Yes, indeed. Another Christmas Walk has come and not yet gone. You’ve got time to finish it off in fine style if you hit the second weekend (November 15, 16, 17). Pray for the kind of weather the first weekend had…not counting Sunday, which was a tad damp, but three out of four days is a pretty good average. G’wan and hit St. Ambrose Church for your victuals for a respite from the walking. The reports on their stuffed cabbage–all homemade–have been excellent; can’t speak for the pulled pork but coming from such a kitchen, how could it be anything but equal quality?. Everyone was bowled over by the down-home dinner aspect of their meal, whatever it was that they ate. Go there and check it out.
The craft show was chock full of interesting/charming/cute whatchamacallits tuned to the season, as well as minibreads–is there a banana left in NEOhio? Those Methodist have been baking up a storm. My offerings in this regard tend to be leaning toward oatmeal/whole grain cereal and mixed fruits, since that’s what is to be found in the pantry when the oven gets fired up…chewy is good, I say.
And the houses!
All very different, all filled with amazing versions of Christmas decor, lotsa new construction and new ideas found in homes that have been around for awhile. Family pieces, yard sale finds, GoodWill offerings, home craftsman contributions, somebody’s interpretation of their family history and lore, views, views, views of the outdoors and inside looks, inspirations a-plenty for anyone looking for ideas to use at home.
The backstories for all of these homes are fascinating in themselves : a two-family home filled with vintage family pieces and hand-crafted new features, an English hunt–with foxhounds, no doubt, ditto for a cup-o-cheer after the ride, a genuine farmhouse transplanted to new digs in the old yard with amenities no farmer ever dreamed of, a view-out-of-every-window residence perched besides one of Garrettsville’s creeks–what a variety! The docents/interpreters at each stop had their stories–facts and embroidery–on tap to engage the interest of the stream of visitors and gave personal insights in some instances, especially when it came to the history of the houses and the tour itself.
The bi-ennial Christmas Walk, sponsored by the James A.Garfield Historical Society is the best weekend thing going, now that Garfield and Windham have both wound down their very successful football seasons. Lace up your shoes. Walk on!
