We began - packed like sardines - in the Art Room, where lanterns made by all the KG, 1st and 2nd graders were on display. They were beautiful - pictures forthcoming, I hope. (Kudos to art teacher Luke Bassuener for working so hard with all of the K-2 students to make lanterns to take on the walk, and special thanks to Crestwood parent Jessica Kannemeier for providing kits for the lanterns made by all the 2nd graders!) Some participants enjoyed warm cider and muffins while kids found their lanterns and lit them up with tea lights (the fake kind with batteries, not real flames, obviously) before the crowd moved into the Little Theater to sing some lantern songs with the music teacher, Shawn McMahon.
Lantern in the moonlight
shine my way.
Lantern in the moonlight
glowing.
Guide me on my journey far away,
To the way back home.
Then we herded back through the art room and out the side door and into the woods, where flickering lanterns and flashlights faintly illuminated the steady stream of people making their way down the windy trails to the bottom of the hill. Maybe it was the sight of all those lights bobbing through the woods, maybe it was the tune of that lantern song lingering in my brain, or maybe it was just the simple fact of being outside in the cold after dark, but walking through the woods felt really special, almost magical.
The wind died down (or maybe we were sheltered from it by the trees) and we gathered at the bottom of the trail, where Mr. Basseuner unveiled a new outdoor project that was prepared at the workday on Nov. 3: the Turkey Vulture Plot! The turkey vulture plot is an experiment in composting; he buried several objects which will be dug up on Earth Day next spring to see what how well these things break down. The following things were buried:
Paper:a paper bowl and a magazine cover
Plastic: tray from lunch and a plastic spoon
Food: Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower and Green Peppers
Fabric: scraps of cotton and a few different types of synthetic fabrics
What do you think they'll look like next April?
Thanks to all who participated in the Lantern Walk. We were taken off-guard by its success, and are already making plans for the next one!
Cheers,
Susan