Contributed by the
Lee County Historical Society
Harvest wreaths go back to ancient Greece. Round, evergreen Advent wreaths go back to 16th Century Europe as symbols of life and eternity with no beginning and no end.
The Lee County Historical Society will honor this holiday tradition by offering a handmade wreath workshop during Second Saturday, Dec. 12, at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to try their hands at making wreaths from local materials. Traditional grape vine wreaths are easy to weave and can be decorated with fruit, nuts, grains, evergreen sprigs, ribbons and holiday ornaments.
Evergreen wreaths are a little more involved. They can be made from Frazier fir twigs, native eastern red cedar, holly, bay laurel or magnolia and are traditionally decorated with red holly berries. All materials will be supplied for you to make a very special wreath for yourself or as a gift.
Teresa Paglione and Peggy Mitchell with the Lee County Historical Society are organizing the workshops inside the newly re-opened Fred’s Pickin’ Parlor in Loachapoka.
Cost for materials will be $40 per evergreen wreath; the workshop is limited to 10 participants. Leave a message and your contact information for Peggy Mitchell at 334-821-8860 or email at charlespeggymitc@bellsouth.net to preregister for the workshop.
The Lee County Historical Society cannot offer sleigh rides for the holidays, but children visiting Pioneer Park on Second Saturday can enjoy real horse and buggy rides in a decorated buggy with jingle bells.
Pioneer Park will be decorated for the holidays in traditional greenery, and all the museums, historic buildings and venues will be open for visitors. A traditional southern meal will be served at noon. All activities at Pioneer Park require face masks and social distancing. Pioneer Park is a project of the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to local historical preservation, presentation and education. Learn more at its website, www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/