WENDELL — Across the Wendell Town Common, children joyously played with giant bouncing balls, made sock puppets and experimented with arts and crafts. As the sharp sound of a fiddle carried over the breeze, a pair of boys made their own music by drumming on metal paint cans and plastic buckets.
Karen Copeland couldn’t help but join in, banging on bongo drums surrounding the musicians’ tent. To Copeland, Wendell Old Home Day, which was held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, is a time for the community to come together, converse with people of different generations and show off its many talents.
“This town is famous for creativity, especially music,” said Copeland, organizer of Wendell Old Home Day for more than 20 years. “It’s the same with the craftspeople.”
Vendors showed off their talents by selling vegetables, flowers, maple syrup, jewelry, Wendell T-shirts and a variety of food and drinks throughout the day. A photo exhibit called “Homegrown” displayed cherished memories from previous Old Home Days.
According to Kathy Becker, former Wendell town moderator for 29 years and “town mother” in the words of her husband Myron, Wendell Old Home Day was started in the 1930s by the Wendell Ladies Aid Society. However, the event has only been held continuously since 1973.
Kathy and Myron Becker described the event as a time to see friends, introduce new babies and reunite with people, some of whom have moved out of town and return just for the occasion.
“It’s a day full of hugs,” Kathy Becker said.
“It’s the one day that everybody’s here,” echoed Joshua Heinemann, a recent retiree from the Wendell Fire Department. “A lot of the time you’re isolated. Wendell is kind of spread out.”
“It’s one of the defining things that makes this town what it is,” added Christopher Parker, a Wendell resident since 2010.
Wendell Old Home Day is also a time to celebrate residents’ contributions to the town. Heinemann and Harry Williston both received awards from the state senate; Heinemann for his 26 years of service to the Wendell Fire Department, and Williston for 50 years of service to the town in various capacities, including as a member of the Wendell Selectboard.
Likewise, Barbara and John Craddock were named Citizens of the Year for their devotion to Wendell Community Garden, a devotion which was apparent through Barbara’s flowered hat and necklace. The Craddocks inspired a garden shed where Wendell residents can keep their tools, and spend a lot of time keeping the property clean.
“It’s nice to be recognized for the work that you do, but it’s our pleasure to do it,” Barbara Craddock said. “It’s a group effort, always.”
Through a day of fun on the common, Copeland also hopes to unite Wendell residents old and young.
“I want to have the younger kids and the younger parents get to know the older generation,” Copeland said. “We’re passing on our traditions to you.”