An Original Thanksgiving

BYRAM — Winakung at Waterloo Inc., with the support of the NJ Highlands Coalition, has put together an event about New Jersey history in the Highlands region during and after the contact period between Europeans and the Lenape. The event will be held at Waterloo Village on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rain date is set for Sunday, Nov. 13. Admission is $5. An Original Thanksgiving is an educational event to benefit the Waterloo History Education Programs administered by Winakung at Waterloo. Winakung at Waterloo has provided programs for over 2,000 students and scouts at Waterloo Village in 2011. The event will be enjoyed by all ages. Food historian Susan McLellan Plaisted of Heart to Hearth Cookery will be demonstrating 17th century cooking methods. The $5 admission fee will include a food tasting sponsored by several of the area's food establishments that will compliment the theme of the event. Also included are many hands-on activities that are planned for children and adults. Attendees of the event can try their hand at Lenape-style tools and hunting methods, string a band of wampum beads, make their own dice game, grind corn, braid a leather bracelet and more. Other activities include learning about travel conditions on the Mayflower and other small ships, log cabin life, frontier living, spinning wool, butter churning, domesticated animals, maple syrup, and more. Food, snacks, beverages both hot and cold and souvenirs will be available for purchase.