A step back in time

By Staff
Danville-Neel celebrates Pioneer Day
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Danville-Neel Elementary School students got a firsthand look at how their grandparents and great-grandparents lived in the early 1900s thanks to an interesting and informative Pioneer Day program on Nov. 20.
For the better part of the day the school’s campus was a live history book with how-to demonstrations and fun-filled activities taking center stage. For example, students watched in awe as Mae Sue Wallace and Dorothy Sapp churned clabbered milk to make butter in one classroom and Tammy Pickens used wet corn shucks to make dolls across the hall. At the same time, other students observed as Don Clark made cracklings from pork fat in a black wash pot over an open fire and Rev. Jack Bailey split firewood.
Students were participants in some of the activities. They were given the opportunity to try their hand at cutting wood with a crosscut saw, shooting horseshoes and square dancing in the school gym. They also hitched rides on open bed trailers pulled by farm tractors and rode horses.
Other activities included canning, quilting, corn shelling, soap making, cooking over a campfire, crocheting and knitting, candle making and storytelling.
Students were also entertained.
With dancing and music, the High Steppers from the Senior Circle at Hartselle Medical Center danced in the school’s lobby and Michael Mason played his guitar and sang at different locations throughout the morning.
Another highlight was a traditional Thanksgiving dinner which was served buffet style to more than 750 students and family members from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The menu consisted of roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, salad, sliced peaches, roll, drink and dessert.