Five Mile House Foundation

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Five Mile House Fall Festival (October 5 & 6)
The 2024 Fall Festival at Five Mile House was a weather-perfect event! Warm, sunny breezes served pleasant conditions both days. Saturday blacksmiths gathered, hammered, demonstrated and informed all who asked about their doings.
At 4:00 Barn Dance enthusiasts gathered to dosie-doe to the music of Motherlode and the instructions of Ruth Reigel. An 8-person, 4-square came together and made the barn rafters ring.
Then the dancers and audience retired to the bonfire site, skillfully tended by Larry Stephens, to roast hotdogs. Yum! Yum! Potato chips and several delicious varieties of cookies enriched the menu!
Sunday, vendors, demonstrators, food concessionaires came together to serve visitors from 1:00 until 4:30. The parking lot attendants, Ray Padovan, Jim Coleman, and shuttle driver, Dick Hummel shepherded cars in and out of the yard and to the remote parking site without incident.
Sign-in ladies Carolyn LaGrange, Linda Knifely, and a friend faithfully recorded over 100 visitors during the afternoon!
Motherlode filled the air with music 1-2:30. Andrew the Magician amazed, befuddled, and delighted his audience from 2:30-3:30. Aaron Hacker demonstrated apple cider-making, sharing samples to delighted onlookers. Joy Schlesselman and Mary Gebke demonstrated apple peeling with an amusing mechanical apple corer/ slicer/peeler. Eric Gray conducted a candle-dipping event for children (young and not-so). Brian Karrick operated the rope-making machine.
Lynne Padovan conducted tours of the historical 5MH for numerous visitors, much to her satisfaction! Barb Brayfield demonstrated processing herbs and drying foodstuffs for the winter in the manner of pioneer times. Barb Dyer once again brought for sale her fascinating products of the craft of Scherenschnitte (silhouette cutting). Jenna Cahoon and Evelyn Bell (an EIU student volunteer) assisted visitors with creating a rag ball whatsamacallit!
The Clark County Historical Society displayed an array of local artifacts collected across the years, including Native American arrowheads.
Local vendors displayed farm-fresh veggies, blacksmith-created art, and artistic old photos.
The 5MH spinners and weavers demonstrated the pioneer crafts of spinning threads to weave into clothing and other used for cloth. They also conducted the drawing of the winning ticket for their multi-material Afghan contributed for the benefit of 5MH programs. The son of cider-maker Aaron Hacker did the honors of drawing the winning ticket containing the name of Levi Yoder. The raffle ticket sales totaled $ 336.00. Thanks to all who supported this wonderful hand-crafted fund-raising project!
The food wagon pleased visitors as always with its caramel corn bags and flavored shaved-ice cones (among other tasty delights)
Darin (Soul Fire Arts) conducted the festival’s tradition of wood branding for children, young and old.
Blacksmithing demonstrations were delivered by a traveling team of hammer-and-tong wielders.
Giuliana Dongu managed the newly painted gift wagon, as its offerings of hand-crafted items drew visitors and opened their pocketbooks both days of the Festival.
Tom Vance demonstrated the delicious chore of butter churning, inviting and attracting many visitors to sample the results with tasty crackers.
Clark Blitz hosted visitors wanting to play the pioneer games we offer to all open-house attendees. Croquet, quoits, graces, pigs-in-clover are the favorites!
Kathy Hummel roamed the grounds, taking pictures of activities, smoothing out gliches in ongoing routines, answering questions, and generally making herself invaluable!
Valerie Boroughs and her husband, Brian, assisted in numerous ways, most significantly at the end of the Festival, when equipment needed to be put away. The sun canopies, tables, gift wagon, etc. would not deliver themselves to their resting places!
Tom Vance, of course, is the grand wizard of all events, arriving first and leaving last, only after all is order!
There are “saints” among us, for sure!! May they never expire!
This gala event concludes the 2024 season, but we're already planning the music and informative historical lectures beginning in May 2025. Stay tuned!
****If any of you reading this have ideas for programs, please let us know by replying to this email.
****If you live in the vicinity of the 5 Mile House and are tempted to join our merry band of volunteers, simply reply to this email, telling what you might enjoy doing. We have lots of fun pulling together to perpetuate history!¬

Colin St. Michael and I have been playing music together since about 2007 and at some point, adopted the name TomColins. We recently added a drummer, Brian Karrick, which has taken TomColins to a whole new level. The New TomColins will make its debut this Saturday, Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m. at Jackson Avenue Coffee in Charleston. It will be "Classic songs, bad jokes, and good times!" so come join us for a fun evening.

August 17, 2024 E.I.U. JumpStart student volunteer day at 5MH
Saturday, August 17, 2024 Five Mile House had the pleasure of hosting 17 Freshman student volunteers from the EIU JumpStart Program. They were met by Five Mile House foundation members Tom Vance, Giuliana Dongu, Larry Stephens, Kathy Lynch, Brian Karrick, Kathy Hummel, Dick Hummel, Barb Brayfield, and Clark Blitz.
The 17 student volunteers willingly broke up into work task assignments, including painting the gift wagon wheel spokes, vacuuming and straightening the barn, weeding/mulching the butterfly garden, hauling, splitting and stacking wood, scraping and staining the bathroom building. Whew!
All missions accomplished with time to spare for lunches, cookies and engagement with 5MH 19th century yard games. The volunteers and supervisors gathered for a group portrait on the historic site porch just before they departed by bus.
They were fantastic helpers and their young bodies accomplished in 2 hours what would have taken us old fogeys 2 weeks to do! Thank you, EIU for loaning them to us! We all love it when a plan comes together!

August 18, 2024 5 Mile House Open House Announcement
October 5th and 6th Fall Festival.

What happened Sunday afternoon 1-4, August 18, 2024 will be the final open house at Five Mile House for 2024.
At 1:00 representatives of the Charleston Historic Preservation Committee, Kit Morice and Nora Pat Small will be on hand to discuss and show examples of “Architectural Styles in the Charleston Historic District.” At 2:30 We Ain’t Misbehavin’ will entertain visitors with their program of jazz and swing music from the 1920s and 30s. Children’s yard games, blacksmiths, spinners, and the gift wagon will be on hand to greet visitors. Five Mile House is located at the intersection of Illinois 130 S and Westfield Road.
Upcoming: Mark your calendars for the Five Mile House Fall Festivities on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9th.
On Saturday, there will be blacksmithing demonstrations 10-4:00 followed by a barn dance, accompanied by Motherlode, with a bonfire and we**ie roast afterward.
On Sunday from 1-4:00, Amazing Andrew the magician will perform magic tricks. Motherlode will entertain with their toe-tapping music. There will be demonstrations of food preservation, spinning and weaving, farm animal petting zoo, rope making, clay marble making, cider pressing, handmade soap, honey, blacksmithing, scherenschnitte (silhouette scissor cutting), candle dipping, pumpkins and gourds for sale, old-fashioned games to play. A concessions truck will provide various foods for purchase and the 5 Mile House peddler's wagon is stocked with wonderful handmade items for purchase.

We hope to see you there!

25 years ago, 1999

CHARLESTON — A local group has raised enough money to buy the Five Mile House, and is planning an event for Sept. 25 to help raise funds to renovate the 163-year-old Coles County landmark. Since September 1998, the Save the Five Mile House Committee had been raising the $50,000 needed to buy the landmark, the home just north of it, and the 1.3 acre lot on which they stand. The property owner had given the committee until September 1999 to raise the money. Committee member Dan Thornburgh said the committee wanted to thank everyone inside and outside of Coles County who supported the purchase of the Five Mile House, built in 1836. The Charleston Charitable Foundation pledged $25,000 in matching funds to the effort. Thornburgh said members of the Rennels family, many of whom grew up around the Five Mile House in Hutton Township, gave about $10,000 to the effort...

8.4.24 -What Happened at the Five Mile House?
Five Mile House hosted its sixth open house of the summer at the historic site located at the intersection of IL 130 S. and Westfield Road. The weatherman failed to divert the toasty temperatures and high humidity. The fans in the barn, however, kept visitors relatively cool as the presentation and music progressed
At 1:00 Tom Vance began the afternoon with his presentation on “women’s clothing of the mid-19th century.” Assisted by Lynne Padovan, he opened with the 1830s and the Empire style dresses. Examples on the large screen and physical examples of this and the other periods greatly informed the audience. Tom explained details of hand stitching styles, textile variation in each of the clothing periods: 1830s, 184os, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s. The audience peppered him with questions! Tom explained that he became interested in period clothing during his directorship at Lincoln Log Cabin Park. He and his park associates began studying and producing historically accurate period clothing. Sharing their examples inspired other living history sites to initiate parallel clothing programs.
At 2:30 Mackville shared their specialties of country, folk, and gospel music. The group consists of five male instrumentalists, including violin, mandolin, standup bass violin, guitar, and banjo. A female vocalist added to the musical varieties delivered by the group.
In the yard, outside the barn, visitors met the 5MH
spinners, demonstrating blacksmiths, and were able to shop at the gift wagon. Cookies and cold drinks refreshed visitors!
Sunday, August 18, 2024 will be the seventh and last open house at Five Mile House for 2024. At 1:00 representatives of the Charleston Historic Preservation Committee with talk about “Architectural Styles in the Charleston Historic District.” At 2:30 We Ain’t Misbehavin’ will entertain visitors with their program of jazz and swing music from the 1920s and 30s. Children’s yard games, blacksmiths, spinners, and the gift wagon will be on hand to greet visitors. We hope to see you there!

BUT WAIT!!! THERE'S MORE TO COME!
Mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday October 5th and 6th when our Fabulous Free Family Fun Fall Festival will occur.
See the details at the end of the summer schedule attachment to this newsletter.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FIVE MILE HOUSE 7.21.24?
Sunday afternoon, July 21, 1-4 p.m. Five Mile House offered its fifth open house at the historic site at the intersection of Illinois 130 south and Westfield Road. The weather was cooler than previous Sundays and the fans in the barn served admirably!
At 1:00 Gary Foster presented a program on “Marbles.” He quickly explained that he was talking about adult marble games, tournaments, and players. He discovered by chance in Tennessee an adult marble playing champion who, with a partner, played 2500 games a year for ten years! The man’s name was Dumas Ward Walker. The recounting of his championship career, his 20’X40’ manicured “marble yard” at his place of business and his business of marble-making stimulated Foster’s audience to launch an avalanche of questions. Fascinating stuff. Five Mile House volunteers created a small replica marble yard next to the barn and several visitors took the opportunity to “knuckle down” and “toe the line” as they inaugurated the game on the site.
Motherlode took the stage next and serenaded a large audience of their loyal fans for almost 2 hours. Their music energized several audience members to move from their chairs and commence dancing. Multiple times!
The historic site was especially generous in providing displays and activities of wide appeal. Guiliana Dongu hosted visitors at the 5MH gift wagon. Clark Blitz guided numerous children to explore the variety of historic yard games collected for visitor recreation. One enthusiastic young lady persisted in working her way through all of the games on offer.
Fifteen spinners/weavers attended with their displays of a wide variety of spinning wheels. One spinner brought along her Angora rabbits, “Bunny” and “Tom” and demonstrated the processes of harvesting their fur to be spun into soft, soft yarn.
Brian Karrick guided several young visitors through the process of the “rope walk,” resulting in a completed jump rope. Brian and Don Drake also demonstrated blacksmithing techniques with the portable forges.
Cheryl Hawker delighted visitors with her demonstration of wooden spoon carving procedures AND samples of home-made rhubarb pie. The back porch of the historic house was a popular destination!
Two young gardeners helped spread lamb's ear seeds on bare spots in the butterfly garden
The crowd of visitors, including children, was the largest so far this summer. Mild weather certainly encouraged attendance!
UPCOMING: During the next open house, Sunday August 4, Tom Vance will open the afternoon at 1:00 with his presentation on “women’s clothing of the mid-19th century.” At 2:30 Mackville will share their specialties of country, folk, and gospel music.
All the additional expected activities will be available: spinners, blacksmiths, the gift wagon, vendors. Childrens’ games will be offered: crochet, quoits, “pigs-in-clover” and rope making. See the complete list of activities in the attachment. Do join us!

Fun things to do while you're at the 5 Mile House:
☆Listen to the interesting historical topic presented by our fascinating speakers.
☆Tap your toes or dance to the beat of a great local band.
☆ Snack on o the cookies and lemonade or ice water.
☆ Help churn a batch of butter with an antique butter churn. (random weekends)
☆ Tour the 180-year-old house.
☆ Walk the paths and commune with the native plants in the butterfly/pollinator garden in the front yard of the house.
☆ Chat with the 5MH spinners and weavers and watch them “doing their thing”. They love to explain to visitors about what they are doing and might even encourage you to take a turn at the wheel.
☆ Purchase tickets for a chance to win the unique hand-made afghan the spinner's group created and donated to the 5 Mile House for a fund-raiser. The winning ticket will be drawn at our October 6th Fall Festival. Only $1 each or 6 for $5.
☆ Sign up to honor someone you admire with a personalized commemorative brick for our barn patio for $100.
☆ Yack with the blacksmiths while they demonstrate their metal-shaping skills.
☆ Create a rope with our antique rope-making machines, then practice your roping skills on our bulls head.
☆ Play historic yard games which are always ready for you and your family to have fun playing with. One of our volunteers is standing by to get you started.
☆ Check out the wares the vendors are selling.
☆ Purchase a gift for yourself or a friend from the Five Mile House gift wagon's selection of unique, handmade items.
☆ Inquire of one of the volunteers wearing a nametag how your might join this merry group of volunteers! We're fun to work with!
☆ Do you or a friend have an historical topic you'd like to present to an audience at 5 Mile House? Talk to one of us about that!
☆ Come one, come all!

To purchase raffle tickets remotely:
Send cash or check made out to Five Mile House Foundation with "Afghan Raffle" in the memo line. We will fill out your raffle tickets for you and notify you that they have been entered into the drawing box. Please include your email for this notification.
If you are the lucky winner on October 6, we will ship it to you.

Send money to
PO Box 114,
Charleston, IL
61920




A vendor's fair!!
The 5 Mile House is offering an extra element of fun during the Sunday events. We're looking for vendors offering vintage and antique items and unique handmade crafts to sell. At this time, there is no participation fee to vendors and no admission fee for attendees. We will be outside on the lawn, so plan cover accordingly.
If you're a vendor and would like to participate, please text or phone 217-549-9942 for more information.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to a friend who might be interested.

Help other people learn about Five Mile House when you Like and Share our page https://www.facebook.com/5MileHouseFoundation/.
Also check out our website at www.fivemilehouse.org

THE WEIU-TV VIDEO ABOUT THE 5 MILE HOUSE BARN DEDICATION!!
https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pA6P8NC13o

Fun things to do while you're at the 5 Mile House:
☆ The 180-year-old house is open for tours.
☆ The butterfly/pollinator garden on the front corner welcomes you to walk the mulched paths and commune with the native plants.
☆ The 5MH spinners and weavers will be “doing their thing”. They love to talk to visitors about what they are doing and might even encourage you to take a turn at the wheel.
☆ Blacksmiths will be demonstrating their skills.
☆ You can create your own jump rope using our antique rope-making machine. (There is a small charge for this activity.)
☆ Our collection of historic yard games are always ready for you and your family to have fun playing with them.
☆Visiting vendors will be present displaying their wares.
☆The Five Mile House gift wagon will be open for you to purchase unique, handmade items.
☆Come one, come all!

See the summer schedule
below!

Five Mile House Five Mile House, Charleston, Illinois, is the oldest house in Coles County. The original brick house was built in the 1840s and a kitchen ell addition was added in the 1860s. An 1880s barn has recently been added to the site. Summer living history activities take place every other Sunday and the Fal

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FIVE MILE HOUSE 7.21.24?
Sunday afternoon, July 21, 1-4 p.m. Five Mile House offered its fifth open house at the historic site at the intersection of Illinois 130 south and Westfield Road. The weather was cooler than previous Sundays and the fans in the barn served admirably!
At 1:00 Gary Foster presented a program on “Marbles.” He quickly explained that he was talking about adult marble games, tournaments, and players. He discovered by chance in Tennessee an adult marble playing champion who, with a partner, played 2500 games a year for ten years! The man’s name was Dumas Ward Walker. The recounting of his championship career, his 20’X40’ manicured “marble yard” at his place of business and his business of marble-making stimulated Foster’s audience to launch an avalanche of questions. Fascinating stuff. Five Mile House volunteers created a small replica marble yard next to the barn and several visitors took the opportunity to “knuckle down” and “toe the line” as they inaugurated the game on the site.
Motherlode took the stage next and serenaded a large audience of their loyal fans for almost 2 hours. Their music energized several audience members to move from their chairs and commence dancing. Multiple times!
The historic site was especially generous in providing displays and activities of wide appeal. Guiliana Dongu hosted visitors at the 5MH gift wagon. Clark Blitz guided numerous children to explore the variety of historic yard games collected for visitor recreation. One enthusiastic young lady persisted in working her way through all of the games on offer.
Fifteen spinners/weavers attended with their displays of a wide variety of spinning wheels. One spinner brought along her Angora rabbits, “Bunny” and “Tom” and demonstrated the processes of harvesting their fur to be spun into soft, soft yarn.
Brian Karrick guided several young visitors through the process of the “rope walk,” resulting in a completed jump rope. Brian and Don Drake also demonstrated blacksmithing techniques with the portable forges.
Cheryl Hawker delighted visitors with her demonstration of wooden spoon carving procedures AND samples of home-made rhubarb pie. The back porch of the historic house was a popular destination!
Two young gardeners helped spread lamb's ear seeds on bare spots in the butterfly garden
The crowd of visitors, including children, was the largest so far this summer. Mild weather certainly encouraged attendance!
UPCOMING: During the next open house, Sunday August 4, Tom Vance will open the afternoon at 1:00 with his presentation on “women’s clothing of the mid-19th century.” At 2:30 Mackville will share their specialties of country, folk, and gospel music.
All the additional expected activities will be available: spinners, blacksmiths, the gift wagon, vendors. Childrens’ games will be offered: crochet, quoits, “pigs-in-clover” and rope making. See the complete list of activities in the attachment. Do join us!

June 23, 2024 What Happened at the Five Mile House ?
☆☆ Sunday afternoon presented a toasty temperature and high humidity to open house visitors. However, the site volunteers positioned fans in the barn that effectively canceled the unpleasant outside conditions. Activities in the back yard proceeded under portable awnings or the shade of maple trees.
A goodly number of visitors attended the World Premiere of Ann Bruehler’s original solo drama, "Survivors of the 1871 Chicago Fire”. She presented the voices of 10 survivors of the Fire, describing their individual ordeals. Six men and four women appeared sequentially before us and told their stories: a mayor, newspaper reporter, fire department member, Mrs. O’Leary, accused of originating the fire, and Mary Lincoln were among the ten. Each story was gripping and illuminating as to the terrors and hopelessness experienced by the witnesses. Extraordinary!
☆☆ At 2:30 the music group Wild Columbine shared their program of traditional Irish and other Anglo-Saxon music from the 17th-19th centuries. Two members from Springfield, Il were joined by two from Charleston to fill the barn with the sweet tones of two beautiful violins, a guitar, a lap dulcimer and a hammer dulcimer. The audience was not ready to leave at the end of their session!
☆ The 5MH spinners and weavers did their thing, talking to visitors about the variety of spinning wheels they were operating and the unique fibers being spun.
☆Raffle tickets were on sale for the lovely hand-made Afghan generously donated by the spinners. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Fall Festival October 6. See instructions attached to this email about how to purchase your tickets.
☆ Three blacksmiths demonstrated their skills.
☆The historic yard games attracted parents and children. One father-son duo stepped up and demonstrated what they had learned about quoits to other visitors. “Each one teach one” was on display!
☆The Five Mile House gift wagon and Giuliana Dongu offered opportunities to visitors to purchase unique, handmade items.
☆Barb Brayfield demonstrated the processing and preservation of herbs growing on site.
☆ Cheryl Hawker offered samples of her fresh-baked goose berry pie to visitors. Cheryl also demonstrated the skill of sock darning from the back porch of the historic house.
☆ Several new vendors displayed their wares to visitors.
UPCOMING JULY 7
At 1:00 Barb Brayfield will present a program on “Native American Plants and Traditional Herbs.”
At 2:30 the music group Big Spike Hammer will entertain visitors with traditional bluegrass music.
All the usual suspects will be on hand: blacksmiths, spinners/weavers, yard games demonstrations, vendors, etc.
The cicadas are back underground for another 17 years; the barn “air-conditioning” has passed its trial period; admission/participation to our activities is free. What’s not to love?
June 23, 2024 What Happened at the Five Mile House ?
☆☆ Sunday afternoon presented a toasty temperature and high humidity to open house visitors. However, the site volunteers positioned fans in the barn that effectively canceled the unpleasant outside conditions. Activities in the back yard proceeded under portable awnings or the shade of maple trees.
A goodly number of visitors attended the World Premiere of Ann Bruehler’s original solo drama, "Survivors of the 1871 Chicago Fire”. She presented the voices of 10 survivors of the Fire, describing their individual ordeals. Six men and four women appeared sequentially before us and told their stories: a mayor, newspaper reporter, fire department member, Mrs. O’Leary, accused of originating the fire, and Mary Lincoln were among the ten. Each story was gripping and illuminating as to the terrors and hopelessness experienced by the witnesses. Extraordinary!
☆☆ At 2:30 the music group Wild Columbine shared their program of traditional Irish and other Anglo-Saxon music from the 17th-19th centuries. Two members from Springfield, Il were joined by two from Charleston to fill the barn with the sweet tones of two beautiful violins, a guitar, a lap dulcimer and a hammer dulcimer. The audience was not ready to leave at the end of their session!
☆ The 5MH spinners and weavers did their thing, talking to visitors about the variety of spinning wheels they were operating and the unique fibers being spun.
☆Raffle tickets were on sale for the lovely hand-made Afghan generously donated by the spinners. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Fall Festival October 6. See instructions attached to this email about how to purchase your tickets.
☆ Three blacksmiths demonstrated their skills.
☆The historic yard games attracted parents and children. One father-son duo stepped up and demonstrated what they had learned about quoits to other visitors. “Each one teach one” was on display!
☆The Five Mile House gift wagon and Giuliana Dongu offered opportunities to visitors to purchase unique, handmade items.
☆Barb Brayfield demonstrated the processing and preservation of herbs growing on site.
☆ Cheryl Hawker offered samples of her fresh-baked goose berry pie to visitors. Cheryl also demonstrated the skill of sock darning from the back porch of the historic house.
☆ Several new vendors displayed their wares to visitors.
UPCOMING JULY 7
At 1:00 Barb Brayfield will present a program on “Native American Plants and Traditional Herbs.”
At 2:30 the music group Big Spike Hammer will entertain visitors with traditional bluegrass music.
All the usual suspects will be on hand: blacksmiths, spinners/weavers, yard games demonstrations, vendors, etc.
The cicadas are back underground for another 17 years; the barn “air-conditioning” has passed its trial period; admission/participation to our activities is free. What’s not to love?

June 23, 2024 What Happened at the Five Mile House ?
☆☆ Sunday afternoon presented a toasty temperature and high humidity to open house visitors. However, the site volunteers positioned fans in the barn that effectively canceled the unpleasant outside conditions. Activities in the back yard proceeded under portable awnings or the shade of maple trees.
A goodly number of visitors attended the World Premiere of Ann Bruehler’s original solo drama, "Survivors of the 1871 Chicago Fire”. She presented the voices of 10 survivors of the Fire, describing their individual ordeals. Six men and four women appeared sequentially before us and told their stories: a mayor, newspaper reporter, fire department member, Mrs. O’Leary, accused of originating the fire, and Mary Lincoln were among the ten. Each story was gripping and illuminating as to the terrors and hopelessness experienced by the witnesses. Extraordinary!
☆☆ At 2:30 the music group Wild Columbine shared their program of traditional Irish and other Anglo-Saxon music from the 17th-19th centuries. Two members from Springfield, Il were joined by two from Charleston to fill the barn with the sweet tones of two beautiful violins, a guitar, a lap dulcimer and a hammer dulcimer. The audience was not ready to leave at the end of their session!
☆ The 5MH spinners and weavers did their thing, talking to visitors about the variety of spinning wheels they were operating and the unique fibers being spun.
☆Raffle tickets were on sale for the lovely hand-made Afghan generously donated by the spinners. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Fall Festival October 6. See instructions attached to this email about how to purchase your tickets.
☆ Three blacksmiths demonstrated their skills.
☆The historic yard games attracted parents and children. One father-son duo stepped up and demonstrated what they had learned about quoits to other visitors. “Each one teach one” was on display!
☆The Five Mile House gift wagon and Giuliana Dongu offered opportunities to visitors to purchase unique, handmade items.
☆Barb Brayfield demonstrated the processing and preservation of herbs growing on site.
☆ Cheryl Hawker offered samples of her fresh-baked goose berry pie to visitors. Cheryl also demonstrated the skill of sock darning from the back porch of the historic house.
☆ Several new vendors displayed their wares to visitors.
UPCOMING JULY 7
At 1:00 Barb Brayfield will present a program on “Native American Plants and Traditional Herbs.”
At 2:30 the music group Big Spike Hammer will entertain visitors with traditional bluegrass music.
All the usual suspects will be on hand: blacksmiths, spinners/weavers, yard games demonstrations, vendors, etc.
The cicadas are back underground for another 17 years; the barn “air-conditioning” has passed its trial period; admission/participation to our activities is free. What’s not to love?