the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana nov 2018 | Page 10

Page 10A THE BEACON November 2018

Memories in The Poultry Barn

By Doris Butt

I have fond memories of visiting the state fair . After parking our van , Ray and I would head straight to my favorite state fair stop , the Poultry Barn . I like the Poultry Barn . I love poultry . I like all the crowing , clucking , and hissing found there . It all brings such good memories of Mom ’ s chickens .

I remember Mom ’ s hens hatching broods of baby chickens and clucking directions to them as they wandered about the farmstead . Then there was the excitement when the boxes of peeping baby pullets arrived . My time in the brooder house is a most vivid childhood memory . Mom allowed me to use our only flashlight , a big privilege in and of itself , and slip out through the dark to the brooder house . There I would sit in a corner on a pile of wood in the light of the kerosene lantern and enjoy the delicate baby chicks peeping and dashing about . I can still close my eyes and recall that scene including the wondrous smells of the fresh ground corncobs used for bedding and creosote made by burning wood in the stove .

Every evening in the summer , Mom would open the gate to let her young hens out to get some grass . They immediately ran to scratch in her flower beds or worse . To her frustration , too many of her precious souls would proceed straight to the road to meet their maker .

In the fall , the mature hens were sold for one dollar each . I always hoped no one would stop to purchase one while my parents were gone . I did not like chasing down someone ’ s dinner in the smelly dusty hen house .

As soon as I was big enough , my Saturday morning farm chore became cleaning the eggs . I would sit by the step

Wave Foundation brings a live African Penguin along with animal artifacts and discusses everything penguin .

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17 11 AM — 12 PM NORTH DEARBORN BRANCH

Sponsored by Friends of the Lawrenceburg Public Library District . opening of one of those flat cellar doors which we lifted up . All shapes and sizes of egg containers were hauled up from the basement and placed around me . I spent all morning working my way through those eggs . The whole basement step area was a scrambled mess by the time I finished .

The biggest portion of the eggs was sold to a neighbor who would peddle them in Cincinnati . Some were sold at the farmstead which brought a variety of people to our home . This continued even after Ray and I were married and also living on the farmstead .

Our oldest daughter , Jennie , loves to tell how , when she was twelve , she and Mom tried to figure out what was feasting on the hens during the night . One or two chickens would be killed , and the grain from their craws would be eaten . Ray pulled our VW bus by the chicken house door where Jennie and Mom could have their night watch in comfort . It turned out they had too much comfort ; they both went to sleep . Two more hens bit the dust . Soon afterward a neighbor shot a big owl , and the deaths stopped .

Even though we bought pullet chicks , a rooster or two would manage to slip through . Our outhouse was in the chicken yard , and those roosters took their job as protectors of the flock seriously . My mother did not like killing them and my father did not like eating them , so it took

Doris admiring the chickens at the state fair .

company coming over to get the gentlemen into the frying pan . Everyone celebrated not having to challenge the roosters anymore when the indoor plumbing came .

We tour each aisle in the Poultry Barn . I decided God had fun when he designed feathers on chickens . Many of the cages list the same few exhibitors showing a wide variety of chickens . I wonder about what their farms are like and think I would like to visit them .

To my great pleasure , I learn that the Rooster Crowing Contest finals are being held . I love to hear roosters . I quickly find seats for us in the bleachers just as ten caged roosters , backed by encouraging owners , begin the crowing countdown . A small white leghorn takes the honors by combining seventy-eight crows in the hour of tryouts and finals .

Afterward , we head out past my feathered friends to see the things of lesser importance at the fair .

Later , while telling a friend the details of my glorious moments in the Poultry House , she asked Ray how he liked our time there . His shocking reply was , “ It was like watching paint dry !” Some people just do not appreciate the finer things in life .

Old Friends and Bright Beginnings

Our monthly luncheon will be on Nov . 1 at Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church . A catered lunch will be served at 11:30 . The menu includes turkey with all the trimmings , followed by a variety of pies for dessert .

Randy Lyness , Indiana State Representative and vocalist at

Dearborn Hills UMC , will be performing at the luncheon . Everyone enjoys and appreciates his beautiful voice and always looks forward to the “ squirrel ” song .

Your reservation and $ 10.00 will be appreciated by Oct . 26 . Contact the Church Office at 812-637-3993 .

Glenn Wright

Independent FOR Commissioner

Glenn Delbert Wright

Born & raised in Southeastern Indiana Son of Delbert & Katie Lee Wright Married to Donna Kay Bohl Wright for 47 years 1 Daughter-Erica Wright 2 Grandchildren Distinguished Graduate of Purdue University BS & MS in Agriculture & Education 30 hours of college Credit past Master Degree 32 Years experience as Ag Educator & FFA Advisor At East Central & Sunman High School Business Experience : Principal Broker for Glenn Wright Real Estate Has owned & operated our farm for 35 + years YOUR Dearborn County Recorder for 8 years Member of : Lifetime Laughery Valley Fish & Game Hopewell Lodge # 80 F & AM Sagamore of the Wabash Award NRA , NMLRA , NATIONAL EDUCATION ASS ’ N

I Believe that the citizens of Dearborn County deserve the opportunity to select THEIR representatives through a fair and impartial election of the people , by the people and for the people .

I appreciate your support .

Politically Correct Glenn Wright

THE BEACON - Bringing our Community and Businesses Together .

OR www . tinyurl . com / GlennWright2018

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