Miller Minutes: ‘Many are mourning the final days of summer vacation’
The Little Red School House in Butler has undergone a mini-makeover, and what an appropriate time for it, with students going back to school.
I imagine many are mourning the final days of summer vacation. As ready as I am to break out my fall candles and sweaters, I can’t help but feel as if I accomplished nothing on my summer bucket list.
Back-to-school time in 1838, when the Little Red School House first opened, was certainly different. Children likely would have been chomping at the bit for a bit of knowledge. No Chromebooks or Vera Bradley lunchboxes, and certainly no bells or even Butler Area School District.
Though that section of Butler was designated for schools and churches, our students have moved on to bigger and better facilities elsewhere. (Though, this author would argue the old high school/more recent middle school is still a fantastic piece of architecture).
Lots of hard work and dedication went into restoring this historic building, including the placement of a new roof and the discovery of artifacts underneath the floorboards. You won’t want to miss seeing what local historians found.
If you find yourself dreading the back-to-school insanity, perhaps a step back in time is just what you need. You can find more information about the reopening of the Little Red School House below, or check out the other events going on in Butler County this weekend.
The final Foodie Friday of the year is upon us, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the parking lot at 205 N. Main St., Butler. Moon Market will also take place, starting at 5 p.m. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com.
Freeport Theatre Festival presents “A Vertical Stack of Harmony,” a musical production starting its run this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The production continues through Aug. 31. Tickets are available for $15 general admission, $12 for military and $10 for students and seniors. More information can be found at freeporttheatrefestival.org/a-vertical-stack-of-harmony.
Register for Harmony’s Color Blast Fun Run, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday in Sippel Reservoir Park, 400 Reservoir Park Drive. Cost to participate is $27.50 online, plus fee, or $30 the day of. All ages are welcome to participate. For registration and information, visit runsignup.com.
The grand reopening of the Little Red School House, 200 E. Jefferson St., starts at 11 a.m. Saturday. Come learn about the history of education in Butler County, and see the treasures discovered beneath the floorboards! For more information, visit butlerhistory.com/reopening.
Support Blade Mortimer, a veteran battling cancer, at a benefit and auction held at Parker Fire Hall, 204 N. Wayne St., on Saturday. Stop by to donate and receive a buffet-style lunch from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the Blade’s Battle Benefit and Chinese Auction’s Facebook page for more information.
Bruin Community Day starts at 11 a.m. Saturday in the borough’s park on Park Street. The fun will include a car show, food, games, music and local history. To find out more, visit the event Facebook page.
See a Flax to Linen demonstration at the Weaver’s Cabin in Harmony, 245 Mercer St., between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. Learn about the labor-intensive process to make beautiful things. For more information, visit www.weaversofharmony.org.
Celebrate the Lake is at Glade Run Lake this Saturday on Lake Road in Middlesex Township. The fun, which kicks off at noon, includes live animals, music, food and vendors. Visit gladerunlakeconservancy.org/events-2025-celebrate-the-lake for more information.
Penn Township Community Day at Harcrest Community Park, 830 Three Degree Road, will be fun for the whole family. Enjoy food, a dunk tank, children’s activities and more from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com/events/community-day.
The free Taste of the Symphony concert series is every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. this summer in Butler’s Diamond Park, thanks to the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. This week’s performance is by symphony performer Allyson Hunnycutt. For more information, visit experiencebutler.com.
Adams Township is hosting a medical-themed community event at 10 a.m. Saturday at Adams Township Community Park, in partnership with Quality EMS, Adams Area Fire District and the Callery Fire Department. The event will feature interactive CPR and defibrillator demonstrations from Quality EMS, as well as a touch-a-truck for children.
A public event observing the 45th anniversary of the flood of Bradys Bend begins at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Bradys Bend Flood Memorial, and will include book sales and signing, and children's games and activities focused on emergency services and local history.
If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.
Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.
