Another long day yesterday. But, that’s what I’m here for. The show is taking beautiful shape and is in the midst of some fine tuning on everyone’s part; actors, designers, director, crew, and me. Tonight we have an invited dress rehearsal. The days are now for fixing things, rethinking things like entrances, or quick costume changes, or lighting. Lighting is a key element in this production as most productions of Our Town are bare-bones in terms of set, which is as it should be and as specified by the playwright. The lighting designer is the same guy who designed A Raisin in the Sun last year – he was also my roommate during last summer’s stay.
I had a little time to take a short walk yesterday. And to take some pictures.
Street scene, per your requests. My favorite white cottages are on this street.
Speaking of the white cottages, here’s a close-up of one of my favorites, sans umbrella on the porch. You can see the garden seating area on the side of the house. I want to go inside.
And a close-up of the side garden at the other white cottage. These cottages are so beautiful, I can’t stand it.
Street scene number two.
Street scene number three.
Street scene number four.
I fell in love with these chairs last year: Michigan Adirondack Chairs – my home state. And this year, I noticed the table is in the shape of the Upper Peninsula.
I would like a pair, please.
Happy Thursday.
Doris says
Good Morning Claudia, I love the street scenes, thank you for taking the time to show us around. Doris
Claudia says
You are very welcome, Doris.
Lynn Marie says
I have loved this series n Chataqua! I finally got around to looking at the Victoria magazine I had picked up a few weeks ago and your favorite white cottage with the yellow chairs and such is pictured in there also! After your series and the Victoria Magazine article I am definitely putting it on the list of places to go.
Claudia says
You should, Lynn Marie. It’s absolutely charming.
Marcia Hron says
Claudia . . . I am thoroughly enjoying your photos and information about Chataqua. The \tree-lined streets and cottages are so charming and an inpiration!!! Thank you for your blog.
Claudia says
You are very welcome, Marcia.
Laura says
Oh my, I would want to go in and explore every one of those fabulous homes. xo Laura
Claudia says
Me too!
Marilyn K says
It is all so charming. There is something about adirondack chairs…..they look so relaxing. I have seen the Michigan chairs quite often, but the UP table is really cool. I love your pics and I’ve noticed lately that ads are popping up over the bottom portion of the pictures…..can anything be done about that placement?
Claudia says
The short answer: No. It costs money to host this blog. In fact, I just paid the yearly fee yesterday. And I write a post every day, 365 days a year. The only way to sustain the blog and help me shoulder the cost and time I put into it is to have ads. The ads on the photos pay well. They are set to only show when you click on comments or the actual post title itself. They don’t show on the main page.
If ads bother you, there are a variety of browser extensions out there that will block ads. I have all my browsers set to block pop-up ads. That kind of thing might help you.
Vera says
Lovely scenes Claudia. It all looks so peaceful and pretty. A perfect retreat. Safe travels home to Don & Scout later this weekend.
Claudia says
Thank you, Vera. Three more days!
Nancy Blue Moon says
What peaceful streets to talk a walk through..I see you can buy those Michigan Adirondack Chairs & table online..the price varies from dealer to dealer..They would look nice on the Funky Patio..
Claudia says
They would, but they’re too pricey for me!
Wendy TC says
Romantic scenes, Claudia. Are most of the cottages rentals? I think it’s sad that those cute cottages aren’t lived in all year round.
Claudia says
Some are condos, most are owned, but sometimes the owners rent out the cottage to others for certain weeks of the summer. There are about 300-400 year round residents.
Margaret says
What a feast for these house-loving eyes! Lucky you to spend time there. Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
You’ve very welcome!
Donnamae says
These street scenes are lovely. I could see myself living in that first cottage with the rocking chairs…..puttering in that garden…and those narrow streets…charming! Great pics Claudia…feel like I’m right there! ;)
Claudia says
Good! The next best thing to being here!
Chris K in Wisconsin says
Such a fun walk today! Just makes me smile to see all of those beautiful cottages, and to imagine the people who stay there ~ and the memories they take home with them when they leave. I wonder if the insides are as charming, and in my mind they do NOT have granite and stainless steel in their kitchens! :-)
p.s. My “kids” and their friends are all going to APT in Spring Green tonight to see The Merry Wives of Windsor. The weather is perfect….and I thought of you!
Claudia says
Though some of them do, I’m sure. But I bet most of them don’t.
Beverly says
I would be in love with it all, too. The homes are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Claudia says
You’re welcome, Beverly!
Linda @ A La Carte says
So pretty! I love places like this. Glad the play is coming along well!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia says
It is. We’ll see how tonight’s invited dress rehearsal goes.
Addie says
Ohhh!!!! those street scenes!!!! Thank you~thank you!!! Maybe I shouldn’ t have asked for the scenes……now I have to wipe up the drool!!! Unbelievable!!! OH!, how I would LOVE to walk down those streets just as all the birds are waking. I think the second picture, address #22, is my favorite. Well, it would be for this time in my life…empty nester. I would live there all year round….how could you not?
Thank you for showing us…I’ve got to got back for another peek…my fifth time!!!
Addie
Claudia says
So glad you’re enjoying the street scenes, Addie!
susan says
Thank you for the lovely tour, Claudia. I’m ready to pack my bags and move into one of those charming little cottages. Enjoy the rest of your time there and safe travels home.
Claudia says
Thank you, Susan.
Susan Swartz says
That little white cottage is so adorable!! Would love to see the inside. I could walk around there all day I am sure.
Claudia says
I would too. If only I had the guts to go up and knock on the door!
Nancy in PA says
Thank you for this collection of images, Claudia. That’s just what I needed. I am loving all the green. The hostas seem to be very happy there. I love the bicycles everywhere. It’s such a throwback to see bicycles left out, not locked up. That is a reminder of childhood, when we didn’t even know that there was such a thing as a bicycle lock. We could park our bikes anywhere, for as long as we liked, and no one would touch them. Do you feel as though you’re in Mayberry, or that you walked into a Norman Rockwell painting?
Claudia says
I never see a lock on a bike here.
But it would be nice to see some diversity here – it’s overwhelmingly white in terms of ethnicity. Thank goodness for the music, art and theater programs, where there is diversity. This community needs that.
Janet in Rochester says
What a clever idea. Lawn furniture in the shapes of the various states! Of course, not as cute with the squarish states like Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska etc – but New York and Michigan and lots of other states – way cute! I’ve seen bread and cheese boards shaped like states before. Damn but there are an awful lot of creative people out there these days. Of course they’ve always been there, but with the Internet now we hear of them much faster. Good luck with “Our Town” – I mean, break a leg! You’re not supposed to wish theater people ‘good luck’ – right? :>)
Claudia says
No, you’re not! Always, “Break a leg!” xo
Barbara says
Okay, since no one else has asked, I must: Do cars actually drive on those darling narrow streets or are they prohibited?
Claudia says
No, there are cars. But the speed limit is 15 miles/hr. Everyone has to drive very slowly.
ellen says
I love these photos. They transported me. Thank you for sharing!
Vicki says
Never heard of MICHIGAN adirondack chairs; quirky! Thank you for bringing us the street scenes; so green and lovely there (so brown and ugly here…where I am in SoCalif…makes my heart ache [in a good way; just wistful] to see the beauty of that woodsy Northeast; Chataqua is absolutely charming and I’m so glad you are sharing it so the rest of us can know what it’s like!).
Janet in Rochester says
I love the tradition of naming a house or property. Most farms tend to have names – why not individual houses? Our property had been a farm up to the time my parents bought it in 1966, so they named our house “Stone Bridge Farm” [there was a picturesque little cobblestone bridge over the creek in front of our house]. Now I keep a list of possible names for my dream house, if my ship ever actually comes in. Have a wonderful Fourth – hope Chautauqua has fireworks!
Becky says
That little white cottage is my favorite, hands down. Just look at all of the green and thriving
plants! My begonias are nothing like the ones there. We need water!!!!
Thanks for sharing, Claudia.
xx