Back in the Blogging Saddle – Summer Movie Series

Summer —- even as a grown-up that word causes all sorts of sweet reverie …  late bedtimes, porch living, sprinklers in the hot summer sun

downloaded from https://lnt.org/blog/search-fireflies-part-ii

followed by ice pops, catching fireflies in mason jars, wading through creeks to catch frogs and mudpuppies, plump juicy watermelons and spitting the seeds into the yard, homemade ice cream and s’mores by the camp fire … is there a sweeter word to any child alive than summer break?!?!

Crute Stage in the summer – Farmville VA (downloaded from https://farmvilleva.com/departments/facilities/rental-facilities/crute-stage/)

If you are as fortunate as we are to live in a small family-oriented community, that also means LOTS of fun activities with friends and neighbors! Our own summer kickoff will be tonight at the Stars Under the Stars Summer Movie Series started by Leadership Farmville – now in its 20th season!

Each year this event seems to become more and more popular. As the day winds down with the sun, the community trickles in with blankets

Stars under the Stars (downloaded from https://farmvilleva.com/departments/facilities/rental-facilities/crute-stage/

and folding chairs to the grassy lot where the State Theatre in downtown Farmville used to stand (it was converted to an outdoor stage for the community after it met tragedy). Children find each other and play tag while waiting for dusk in the safety of their newfound extended Farmville family – a community where strangers are just friends you have yet to meet. As the sun sets behind the backdrop of America’s first two college town, fireflies take flight as the sound of the film begins!

Each year the movie series brings new wonderful family memories that we cherish. As a family, we have enjoyed watching this series grow along with our tribe. When we first came back to the area around 2005 and only had three young tribe members (the resident Grinch was just a carpet crawler back then), I fondly remember lying on our blanket at Crute stage with my two teenage daughters and the carpet crawling Grinch one cool fall evening to introduce them to the The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.  The three older tribe members still hum that theme music every now and

Our smallest tribe member capturing the treasure at Crute Stage

again (if you know the movie – you are probable hearing that little ditty as you read!). Another favorite was just a few years ago taking the boys to see Raiders of the Lost Ark, where the community set up photo shoots for interested adventurers. The first movie this season will be Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (who doesn’t love that?!?!?).  The resident Grinch has already warned me that I am forbidden to sing along loudly (or quietly for that matter) with the show — which means —- I WILL sing along loudly with the show!!!!!  😉

With the warm evenings of porch sitting and the slower pace of summer – here’s to getting back into the blogosphere!!! 🙂 Hope to see you downtown tonight – we will bring an extra blanket for you!!!