BlfrLancastar Farming, Saturday, May 23,1992
Kids Explore The
SHARON B. SCHUSTER
Maryland Correspondent
NEW WINDSOR, Md. The
wagons pulled into the gravel lane
and came to a rest under the trees
and around the bam.
“Here they ckrne,” I called to
my husband.
No, we weren’t under Indian
attack, and the wagons were not
the Conestoga variety.
As the doors to the station
wagon and vans were opened, out
came two dozen visitors from the
Montessori School of Westmin
ster, Maryland. We greeted the
young visitors in the yard in front
of the house where three-year-old
Four-year-old Ashley Zombro found a good seat In the
grapevine.
Chuck Schuster (on tractor) took ths young visitors for a wagon
farm.
Rachael Schuster’s great
grandparents had lived. “Wel
come to The Deeps, our home,
where your classmate, Rachael, is
fourth generation to live on the
family farm.”
The three-, four- and five-year
old students came to our farm in
New Windsor, Maryland, to take a
nature hike through the trees and
meadows.
A few precautionary statements
were in order before we set out on s
the trail. “Never touch a wild ani
mal, look out for fences, stay with
your buddy, and don’t cut your
foot!” That’s what my father used
to tell me when I was a little girl,
Deeps Oh Maryland Farm
The children perched on a tree that had been uprooted In a storm many years ago.
From left, top row: Laura Benlgnl, Chert Isles (teacher), Ashley Zombro, Aaron Wing
ert, Rob Augustine, Danny Sullivan, Grace Donaldson, Elite Camlln, Krista Webb,
Samantha Drogue, Jason Nelson, Rachael Schuster, Susan Aldridge, Matthew Sold
ier, Ashley Walker, Sara Fan, Shiloh Frye, Hilary Bartdn, Laura Augustine.
Bottom row: Linda Felker (aide), Ann Webb, Katherine Bartdn, Linda Donaldson,
Sharon Nelson, and Chuck Schuster.
hiking along the very same trails,
when I accidentally stepped in
cow dung.
We pointed out the date on the
side of the huge red bam — lB6B.
“That is the home for our cows,”
we explained. “They come here to
eat and sleep and to spend the
winter.”
Our first stop was at the pond,
about a half-acre in size, and home
to thousands of fish. As one small
fry examined another, I told them
the kinds of fish that inhabit our
swimming hole.
“We stocked the pond with
Blue Gill, Crappie, Large Mouth
Bass, Silver Channel Catfish and
Goldfish.” Each pair of kids took a
turn coming onto the dock to
throw pieces of bread to the fish.
“They’re really hungry,” they
exclaimed, as our little Blue Gills
splashed them.
“I liked feeding the fish,” said
Hilary Barkin.
Laura Benigni shared her class
mate’s opinion, “I like water.”
“Look, they sat out of her
hand,” said the kids with amaze-
aroui
tried out Mother’s Nature’s balanced beams
fallen logs In the woods.
ment, as I held a piece of bread
close to the water’s surface, and
fish jumped to get a bite. “When
Rachael and I dangle our feet in
the pond, the fish nibble at our
toes,” I added.
After feeding the fish, we
picked up the co,wpath and headed
out on our nature hike. It wasn’t
long before Mother Nature was
putting on a show for us.
“The best part of nature hikes
are the unexpected surprises, such
as the flock of goldfinches,” said
Linda Felker.
Mrs. Felker, classroom aide,
accompanied the students on the
trip, along with parents, Katherine
Barkin, Linda Donaldson, and
Ann Webb. The brightly colored
finches covered a huge tree and
were a colorful spectacle when
our walking made them take to the
wing.
We meandered along the creek
and ventured nearer to the edge for
a closer look. The aroma of fresh
mint filled the air as we crushed
the leaves under our feet “Mint
grows all along the water’s edge.
Rachael and I like to pick the
leaves and dry them so that we can
use them in our tea in the winter
time," I commented.
(Turn to Pago B 12)