5-22 and 5-23 Cape Cod and Manchester

(Relaxing in Plymouth)

The national tour last year was a spectacular experience, but it was also special, in a selfish way, to go to (or through) my hometown of Bourne on our way to Falmouth, MA. Given our recent visit to the former residence of Katherine Lee Bates, it was coincidental that we were now in her birthplace. Until now, I was not aware of the significance of the road labeled with her namesake that runs parallel to the main stretch of shops on 28a. The things you learn about your hometown when you attend graduate school 5 hours away!
Apart from the fact that I was able to ring with the choir for my family and receive a large rooting-for-the-home-team when I announced my geographic origins, the concert at John Wesley United Methodist was unique in that the audience hummed the tune during America the Beautiful. I always took the community sing-along for granted, but as far as our tour is concerned, it seems to be a behavior unique to Cape Codders.

(I hope they weren't disappointed when only the bell choir showed up)

(Manny and Shalanda getting in some practice time)

Blah blah blah mushy reflection on going home, etc. (It was actually quite nice).

Our destination in Manchester, NH was a legitimate "church home" in that one of the education wings led directly to the room of a house that was over 100 years old. There was no immediate cause for alarm, but there was a subconscious discomfort over the abrupt transition of design, decor, and lighting. I am quite sure my inner self was wondering if I had a mental lapse, forgetting that our group had walked outside for a brief moment to some aged benefactor's dwelling. The only analogous experience I can come up with is that of an amusement park, perhaps specifically EPCOT, where you can buy an imitation-Moroccan flute in "Arabia" before heading next door to "Germany" for a frothy stout. The "Manning" house was a wedding gift for the daughter in the family (Congratulations! You found a man! Here's a house with exquisite woodwork and chinaware!) on a property that was eventually donated to the local church. In the 60's the chapel was put on rollers and moved about a mile to its current location, and an additional larger sanctuary was added, as well as education wings and a fellowship hall.