A catch-up post for 2012

Many of my posts over the last couple years have featured pictures from the places that have kindly invited me to do a Farm Heritage Show at their facility. As my wife Nancy became more involved in connecting with old friends, new friends, and family by using Facebook, I found that many times we were likely to post the same pictures. Consequently, I've decided to leave the posting of photos to her, and in this way my posts will be shorter and, perhaps, a bit more varied and less frequent.

My most recent post was on November 27, 2012, and it highlighted the November 2nd event at the Duluth Children's Museum, where we have done shows for over three consecutive years. I really like the place and what it does for kids and parents, and I was gratified that a few of you emailed to say that you had been there and liked it too.

Since then Nancy and I had a busy couple of months doing Farm Heritage Programs for schools, Parent-Teacher Organizations, and Historical Societies. We also had the opportunity to vend at Christmas Shows at Dakota Village in Farmington for two weekends and a European Christmas Show sponsored by the Czech Heritage Club, New Prague, MN.

I thank the following people for arranging my visit to their facility or organization on the dates indicated:

Lisa Bowyer at Children of Tomorrow Learning Centers in Waconia, MN, and in Chanhassen, MN, on November 4, 2012;
Colleen Glover, teacher at Risen Christ Catholic School, Minneapolis, MN, on November 9, 2012;
Sherry Stirling at Chisago County Historical Society, Stacy, MN, on November 10, 2012;
Pam Grussing and Kathy Weeks-Wegner, Jackson County Library, Lakefield Branch, at Lakefield, MN, November 28, 2012;
Mary Hendricks, Christmas in the Village at Farmington, MN, December 1-2 and 8, 2012;
Deb Ziskovsky, Leah Baker, Vi Chromy, European Christmas, sponsored by the Czech Heritage Club, New Prague, MN, December 2, 2012
Patty Norberg, PTO President, at Cedar Creek PTO Family Night, Cedar, MN, on December 11, 2012;
Kelly Adrian, first grade teacher at Chatfield Elementary, Belle Plaine, MN, on December 14, 2012;
Amy Baar, first grade teacher at Cedar Creek Community School, Cedar, MN, on December 20, 2012.

A Week to Remember

Last week was one of those marathon weeks for Nancy and me because the three days of Farmfest at Gilfillan Estates near Redwood Falls coincided with the full week celebration of the Dakota County Fair at Farmington. Since we value being at both events to meet existing customers and to make new ones, Nancy and I had to devise a plan to be at two places at the same time.

Nancy handled our building at Dakota Village in Farmington, pictured above, from about 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM on  Monday through Thursday.

My Nephew Bob Tornio, seated at our Farmfest display above,  and I left each morning at 5:30 AM for a two-hour drive to Farmfest at Gilfillan Estates near Redwood Falls, where we tended our booth from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and then returned to Farmington each day to help Nancy from about 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
On Friday and Saturday, Nancy and I were both at our building at Dakota Village, and this is the way we like it, working together and meeting new and old customers. However, on Sunday, we wanted to attend a Fredrickson Family Reunion at Antler's Park in Lakeville, so we hired my cousin from my Mom's side, Evie Mushitz and her daughter Rena to take over for us.

From left to right are Rena Bjerke, her mother and my cousin Evie Mushitz, Evie's grandson Brad Simon, and Evie's granddaughter Amanda Bjerke, who is Rena's daughter. Brad illustrated my latest book, What I Saw on the Farm.

Since Evie was handling our building at Dakota Village, Nancy and I could spend time at the Fredrickson Family reunion where there were relatives as far as the eye could see

 as you can see in the photo below.

The color of the tee shirts represent the generation of the person wearing it. The oldest generation was royal blue. The next generation was red, then gold, then kiwi, then light blue. I thought the different colors were a great idea because you could easily see where people "fit in."

Here is Nancy and cousin Angie (Fredrickson) Mack posing for a photo.

Just two more shots of the reunion and then I'll take you back to Farmfest and then to Farmington again. The reunion had just too many people to cover, but Nancy got shots of family groups and individuals, way too many to post here, but Nancy posted many of them on Facebook.

However, I do want to post the display that Nancy created about the descendants  of my grandfather William Fredrickson, who was one of the 18 children whose five generations of descendants populated this reunion. 

Nancy created the display and a large photo album that traced 

the lives of William, his children, and their descendants. 

I should have taken a photo with Nancy next to her display, but I neglected to think of it. Ouch!

On the wall of the big tent was posted a chart of all the descendants 

of my great grandparents, Nels and Emelia Fredrickson, who had eighteen children.

Many people enjoyed checking it out. 

Cousin Jessica Haag did a great job of getting the information together and posting it on the wall, and everyone who planned the reunion, set up the tents, got the tee shirts, delivered the tee shirts, made the contacts, arranged the food and photos--all should feel really gratified at the success of the event. 

Now, back to Farmfest. 

Earlier in the week, Bob and I took some time to walk around at Farmfest

 before the gates opened for customers.

Every year I marvel at the size of the machinery 

and nephew Bob was awed as well as he posed for the photo above.

Bob and I had lots of fun meeting new customers and people who had purchased books during the previous two years we were at Farmfest. We really appreciated everyone who stopped by our booth to visit. Some bought copies of my books to complete their collections. Also, we talked to many young farmers, men and women, with dairy herds ranging from 700 cattle in the most modern setup to 60 cattle in tie stalls, and what always impresses me the most is their enthusiasm for farming. Many had college degrees and a variety of areas of expertise, but for them, farming is their American Dream. 

As you may have guessed, since Nancy was not along at Farmfest but busy at Dakota City, I have no photos from Farmfest of children with their new books, and from Monday -Thursday when Nancy was alone at the building at Dakota City, she took very few pictures of children because she was busy.

The two photos below were taken by Cousin Evie on Sunday after customers purchased the book illustrated by Evie's grandson, Brad Simon. Truly, it's the moments like the ones shown in the photos below that made the hectic week worthwhile.

Posted below are a number of photographs Nancy snapped during Friday and Saturday when she and I were both working in the building at Dakota City.

When an adult likes one of my books, I know the child being read to will love it.

Many people of all ages enjoyed Nancy's Farm Heritage display of pictures of farm activities from the last century. Nancy had mounted over 100 pictures on tag board so people could view them at their own pace, but she also created a DVD that displayed pictures on a three-second delay. Viewers could sit down on the chairs and enjoy the free show. Many did so and then visited with us to share their own farm stories.

The photos come from a variety of sources: Museums, historical societies, and individuals have allowed us to display their photos for free as long as we give credit to the owner of the photograph. If we use the photograph in one of our books, the owner will get a free book. If you have photographs of any farm activity and would like to let us display them, give me a call or an email. You will keep the original but we will make a copy to use. Here is your chance to get some great farm photos of your family farm displayed for people to see, and it's also a chance to get the photo in a nationally distributed book.

A child happy with a book. This is not complicated.

Nancy's display of Farm Heritage Photographs--free for all to enjoy.

We will be at the Preuhs Building at Pioneer Power on August 24, 25, and 26th, and Nancy plans to expand the photo display. Stop by to view and to visit.

 I enjoy presenting my stories to small, appreciative audiences.

A couple more great smiles from children.

 There is a lot o see at Dakota Village and the Dakota County Fair so I am especially delighted when adults take time to sit down and enjoy my books.

Nancy took some photos of the threshing demonstration put on by the 2-Cylinder Club, a local club that  preserves farm heritage by restoring and demonstrating tractors and other machines.

Members of the club demonstrated fanning, a process which cleans the grain by shaking it and then blowing off the light seed and the chaff. Audience members are seen feeling the cleaned oats in the photograph above.

 A favorite at Dakota Village is the daily parade of tractors and machinery. Many of them are owned by the 2-Cylinder Club which puts on a fine display of antiques every year. Maynard Ohms, pictured above, announces each entry as it parades by as people of all ages watch and listen.

Unless they are tired from a long day at the fair, children often have far more patience and interest in antiques and stories than many expect. 

If you can, venture down to Pioneer Power on August 24, 25, and 26. Bring the whole family to see lots of threshing and lumber demonstrations, a great parade, and many more exhibits for the family.

Stop by to visit Nancy and m in the Preuhs (pronounced Price) Building to see our free Farm Heritage Photo Exhibit, check out our books, and visit for a spell. Go to www.pioneerpowershow.com for more information.

We thank all the people at Dakota Village, the 2-Cylinder Club, Farmfest, and, of course, my relatives who handled the reunion and my relatives who handled our display on Sunday for working to make each event a success, giving my wife Nancy, my nephew Bob, and me a great week to remember. 

Berean Education Center 2012

On Tuesday we did a Farm Heritage Program for students ranging from preschool to grade six at Berean Education Center in Burnsville, Minnesota. This was our third visit to the school during three consecutive summers. Obviously, I very much appreciate being invited back to a school because I feel it is a vote of confidence from the staff and leadership that what I do is educational and worthwhile.

 Students listened to my program, which included my story If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure, and they asked a few questions after the the show,
Also of interest to the students was my wife Nancy's Farm Heritage Display of photographs (right side of screen) of children working on farms during the early and middle 1900s.

Feeling the oats is always a popular activity.

Berean is another one of those great schools that young children can feel lucky to attend. The staff is caring and professional and the whole environment is friendly and disciplined.

Nancy and I thank all the staff for sharing their valuable school time with us, and we especially thank Kristi Ollila for inviting us to the school and arranging our visit.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

MVHL Summer Day Camp

Monday morning Nancy and I made the two-hour drive to Morton to do a show for the Minnesota Valley History Learning Center Summer Day Camp.

We arrived at the Morton City Hall by 11:00 AM to set up our equipment for a noon show, which would include my story, If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure.

The children would be going into grades 1-4 this fall and were an energetic and fun group. They sat on a ledge inside the town hall while we set up and this gave Nancy and me a chance to talk to them a short time.

The children seem to love attending the day camp where they learn about the environment and have fun with their friends.

 On Monday they sat on the floor, ready to learn a little about farming.

The kind, hard-working staff members attended the show too.

The children laughed at my father's antics with the cow's tail.

 They held up two fingers when I demonstrated how to teach a newborn calf to drink from a pail.

And they eagerly waved to Nancy as she snapped a photograph.


Honestly, I don't think I have ever performed for a happier group of children, but after all, it is summer and time to have fun while you learn, and it seems that MVHLC Summer Day Camp provides just the right agenda.

 The children were already happy, but when they found out that their camp was providing each of them with a free book for his or her very own, they seemed thrilled. Of course, so was I.

 Each child could chose any one from four of my titles. Then they lined up for me to sign them.

I enjoyed doing the show very much and Nancy and I enjoyed visiting with students and staff.
I thank all the staff members for allowing me to do my show during the summer camp, and I especially thank Summer Day Camp Coordinator Angie Colwell for inviting me, arranging my visit, and arranging to purchase a book for each child. After they received their free books, I told the children I would be depending on them to save the book and pass it on to their children some day so Farm Heritage would be preserved.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Red Pine Elementary School 2012

It's Thursday morning and Nancy and I drive into the parking lot at Red Pine Elementary School in Eagan, Minnesota, to do three Farm Heritage Programs for second-graders. This will be our third consecutive year visiting Red Pine in April when they study nonfiction books and farming. I eagerly anticipate having fun doing my shows at Red Pine because students and staff make my visit a special event.

Though office personnel are busy as we walk into the school office, they greet us with smiles and seem to recognize us and anticipate our needs by contacting Mary Kate Nelson, the teacher who has arranged our visit every year. Mary Kate is here in seconds and helps move our equipment into her room, which is already set up for my program.

We take part in the Pledge of Allegiance as school begins. Teaching moments start immediately as we listen and watch the television monitor where an adult explains the importance of getting outside and being physically active. Then two students give the school announcements. They're pretty good at it too.

Here is the first group waving to Nancy as she takes a picture near the end of my program, which included my book, If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure. Mrs. Nelson is seated at the left.

Second group waving at Nancy.

Third group waving to Nancy.

Performing for second grade students at Red Pine was as I anticipated, a joy and an education, for the students teach me something every year. I hope I provided them with the same experience.

I want to thank everyone at Red Pine for having me visit their school, especially Mrs. Nelson who arranges my visit every year. Nancy and I always look forward to it.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Stillwater Reading Club

The Stillwater Reading Club was founded in 1886 by Mrs. McClure as the "Stillwater Woman's Reading Club," according to Pat Johnson, the club's historian. Pat told me that the incorrect singular "woman" instead of the plural "women" is still used today because that is the way the original charter reads. Mrs. McClure organized the club as a way to discuss current matters of politics and other important events.

On the far left, Pat Johnson, club historian, stands to take a photograph.

I can imagine the club members were a pretty impressive group back in 1886, as are the members of today, who are filled with good humor, a desire to share their stories, and a keen sense of history. Doing a Farm Heritage Program for the group on March 5th was an absolute joy for me and Nancy. The group was with me or ahead of me on every piece of nostalgia or humor, and they expressed their interest in preserving Farm Heritage by telling stories after the program and buying books.

Some told brief stories from their chairs in the audience. Others came to the microphone if they had more to say. In the above photo, Dorothy Gerson told of working on the farm during the 1930s and pumping water outdoors in the winter time.

Others told me stories as I signed books. Myrtle Janilla explained that when she was a small child her father would give her two cent to hold the cow's tail as he milked the animal. I'm sure that not only served the purpose of keeping the tail out of his eyes, but also of keeping his eyes on Myrtle.

 Nearly every one of the members stopped by to chat after the program. Ellen (above right) brought me coffee and others offered us cake and cookies.

Ellen Campbell, who arranged my visit and presided over the meeting, posed for a photograph with me.

This small group was particularly fun because they were enthusiastic and eager to share their experiences. Nancy and I want to thank everyone in the Reading Club for their kind comments about our program, and we especially thank Ellen Campbell for arranging our visit.

We hope that those of you who purchased books will proudly pass on our Farm Heritage as the books get passed on to future generations.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson