Saturday, October 24, 2015
What a Difference a Week Makes!
Oh. What a difference a week makes!
The leaves have been swept; a huge gust of wind blew down more leaves.
The volunteer grapefruit tree is ready to come inside.
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We trekked out back between rain storms.
Young teen-age boys have been writing on the tree trunks with spray paint.
Good Grief!
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Saturday, October 17, 2015
Walnut Festival
Not too many people were at the festival this morning.
Temperatures were in the mid 40's.
We were early enough to watch the parade.
Future Farmers of America
Preble County
Antique tractors were part of the parade.
This carriage can be rented for special occasions.
The small children had fun gathering the candy that
was thrown. Yes. I gathered some tootsie rolls.
I am always fascinated by the wood carver.
How did he make the chain?
The camel was part of the parade - advertising a chiropractor.
"Don't let your back look like this."
There was a petting zoo with baby animals for the children.
Llamas tend to be my favorite.
Purchasing hand cranked walnut ice cream is a must.
In spite of the cold temperatures.
Born: September 13.
On the way home, we stopped at Dad's Family Restaurant
for a second breakfast and hot coffee.
Happy Sweetest Day!
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The trees in our front yard are beginning to change colors.
Too soon, the grass will be covered with leaves!
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Barn and Bunk
BARN-N-BUNK is a farm market in Trenton.
In the fall, activities are set up for the children.
Craft/food booths are available.
The store and restaurant are doing a good business.
Members of the Butler County Antique Machinery Club
display their tractors in the fall.
How much fun are these children having?
Members of the BCAMC were asked to drive a tractor,
pulling a wagon load of folks around the farm.
Volunteers would earn money for the club.
Here is John with a wagon load.
I went for a ride in the wagon.
Some scenes around the farm.
That particular day, helicopter rides were being offered.
Hay bales created different designs in the fields.
This is the second tractor circling the field.
A fun time was had by all...even the drivers of the tractors.
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Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Operation Pumpkin
Last weekend was Operation Pumpkin in downtown, downtown Hamilton.
Three blocks were cordoned off.
The first block had carnival rides.
The middle block had craft booths.
In the intersection between the craft booths and the food booths were the
carved PUMPKINS!
Love the honey bees!
How do they do that?
This is the largest pumpkin.... imagine, it weighs almost a ton!
How is it put on the skid?
Does it grow there?
Runner-up large pumpkins.
Pumpkins on the court house steps that sponsors had 'purchased.'
There were small pumpkins that elementary children had painted.
Saturday's rain had washed off a good part of the paint.
Not pretty.
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Older students had carved pumpkins.
These pumpkins were in shop windows with white lights in them.
Hyde's Restaurant has a food truck?!?
Hamilton, after all, is the city of sculpture.
Sunday's crowd more than made up for the lack of folks on Saturday.
It was a beautiful day!
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Thursday, October 01, 2015
Gorman Heritage Farm
My friend, Ruth, and I explored the 122 acre Gorman Heritage Farm in Hamilton County.
It is believed, through family history, that Edward built the original house, bank barn and springhouse. Eventually, Edward Brown sold his land to a cousin, George Brown, and moved with his immediate family to Illinois. One of George Brown’s daughters, Isabella, married Amos Gorman and together they had six children, one of whom was “Pete” Gorman, the father of Jim and Dorothy Gorman. Jim and Dorothy Gorman took over operation of the farm in 1943.
In 1996, after years of careful planning, Dorothy and Jim turned their beloved farm over to the Cincinnati Nature Center. Under the stewardship of the CNC, the farm was transformed from a family farm to the Heritage Farm and outdoor education center as we know it today. New elements, such as the hiking trails, children’s garden and educational programs were added to ensure visitors would have the opportunity to enjoy the property, while learning about farming and healthy use of the land. Also in 1996, the Village of Evendale donated a 22-acre land parcel along Reading Road, and built the interpretive building and parking lot.
In 1996, after years of careful planning, Dorothy and Jim turned their beloved farm over to the Cincinnati Nature Center. Under the stewardship of the CNC, the farm was transformed from a family farm to the Heritage Farm and outdoor education center as we know it today. New elements, such as the hiking trails, children’s garden and educational programs were added to ensure visitors would have the opportunity to enjoy the property, while learning about farming and healthy use of the land. Also in 1996, the Village of Evendale donated a 22-acre land parcel along Reading Road, and built the interpretive building and parking lot.
In 2003, the Cincinnati Nature Center turned the farm over to the Village of Evendale, who established the Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation to operate the farm. The Foundation, its board of directors and the farm staff remain committed to preserving the legacy entrusted to them by Dorothy and Jim Gorman.
We had already perused the gardens and walked up to the overlook.
There is a small shelter at the overlook.
We looked to the south and saw the sunflower fields.
This weekend is the official sunflower festival.
We walked over to the farm buildings where we met Isabella.
She then directed us to the sunflower fields.
Pumpkins on the way out.
For purchase this weekend, along with the sunflowers.
It was a chilly day, pleasant for all the walking that we did.
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