Special to the
Opelika Observer
Jan. 11 will begin a new year of activities at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka during the “Second Saturday” event. The “Basket Cases,” a group of folks who enjoy making baskets the old-fashioned way, will begin a new class in pine needle baskets. The new classes will meet weekly in the Trade Center Museum at Pioneer Park. Contact Mike Thurman by email at bigscout@email.com for more information.
A craft class for children and adults will enjoy making novel wooden photo holders from old spools of tread. This class will be led by Andrea Crowder.
If you are willing to brave a January Saturday morning in the gardens, join Dr. Charles Mitchell for a 9 a.m. garden walk ‘n talk about winter gardens in the Auburn-Opelika area.
On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers and re-enactors gather at Pioneer Park to demonstrate their arts and crafts. Blacksmiths are usually working at the forge, spinners and weavers are upstairs in the Trade Center, and someone is always cooking up a period meal in the Cook House or outdoors over an open fire.
The Trade Center Museum and other museums are open on Second Saturdays, and the Whistle Stop Pickers gather to practice their dulcimers at 1 p.m. What a great opportunity for visitors to explore the museum and enjoy a period meal from the Cook House at noon. Special events and craft workshops are scheduled whenever possible.
If you have ideas for Second Saturday events or would like to participate, contact Crowder by email at amchomemaker@yahoo.com or call 706-518-3609.
Pioneer Park and Second Saturdays are hosted by the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, presentation, and education about local history.
More information can be found at www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/.
The park is located at 6500 Stage Road in Loachapoka.