LAST OF THE OLD BRIDGE STORIES
This
Sat is the Papinville Picnic and there are a lot of new events this year. Music
will begin at 1:30 along with picking your number for the chicken poop bingo,
At 2:00 a wagon tour will take you to the old bridge for a history about the
bridge. You will be able to go for a walk and take pictures ,2:30 children’s
games start and will be played until 5:00, 3:00 will be regular bingo with
prizes for winners, 4:00 the pie auction will begin followed by dinner. The
silent auction will start at 2:00 and end at 6:00. We have a lot of things on
the silent auction this year. The dinner menu this year is fried fish, pork
loin, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, baked bread, drinks
and desserts. The meal is a donation.
If
you plan to enter the pie contest the pies need to be at the museum by 3;00 to
be judged. First place prizes will be given. 3 categories; fruit, cream and
other. Adult and children (5-15 years old ) division. If you plan to bring a
dessert for the meal please put it in a throw away pan. This year we have bridge T-shirts and books on the bridge for sale. This is the 140 anniversary of the bridge,
but remember it was first built it 1852. At each end you will see stone
abutments. Those are the same abutments that have been supporting the bridge
since 1852.
If
the bridge could talk it could probably tell a lot of stories. It has been
through many things since it was first built in 1852. Many people have used it
as a fishing spot when we have high water. Today when the water is out you will
see people lined up on the new bridge in their lawn chairs fishing for catfish.
If you ask a person if they know where Papinville is they will tell you that
they have been there fishing.
The
bridge has been a setting for many things; Proposals ,weddings, background for
family pictures, picnics and just walking across. If you have not been to the
bridge you need to come out and get the rest of the story. It is one of a kind
and is on the National Historical Register. We have a museum, starting with the
missionaries that came to Papinville in 1821, a school that is furnished with
the original desk and books, historical walkway (starting with the first
explorers that came to this area in the late 1600’s) and nice shelter house. We
are beginning a fund for an expansion project.
We
hope to see you at the picnic. Don’t forget your lawn chair. Come out and enjoy
the activities , visit with friends, listen to good music and eat good food. We
have over 40 items on the silent auction. Hope to see you Sat. starting at
1:30.
Submitted by Phyllis Stewart
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