Sunday Evening, July 23

We felt honored to be invited to our grand-nephew’s high school graduation party.

His sister, Ashlea, decorated the cake.

Our niece Karen decorated with beautiful sunflowers.

The deck and backyard were set up for visiting with Travis.

My sister, Nancy, and her daughter (Travis’ mom) Karen preparing the food table.

Uncle, aunt, and cousins of Travis’ dad.

Hershey is interested in all the comings and goings.

We are enjoying seeing Travis’ cattle in the meadow at the homestead. Also the new fencing.

Travis’ Great Grandma Becker is on the right.

The young people were outside.

Travis’ sister Ashlea, his Grandma Becker, his aunt Chelsey, and cousin Jamie.

Enjoying the food

Karen and her friend Angie

I went outside to take a few pictures before the rain arrived.

Travis’ dad – Larry – making homemade ice cream. Travis’ Uncle Kevin watching.

More young people

Pretty flowers

Larry and Karen’s part of the house.

The entire house. My brother Steve and his wife, Brenda, live in the sandstone part of the farm house. Larry, Karen, Travis and Ashlea live in the frame part.

The sandstone part of the house was built between 1819 and 1821. It appears that it took two years to build because a board in the cellar says 1819 and another in the attic says 1821. The center – frame section – was added in the early 1900s. Karen found 1903 written in plaster when remodeling the interior before they moved in this spring. The frame section on the right was added in 1997.

1. My great-great-grandpa John Hershey bought this farm in 1875.
2. His son Jacob and wife Annie moved here in 1888.
3. My grandpa Milton and wife Nancy began farming here in 1920.
4. My dad purchased the farm in 1949 – when I was four.
5. My brothers Dale and Steve took over the farm in 1980 and in 1992 my brother Clair joined the partnership.
6. This spring my sister’s daughter, Karen, and her husband Larry purchased the farm and will be the sixth Hershey generation to own the farm.
7. Their son Travis (the graduate) is their partner in owning the farm – the seventh generation Hershey.

A pretty sunflower near the old milk house.

Back to the party

My brother Clair and his wife, Kate, arrived with a special gift for Travis.

They framed the certificate my dad received in 1975 when the farm had been in the Hershey family for 100 years.

Our step-mother brought this crock as a gift to the farm house. I am not sure when she and Daddy got it.

Celebrating a few Hershey generations. Back: My brothers Steve and Clair, our nephew Larry, Travis, my brother Dale. Front: Me, our niece Karen, my sister Nancy and Larry and Karen’s daughter Ashlea.

Steve, Clair, Dale – former owners of the farm. Travis and Larry the new owners.

We added our step-mother to this group to represent my dad. Sometimes we wish Daddy could be here and see that one of his granddaughters, her husband, and grandson have purchased the farm. He would be delighted – as are we.

Two of my sister-in-laws – Kate (Clair) and Dot (Dale). They were standing in a shadowed area (and I wasn’t using a flash) so these pictures were dark and difficult to lighten. They improved greatly when I changed them to black and white.

Kate doesn’t like her picture being taken, so turned her cell phone on me. 🙂

I like this picture.

Then we had a downpour and everyone moved inside the house.

I love this photo by Kate and asked for permission to post it on my blog – when my brother Clair escorted our step-mother to her car. She is 93 and still driving!

~~~

It was a delightful evening – celebrating Travis’ graduation and the transition of the farm.