Over the Garden Fence: Hobo Day coming to T and OC
When Hobo Day comes to the Toledo and Ohio Central depot on May 28, it is unlikely that any hobos will show up. There will be at least two honorary hobos, however. Jim Croneis and his sister Carolyn Kelley were given this status several years ago. That is remarkable. It makes me wonder what the criteria was to have been selected for this honor. Did they have to prove they hopped a ride in an empty train car? Did they have to spend at least two months living along the tracks dining on some version of hobo stew? Did they trade dirty clothes for clean ones hanging on some rural clothesline? Probably not.
There is one thing for sure. Jim is coming because he will be signing his published three-book series "Down to Earth." The volumes are a compilation of his published articles related to history. They are a result of detailed, energetic research. Each of the three volumes is printed on cream-colored paper.
Proceeds from the sale of the work will be shared with local history endeavors by the Bucyrus Preservation Society and the Bucyrus Historical Society. A nonprofit branch of the Bicentennial Commission, Norton Bicentennial, Inc., also will benefit. The books can be ordered for a pre-print price of $89.95. by going to Bucyrus2021.com by May 21. Once that is done your set will be at the station on Hobo Day, saving on postage and handling costs. Added value will come as Jim signs your books. He published the Telegraph-Forum for many years. Remember he is a hobo, of sorts.
Hobo Day vendors, musicians, food
Hobo Day comes with a huge lineup of interesting vendors, musicians and food. Cattlemen and Center Street Market — the Lohrs — are combining efforts cooking and making a range of tempting fare. The smell of Sweet Thangs kettle corn will be in the air. Cindy Leonhart will be whipping up slushies at her table and selling embroidered and handcrafted items.
If you want to purchase food to take home, Sarah Heydinger will have homemade pretzels, salsa, jam, cinnamon rolls and breads. Marci Teynor is bringing pies, cookies, coffee cakes and quick breads.
Choices for other handcrafted items include cement flower pots and gnomes, wreaths, lanterns and centerpieces from Vickie Moore plus sculptures cast in resin from Logan Kilgour. Jim Gillenwater will be offering a range of woodcrafts, and Brad and Sue Hawkins will have cutting boards and shelving. Dan Couture has wooden flowers, plant markers, toys, yard furniture and homemade jams.
Artwork, flowers, handcrafted cards
Regina Whitaker is bringing handcrafted cards and pens, and Colleen Hitchcock artwork in a range of media and silk floral designs. Scapes By Sarah is filling her space with cut flowers and bedding plants.
Friends from Big 4 Depot in Galion plan to have a table to share information about efforts with their train station restoration.
If you do not order the books by Jim, bring your curiosity to 700 E. Rensselaer St. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be extra book sets if you change your mind, scores of potential treasures and the chance to see the restoration work on the interior of the depot.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus Preservation Society to host Hobo Day
