Roots & Rhythm and Leslie... all in the same day...

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Soooooo... Your sitting next to city hall and your cell phone rings and some strange guys says..."I'll bet your wearing a hideous green event t-shirt huh?" Well, if you're Leslie from Pa, you stand up look arround and catch Randy and Betty hiding in the doorway to a nearby business...Randy is snickering uncontrolably...

We made it to Honesdale... A wonderful community hidden in the Pocono mountains that I would have thought to be a small city but was informed by Leslie that the extreme traffic and difficulty in finding parking was not the norm and in fact due to the communities first (hopefully annual) "ROOTS & RHYTHM FESTIVAL".

We enjoyed meeting Leslie and Lisa (her Guitar playing neice) a lot. I can safely say that you people at the Jan-nic or in trouble...Cause Leslie is heading your way! You hear me Redjack! Shape up!... As a Staff member of the event she really was quite busy but still found time to chat with us about the important things in life... Janis, music, travels, history and Honesdale. Betty and I wern't aware that the birth of the American Rail system started in Honesdale.

The community is beautiful and filled with many old and wonderful victorian houses....Betty and I then wandered town (on foot...We weren't going to risk our parking slot) and found multiple musical artists here and there playing any or everything ranging from country, blues, rock...One street was filled with various artists working their crafts... Painting, photography, pottery, jewlery and more... And just a half block away was a street filled with all those delicious foods that are even more tempting then white castles... You know the ones... Italian Sausage, Pepper & onions sandwiches...smothered in GREAT stuff...Funnel Cakes, (Not to be confused with strappenwouffles)... And in between was a lovely park where the main stage set... Remeniscent to so many town squares as stood in the 1950's complete with monuments dedicated and enjoys a true living history from then and now. besides memorials With rolls by name and rank of those lost in the civil war from the region, we also found a memorial of Rememberance to September 11th, 2001.

The local residents were out in force and beaming with pride of their home...While walking around we saw License plates on cars from as far away as Canada, Arizona and Florida... and you know I didn't feel guily getting the last parking spot on the street in town... but for sure when they managed to find parking (I suggested stacking cars but nobody seemed interested in creative solutions to this problem.) a great time was had by all...People even wandered up to me and said hello.... I mean they were that bold... and friendly....All in all a very happy friendly town other then the unlawful Baby stroller drag racing in the park...

The weather, though a bit overcast stayed nice enough at least until we left which was mid afternoon... We didn't stay for the feature acts but for sure we did have a great time visiting our new/old friend Leslie.... We left having forcibly dragged a promise from Leslie to play tour guide for us when we return and she's not so busy...

From there we drove to hawley for a couple quick beers and chat at the American Legion Post... Also a wonderful visit... Cept' for BETTY'S PARKING TICKET!!! Our conclusion is that Honesdale is more parking friendly then Hawley though the Lady that gave us the ticket was very nice.... And it was only $5.00... I wonder if that can be considered to be a charitable donation for tax purposes????

We had a great day though already tired from the night before.... Then the 100 mile drive home.... Yawn

Leslie thank you so much... Your great, we loved your town... To anyone that didn't attend that could have.... Haha....See what you missed... We will be back for the second annual Roots & Rhythm fest...and you know I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Janis booked for that one ;) (Janis you should have seen the book stores...)
What a great town... What great people...

Best to all

R. from Pa

[ponytail]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Especially the baby stroller drag racing. I'll have to try to generate interest in that here in Hummelstown (no relation to Hummel Figurines, I swear). Our idea of an event is people parading their humiliated pets dressed in costumes up Main Street. We do have a one-day Arts Festival, but it's pretty tacky; last year's musical headliner was a tribute to Patsy Cline that sounded more like a tone-deaf Ethel Merman. The town's main business is a lollipop factory, so they drop a giant lollipop on New Year's Eve. The ideal symbol for a town that sucks...

We have great pizza, though, and a 50s-style chrome diner with terrific ice cream. And it's near Hershey. When U-2 played there, you could hear them clearly just by stepping out on your porch. A lot of people complained about that -- but not me!

[leslie]

It was great to meet you guys! And I'l pleased to report that Honesdale actually survived their presence! Yes, you must come back when it's a little quieter (as well as the next Roots & Rhythm Fest, which is now confirmed!) You would both enjoy the history of the place and I promise to find out where our Am. Legion is! I'm sorry you missed the mainstage, those guys were amazing (incredibly nice, too). They literally had people of all ages dancing all over the park. We've already (less than 24 hours later) had confirmed sponsorships for next year and a few corporate types are begging to join our little board of directors (and offering money to do so). Yes, I'll be lobbying hard for Janis, but I believe she's not touring next year due to her book.

We were so proud of the visitors, they left the park and the town very clean, but it was nice that the county jail residents came out and polished it up (on volunteer work release). Don't know if you realized the jail is right behind the courthouse.

I have no idea who we will book for next year, but I do know that everyone of the musicians I talked to was literally begging to come back and kept exclaiming they had a blast. They loved the RV's we borrowed to "house them" but most were lining up behind the stage to listen in or quietly jam w/ what was going on.

My niece Liz (not Lisa, you scoundrel) actually got two possible bookings back in the city from her gig in Honesdale. Must say she begged us to not schedule 6 hours of play time (between street and clubs at night) for next year. She was ready to drop when we got home around midnight!

I sure wish the Rudies had all been able to be here. It was truly a magical event. I'm just worried about how we keep that kind of magic going!

Leslie

[KarenSews2]

Congratulations on a great event! Having seen Honesdale, it's hard to imagine it teeming with that many people! Was the ice cream shop busy? Glad you had a great time. Now, rest up!!!