Letter from Danny and Joy

This season on the farm is a milestone for us as we celebrate 20 years of business! We find ourselves reflecting over those years and are aware of how our kids have grown up and how things have changed on the farm.

Our fondest memories were when our children entertained in the barn loft. Curtis was only 11 years old when he began playing his fiddle, Joni was 8 and Danae was 6 when they began singing and dancing in the loft. Our foster son, John, was Bingo the dog, Grandma baked all the chocolate chip and molasses cookies from scratch, and Grandpa would take care of the animals and mow. From the beginning we wanted this to be a business that involved the entire family and indeed it did.

Twenty years later we are still a family business. Though the kids have all grown and are married, they still come home on weekends to help out when they can. Curtis tends to the catapult that he and Danny built. His wife, Sarah, helps out and we love it when she brings our granddaughters, Miriam and Maggie, to enjoy the farm. Joni is often managing activities outside with her husband, Mike. Danae can be found in the main barn as Andy, her husband, fills in wherever he is needed.

Grandma still bakes the cookies and cares for the mums, and Grandpa mows when he can. We are thankful for their continued involvement and help. They are each a special blessing to us.

Together we have learned so much. We have learned that you definitely can’t control the weather, or economic conditions, and you can’t make everyone happy no matter how hard you try. We have also learned the value of working together and doing the best we possibly can regardless of the conditions or circumstances. We have discovered that the greatest blessings in business or personal life come in the small, unexpected ways. And finally we have been convinced that God is faithful in all things and what we do for Him truly lasts.

Our goal through the years has been to provide memorable activities that would give identity and meaning to family relationships. Bill and Gloria Gaither said it well in their song, "We Have This Moment Today". The lyrics are, "We have this moment to hold in our hand, and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand. Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today." We pray your moments here will be memorable.

To those who have visited our farm once or many times over the years we look forward to seeing you again. You are more than customers - you are our friends. If you are coming for the first time we’re looking forward to meeting you. We have exciting plans for this 20th year and are working to provide great memories for all of us.

See you soon!

Danny and Joy