Hello, Dear Readers! I’ve been quiet on this blog for several weeks, and I have really missed you! What on earth have the Hemingers been up to? Well, Jeff and I were cast as the leads in Music Theatre of Wenatchee’s Production of “Newsies”, back in December. We’ve been rehearsing ever since, and now the show is up and running! This year has been a big one for our community: It is the 100th anniversary of the very first Apple Blossom Festival. Apple Blossom is Wenatchee’s annual celebration of our vital and vibrant fruit industry. (Have you ever seen those “Washington Apple” stickers on your fruit? There’s a good chance those apples came from Wenatchee!)
So, it was great fun and a great honor to ride the “Newsies” float in that 100th Grand Parade and to play a role in celebrating the history of our wonderful city.
The next day, our four oldest kiddos came to the “Newsies” matinee. It was such a thrill for them to finally see what Mommy and Daddy have been up to! This occasion was Oliver’s first attendance of a live, musical theatre production. Originally, we didn’t get him a ticket, because we didn’t think he’d sit still. However, he has become obsessed with all the songs from the show, so we made sure our littlest, self-titled “Newsie Boy” got to see it!
Well, you know I just had to create a blog project to commemorate this epic time for our family and our community! Plus, we had to include Annika, right? So, that’s we did. We asked for permission to borrow some muslin prop bags from the show, and I dumpster-dove into a relative’s recycle bins for old copies of the Wenatchee World. Then, I dressed up the kids in odds and ends from their closets and from my costume stash, and we headed downtown!
Our first location had to be in front of this building. For one thing, it’s gorgeous. For another, it’s the headquarters of the Wenatchee World. This makes me giggle, because the newspaper in “Newsies” is called the World. Fitting, huh?
Taking pictures of five, young children is a little nuts at the best of times. This building happens to be on Mission Street, which is one of the busier streets in town. Jeff helped me keep the kids in the shots and out of the street. Several people honked as they drove by. I guess they either knew us and/or were fans of “Newsies”. Oh, Wenatchee!
Dad in action! Putting Annika back in frame and toting a Costco-size container of M&M’s for bribes. We don’t mess around! Okay, back to black and white.
Fortunately, Emma and Elliott can be counted on to stay in character and to take direction. Ooh, look! There’s an ad for “Newsies” at the bottom of the front page!
Meanwhile, you can bet that Eliza will find something engrossing, like rocks, ants…or a stick.
Who wouldn’t want to buy a pape from this little “Newsie Boy”? Oh, and do you recognize those knickers? Yep. I found another use for the boys’ Pilgrim Pants: Elliott’s dyed capris and Oliver’s converted khakis.
And, then there’s Annika. She had no interest in keeping her hat on, whatsoever. Here, you can see Eliza dutifully attempting to put it back on for her. I didn’t get any good shots of our little strawberry-haired scamp at this location. So, you’ll have to wait for my next post for the good ones!
Speaking of bloopers, no blog post would really be complete without a compilation of the many faces of Eliza.
“Extra, extra! Read all about it!”
Proudly carrying the banner.
Newsies in action!
And, with that, we’re off to our next location! I found an amazing alley with lots of evocative brickwork, signs, and even a fire escape. Stay tuned!
