Flora School Days

“Back in the Saddle Again!” is the unofficial theme for many activities in 2022, including School Days in Flora, Ore. “With much of the same and some new, anyone young or old can find something to enjoy,” according to School Days committee member Nickie Sanchez, from San Diego. “I can only enjoy from afar right now, so enjoy it for me.” Demonstrations of pioneer skills generally start at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 or 4 p.m. Skills and activities scheduled: grafting heirloom apple trees (2x), story time (1 p.m.), town tours with draft mules (4x), cleaning cast iron (after lunch) and sewing bean bags (morning) to name a few. Camp Chili Cook-off contestants should be signed up ($5 fee) set up and ready to cook at 11 a.m. and must be done by 2 p.m. Visitors may judge the winner of that contest. Contestants may only have the beans cooked before the start. For more information, call or text Shannon Wiedeman: (541) 263-0132. Dutch oven implements are the focus of this year’s third annual blacksmith contest. The forges will be lit at 8 a.m. The tools will be auctioned off at the end of the day, along with presentation of winners. Dick Phillips, Walla Walla blacksmith from days gone by, will judge this year’s competition. For more information, call or text Nathan Thompson: (509) 876-7812. All metals are provided. Grafting heirloom apple trees, hands-on blacksmith helping people make a hook, hopefully milking a cow (“Edna is ready,” her owner says, “but all kinds of prep work must to be done in order for Edna to perform at School Days.”) are a few of the new items. Also, School Days Committee members are encouraging everyone to dress as in the “Old West” or pioneer-ish this year. “We shall keep it simple,” said one committee member, “but we will be riding forth with School Days pioneer demonstrations, the Dutch oven lunch and the Pie Social.” For more information, refer to Flora School’s website www.floraschool.org, Facebook page, Instagram, YouTube channel, email floraschool@tds.net or call (541) 828-7010.