Williamstown, MA and Cambridge, NY – Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26, 2006

Anticipation mounted as we drew near the end of the last leg of the Merrymakers Caravan in New England. We made our way through the Pittsfield area ending up in Williamstown, Massachusetts. We parked our buses in the parking lot of the Wild Oats Natural Grocery Store where we met so many nice people. Later we parked downtown and had another wonderful opportunity to walk through the streets playing our instruments. We invited people along the way to our festival in Cambridge, NY. (This perhaps was the most joyful of all ways to reach out and be merry!) We met so many nice folks, including a man who gave us a good lead for a suitable campground.

Upon arriving at the campground, Nehemiah announced to us to be careful not to walk too far from the bus as a black bear had been sighted on the property! Well, we nestled down safely for the night and looked forward to the next day. We knew we would find refreshment in Cambridge, and hoped to find many whom we had invited along the way.

As we arrived, we discovered late Friday afternoon that some of the people we had met, had made it there! One was a man we had met in New York City who is now living at our community in Oak Hill on Black Walnut Farm, and another man had followed us from Stone Ridge to Oak Hill for a meal with us at the café. We were happy to see both of them and others as well.

After a beautiful feast and socializing on the Sabbath (Saturday, our day of rest), we prepared for the next day. We planned to gather early enough to be ready with music playing by twelve noon on the little green in Cambridge, NY, right near our Common Ground Café.

We were thankful for the wonderful organization and merry hearts that diligently helped bring about our goal. Indeed before the bell tolled for noon, the music had already begun. The green filled up quickly with people, and many enjoyed our various seminars which included the benefits of sourdough bread and how to bake it, and discussions on “The Fatal Flaw of Man” and "The Stone Kingdom” (from the Book of Daniel). The Café was a buzz of activity throughout the day as people came by, many with lots of questions about who we are and what we are doing. We danced at the green vigorously throughout the day, our music resounding through the hills of this quaint and beautiful little town.

It was wonderful to once again express the joy that overflows from our hearts—from those who have found a special purpose for their lives, a new social life that brings healing and restoration. We danced and sang into the night with grateful hearts. Soon it was time for goodbyes as our Merrymakers Caravan (New England part) was over. We packed up the buses, most of us leaving by the next day and going back each to our own communities. The tour is over for now… but the Merrymakers will be back!

We will once again go along these highways and byways, and look for those who desire a life full of peace and purpose. Our hearts are merry, and we want everyone to know why we are so happy. Isn’t that what everyone wants—to be happy? We’ll keep you posted.

More coming soon!!!