Where's the Red Carpet?

I expected cheerleaders in bright red costumes. I thought there would be a petting zoo, a marching band and all sorts of whizbangs.

Instead I found a dusty parking lot, a creaky store that smelled of potpourri, and a desultory teenager selling cider, peaches and doughnuts. And, of course, the obligatory taffy.

After decades of hearing wonderful things about it, the Louisburg Cider Mill disappointed me when I finally visited it last week. I’m not down, though. My sea monkey order should I arrive any day. I can’t wait to watch those rascals play volleyball.