Special events... just for you!

The Visitor Center and Wood’s Historic Grist Mill open for 2011 season May 1 through October 31

Visitors to historic Wood's Grist Mill will see demonstrations of the corn-grinding process, learn how the mill was originally powered, and be able to purchase stone-ground cornmeal processed in the Mill daily. Admission to the Mill is by donation.

Exhibit in Wood’s Mill Gallery: Wood’s Historic Grist Mill at Deep River County Park

The Visitor Center, housed in a 1904 church building that was outgrown by its congregation, is now home to the gift shop, meeting room and information center. Here visitors may purchase Deep River’s own pure maple syrup, Amish-made apple butter, ice-cold sarsaparilla, jams, jellies, condiments, cookbooks, toys, nature guides, paintings, photographs, pioneer bonnets and aprons, rag dolls and much more.

Deep River County Park (for families only; no groups please, at these times). $1.00 per child per program payable at each program. No reservations are required. Adult care givers are required to remain in the Park during the one-hour programs and may be asked to assist. We try to hold our programs, rain or shine. For weather update, call the park at 219-947-1958. Groups: Refer to the Group Historical Discovery Series information below on this page.

June 14 or 16	Vintage Base Ball	Learn the rules of 1858 base ball as the Deep River Grinders play. Hit, run and catch as you learn.
June 21 or 23	Signs of Wildlife Hike	Not just looking for wildlife....but for signs: gnawed trees, hoof prints in the earth, sounds in the woods.
June 28 or 30	Corn’s a Poppin’	Corn in all its varieties. Some we eat on the cob, some we grind to bake with and some we pop to eat.
July 5 or 7	Music Parade	Beat the drum, toot the horn, and shake the tambourine. Parade through the park with our instruments (provided).
July 12 or 14	Bucket Brigade	We’ll pass buckets of water to put out the “fire”. You might get wetter than the fire! Dress for it!!
July 19 or 21	Chuck Wagon Chow	Cowboys looked forward to the end of the day and the cook’s supper. We’ll do the same as we rope, herd, ride, then eat the tasty ‘chow’.
July 26 or 28	Country Fair	Get your tickets then spend them playing games - beanbag toss, bucket game, and more...win prizes!

For children in groups, ages four and older Thursdays 12 - 1 p.m. or 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Deposit of $10 minimum paid in advance for each program (pays for first ten children. $1 additional per child for #11 - #20 payable at program. Maximum: 20 per program reservation.

Groups may book one or more programs. Chaperones must remain in the park during the one-hour program and may be asked to assist. Groups are encouraged to bring lunches or snacks to enjoy in the Park on their own, before or after their program. Picnic tables and restrooms are available. Bring water and insect repellent for your group. Programs will be held rain or shine! For weather concerns, call the Park at 219-947-1958.

While older brothers and sisters go off to school, bring the 3 - 5 year-olds to Deep River County Park to enjoy programs just for them. They will hear stories, learn finger plays, play games and sing songs. Children are encouraged to wear theme appropriate clothes. Programs are held rain or shine. Bring a bag lunch and a drink to enjoy a picnic in the park on your own after the program. Bring insect repellent and water for your child. Picnic tables and hiking trails are nearby.

Sept. 8	Recycle This!!	Bring things from home and find things in the Park that may be recycled. Why recycle?
Sept. 15	Old McDonald Had a Farm	Learn about the animals and chores on the farm.
Sept. 22	Nursery Rhymes	Learn them, say them, act them out.
Sept. 29	Fire Safety	Meet the firemen, learn about their fire truck. Learn how to be safe around fire. Bring your camera!
Oct. 6	Masks	Masks can help you tell a story. Make a mask just for you and have fun playing with it.
Oct. 13	Camping Out	Join others around the campfire and tell stories, sing songs and enjoy a tasty treat.
Oct. 20	Tea Party	Alice in Wonderland had a tea party. Now it is our turn.

The same topics listed above are available to day care groups, etc. on Thursdays at 12 - 1 p.m. or 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. each week. Programs are by reservation only for a fee of $25.00 per program for a group of 20 or less, payable in advance. Call 219-769-PARK to reserve your program. You may picnic, play or hike in the Park before or after your program. Please provide bug repellent and water for your group.

Students will tour Wood's Historic Grist Mill and learn about the earliest industry in Lake County and why it was important to the early settlers in the area. They may also select one of the following topics:

Historical Grist Mill experience for adult groups: Deep River County Park • Two hours beginning at 10 a.m. or later • Available Monday – Wednesday May 2 - October 26 • $35 for group, maximum of 20 • Advance registration and payment: 219-769-PARK

Great for adult social groups, church, senior, residential groups or historical societies. Learn the history and workings of the three-story Historic Wood’s Grist Mill and experience the past. Sit a while in the Gazebo amid gardens. It’s the perfect setting to reminisce. Shop for Indiana souvenirs, hand-crafted items made locally, stone-ground cornmeal, pure maple syrup, apple butter, jams and preserves. Receive a pattern for our current quilt block so you can make your own. Bring a picnic lunch for before or after your tour. Picnic tables are available. For more information, call the Park at 219-947-1958.

Adults interested in any aspect of photography are welcome to attend the monthly meetings of the Lake County Parks Photography Club. Meetings include announcements of area shows, contests and exhibits. Members receive a monthly newsletter, enjoy outings together, and exhibit their works locally. They may show works at a Show and Tell session at the monthly meetings where they help each other improve skills. Film and digital photography users are accepted. There are no dues or obligations to attend the meetings. Doors open at 6 p.m. for those who wish to come early and socialize. For more information, call 219-947-1958 or contact the club via the Internet at LCParksPhotoClub@aol.com

The Lake County Parks Department Photography Club is open to all interested adults of all skill levels. No dues are required for membership and there is no obligation to attend all meetings.

Monthly topics for 2011 Show and Tell (digital images or prints)
(digital images or prints)
July 13                         Doors and windows
August 10                    Letter of Alphabet (items in the shape of a letter)
September 14              Fences, Posts and Gates
October 12                  Historical Items no Longer in Use
November 9                 Miniatures

Deep River Artists
Deep River Artists: Wednesdays May – October • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Artists meet weekly to paint, draw and create art together. They bring their own supplies and projects, plus a sack lunch and drink. Working together promotes creativity and offers a chance to meet fellow artists. Artists attending on Wednesdays are invited to show their works in the Wood’s Mill fall gallery exhibit. For more information, call the Park at 219-947-1958.

Sewing, Quilting, Crafting: Visitor Center • August 9, 16, 23 • 4:30 - 8 p.m. • Free • Adults only

Learn to make traditional, useful crafts for gifts, for sale in our gift shop, or just for yourself. Come to one session or come to all. Patterns and instructions are provided. Fabrics, etc. you provide will make your personal project. We will supply a sewing machine, iron and ironing board, rotary cutter, mat & ruler. Sewing supplies to bring each week: hand sewing needles, thimble, scissors (both for fabric and for paper), pins, seam ripper, black and white thread, tape measure, 12" ruler, and sewing machine (if easy to tote) plus supplies listed for the project.

August 9 – Mob Cap: Bring 3/4 yd. white broadcloth or muslin, elastic or 1 yd. (1/4") ribbon

August 16 – Fall Pillow: Bring ½ yd. appliqué material (Heat & Bond), 17" X 17" pillow front fabric (heavy weight, plain), pillow back fabric (may be fall print): 1 piece 17" X 14" and 1 piece 17" & 10", Leaves: small amount of assorted fall colored fabrics, Tree: dark brown fabric 8" X 10" tall. Prep before class: Iron on appliqué material to back of tree fabric and leaf fabrics.

August 23 - Stuffed Pumpkins: Bring ½ yd. print or plain orange calico, corduroy or fleece for the pumpkin; orange thread, PolyFill, orange embroidery thread, 1/4 yd. print or plain green calico, corduroy or fleece for the stem, and very strong green thread.

Quilting Bees and the Honey Bee Quilt Block
Deep River County Park Fourth Sunday May – October 1 - 4 p.m. Free

Volunteer quilters gather to work their magic using tiny stitches to sew the quilt together. Meet new friends, join the conversation, greet the public, and work on our Friendship Star or Lotsa-Potsa Flowers quilts. Since the Honey Bee quilt needs additional blocks, we are again offering that pattern during 2011. Pick up a pattern and instruction packet and then make a block to donate. It will be one of our most popular when everyone’s fabrics blend into the finished project.

Weaving 101
Wood’s Historic Grist Mill Sundays: • Aug. 14 or Sept. 11 • 1 - 4 p.m. • Limit four per class • Fee: $5 per person, payable in advance • Register at 219-769-PARK

Join our weaver at the antique loom and learn the steps needed to make a rag rug. Learn parts of the loom, how to design and size a rug, how to prepare weft and wrap a shuttle, how to adjust the tension when weaving, and how to join strips and change colors. Weave during class then return on your own to practice (minimum of two hours). The instructor will provide feedback and certify you as a volunteer weaver. Those who have been certified will be permitted to design and weave a rug that they may purchase when the rugs are removed from the loom. For information call Deep River at 219-947-1958.

BASE BALL! When the first warm days of spring arrive, the players are eager to meet on Grinder Field at Deep River County Park for practices. Then the games begin, both at home and away. The team travels to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and throughout Indiana playing their special game of vintage base ball. Other teams from around the Midwest meet the Grinders on their home field.

What is so special about this game? That's easy. It's the gentlemanly behavior of the players and the rules they play by. The men portray players of the mid-1800s, when courtesy prevailed on and off the playing field. There is no swearing, no spitting and no ungentlemanly behavior anywhere during the games. Rules written in 1858 govern the play.

Some differences in the rules of today that cranks (fans) might notice are: no bunting, no sliding into bases, no leading off and no mitts or other protective gear. Players are called hurlers (pitchers), behinds (catchers) and rovers (shortstops). Nine players at a time take the field and substitutions are made freely. Strikers (batters) are encouraged to strike the ball and "Leg it" to first base 90-feet away. Then if the runner is lucky enough to cross home plate safely, he is to proceed to the tally table where he asks that his ace be tallied for his team. He is then instructed to ring the tally bell, letting players and cranks know his score has counted.

Since this game was originally played for exercise instead of competition, friendly banter can be heard between the teams. Phrases such as "Hit a daisy cutter, Sir," and "Well done," are often shouted to opposing team members. Come enjoy this vintage sport, sip an ice cold sarsaparilla, munch a hotdog and join in shouting "Huzzah" for both teams.

Indiana’s premier vintage base ball Club Nine, the Deep River Grinders, continue their 16^th season of play under the original 1858 rules. If you’ve see a match, you know that they play barehanded and follow the maxims of gentlemanly behavior – no spitting, arguing, cursing, or wagering. It is commonplace for members of both teams to encourage and applaud the good play of each other. Games are played, as they were in baseball’s infancy, more as recreation and exercise than competition. The Deep River Grinders truly play for the love of the game, using leather-covered hand-sewn hard balls, hand-turned bats, and homemade bases. Nine-inning games are played on ninety-foot base paths. Cranks (you, the fans) can enjoy an ice cold sarsaparilla, the official drink of the Deep River Grinders, and indulge in a hot dogs, both for sale at home games.

The Grinders, playing since 1991, are charter members of the Vintage Baseball Association, a national organization formed to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the game of baseball as it was played in its formative years in the mid-nineteenth century. For more information on our beloved Deep River Grinders, or to join the team, contact the Visitor’s Center at 219-947-1958. The Deep River Grinders may also be contacted via email at DRGrinders@aol.com For the rules of 1858, the players roster, and other information about the Beloved Deep River Grinders: www.deeprivergrinders.com

If you are interested in becoming a Grinders, call 219-947-1958 and say "I want to be a Grinder." Leave your name and number and you will be contacted.

Buckley Homestead - Enjoy the quiet, steady pace of the horses as they pull the hay wagon around the back 80 acre trail. Look for pheasant, deer, and coyote as you travel through the wooded areas and open fields past the pioneer log cabin. Individuals and families may ride on a first-come, first-serve basis on Saturdays and Sundays, September 25 through October 30, 2011 (except October 8 & 9) during the Fall Festival) at 1 and 2 p.m. for only $3 per person. Remember: Groups may reserve evening hayrides by calling the business office at 219-769-7275.

Deep River - Take a ride over the river and through the woods along the trails of Deep River. Individuals and families may ride on a first-come, first-serve basis on Saturdays and Sundays, October 1 - 23, 2011 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for only $3 per person. Groups may reserve evening hayrides by calling the business office at 219-769-7275.