Dad didn’t like lilacs. I never knew why. So we had none growing on the home farm. But lilacs did grow all along the south fence at our country school. During the last days of school in May, these lilacs were usually in full bloom. A vase of lilacs sat on the teacher’s desk during this time, adding a pleasing smell to the schoolroom, and a reminder that the school year was soon over.
The early settlers brought lilacs with them to this country. They are not native to the U.S. There are some 20 varieties. Two are native to Europe and rest have their roots in Asia. George Washington grew them. So did Thomas Jefferson. Most farm families in the north grew lilacs; they need a period of cold weather dormancy to trigger flowering.
A long row of lilacs grows on the east side of the windbreak at Roshara. They likely came to central Wisconsin with the settlers, mainly those from northern New York State who found their way to Rose Township in Waushara County.
Lilacs are tough, requiring little care. They also live a long time. Supposedly, the oldest known living lilacs can be found at the Wentworth estate in Portsmouth, N. H. They were planted around 1750. Traveling around Wisconsin, I often spot a clump of lilacs growing along a road, with no buildings in sight. The lilacs remind me that there was once a farmstead there and all that remains are the lilacs to remind us of this history.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: During these busy spring days, take time to smell the lilacs.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: My writing class at The Clearing in Door County is scheduled: Friday, July 27, 9-4. Call 920-854-4088 to register.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, May 20, 6:30. Lebanon Fire House, One-Room Schools.
Thursday, May 31, 7:00 Middleton Public Library. Book Launch for Cold As Thunder (New novel)
Purchase Jerry’s signed DVDs and books from the Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin (a fundraiser for them):
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.org
www.wildroselibrary.org
Phone: 920-622-3835
DVDs: His latest Public TV show, One-Room Country School is now available. It’s based on his book, One-Room Country Schools (also available).
Emmy Winner, A Farm Winter with Jerry Apps (based on The Quiet Season book.)
Jerry Apps a Farm Story (based on Rural Wit and Wisdom and Old Farm books.)
The Land with Jerry Apps, (based on the book Whispers and Shadows,)
Never Curse the Rain, (based on his book with the same title)
The library has several of Jerry’s signed books for sale including Jerry’s newest nonfiction books, Once a Professor, Every Farm Tells a Story, Living a County Year (reprints), One-Room Country Schools, Never Curse the Rain and Old Farm Country Cookbook, and his novel, The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County. Also Wisconsin Agriculture: A History, Roshara Journal (with photos by Steve Apps) and Telling Your Story—a guidebook for those who want to write their own stories.
Contact the library for prices and special package deals.
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