Community Corner
Oakland Township's Down on the Farm offers Old Fashioned Family Fun
Oakland Township's Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District came alive on Saturday, August 3rd when, as in days gone by, the air filled with the sounds of farm animals and traditional chores. For the third time, the Oakland Township Historical Society, Historic District Commission and Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve collaborated to offer Down on the Farm, a family friendly event.
Local resident equestrians shared grooming techniques and horse care while Ann Marie Rogers demonstrated leading her friendly sheep in a halter. Roger Schmidt, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commissioner, displayed his peacocks, pheasant, and quail. Roger has been raising exotic pheasants for seventeen years. He also raises Pied and Black Shouldered Peacocks, Texas A & M and Japanese Quail. “The interesting thing about Japanese Quail is they migrate to South Korea from Japan to avoid the harsh winters and fly back again in the spring, which could be as far as 800 miles,” Roger explained.
Anthony Kowalchick, a historical society member, exhibited the artifacts he has discovered while metal detecting at abandoned farm sites. With thorough research, Anthony has created a fascinating display that includes coins, belt buckles and even a Native American arrow head, among other interesting items.
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Visitors learned about chair caning techniques and making homemade butter. Antique tools and tractors were on display while Historical Society members gave guided tours of the District's historic buildings and the Flumerfelt Barn. Children enjoyed old fashioned games like scarecrow buildings, corn cob Skee-ball, tug of war, and stilts. The Silos in the Landscape photos were on display for all to enjoy!
Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For further information about tours and events or to rent the facility please call Barb Barber at the HDC office 248-608-6807 or email bbarber@oaklandtownship.org or visit www.oaklandtownship.org to locate the Historic District Commission page.
