Back-to-School Bash Blends Fun, Education, and Community Spirit

By: Shelia Mader

With the sweeping branches of century-old oak trees creating a shaded canopy and the backdrop of a beautifully restored museum filled with early 1900s furniture and artifacts, families gathered Saturday for a back-to-school bash that was as much about community as it was about supplies.

The event was hosted by Redwood Outreach, led by Director Rod Myrick, in partnership with Lily Clark of LMC Impressions. More than 200 people attended throughout the day, enjoying a mix of educational activities, games, food, and giveaways.

“We wanted this to be more than just a day of fun,” said Clark. “We wanted it to be educational as well.” That vision came to life with the help of special guests, including Clark’s cousin, Dr. Ronald Williams, a physics professor at Florida A&M University, and Dr. Meredith Wynn of Apalachicola. Both traveled from out of town to lead STEM projects for the students, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

In addition to backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards, students received free haircuts to start the school year with confidence. Games and food rounded out the festivities, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere under the sprawling oak branches that dipped low enough, as one attendee joked, to “set a plate on.”

The setting itself proved to be part of the draw. Visitors, some from as far as Pensacola, said they learned about the event online and were intrigued by the historic venue. The restored museum, with its period furnishings, served as a living reminder of the area’s rich heritage.

For Myrick, the day’s success went beyond numbers. “We’re giving back to the community to rebuild a community one brick at a time,” he said a sentiment Clark echoed as she encouraged students to remember the importance of giving back.

As the last games wound down and families headed home, there was already talk of making the back-to-school bash an annual tradition. With its blend of history, natural beauty, education, and community spirit, the event left a lasting impression, much like the oak branches stretching across the museum lawn, connecting past and present in one shared space.