Mountain Laurel Moments

As Sarah Daffodil did last minute primping to corn husk dolls, Nathaniel Barn Loft ran his fingers along his fret board. Both preparing for the 49th Annual Mountain Laurel Festival. Daffodil and her corn husk dolls took their place at the festival for the third year. She says that she is very thankful to have a place at the Mauldin House Gardens to display her work. Barn Loft took his place on the porch of the Big Holly Cabin where he played his dulcimer with fellow bluegrass friends. Autumn Fern was set on having her face painted by her friend Miss Cecile. "Autumn usually paints her own face. This was a real treat for her," said Main House First Lady Mom. Mayor Asher Ply Wood simply enjoyed everything.

Ply Wood Branches Out

Finding cars in the tent from a previous camping trip and catching five fish, Mayor Asher Ply Wood had his weekend start off with much excitement.

As a student of Nathaniel Barn Loft, Ply Wood played two songs on the Open Stage at a dulcimer gathering at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, Georgia. Barn Loft helped him warm up for the show. Ply Wood also helped the festival's host committee in various ways. That evening and the next, Main House President Dad, Barn Loft and Ply Wood camped, and on the second day of fishing he caught three catfish.

After this dulcimer gathering was another - Grand Old Dulcimer Day in Nashville, Tenn. The next morning began a day of fishing with dulcimer friends. Ply Wood said that he caught more fish than he could count. "I unhooked a lot of fish, and I caught a lot of them. I had a good time," said Ply Wood.

When asked how he caught so many fish, Ply Wood replied that it was because he had "magic underwear."

Boards and Beads Beautify

There once was an arbor at Acorn Hill. It fell down. Citizens had desired a new arbor ever since. In comes Main House President Dad.

Thoroughly thinking it through, Dad chose several boards. He, Nathaniel Barn Loft and Mayor Asher Ply wood nailed them together. The new arbor adds interest by ushering guests and citizens into Acorn Hill. A fence made by Dad and Barn Loft will finish this project.

Main House First Lady Mom took on a much smaller and simpler project. She glued tiny jewel- toned beads to a knob. Six more knobs to go, and a new finish will make an old dresser feel as fancy as a china cabinet full of antique china.

Making Friends

He is short, dark and somewhat handsome. His name is Kenneth, and he has four legs. He is the newest citizen of Acorn Hill. He is also a good friend.

A puppy, cold and shivering, sat on a pile of black trash bags. He might not have been noticed if it hadn't been for his whimpering. "What did you say?" Mr. Kenneth, a friend of Nathaniel Barn Loft's asked Barn Loft. Barn Loft and his friend were at the landfill when they discovered the puppy. Barn Loft knew he hadn't said anything. There was Kenneth, waiting for a friend.

Mr. Kenneth brought Barn Loft and the then-unnamed Kenneth to the Main House. He quickly made close friends at Acorn Hill.