Broughton Quarterly - Fall 2008 - (Page 23) According to de facto Harmony historian Aarika Wells, investors in 1970 purchased the vacant structures from the creamery and got permission to add retail. Later, in 1978, the town switched hands to businessman George Meyers, and “he was the one who ushered in the romantic period,” according to Wells. He built a stage and held summer concerts. He hired artisans to create intricate carvings and murals on walls and doors. Just two years later, a local couple named Jim and Kay Lawrence purchased Harmony, fine-tuning it as a landmark art haven.“It was so much fun,” recalls Paula Radke, a glass bead artist who had a Harmony shop in 1986.“We (the vendors) played together, and there was a sense of community. We had barbeques, and during the Sunday concerts it was like the whole town turned into one big party.” For that romantic season, Harmony lived up to its name, which had an auspicious beginning. According to an unverifiable legend, a couple of dairy farmers had a disagreement, and at the height of the feud someone was actually killed. Distraught by what happened, both parties agreed to a truce and decided to forever live in harmony, and the town was thus named. However, Wells believes that the town was named after a one-room schoolhouse that bore the name “Harmony” in 1875. When Harmony will actually be fully restored is not known. Kimberly Mulligan, the owner of Harmony Cellars Winery and great-granddaughter of one of the original dairy founders, says Harmony’s restoration is taking too long. She’d like to see the town flourishing again. “There used to be a dressmaker who would weave her own cloth. There was a coffee place and a restaurant and bar. Tourists and locals came,” she recalls. “Today, people come up to our winery to taste the wine. We are not dependent on Harmony as a BroughtonQuarterly.com 23 http://www.BroughtonQuarterly.com
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