Summer activities

The humidity soars in Vermont in July.  We had our landlord bring us a dehumidifier that now runs 24/7 in our kitchen.  I empty a gallon of water out of it every 8 hours!  It has helped Lynne to breath better, as she had been struggling with bad throat and chest congestion.  Temperatures here in the mid 80s with humidity is akin to 100 degree temperatures in Colorado.

Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial visitor numbers have increased substantially with lots of vacationers and bus tours.  We keep busy visiting with lots of interesting people from all over the world coming to this outstanding Memorial.

A rare original 1830 Book of Mormon is in the Rauner Library at Dartmouth College in Hanover NH.  We were allowed to handle and photograph the book without restrictions simply by surrendering my drivers license to the librarian.

We also examined several files about Dr. Nathan Smith, the founder of the Dartmouth College of Medicine and the first resident M.D. to teach at Yale University Medical School.  He performed the surgery on Joseph Smith's left leg in 1813 that saved him from amputation due to a severe osteomyelitis infection in the bone caused by typhoid fever.

Sister Likes talking to a Republican activist during the staging of the Randolph VT parade that we participated in with a float designed just like the Memorial Monument by Elder Mike Mooney, our finish carpenter FM Missionary.  This guy hugged my bride and gave her a peck on the cheek.  Good thing he wasn't a Democrat!

Elder Ogden driving our John Deere Gator in the parade with Sister Likes riding shotgun.  There were thousands of spectators lining the streets.  We gave away all our balloons, pass-along cards and candy in the first quarter mile of the 3 mile parade route.  Community spirit in these small towns is high!

We had 100 balloons to start - not nearly enough!

This newspaper ad is what attracted everyone to the parade.

Our sister missionaries with their young women helpers walked the parade route handing out balloons and goodies.

Here's what's left of my poor old rusty Chevy after only 3 months of touring Vermont!  Only a few more years and there won't be anything left of it to haul off.  Just joking, of course.

Sister Likes leaving the Sugar and Spice Restaurant in Rutland VT.  This building was well over 200 years old.  Their breakfast was top-notch.  There are many old maple sugar houses in Vermont that have been turned into small businesses like this one.

Taiwanese refrigerator magnet  - gift from Robert Lee (see last picture)

Another parade on Saturday, July 12, this time in South Royalton - the village where we live.  It was my turn to drive this time!  The 13' float barely missed hitting the overhead electrical wires.  Sisters Smedley and Sumsion on the left, our directors Sister and Elder Osborn on the right.  A few more balloons and we would have been airborne!

Robert Lee and his wife (on the left) touring with two former missionaries who had served two missions in Taiwan.  Brother Lee had been the Stake President and his wife the Stake Relief Society President in Taiwan.  They are all very humble servants of the Lord.  The brother on the right speaks fluent Chinese.