Over the Garden Fence: May Day at Harvey School
The time has come to welcome the "Merrie Month of May" and Harvey One-Room School is ready to do just that. Bringing together a celebration of renewed life in spring, flowers, plants and life itself, members and friends are preparing several flower-related projects.
The historical significance lies in this being the 20th year since the school began its efforts to share with Crawford County and beyond. The educational mission reaches out to all ages. There are school visits planned for this May exposing young people to the schooling practices of the past. The board schedules a few special events usually in spring, fall and at Christmas time.
Many volunteers have assembled activities which can lead to special gifts for mothers too, with that observance a week later.
Most of our day on Sunday, May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. is planned outside. An event of last year — dress your doll for the festival — will be repeated. The dolls are to be enhanced with ribbons and flowers. They will be judged. Prizes and ribbons will be presented. A parade of the dolls in wagons will follow.
Sachets will be made from potpourri mixes of petals, dried lavender, oils and a fixative. Two versions of a May basket can be put together then filled with live garden flowers and herbs. Ribbons can be added. The pot-a-pansy activity includes making a small folded newspaper pot then choosing a blooming pansy. They are all in bloom with happy faces.
New this year is a chance to decorate a hat using ribbons and artificial flowers. Make one for "mom" or for yourself. There will be a small fee at this station.
Another table will be giving away pots of old-fashioned flowers including lily-of-the-valley, violets and forget-me-nots in pots, each one ready to plant.
On the west side of the school grounds an archery activity will be directed by Jeremy Snyder; he also will demonstrate the use of an atlatl as an early hunting tool.
We welcome "Sweet Thangs" kettle corn makers Jeremy and LeAnn. Another snack item will be individual cookies prepared by Katering Kountry Style. Bottled water will be available.
Music will fill the air. The committee is still bringing together a few more elements for the day.
The beribboned May pole is likely to bring on an effort to hold a May pole dance, wrapping that pole with the strands of fabric especially if those present step up to undertake the process.
As usual visitors, especially first-timers, will be encouraged inside for a short tour of the school house. The front yard pump can provide drinking water and the privies will be cleaned and ready for use.
Those with passports for Crawford County's Historical Alliance can have them stamped. Others may secure a passport. Share in some joys of May. Take home a handmade gift or two. Experience Harvey School a whole different way. Bring grandma, mom and a doll.
Come out to 1120 Caldwell Road, one mile west of the sign on Ohio 4 south of Bucyrus on Sunday.
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: Harvey One-Room School to host its annual May Day celebration Sunday
