Bisceglia Family: July 2010

Friday, July 23, 2010

Our 2nd Camp Dwight!

We were very excited to be able to attend Camp Dwight near Bend, Oregon for a second time. The three days of fellowship and fun are memories to be treasured.

We set up a "home base" of quilts and lawn chairs with the C., S. and J. family, then ventured out from there to visit and play. One of the best parts about Camp Dwight is catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Janna, Heather and Kathrina cooling off in the creek.

Mom, Keslie and David S. and Michael J. visiting under the shade trees.

Amy and Janna having a chat by the creek.

Noah played basketball and volley ball almost non-stop. I think this is the only picture he is in, because he was actually still enough for us to snap it!

Talent night is one of the best parts! We love to see the various talent that folks have to offer.

These children recited humorous poetry.

These girls did a skit on prayer.

We enjoyed the E. family's close harmonies.

We even had a Russian comedian!

Brendan Booher did a skit with his new father-in-law, Shannon.

We enjoyed hearing the Voetbergs once again.

Krista forgot her autoharp, so Elisha Voetberg obligingly joined us on For These Are My Mountains with his mandolin! (We couldn't take photos and be on stage at the same time...)

Sunday morning there was a 5K race. We were so proud that Krista and Dad ran it!

Dad breaking across the finish line! Since Dad was the oldest person to run, they made him his own category and awarded him a winner's T-shirt!

Krista coming down the home stretch!

We even managed to squeeze in a little English Country Dancing between the soccer games. (I was upset with how much of a squeeze it was...)

A view of the camp ground. I'm down there somewhere playing Ultimate Frisbee for the first time. (Thanks again Chris for being such a great team leader, despite the number of times we had to walk!) We are all looking forward to next year!

~ Janna Rae

Friday, July 9, 2010

Weekend in Tacoma

When Janna's harp teacher told her about the 2010 American Harp Society conference, she said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend this important conference on the west coast. Of course we had to take advantage of the chance! So, 4th of July weekend, we drove to Tacoma and checked in to Hotel Murano, the fanciest hotel in Tacoma! Janna was eager to immerse herself in the harp world, while we planned to enjoy the area around Tacoma.

Hotel Murano is known for its glass art. Each of the 23 floors showcases a different world-renowned glass artist. The lobby was sparsely decorated with bright colors and glasswork.

Most of the harp events and workshops were held in the hotel. There was an exhibit hall where all the major harp makers and harp music arrangers had booths set up. There were at least fifty harps in that hall!

The only concert we were able to attend with Janna was a chamber concert featured famous French harpist Catherine Michel along with a string quartet. She was amazing! It was fun for Janna to see her in person because she taught Marion Fouse who taught both of Janna's harp teachers!

Saturday we hiked in the lush woods of Dash Point and then soaked in the sun on the beach near Puget Sound.

Krista and Sarah are ready to head to Chehalis to attend a fellowship meeting on Sunday

Sunday night Janna and Dad got to go to a special dinner put on for harp conference attendees. The rest of us decided to get the Tacoma experience and go down to the waterfront for fireworks. I think every family in Tacoma was there! Several blocks of streets were closed to traffic and parked cars lined the road for over a mile in either direction! Finally we parked and walked about 25 blocks downhill to the waterfront. As we reached the bottom it suddently occured to us that we would have to walk 25 blocks uphill in the dark to get back to our van! Oh well, since we were there we might as well enjoy things! We found one of the few spots on the beach not already claimed and set up camp. As we munched on dinner from the nearby vendors, we realized the water was steadily getting closer to our blanket. Much to our chagrin the tide did come all the way up to the rocks and we had to flee to higher ground! After waiting forever we did get to see the firework show and made it safely home that night!

On Monday we went to Point Defiance. There was lots to do there! We had a lovely picnic by the pond and walked through the gardens.

Noah, Dad and Krista drove the go-carts.

Noah was set on swimming, sub sandwiches and a trip to the zoo! He made sure we did not forget his wishes! We managed to fufill all his wished plus a trip to the Almond Roca factory! One of our favorite animals at the Point Defiance zoo was this walrus. We'd never gotten so up close and personal with such a hulk of a creature!

Kathrina and Noah also got to ride a camel, something our Grandma used to always tell about. She got to ride one in Egypt so she still has the upper hand!

We finished the weekend with a special dinner at Anthony's overlooking the sound! What a lovely start to the summer! We are looking forward to many more summer adventures! And I hope our faithful readers are enjoying summer as well...

~The First Rose

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Whispering Roses In Print!

In January Krista entered her new composition "On Seaward Wings" in the National Federation of Music Clubs' statewide young composers contest. The quartet for piano, harp, recorder, and violin won at state, went on to win at the regional level, and then (drumroll, please), placed 2nd in the Nation! We are all delighted. Krista was interviewed by the Clackamas Review Newspaper, and I've posted the article below for your enjoyment. If you come to our concert on August 27th, you will hear us perform this truely lovely piece of music.