I wrote yesterday’s dispatch in the morning. Later in the day, when I was at the Wineck Barn, I sat down and wrote in my journal. I then pretty much decided to write either my final chapter or an epilogue on BLBP and the state fair.

This is going to work because characters in previous chapters of the book are going to come to the forefront of the final chapter; for example, Melina, who is now the president of Kid’s Kupboard.

There are others, I can’t think of them right now. I am, when writing this chapter, going to have it in three sections, prior to the fair, during the fair, and after the fair. Prior to the fair I need to include some about the various trails being used by cars, U-Haul vans, and pickups – there are the battered looking lime green maintenance vehicles of the fair personnel, and the vehicles of vendors – fair workers, and vendors hanging out in the back areas.

This morning, prior to the gates being opened, the trails were empty. Then the gates were opened and the people, young and old, took over these trails.

Me, seeing them, I got antsy, thinking that because they were bypassing the barn that they’d be missing out on BLBP story time. So I put on the sandwich board that Sharon made, and got out there and began giving out copies of Raven and Wild Animals in Alaska, along with a bookmark.

I then took a break and went and checked out the reptile box. It is pretty amazing. It was fairly early so not many people were in there. The fish aquariums, they were so clean – and the snakes – care had been taken in making it so that their skin matched their surroundings.

Back to work -- I do not like to greet people, but I resumed doing this because no one else was going to take on this task. I took breaks – going back into the barn and hanging out. Melina and Hally did a good job decorating – there is a book corner, with bookcases, and there are tables crosswise in the middle. There are, on the far side of the room, comfortable chairs and a table. It is definitely a place where people can hang out.

Peg Redding, a BLBP volunteer, read from the Raven book. She did a wonderful job – the book was the right length, so she was able to talk about the various animals. Alas, she only had three children on hand to read to.

The 4:30 p.m. reading – Melina’s six year old daughter went out and managed to get 7 or so kids for me to read to. I veered away from the nutritional literacy theme because there weren’t enough children on hand to work with. If anything, I over planned. I read from the book The Cap – this allowed for reader/child interaction.

Pete arrived after the reading – just in time to see two adults on stilts – they were beautifully dressed, in medieval costumes, again, on stilts. A big attraction at the picture taking FA R site.

We did evening distribution, then I left and I went back to the hotel and took care of a few things, then did around town distribution.

220. 8/16/25: I continue to reach for the stars