#7 - Celebrating May Day - The Beth Lists

#7 - Celebrating May Day

5/1/2017

Maypole

When I attended P.S. 35 in Staten Island, the first day of May was a big deal.

The older kids got to do the Maypole, which impressed me to no end.

Little Dutch Dance

The first graders had to perform a little Dutch dance, which I vaguely remember.

What I remember more vividly, is how my headband, covered in flowers and ribbons, fell over my eyes. Being a rule follower, I did as I was told and didn't let go of my partner's hands. I danced blindly and hoped no one would notice. You can tell which girl is me, in the photo. I was mortified when I discovered my mom had a photo to capture the memory.

May Baskets

So on this May Day, I had no options for a Maypole dance. I could have asked Don to dance with me, but instead I decided to make a May Basket, just as I would have done decades ago.

I used to love the yearly ritual, when children made little paper baskets and filled them with candies and "flowers" pulled from the yard. We delivered them to our friends' houses and knocked on the door before running away. If caught we would be kissed.

So I made a little basket for my neighbor, Lorrie. It was pretty similar to the baskets I made with cupcake liners and yarn, as a 6 year old. I placed the tiny surprise near her doormat and rang the bell. I didn't exactly run home. Instead, I strolled home texting a bit of an explanation. Sigh... I can't believe I allowed technology to get involved with my May Day fun!

14 Comments

Sixty
Celebrations

It's April 9, 2017. I'm celebrating my 60th by removing the zero from my age.

Party
Like A Six-Year-Old

I plan to spend this year pondering the good things I remember about my world, when I was 6. I remember those 12 months well, because my family moved from Iowa to NYC for just one year. My memories of 1963-64 are vivid ones.

My Plan

I'll celebrate this milestone birthday for 12 months. I'm going to conjure up the early 1960's and have 60 mini celebrations... in the spirit of my 6 year old self!

David Schuman

7/26/2019 11:32:02 am

I also attended PS 35 from 1969-1972 and remember May Day. Thanks so much for sharing.

David Schuman

Beth

7/26/2019 12:51:18 pm

Daivd, thanks so much for letting me know! I absolutely love hearing from people who have even the tiniest connection to my memories. I only went to PS 35 in first grade. (teacher- Mrs. Clemmons and principal - Mr. Miller) My family moved from Iowa to NY for the one year my dad had sabbatical. It was the school year of 1963-64, so I never moved to the higher grades to do the Maypole. Did you? If I would have continued through 6th grade, I guess I would have just missed you. I would have finished in spring of 69 and you probably started in fall of that year.

Janet

4/8/2021 12:41:22 pm

Not sure if you're still actively blogging but I just came across this post and wanted to say that I also attended P.S. 35. Maybe even in the same class as you. I know I had Mrs. Clemmons for first-grade and I think it was 1963. Anyway, the maypole photo brought back memories. I remember doing that and being so scared of screwing it up. LOL.

4/9/2021 03:38:27 pm

Hi Janet! This is so incredibly fun that you ran across this write up! I was in first grade in the fall of 1963, the fall when JFK died. Was that first grade for you? Even if we were a year apart, I find it so thrilling to think we had the same teacher! Do you remember "hanky checks"? We had to bring a handkerchief and show it in the morning. Do you remember having to stand and curtsy when the principal came into our class? I only went to PS 35 for one year, so my memories are only of first grade. Please shoot me an email if you want. I would love to find out more! Thanks so much for sharing! And I'm jealous that you got to do the Maypole!! lol!
Beth
[email protected]

Liz

6/3/2021 09:19:09 am

Hi, I just came across this post looking for an image of the PS 35 logo (my son is graduating 5th grade and looking to put the image on the cake). Anyway, wanted you to know that from my understanding the exact same maypole is used in the now annual June Dance Fete (the school doesn't have a May Dance anymore) the 5th graders have the honor of dancing and winding the ribbons around the pole. Unfortunately due to Covid they aren't having the Dance Fate this year. Thanks for the pictures you posted, love looking at images from the past. 😊 Liz

6/5/2021 12:38:48 pm

Liz, thanks so much for sharing! Congratulations to your son for graduating 5th grade! I applaud you, your son and family! I can only imagine how challenging these pandemic months have been for parents and kids. What a totally different experience he had compared to mine. I'm so sorry he wasn't able to enjoy the Dance Fete this year. Sounds like you made the celebration special though. I hope he enjoyed the cake! :)
Have a good summer!
Beth

Robert Burke link

11/23/2021 07:31:55 am

I attended PS 35 grades K to sixth. It was 58 years ago, today, that President John F Kennedy was assassinated. I was in the third grade my teacher was Mrs. Foster and we were sent home early. When I returned home my grandmother was upset that they interrupted her soap opera and of course that the president had been assassinated.

11/30/2021 03:49:36 pm

Hi Robert!
Sorry I'm so slow seeing your comment.
It's just amazing to think that we attended PS 35 on the very same day, so many years ago. I was in first grade and we weren't told about President Kennedy, but I learned the news from a 6th grader when I was riding up the elevator to our apartment. My family ended up driving to DC a day or two later to watch the funeral procession. Funny that you remember your grandmother not wanting to miss her soap opera. It's always interesting to see how people remember that sad day and news.
Thanks for sharing!
Beth

FUNNY DANCE DAD SHIRTS link

11/2/2023 07:18:39 pm

Such a charming memory! Your determination and commitment to the dance even with the headband mishap are truly admirable. And hey, you still managed to rock it! 🌸💃😄 The photo is priceless – it's all about the fun and unique moments that make life colorful! 💐📷

11/3/2023 07:58:35 am

Thanks! I agree, that fun and unique moments make life colorful! The longer I live, the more I appreciate these snatches of memory... like my funny dance performance.
I'm guessing you have some dance memories of your own..? From one dance appreciator to another... here's a link to a little more dance!
https://www.thebethlists.com/18-dance-adventures.html

Richard

6/15/2024 07:01:15 pm

I attended P.S. 35 from 1st through 4th grades [Fall 1962 to Spring 1966] and well remember May Day (I have color photos of me behind the school on May Day 1964 [2nd grade])

6/16/2024 12:52:44 pm

Richard, thanks so much for sharing! I only attended PS 35 during 1963-64, when I was in first grade. So it's really fun to connect with anyone at all from a time of limited memories. Did you by any chance have Mrs. Clemmons for first grade? I'd love to see any photos if you'd like to share. I wish I had more from that time!
Thanks again,
Beth

6/17/2024 09:21:50 am

No, I had Mrs. Cohen, the other 1st grade teacher in P S. 35 back then. During 2nd grade (the same year you were in 1st grade there), my class did a Swedish Schottish as our May Day dance that year (we wore either yellow or blue [Swedish flag colors] papier-maché sashes)... you certainly don't remember this, but there was a Holiday assembly in December 1963 during which I made my on-stage acting/singing "debut", playing the role of 'Mr. Tick Tock' (who had to fix a town's clock that had stopped on Christmas Eve, or else Santa wouldn't be coming by): I remember wearing a Fisher-Price toy tool belt with oversized plastic hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches as I sang my song! LOL

6/19/2024 08:14:05 am

Richard, I love hearing about what you can recall from May Day celebrations AND your debut as Mr. Tick Tock! These are such fun details! I can imagine how excited you must have been with that awesome tool-covered costume! Much more exciting than my Dutch Girl headband that slipped over my eyes while dancing.
I would absolutely love to see a photo (or 2 if you have others)
Here's my email address if you get a chance.
Thanks!
Beth