Our Hometown
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Marion Historian's annual report In January 2006, Gord and I were invited by Warren Bushart, Cafeteria Manager at Gananda Elementary School, to participate in his Dutch Foods Day for the 4th Graders. Gord in his Achterhoek and I in my Friesland Dutch outfits, including our wooden shoes, journeyed to the noon luncheon date. Warren served traditional foods, which some would have preferred peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I'm sure. We displayed items from and pertaining to the Netherlands and gave a short presentation. On February 14, I exhibited a series of Early Valentines, Advertising Fans, Holiday and Birthday post cards and Friendship cards at the museum. Some are so delicate and beautiful, not at all like the ones we see nowadays. In April I presented my 'Sears, Roebuck Home' program at the Marion Municipal Building. It was well attended. Someone always has something to add. I am always looking for more information to add to our files. May 29 was the day of our traditional Memorial Day Parade and Services at the Marion Town Cemetery. I showed a mini-Military Display and played a tape of marching music in honor of the day. I showed my collection of colorful mosquito houses built to accommodate up to 44 fat and 87 skinny mosquitoes. On the 26th, I attended the Marion Elementary School Memorial Day Services at the Marion Cemetery and recorded the occasion with pictures. June 14 - I repeated my Sears Homes presentation in the evening. On September 9th was the date of our Marion Festival. Days before Priscilla Flack, Barb DeWandel and Jill Adriaansen and boys, Craig and Derek helped to sweep through Jennie's House in anticipation of guests on that day. Lots of folks toured the home and we received many nice compliments and some future decorating ideas. I do appreciate those who spend an hour hosting at our museums on that day. In October I presented my repeat outhouse program which was open to the public. It was well attended, for the Marion community. On November 20, I showed a collection I called 'Honoring Grandparents.' I have a series of picture books with stories and poems pertaining to grandparents which was a reminder of days ago and of our own grandparents. These books relate about earlier holiday traditions, country schools and farm chores. I included a collection of aprons and our personal Grandpa and Grandma plaques given to us by our granddaughter, Jenny. I also made apple butter and the aroma of this simmering treat permeated the Heritage Room. And there were samples for tasting. (I am never going to plan another museum opening during a holiday week - too much activity for an old person. And the next week was my Holiday open house) In December, a committee helped to choose carpeting for Jennie's House stairway and front and upstairs hallways along with flooring for the kitchen. This was done at this time so that my budget money would not be returned to the town coffers. Jim Niedermaier was more than accommodating at this busy season. On December 2, I still had the 'Grandparents' exhibit showing and along with that, I displayed a collection of old buttons, once belonging to local folks and now returned to the Marion Museum by Alma Huber of Aiken, South Carolina. I served steaming cups of 'Mom's Celery Soup' along with Cheese Biscuits. I played the tape of 'A Cup Of Christmas Tea,' a tender message important to hear again and again. My decoration theme was around, 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree.' (I had to glue my partridge's eye and feathers since while unpacking I discovered he was molting.) The Marion Historic Association had donated a series of lot numbers to the Marion Cemetery Association. These signs should help people locate family plots. Gordon Van Hall spent a large amount of time researching someone to create a matching column for the missing fireplace piece. He found two men who were able to do this special work. He refinished the mirror from above the mantle at Jennie's House. An interested, helpful friend. I continue to give presentations to organizations, senior groups and at nursing homes. This year the tally was 34 with 'Outhouses' leading the list again, and 'Cobblestone' running second. I did duplicate (with Gallery Glass) the missing stained glass window which originally occupied the north wall in the front hall stairway at Jennie's House. I displayed the negatives given by Doug Orbaker, from his studio. I had some calls and was happy to check for people. I continue to assemble recipe booklets with proceeds going toward our Marion Legion Baseball team's expenses. Booklet #8 is ready for the presses. Many folks support our team this way and by ordering the Chicken Barbecue during the festival. I continue to submit personals, organization and historic information to the Marion Enterprise newspaper, Marion's paper since 1880, now part of the Courier-Gazette. Copyright
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2007 |
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