Autumn Newsletter| Schumacher Farm Park
November,  2016
  

Reminiscing about 2016, as your president I am so encouraged and thankful for the opportunity to have witnessed and seen the results of volunteers that worked to make Schumacher farm a truly unique and wonderful park to visit.   You helped us each time you volunteered to prepare for at an event; acted as a docent; attended an event/workshop; worked in the gardens or onsite; worked on the prairie: cleaned the farm house; told your friends and neighbors about the Park; or, were involved in many other ways.   THANK YOU!
 
We enjoyed the many wonderful civic, church, social, school and youth groups who volunteered to help improve the farm and care for the Park's historical environment.  The opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful people is truly heartwarming.   THANK YOU!
 
The Friends of Schumacher Farm, Inc. consists of numerous committees and is led by a nine person board of directors.  The members of these committees and board are all volunteers - and together volunteer thousands of hours to the benefit of the park.  They volunteer with the conviction that, together with an inspired community, Schumacher Farm Park will bring to life its potential as a living history center - the Center for Rural History and Farm Machinery Museum. 



Capital Campaign Update












We have a great start - with continued progress - on the Friends of Schumacher Farm effort to raise capital for needed expansion.  Our Capital Campaign objective is to raise $725,000 to complete work on two components - a Center for Rural History and a Farm Machinery Museum. 
 
So far, cash and pledges total about $465,000 - or 64% of our campaign goal.  It is exciting and rewarding to see the tremendous response so far!  About 140 individuals, businesses, service clubs, foundations and government entities have joined in this effort!  The campaign is only slightly over one year old.  Many donors are making multiple donations to the campaign.  You and they are making a difference!
 
While the Center for Rural History will be the first of the two components to be completed, the Farm Machinery Museum is equally important to the Farm.  Pending budget approval, the Dane County Parks Division is expected to proceed with the necessary site work for common elements to both components next Spring/Summer, with interior construction of the Center (Red Barn) to commence very soon thereafter.  Development of detail plans for the Farm Machinery Museum are planned as soon as our capital campaign reaches its goal.

A s you reflect on your year-end financial planning, please remember that contributions to the Friends of Schumacher Farm, Inc. are tax deductible.  Consider Friends in your will and estate plan.
 

Click here to review our capital campaign brochure or find a downloadable campaign pledge form on our Capital Campaign webpage.  Consider a pledge to bring your total campaign contributions up to the next level of recognition!

Special Offers that Benefit the Farm and YOU!

Two local businesses have made special offers to benefit Schumacher Farm's Capital Campaign and we're so grateful:

First Weber Foundation will match donations up to $250 maximum per individual (spouses can write individual checks up to that amount) up to a total of $3,500 in 2016.  Your checks must be made out to First Weber Foundation for at least $50 and no more than $250.   Send your matching checks to Schumacher Farm Park, 5682 Hwy 19, Waunakee  WI  53597  by December 14, 2016.

Holiday Giving just got better!  As the holidays near and you're prepping your home for those incoming guests with new carpet or a beautiful floor, reach out to Majestic Floors at 229 S. Century Ave., Waunakee, for the perfect solution to your flooring needs.  2% of the value of your purchase will graciously be donated to our Capital Campaign.  Call Majestic Floors today @ 608 850-7109 to schedule a consultation or just drop by.  Vic & Michelle look forward to your visit.  Don't forget to mention Schumacher Farm Park to keep on giving!  
Dane County & Schumacher Farm Press Conference

Photo courtesy of The Waunakee Tribune,
 photographer Roger Hamilton



On October 21st, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi held a press conference at Schumacher Farm Park to announce his intention to include money to upgrade the driveway upgrade, blacktop the parking lot and manage water retention in his 2017 budget.  Dane County Parks staff, and CE Parisi felt these additional site improvements would serve a broad population,thus, they are included in the current proposed Dane County budget. 

Since the accelerated site improvements were not in the initial Friends plan or capital campaign, the announcement of the county's $200,000 budget in support of the Farm  is separate from and in addition to our our current capital campaign.  The capital campaign goal remains $725,000.

Spooky Schumacher Fun
HALLOWEEN AT THE FARM
Photo courtesy of The Waunakee Tribune,
 photographer Roger Hamilton










We made it through yet another spooktacular Halloween Party and Haunted Hayrides event at the Farm! On October 22nd the farm came to life with over 900 guests and an abundance of ghoulish (and not so ghoulish) volunteers! These dedicated and talented volunteers provided the magical backdrop for this wonderful event and came together to bring thrills, chills and amusement to our distinguished guests. This single-day event brought visitors in droves and everyone had a great time. Many of our guests were so delighted they were hoping to come back the next day! This is something we will be considering for next year.  
 
Everyone worked together to create Halloween Family Night in our typical grand fashion! This success proves our volunteers and community truly enjoy this type of event. We want to make sure we can offer this widespread delight long into the future so please continue to support the volunteer efforts of the many events and projects at the Farm. See our future newsletters, visit our website and Facebook posts for more information on how you and your friends or family can join our team of volunteer warriors!
 
The generous sponsorships and donations helped us make this another night to remember and gave us true incentive for future events. Thank you everyone for your continued interest and support! 
 
OUR SPONSORS
 
Titanium

American Transmission Company
  
Silver

Kelley's Market
 
Town of Westport
 
Edward Jones
 
Thrivent Financial Services
  
Bronze

Edward Chuck Busby
 
Jim & Jean Elvekrog
 
H&R Carpets
 
Village of Waunakee
Special Thanks to...

 

Waunakee High School's Orchestra, Folk Band,HERO Club and Leo Club-for music, concessions and filling in where needed

 

American Legion Post 360 - for the ticket booth wagon

 

Spectrum Brands - for 300 flashlights

  

Trending Now - for 300 cloth bags


 

Village Center Staff - for games & activities

 

Rex's Innkeeper- Hot Chocolate mix

 

UPS Store #4409 - for printing our flyers

 

Waunakee Public Library - for Halloween storybooks

 

Treinen Farms - for the wagons

 

Mike Spahn - for wagon and tractor drivers

 

Boy Scout Troop #101 -for grave digging and preparation

 

American Family Volunteers - for decorating and preparation

 



Schumacher Farm's 24th annual 
HERITAGE FEST




2016 Heritage Fest was held on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon in September.  Visitors to the park were able to approach the farm yard via horse driven  wagons, watch our 1920s era farm machinery in action, participate in farm chores with the guidance of knowledgeable docents. 
 

It has always been our goal to create and teach through hands on opportunities during this special time.  This year was no exception as our guests were put to work washing clothes, drilling holes for carpentry work, shelling corn, weaving on the loom and so much more.

The newly added vendor area, music for young and old, refreshments and free corn on the cob all helped to create an old fashioned  afternoon enjoyed by all who attended.

Please plan on joining us in 2017 as we celebrate 25 years of our Heritage event.

PresLetter
President's Letter continued...

It is thrilling to note that the many ways you support Schumacher Farm Park - volunteering and financially - have had MAJOR impact on our future.  Our Capital Campaign has now reached 64% of its goal of $725,000 to fund the Center and Museum.  THANK YOU!  We are hopeful you will (again) review and renew your commitment to this historical Dane County flagship park this year-end.  Our Treasurer, Jim Elvekrog, CPA, includes campaign details elsewhere in this newsletter.
 
Your membership in Friends of Schumacher Farm indicates that you stand with us in pursuing the farm's future - where Dane County's heritage comes alive - through preservation, restoration and education.  Over 900 households will receive this newsletter - forward it to your friends!  If you are currently a Friends' member - THANK YOU for showing your enthusiasm for the Farm.  If you are not currently a member, please let us know how we can earn your expanded interest and confidence.  We welcome you!

Thank you,
Rosa Ropers
President 
Friends of Schumacher Farm



In This Issue
Quick Links
Fun at the Farm
Seeking Park Administrator

Be a part of our lasting legacy.  The Friends of Schumacher Farm Park currently is accepting applications for our Park Administrator.  This important role is responsible for coordinating and supporting various operations, services, programs, and activities for the Park.  The Park Administrator reports directly to the Friends of Schumacher Farm Park, working part time (approximately 20 hours per week) from the Park's onsite office.  

If you or someone you know is a self-starter who likes to work autonomously in a casual environment, we invite you to apply by submitting a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to  info@schumacherfarmpark.org .  Please provide salary requirements. Click here to read the complete Park Administrator job description.

Enjoy our Old Fashioned Christmas Teas 

You are invited to join us at the farm once again for our annual Christmas Tea hosted by Chef Steve Keip.  Join us and experience a menu that includes 3 courses of light holiday fare as you are welcomed into the 1906 farm house of Eva and Henry Schumacher.  You will be graciously entertained with readings, piano and clarinet music and an old fashioned Christmas sing along.

Chef Keip will host two events:  Saturday Dec. 3 at 4:00 PM and Sunday Dec. 4 at 1:00 PM.  The cost of the event is $12.00 for members and $15:00 for non-members.

As space is limited, please call the park office at 849-4559 or check the website for availability.
Volunteer Spotlight on  Bob Bennin

Our Friends of Schumacher Farm Park Board and staff realize that it is only with the help of our volunteers that our historical park will flourish and grow.  Many volunteers come and go throughout the seasons and years.  Those that come and stay, offer new ideas and implement them are very special to our organization.

One such volunteer has been with our park for many years.  Many of you know him as our Chief Chicken Wrangler who initiated the program several years ago.  Bob Bennin as head wrangler has organized a very successful program with diligence and care.  Each spring, Bob has a waiting list of volunteers that he trains to feed the chickens, collect the eggs and to let the chickens roam the farm grounds.  Yes, those chickens will go back into their enclosure when it is time, but the wranglers are taught the "tricks of the trade" by Bob.

Bob has been associated with Schumacher Farm for many years and has experience as one of our early board members.  This hard-working, mild mannered, and willing volunteer is greatly appreciated by all who know him.  We are truly grateful for Bob Bennin.


Photo provided by Jim Ableidinger

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

The Jim Ableidinger Family bought and donated a windmill to Friends of Schumacher Farm in 2014. Friends Jim Becker, Jim Koltes, & Jim Ableidinger have been working to restore it. Everything has been painted, and parts fixed or fabricated. The windmill is a steel Monitor 8' K-style (diameter of wind vane) that was manufactured by Baker Co. in Evansville, WI in the 1930's. At present the restorers are trying to locate some missing parts: vane spring, brake rod with spring, pulley system for brake, and more. If you or someone you know is knowledgeable about this type of windmill or a good place to get parts, the Friends could use your help. Call Jim Ableidinger at 608-576-7111. If all goes well, the plan is to install the windmill in the Spring/Summer of 2017. 

Photo provided by Jim Ableidinger
Farm Fixes & Future Plans

Friends of Schumacher Farm's Maintenance Man, Tim McConley, has worked on many projects this year. The major objective for 2016 was our granary. Tim restored the siding on the east side of the granary in 2015. This year Tim restored the front of the granary, including rebuilding a window &  front door. He finished about three-fourths of the west side and is in the process of finishing the rest. In addition to his many daily tasks around the farm, Tim also found time to build a wagon rack for a new hay ride wagon.
The major objective for 2017 will be to restore at least one side of the original Schumacher Farm Barn. Since the barn is original to the Farm, we are preserving its historic red and white coloring. Due to cost, the project may take up to 4 years to complete. Anyone interested in helping with this project by providing scaffolding, priming and/or painting the boards (while on saw horses), or doing some carpentry work, please contact the Friends Maintenance Chairman:
Jim Ableidinger (608-576-7111).

A pair of Sandhill Cranes rest behind the red barn.
All photos, except where credited to others, provided by Rona Neri-Bergmann of  Rona's Photography 

Schumacher Farm Park | (608) 849-4559 | schumacherfarm@gmail.com |