Czech Heritage Club, New Prague, MN

Last June at Cedar Summit Farm's Milkapalooza (posted June 6, 2011), Vi Chromy, Vice President of the Czech Heritage Club of New Prague, invited me to speak at their October meeting.

I'm always thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to a group that celebrates heritage of any kind, but I was particularly happy to be asked to do a show for the Czech Heritage Club (I'm half Czech) from the town where I was born. Also, I knew I'd be treated to all sort of great stories from really fun-lovinmg and kind people.
The evening surpassed my expectations.

Twenty-three people attended as I spoke for nearly and hour. Afterwards many asked questions, told stories, and bought books while coffee and snacks were served.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. I know Nancy and I sure did.

The fact is that Nancy was so busy visiting with club members that she didn't get to take many pictures, and as usual, i didn't take any pictures of her.

 In the pictures above and below, I sign some books as I listen to fascinating stories from the past.

Marie Flicek tells me of her 1948 flight from communist Czechoslovakia. She is a wonderful lady with a fascinating past about which she intends to write a book.

In the picture above, I tell Archie Kochina and Marie about the story of the lady whose father accidentally ran the hay fork into her arm when she was a child tramping hay on the wagon while her dad stacked. We each knew far too many stories of accidents on the farm.

 Many members of the group lingered to tell stories, purchase books, and take photos.

Nancy and I had a wonderful evening and wish to thank the entire Czech Heritage Club for having us visit and for their great hospitality.

We especially thank Vice President Vi Chromy, who arranged the visit, and President Deb Ziskovsky and her husband Arnie for recommending us to the club.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

FRED: Lucky kids and Lucky fathers

Fathers committed to reading to their kids every day! Now there is an action that can help change the world.

Over thirty Dads signed up to part of the F.R.E.D. (Fathers Read Every Day) Program at BOLD Schools (Bird Island-Olivia), Minnesota, and the program was a huge success, thanks to all the fathers and kids who attended and thanks to the staff members who organized it and provided the honest enthusiasm  that seemed to ignite the interests of everyone.

Above, I read my story If I Were a Farmer: Field Work to a group of kids and their dads.
I had the opportunity to read to two separate groups of fathers and their kids during the evening.

 Like the moms, you know these dads work all day (I talked to one father who combined corn during the day) and they are tired. It's after 6:00 PM and the kids have had a long day, as well. Yet here they are  taking some time to sit down together and read.

And obviously, it was along day for the teachers and other staff members, too. Let me return to earlier in the day when Nancy and I arrive to do three shows for the kids in the afternoon on  October 11, 2001.

The first show was If I Were a Farmer:Nancy's Adventure for a great group 

of over 80 students in grades 1-2 .

In the pictures above and below, I demonstrate how to teach  newborn calf how to drink from a pail.

Next, for a group of over 100 fun kids in grades 3-4, I perform my story A Farm Country Halloween, as shown in the three pictures below:

After this show, Nancy and I got to experience a fire drill with the staff and students.

Everyone assembles outside for the head count. The firemen regularly hide a couple of kids to test the accuracy of the staff's head count. This helps make it "real." 

Then we go back into the school to do a show for about 45 kindergarten students, who listen to If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure, as shown in the pictures below.

Media Specialist Janeen Perrizo, left, stands at the back.

Title 1 leader Bonnie Wertish arranged for me to be at the evening FRED Program, and Media Specialist Janeen Perrizo arranged for me to visit the school during the day. Much to the credit of these two professionals, the enthusiasm of the kids is high, which makes my performances especially fun for me.

Before the evening program ECFE Coordinator Renae Saunders (center) 

and Title 1 leader Bonnie Wertish (right) take a moment from preparation to pose for a photo.

The FRED Program provided a free copy of my book If I Were a Farmer: Fieldwork to each family that attended. I signed the copies in advanced and staff members opened them up on the table so families could claim their books after they eat a lunch served in the cafeteria.

Children and fathers seemed to enjoy the evening.

To close the evening's activities I have the privilege of speaking to the fathers alone while the children are entertained by the staff members in another area.

For the first few minutes I explain how and why I came to write about farm heritage. Then I use the last several minutes to elaborate on the value of reading to children. Reading to children is the one thing that is sure to contribute to their personal and educational success, and the benefits for the reader, too, are enormous. I repeat: Lucky kids! Lucky dads!

Nancy and I want to thank all of the friendly staff and students at BOLD Schools who made us feel so very welcome and whose enthusiasm for reading and for their guest author was inspirational.

 I thank the fathers who attended, especially those who stopped to visit with me and thank me for my efforts.

We especially thank Bonnie Wertish of Title 1 and Media Specialist Janeen Perrizo for arranging my visit and Renae Saunders for all her work on the evening's event. 

We hope to be invited to return to BOLD Schools soon.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Berean Education Center

April 2010 was the first time we had visited Berean Education Center to do a show, and I was happy to return to the school on Tuesday to do two shows: If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure for ages 4-5 and A Farm Country Christmas Eve for grades 1-4.
The groups were small in number but enthusiastic. In the three pictures below the four and five year old students listen attentively and then eagerly participate when i show them how to teach a calf to drink out of a pail.

Children in that same group wait for their turn at sticking a hand into the can of oats in the pictures below.

The children in the second group ranged from first to fourth grade and they listened carefully to my explanation of why Santa visits farm kids during chore time on Christmas Eve in the picture below.

Then they responded quickly to the quiz questions in the two pictures below.

Nancy and I wish to thank Kristi Ollila for inviting us to Berean and arranging our visit. 

We especially thank Mrs. Hartley and Mrs. Otto for their warm welcome and for sharing their class time with us. Thanks to Pam who greeted us and showed us where to set up. We hope to return again soon.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

  

All Saints Catholic School, Madison Lake, MN

The drive to Madison Lake took just a bit over two hours, but the morning was sunny and beautiful so the time seemed to go fast. As we approached All Saints Catholic School, we were treated to a nice view of Madison Lake.

Our first show was for preschoolers and they seemed to enjoy the story If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure, especially the part where Nancy uses her two fingers to teach a calf to drink from a pail.

Children in the second group (below) ranged in grades from first to sixth.

Since the group number was small, the students could stretch out on the floor to enjoy A Farm Country Picnic. After the show they lined up to take turns feeling the oats that I display in a coffee can.

Nancy and I thank Liz Blaschko and Mary Ann Adams for inviting us to their school. I had fun doing the show and the kids were great.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Enchanted Forest

Located in the historic and attractive Old Town Plaza area north of downtown Mankato, the Enchanted Forest sells quality locally-made crafts, Minnesota-authored books, a variety of other gifts, and ice cream. The store features Sitting Eagle Creations, which are locally made Native American crafts, some of which are made by the owners of the store.

Starting Saturday the store carries my books on consignment, and Nancy and I were invited to visit for a book-signing. The day was warm and windy and traffic was slow, but we met several people who took time to share their stories and buy a book.

The morning provided ample opportunity to visit with the owners and hear their stories. 

To my left above is Andrea and her sister Regina.

Below we see their niece Jessica behind the ice cream counter.  Jessica is a student at Mankato.

In the upper-right corner of the picture, hanging on the wall are Dream Catchers made by Andrea, which are just a few of the many unique items the store offers for sale.

In addition to the front entrance at 529 N. Riverfront Drive, the store has a handy side-door entrance off Elm Street which takes you right to the ice cream counter and the Sitting Eagle Creations display. 

I urge you to take a drive to Mankato, stop by the Enchanted Forest, visit with the friendly owners, and do a little shopping. You probably won't find a soda pop for a nickel as the large sign indicates, but you will find an interesting, historic atmosphere that offers unique selections.

Nancy and I wish to thank Andrea and Regina for inviting us to visit their store.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Grand Meadow Public Library

As we park by the  Community Center at Grand Meadow on Wednesday morning, we meet Alicia Baugh, the librarian who had arranged our visit to the Grand Meadow Library. It's about 9:30 AM and pleasant outside as we visit and she tells us some stories about growing up on the farm and her adventures with riding horses.

I'm doing a show that includes two of my books, If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure and A Farm Country Picnic. Some children come early and seat themselves on the floor.

A few gather under the projector table but move up after I start the show.

Families tell me they like the show and I get to sign some books.

Thanks to Librarian Alicia Baugh for arranging our visit to Grand Meadow and for taking the time to visit with us before and after the show.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

University of Minnesota-Rochester

Honestly, I felt honored at the opportunity to speak at UMR CONNECTS, a weekly outreach program that features Minnesota Authors during July of 2011. The programs are always scheduled to be held outdoors at the Peace Plaza on UMR Campus in downtown Rochester, but Tuesday's heat and humidity caused them to move the program to roomy, air-conditioned room on the 4th floor. No one complained.

 Director of Outreach, Teresa Puetz, introduces me before my program, which includes my new book, A Farm Country Picnic. Teresa grew up on a farm and lives on that same farm with her family today.

After the show, Teresa had me draw the names for door prizes. Winners got to choose prizes which included a couple of my books and a gift certificate.

First prize winner has me sign a copy of Field Work while she tells me some interesting stories of growing up on a sandy farm in Wisconsin.

Nancy and I wish to thank Executive Office and Administrative Specialist Mary DeWitt for coordinating the event. Mary says she has fond memories of time spent on the farm of her grandparents.

Special thanks to Outreach Director Teresa Puetz for inviting us to the event and taking the time to visit with us before and after the show. It's good to know that people leading outreach programs have enthusiasm for the farm. 

Also, thanks to Greg, the on-duty technician who spent the evening ensuring that all things electronic worked in our favor. Greg grew up on a farm in Iowa and his father still farms the place. Nancy and I enjoyed visiting with him before the show as he helped set up the equipment.

It gave us real joy to experience the close connection to the farm with these UMR professionals.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson