December 5, 2009: Wheat Growers Hotel Receives Wheat Gift
Representatives of the National Association of Wheat Weavers (NAWW), Charmayne Cesal and Peggy Nelson, brought a wonderful surprise to the Wheat Growers Hotel. The ladies came to the Christmas at the Wheat Growers Hotel, bearing a large collection of woven wheat Christmas decorations for the Hotel tree. The ornaments are all very intricately made or woven with wheat. Some are made with wheat carefully split in half and woven or applied as decorations. Charmayne Cesal is from Potter. Peggy Nelson is a charter member of the NAWW, which was established in 1987.
In many cultures there is a history of harvest celebrations. In the 1500’s, in Great Britain there are accounts of sheaves decorated to represent the spirit of the harvest. Through history, straw was used for making hats, baskets and decorative items. Immigrants brought the skill of working with straw to this country. By the 1970’s, these skills had almost disappeared. But, a group of women from Kansas traveled to Herefordshire England to gain expertise and revive the craft of wheat weaving in the US. These ladies were instrumental in the founding of NAWW. The NAWW website is nawwstraw.org
THE ORNAMENTS ARE BEAUTIFUL, AND WHAT AMAZING WORK TO MAKE THEM. EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET DOWN TOWN IN KIMBALL TO SEE THESE GREAT ORNAMENTS. THANK YOU TO ALL THE LADIES WHO WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THEM FOR THE WHEATGROWERS HOTEL.
Comment by Becky — December 18, 2009 @ 3:56 pm