Photo
Val and Dick Dunagan demonstrate how to play the dulcimer during "olden times" at Harmony School.
Val and Dick Dunagan demonstrate how to play the dulcimer during "olden times" at Harmony School.
JANESVILLE — Even the boys were captivated by Sue Madere’s explanations of antique dolls and stuffed animals Thursday.
“This is pretty cool, right?” said Erik Ebert, 9, nudging his friend in the gym at Harmony Elementary School.
Madere, Janesville, passed around dolls made of corn husks, towels, buttons, spools and cinnamon sticks. She told a story about her grandmother and great aunt getting into a fight over china dolls that ended with her great aunt breaking the foot of her grandmother’s doll.
She even brought out a couple of simple toys that Erik has at home: sock monkeys.
“The sock monkey originated in Rockford, Ill., so here in Rock County it’s important for us to recognize the historical significance of the sock monkey,” she said in mock seriousness.
The doll exhibit was part of a folk fair put on by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Rock County. Each year, a group of seniors puts on the folk fairs at 10 schools around the county.
“It’s kind of meant as a living history lesson for the students,” said Linda Kleven, assistant director of the volunteer program.
Students watched a clogging performance, then broke into groups to see demonstrations of woodcarving, quilting, basket weaving and other traditional activities.
They tasted homemade butter and buttermilk at one station after cranking the 75-year-old churn.
“It tastes more like regular milk,” Kristin Fish, 9, said of the buttermilk, though she said the butter tasted like it had “less fat in it” than butter from the store.
Andy Navarro, Janesville, showed the children a “magic wallet” that flips open from both ends at the leather station.
“The kids are so fun,” Navarro said. “I enjoy it as much as the kids do.”
The seniors enjoy working with children, sharing their hobbies and histories, Kleven said.
And they enjoy seeing the children learn, said Val Dunagan, Beloit. She and her husband, Dick, played dulcimers at the fair.
“It’s such a good chance for kids to get a feel for history in a personal way,” she said. “It’s so much hands-on activity.”
In the past, the group has had a long waiting list of schools eager to host fairs, but that list dwindled this year, Kleven said. The group asks for a donation to cover supplies and mileage, and Kleven fears fewer schools will host fairs next year because of budget cuts, she said.
But interest remains strong if the Harmony students are any indication. The children cited a variety of exhibits as their favorites, though the butter-churning station seemed to be the top choice.
Alexander Borneman, 8, said he liked the clogging demonstration best.
“It makes my feet want to tap,” he said.