Cynthia L. Herzog 
When Hobo Day arrives at the Toledo and Central Ohio depot on May 28, hobos are unlikely to show up. There will, however, be at least two honorary wanderers. Jim Croneis and his sister Carolyn Kelley achieved this status several years ago. This is remarkable. I wonder what the criteria were for being selected for this honor. Do they have to prove that they took a ride in an empty wagon? Did they have to spend at least two months living along the tracks to eat a version of hobo stew? Did they trade dirty clothes for clean clothes hanging on a rural clothesline? Probably not.
There is one thing for sure. Jim is coming because he will be signing his published three-book series “Down to Earth.” The volumes are a compilation of his published articles related to the story. They are the result of meticulous and energetic research. Each of the three volumes is printed on cream-colored paper.
Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will be shared with the local history efforts of the Bucyrus Preservation Society and the Bucyrus Historical Society. A nonprofit arm of the Bicentennial Commission, Norton Bicentennial, Inc., will also benefit. The books can be ordered for a preprint price of $89.95. by visiting Bucyrus2021.com before May 21. Once done, your set will be at the station on Hobo Day, saving you shipping and handling. The added value will come when Jim signs your books. He published the Telegraph-Forum for many years. Remember he’s a bum, sort of.
Hobo Day vendors, musicians, food
Hobo Day comes with a huge array of interesting vendors, musicians, and food. Cattlemen and Center Street Market – the Lohrs – combine their efforts to cook and prepare a range of mouth-watering dishes. The smell of Sweet Thangs hot corn will be in the air. Cindy Leonhart will whip up slushies at her table and sell embroidered and handmade items.
If you want to buy food to take home, Sarah Heydinger will have homemade pretzels, salsa, jam, cinnamon rolls and bread. Marci Teynor brings pies, cookies, coffee cakes and quick breads.
Choices of other handcrafted items include flowerpots and cement gnomes, wreaths, lanterns and centerpieces by Vickie Moore, and cast resin sculptures by Logan Kilgour. Jim Gillenwater will offer a range of wooden objects, and Brad and Sue Hawkins will have cutting boards and shelves. Dan Couture offers wooden flowers, plant markers, toys, garden furniture and homemade jams.
Artwork, flowers, craft cards
Regina Whitaker brings handcrafted cards and pens, as well as artwork by Colleen Hitchcock in a range of media and silk floral designs. Scapes By Sarah fills her space with cut flowers and bedding plants.
Friends from Big 4 Depot in Galion are planning to have a table to share information about their station’s restoration efforts.
If you’re not ordering Jim’s books, bring your curiosity to 700 E. Rensselaer St. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be extra book sets if you change your mind, dozens of potential treasures, and the chance to see the restoration work. inside the depot.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, certified master gardener, flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, and former sixth-grade teacher.
