THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220239
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY SCOTT MCCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 131 lines
COMPARED TO THE severe hardships the Pilgrims had to face, the rain, wind and stormy skies brought by Hurricane Gordon last week were mild.
But, like the settlers at Plymouth, Mass., in 1620, the pupils at StoneBridge School's annual ``Plimoth Plantation Day'' (``Plimoth'' being the way the colony's name was spelled during the early colonial period) managed to adapt to the less-than-ideal conditions.
Originally planned to be held on the grounds of Faith Baptist Church next to StoneBridge's upper school campus in Western Branch, the event was moved indoors at the last minute because of the inclement weather.
``We weren't expecting a hurricane,'' declared Kathy Finn, public relations director for StoneBridge School. ``But I guess we can't complain too much. This has been the largest turnout ever.''
More than 600 parents and friends attended Friday's morninglong re-enactment and celebration of what is widely recognized as the nation's first Thanksgiving. The sudden change in venue and somewhat cramped conditions didn't dampen the children's Thanksgiving spirit.
``It was a little crowded, but everything went well, I think,'' said Finn.
The presentations began with students from the fifth through eighth grades, giving skits depicting scenes leading up to the historic day. The plays traced events from religious oppression in England to the Thanksgiving feast with the Indians. The pupils helped build the sets and make their own costumes, complete with aprons, boots, big buckles and tall hats.
``It think our boat was just as crowded as the Mayflower,'' said Liz Ransickle, a fifth-grade teacher.
The students spent weeks preparing for their portrayals, according to Steve Smith, a sixth-grade teacher who directed several of the short dramas. Sixth-grader James Erb was impressive as William Bradford, the second governor of the Plymouth colony.
``I studied my lines after I did my homework,'' Erb explained. ``They came pretty easy, and I understood them after a while. I'd like to do more plays in the future.''
Robert Klein, StoneBridge's arts and drama coordinator, was pleased with the performances.
``We have some very talented students here,'' he said.
After the plays, students, faculty and guests gathered in the church's sanctuary for period readings and prayer. Children in kindergarten through the fourth grade gave several musical pre-sen-ta-tions.
Proud parents recorded the events of the day with cameras and video recorders.
Carole Adams, founder of StoneBridge School, said the event is intended to instill in the students an understanding of the Christian traditions brought to America by the Pilgrims.
``It's very important to re-enact this moment in our Christian heritage,'' she said. ``The children need to learn what is good in the face of difficulty and not to accept mediocrity.'' Quoting William Bradford, she said: ``From such small beginnings, may great things ensue.''
In its 12th year, ``Plimoth Plantation Day'' is one of the highlights on the Christian school's calendar.
``This event is the seed for self government as taught in the Bible,'' explained Finn. ``It's an American tradition thanking God, and it's not being taught in public schools at the primary level.''
``This is really an extension of the primary school's classroom curriculum,'' said Klein. ``It's a dramatic allegory which helps the kids to better learn our Christian beginnings.''
After the sanctuary presentations, the students and their guests moved to the school's fellowship hall and gymnasium for an authentic Thanksgiving feast. In addition to the usual fare of turkey, yams and pumpkin pie, there was venison, rabbit, parsnips and turnips - items served on the original menu in 1621.
There were plans to serve a historical eel dish, too, but the slippery creatures escaped before they could be prepared.
An array of fruit pies seemed to be the favorites of the kids, many of whom went back for seconds and thirds. Between bites, the pupils listened to historians Jan and George Bauder tell anecdotes about the Pilgrims and Thanksgivings in early America.
``It was great,'' said Jane Kelsey, whose son, Jeff, is in kindergarten. ``The kids did an excellent job. I was so happy Jeff could be a part of this. I couldn't wait for him to get old enough to go to school here. I've always been impressed by StoneBridge.''
Even the vendors liked what they saw.
``This is a marvelous time. I wish our grandsons could be here; they'd love it,'' said Marc and Grace Dallanegra, owners of Real Bread in Kempsville.
Because of the growing success of ``Plimoth Plantation Day,'' it had to be moved this year to larger facilities at the upper school. In previous years, it had been held at the lower school campus off Portsmouth Boulevard.
Finn said home-schoolers, parents who educate their children at home, often attend the Thanksgiving event, which is open to the public.
School administrators are already making plans for 1995's event, looking to see how they can improve the program, Finn said.
``We're analyzing everything we did this year and looking to see how we can make it even better next holiday season,'' said Finn. ``We want every year to be the best it's been - blue skies and no hurricanes.''
StoneBridge School is a private Christian institution supported by the Foundation For American Christian Education in San Francisco. The school's curriculum is centered on a Bible-based, historical perspective.
The school has 291 students from kindergarten through high school, including 106 from Chesapeake, 88 from Portsmouth, 41 from Suffolk, 36 from Virginia Beach and three from Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: America's Thanksgiving Heritage
ON THE COVER
The picture of Justin Sachs, 3, trying to see over the pew railing
during the Thanksgiving program at Faith Baptist Church, next to the
StoneBridge's Upper School, was taken by Darcy Chang.
Photos by DARCY CHANG
A StoneBridge student, in her best Pilgrim costume, leaves the
sanctuary at Faith Baptist Church after her class performed a song
for family and friends during the Thanksgiving service.
Photos by DARCY CHANG
Sean Pfeiffer, at left, a sixth-grader at StoneBridge School, plays
Mr. Brewster in his class presentation, called ``To Leyden &
Liberty.''
Little Marlaina Peelen, 4 1/2, finds it hard to see past her Pilgrim
bonnet during the Plimoth Plantation Day activities.
StoneBridge teacher Lois Olson directs first-graders in a song
during the service in the sanctuary at Faith Baptist Church in
Western Branch.
Make-believe Pilgrims, forced inside by Hurricane Gordon, wait for
the re-enactments to begin.
by CNB