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Colonial Day brings lessons and fun

| 16 May 2016 | 04:24
    The children were able to ask questions about the cannon.
    The children were able to ask questions about the cannon.
    In frontiersman garb, Doug Siedenburg of Califon taught archery basics to the kids and each one had a chance to shoot at a target.
    In frontiersman garb, Doug Siedenburg of Califon taught archery basics to the kids and each one had a chance to shoot at a target.
    Keith Hopler of Beemerville shared his knowledge about Early American woodworking with the kids. His dog "Patches" was also popular with the children.
    Keith Hopler of Beemerville shared his knowledge about Early American woodworking with the kids. His dog "Patches" was also popular with the children.
    Karen Ferlauto of the Lake Wanda section of Vernon helped the children make beaded necklaces. Beads were a common commodity used to trade with Native Americans.
    Karen Ferlauto of the Lake Wanda section of Vernon helped the children make beaded necklaces. Beads were a common commodity used to trade with Native Americans.
    Wearing a black and white three-cornered hat, a very animated Chester Davis of Manalapan was in charge of teaching the children about the five-pound cannon and the steps necessary to safely fire the gun.Not surprisingly, during the Christmas holidays he also has been known to play the part of Jolly Old Saint Nick.
    Wearing a black and white three-cornered hat, a very animated Chester Davis of Manalapan was in charge of teaching the children about the five-pound cannon and the steps necessary to safely fire the gun.Not surprisingly, during the Christmas holidays he also has been known to play the part of Jolly Old Saint Nick.
    KaboomþĶ off goes the cannon.
    KaboomþĶ off goes the cannon.
    As his brother Brian kept the blacksmithþÄôs fire hot enough to soften iron, Jeff Dolan of Washingtonville, N.Y. taught the students about shaping iron to work as tools.
    As his brother Brian kept the blacksmithþÄôs fire hot enough to soften iron, Jeff Dolan of Washingtonville, N.Y. taught the students about shaping iron to work as tools.

VERNON — Once again, members of the Garden State Black Powder Association returned to Lounsberry Hollow Middle School on Friday to teach students about the early days of the United States and the American Colonies of long ago.
According to the association’s president Jeff Dolan, this year they offered the school’s students 17 educational stations. They were: archery, artillery, blacksmithing, powder horn building/scrimshaw, fabric dying, mountain man/fur trade, tomahawk throwing, candle making, trade beads, colonial sewing, teepee life, gold mining, colonial wood working, flint and steel fire starting, spinning and weaving, the history of archery, and early cooking skills.
The association members arrived at the school the day before in order to erect tents so that a rainy day would have minimum impact on their visit.
“It was a great day," Dolan said. "I love the glow in the kid’s eyes when they actually get to swing the hammer or twist a piece of hot steel with their hands.” He added that it is a great feeling for his members knowing that they are teaching the kids in our community about history.
— Photos by Chris Wyman