"Once on This Island"

August 12, 2025 — The complicated story of Ti Moune, told almost entirely in song, can be difficult to follow, but let me try to give you a synopsis of what I saw in this production of Once on This Island at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire. A little girl in the Caribbean is frightened by a storm one night. To calm her, storytellers relate the tale of a peasant girl who sets out to save the boy she loves. She believes he loves her too, but that's the complicated part.

The talented cast pleased the nearly sold-out theater with music, dancing and drama in spectacular fashion. A standout was Adeera Harris as Ti Moune with her strong voice and sometimes heartbreaking performance. Noah Lyle played Daniel Beauxhomme, the subject of Ti's perilous journey. Mama Euralie (Tiffani Grace) and Tonton Julian (Timothy Adams, Jr.) were Ti's adoptive parents. Collin Geter, Felicia Fields and Arin Francis play multiple roles. The gods are portrayed by KJ Nugin, Jada Bennett and Najim Muhammad.

I'm giving the little girl who really charmed the audience anonymous mention. She appeared to be about 10, and I have a policy of not putting the names of minors out on the internet without permission, as much as I'd love to give her credit. At curtain call at the end of the play, she got the loudest cheers.

Once on This Island book and lyrics are by Lynn Ahrens with music by Stephen Flaherty. Kira Sarai Helper directed the Winnipesaukee Playhouse presentation, with music direction by Jay Teamer and choreography by Ellicia Clayton. Scenic design was by Seth Howard and costumes by John Beltre.

1A Auto & Yankee Chapter

August 9, 2025 — On the third weekend in a row of perfect weather I headed for the 1A & Yankee Chapter Car Show in Pepperell, Massachusetts. I had been debating with myself whether to go to that show which I had never seen, or the VAE show in Waterbury, Vermont which I had been to at least a dozen times since 2008. The Vermont show was observing its 68th anniversary, in Stowe until 2018 when it moved to Waterbury. The show has been in decline ever since the move, a mere shadow of its glory years.

I decided on Pepperell and it was the right decision. It featured some of the most glamorous cars of the season so far, in large numbers, enhanced by the gorgeous weather. The turnout was huge, the variety impressive, from beautifully restored '40s and '50s models, to a 1912 Buick, to the usual customs and personal cars, something to please every automotive taste.

You can view my photographic choices at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/1aandyankee/ 

Vintage Racing Stable

August 3, 2025 — Cars & Coffee at the Vintage Racing Stable, a morning show in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, has continued to host some interesting shows in recent years since they ceased the concours d'elegance show a few years ago. They now invite others to come to bring their cars to a three-hour morning show. 

This has been fairly successful. Three hours is enough for car viewing and photography. Being a racing museum, they tend to attract many race cars, but you'll usually find all classes of vehicles. Besides that, the Stable brings out some of their own cars, and more cars may be seen in an open car barn.

Take a look at my photos from this year's show. It's well worth a visit if you're in the vicinity. It's usually on a Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m. My pictures can be seen at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/vintageracing25/ 

Kingston Heritage Day

August 2, 2025 —Third weekend in a row of perfect weather! Could Mother Nature be done punishing us after thirteen Saturdays in a row of rain? Let's hope so.

This is the day Kingston Heritage Day returned its show to its former home on the Kingston Plains in Kingston, New Hampshire, and it was met with huge success as the spacious plains were filled almost to overflowing with show vehicles. Spectators were so numerous we were occasionally bumping into one another.

Seventy photos, my second largest collection this season, await your inspection at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/kingstonheritage25/