N. C. Watson One Room Schoolhouse Report
by Vicki Walker
The NC Watson Committee has had a busy spring. With many hands-on deck, our cleaning date on April 15th went quickly thanks to Beth and Barry Plummer, Brent Hill, Susan Kimball and myself, Vicki Walker. Our outside clean up of pricker bushes, dead trees and fallen branches was all completed in a day, April 4th. A huge Thank You to Big Guy’s Landscaping who had a crew of 4 men cutting, chipping and cleaning up as fast as debris hit the ground and all within budget. This new cleared space has inspired Lilly Gaudiano, one of the Girl Scouts who helped with NC Watson outside work and window-washing last year, to create some raised beds for vegetables.
She and her small crew spent a morning raking and prepping an area to place the raised beds. She is in the process of seeking donations to fill the beds which were donated and put together by Dennis Walker and helper, Scott Ferguson, pictured here with Lilly. The ultimate goal is to raise fresh vegetables for the Buxton Food Pantry which shares the driveway with the NC Watson School and the Buxton Center Church. This project is a learning experience and opportunity to create a tradition. For those who wish to help or donate please contact Vicki Walker, [email protected] or 207-929-3662.
Also, this spring we invited the May Bean Supper crowd from the Buxton Center Church to visit; the Church has a weekly free luncheon and social time Mondays 11 am to 1 pm. We invited this group, as well, and got to hear stories of folks who had attended one room schools from northern Maine. On June 3rd and 4th, the 3rd grade classes walked down from the Buxton Center Elementary School to have their “lessons” in the school like in olden times. Doris Hicks, a 3rd grade teacher, kept the classes on their toes! On June 3rd in the afternoon, we had a group of 3rd graders from the Portland Christian School visit on a field trip, joined by two families of home-schooled children. The children were interested and it was a valuable experience for all.
We are in the process of developing a program for the general public. Please look for more information as details develop. If you have an interest in one room schools, have an experience to share, and/or wish to volunteer, please contact Vicki Walker, [email protected] or 207-929-3662. Our hours generally are the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 1p -4pm.
Also, this spring we invited the May Bean Supper crowd from the Buxton Center Church to visit; the Church has a weekly free luncheon and social time Mondays 11 am to 1 pm. We invited this group, as well, and got to hear stories of folks who had attended one room schools from northern Maine. On June 3rd and 4th, the 3rd grade classes walked down from the Buxton Center Elementary School to have their “lessons” in the school like in olden times. Doris Hicks, a 3rd grade teacher, kept the classes on their toes! On June 3rd in the afternoon, we had a group of 3rd graders from the Portland Christian School visit on a field trip, joined by two families of home-schooled children. The children were interested and it was a valuable experience for all.
We are in the process of developing a program for the general public. Please look for more information as details develop. If you have an interest in one room schools, have an experience to share, and/or wish to volunteer, please contact Vicki Walker, [email protected] or 207-929-3662. Our hours generally are the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month from 1p -4pm.