PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As we enter the autumn season, the Friends of Kinder Farm Park are anxiously looking forward to our annual Fall Harvest Festival scheduled for Saturday, October 10^th.  This is our signature event for the year and constitutes the Friends’ primary fundraiser. We have included an article in this newsletter describing the great fun you can expect this year.

For those not familiar with the Friends Group, we are a non-profit volunteer organization with responsibilities for fundraising to support Kinder Farm Park programs and projects, conducting volunteer activities to highlight a typical working farm set in Maryland during the 1930’s, and working closely with Park staff to make Kinder Farm Park a first-class, unique recreation destination in Anne Arundel County.

This has been a very busy year for the Friends Group both in terms of the number of events we have hosted and in our effort to expand our membership. We hosted the Free Friday Flicks on June 12th in cooperation with the Fox Network.  The Free Friday Flicks is always a great opportunity for the entire family to enjoy an inexpensive evening eating picnic food, participating in carnival games and contests, and watching a movie on a blanket under the stars in beautiful Kinder Farm Park.

Also in June, the Friends Group sponsored our first “Hoedown” which included square dancing and a pig roast.  All who attended

the event pronounced it a great success and enjoyed a good ole fashioned fun evening reminiscent of farm life in the past.  As a benefit to members of the Friends Group, tickets to the Hoedown were offered at half price.

In July we hosted an “Insider Behind-the-Scenes Tour” for members of the Friends Group.  This tour included demonstrations and talks by many of the clubs that are active at Kinder Farm Park such as the Blacksmiths Guild, the Antique Sawmill Club, the Quilters Guild, the Kitchen Garden Club, and the 4-H Livestock Club.  Artisans were able to show their crafts and skills in a small group setting.

In August, we arranged for Mr. Ned Wall to present a talk on the art of beekeeping.  Mr. Wall brought some of his beekeeping equipment to demonstrate the technique of maintaining hives and he effectively held the interest of both prospectivebeekeepers and those of us with simply a keen interest in the practice.  Next year we hope to continue with our speaker series by inviting experts in agriculture to present talks on various aspects of farm life.

The Friends Group is currently working closely with park staff and the county on design of a visitor’s center that will become the centerpiece of Kinder Farm Park. When completed in 2010, the visitor center will include extensive exhibit space, meeting rooms and offices, and will serve as a place where visitors and school groups can begin their “learning journey” regarding life on a farm.

The Friends Group has worked hard this year to expand its membership.  By increasing our rolls, we believe we are demonstrating the strong public support for this wonderful resource and the many programs at the Park that are important to the community and the environment.  There are many personal benefits to be gained from membership and, when combined with a very affordable annual cost, being a Friend becomes very attractive.  If you are not currently a member, we strongly urge you to join and help determine the future of our Park.

In this newsletter we have included articles by many of the organizations and clubs that meet regularly at Kinder Farm Park so you can learn more about them.  We hope you will visit Kinder Farm Park often and enjoy the many activities and opportunities you will find there.  If you have never attended a Fall Harvest Festival, this year’s event will give you a chance to see first hand what a great resource we have in Anne Arundel County for the entire family to enjoy.

SUPERINTENDENT’S NOTE

It is sincerely rewarding to see the hard work of so many dedicated employees and volunteers get recognized by senior county management. Recently, Frank Marzucco, Director of Recreation and Parks, toured many of our county parks. He informed me that Kinder Farm Park is the best looking park. Well done all!

The general economy is also a major factor for the operation of our parks. Not only are we all being asked to do more with less, but recent attendance numbers are at all time highs at our parks. People are taking advantage of the great value of these local attractions.

I hope to see all of you here at the Kinder Farm Park Fall Harvest Festival on October 10^th!

4-H LIVESTOCK CLUB

The Kinder Farm Park 4-H Livestock Club has been busy this past month with fair season in full swing.  Some 4-H members participated in showing their rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, cows, wool, and photography at the Maryland State Fair, Howard County Fair, and the Montgomery County Fair.  Club Members worked hard preparing for and did well at the Anne Arundel County Fair held in Crownsville, September 16th-20th.  We exhibited livestock, pumpkins, baked goods, art, crafts and projects in photography. We also participated in several demonstrations and contests.

Victoria Willis’ Rambouillet ewe (sheep), Joseph Degreenia’s Guernsey cow and Katie Dinkel’s market pig all got Best of Show.  Four girls from our club competed for Fair Queen; Alyssa Degreenia, Brittney Warner, Stephanie Fielder and Victoria Willis. Alyssa was awarded 1^st runner-up and Victoria was crowned Queen of the 2009 Anne Arundel County Fair.

We have two new additions to the cow barn. Gracie Lou, Polled Hereford breeding heifer owned by Zak Konkus, and Dodge, Polled Hereford market project owned by Alex Fetter.  Stop by the barn to greet them!

 

KITCHEN GARDENERS

The Kitchen Gardeners raised a wide variety of fresh produce and flowers in the garden beside the Farm House. It has taken many years to bring the garden to its current form. Not only do these volunteers keep the garden well groomed and productive, but this year they took on the Farm House exterior too!

The group re-designed the beds around the entrances to the Farm House and put in beautiful evergreen plantings.

 

The Kitchen Garden was conceived, designed and is maintained by members of the Chartwell Garden Club. The Chartwell Garden Club has given financial support to this effort and the group was able to obtain a small grant from the County. The Friends of Kinder Farm Park has been providing financial support for the last three years.

 The six Kitchen Garden volunteers not only provide their time and labor, but give of their own financial resources when needed to keep the garden flourishing.

ANTIQUE SAWMILL CLUB

The Sawmill Club has been very busy the past year. They have been making lumber from donated logs, and using the lumber to improve the park.

Projects completed were as follows:

·   Built Market Sheep run-in shed. (Helped by 4H fathers)

·   Built new shed for the goats.

·   Constructed a new Hay Wagon for Hay Wagon rides.

·   Built a display case for the tools in the Tobacco Barn.

·   Selected and stored the best lumber for future use in the new Kinder Farm Park Visitor’s Center.

·   Milled several white cedar logs to be used for birdhouses. Some of the cedar lumber was donated to Ft. Smallwood Park and was used to make birdhouses for a special group’s awards.

The club usually meets on Wednesday morning at 9:00 and finishes around lunch. Sometimes they have a picnic lunch at the park. New Members are always welcome.

 Please contact the Park Office for details 410-222-6115.

 

ANTIQUE TRACTOR CLUB

QUILTERS GUILD

 

At our monthly meetings each person brings their own projects.  If someone needs help, we all pitch in and assist.  We have various skill levels in a variety of techniques.  We welcome visitors and new members.  Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM at the JC Building in Kinder Farm Park.

BLACKSMITH GUILD

The Chesapeake Forge blacksmith guild at Kinder Farm Park is a 1930’s-era working forge that employs traditional blacksmithing techniques and tools.

The Guild meets every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m., at which time members are free to work on any project of their choosing.

Experience levels vary and there are several veteran blacksmiths always on hand to help guide an amateur hammer.

While there are many fundamental techniques and practices, there is rarely only one way to complete a blacksmithing project. This typically leads to group discussions on how to approach a piece of work, experimentation and an open and lively exchange on guild nights.

Problem solving is one of the blacksmith’s key attributes. New members are expected to attend an Introduction to Blacksmithing class. The class is held on occasional Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the forge. Advanced registration is required for the class.

During the class the person becomes a guild member, gets right to work, learning proper fire-building methods, various safety measures and basic blacksmithing blows. Newcomers will walk away with a completed project in hand, whether a fireplace poker, coat hook or some other basic project they wish to tackle.

The guild also has a Web site at www.chesapeakeforge.org that is regularly updated and features photos of the guild at work, information about the forge and even links to interesting blacksmithing sites.

 

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

As a membership benefit, on July 27, 2009 the Friends Group hosted a Behind the Scenes Tour of Kinder Farm Park.  The evening started with a livestock showcase and judging arena for 4-H members to display and talk about their animal projects.  With the use of our new PA system, the children were given the opportunity to develop public speaking skills as well as show off their projects. 

The Quilters Guild club then displayed their beautiful work and talked about the projects they do for the community.  Their handy work is to be commended.

Next, the Kitchen Gardeners Club gave a very interesting tour of the garden with its ripe tomatoes and onions tempting our taste buds.  The garden is meticulously cared for by volunteers-not a weed on site! 

The group then hopped in the hay wagon for a short ride to the top of the hill, where they met the blacksmiths. 

As every Monday, the Blacksmith club was in full swing working on various projects and perfecting the skill of this old world tradition. 

Paul Wiedorn gave an informative talk while Charles “Mike” Smith worked at the forge. Many in the tour group were able to feel just how heavy those hammers are!

The Blacksmith Barn is a beauty in itself.  The barn is made without the use of nails, and is truly one of Kinder Farm Park’s hidden treasures. 

You will find another hidden treasure among the light dusting of sawdust and the buzz of saws. The fully functioning sawmill is manned by some of the nicest guys around. 

This time honored skill is enjoyed and perfected by the Antique Sawmill Club, which meets every Wednesday morning.  They are an integral part of building things the park may need.  It is worth the trip to watch these guys in action. 

Our event ended with a wonderful hayride provided by the Antique Tractor Club.  This group of dedicated individuals is ready and willing to give their time, so members could enjoy a good old-fashioned hayride. 

 The tractors are showcased for the public to see around the farm, and they do a good job of keeping them functioning throughout the year for different events.  All these clubs with their time-honored skills, traditions, passions, and dreams provide a sparkling foundation to what makes Kinder Farm Park a true gem of Anne Arundel County.

2009 Fall Harvest Festival

The annual Fall Harvest Festival is fast approaching.  It is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  This year, we have added more of everything; games, crafts, demonstrations, entertainment and food vendors.

Each year, our goal is to improve upon the previous year and add some new and exciting activities that will provide a fun and safe way to spend day with your family at the park.

 

Several thousand people attend this event each year and it is the major fundraiser for the Friends of Kinder Farm Park. Monies raised from this event will help provide furnishings for the new Visitor Center. Nearly 300 volunteers are needed to assist with children's games and crafts, to sell sodas, popcorn and tickets, to assist with hayrides and many other important jobs. It‘s not too late to signup, even if just for a few hours.

Volunteers have preferred parking, lunch is provided, and there will be a pizza party at the end of the day. We want all Volunteers to have fun and to know how much we appreciate them!  This year, the Antique Tractor Club will give hayrides at the end of the day for our Volunteers.

If you can help, please call the park office at 410-222-6115.

Come and spend a gorgeous fall day at Kinder Farm Park enjoying the Fall Harvest Festival, October 10th from 10-4.  Don't miss it!

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Friends of Kinder Farm Park works with other groups such as the Boy Scouts, Schools, Garden Clubs and Community organizations that neighbor the park to improve and care for Kinder Farm Park.

The Wild Bird Center, of Severna Park, joins with the Friends Group to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the natural wonders found throughout the Park. Michael & Carol Moore, owners of the store, give a 15% discount to Friends of Kinder Farm Park when they present their membership card.

We also thank the Fox Network for the tremendous support to our Free Friday Flicks program over the past years.

AROUND THE MEMBERS’ CRACKER BARREL

Interested in becoming a Friend of Kinder Farm Park?  By being a Friend, you can help us make the park more useful and friendly for our community, and serve as an educational resource on farm life in Anne Arundel County in the 1930s.  Members are welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and express their views for future projects and activities.

NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Date: November 11th at 6:30 PM
Place: Kinder Farm Park Comfort Station

There are a number of benefits to membership, above all the knowledge that you are supporting Kinder Farm Park and its many programs that are critical to the community and environment.

Another benefit is the opportunity to help determine the future of Kinder Farm Park (Your point of view is important to us!)  It is also a good way to stay up-to-date on new developments that affect Kinder Farm Park and the professionals who provide Kinder Farm Park services, especially as we anticipate the construction of a Visitor’s Center.

Members also receive messages announcing animal births at the farm. Member-only supervised barn tours to meet the newborn animals are being considered for next year.

Look for the Friends Booth at the Fall Harvest Festival!  Members, including those who join at that time, will be able to purchase activity tickets there to avoid possibly longer lines at other ticket booths and will be given coupons for free popcorn that day. Members receive personal invitations to the Friends’ annual events such as a Spring Hoedown, the Free Friday Night Flicks, Fall Festival, Speaker Series events, and a Jingle Bell Sleigh-Ride.

Annual dues for 2009 are $10/individual and $15/family (all related persons in the same household).  To join, send your dues along with your [1] name(s), [2] postal address, [3] telephone number, and [4] any email address(es) you wish us to use.  (We do not provide member contact information to others, nor do we bother you with phone calls unless the situation were urgent for some reason such as a late change in an activity for which you were registered. We actively endeavor to protect the privacy of your contact information.)  If you have email, that is the most time effective way we can supply you with information. Make checks payable to “Friends of Kinder Farm Park, Inc.”

You can get more information and/or send your membership via the park office at Friends of Kinder Farm Park, Inc., Membership, 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road, Millersville, Maryland 21108.  Contributions are also accepted.