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The ceremony attending the dedication of the sundial at Ingleside Terraces was one of rare delight. It took place at the close of a warm, vivid day in the fall of the year. The sun had gone down into the ocean, leaving the sky all crimson and gold. The air was soft and still and heavily scented with the fragrant breath of flowers. Far away beyond the grassy stretches of the Terraces the sea reflected the glory of the sunset, and one might easily imagine himself in an old garden on the shore of the Mediterranean.
The sundial and the four columns surrounding it were veiled and loomed shapeless against a rippling background of flowerbeds. As the shade of night deepened, there was quiet and peace and repose over all things.
Suddenly the Terraces seemed to awaken. Lights flashed from the windows of the club house, and from its broad, arched verandas came sounds of laughter and merriment. Automobiles hummed their way along the broad avenues and stopped at the sundial park. Soon thousands of people had grouped themselves about the sundial park and filled the tiers of seats that had been provided for the occasion.
Then softly upon the night air came strains of music and two children, a boy and a girl, dressed in Colonial costumes and as dainty as Dresden china figures, danced up to the dial and released the Spirit of the fountain, a tiny little water nymph, who rose from the pool with her filmy, fluttering skirts sparkling and glistening in the moonlight. The little one waved her wand and immediately the sundial park was ablaze with light.
Sundial at Ingleside Terraces Intro
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Images: Courtesy of Margie Whitnah (a WNP member)
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Page launched 5/06/02
