There's nothing better than a watermelon!

A couple of years ago, Landmark Park started hosting a Watermelon Tasting program at the end of July. Visitors were able to sample several varieties of watermelons grown at Landmark Park.

This popular program will return on July 27 at 10 a.m. on the Wiregrass Farmstead. Master Gardener Tom Boyle has been working all season in the garden, growing the heirloom varieties of Moon and Stars, Jubilee, Charleston Gray, Crimson Sweet and Black Diamond. The Alabama Watermelon Association will also attend the tasting, so people will have a chance to meet one of the state's Watermelon Queens. Recipe cards, activity sheets and other goodies will be available at the tasting, courtesy of the Alabama Watermelon Association (www.alwatermelon.org).  This program is FREE with your paid gate admission.

A few fun facts about Watermelons (taken from the Alabama Watermelon Association's website):

• The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt.
• Watermelon is 92% water.
• Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae. It is cousins to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
• By weight, watermelon is the most-consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
• Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
• The first cookbook published in the U.S. in 1776 contained a recipe for watermelon rind pickles.
• Updated! According to Guinness World Records, the world's heaviest watermelon was grown by Lloyd Bright of Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 2005, weighing in at 268.8 lbs (121.93 kg). Lloyd grew and weighed in for the Annual Hope, Arkansas Big Watermelon Contest on September 3, 2005.

ICE CREAM!

Hello everyone! We hope you are all having a wonderful spring. As I sat down to work on publicity for our Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social, which will be held on June 8 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., I came across a treasure trove of information about everyone's favorite summertime treat. Visit Landmark Park on June 8 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. for a celebration of National Dairy Month, featuring FREE ice cream, butter churning, homemade ice cream, music, a cakewalk and more. $5 for adults, $3 for kids and free for park members. 

And now, fun fact about ice cream, taken from the International Dairy Foods Association!

• No one knows for sure who  invented ice cream. Ice cream is thought to have originated as far back as the second century BC. Alexander the Great was known to enjoy snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar, and biblical references report that King Solomon enjoyed similar treats. During the Roman Empire, Nero also reportedly sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was flavored with fruit. 

• When Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East, he brought with him a recipe that closely resembles what we today know as sherbert. England and France developed similar recipes. Ice cream was originally only enjoyed by the elite. In 1660 ice cream was made available to the general public. 

• The first advertisement for ice cream in the United States appeared in the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777. 

• President George Washington is believed to have spent $200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790. 

• Once insulated ice houses were invented, ice cream became more readily available to the general public. 

• Jacob Fussell, a Baltimore milk dealer, pioneered manufacturing ice cream in 1851. 

• The first official ice cream cone appeared in New York 1896, created by Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant. A similar creation was introduced at the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair by Ernest A. Hamwi from Syria. A nearby ice cream vendor ran out of dishes, so Hamwi made a pastry called a zalabis in the shape of a cone for the vendor to use. 

• In 1924, cone production reached a record 245 million. Thanks to new technology, machines today can produce 150,000 cones every 24 hours. 

• In 1874 the ice cream soda was invented. Soda Jerks were often criticized for producing "sinfully" rich ice cream sodas on Sundays, so they left out the carbonated water and invented the Ice Cream Sundae.

• Dairy rationing took place during World War II. When rationing was lifted, Americans consumed over 20 quarts of ice cream per person in 1946. 
• Nine percent of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream. 

• In 2010, the ice cream industry generated revenues of $10 billion. The largest section of the market is take home sales, generating $6.8 billion or 67.7 percent of the market's value. More than 1.6 billion gallons are produced each year in the United States. 

We hope you will come to the park on June 8 and enjoy some ice cream with us!! Visit www.landmarkpark.com for details or call 334-794-3452

Harvest Time!

Has it really been six months since our last blog post? Sorry about that, faithful readers! I recently sat down with Education Director Dana Peters to get a behind-the-scenes look at Harvest Hey Days and Cane Grinding Day. Both of these programs take place in October and are open to preregistered school groups only. The good news is, there are still openings for both programs.






LMP: Dana, can you give us an overview of Harvest Hey Days?
DP: Harvest Hey Days takes place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on October 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19. This program is full of harvest fun. Students can visit the pumpkin patch and select their very own pumpkin, participate in corn pulling and shelling, learn about peanut picking and growing, pick cotton and take a wagon ride. We also have a couple of new activities this year. Kernels of Fun is a huge 16'x8' box full of shelled corn where kids can play. We will also bring some of our heritage breeds of animals out so kids can meet them.


LMP: What do you think the kids enjoy the most about Harvest Hey Days?
DP: Definitely the pumpkin patch. Here in the Wiregrass, pumpkins are not as familiar to kids as corn, cotton and peanuts. The students have a chance to see how pumpkins are grown and then they really take their time selecting the pumpkin that is just perfect for them.





LMP: Why is it important for students to visit places like Landmark Park and participate in Harvest Hey Days?
DP: Agriculture is so important in our area, and if a student doesn't live on a farm or know someone who lives on a farm, he or she may have no idea where we get products like cotton, peanuts and corn. We tell the story of the harvest, both the way it happens today and how it happened in the 1890s.



LMP: Are there still spaces available?
DP: Yes! This program is intended for preschool ages to about 6th grade, but we can tailor it to your needs. Harvest Hey Days also meets several state standards in Science for Alabama, Florida and Georgia. That information can be found on our website at www.landmarkpark.com.  If you would like to register your class, you can give me a call at 334-794-3452 or email dpeters@landmarkpark.com

LMP: Now tell us about Cane Grinding Day. How is it different from Harvest Hey Days?
DP: Cane Grinding Day is more history-oriented, where Harvest Hey Days is more science-oriented. Cane Grinding Day takes place the day before Wiregrass Heritage Festival (Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.) opens to the public. It gives kids a chance to hear the presentations and see the demonstrations done in a way that is especially for them.

LMP: What type of activities take place at Cane Grinding Day?
DP: The two favorites are the cane grinding and blacksmithing. Some of the students who come to Landmark Park don't realize we grow sugar cane right here on the farm. Kids get a chance to see the process from start to finish, and even get to taste the syrup that is made from the sugar cane. Blacksmithing is a huge hit, and we have a quilting demonstration, household chores and more peanut harvesting activities.



LMP: Is Cane Grinding Day limited to a certain age group?
DP: No, like many of our programs, we can tailor the program to fit your needs. I would like to see more high school students take advantage of this program. Our demonstrators know more than they have time to tell.

LMP: Are there still spaces available for Cane Grinding Day?
DP: Yes! Cane Grinding Day meets several state standards in History for Alabama, Florida and Georgia. That information can be found on our website at www.landmarkpark.com.  If you would like to register your class, you can give me a call at 334-794-3452 or email dpeters@landmarkpark.com

LMP: Why should teachers choose Landmark Park for their field trips?
DP: Landmark park is the perfect destination because it's the best of both worlds. Students have a lot of fun while meeting state standards for education. Getting to see the demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities makes the students gain greater respect for what their ancestors went through, especially in this area. Our programs are both fun and educational!

Our Fam at Spring Farm Day 2012

Being a native of Dothan and taking a countless number of school field trips out to Landmark Park, I grew up knowing how much fun there was to be had when we took the short little trip up Highway 431. Now, as a wife and mom of 2 under 3, I have a different appreciation for this little jewel and in particular for the renowned ANNUAL SPRING FARM DAY hosted at the park every March. 

If you don't live where we live, chances are you clicked on this post thinking you may see pics of the fam on the farm...doing farming things...like milking cows or riding a tractor...or cleaning massive amounts of poop from our shoes...

But if you DO live where we live, you know exactly what "Spring Farm Day" means. Its an annual event held at Landmark Park and its kind of a big deal. They do have cows, although I didn't see an option to milk any which was probably a blessing. There is no telling what type of questions a 2.5 year old might come up with after seeing that!

This was our 3rd year attending the SFD and it was definitely the most enjoyable. Mainly because Anna Lee was finally at an age where she could enjoy some of the things and activities that were offered as opposed to previous years. She actually walked into the petting cage of the baby calf...

And even more surprisingly, she petted said calf, after removing her glasses to make sure he was a friendly calf of course. 

Despite the name of the event being the SPRING Farm Day, it actually felt more like a SUMMER day. Its HOTTTT here and its only March. We coated ourselves down in sunblock before we set out on our farm adventure and I'm happy to say that we made it through with no sunburns. This is a spring farm day first. We usually all come back fried because its the first time our pasty bodies have seen sunlight for an extended period of time but we finally learned from our mistake and lathered up. 

We kept the little guy under is own personal shade and I'm guessing he loved it because he snoozed for hours. 

Josh walked laps around the park to keep Mac in motion (read: ASLEEP!) and he did a great job! Mac slept the entire time we were out there thanks to Josh "Forrest Gump" Steltenpohl - well, he was walking not running, but still...

After our Saturday ended, I realized that I never got a group pic of all the family we spent it with. My cousin, Tiffany, and her family came down for a quick visit along with my Uncle Robert and Aunt Linda. I'm so glad they were able to come and spend the day with us.

Anna Lee and Abigail both loved the ponies and would have ridden them until their backs broke if we would have let them.

This little guy woke up just in time for the fun to end. Don't worry little fella- we'll be back next year! 

We ran into so many friends at the SFD and can't wait to see them and a bunch a new friends again next year! 

Spring Farm Day

Visitors to Landmark Park will have a chance to experience life on a turn-of-the-century farm at Spring Farm Day on March 17 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The day's activities will include demonstrations of old-fashioned skills and crafts like plowing with draft animals, shearing sheep, blacksmithing, music, a moonshine-making demonstration and more.  Volunteers dressed in 1890s costume will demonstrate domestic crafts such as quilting, sewing on a treadle sewing machine, cooking on a woodstove and open hearth, washing clothes, making soap and much more.

A crowd favorite is The Old Time Fiddlers' Convention.  The Old Time Fiddlers' Convention will feature fiddlers of all ages.  Fiddlers' will also gather in Brown's Crossing School for the Fiddlers' Corner, an acoustical jam session.

The sixth annual Alabama State Horse and Mule Plowing Contest will serve as Alabama's official plowing contest.  Plowers will be judged in a variety of areas, including depth and straightness of furrow.

Handmark arts and crafts will also be on sale at the event.  Local and regional artists will display candles, photographs and more, available for purchase.  All items must be handmade.  The Martin Drugstore and Shelly General Store will be open during the day, and concessions will be available.

Admission to Spring Farm Day is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, $4 for kids and free for children 3 and under and park members.  Applications and rules for Arts and Crafts, Plowing Contest, and Fiddlers' Convention can be found on Landmark Park's website at www.landmarkpark.com

Landmark Park is located on U.S. Hwy 431, three miles north of Dothan's Ross Clark Circle. Admission to the 135 acre park is $4 for adults and $3 for children, with free admission to park members. For more information, call the park office at 334-794-3452 or visit www.landmarkpark.com

Volunteer Spotlight: Jimmy Jones

The Volunteer Spotlight for the Spring issue of the Lark shines on Jimmy Jones, a volunteer dedicated to Landmark Park.  Originally from Montgomery County, Jones received two degrees in Agriculture from Auburn University and currently works with the Henry County Extension Office through Auburn University.  Jones credits the Extension Office that he has worked at for the past twenty years with bringing him to Landmark Park in the first place.  He considers Landmark Park to be one of the Wiregrass Area’s best kept secrets and likes to use his work at the Extension Office to bring knowledge about Landmark Park, as well as knowledge about our heritage, to the forefront.

Having been raised on a farm, Jones understands the importance of Agriculture.  Through his volunteer work at Landmark Park with events such as Spring Farm Day, Jones uses his knowledge of farming to educate future generations.  He considers plowing with a mule an art form, and one that will be lost if future generations are not taught about it.  Spring Farm Day is his favorite event to volunteer at not only because he can expose kids to farming methods of the past, but also because it allows him to meet former farmers who want to plow just one last time.

Through his volunteer work at Landmark Park, Jimmy Jones hopes to contribute to preserving the agriculture heritage of our area and our state.  He says “It is very enriching to know you are involved in something.  My thing is preservation; I want to help preserve a part of our history.  If someone does not preserve our history, we will lose it.  I want to make sure someone down the road gets to see it, and with recent budget cuts, someone has to step up and help take care of the park.”

Astronomy Night & World's Smallest Airport

Tomorrow, February 24th, Landmark Park will be holding our annual Astronomy Night!  Come out to the Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to view stars, constellations, and planets through telescopes and binoculars.  Admission is $3 for members, $4 for scouts and their leaders in uniform, $5 for nonmembers and free for children 5 and under.  This event meets several requirements for an Astronomy Badge!

On Sunday, February 26, visitors to Landmark Park will have the opportunity to view a newly released documentary titled “World's Smallest Airport: The True Story of the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus, 1945-1950”. The film begins at 2 p.m. in the Stokes Activity Barn. The film is free with paid admission to the park.

The film features the flying stunts of Grady Thrasher, Jr. and his brothers “Bud” and Tunis who took their aerial circus on the road and performed from New York to Texas to Miami. Over the five year period of 1945-1950, the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus performed their daredevil stunts in 384 different shows, closing their last show in 1950 in Charleston, SC.

“The World's Smallest Airport” is the brainchild of son Grady Thrasher III and the film utlizes vintage footage, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia discovered among family possessions. Viewers will be amazed to watch the Thrasher brothers demonstrate wing walking, “delayed” parachute jumping, steering a flying plane while sitting outside the cockpit on the wing, and a variety of other stunts. The most celebrated stunt was Grady landing a Piper Club onto the “Worlds Smallest Airport”--a wooden and steel platform mounted on the top of a 1946 Ford car--as Tunis drove it down the runway.

In 1957, Grady Thrasher, Jr. moved to Dothan and served as head of Test & Development Company, a subsidiary of Southern Airways.  The company had a contract with the army at Ft. Rucker to test and maintain new helicopters being purchased by the army.  His son Grady Thrasher, III graduated from Dothan High School and daughter Miki  attended Girard Elementary and Girard Jr. High.  In 1962, Thrasher moved his family to Huntsville where he worked for the Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal.

The Thrasher brothers feats were not forgotten, however. In 1976, when the new Smithsonian Air and Space Museum opened in Washington, D.C., the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus story and photographs were displayed in the museum's Exhibition Flying Hall. They remained on display there until 1981. All three of the original Thrasher brothers are now deceased. Grady Thrasher, Jr. died in 1994 at the age of 76.

Both of Thrasher's children, Grady Thrasher, III and Miki Thrasher McFatter, along with filmmaker Matt DeGenarraro, will attend the one-hour film presentation at Landmark Park and will answer questions afterward.

Below is a link to the trailer of the documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R_76LHkU6I

Landmark Park is located on U.S. Hwy 431, three miles north of Dothan's Ross Clark Circle. Admission to the 135 acre park is $4 for adults and $3 for children, with free admission to park members. For more information, call the park office at 334-794-3452 or visit www.landmarkpark.com