A garden to honor Helen S. Williams has been developed at Cranberry Lake Farm in Oakland Township. She was known as the ‘Pied Piper of Reading’ and ‘The Story Lady.’ The garden’s theme focuses on seven of Helen’s favorite children’s books, which make up the seven sections of the garden. The Grand Opening will be Friday, September 10, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at 388 W. Predmore Road in Oakland Township, and is open to the public. The rain date is September 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Helen lived at Cranberry Lake Farm from 1948 to 1949. Williams later moved to Rochester and opened The Book Stall, a children’s book store. Helen said, “Reading is a child’s natural heritage. And books represent the very best man has ever said or thought or will be.” There will be a special dedication to Helen at 2:30 p.m.
Her Seven Favorite Books
- The Wind in the Willows
- Peter Rabbit
- The Secret Garden
- Winnie the Pooh
- Charlotte’s Web
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- Ferdinand the Bull
Free children’s books for each family — while supplies last — will be handed out. Guests may bring a tea cup to be filled with cider or tea while they relax to story-time from one of the many benches or stumps. Three storytellers — Patti McGowan, Elaine Keller, and Sue Evans — will be reading during the event. There will also be a book contest guessing game and a labyrinth.
A group of 15 plein air painters have been busy painting and creating nearly 100 works of art to be on display. Some of them used Helen’s essay collection called The Incessant Trumpet as inspiration. From that book, the artists read the essay, A Garden Party (1986), and painted scenes from that passage. Other painters found inspiration from the grounds of Cranberry Lake Farm to create unique works.
The garden was made possible by donations from friends, Oakland Township Historical Society members, Historic District Commissioners, Parks and Recreation, and from the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Youth Group, who worked on the garden as their work-trip.
Barbara Barber, Preservation Planner for the Historic District Commission of Oakland Township, spearheaded the vision for this entire project, as a means to connect the history of Cranberry Lake Farm and the people that made the greater area, a desirable place to live! So many volunteers provided the labor and materials, to make this feature a reality for the public to enjoy.
Barbara Barber, Preservation Planner for the Historic District Commission of Oakland Township, spearheaded the vision for this entire project, as a means to connect the history of Cranberry Lake Farm and the people that made the greater area, a desirable place to live! So many volunteers provided the labor and materials, to make this feature a reality for the public to enjoy.
Can’t edit duplicate post! Arghhh….