Guscio: Bluffton Easter Parade was sonnet worthy
We had a very fun time at The Bluffton Children's Easter Parade.
The weather was awful until 9:45 a.m., about 15 minutes before we were set to hop off down Calhoun Street. Our Easter Bunny was very stoic throughout his whole tenure. The bunny was patient as we waited for the raindrops to stop falling, which they did as the sun peeked out on our gathering.
Shanna Mauldin brought her little pony and cart to lead off our parade and what an adorable addition that was. The two Bluffton Fairies arrived on their tricked out bicycles and they were the icing on the cake. Dressed in stripes and flowered hats, they pedalled off down the street.
We hopped , biked and rode down to The Cottage where breakfast eaters ran out to take pictures of our happy troupe as we sang “In Your Easter Bonnet” at the top of our lungs.
The Bluffton Bunny greeted all of the children by waving and shaking their hands - he can't talk you know. There were some children that could not be coaxed near him and some that screamed a bit but, for the most part, lots of pictures were taken with our furry friend. Another memory I hope all will think of as a bit of silly fun on a special Bluffton day.
I forgot to mention a group of visitors brought a white piglet and walked it down Calhoun Street on a leash Saturday.
If you remember the children's rhymn, this one really did squeal all the way down Calhoun Street and I think probably all the way home.
We all felt quite sad for the little bacon bit.
How Friday got to be ‘good’
Good Friday is always the Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday or Easter Friday and by many other names in countries around the world. The term “good” in the context of Good Friday is somewhat confusing to me and many other people.
Some think it was called “God Friday” but through the years the word has been corrupted.
The Oxford English Dictionary - who can argue with that - says that “good” is used in an archaic sense. Next year Good Friday falls over two weeks later than 2016. It will be April 14, 2017 and Easter will be celebrated April 16, 2017 just in case you care to know.
The sweet sounds of scared harp music
“Sacred harp music” is something I have heard about for years and until now knew nothing about what that meant.
I always thought it was someone playing religious harp tunes at The Plaza Hotel in New York or at tea parties.
Sacred harp music is a group of people who sing without instruments or a cappella. Sacred harp singing is a Southern version of sacred choral music that originated with “revival” services in the 1840s. The name comes from a tunebook called “The Sacred Harp” that was printed in shape notes and published in 1844. Shape note music is printed in special shapes that the reader can identify on the musical scale.
Sacred harp singing groups can now be found in many large urban areas in the United States and in many rural locations.
In recent years sacred harp singing has spread throughout the world. In April of this year, 2016, there will be an all-day singing , in of all places, Paris. I think what we hear in George Clooney's movie “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” might be sacred harp music, in which case, if there is ever a troupe of singers nearby I'll be there. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.
Something near and dear to my heart is on our horizon.
It takes a village festival
The Bluffton Village Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in Old Town Bluffton.
You will find so many wonderful handmade crafts from over 200 vendors to purchase and enjoy.
There will be wonderful food offered such as the famous Church of The Cross shrimp salad sandwiches, barbeque, and homemade lemonade that is tart and tasty.
This is a wonderful Bluffton tradition.
Come early so as not to miss a beat. Admission is free.
Go to www.blufftonvillagefestival.com for information.
Beware the overheated Peeps
Children or overgrown ones: do not put Easter peeps in the microwave oven even though many other people (peeps) have told you to do it.
Your dear mama and papa should be nearby.
The peeps get to be quite large - end of story - and mama could have a real mess on her hands.
Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street or at thestoresc@gmail.com.
This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 11:13 AM with the headline "Guscio: Bluffton Easter Parade was sonnet worthy."