Arbour Day at Sharon School, Edville

My most vivid memories of elementary school are the special events. S.S. #9 Sharon School in Edville celebrated Arbour Day in May. One year in the 50’s, my mother and teacher, Muriel McDonald Reddick and the boys built a ‘rustic fence’ using cedar poles donated by Uncle Lorne McDonald. Mom designed this free standing fence which was about 20 feet long. Three upright posts were anchored deep into the ground. Poles were nailed horizontally to form the upper and lower rails. Supporting members nailed from corner to corner resembling a Z shape, with connecting part completing a mirror image. It must have been securely anchored as it stood the test of time during our years there, pivoting around it and crawling through it while attempting to escape during tag games.

We planted perennials during the sunny May morning. Plants were contributed by the students. We all helped dig up flowers beds and we took pride in keeping them weeded during the remaining school weeks

While carrying out these tasks, our enthusiasm was heightened with anticipation of the afternoon activities. After eating an outdoor picnic lunch, we grabbed our homemade fishing poles constructed from a tree branch, string and hook, then climbed into either Mom’s Studebaker, or cars belonging a couple of neighbourhood ladies. The boys were allowed to ride on the running boards. The convoy must made quite a spectacle with the undercarriages hanging low and the laughter flowing on the breezes.

Normally, we drove to Jim Frank Cochrane’s property on Cochrane Road. He had three woodlots with a stream. I won’t soon forget the thrill of catching that first sunfish! We spent the whole afternoon fishing, exploring, playing and picking wild flowers. On one occasion, two student teachers accompanied us. It is my recollection that they were city girls and they were genuinely exhilarated by the Arbour Day experience. In the days to come, we wrote compositions and drew pictures all about Arbour Day.

By Carole Reddick Ring, March 2009

(Originally published in Honouring the Past Celebration the Present: Looking to the Future. South Cramahe Public School 1961-2009, p.20)