Milkapalooza

On Saturday morning the weather gave us clouds and small sprinkles of rain, but the optimism expressed by the hard-working owners/operators at Cedar Summit Farm north of New Prague, MN, was typical of farm people. "It's clearing up," they all agreed. The great thing was that visitors shared that optimism because the cars kept driving into the parking area as people of all ages filled the yard at Cedar Summit Farm, where Dave and Florence Minar, their sons and daughters, their grandchildren, and other workers hosted their annual fun day they call "Milkapalooza."

We arrive early to set up and Linda Minar takes a moment to explain the layout to me.

Patrick Fisher, New Prague Times reporter and photographer captures a moment as I sign a book for a mother and child in the field where cars are parking. The area fill ups with cars rapidly as visitors come.

Visitors get free samples in foreground and ride on ponies and pet animals in the background.

Any event where kids and parents are having fun together makes me smile, and this day gave me a lot to smile about as I watched kids pet calves and cows; milk a mechanical cow; discuss chickens, honey, maple syrup with a farm families who supply some products sold at Cedar Summit; visit the barns; sit for a caricaturist; sample sheep cheese; ride to the pasture to visit the cattle herd to learn why grass-fed is best; and dance to music provided by two different bands.

Jazmine displaying caricature done by John Busacker.

Jazmine displaying her new book 

The cows attracted fans.

The cow milking contest was a popular event.

So was visiting the herd as shown below.

Tractor and wagon with visitors return from the pasture where they viewed the fine herd of cattle 

as seen in the distance from our tent in the farmyard in the picture below.

Florence Minar giving samples of a new product made at Cedar Summit Farm, drinkable yogurt.

Dave Minar talking with one of the handlers of the two cows available for petting.

Dave and Florence Minar deserve special recognition for their creation of Cedar Summit Farm. Their interest in producing healthy, more natural dairy and meats goes back to before the 1970s. I urge readers to visit Cedar Summit Farm website at www.cedarsummit.com and click on the appropriate tab to read the history of the farm's development and the special products they have to offer. They sell their own dairy products, grass-fed beef and pork, but they also provide a retail outlet for natural, healthy products produced by like-minded neighbors, such as honey, maple syrup, eggs, and chickens. Nancy and I have enjoyed their healthy foods for years and urge you to give them a try. You will be glad you did.

The Minar family were very kind to Nancy and me, providing us with a spot to sell our books under their big tent and a big room to perform my stories for lots of kids and their parents. We had a great time talking to old friends and meeting new people. The atmosphere was fun and exciting, as kids and adults of all ages mingled with each other and discussed the operation with the friendly Minar family members who made themselves available throughout the day. Keep the event in mind and check the website regularly to discover the date for next year's Milkapalooza.

Nancy and I wish to thank Dave and Florence Minar and the entire family for having us at the event.
We especially thank Linda Minar for her time and effort in arranging our visit.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson, except for the one below, which was taken by a friendly customer.

For more pictures of the event, click on Read More below.

Trucks and Travel

"Trucks and Travel," held annually for the last 18 years, aims at entertaining little kids, and in doing so, tickles lots of adults, as well.

TriDistrict Community Education holds the event in the parking lot of Sibley High School, Mendota Heights,  where trucks tractors, buses, and other equipment assemble just so kids can climb in, honk the horn, and generally do what they are otherwise discouraged from doing–experiencing things hands-on.

Our tent happened to be next to the Ford 4630 so we were able to enjoy watching kids take their turns at the wheel of the tractor.

We had a bit of rain before the show yesterday, which delayed the arrival of the crowd, but after the sky cleared, parents and kids turned out to experience the variety of hands-on exhibits.

Police car and fire truck were popular attractions.

Where else can a child (or a father) get a chance to climb into the cab of a ready-mix truck or a soda delivery vehicle?

Everyone enjoys the horses.

Preschoolers loved boarding the bus, and the experience provided a bit of nostalgia for the parents.

And speaking of nostalgia, the Teddy Bear Band rocks! 

The kids love the games the band organizes, but when it comes to dancing to the music,  I saw as many or more adults moving to the beat as kids on the dance floor.

And that's what I really liked about the event–sooo many parents grab the opportunity to really have fun with their kids as their kids get to let loose.

Oh, yes, and I got to do some of my favorite things too, as Heidi's mother purchased a book (above) and as Emma posed with me after her mother purchased a book for her in the two pictures below.

As the day comes to a close, some children enjoy riding off into the sunset. Looks like fun, eh?

Nancy and I wish to thank all he people on the Early Learning Advisory Council, District 197, for inviting us to attend the event, and we especially thank Kerry Appleton for organizing the event and sending us a personal invitation. Also, thanks to Kerry for so generously asserting that Nancy and I brought the sunshine, not the rain.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Deer damage again and popping poppy, II

A few days ago Nancy and I planted a small apple tree that we thought was tall enough to resist deer damage on the top branches. We were wrong.

The tree was well over eight feet tall before the deer broke off the top piece.

Next, we checked to see how the buds on the roses were coming and discovered mama deer had eaten those off as well. I find it remarkable that such a large animal messes with trying to fill up on the buds of roses. On the other hand, humans eat marsh mellows, hard candy, and potato chips because we want to, not because it's practical. 

While I pouted a little as I weeded around the rose bush, Nancy commented that she would make more deer repellent and spray it on the roses. I continued to weed after she left.

Then I heard her yell, "Hey, Gord, poppies are popping!"

The flower is beginning to force the green covers off. The process takes about 15 minutes and if you are patient, you can see the movement and the blossom emerge.

Last year ( June 21, 2010, to be precise) I posted a short piece with pictures detailing a poppy blossom popping into full bloom. I was fascinated then and was equally fascinated once again as the birth of the blossom took place before my eyes.

The poppies easily managed to change my pout into a grin. I hope they made you smile.

All photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson 

To see more flower photos,  please click below on Read More.

Preston Public Library and country side

Nancy and I left early for our show at Preston Library on Thursday for the sole purpose of arriving early. We looked forward to driving around the hills and lowlands and taking pictures. The drive to Preston took nearly three hours. Once we arrived, we quickly found the library and then drove out of town to witness the scenic country side.

Preston Library with sidewalk sign announcing our 7:00 PM show.

The city of Preston is located in a scenic valley with a river running through it. Whichever direction you take out if town, you are treated to an uphill climb and then a panoramic view of the valley below.

The slightly over cast day gave magical haze to the countryside.

The windmill above and the farmhouse below stand as proud reminders of past successes.

Current farms and cattle provide pleasant viewing.

Nancy spots a fox trotting through a field.

We slow down. He stops to check us out. Looks like something is in his jaws.

After the fox moves on, we drive another 200 yards to spot young foxes playing along the road bank.

They quickly scurry to the safety of the tall grass. We know our pictures will be blurry. 

We content ourselves with taking a few photos of wildflowers, which patiently wait for us to point and shoot.

 Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

To see photos of the program at Preston Library, please click below on Read More.

Salvation Army Adult Day Program, Rochester, MN

Back in April when we did a show for Spring Valley Historical Society's Annual Banquet, we met Sheryl Strain, who works as a Trained Medical Assistant and Program Assistant at the Salvation Army Adult Day Program in Rochester. She said she wanted to suggest to the activities coordinator there that we come to do a show for them during a week day. A couple weeks later Jesse Buchner, Activities Coordinator, emailed me to set up a date. I love it when one thing leads to another.

 We arrived an hour before the show yesterday so Jesse took time to give us a short tour of the facilities,  introduce us to some of the staff, including Program Director Cyndy Gove, and explain what services they provide. Ron Strain, pictured below, drives the bus that picks up adults who need care during the day when their other care-givers are at work and he also assists with activities.

Ron has years of experience driving buses.

Ron's wife Sheryl, who we had met at Spring Valley Historical Banquet, explained that the guests are given a snack when they arrive. A lunch is catered in at noon and another snack is given to them before the bus returns them home. 

Activities during the day include exercises, many various crafts, watching some TV, volunteer entertainment (my show as an example), field trips shopping, or just going for coffee. 

Activities Coordinator Jesse Buchner introduces me to the guests.

They proved to be a great audience, showing interest throughout the show and asking many questions after the show.  In the picture above Program Assistant Sheryl Strain, CNA, TMA, stands in the back on the left and Activity Coordinator Jesse Buchner stands on the right. 

Sheryl set up a photo with some volunteer guests.

 Donovon (red shirt) paints and exhibits his work at the Mayo Clinic.

Farm Heritage touches many people, and after the show several of the guests took time to tell me their stories of visiting a farm as a kid, living on a farm, working on a farm, or doing farm work as a kid. Nancy and I had a great time, and we wish to thank Sheryl and Jesse for inviting us, Cyndy for allowing us to do our show, and all the staff and guests for their friendliness and their interest in our show.  

It's good to know facilities like this exists for people who may have some disability and need some care, but who also desire to be physically and socially active. Staff members at the Salvation Army Adult Day Program at Rochester provide a good blend of special care with challenges to keep guests active and engaged. They deserve our praise and support. 

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Hummingbird Magnets

Nancy and I like to sit on the porch to watch the birds and listen to their sounds. We don't put up bird feeders, but we plant lots of wildflowers and certain other flowers that attract the little masters of flight. Finches, catbirds, waxwings and other birds like to nest in the tight foliage of the arborvitaes and yews.
Below is the view from our chairs. About twenty feet away are wild columbines blooming on the left, and near the center are tiger lilies, which will not bloom until summer. Hummingbirds love them both.

In the close-up above, the columbine blossoms appear delicious, 

and in the photo below a hummingbird begins to sample them all.

We had been treated to his visits nearly every evening since the columbines started blooming, 

but this is the first time we had the camera along.

The hummingbird actually seemed to hit every blossom!

Gusts of wind actually gave the little guy a hard time and he had to leave his business of sampling and turn into the wind to stay in control. It didn't delay him more than a few seconds, though, and he returned to his rounds.

After a few minutes of work, he rested briefly on wire cages that we had put up to support top-heavy peonies, day lilies, and white lilies when they bloom in summer. The hard-working master of flight seems to think we put the cages there just for him. I'm glad he takes advantage of the spot to rest.

Then he goes back to work.

After a few more minutes of work, he leaves and as he flies away, another hummingbird flies in to take his place. Is this his mate? The color seemed a bit different, but this one did not stay long and they didn't stop to talk to each other when they passed. Maybe they were married.

Photographs by my dear wife Nancy Fredrickson