Article submitted by the Gibson County Green Thumb Club. Photo: Jodi Meyer
News from Lyles Station, Indiana As you drive through the countryside do you ever reminisce about your childhood experiences? I do! I am from the city; my mother was always looking for fun things to do in the country. She would contact her friends to see if we could come see their pigs, milk their cow, play with the goats. On and on, one of her childhood friends had a milk cow. Anyone who knew Leroy Sisson knew of his good nature. He explained the process to milk a cow, but somehow, I pointed in the wrong direction and squirted his face. Big laughs! I got better with practice. This brings me to Lyles Station School and Museum. Do you wonder why? When the children come to Lyles Station School and Museum, they are taught many lessons. Starting in the heritage classroom, then to the lower level for candle making. Once they leave the school building, they travel a short distance to the Dairy Barn. Now this is not the typical Diary barn, no poo or odors. Stabled in this building is a life-sized wooden Diary Cow with utters. Each child is given the opportunity to milk the cow, use the small milking stool and fill the bucket. While in the Diary Barn there is another area of
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learning, the corn sheller is set up ready for use, (with supervision of course) The corn is shelled and collected. I know the squirrels love the result of their hard work, eating shelled corn, less work for the squirrels. The students can look around the barn to see antique farming tools and relics collected or donated over the years to the school. The students are then able to stroll the gardens, one being a kitchen garden. Various herbs are grown, some are dried and available for the students to touch and smell. Also located around the property are old plows, cultivators, and rotary lawn mowers to view. Wildlife and farm animals are also seen on the property from time to time. Just recently the students witnessed that firsthand. While conducting a portion of the class in the Log Cabin, a student noticed a live black snake inching its way out of the fireplace. The snake was just about to pick the pocket of Stan when the student spoke up and alerted Stan to the intruder. Not what you would expect during class. But all was good, what a memory of that special classroom activity. Many animals have been sheltered on the property at the Lyles Station School and Museum. During the month of October there is always a petting barn set up. Well, some may not want to be petted but it is fun watching the sheep, the ducks and whatever makes its way to the barn lot. If the sheep are hungry, they will always come to the fence and be very vocal. There is always something to see or do while at Lyles Station School and Museum. The Farm to Table event is coming soon, where you can share the bounty of a full meal and entertainment. Visiting with old friends and making new friends is another reason.
Call Steve Snodgrass of
Pests Aside Pest Control 812-664-7523•812-640-0630 Certified in Pest Control in the State of Indiana by Purdue University
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Kash Meyer, Amelia Meyer and Dahlia Wilson checking out the cow at Lyles Station.
July 2023
Small Town Living