The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
The township’s Dutch heritage was celebrated Dec. 4 with the annual holiday observance at the Hageman House and barn on South Middlebush Road.
The Van Wickle Klompen Dancers taught attendees some of their clog-dancing moves, in addition to performing several dances, and the Franklin High School Madrigal Singers performed period Christmas songs.
There was also an arts and crafts table, Dutch treats in the house and, back in the barn, a game called “Spijkerpoepen,” in which a nail hung behind the player on a string from the waist is lowered into a soda bottle.
The highlight of the day was the annual appearance of Sinterklaas, who came with his notebook filled with information about the children who came to see him. Each child was given a bag of candy, and a carrot to feed to Sinterklaas’s horse.
The Hageman House, as well as other of the township’s historic homes, is maintained by the Meadows Foundation.
Following are some scenes from the day.
2016 Sinterklaas at Hageman House
