Christmas in August

The smell of fresh-cut pine and balsam; the sound of Adeste Fideles from the wind-up Victrola; the taste of old-fashioned sugar cookies and Crackerjacks; the sight of toys from yesteryear under the tree - that was Christmas in August at the S Road School as created by the South Bristol Historical Society in 2012.

Christmas memories of the 30's and 40's from local residents were printed on red and green cards and displayed around the room. Several former students at the old schoolhouse, including Amy Rice Poole, Ramona Thompson Gaudette, Arolyn Thompson Gilbert, Cynthia Thompson Dodge, William Rice and Kathy Poole Norwood, came to see the recreated Christmas schoolroom and to share stories with each other and the more than 100 visitors who came to catch a glimpse of the past.

Vintage Santas watched from the window sills as youngsters crafted candy canes from red and white pipe cleaners, glued paper rings together, and sprinkled yellow stars with glitter to hang on the tree. Some played Pick-Up Sticks and Tiddly Winks. Stacy Winnick of Three Dollops Cookie Studio made fabulous "Christmas Moose" cookies with red and white striped ears for sale, and donated all the proceeds to SBHS.