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12th annual harvest day celebration Families get their feet dirty
VILLA MARIA, PA.
Despite a steady drizzle most of the day, people still flocked to the 12th annual Harvest Day Celebration on Saturday at Villa Maria Community Center.
“We came a long way to get our feet dirty,” joked Shelly Zackasee, of Cuyahoga Falls.
Zackasee said the real reason she and her two daughters, 5-year-old Mary and 4-year-old Abbey came to the harvest festival was for family time.
Shelly was visiting her niece, Morgan Zackasee, 12, and sister-in-law, Lori Zackasee, both of Pulaski, Pa.
“The kids loved the drum circle and painting the pumpkins. We’re doing all the crafts,” Shelly said.
Lori said it was her second time attending the festival.
“It’s fun, and the kids love it,” she said.
The free event was organized by Sisters of the Humility of Mary.
Sister Stella Schmid said crowds were steady. The festival included hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, nature-trail walks, corn toss and a performance by the folk-bluegrass band Rising Regina.
Sister Stella said one of the most popular festival activities is making herb vinegar.
“I think many people take those home and give them as Christmas presents,” she said.
Sister Stella, a member of the Humility of Mary Health Partners Development Foundation board, showed festival-goers her dried flowers, which were for sale for that day only.
“People really like the lavender,” she said.
Sister Stella began drying flowers and putting them on display shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It was part of my healing,” she said.
Now a survivor, Sister Stella’s flower skills have expanded.
She recently dried hydrangeas of soft green and purple tones and used them to make wreaths.
“I think there’s nothing more beautiful than God’s natural color,” she said. “It’s like when you’re a painter and you have an empty canvas.”