It seemed appropriate this year to feature a theme that kept me close to home, so I give you my A to Z within the small acreage that is Rhode Island. I tried to be creative (you’ll see!) but I hope you learn something about Little Rhody, too. Whether you’ve lived here all your life, grew up within the boundaries, or have never set foot on one of our many beaches, come along for a virtual tour.
Oak Lawn (sometimes written as Oaklawn) is a community within the city of Cranston, and the reason I posted a photo of the church above is because this place, this church is where the oldest May Breakfast is held each year. Like the traditional May Day celebrations, an ancient festival to mark the beginning of spring, the May Breakfast is traditionally held on the first day of May. Is this a Rhode Island thing? Do you have May Breakfasts in your state?
The first May Breakfast was held in 1867, back when the Oak Lawn church was the Old Quaker Meeting House. Same spot, but it was known then as Searle’s Corner. On Thursday, May 1, 1879, fifty cents would get you hot biscuits, meats, clam cakes, and tea and coffee. These days, May Breakfasts are held across the state, not always on May 1, and usually as fundraisers. Sometimes they’re all-you-can-eat affairs. During these days of Covid-19, the traditional gatherings are put on hold, but hopefully in 2022 they’ll be back.
Across the street, the Oak Lawn Public Library has been in existence since 1889.
“It is desired that the library shall become a depository of national and local history, a supplement to the public school, and establish special departments for the use of the farmer, gardener, mechanic, student of natural history, etc.”
Martha Reynolds Writes 
Rode through here yesterday as well………I am intrigued by the May Breakfast!! Next year!!
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I’ve never heard of May Breakfasts but it sounds like a great tradition. Weekends In Maine
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So maybe it is a regional thing? Hopefully we can return to our traditions soon.
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I am hopeful we’ll be able to start celebrating our traditions again soon.
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Have a great weekend – looking forward to the final leg of the tour!
https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/17/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-o/
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Thanks, Iain!
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I have never heard of May Breakfasts. As far as I’ve noticed, there isn’t anything May Day related in at least my part of OR, or the CA I lived in.
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And here I was thinking it was popular across the country!
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Can’t say that I’ve heard of May Breakfasts here in Boston, but maybe in the smaller towns of Massachusetts?
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Maybe, Liam. They’re pretty common across Rhode Island, usually as fundraisers.
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Hari Om
Hadn’t heard of May Day Breakfast before! Here, young ladies rise early to wash their faces in the morning dew and dress their hair with flowers (usually daisies). It is also the day (in England anyway – Scotland, no) to dance around the Maypole. The tradition, you may gather, is about flirting and fertility! YAM xx
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My mother told me about that tradition, Yamini – I think it’s lovely, but let’s get the young men in on it, too!
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Love the library reference!
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Lori!
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Virtual May Breakfast…sad. I look forward to the real thing in 2022!
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Me too, Helen. Better days coming.
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First, let me say that your photos are lovely. So bright and crisp. As for May Day, Michigan used to have Michigan Week where we honored volunteers around the state and the Historical Society at the state even gave out awards. Some communities like mine still celebrate, but it is not like it used to be.
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Oh, I do like that tradition, Denise.
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