It is here—a small winter town, with the stone library and the six-sided gazebo in town center, the red schoolhouse on one side of the library, the general store on the other, the church within view. Down the street, there is a flower shop, and next, the movie theater—which is screening “White Christmas”, of course. The filling station and the fire station are both at the edge of town. Yellow, white, and gray houses line the side street. Throughout the town the trees are dusted with snow and snowmen are all around!
The town is busy on this late afternoon. The plow truck is ready for the snow, and the school bus is ready to pick up the students, aided by the town policeman. A horse-drawn sleigh is already out and about. A boy on a red bicycle is delivering the afternoon newspaper. A lady in green is ringing her bell and collecting donations at the church. Shoppers are coming out of the General Store. The local post person is delivering packages, and the flower lady has a cart full of colorful winter flowers. The gazebo is bustling with activity. A young boy in a striped sweater is sitting on a sled is being pulled by his little black dog. An elegant gentleman in his top hat is walking a brown dog, and a brown and white spaniel is resting in front of the tree inside the gazebo. The pretzel man is selling his wares for 5 cents! The lamplighter is climbing up to light the streetlamp at dusk. And at the library, a grandfather is just taking his granddaughter in to the open library’s open house—but first she had to stop and greet the library cat with a red ribbon collar, guarding the sign.
This cheerful and merry winter scene was the gift of our Meekins neighbor, the late Shirley Cranston. She loved the holiday season. A creative and talented craftsperson, Shirley decorated her home for every holiday. More than a decade ago, she gave the Meekins her festive winter village to display because she wanted more people in the community, especially the children, to enjoy it. The Meekins has been displaying the village in various places in the Library for many years.
This year, come to the Hawks~Hayden Room in the Meekins Library and enjoy Shirley Cranston’s winter village. The Meekins is open Tuesday 10-6; Wednesday 1-7; Thursday 3-6; and Saturday 9-2. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 12/12/2024
