, not one inch. She can be so stubborn!"
Bill just laughed, thinking, like mother like daughter, but this time he kept his mouth shut.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 18
Superintendent Malone came into town seeking to meet with Elizabeth and Dee. Parking his automobile, he stepped out and looked around. Most everywhere he looked he saw construction, even at Minnie's, where he stopped to grab some breakfast. Pulling out his pocket watch, he checked to see what time it was. Good, he thought, I have 30 minutes to eat.
As he walked in, he saw a table over in a corner and went over to sit down. As he looked around, he saw a big area that was being added to the side of the dining room, covered with a makeshift curtain. He could hear hammering and sawing, but none of dust was seeping in with the area tightly secured off. Behind the kitchen he heard some beautiful piano playing that distracted him from the noise of the remodeling. Whoever was playing, was hitting all the notes just perfectly and the music was enchanting.
All around people were busy chatting and laughing but took a glance to notice him. He was quite noble looking, wore a suit and hat, that he took off and placed on the chair beside him.
Thankfully, his hair was combed neatly and still in place. He knew he was being sized up and wanted to make a good impression, so he smiled and nodded at whoever caught his eye.
When Minnie came over handing him a paper with the menu for the day he reached for his eyeglasses. The written print was legible, but small for him to read. "Good morning, sir," Minnie greeted him with a smile, "what brings you to Hope Valley?"
"Good morning," he politely replied, "I'll be meeting with the schoolteachers, Mrs. Thornton and Mrs. Grant as I'm the new Superintendent, Mr. Malone."
Minnie wasn't so sure what to say, as she knew Angela was finally approved to be taught at Hope Valley by Mrs. Thornton, so she didn't want to face any new challenges with this Superintendent.
"Welcome then to Hope Valley, my name is Minnie Canfield, I'm sure you'll find we have the finest teachers in the area!" she said with a broad smile.
"Thank you," Mr. Malone answered, "I'm sure I will."
"Coffee?" Minnie asked.
"Sure, you must be the proprietor of this lovely place," he inquired, "I'll have some scrambled eggs and toast, if I may."
"I am," Minnie beamed, "Of course, I'll have your breakfast coming right up."
"Did I hear you say you're the new Superintendent?" Luciana asked as she leaned over from her table she was sharing with Christine.
Startled, he looked over at her and introduced himself, "Yes, I am Mr. Malone, the new Superintendent. Happy to meet you Ms.?"
"How do you do? I'm Luciana, and this is my friend, Christine. We are just wondering if you know that Minnie here has a daughter who is blind but is playing that lovely piano music you are hearing?" she asked.
"I only knew there was a blind student, and it has been approved for Mrs. Thornton to continue her studies with the child. I have yet to meet with the teachers, but I will right after this," he nodded, "but her piano playing is lovely, music to my ears!"
"That's natural talent," Christine spoke, "but her learning braille and making friends in school has been her biggest accomplishment, thanks to Elizabeth and Dee."
"Just thought you should know," Luciana winked as she turned back around to Christine.
"Here's your breakfast," Minnie smiled as she set the plate before him. "Anything else for you?"
"Yes, I'd love to meet the pianist playing such exquisite music afterwards please."
Minnie was pleased, "Of course, I'll be happy to introduce you to Angela, she's, my daughter. I agree, she plays lovely music."
Minnie strutted back to the kitchen and quickly went over to Angela and told her about the Superintendent eating breakfast in the dining room. Angela just smiled and then began to play what she played when she first met Mrs. Thornton, Debussy's "Clair De Lune."
The music was enticingly divinely beautiful to the ear. People all around stopped to listen as Angela played. When she ended, applause rang out from the dining room. Mr. Malone stood up and clapped, then walked over to Minnie to meet Angela.
Minnie was more than happy to introduce her daughter, beaming with pride, as they all talked briefly for a few minutes. Angela was excited to make a good impression, and she certainly did. Mr. Malone congratulated her on her gift. "Your talent is such a blessing Angela, and we are all the better for it!"
With that, he said his goodbyes as he excused himself to meet with the teachers.
Both Elizabeth and Dee were waiting for him at the school. As he walked up the stairs, he saw more construction. The building was also being remodeled. He could see many building sites busy with workers hammering, sawing, carrying windows, etc. Indeed, Hope Valley was growing. This meant something to Mr. Malone. Hope Valley was the place to be!