LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT - Bob Hirn

Dear Friends,

The past two years serving as President has been interesting and educational. I now have a greater appreciation of what Rose had gone through the previous thirteen years and what she will go through in the future as returning President of the “Friends”. Besides Rose Putnam being elected as President, Gerald Auten was reelected as 2nd vice president and Norma Wallace was elected Corresponding Secretary. Carol Caverly had to step down from the Corresponding Secretary position due health problems in her family. We are very appreciative of Carol’s contribution the past four years wish her family well.

Each year we have accomplished a lot and those accomplishments seem to fuel our goals for the coming year. This year is no exception. The list of projects we have for this season is ambitious and hopefully we can get through them.

People are amazed of what has been accomplished by volunteers and they often ask, “What drives these people to give so much of their time, energy and talent?” My only answer to the question is sense of accomplishment and fellowship. As you leave a work project or major event at the Barn, the positive comments you hear and the forward progress that you see is a “battery charger”. But the great people that you meet, knowing the distance they travel to take part, the cross section of talents that each brings to the organization and the fun that you have is the real driving force. Thank you one and all for your help and support these past two years.

Hope to see you soon,
Bob Hirn

ANNUAL MEETING, BANQUET AND BENEFIT AUCTION - Duaine & Marilyn Phillips, Co-chairs

Our Annual Meeting just seems to get bigger and better with each year. This year we had the greatest number of folks attending and the auction brought in a sizeable amount for our Agricultural Museum. The food and fellowship was enjoyed by all and we thank the Phillips for making the evening such a success.

Our President, Bob Hirn, conducted a short business meeting including the election of officers. Bob did not seek re-election as he had stated originally that he would only fill that position for one two-year term. Rose Putnam, our president for 13 years, agreed to return in that capacity. Gerald Auten also agreed to continue as 2nd Vice President and Norma Wallace is returning to the position that she held for many years as Corresponding Secretary. Carol Caverly was not able to continue as she has a family health issues that is taking quite a bit of her time.

Special recognition was given to the Nicols Family for their very generous donation of equipment and time to clean the ditch. Nicol & Sons Excavating bid $1.00 for this project. This was a wonderful gift as it has already made a big difference in properly draining the land east of the Barn.

Osentoski Realty & Auctioneering was also recognized for their generous donation of time and talent to conduct our Auction since 1994. Marty & Dave Osentoski not only give of their time but always make the Auction fun and work so hard to bring in the most money.

Since 2002 the Friends have been recognizing the Barn Friend of the Year. This is always difficult as we have so many wonderful volunteers but there are some that are ‘Super Volunteers’. This year’s choice was no exception. Jerry Auten was recognized for being a volunteer who goes above and beyond. Jerry is a jack-of-all-trades who is always willing to help out with a smile. He organizes and prepares food for the Farmer’s Breakfast during FFD that has become a tradition that folks look forward to year after year. Jerry would be quick to tell you that it is a family effort and could never be as successful without the support of his great family. Jerry has done a lot of electrical work and helped in determining what our electrical needs for the site might be in the foreseeable future. He also does an outstanding job during School Tours of explaining the process of taking an ear of corn and making into meal that can be used to prepare the food that we eat. Jerry is someone who can be relied on for good sound practical judgement that you can count on who freely gives of his time and talent to help others.

FALL FAMILY DAYS - Bob Hirn & Martin Kubacki, Co Chairs

With our first meeting behind us the process is underway and everyone is excited about FFD 2008 scheduled for the weekend after Labor Day, September 5th, 6th and 7th. The Rural Electrification Theme caught the attention of Mike Krause, the CEO of Thumb Electric Cooperative. Through his direction they are in the process of putting together a plan for a permanent display that will feature country living when electricity finally came to the rural areas in the late 1930’s. This should be an interesting and exciting addition to the FFD theme as well as our “Museum Goal”. They also donated a 5 HP Fairbanks engine with an air compressor that was used in their power plant years ago. We think you will be pleased to see this display. Anyone who has something to display depicting early rural electrification please feel free to bring it and put it on display in the tent next to the powerhouse. If you have questions about about what to bring call Martin 989-658-8450 or Bob 989-872-3761.

Our theme for the house is Quilting and Lila Arroyo, chairperson, is working hard to put together the Quilting exhibit. There will be a variety of finished quilts on display and items related to quilting years ago and now. Also, visitors will be invited to come in and spend some time actually quilting together much like folks did years ago. Anyone who has something related to quilting that they would like to add to our display should contact Lila at 989-872-2658.

The flea market and crafter spaces according to chairpersons, Louie and Linda Wehrman, are filling up. The outside spaces are almost filled and there are only a few spaces open in the large tent. Contact the Wehrmans at 989-693-6743 if interested in reserving a spot for FFD.

New this year will be several 4H Groups demonstrating the milking of goats and making butter. They will also have home made soap made from goat’s milk for sale. Mary Hagen will be returning with her Alpacas and a spinning demonstration. The Sampson’s from Maplewood Farm Petting Zoo will also be back with a variety of farm animals for all to enjoy.

The sawmill has been moved to a new location. This winter we built a 48 ft. by 96 ft. pole building out in the southeast corner of the property to house the sawmill, plainer, the newly acquired flat belt driven swing saw and other equipment. This summer, time will be spent finishing the inside of the building and setting up the equipment for use at Fall Family Days. We’ll have more on this building in our fall newsletter with pictures showing the completed structure with all the equipment set up and being demonstrated.

The response to our request for FFD Sponsors in the Winter Newsletter was very gratifying. Many came through with donations to help cover the cost of putting on this Event. Each of you will receive a formal thank you once the Event is over, but for the time being Thank You, Thank You and Thank You.

Once again, we will be holding our ANNUAL RAFFLE that has proven to be our most successful fund-raisers. Sherry Kappen, Rose Putnam & Doris Schember are working together to organize this sale. The tickets are being printed and the prizes obtained. Prizes will include a Craftsman air compressor, a hand-made afghan and a quilt, a John Deere pedal Tractor, an International Harvester pedal tractor, a pedal fire truck and cash prizes. Tickets will be sent to members only in the next few weeks. We appreciate your assistance in selling our raffle tickets but you always have the option to return them if you do not care to participate. Once you have made this request, Doris, who mails the tickets, honors that request each year. If you would like additional tickets or didn’t receive any, contact Doris Schember at 989-665-2500.

If you have any questions or suggestion for displays, your input is always appreciated. Call Bob at 989-872-3761 or Martin at 989-658-8450 or better yet plan on attending our next FFD meeting scheduled for Monday, June 23, 7 PM at the Barn.

MUSEUM

Thumb Electric Coop, through the efforts of their CEO Mike Krause have taken an active roll in this year’s Rural Electrification Theme. Plans are underway to have a permanent display in the south loft of the Barn depicting an early farmhouse setting with early appliances and electrical fixtures. We have collected some early appliances, a few porcelain boxes and some fixtures.

We could use some help with this display to make it look as original as possible. We need:

(1) an old porcelain cast iron single bowl kitchen sink and faucets,
(2) one of those old white kitchen cabinets with a linoleum top to set the sink in,
(3) a small painted wood kitchen table with two chairs,
(4) those ceramic bars that were used to hold wires in place as they were fastened to the existing walls and ceiling
(5) and, any thing else that would fit the era to decorate the display.

The display is going to take up roughly 14 ft. by 16 ft. of floor space. There are some other exciting things Thumb Electric plans to do with the display that we are going to keep you in suspense about.

GROUNDS - Louis Wehrman, Chair

Our clean-up day took place on April 26th. We had many helpers and were very pleased that we got almost everything done that we hoped to accomplish and probably even more. Thank you to all the VOLUNTEERS that came out to help prepare the site for our School Tours and beyond. Several special groups of young folks showed up to help out and their efforts were greatly appreciated. They were: Caro Horizons 4-H Group and Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay Troop 691.

Picture caption – Some of the Caro Horizons 4-H Club for their community service project are cleaning up the debris and pine cones along the tree line near the powerhouse site. Not pictured but were very busy and tremendously helpful were Gabe Raymer and Paul Harding. These two young boys were unbelievable and we’re hoping that maybe they can come back during FFD and bring some of that young energy.

Picture caption – The Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay Troop 691 stopped for a moment from their work for a group picture. They earned a badge for helping people clean up. The girls worked for hours stopping only briefly to enjoy their sack lunch in the arena of the Barn. They soon were back at work using those rakes and shovels. Everything really looked neat and clean after they finished working.

BARN RESTORATION

Volunteer efforts took place during the winter to complete the south loft of the Barn and commence cleanup of the north loft. Our goal is to have the south loft totally a museum display area for the coming season.

The air ducts in the interior of the Barn have been restored to their original condition. This will finishes the restoration work above the arena area. The only project that remains is to redo the grainery.

ONE ROOM COUNTRY SCHOOL HOUSE - Bob Gengler, Chair

The committee was delighted with the response from students as they visited the One Room Country School during School Tours. A big thank you to all the “school marms” who taught in the school during the three days. The large school bell that Jerry Cleland has loaned to us over the years has now been donated to the Friends. We are grateful as the students love to ring the bell and it seems quite appropriate that it has found a home at the Thumb Octagon Barn One Room Country School.

The committee is concerned about the moisture under the schoolhouse that continues to be a problem and is causing some buckling of the beautiful wood floor. We’ve made three attempts to eliminate the excessive moisture and will continue to look for solutions.

In the future we have plans of building an annex to the schoolhouse that would become a permanent display area to recognize Public Education in the Thumb. It would include artifacts from One Room Country Schools in Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. We are very excited about this project and think that it adds greatly to our Agricultural Museum.

THE PURDY HOME - Marilyn Phillips, Chair

We are looking for VOLUNTEERS that could help out during the summer months with painting and just plain old general house cleaning. Like any home, cleaning is needed but especially this home as we have so many that come to visit. If able to help in any way, please contact Marilyn at 989-665-0024.

The beautifully restored Purdy Home has become a Museum and a tribute to rural living in the 1920’s. The various rooms have been restored as well as appropriately furnished. From June through September the house is open for visitation from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

NEWS FLASH - 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.

SCHOOL TOURS 2008 - Education Continues and is Enhanced outside of school - Diane Rapson Gabil, Chair

Our mission is to provide an educational experience for our student visitors that emphasizes rural, agricultural living in the 1920’s and to SAVE HISTORY for TOMORROW’S FUTURE. The consensus of opinion from teachers, volunteers and of course the students was that we wholeheartedly met our objective.

All students visiting the Barn were given a little background as to how school tours began. It’s worth repeating for all. In 1996 one of our volunteers, Carol Stoeckle, suggested that the Friends could raise money towards our restoration efforts as well as provide area students with an educational experience by inviting them for a day at the Thumb Octagon Barn. At the time, the barn was in terrible condition and one of the tour days was cold and rainy. In fact, it was raining just as hard inside the barn as it was outside. But because of the funds generated and the extensive repairs to the roof, we now have the biggest umbrella in all of Tuscola County and possibly the Country for that matter.

That first year we had approximately 500 students and a handful of volunteers. In 2008, our 13th year, we had 1400 students coming from the six surrounding counties. Accompanying the students were approximately 900 teachers and parents over the three-day period. About 130 people volunteered for jobs to be done in setting up the site, acting as tour guides and event presenters and tearing down and cleaning up.

Late on Thursday one of the after school groups came all the way from Pinconning to take part in School Tours. Ten little Daisy’s from Scout Troop #893 under the leadership of Kerri Kern soon made us all forget that it had been a long day. Even after their long drive they were attentive as well as appreciative of their visit to the Thumb Octagon Barn.

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.

POWER HOUSE - Paul Deo, Chair

Reconstruction of the powerhouse that Mr. Purdy used to generate electricity for his Mud Lake Estate has begun. The old foundation has been removed and the new one has been put in place. The new bricks are on site and the windows and doors have all been constructed, painted and are just waiting to be installed once the walls are started. We are excited that this is happening as it now seems possible that we will be able to have the steam powered generator on display during FFD when one of our themes is rural electrification. Marvin Wilcox & Co. of Clifford, MI has been contracted to do the masonry work.

While digging out the original foundation, an interesting discovery was made. A six- inch well casing that could have been the original well for the site was located in what we have always thought was the cistern. Now it appears it was a well pit. An examination by Frank Franzel Well Drilling Co. determined that it was not a workable well and it was properly sealed off. The waterline that originally went from that well to the house was uncovered as well. It was tested and found suitable to bring water from the new well at the house, which saved having to run a new water line to the house to supply water for the boiler.

HISTORY OF THE MUD LAKE ESTATE BOOK - Katie Jackson, Chair

The committee has been working for almost two years to put together, in booklet form, the story of the Octagon Barn, how it was saved and our future plans for the Thumb Agricultural Museum. The writing and picture selection has been completed. Dale Perz of Caro has provided the technical assistance needed to organize the book and was invaluable to our committee. Now, Lois Moslander of Cass City is setting up the pages complete with pictures and narrative. Our hope is to have the booklet printed and ready for sale during FFD 2008.

The FRIENDS of the THUMB OCTAGON BARN