Scarlet Stone

I am just wrapping up our annual holiday break at the Timberjay and it’s the start of another new year. Personally, the past nine months since my last column have been full of highs, with very few lows, and in my brother’s words, “We still have to live!” So, let’s focus on some of the high points.
The spring and summer found me full of energy and enthusiasm, having quit drinking in December of 2023. In Oprah’s words, I am “living my best life.” In July, I organized a successful Tower-Soudan city-wide garage sale with input from friends. There was great participation, so I plan to make it an annual event provided there continues to be community interest. Mid-June brought me an opportunity to again perform in the annual Lake Vermilion Cultural Center (LVCC) Midsummer Gala, that Janice Kimes of the Twin Cities has written and directed for over a decade. It was Jan’s final show and a musical tribute to past years. I performed the Ode to St. Urho wearing a large grasshopper hat I’d created and a costume of green and purple with a banner across my chest that read St. Urho Rocks. I also participated in the choir, which is made up of local singers and others from the metro area. I am now in my third year functioning as the Administrative Assistant for the LVCC. I do the office management, data entry, and create the newsletters, in addition to grant-writing. It is a job that has introduced me to many people in the area as the LVCC is now offering concerts, lectures and more in the former St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
On Oct. 18, my son Keaton Chapman and his decade-long love, Ashley Hiller of Ely, got married near the water’s edge in Shawnee Mission Park in Kansas City, a favorite destination of the couple and home to my brother Paul Johnson and his wife Carolyn (“sis”), who is an extraordinary party-planner. Details including hand-crafted decorations, color-coordinated florals, table runners, and a pumpkin spice tiered wedding cake were handled with glee across the miles via group chat on social media. I flew down several days before the wedding to assist with preparations and to have more time with my family.
The soon-to-be newlyweds traveled south with the Hillers in their two cars and had an overnight stop in Winona where they picked up Ashley’s brother Zack. Upon arriving in Kansas City with a bit of white-knuckle driving, they checked into the Truitt Boutique Hotel where they had reserved rooms. Built in 1916, the brick colonial revival home features a beautiful grand staircase with a lovely banister that forms a curl at the bottom. It proved to be the perfect setting for a historic-style afternoon portrait of Ashley following the wedding. Later that evening, everyone met for a wonderful groom’s dinner at the 801 Chophouse. The entrées and side dishes were divine, featuring top cuts of beef and special sauces. Following dinner, each of us took turns standing up to offer our personal sentiments to the couple. Our newly combined families, and the culmination of a decade of life experiences already shared, created a tremendously meaningful moment that we will remember for a lifetime.
  Keaton and Ashley chose to hold their ceremony on a Friday at 10 a.m. as it would guarantee a quieter setting at the park. It was a perfect crisp, blue-sky day with colored leaves still on the branches, creating the perfect backdrop for their wedding. Guests included mainly close family, including Ashley’s grandmother Mary Springborg of the Twin Cities, who watched via Messenger video recorded by Zack Hiller. Special friends from Grand Rapids, Dr. Kim Haycraft-Schmotter and her husband Mike Schmotter were also in attendance, having flown down days prior to be part of the wedding party. Musicians included a guitarist who is a friend of the Johnsons and Rory McKee, the tall red-haired Scottish bagpiper from the Kansas City St. Andrews Pipes and Drums. This colorful detail came about one day last summer. While planning music, Keaton jokingly suggested a bagpiper and that’s all it took for me and I had sis book one... “ah the pipes!”  
The wedding party was dressed to “the nines” in gowns and suits in colors chosen from a selected palette. Keaton, Joe, and Mike were fitted at a wedding shop in muted spruce green attire with ties in dark burgundy/cream plaid. Keaton, of Scottish heritage, opted for a bow tie with a few initial grumbles arising from his intended that gave way once he put it on for the wedding...it was a dashing touch.
As one might expect, there was a delay with Keaton’s suit and it was expected to arrive the morning of the wedding. We were all tense and I mentioned the possibility of him having to find a choir robe at the last minute. Luck prevailed. The morning of the wedding, sis and I were in our jammies when we heard a knock and saw my brother dash to the door and intercept the anticipated parcel from UPS. I cheered from the kitchen in relief, while stuffing a deviled egg into my mouth as sis and I were arranging the reception platters.
Back to wardrobe details...Mike’s tie was antique copper to match his wife Kim’s copper satin fitted dress. The most beautiful garment was, of course, Ashley’s dress. It was a Renaissance-style, off-the-shoulder gown of white tulle featuring a white leaf embroidery motif throughout, sculpted bodice, full sheer sleeves, full skirt, and long train. The mothers both ordered dresses online with Leah Hiller choosing a deep burgundy, lace-covered dress with short lace-scalloped sleeves, a V-neck and pearl accessories. I selected a soft spruce green tiered dress with a cape off the back shoulders, faux emerald jewelry accented by an heirloom crystal necklace given to me by a close friend.
Some of us arrived at the park early in order to decorate, or “supervise” as was my role. The Hillers would arrive about 40 minutes later. Keaton waited next to the wedding tree looking across the lake with his uncle who would officiate and tell him when to turn around. When the time arrived, Ashley, and her father Joseph Hiller made their procession through the decorated pavilion to the large tree. Rory McKee, dressed in full tartan regalia, played “Skye Boat Song,” a favorite of the bride’s and the theme song from the television series Outlander. He followed the procession as Keaton waited for her and was totally mesmerized.  
Dr. Paul Johnson (brother to me and uncle to Keaton) and his wife Carolyn wrote and performed the ceremony. Their son Peter Johnson did a special reading, and toward the end of the ceremony the mothers tied a handfasting cord crocheted by the bride in selected colors of soft jute interwoven with Celtic styled pewter beads. Following the exchanging of rings and the ceremony, Rory’s bagpipes livened the tone of the celebratory occasion with the charming old melody of “Waltzing Matilda.” Music filled the air in the pavilion where a light picnic lunch was accompanied by mimosas. The songs of the guitarist over his speaker system were a very nice addition and brought several couples to enjoy some dancing. After the wedding, we took an afternoon siesta. Back at the Truitt, the beautiful aformentioned photo was taken of Ashley as she paused midway up the stairs looking back over her shoulder with her long dark hair flowing over her shoulders and yards of her dreamy dress trailing behind her. So stunning!
Later that day, a dinner reception with the opening of cards and gifts was held in a private room at a favorite BBQ restaurant. Following dinner many went to listen to KC jazz musicians playing original compositions at the Green Lady Lounge. A few of us over 60 decided to call it a day but watched for pics and updates on our phones from the comfort of the sofa back home as we chatted and delighted in memories of the day.
The Hiller family and close friends departed the morning after the wedding but the rest of us decided to take in another day of shopping and sightseeing before heading back north. The newlyweds are planning a honeymoon in the future.
The remainder of 2024 was a happy festive time all the way through New Year’s Eve. I am so grateful for family, friends, and health.