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Community Corner

Farm Hosts Hayride and Caroling

Have some 'down-home' holiday fun at the Lewis Oliver Farm today.

Families wishing to usher in the holiday season with some heartwarming memories of Northport's rural past can do so at the Friends of the Farm's annual holiday open house. The event, which takes place at the  on Sunday  from 2 to 4 pm, will feature hayrides, hot chocolate, caroling, and the opportunity to meet with Santa and all the animals.

According to volunteer Wendy Erlandson, the Friends of the Farm has been hosting the event for about eight years.

"The kids love the tractor ride," Erlandson said, adding that the children will enjoy a unique tour of neighborhood holiday displays from the vantage point of the wagon, and get into the spirit of the season by singing familiar Christmas carols like Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman.

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Erlandson said that the volunteers decorate the farm and the barn, and that Friends of the Farm expect to welcome about 50 guests.

The event is the Friends of the Farm's way of saying thank you, Erlandson indicated.

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"Since the families have visited and supported us all year we want to welcome our little "friends of the farm" and provide the caroling ride around the neighborhood and the goodies and toys from 'Santa" as a gift,' she said.

Something to Crow About

 

The Tropicana trailer, a longtime eyesore on the property, has been miraculously transformed into a lovely landscaped showpiece by a local boy scout troop.

 

According to volunteer Lorene Eriksen, the boy scouts painted the structure a barn red, and then added wooden trim to simulate the look of a real barn. The finishing touches? A raised planting bed and a picket fence.

The Farm's Wish List

In this season of giving, please think of the Lewis Oliver Farm. The Friends of the Farm have continued to improve the property and level of care provided to the animals, and have a number of projects that they would love to get off the ground, but are desperately in need of funds and volunteers. The wish list includes expanding the general barn area to give the animals more space. Running electricity to the pig pen, chicken coup and alpaca paddock for the purpose of providing warmth and installing heated water buckets so the animal's water won't freeze are also top priorities.

 

"We have a local electrician who has generously volunteered to donate the labor. We just need to raise the funds for the materials which can get costly, given the size of our property, and length of wiring needed, Eriksen said.

To offer support, contact the Friends of the Farm at (631) 261-6320 or

friendsofthefarm@ymail.com.

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