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Thank You for Visiting!

PRIVATE PRESENTATIONS

Private Presentations of the Thumb Octagon Barn, Purdy House and School House are available.
Arrangements may be made by calling (989) 665-0081.

Barn Yard Sale Lila Arroyo, Chair May 22, 23 and 24, 2009

There is a need for VOLUNTEERS to help out over the three days. Yes, we do have a lot of folks who step forward but as any event grows there is always a need for more help. We need people who would be willing to give us an hour or two here and there throughout our operating season. For the Barnyard Sale contact Lila Arroyo at 989-872-2658 to volunteer or to answer any questions. Look for the contact person in each of the other areas seeking VOLUNTEERS.

TEAS IN THE PURDY HOME Judi Hass, Chair

Judi has planned three TEAS in the Purdy Home this summer. The first LADIES TEA will be held on June 21, 2008 at 11:30 AM at the Home of James & Cora Purdy. The cost is $8.00 and Judi points out that this will be like an English Tea where much more is served than just tea. She is planning on only 24 guests and it will be by reservation only. She has set June 16 as the deadline for reservation. Judi has identified Weddings as her theme and is looking for period wedding dresses and photos. Contact Judi at 989-872-3780 for reservations or if you have something that you could bring to display. If she doesn’t pick up she asks that you leave a message complete with name and phone number.

Judi has set the following dates for future TEAS, Saturday,July 19th and Saturday, August 16th. So mark your calendars to enjoy TEA with Judi in Mrs. Purdy’s lovely home. They’d be so happy to have you.

ANNUAL MEETING DINNER/AUCTION V.F.W. Hall April 19, 2008 in Cass City, MI Duaine & Marilyn Phillips, Co-Chairs 2009 date not available

Social Hour: 5:00 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm

The date of our Annual Meeting is Saturday, April 19, 2008 once again at the V.F.W. Hall in Cass City. This facility works so well as there is plenty of room to accommodate our crowd for the dinner while still providing ample room for displaying the auction items for both the silent and traditional auction. The evening will begin with a Social Hour at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. prepared by Erla’s Food Center of Cass City. Then we will have a short business meeting including election of officers, a look back at our accomplishments in 2007 and most importantly a look forward to our goals for 2008.

Then it’s time for the fun to begin with our Benefit Auction. We again ask that you select only one or two items to bring for the auction as this worked beautifully last year. The evening wasn’t as long and we even made more money than in the past. Auction items can be new or used in saleable condition and can include antiques, humorous items, baked goods, crafts and items for everyday use. Please bring your auction items with you on the night of our Annual Meeting, Banquet and Benefit Auction, April 19. Marty & Dave Osentoski will once again be our auctioneers.

The deadline for returning a reservation form is April 12, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact the Phillips at 989-665-0024 or email at dhpmkp@airadv.net.

School Tours - Diane Rapson Gabil, Chair Wednesday, May 6th, Thursday, May 7th, and Friday, May 8th, 2009.

By appointment only - Teachers, may sign up now.

Sign up now for Thumb Octagon Barn School Tours 2009 that is scheduled for Wednesday May 6th, Thursday May 7th & Friday May 8th. To sign up check out our web site at www.thumboctagonbarm.org under events or contact Diane Rapson Gabil, School Tours Chairperson, at drapsongabil@chartermi.net or call 989-892-3105.

Children having fun at the Barn

Children learning at the Barn

IT'S FALL FAMILY DAYS 2008!

Beginning at 4:00 pm on Friday September 5 with a fish dinner
and runs Saturday and Sunday September 6 and 7

Please help by not bringing your pet(s) to Fall Family Days

Regulations do not permit them on the show grounds

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

Step back in time during the 13th Annual Fall Family Days held at the Octagon Barn. Through displays and demonstrations, the color and mood of rural life in the early nineteen hundreds comes to life. Each year we select a “theme” around which we build a new variety of demonstrations. This year the themes are “Rural Electrification and Quilting” and we will have a variety of harvesting demonstrations. There is something for everyone, men and women, boys and girls, people of all ages. In the children’s activities area there are games and activities that date back before the TV, and in the ladies workshops there are hands on dried flower arranging, basket weaving, beginner knitting and the list goes on. There is also a hands-on workshop to learn rope-splicing. Attend the one-room schoolhouse and learn about the first through eighth grade handled by one teacher in the same room. Our goal has been to have as many live demonstrations as possible to peak your interest and answer questions about early rural life. All types of food including a “Farmers” breakfast each morning and a fish dinner from 4 PM till 7 PM Friday night, plus old-fashioned treats are available on the grounds along with live music, horse drawn wagon rides, and a huge flea market and craft show. The following is a partial list of the many things to do and see:

Things to See and Enjoy
Fall Family Days at the Octagon Barn

Apple Cider Press Arts & Crafts Antique Vendors Antique Tractors & Gas Engines Bay City Shovel in Operation Bidwell Bean Thresher Blacksmith Demonstrations Children's Activities Chilren's Barrel Train Rides Delco System (32V) Farm Animals Farm Machinery in Operation Flea Market Hands-On Rope Splicing Hog Kettle Popcorn Home Made Ice Cream

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Hot Fried Cakes Ladies Craft Workshops Live Music Music Jam in the Barn Friday Night Music & Dancing in the Barn Saturday Night Operating Grain Thresher Parade Each Day at 3:00 pm Saw Mills, Planer, Edger & Buzz Saw Shingle Mill and Forge Soap Making Stationary Hay Press Steam Engines Threshing Demonstration Tours of Barn & House Wagon Wheel Rug Weaving

And the List Goes On . . .