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RINGWOOD - Scarecrow army built to feed the hungry
(by Teresa Edmond - Staff Writer - October 22, 2008)
RINGWOOD - Ten years ago, the Earls threw their first scarecrow-creating shindig, where guests would drop by to create their scarecrows and bring food donations to the Earls, who in turn would donate them to the local food pantry, the Center for Food Action.
Ten years ago, the Earls’ daughter Shelby was 5 years old, and she and her friends had a blast creating their scarecrows at the gathering, a way to embrace family togetherness and childhood fun.
However, that 10-year-old tradition came to an end on Saturday, Oct. 18 because, as mother Susan Earl put it, Shelby and the children in the Joseph Lane neighborhood are getting older. Shelby is now a 15-year-old young woman attending Lakeland Regional High School in Wanaque.
“It’s hard to get little kids now in the neighborhood and you’re not in that world of grammar school anymore,” Susan said.
Shelby made a scarecrow using her childhood Halloween clown costume at last weekend's party, a way to infuse her creativity into her product. Perhaps it’s also a symbol of the fond memories she’s had with the gathering.
“It’s sad but I hope it’d continue when I have kids,” she said.
Susan said that while she and her family will be discontinuing the tradition, she hopes others in the community would continue this important and enjoyable occasion on their own.
Putting together a gathering is simple to do, Susan said. The Earls have set up painting and stuffing stations, where people can stuff their scarecrows’ clothes with hay.
“I thought a school could do this, or even people in the neighborhoods,” Susan said.
Throughout the years, the Earls have not only enjoyed the company of neighbors and friends on their Joseph Lane front yard, but also the knowledge that they were helping others by donating the foods collected at this event to the Center for Food Action.
The idea of guests donating food to the Center for Food Action started with the first scarecrow-making party, when guests brought cookies to the event. Although the Earls appreciated the refreshments, they have since asked the guests to bring food donations instead. The Earls transport the donations to the Community Presbyterian Church in the borough, which lends space to the Center for Food Action.
The Earls’ tradition yields an average of 30 scarecrows per year, but there was one time when about 50 scarecrows took shape, Susan said. About 60 people, coming and going throughout the day, attend this yearly event.
For friends and community members at the event, the scarecrow-making part is one way for people to stay in touch.
Carole Mueller, a Cupsaw Drive resident who brought her son and his three little friends to the scarecrow shindig, said she was thinking about throwing such a party next year. She’s been coming to the Earls’ gathering on and off for the last five years.
“It brings the whole community together,” she said. “We mingle around the (Cupsaw) lake, but sometimes we don’t see each other. I wish I had time to pick it up and do it myself.”
This is the first year for Susan Earl’s friend Lenny Maiorano of Rutherford, who brought his two young children with him.
“When you’re a kid this is exciting stuff,” he said. “You even see adults coming to it.”
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