The Last Ferncol Fair :(

Today Paul, Marley and I went to the 50th, and last, Ferncol Fair. Big Baba's cousin, Robert, up until a year or so ago, lived on a big farm in Templeton, MA, called the Templeton Development Center. It is for the mentally handicapped. Each year, for 50 years, they have hosted a fair on the grounds of the Center. Robert has since moved to a brand new group home in Athol. The Center is trying to move all of the residents to different group homes and they are no longer going to have the fair at the farm. At least, that is the plan for now. We have brought Marley at least four times. It is always a fun day. Last year, and this year, one of the workers from the group home brought Robert to the fair. Today was not the best day weather wise and Robert didn't stay too long, but we still had a nice visit. Marley's favorite part this year was the Native American Pow Wow. She and I spent a lot of time looking around there.



We also took the tour of the cow barn, always a favorite of mine.

We will definitely miss this little town fair.

Ferncol Fair with Marley

Hot and humid was today's weather for the Ferncol Fair. Paul, Marley and I met Big Baba and his cousin Robert there. Robert doesn't live on the Templeton grounds anymore where they hold the fair every year. The State has been making some changes transitioning from large institutions to group homes and Robert now lives in a brand new group home not too far away.




There was an Indian Pow Wow there that Marley and I spent a long time at.






We watched the oxen pull,






and took our traditional tour of the dairy barn,














went on a hayride and walked through the corn maze.





Next year I hope we can do a little more with Robert. His aide didn't bring his wheelchair, only his walker, and it was a real slow go to get anywhere with him. Baba and Big Baba basically visited with him in one place while Marley and I did the fair. Hopefully next year he'll have his wheelchair with him and we can all do a little more together.

268/365 - Ferncol Fair

Today Paul, Marley and I went to a little town fair in Templeton, MA.

Big Baba's cousin, Robert, lives there, at the Templeton Developmental Center.  Fred and Priscilla, and sometimes Paul and I have gone to this fair over the years.

Robert is the son of Nante and Anna Radtke.  He has lived here since he was about 12 years old.  It is a big working farm that is a residential center for the mentally handicapped.  Some of the men have jobs, although Robert is now "retired."  Every year the center hosts a town fair on the grounds.  It is quite a fun time with food, games, crafts, oxen pulls and a tour of the farm.  Robert always enjoys it when the family comes to the fair.

The last time we camet here with Marley was in 2004 and this is what I wrote in Marley's scrapbook that year:

"Ferncol Fair - Today we went to the Ferncol Fair.  This is held on the grounds of the Templeton Development Center.  Every year the school hosts a small town fair with food, rides, animals, crafts, etc.  The last time we went with Marley was 2002.  We never made it in 2003 because it was a rainy weekend.  It was sad going this year for the first time without Priscilla, just remembering how she enjoyed being there and watching Marley the last time we went.  Marley thoroughly enjoyed herself this year.  She had her face painted, rode a big horse (much to Kristen and my nervousness that she would fall off), rode the kiddy roller coaster with me (I was to nervous to let her go herself), and took the cow barn tour.  I'm not sure just what Robert thought of her.  I don't think he likes to share the attention.  Nancy came up for the afternoon.  We all had a fun day; the weather was beautiful! 9/25/2004."


Today was a beautiful warm fall day. Marley seemed to have a good time. There were lots of things for kids to do.

She had a ride on a horse.

Watched an oxen pull ("Isn't that mean to do to them?").






Took a tour of the dairy farm.








Went through a corn maze.




Searched for treasure in sawdust.



And found these.




Let Baba walk her new stuffed puppy (that she named Goldie).



I love coming to this fair, especially with Marley!