Fathers Read Every Day (FRED)

Photographs removed 11-25-12

After driving a little over two hours, we enter the town of Franklin to do a show at Cedar Mountain Elementary School. I spot a big cottonwood that spans the street. "I'm going to turn around so you can get a shot of that," I say to Nancy, who usually keeps her camera handy.

"Yes," she agrees, "we may forget it on the way home."

 I'm glad we're early. I'm looking forward to this unique audience of fathers and their kids. Although I I know keeping these fathers interested in my program about a book written for children is my challenge, I take comfort in the fact that these are special  fathers because they commit to read to their kids every day. This commitment will change the lives of their children!

Since we are really early, we decide to drive around town a while. As we exit Franklin toward the southeast, we begin to descend rapidly. Looking at the water ahead of us and then at the map, Nancy proclaims, "This is the Minnesota River and I think it's flooding."
By the time I figure out what is going on, it's a bit late to turn around. "I wonder if the bridge is open!" Then I add, "It must be or barriers would be in place."

More than a bit worried, we keep driving and I mutter, "Well, we were early but now I just  hope we get back to the school in time." Then I see a truck coming toward us. "Well, either it's possible to turn around or the bridge is open." We both sigh in relief.

We pass the oncoming truck, drive on, and eventually see a driveway to use for a turnaround.

 "This could be tricky," I mutter."I can see the headlines in the local paper, "FRED speaker and wife drown on the way to event."

  "Not funny," Nancy says.

We make the turn and hurry back to the school where a friendly person named Molly opens the locked door and guides us to the performance space.

We meet Patti Machart, the energetic elementary principal, and she asks, "How was the drive? 

"Good, until we decided to tour the river," Nancy says.

 "If the road was open, they must've just opened it up. It's been closed because of the flooding."

We discuss where to set up the equipment and several teachers help bring it in. We set up and we're ready to go. 

From where I'm standing, the men look interested but skeptical as I introduce the children's  book.

But as I begin the introduction and explain the differences in the countryside between 1950 and now, I see several of the men nod their heads in agreement.

I continue, "In the 1970's Elm trees were wiped out by Dutch elm disease, but in 1950 there were elm trees towering above all the other trees along the roads, much like that tree I saw as we entered town, but I think that is a cottonwood."

One father raises his hand and says, "Yep, it's a cotton wood."

Another father exclaims that he has one of the last remaining large elms in his yard. "Stop by to see it before you leave!" he adds. I agree that we will. 

After the show fathers buy some books and send the kids to have me sign them. Several fathers stop to chat with me. We take some pictures and share some stories.

Though it's always hard to say boodbye after spending such a short time with nice people, we pack up and prepare to leave as we chat with Patti, who assures us she liked the show. Several people help carry our equipment to the truck as we load.

As Nancy and I settle in the truck, I remark, "Another great rural school. Another group of friendly people. We made some friends and sold some books. It's been a good day."

I start the truck to leave and Nancy reminds me, "Don't forget the elm tree!"

We drive past the elm tree father's place and he immediately comes out of the house. "Glad you stopped. Be sure to get pictures."

I tell him it's a beauty and thank him for providing the opportunity. He waves as we drive away.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Make a Splash!

It's mid-afternoon, June 10,  as Nanc and I head to Frost, Minnesota, eager to meet the volunteers at the Library who invited us to help kick off their summer reading program entitled "Make a Splash!"
I explain to my wife that Charlene Lincoln, the lady who contacted me, has done quite a lot of publicity and has invited kids, parents and seniors to the event at the Viking Community Center.

"They'll be giving door prizes and serving snacks, too!" I mention to Nanc.

We set up early and as people start to shuffle in, I notice that their ages span from kids to teens to people who may even be much older than I am. "I like the age-span," I whisper to Nanc. "Be sure to get lots of pics." She nods in a way that tells me, "Of course, Dummy, this is why I have the camera in my hand."

Ruth Sonnek(white top and big smile), a member of the Faribault County Dairy Association, sits next to Lani Sohn, Faribault County Dairy Princess, in the picture above.  I look forward to chatting more with them after the show. I meet Gina, a budding author with experience in radio, and after she introduces me with a few kind words, I begin my show.

My introduction and Prologue use rhyme and meter to make nostalgic facts fun for all ages, and as I talk about the events on the farm from over 50 years ago, I feel the audience responding in a way that encourages me to add a few details and stories that I had intended to omit.

As I am in about the middle of A Farm Country Christmas Eve, the youngest audience member takes a closer look as I recite the page where Joey teaches a newborn calf how to drink out of a pail.

After the show, Charlene awards door prizes. I am delighted to win a pound of AMPI State Brand butter. Young Torin wins a copy of the book I just performed, A Farm Country Christmas Eve. He immediately asks me to autograph it for him and I gladly comply. I'm feeling pretty good about the fact that he had his choice of all the of the other toys, yet he picked my book. He seems to be a really intelligent and likable  lad.









In no hurry to leave, many folks stop to chat as they snack on the goodies. Frost folks are really friendly.

Children hold their door prizes as people snap pictures  and as I  pose with the young children and teens, who are, of course, the pride of Frost.  I feel privileged. to be part of the event.

We stay over an hour after the show, but since Nanc is busy selling books and talking to customers and I'm answering questions and listening to some fascinating local stories, we take no more pictures.

Before we leave,  we thank all the volunteers, especially Charlene and Ardell and Gina, who worked so hard to make the event a Splash!

Visit to a Modern Dairy Farm

On Saturday, June 19, 2010, my wife Nancy and I arrive about 9:30 AM to set up our tent from which we will sell my books about farm kids in 1950 and our new product, Cuddly Critters.

 Farm workers, of course, have already put in hours of work doing regular chores and preparing the farm yard for the special Day at the Farm, where George and Charlene Duban open up to the public their 400-cow dairy operation located south of Lonsdale, MN.

Some early visitors ask questions of the farm employees, who wear red t-shirts and are available to answer questions throughout the day. I ask two employees if  they like working at the dairy farm. They each respond with an entusiastic, "Yes!" and then explain that they've worked here 12 years.

From talking to visiters, I soon learn that Rice County's "A Day on the Farm" is held each year at a different farm site, though this is the third time the Dubans have hosted the event. 

I cross the narrow drive in front of our tent to get a closer look  at some cattle feeding in roomy outside pens.

In vain I try to get them to say "cheese," but although they seem content, they refuse to smile for the camera.

As early visitors continue to arrive, Ed Brazina, a friend from Farmington, provides some music. Adults and kids love it and the kids decide to dance.

Visitors returning from the barns tell me they are impressed with the cleanliness and organiztion so Nanc and I decide to stroll around the place quickly before we get too many customers.

 

The barn seems to stretch west to where the sun might set, but strolling the distance rewards us with photo opportunities

Kids and adults delight in getting close to the  Holsteins, and the large animals don't seem to mind as they go about the business of eating.

The milking parlor handles many cows at once. Can you count the number of stations?

The number of visitors increases, and by 11 AM  people line up to eat lunch provided by Rice County American Dairy Association while others visit the calves or walk through the dairy barns. I volunteer to man the tent and send Nanc around to take pictures of people and places. 

Kids love to pet the calves.

Some of the calves are  more curious than others.

Activity at our tent increases as people from farms, cities and small towns stop by to chat, hug the Cuddly Critters, page through the books and make some purchases. We talk to several elementary school teachers who express interest in having me perform my free show at their schools. Another lady wants me to perform for her 4-H group.

People of all ages come from towns and farms, alike. The kids like to rave about the cows and calves, their parents are taken by the size and effficiency of the large dairy operation, and the old-timers swap stories with me about how we did the milking way back in the day.

Although the event was to end at 1:00 PM, we stay until nearly 3 PM before the crowd diminisses. Then  we say goodbye  to owners George and Charlene and thank them for providing the setting for a great "Day at the Farm."

As we drive home, Nanc and I decide that we want to attend more of these events where we can chat with friendly people from all over and witness first-hand the operation of a  modern American farm. If readers out there are interested, check my blog for future postings or my event calendar at http://www.gordonfredrickson.com/  Or visit "Midwest Dairy" on Facebook.