Horseshoe Bay Farms December 2023 Newsletter | | |
|
2023 Continues Momentum... | |
With flurries and colder temperatures, our 2023 season has come to an end. The Dahlias are resting for the winter, the interns are back at school, and our wonderful volunteers have mostly gone to warmer climates. A few remained (Thank You) to help us close up in November.
We would like to recognize some our our local community partners for 2023:
Boys & Girls Club of DC
Peninsula School of Art
Living in Retirement
Inspired Employment
Algoma Venture Academy
Ridges Sanctuary
Door County Big Plant
Peninsula Pulse
Egg Harbor Historical Society
It was another great year at Horseshoe Bay Farms. Stickwork, our first Car Show, Plein Air, a very special Cherry Camp/Farm Family Reunion, and our amazing gardens brought over 3600 visitors. We guided nearly 600 people on tours and enjoyed the company of over 30 volunteers that helped us keep the gardens beautiful, assisted with our events and worked in the Welcome Center. A big THANK YOU to everyone that helped make this year so amazing!
| |
Stickwork Still Dazzles and Brings Artist Recognition | |
|
Next year will be our 3rd season with Happy-Go-Lucky. Usually, Patrick’s structures last around 3-4 years, so we will be making sure that next year we host some very special Stickwork events.
Surprisingly, this summer we were visited by a lovely princess, hopefully we will see her again next summer! Also, Patrick Dougherty recently received the highest civilian honor from the State of North Carolina. The award recognized Patrick for his significant contribution to the state and nation in the field of fine arts.
Our Stickwork sculpture is a temporary structure. It is available for viewing year-round during daylight hours, at no charge. (Although donations are always appreciated.)
| |
|
First Year Internship Program | |
We were so very lucky to have Allie and Kiley this season. We have asked them to give us a brief review of their “Summer at HSBF”. | | |
 | What an amazing internship opportunity! During my summer at Horseshoe Bay Farms in Egg Harbor, WI, I researched the original Murphy-Cowles family history, helped organize and operate various events on the farm, and worked with the most amazing people there. The research our other intern, Kiley Rusch, and I found helped contribute to the tour experience at Horseshoe Bay Farms, adding to the stories and experiences we offer guests who visit the farm. We were also very thankful to help introduce the farm’s first ever car show this past July! In August too, we hosted our cherry camp reunion that welcomed back those who once worked and contributed to the Horseshoe Bay Farms’ legacy. Best yet, I am thankful for the wonderful people I was fortunate enough to work with here. Together, we formed a strong team accomplishing tasks around the farm while also celebrating fun times with one another. I am so grateful for this internship through the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and Horseshoe Bay Farms, and I highly recommend this experience to students who may be interested! | |  |
|
My internship at Horseshoe Bay Farms was something I never would have expected to change my viewpoint on my future career. After spending time studying the history and learning about non-profits, it did just that. Having history at my fingertips every day is something I could have only dreamed of. Every day I learned something new, and getting to live and work at a place that changed people's lives is a gift that keeps giving. I made lifetime friendships and it is a place that will always be near and dear to my heart.
| | |
|
We hosted our first Annual Vintage Car Show. It was an incredible success with over 55 cars, 500 visitors and over 150 hot dogs grilled. We are excited to announce that our 2nd Annual Vintage Car Show will be July 6, 2024.
| |
Cherry Camp/Farm Family Reunion | | |
|
What an incredible experience the Reunion was! We had over 50 former farm family members, cherry campers, relatives of cherry campers, friends of the Farm and more. It was a very special day of reconnecting, sharing memories and making new friends. Everyone that joined us that day are the reason we at Horseshoe Bay Farms can be proud of what we do every day. We look forward to our 2nd Annual Reunion on August 11, 2024. We hope to meet many more people (or their families) that helped to make this Farm so special. | | |
Flower and Vegetable Gardens | |
Our gardens continue to draw in visitors to spend time seeing what is currently growing, go for a quiet stroll, or sit and enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the Farm. Roy and his volunteers worked their magic in creating a beautiful Country Garden, while Mary Kay and her volunteers made the Veggie Garden a visual buffet of food and flowers. We will be adding some new varieties to our Dahlias, as well as more spring flower bulbs, in 2024, so be sure to come and walk away with a lovely bouquet! | |
|
Thank You to Our Volunteers!
A heads up to everyone, we will be reaching out over the winter months to gauge your volunteer interest. You can sign up anytime, as we re-open in May, 2024. If you are interested in volunteering please visit our website and fill out the volunteer form. If you are not certain whether you are on our volunteer list, PLEASE let us know. Send us an email at info@horseshoebayfarms.org
| |
| |
|
Your Donations Are Always Appreciated
Thank you to the many generous souls who donated to Horseshoe Bay Farms this year. We have plowed these funds back into our many farm projects, improvements, equipment and things necessary for our day-to-day operations. With new plans underway for 2024, additional funds are needed. Please donate today, either on-line or by mail at:
Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc.
P.O. Box 296
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin 54209.
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hopefully mild winter. If you have any interest in joining our volunteer team, we would love to have you. See you in the 2024!
| | |
Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our mission is to act as a responsible steward through preservation, rehabilitation, and activation of historic Horseshoe Bay Farms to secure its future for generations to come.
| Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc. | 7212 Horseshoe Bay Rd, P.O. Box 296, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 | 920-495-9988 |
| | | |
