I used to watch their TV show, and once saw them live at Ontario Place, Toronto. Late 70s if I recall. Marvelous entertainers, you could tell they had a great time performing.
I am digitizing minutes of meetings books that started in 1845. I made a DIY copy stand and use a Canon 5D III and Sigma 50mm Macro lens tethered to my computer which is working pretty well. I could not imagine doing this with film. By the way, the records of 1845 still can be read easily but some of the penmanship is iffy.
Yes, It sounds like you live a a really rural location. My Parents both grew up in Buffalo, NY, but moved to CA around 1949 before I was born. They did not like the snow and cold weather of upstate NY.
I use a Canon 5D III with a Sigma 50mm Macro attached to a home built 3' x 3/4" pipe clamp using a Manfrotto Double Super Clamp and the center post and head of an old Slik tripod. I have various lengths of pipe to increase distance from lens to subject, currently at 30". I am using it to copy records from our Lodge dating back to 1845. I also just got a used Tamron 90mm Macro for smaller items. I use a Canon 430 EX or Canon 270EX Speedlite for flash. I see better results using the Macros versus regular lenses. Tethered setup through Lightroom. Do a UHH search on Burkphoto, he has a very good PDF about this. Here are some views of my conglomeration.
Brings back memories. My mother was born in Lancashire in 1910, came to Canada in 1924. Her parents moved to Detroit where my grandfather was employed as a tool & dye person at Chrysler. We had numerous such meals growing up and I am proud to say I make a pretty decent Yorkshire pudding.