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DEEP RIVER COUNTY PARK NEWS
Wood's Mill Wood’s Historic Grist Mill and the Deep River County Park Visitor Center is open May 1 through October 31 each year. The park grounds remain open throughout the year. Grist Mill: Daily demonstrations of grinding corn into meal and the sale of the stone ground cornmeal. Rag rugs are often being made on an antique loom, and the replica General Store beckons visitors back to a time long past. Part of the park’s quilt collection may be viewed on the second floor, while new this year is the Porches and Parlors settings where periodic programs take place. Wood's Mill Gallery on the third floor allow area artists and photographers to exhibit their works. Wood’s Mill Gallery Exhibits
Visitors to Wood’s Historic Grist Mill may include a stop in Wood’s Mill Gallery on the third floor of the historic grist mill. Gift Shop at the Visitor Center: The Indiana Loft Gallery is featured, containing photos of local scenes like the Dunes and Mill photographs. Local books about Indiana, Merrillville and Deep River, as well as Highland, South Shore posters and post cards, Indiana postcards and many other books of history and reference are available for sale. The Gallery is full of souvenirs including stone ground cornmeal, honey, apple butter, pure maple syrup, candy and popcorn, all from Indiana. Many of these items make great gifts from the Calumet area. Hours for the Mill and Visitor Center are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. There is no admission to the Park or either building. Donations are accepted at Wood's Mill. Call 219-947-1958 for more information. DEEP RIVER COUNTY PARK
Pre School in the Park
While
older brothers and sisters are in school, bring the preschoolers to Deep River
County Park for a program designed just for them.
Children may hear stories, play games, make a craft, sing songs, do
finger plays, and take home a treat or coloring page.
Make lasting memories by having fun alongside your preschooler.
Everyone is invited to bring a brown bag lunch and picnic and hike in the
Park on your own before or after the program.
Meet at the Visitor Center to begin your program.
Preschool Program for Day Care Groups The same
topics listed above are available to day-care groups on Wednesday of the same
week at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.
The one-hour programs are by reservation only for a fee of $25 per
program for a group of 25 or less, payable in advance.
You may picnic or hike in the Park on your own before or after your
program. Call 219-769-PARK to make
your reservation. School Group Tours School Groups May Choose Their Own Topic for Historical Tour
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:
Time for shopping for souvenirs in the Visitor Center Gift Shop will also be included in the field trip. Groups may stay in the Park after their tour to picnic and/or play. Call the Lake County Parks Business Office at 219-945-0543 to make a reservation for your school class or home school group. Photography Club
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 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 2008 Show and Tell
DEEP RIVER ARTISTS
For more information, call the Park at 219-947-1958 or visit www.deepriverartists.org Interested in art and want to learn
more? Meet with area artists and
see demonstrations and presentations of oils, acrylics, and watercolors,
decorative painting, tole painting, mosaics and more.
Learn about participating in art shows and marketing your artwork.
Members will present workshops,
exhibits and demonstrations. They
will meet to paint together in the parks and will learn of area exhibits,
competitions and shows. In
September and October members will exhibit their artwork in Wood’s Mill
Gallery. Whether you are a beginner or an
experienced artist, meet with the Deep River Artists to enhance your
experience in art. There are no
dues.
HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS
GARDENING CLUB Meets Monthly
Members receive a monthly newsletter and may enjoy outings to area gardens. For information, call 219-947-1958 or email GardeningClub03@aol.com Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Perennial Plant Swap
Quilting at Wood's Mill Quilting
Bees Sundays
in 2008:
May 25, June 22, July 27, August
24, September 28, October 26,
2008
Since
1979, volunteers at Come to the monthly quilting bee and meet the volunteers. See some of the completed quilts and, if you quilt, put in some stitches of your own. View the two latest quilts: “Goodie Jars in Grandma’s Pantry – Food” and “Goodie Jars in Grandma’s Pantry - Other.” What do these titles mean? Come see. Watch as the current project “Indiana Puzzle” is worked on. This red and white traditional quilt has been put together in an original design to complement the block pattern. The Next Quilt -- "Hands Around the World" The pattern has been chosen and it’s time to make the blocks. This year’s block is “Hands Around the World” which features boys and girls with outstretched arms so that when assembled will look like they are holding hands. Makers of the blocks will be able to personalize their children by choosing skin and hair color and fabric for the clothing. 2008
Quilt Block Volunteers are the ones
that make the quilts happen. They
take a pattern, create a block, and donate it for the next quilt to be made at
Wood’s Historic Grist Mill. You,
too, may be one of these volunteers. Stop
by the Mill during open hours or during the Quilting Bees and pick up a
pattern. You may also request a
pattern to be sent through the mail by calling the Park at 219-947-1958.
Deadline to submit your block(s) is July 27, 2008.
The next block is "Lotsa-Potsa Flowers".
Visit the next season to see your block in the new quilt project.
Upon completion it will be on exhibit in the Mill. VINTAGE BASE BALL The beloved team plays from May through October, both at Grinder Field and in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Home games are played on Grinder Field, across the river from Wood’s Mill at Deep River County Park. They are free and suitable for the entire family. 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 1 6th 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 or see their web page at www.geocities.com/deeprivergrinders Click here for 2008 Deep River Grinders Schedule 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. NON RESERVED HAYRIDES For individuals and families -- no groups, please. 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 21 through October 26, 2008 (except October 4 & 5) 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 219-945-0543. 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 4 - 26, 2008 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for only $3 per person. Groups may reserve evening hayrides by calling the business office at 219-945-0543. Campfire Chillers
Meet in the meadow across Deep River - Just look for the campfire Who doesn't love sitting around a crackling campfire, telling scary stories and watching the flames dance in the dark? Your family can experience this during our annual Campfire Chillers. Master Storyteller Karen Slager, a member of Northwest Indiana Storytellers Guild, will lead the stories, telling many of her favorites. But she also invites students to stand up and tell their own short tale. While you may experience the proverbial "chill down your spine" from time to time, this program is suitable for the entire family , but you know your child the best.Bring your own lawn chairs, marshmallows and roasting sticks to use AFTER the storytelling. Be prepared for the weather. Dress warmly. The program will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held inside Wood's Historic Grist Mill.Be prepared to get goose bumps! BOO! Gotcha! MAPLE SYRUP TIME 2008 Maple Syrup Time on the Weekends
Warm days and cold nights signal the trees to awaken from their long winter’s nap and begin the flow of sap. This late winter phenomenon also indicates to the maple sugar farmer that it’s time to gather the buckets, drills, and spiles and head out to the sugar bush to tap the trees. This is when you, too, can see the entire process from tapping to evaporation to the finished product. Come learn about this truly North American activity, then purchase your bottle of Deep River Pure Maple Syrup. Outdoor Weekend Activities
In the Visitor Center
Wood’s
Historic Grist Mill
Maple Syrup Time Weekday Field Trip Reservations Deep River County Park Reservations for group tours taken beginning January 15, 2008. Group tours March 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14. 17, 18, 2008
The tour includes an Outdoor Interpretive Program explaining when and how trees are tapped and how the sap is collected. How did the settlers in North America learn about making syrup from sap? At the Sugar Shack you will see, through the steam, the entire process from sap to syrup at the wood-fired evaporator. At the Visitor Center you will learn about other syrups and get a taste of Deep River’s own brand. A special $1.50 bottle of syrup is available only to students. The regular 12-ounce bottles for $6.00 are also available, in addition to maple candy and other souvenirs. Each group gets to put a leaf on our maple tree. Much of the tour is conducted outdoors, so please dress according to weather conditions. There are indoor alternatives in case of extreme weather. Maple Syrup Time Just for Seniors Deep River County Park
Seniors! Break out of your cabin fever and join others in an enjoyable afternoon of fun as you learn about the making of pure maple syrup right here in Northwest Indiana. Call in your reservation, then join us for fun, a video, cake and coffee. You may taste the sweet syrup made right here at Deep River County Park. Bottles of syrup are available in the gift shop after the program. This program takes place entirely indoors where it is heated and you can be seated. No walking! We bring the information to you. So sit back, enjoy the afternoon and have fun. Be sure to register. Maple Tree Tapping Workshop Deep River County Park Visitor Center
You will be able to make your own pure maple syrup if you have access to large maple trees, a few supplies, and a little instruction. Learn how and when to tap the trees, how to collect and preserve the sap, and how to produce your own pure maple syrup. You may already have a drill, some buckets, a camp stove or grill, bottles and pans. Other items, such as spiles, filters and sap buckets may be purchased at the workshop. The workshop consists of a lesson and demonstration, a hands-on opportunity to drill a tap hole and insert a spile, help with identifying maple trees in the wintertime, and a step-by-step instructional book to take home. Pre-registration is required (see number and hours above). For a weather update on the day of the workshop, call 219-947-1958. Page updated February 17, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||