Our Hometown
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Marion Historian's 2004 report There is no possible way to report on all the events that occurred in 2004, but some of the highlights are as follows: Since my weekly column in the Marion Enterprise is on the web, I get mail and phone calls from distant places - sometimes inquiring about family genealogy, local history and for information on their Sears, Roebuck houses. Latest ones were from South Carolina and Missouri. I did invite myself to a Macedon home that was up for sale and took pictures of the home inside and out. I know there are Sears homes in Marion and I am slowly gaining information. In February, I was asked by President of the Marion Historic Association, Diane VanLare, to present a program, open to the public and to be held in the new Marion Municipal Building. I was requested to present the 'Outhouse' program. Friends, family members and neighbors attended. We had some smiles and topped off the evening with a new recipe for Chocolate Sheet Cake. On April 15, Marion's Birthday, I opened the museum with a collection of 'Maps of Marion.' It was interesting to see the layout of Marion around 1912. Pictures showed that churches had horse sheds in which their horses were hitched during church services - and other interesting facts. In the Country Kitchen I arranged some antique jelly and jam jars. I copied some of my favorite recipes for folks to take home. On May 31, Marion holds its traditional Memorial Day Parade and Services. I open the museum at 10 for those who are gathering downtown, in anticipation of our parade. On June 15, Diane VanLare arranged for a tour of our town's latest acquisition, 'Jennie's House.' This is a lovely older home, in downtown Marion, which will be our future museum. The term 'Jennie's House' comes from the fact that John and Jennie Hermanet lived there for many years. Many came and suggestions and comments were recorded. Our town fathers cancelled Marion's annual September Harvest Festival. Since I had planned to have a showing of special needlework and crafts I decided to go ahead with my plans. Included were embroidered and pieced quilts and hangings, special crocheted and knitted afghans, and delicate doilies. As usual, my sisters, Barb, Nan and Linda volunteered to man the museum on Sept. 25. Paul Devlin, coach of Marion's Legion Baseball team - and Sue Devlin, his assistant coach, arranged to hold their fund raiser, Chicken BBQ, on the side lawn. Proceeds pay the umpires for our home games each year - which amount to $1000 plus. Diane VanLare made arrangements for 'Jennie's House' to be open for inspection. Lots of interested folks toured this lovely, old home. In 1905, this home was the Presbyterian Manse and in 1908 the Marion Library was established in the front hall by seven boys in the Pastor's wife's Sunday School Class. On the front porch, this day, the Marion Historic Association held a bake sale to cover some expenses. Anna Steurrys sold raffle tickets on the cute Habitat for Humanity play house which was parked in the lot to the North of other events. In the late afternoon, the Marion United Church held a pig roast. In October, my display was Halloween, which brought back memories of earlier Halloween antics, such as the group of neighborhood kids gathering to knock over privies. (The object was to tip the building over on the door, thus trapping any occupant therein.) ( I have heard quite a few stories from former young people) I arranged my collection of 'regulation' and miniature chamber pots, accompanying printed materials and small sized privies, laughs and remembrances. The following day, there was a ceremony at our Marion Town Cemetery where we rededicated the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial with a reenactment. Pictures and newspaper accounts indicate that there was a large crowd assembled to witness the dedication in 1904 and there was a crowd on hand to celebrate the 100th anniversary, too. My family took pictures and movies for our archives. In October, a Memorial Clock was placed on the front of the Town Hall in loving memory of our dear, Margaret Curtis, who lived her entire life in her ancestral home on Mill Street. December 4 was my traditional 'Holiday Open House' with homemade cheeses and crackers. My display was titled, 'Fancy Furs.' A selection of fur jackets and shoulder pieces worn in earlier days were displayed. Our son, Brian, took videos of our five museum rooms, above the town hall and present municipal building, for our archives. This will give us a record, in years to come, of some of the displays and exhibits we created. (The Museum was born in 1976 when the United States celebrated its 200th Birthday and Marion held its 150th Sesquicentennial celebrations.) When notified, I cover events at the Marion schools. Marion was chosen for the 22nd Habitat for Humanity home in Wayne County. This is the first one in Marion and the present home of Jill Fritz and her children, Chris and Gracie, on Eddy Ridge Road. I helped to coordinate and supply lunches for the volunteer workers, do publicity and publish progress reports. I have copied the 1930 special issue of the Marion Enterprise for folks to borrow and enjoy reminiscing about the days of long ago. I have had a full and fun year of speaking programs for Senior groups and organizations. I get calls for different topics but during this year, out of 48 programs - 32 were on 'Outhouses.'
Carolyn Adriaansen, Copyright
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