This month two homesites are having their big Laura Ingalls Wilder event; Pepin WI and Mansfield MO. There is a smaller event in Malone/Burke NY. The larger fan events for the TV show have started up again.

Find the complete list here:

September 2023 Laura Ingalls Wilder Events – Sarah's Notebook (wordpress.com)

My friend Kelly Pelzel and I took an quick trip up to Walnut Grove to see the new pageant in July. After 45 years they have changed their pageant. They are taking the story and dividing it into three parts. The first one will have the most of the original pageant so they started with what will be the second of the trilogy. It’s called Chasing the Dream, 1875-1876. We also took a little time to hit some of the other places in town. This was Kelly's first trip to Walnut Grove. It wasn't a complete trip, but we saw a lot including getting in a good visit with William T. Anderson and Cindy Wilson.

August is growing as Laura Ingalls Wilder event month. Look for events in Pepin, WI: De Smet, SD; Spring Valley, MN; Malone/Burke, NY; and NBC Little House on the Prairie TV reunion events.

July is one of the biggest Laura Ingalls Wilder event months. We're going to look ahead to events to Pepin, WI; Independence, KS; Walnut Grove, MN; De Smet, SD; Mansfield, MO; Malone, NY; Burke, NY; Old World Wisconsin; Eagle, WI; Nelson Pioneer Farm; Oskaloosa, IA; Project Archeology; and the Wilder Podcast.

June brings us into Summer and it's a big Laura month. Get the news from Pepin, WI, Independence, KS, Burr Oak, IA, De Smet, SD, and Spring Valley, MN.Then what's going on with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association and the South Dakota Historical Society Press. Are you going to an event this June?

Since this is late we'll go through some of the big events this year and what we're still looking forward to. Whether you're interested in the TV show, the museums, or books, there is a lot going on.

I didn't get a roving report episode although I didn't get to do it live. Instead I'm going to give you a full report of what it was like to attend this cast reunion and how it was different from other cast reunions. I'll include some ideas about what you should plan on if you make a Little House cast reunion trip.

The cast included:

Alison Arngrim (Nellie Olesen)Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace)Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose)

Every year I do some reading in honor of World Read Aloud Day. It's every March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. Sometimes I do something Laura specific, but lately I've been doing Mother West Wind's Children by Thorton W. Burgess. For awhile I was doing short episodes as I tested various microphones, but today's is going to be my standard equipment. Learn more about Burgess and find a list of links to the other stories. Today we're doing "Why Peter Rabbit's Ears Are Long."

Laura Ingalls Wilder season is really getting started. The Laura Ingalls Wilder sites that haven't opened yet for the season will open at the end of May. There is an event in Pepin and a fundraiser in Burr Oak. There is a Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association homesite updates online program about what's happening with the homesites this year. It's Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival and 3 more events with "Little House on the Prairie" TV show cast members that are close to Iowa. There is even an event at the Gene Autry Museum of the West. Check out this episode and my blog post for more.

March is the month when the museums that closed down for the winter start to reopen. We have several events and a couple pieces of news.