Inn with the Old!

Most folks love new things and I am no exception, especially if it’s a gadget for the kitchen or pair of shoes.  But what really makes my heart beat fast is something old.  Something that has stood the test of time, been loved and cared for and has a well-worn patina.

Bruce was brought up in a household that always loved antiques.  But I didn't have much exposure to them until I met him.  And so a whole new world opened up when we started dating.  And my love affair with all things old is still going strong.

Friends were visiting last weekend.  They started out as guests in 2002, and after spending many weekends antique shopping, we have become friends.  These are dangerous folks because they have elevated the art of buying antiques to a level of incredible taste and style.  They asked us to go to the VillageBarn Antique Shop in nearby Churchtown.  While we had been there before, they said that the quality of the antiques was remarkable.  And so we innocently set out for a quick visit.

And there it was.  Across the room.  It was love at first sight.

Bruce and I have always wanted a grandfather clock, and we could kick ourselves for passing one up at auction several years ago.  They seem such a distant relative from the modern high-tech digital clock. And to have one that is beautiful, functional and patiently ticks - a piece of furniture instead of an accessory.

And so we talked....well, not for long.  But we did try to learn what we could.  

It was made in 1820 in Philadelphia by Thomas F. Joyce. This is the year that:

- Maine is admitted as the 23^rd state,
- Tomatoes are proven to be non-poisonous,
- Missouri imposes a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men between 21 and 50, and
- 67 Philadelpians die of yellow fever in September.

A different time indeed.  You can't help but wonder who it was that first wound this clock.  And so it was decided, we'd take it home.  Now began the process of taking it apart,

inluding the pendulum

the weights

and the face.  We learned how to set it, wind it,

and level it. 

We finally welcomed it to The Artist's Inn!

with plenty of ceiling space

Not in the market for a clock?  No problem.  The Village Barn is only ten minutes from the inn, is open every day but Tuesday and Wednesday and has so many wonderful items.   It's located in a restored century old tobacco warehouse in Lancaster County.

We’ve bought several antiques before, but on my list right now are:

An adorable French lunchbox - the green one on the left

This antique tray

This really neat apple butter bucket (not sure what I'd do with it as it is REALLY big!)

and I loved these boots as well.  But our friends bought those, so I'll get to see them whenever we visit. Here are some more items that you might like!

But you are warned.  Visiting this shop may result in falling in love with something irresistable, something you may have never seen.....something old.

A Visit to The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum

It was a cold and windy day – a day when you’d prefer to stay inside.  Although sunny, the temperature was in the teens and the wind was unrelentless.  But we ventured out anyway and were so glad we did.
We drove north about half an hour from the inn....to the Mid-Atlatnic Air Musuem at Reading Regional Airport.  Part of their collection of planes is housed in a hangar that once served as the home of the 148^th Fighter Squadron.  WACs would fly the planes to Reading from all over the US. At least 24,000 bombers were built during the war years.  Other planes are parked on what they call the Ramp.  As we walked around the planes, our eyes teared from the wind and we rushed to move into the hangar.

There’s an assortment of planes, spanning eight decades, from small colorful ones hanging on the walls to airliners in the 50’s that are displayed outside.  Several planes are in various stages of restoration, including the Black Widow, which was recovered in New Guinea.

Most surprising to me was the silk material that covered the wings and body of several planes.  And the fact that you can look in and walk around the aircraft.

This was a look underneath!

Our guide was knowledgable and able to answer just about any question that our group threw his way. There was a huge TBM Avenger - it was designed so that the wings folded back to fit into tight spots.  This is the plane that President George H. W. Bush flew during WWII.

Our group couldn't help but be fascinated by the WWII planes - including the B-25J Mitchell, 'Briefing Time'.  There are bookcases full of memorabilia, pictures, and even bombs!

But the biggest event of the year occurs June 1, 2 and 3, 2012 with "A Gathering of Warbirds" as over 3,000 reenactors celebrate the 21st annual World War II Weekend. For more information, visit the website....and turn up the volume to enjoy the music!

As we went back into the museum to warm up, I couldn’t help but think of the thousands of people who flew and fought in the freezing cold during WWII...on days just as cold and windy as the one we experienced.  But unlike us, that great generation often didn't have the choice to warm up.