Come See Me at The Oldest House Christmas Tea!
The Oldest House, in Laceyville PA, will be holding its annual Christmas Tea, December 1, 2 and 3! On Friday the first the hours are 4 to 8 pm, and I will be there! On Saturday the second the hours are 10 to 5. On Sunday the third, the hours are noon to 5 and I will be there most of the day.
Come and enjoy some mulled cider and homemade cookies and explore all three floors of the House, filled to the brim with beautiful handmade decorations and textiles, both old and new. See the new Period Clothing Exhibit up on the third floor, with authentic period clothing from the mid 1850s through the Edwardian Era and focusing on textiles and their creation, and how they were used in fashion and dress.
Hello all!
Well, now that my broken wrist is mostly healed--I still get some twinges from time to time--I'm back to my usual slate of activities and events.
If you can't make any of these events, you will sometimes find me staffing French Azilum. Remember, that historic site closes August 27 for the season. See thefrenchazilum.com for more info.
Also, starting September 5, I'll be teaching and studying ballet and tap (sometimes) at the Whipple Performing Arts Center in Tunkhannock. The ballet instruction is in the Cecchetti Method. I'm proud to say that after 30 years of the Russian/Vaganova method, I've passed my first Cecchetti Method Teacher's Exam with a highly commended grade (the highest you can get). I am generally at Whipple's on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, and Wednesday I teach Regency Dance--think Jane Austen films! For more information, see the website, whipplepac.com.
I will be garbed at the following events, and although some of my books may be available as well, the only one where I am actively selling the books is at the Rendezvous.
Read on!
Barclay Mountain--I'll be there THIS SATURDAY, August 12, with the Endless Mountains Primitive Outdoorsmen with information on our Club! There will be other members with some fascinating artefacts to show, too. I will also have my herbology display.
Wyoming County Fair--I'll be at the Endless Mountains Primitive Outdoorsmen book near the North Gate (turn left, it's about three booths down). Not sure what days and times I'll be there just yet, but if it's anything like last year, it'll be late afternoons and evenings, most days.
EMPO Rendezvous--Sept 9 & 10 at the Black Walnut American Legion in Laceyville, on Route 6. I'll have my herbology display, and all of my historic fiction to sell! For more information on the Rendezvous, see the EMPO website, EMPO.us.
Open Hearth Cooking Experience at French Azilum's LaPorte House--October 7. Almost already sold out! Prepping and cooking a three course meal guided by yours truly. Then we all sit down and enjoy it! For more info, see thefrenchazilum.com.
Escape the Guillotine Escape Room--October 28 at French Azilum's LaPorte House. An escape room like no other! See if you can escape the Revolution, or will you fail, and head off to Madame La Guillotine? For more info, see thefrenchazilum.com.
The Oldest House Christmas Tea --December 1.2.3. I will be there on the 3rd, Sunday. The yearly celebration of the 250 year old house with cookies, mulled cider, and of course, tea! For more info see the website, the-oldest-house.com
The Tunkhannock Nutcracker--with an Italian theme this year to keep things lively, the holiday ballet classic will be presented in December. Dates TBA so watch whipplepac.com for details. I will most likely be reprising my rôle as Drosselmeyer--but of course, Italian Style!
Well hello.
Those of you who may be wondering what has been going on, I am here to tell you that on March 28 in ballet class I fell coming out of a pirouette. Even though I know after 30 some years of dancing that when you turn, you must balance a little forward, I was leaning a little too far back, and I slid and fell, right on my wrist and broke it.
Fortunately, it’s my left wrist. And fortunately, I didn’t shatter my elbow, although it was a beautiful shade of aubergine for three weeks. However, I did have surgery on my wrist, so I now have a plate and four pins in my wrist and I am in the recovery stage.
Meanwhile, Rosie Hunter, Dr. Rosalie, has been quite busy. After her debut in Death on the Rocks, she subsequently visited an old friend and solved a mystery and discoverd a treasure— that’s Death on Pointe. She also made a trip to England, and worked in the royal collection, where she met the late Queen ( Death at the Royal Collection), and then travelled down to Texas to visit her friend, and got embroiled in a politically motivated murder (Death and the Christmas Gumbo)!
Rosie’s latest adventure was just finished the morning before the ballet class where I broke my wrist, conveniently. It’s called Death at The Old Farmhouse, and it sees Rosie once again in Windsor, England. This time she is valuing the art collection of the local Baron, and very interesting things happen there. The book is meant as an homage, if you will, to the staff and the building itself, of The Old Farmhouse, my home from home now in England.
I anticipate this book will be out next week or the week after—I promised end of April and I will deliver, broken wrist notwithstanding.
As to the future of Rosie, and more mysteries, or more historical fiction for that matter, I am not sure. Once my wrist is fully healed, I anticipate being able to type again comfortably, although perhaps not at the rate I used to. So if that is the case, there will be more mysteries, and possibly more historical fiction as well.
Thank you, as always, for reading. For those of you who may not have read the initial series Reporting is Murder©️, I encourage you to explore those books on Amazon; and for those of you who have not read the historical fiction works, I encourage you to explore those also on Amazon—remember that think historical fiction is written under Deborah L. Courville
Well, this summer has been a bit of a wild ride!
However with autumn approaching it is time to update our list of events!
REGENCY DANCE IN TUNKHANNOCK
If you would like to learn this style of dance, familiar to you perhaps from Jane Austen books and films, join us Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 at Whipple Performing Arts Center in Tunkhannock (near Weis). Last year’s classes were a real success with dancers showing off their Regency stylings in the year end Recital, too!
If you can walk, count, and usually know your left from your right, you can do this style of dancing. This year we will explore some of the historic origins of Regency Dance and the way it ties into other dance styles, as well as learning some brand new dances and revisiting some old favorites.
Contact Whipple Performing Arts whipplepac.com for more info!
HISTORIC FICTION BOOKS PURCHASING OPPORTUNITIES
While all my books are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle, if you would like an autographed copy and a chance to talk with me about my books, be sure to stop by the Endless Mountains Primitive Outfoorsmen (and women!) Rendezvous and Black Powder Shoot on September 10&11 at the Black Walnut American Legion Post just east of Laceyville on Route 6!
I will have all my historic fiction, including the Oldest House books and the three about French Azilum, as well as In the Time Before, which takes place during the French and Indian War. I’d love to say hello and hear what you think about the books!
TEAS
The next themed tea will be in the early spring of 2023 at Azilum’s LaPorte House. Stay tuned for details, or check Insta and FB for updates.
OTHER EVENTS
Come join the fun at the Wyoming County Fair this year and be sure to visit me at the EMPO booth. I will have raffle btickets and the fab prizes will be on display for you to check out! Plus, I usually have time to chat with people so stop by and say hello!
On Sept 23&24 at The Oldest House in Laceyville, we will have our Fancy Fair. I will be there both days, and all the historic fiction books will be available for purchase. If it isn’t too busy I should have time to chat and maybe give you a quick tour of the open parts of the House. We have home made soups and sandwiches available too, so come for lunch!
Open Hearth Cooking Experience will be early spring 2023 at the LaPorte House at French Azilum. (Yes, I cook, too!) Watch Insta, FB and this website for updates!
Do you love Bridgerton
and the Regency Period???
Come join us at French Azilum's first ever 'Bridgerton' Tea! Whether you dress as yourself or in your finest Featherington frock, you'll have a great time, with activities based on the bestselling book and hit series, a tour of the House, followed by a beautiful Afternoon Tea* worthy of the Duke of Hastings himself!
Sunday, May 29, 1-4 pm at French Azilum's LaPorte House.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED! Call 570-996-7534 to book. $30 pp
(All monies go directly to support French Azilum)
*gluten free, caffeine free, and vegan choices offered
The French Azilum is a 501 (c) 3 registered non profit historic site, open
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11-4; tours at 12, 1,2 and 3 sharp!
For more information see our website: thefrenchazilum.com or call 570-265-3376.
It's been a tough time for those of us who enjoy going out to themed group events, and now the winter weather makes it even more of a challenge. However, something to look forward to: A Titanic Encounter Tea!
To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the sailing, and sinking, of the RMS Titanic, there will be a 'Titanic Encounter' a short, immersive program, followed by a three course, home made Afternoon Tea. The Whipple Performing Arts Center in Tunkhannock is the location, and I, along with the Whipple staff, am hosting the event.
Join us to experience a bit of what it must have been like on the fateful night when the great ship struck the iceberg, Learn about a few of the passengers and the 'perfect storm' of conditions which led to the disaster. A gracious Afternoon Tea in the best tradition will follow.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED TO 24 PER SEATING, so book now by emailing me at debcourville@gmail.com, or calling me on 570-996-7534, or calling Whipple PAC on 570-836-6990.
*Most suited for adults, teens, and tweens.
Regency (and some Georgian) Dance classes will be offered at the Whipple Performing Arts Center in Tunkhannock, PA through mid July, 2022. They will begin again right after Labor Day..
Classes are Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30 pm. $10/ class for single, $15/ class per couple. Regency Dance is included in the $50/ month unlimited classes package, so come join us, and learn to dance as they did in Jane Austen’s time, in her novels, and in Bridgerton! Learn about Regency and Georgian clothing and customs as they related to dancing at Assemblies and Balls, and experience a wide variety of dance patterns and steps, some dating from as far back as the 17th century!
Most of all come join us and have a lot of fun!
You SHALL go to the ball—
WE ARE STARTING AN EMAIL LIST FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT THE THEMED TEAS AND OTHER EVENTS.
Here’s how it will work. Please email me at debcourville@gmail.com, expressing your interest. I will add your email to the list.
The moment a Themed Tea (usually at French Azilum, but there may also be one occasionally at the Oldest House) or other event is confirmed and scheduled, I will send out an email with deets about when, where, cost, how to book, etc. Then you can email me back if you are interested.
I guarantee this email will go out at least one week and possibly much much more before the facebook and website notices go up, or any ads go in the papers.
This way, people who really want to book in for one of these limited seating events will be able to do so. (Most teas are limited to 25 people, and other events like the Christmas with Mary Dickens, or an Afternoon with Jane Austen (both in Scranton to benefit Abington Library), are also limited and sell out quickly.)
This notice about the email list will go up on facebook today, so be sure and email me asap to be put on the new Email Notice List!
Thanks!—Deborah
Check back often, as this list will be updated as new events are added (or altered). Thanks!
The BRIDGERTON Afternoon & Tea
at French Azilum!
On Sunday, 29. May, 2022 from 1-4 pm at the LaPorte House at French Azilum, enter the fascinating and fun fictional world of the runaway hit, 'Bridgerton.' Come dressed in your finest Featheringtonesque finery, or come as you are--all styles welcome.
Join Lady Bytheway as she escorts you on a tour of the late Regency period LaPorte House (1836) discussing manners and customs of the time. Take part in crafting an innuendo-filled story to commemorate the day, and if the weather is fine, join in a game of croquet.
Then relax and revel in a scrumptious, three course Afternoon Tea, worthy of any top shelf Bridgerton hostess!
$30 per person, must be pre-booked as spaces are limited and these events sell out fast! To book call 570-996-7534 and leave a message. We'll get back to you with details on how to reserve and hold your seats!
I’ll Be Portraying the Queen of Mystery...
AGATHA CHRISTIE!
The next presentation in my ongoing series of portrayals of famous historic literary woemn will be October 15 from 5-7at the Pavilion at Hillside Park near Clarks Summit.
The series benefits the Abington Community Library, and I am homored to have been asked to bring these amazing ladies to life.
Two years ago I portrayed Jane Austen, and last Holiday season I was Mary Dickens. This summer, I channeled Abigail Adams. Now, just in time for Hallowe’en I will present Agatha Christie, one of the most prolific and best loved mystery writers, ever.
Tickets are limited, and they are $30, which includes a light dinner!
So come cheer me on and help out the Library at the same time!
The Historical Costume and Fashion Society was the brainchild of my friend Lisa Terninko, and me one day when we were having lunch together. We decided to start this page on Facebook, and invite 'like minded friends' to join.
On the page, we post notifications of events coming up, which we intend to go to, and invite others to join us. We dress in period clothing (usually historically accurate, or HA, reproductions but sometimes authentic if it's not too fragile) and generally have a fine time!
Some of the events are the ones I do personally, that you'll find here under 'Events.' Others are teas, dinners and tours held at other (mostly) historic homes, or to benefit historic homes. For example, we have gone up to the Phelps Mansion in Binghamton for a tour. We have gone to a tea room near Scranton for a special Spring Tea. We have gone to the Stegmaier Mansions in Wilkes Barre for dinners and teas. So you see there is an element of historic preservation, an element of charitable giving, an element of historic costuming, and an element of FOOD!
We always have fun, and we know we are helping not only the historic homes and efforts that benefit from the events, but we are helping to raise awareness of the role played in history by various styles of dress.
The HCFS welcomes anyone with an interest in those four elements to join in--you need not actually dress in period clothing, but we do encourage it.
On Facebook, search for 'Historical Costume and Fashion Society' to find the page. We look forward to seeing you there!
