Mill brings back Christmases past

The Olde Fashioned Christmas continues today.

By AMANDA C. DAVIS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Deborah and David Seckman wanted to give their two children a holiday experience that harkened back to the old days before technology.

The Seckmans stopped by Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill on Saturday before driving 10 hours back to their home in suburban Nashville, Tenn. The couple and their two children, Jade, 10, and Jagis, 12, were in town visiting David’s family for Thanksgiving and said they wanted something educational to do that would amuse the children.

“We wanted to show them some fun and a little history,” Deborah said.

The kids, however, had ideas of their own. Jagis said he was most looking forward to eating nachos, and his sister was happy to take in the sights and sounds.

The annual event, which continues today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., includes demonstrations by a blacksmith, the opportunity to taste roasted chestnuts, a visit with Santa and a marketplace where vendors are selling handcrafted decorations, ornaments and other wares. Food, cider and coffee also are available.

Families strolled the picturesque grounds surrounding the mill, taking pictures in front of the dam and 23-foot waterfall.

Ginny Elser, special events and programs manager for Mill Creek MetroParks, said the event has been going for more than 20 years.

The goal is to get people into the park, offering a fun and inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday season. This is the last weekend of the year the mill will be open, and there is no charge for admission to the event.

The mill, which produces cornmeal, buckwheat flour and whole-wheat flour, reopens in April, Elser said.

About 10 performers and 15 vendors participate over the two days, Elser said, explaining that a juggler who has worked with actor- comedian Robin Williams will be on hand today. “It’s a family-oriented event,” she added.

Harper Kirk of Youngstown played holiday, Irish and medieval music for the crowd on a Celtic harp. He’s been a part of the Olde Fashioned Christmas for many years, and this weekend he debuted his latest CD, “Medieval Prayers and Celtic Dreams,” which is available today for sale.

Cyndi Martin of Austintown took pictures of her kids, Matthew, 4, and Abigail, 1, while they listened to live Christmas music performed by Tytely Wound Stryng Band. The kids enjoyed contributing to the music by shaking sleigh bells.

Cyndi said they have attended the event the past few years because it kicks off the holiday season and gets her family in the spirit of Christmas. “For us, it’s Black Friday, then the mill,” she said. “It’s becoming a holiday tradition for us. “

Dennis Kempthorne of Homeworth is a member of Tytely Wound, which plays music from the British Isles and Colonial America. He and John Whitacre of North Canton play together, along with rotating musicians who on Saturday included Kempthorne’s granddaughters, Tiffany and Cassidy Kempthorne, also of Homeworth.

Dennis Kempthorne said the music lends ambience to the event, showcasing how musicians have been gathering in homes for centuries to play uncomplicated music.

“It just completes the whole experience here,” he said. “It’s homespun music.”