Week 65 - Hegsted's Mission

 22-October-2023-Sunday

It is Sunday and I finally felt like waking up and going to church.  Today was the primary program and I was excited about playing for that program.  It was not my best day on the piano, but I survived.  The chapel was packed.  People just love the primary program and so many came along with a few visitors who were just in the state.  In fact one couple came up to see me who I gave a tour to yesterday.

For primary hour, we played.  First we did the hide the eraser game.  Someone hides the eraser in the room while another person is out of the room and then comes into the room.  He (she) finds the eraser by listening to the singing.  If they are close, the singing is louder, if the person gets away from it, the singing becomes softer.  Everyone had a chance to participate.

We then played fun faster songs.  I would play and randomly stop.  The kids were to dance and then freeze when the music stopped and then start again when the music started.  Harder on the older boys who did not want to dance in public.  But I think most enjoyed it.  They then had a coloring page and treats.  Dede and I had to leave by 11:40 to cover the shift today.

It was surprising busy.  We ended the day with 92 visitors.  Only 4 before we came in so that is great for a 4 hour shift.  As I started the shift, I could only think how grateful I felt that I had been rejuvenated by attending church before the shift began.  I needed to feel that peace in my life and it made the busy day such fun.  We had some huge groups today along with the the normal 2's and 3's.  One family of 12 were then for the 50th anniversary of the parents.  That was fun.  

It is so interesting.  We are well past the peak of leaves.  I.e. most of the maples have dropped their leaves and the maples were disappointing this year.  However, the other leaves are now starting to turn and I have been telling people that we are in the second peak and for this area, this is much better than the first turning of leaves.  You saw the same in the leaves we found when we hiked with the Buswell's at Barre.  

I do not know what to expect this week.  I thought last week would wind down more than it did.  I know the Utah schools will not have fall break so the families should drop off, but I am not sure we will not continue to see couples coming in.  I will continue to have an alternate plan, but be happy to see visitors come into the site.

23-October-2023-Monday

Another good day in paradise.  Morning meetings went well and people were driving in at 10 am before we were finished.  Dede and I went home and I changed to boots to go back and hike.  I have wanted to continue to pursue the southern boundary of the Solomon Mack Property.  It passes above the parking lot in the woods, but drops off a cliff, that I just do not want to navigate.  I tried going above, but finally came from below.  It was hard to locate the line, and I did not find barb wire, but proceeded by compass course.  Must have been close as it took me by the rock corner wall that I have suspected in the past was the edge of Solomon's property.  I then continued following the barb wire across White Brook.  I am getting close to finishing this part of the search.  There are good indications of the boundary at the Brook, so I will cross and find them and continue up the hill to finish my inspection of this boundary.

We did not have a visitor for the first hour, but ended the day with 17 people in the final 2.5 hours.  Had some nice couples and a family of 6.  Dede had a single sister who is struggling with the church.  Dede spent some time with her and I hope she can find what she is looking for.  It is obvious she wants the gospel, but has made some decisions on how the gospel should look and until she can get through that she will probably struggle.  So grateful for God's Grace.

I was so grateful the entire afternoon was not without visitors.  I did do some walking before the guests came and we visited with Ian on FaceTime, but visitors are the best.

I will spend a little time trying to piece together the GPS readings from today with the maps so I can finish up the document.  I need to get the third section written and pictures installed so I quit moving pictures in succeeding sections.  It is just a waste of time to continue to relocate pictures in the text that move when the lines move.

24-October-2023-Tuesday

I really enjoyed our shift today.  We were steadily busy with one short break to eat.  We had wonderful people come in to the site.  We had a family of three with a young man of 17 preparing for his mission and to become an Elder.  He was so in tune with the messages being taught.  His parents have done such a great job with him.  A couple, the man celebrating his 80th birthday came in.  Vermont was the last of the 50 states to visit and he had ridden the high speed train from DC to Boston, both on his bucket list.  I love people who continue to challenge themselves.  They are serving a service mission in the BYU Family History Center and are in year 7.  So lucky to meet such wonderful people.

The afternoon we went to Danforth's Pewter in Middlebury.  It was such a pretty drive as we crossed two passes to get there.  Dede kindly went in to shop and left me in the car to nap.  Napping is always a good option.  We then went back up the road to walk the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail in Ripton VT.  Apparently Frost spent years in this area and the trees and glenns of the area were the inspiration for many of this poems.  They built trails and in areas that look similar to the poem they would post a poem on a sign.  Dede and I took turns reading the poems out loud to each other.  It was pretty and fun.  It was a great idea by Dede to allow us to have a different opportunity and actually experience some culture.  Once again I am amazed at the number of writers and poets in this area of the world.  I must admit I do not know Frost's poems very well nor his life, so it was a nice introduction and to be where he might have been when he wrote some of his poetry.

After our hike we ate a Rosie's Diner and then headed home in the dark.  Pictures from the day are below.

Tomorrow, Dede has another fun day planned.

25-October-2023-Wednesday.  PDAY

Today's destination was Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth NH.  A little background.  NH has only 10 miles of coast line and Portsmouth is the major port.  As a major port, it has a long history, but it is a history of boom's and bust's.  First settled in the 1600's as fishing villages around the harbor and the rivers that feed the harbors.  During wars, especially 1812, WW1 and 2 as well as the civil war, the place boomed as ships were made for the US navy and merchant fleets.  In WWll there were numerous liberty ships and then submarines built there.  When the wars ended the bust set in and poverty prevailed.  Portsmouth has become a tourist destination so that it has a more constant economy even though there is still some shipyard activity.

With that in mind around 1960, the federal government wanted to destroy a run down section of town for urban renewal.  Some forward looking people (and perhaps a scammer) bought up the land and buildings and began restoring them creating an outdoor museum called Strawberry Banke, which was the original name of the settlement.  The area has been popularted for 100's of years as a European/American town.  Thus each home is restored to display a different time from the late 1700's to the early 1900's.  

They are also aware, that this was the homeland of Indigenous Peoples as well and so as of late they have also begun to interpret their influence.  To date that includes the frame of a Wigwam, some comments on native agriculture and a 22 minute film on the Cochecho (Dover) Massacre.  This massacre has historically been interpreted as the Indians attacking the harmless European Settlers.  Further research shows (the the original sources are writings of the man tortured and killed, i.e. the target of the raid.)  Some years before the massacre, the army under the man captured 350 of the Indians and sold them into slavery by command of the royal government in Boston.  Thus the new interpretation is one of justified retaliation for wrongs committed rather than senseless slaughter.  There are always two sides to every discussion.   It is interesting that documentation still exists to show the side of the Indigenous People written (although suppressed) by the European Peoples.  Glossed over in the film was the concerns of the Europeans that the Indians were entering an alliance with other tribes to fight against the Europeans.  Unfortunately it appears this decision was made not on the ground, but from Boston or England, but the initial blame probably lies with these people who probably never got anywhere near the area.  Let me add that looking on the WEB, most interpretations emphasize "the bad Indians" and "the to be pitied Europeans."  

Back to the buildings.  It was interesting to see the homes that have been restored.  As one docent pointed out, the richer homes tended to be restored.  Partially because they still existed in a state that allowed restoration and partly because they are larger and easier to present.  Also this was the practice   in the 1960's to show the ruling class and not the lower class of people.  But let's face it, the ruling class will also leave records behind allowing not only a restoration of the building, but a history that can be interpreted.  

I took some pictures.  My favorite place was a WWll era store for two reasons.  The docent was dressed in period clothes and was a great story teller who put herself into the time period and just sat out front of the store gossiping with everyone who walked by.  Also, it was full of very old candy and food cans and jars.  I was especially interested to know how old Mounds and other other candy bars were.  Looking at the labels of other things was like looking in my grandmother's kitchen.  We also walked on a bridge crossing the river and took pictures.  The museum also moved one house, a former governor's home.  Very spacious, but it seemed out of place with the rest of the area due to its opulence.  Finally I took pictures of several fireplaces.  People tell us that the fireplace display in the JSB is too shallow, but all the fireplaces in the homes we visited were just as shallow unless it was a large cooking space such as a tavern.  

26-October-2023-Thursday

Another day in paradise.  It would be hard to ask for a better life.  My beautiful wife is so kind to me and the Lord sheds His Grace on us both.  It is so beautiful here in Vermont and so peaceful working at the site.  I spent the morning measuring the final part of the Solomon Mack boundary.  It was so warm and delightful.  I will include some pictures at the end of some of the color in the trees.  The maples mostly turned brown and fell, but he other trees are now blazing their colors in a hushed set of colors mixed with a few maples.

I was able to follow the line due to barb wire and old boundary markers.  After following for a while, I realized that it would take me to a major corner boundary monument I have visited in the past.  I took more time than usual often pulling up the wire to know how to stay on the trail and I feel good about this.  Made five other measurements around that I wanted.  I am now down to just a few more items.  I must admit that I am tired.

When we got to work, we took 4 people Elder Buswell had had and then had only two more come in.  Definitely slower than last week on Thursday.  I put up Christmas lights on the eves of the visitors' center.  I had avoided this, but found a great pole to help me do it this year.  I need one more string to finish the residence's eve.  I would imagine I will soon have time to walk and write during our shifts.  That would be delightful.

Dede went down with the Buswell's to the foundations and took photos of them for their annual Christmas card.  Used my new camera which seems to pick up color better than our older cameras and even better than Dede's iPhone 15.  (mine is the pro model.). 

So saddened by the news of the mass killing in Lewiston, Maine.  That is over 3 hours from us, but it is still New England.  Probably like many New England small cities we have visited.  I would guess the hosptitals were overwhelmed with the injured and the people must be scared.  The man is still loose the next day and so people will we worried that he could drop into another store or gathering place.  They have a suspect but he seems to have carefully planned this event and has places to hide.

I do not know who all is reading this.  However, I pray that the blessing of the Lord are upon you and your relations.   He is so kind to Dede and me and I feel so blessed.  I am grateful that you would take time and read and live with us the experiences of our mission.

Photos from my hike today.

27-October-2023-Friday

Had our first missionary interview with President Buswell.  I was impressed that he came prepared with questions for us.  It was enjoyable, but I am now tasked with writing up what we have been presenting about the monument to send to the Historical Department.  I am pleased to do this, but doubt they will return a decision before I leave, so I am guessing the use of my presentation will end when I leave.  This is fine with me.  The other missionaries do not use it, but I have found it helps most people get a better feel for the building of the monument.  However, it has not been approved and so I am also glad, it has a chance to be approved.  If approved, perhaps it will be used after Dede and I leave.

We had 10 -15 visitors.  It has really begun to slow down.  Regardless, I am grateful for those who come and opportunity to bear testimony of Joseph Smith and our Savior.

After our shift, I changed clothes and did some more hiking and investigating.  I focused on the foundations as I still had more questions.  I think most of these are resolved now.  The weather was gorgeous with a high of 71 degrees.  We also went and found (again) the cement staircase that is right on the border of our property.  Rather odd to have a staircase just sitting out in the woods.  I will place a picture at the end when everything downloads to the laptop.

This evening we were blessed to have Ralph Eddy speak to us.  His family has been in the Roayalton, Dairy Hill Road area for many years.  His grandfather was the manager of the Memorial Church farm for 20+ years.  He is interested in history and especially that relating to Jospeh Smith Memorial.  Rather unique for a man (and for the most part his family) who never became members of the church.  He was so kind.  He had many photos.  I have seen most of them, but the quality of his photos surpass the quality of photos that I have in most instances.  He was kind enough to offer to make copies (he has the equipment to do this) for the Buswell's and us.  The other missionaries were somewhat bored I think, but I was in heaven.  We stayed and talked for 30 minutes after the others left.  Although he never visited the farm, he grandfather was "fired" before he was born, he has collected vast amounts of knowledge that will help me.  It is interesting how God inspires people outside of the Church to do His work.

Among other things we learned:

• The location of Dairy Hill Road in 1905.  The entrance from VT-14 was closer to Royalton than it is today.
• Button's Bog was right near the entrance to Dairy Hill Road on the Button's farm.
• Button's was not the road supervisor at the time.
• These Button's are not related to the Button's on the Tumbridge side of Dairy Hill who have a farm, a road and a cemetery named after them.
• The Story about Button's Bog is real according to Ralph Eddy.
• The Memorial Farm raised Jersey Milk Cows and typically won prizes at the local fairs including the Tunbridge World's Fair.
• The farm grew hay and corn to feed the cattle.
• The Sugar Shack (he had good pictures) was fairly large and sugar was an important crop.
• He thinks any sign of the Sugar Shack is gone, perhaps under the road leading to Camp Joseph.  I have tried to find it as of late and have failed.
• The church bought the farm home and barn in 1907.  They built a larger barn in 1914.  There is a picture with this date on the barn.
• Mr Eddy ran the farm, but there was normally a member living in the Cottage representing the Church.
• The family was not happy when Mr Eddy's employment ended.  He moved on to manage a large Apple Orchard Farm.
• Mr Eddy said there had been prejudice against the Church when the monument was built.  Not overwhelming but constant.
• In about 1920, a library was built.  The Church supplied wooden beams for the library and they were returned to the Church and not used.  Not mentioned by him, but there is still some of this prejudice, although most residents are truly apathetic.
• Ralph's Great Grandfather owned the current Royalton Dairy Farm south of the current church property, before the Church bought the current Church property.  He encouraged his son to manage the Joseph Smith Memorial Farm.
• Dairy Hill Road was called Dewey Hill Road, but others wanted it to be Dairy Hill and so the name was changed to include all dairy farmers.  
• The Farm buildings were all torn down by 1960 when the Memorial Cottage was torn down and the site became a full-time visitors' center.  However the Johnsons might have continued to run the farm for some time after 1960 for a short time and probably after 1943 when Mr Eddy was fired.  There are still Johnsons next to the Memorial Farm.
• The Dewey's did own the cemetery and the farm between the Church's land and the Royalton Farm.  The 40 acres next to the cemetery was part of the Dewey Farm and was donated to the Church.
• Mr Eddy's grandfather built the Baptismal Font and Building that stood behind the Memorial Cottage.
• The Cliffords were the first Church missionaries at the cottage, followed by the Browns and then the Cliffords came back until 1923.  After 1923, Mr Eddy ran the farm until 1943.
• Mr Eddy had a map, which shows the Sharon Road never crossing White Brook north of Daniel Mack's house.  I had pondered this.  However, it also shows the Road staying in Sharon and not crossing that line as well.  That would mean the current road beyond Daniel's Home would be wrong.

All in all, it was informative and I was grateful the Buswell's brought him to the site to speak to us.  I think the pictures will be delightful to have.  Among the pictures are ones taken at the Pond.  It was absolutely still and reflection was wonderful.

28-October-2023-Saturday

A busy yet fun day.  We met Buswell's at 9 am and took them to see the cascades on White Water Brook.  These are just north of the Church's property along the Old Sharon Road.  We have been telling Buswell's about these for some time and now that we are not working opposite shifts, we could take them.  The water is low, but it is almost stick season, so it is much easier to see.  It is a short hike, but the leaves covering branches and roots adds a challenge as well a a fallen tree across the road and one small brooklet.  But we made it up and back safely.  Pictures of the area.

We picked up a squeak in the wheel.  Sounds like a rock.  We hit the car wash and it is better, but not gone.  From there we went to a local butcher shop which serves lunch 5 days a week.  I had the best burger I have had.  Roma's butcher shop started out small and now does lunch as well as selling meat.

Came home for a quick nap and change before heading to the site.  The early part of the shift was slow but steady.  We had a young man who is riding a bicycle from Washington to Maine.  (He did skip Michigan and rode a train).  He was a "Mormon" in the past.  Interestingly he stopped in Palmyra at the visitors center as well as climbing the 2 miles up this hill to get water for his way.  I wonder how God is directing him?  We had a delightful couple.  He from Texas, she from Oklahoma.  She a convert of 2 years and he a life long member.  They planned a vacation and from the sounds of things, she planned an elopement, as well, as they were married yesterday in Brattleboro VT.  He seemed still in a happy state of shock.  They will live separated for 2-4 years until he can retire from firefighting and. from the FBI.  We took pictures for them.  I could get my phone to take this one through her ring.  Other pictures were on her phone.  It was fun celebrating with them for a few minutes.  This is her wedding ring picture.

Dede then got a little lady from the Philippines.  She is a convert and returned missionary.  She came to the USA, married and was divorced.  She is coming back to activity, but is very lonely.  No real friends and no Philipino friends around.  She just got a driver's license and a car.  Someone bore testimony of the site and told her it was only 2 hours away, so she drove down all alone.  I let Dede do most of the tour so I was not intruding.  She was crying as Dede bore her testimony and then hugged her.  It was special.

I figured we were done, so I hung a few more Christmas lights.  We then ended our shift (plus 45 minutes) with 23 people coming in.  It was just plain fun.  Felt like it was leaf peeping season all over again.  A very special way to end a special day.  We are so lucky.  Now we need to edit blogs and get them ready to send out.