A nifty Christmas craft project at Crawford Central turned bowling pins from the past into works of art fit for hundreds of local seventh-grade students who may soon be giving them as gifts. The big debate for many now is determining who the lucky recipients will be.
Samantha Hovis and Crystal Fisher had equally-as-beautiful yet artistically-different designs for their pins and both were excited at the prospect of giving.
“My mom works as an aide at the school here,” Hovis said. “I’m making a Santa to give to her for Christmas and I know she’s going to really like it.”
Fisher, however, opted to make a snowman — or snowwoman, actually. In addition to painting the bowling pin, hers sported a red ruffled skirt, made from craft supplies that had been donated to the school for the project.
Thanks to the overwhelming support of area merchants, the Pins from the Past project, which was started on a much smaller scale at Meadville Area Middle School in 2007, will now put presents that come from the heart into the hands of 230 kids this holiday season.
Assistant Principal Scott Lynch said he was really pleased with the support the project received this year. While last year there were only 20 children who made traditional Santa Clauses, this year’s project was expanded and even became a cross-curricular activity. Lynch said students were given the option of incorporating aspects of their family’s heritage into their designs.
Stephanie Sandrock, a reading teacher at MAMS, said “Culture Clauses” were made by some kids using the information that they had uncovered during a recent English assignment in which each child had to research and write a report on their family’s culture.
“It was really fun for them,” Sandrock said. “One said his dad was crazy about Poland and so he incorporated some Polish culture into his Santa Claus design.”
Briann Ash isn’t of American Indian descent, but she opted to use “Indian-inspired” features such as multi-colored feathers on her pin’s design.
The pins, which would have been discarded by the area bowling alleys, are sure to bring the spirit of the season to both the giver and the recipient.
Melissa Applebee, a math teacher who “isn’t a craft-type of person,” said she enjoyed the activity for a variety of reasons.
“It’s a good way to test students’ listening skills and how well they can follow directions,” Applebee said. “And especially with the economy the way that it is this year, at least each of our seventh-graders will have something to take home and give away as a gift to someone — a loved one or whomever.”
Lynch said one of the more unique aspects of the project is that students can witness “something old being transformed into something useful,” and that it is something that is a “gift that was hand-crafted and something in which they can take pride in.”
He added that for some of the students, this may even be the only gift they are able to give to a loved one.
“Our goal was to have the students make something special to take home for the holidays that would not cost them anything but some time, effort and fun,” Lynch said.
Hovis, Fisher and Ash are a testament to the fact that the Pins from the Past project succeeded in doing just that.
Penni Schaefer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at pschaefer@meadvilletribune.com.
============
Businesses and organizations that donated include:
Eagles Bowling Lanes (bowling pins)
Cambridge Springs Lost Lanes (bowling pins)
The Home Depot (base paint and textured paint)
MAMS Student Council (paints, brushes and sharpie markers)
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Pins from the Past recycles bowling pins into holiday crafts
- Local News
-
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
The next time there’s a moment or two to spare for quiet contemplation, pause in the vicinity of the City of Meadville’s picturesque Diamond Park. Let your eyes rest on Parkside Commons, the meticulously refurbished structure at the northeast end of the park that was once known as “the old junior high.” Make a point of focusing on the windows.
-
Former rockers Drywater enjoying glow from album's rebirth
It’s funny how perceptions can differ from one person to the next; how what sparkles in one set of eyes can appear tarnished in another.
-
Edinboro site eyed for retirement homes
About two years after halting expansion plans into the Conneaut Lake area, Meadville-based Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community now is looking to expand north into Erie County, possibly sometime in 2013.
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Budget, aesthetics a balancing act at Armory
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
