Alex Paul
The sounds of classic country music filled the background and the tantalizing smell of barbecue wafted enticed those attending the 14th annual Crawfordsville Covered Bridge Day Saturday.
Former school classmates spent time looking at old photographs or reminiscing about their years together. Crafts people told those strolling through the shade covered bridge about items ranging from bird houses to knives made of obsidian.
Sacha Anderson, 11, of Crawfordsville, brought only a $1 with her but said she had more money at home and was thinking strongly about buying something.
Willy Stedman, 12, of Crawfordsville Drive, said he really enjoyed the wooden scroll saw cutouts created by Shirley Lundy.
“It takes me about four to five hours to make each one,” Lundy said. “These are made of Alder but I use any kind of wood–oak, redwood. What ever has a good grain and looks right.”
Lundy, owner of the Swallows Nest in Lebanon, said it was her first time at Bridge Day. She is a retired pet groomer who has enjoyed a 15 year woodworking hobby.
The husband and wife team of Sue and Del Palmer of Lebanon displayed hand-crafted knives featuring obsidian blades. Sue staffed the couple’s booth while her husband was picking a guitar providing entertainment for the day.
“I’ve been doing this for about five or six years,” Del Palmer said. “A friend of mine taught me how to make an arrowhead and I took it from there. I make my own patterns and try to do something that nobody else does.”
In addition to the knives, Palmer makes earrings and other jewelry.
“I get the material from all over,” Palmer explained. “Oregon, California. It’s getting harder to find.”
The Palmers usually take their wares to Indian powwows but found their first Bridge Day fun.
Although Palmer isn’t a native American, he said his seven children are and two or three of them share his hobby.
“I think the most fun is getting the rock,” Palmer said. “We go to California and chip it out of the ground with chisels. Sometimes, it might take four days to dig out one rock. We saw the rocks so we don’t lose the whole thing if it shatters.”
Palmer said sharpening his knives is easy, one simply renaps the blades. “But, it’s a good idea to keep a box of Band-Aids and a box of gauze nearby,” Palmer said with a laugh. “They’re sharper than a razor blade. You can easily skin a deer with one of these blades.”
Palmer and his pals, Ken White and Don Morton provided music for the day. The three men, all of Lebanon, have been getting together for several years, playing only classic country music.
“We’ve played several times in Sweet Home for the disabled veterans from Roseburg,” White said. “We don’t play any of this new country stuff, it’s not really country at all.”
Saturday the group consisted of a trio but White said some eight or nine musicians usually play together.
“The others are at other jams today,” White said.
Karla Claasen was busy cooking hot dogs, Polish dogs and hamburgers and business was good.
“The Polish dogs have been the best sellers,” Claasen said. “We’ve got all the fixings included sauerkraut.”
Chips, sodas and even licorice for a nickel a piece were available for the festive occasion.