Makinajian's Poultry Farm and Country Store

 If you would like to visit a little gem of a Farm stand in Huntington, visit the Makinajian Poultry Farm .

 The kids can see sheep,

 Ducks, Chickens, Turkeys, and Geese (hey, how did he get in there?)

 see wonderful barnyard outbuildings,

 the outside of the original farm house with its huge Magnolia tree,

 the Herb garden

 the shopkeepers,

 racks of fresh produce,

 fruit, fresh eggs,

 and of course fresh poultry.

 We went to Makinajian's because they carry delicious Jericho Cider, reportedly the best around.  Heat it up for a special treat.

Thanks to the Makinajian family their farm has operated since 1948, and is located at 276 Cuba Hill Road, Huntington, NY 11743. or call  (631) 368-9320 for further information.  It's a great destination for all. 

Eggbert The Easter Egg

Eggbert the Easter Egg, (or Springtime Egg) was a simple elementary art project that I would do with Kindergarten or First grade students.

My daughter is a First grade teacher in the state of Virginia and asked if I had any ideas for an art activity.  I sent her this.  First cut a templet of an egg from a piece of stiff cardboard that would fit on 9"x6" paper.  I used light blue card stock for the egg.

The kids can take turns tracing the egg on their blue paper during the day.

 Next the students sketch a large zig-zag on the egg, making sure that they do not make too many small points.

The teacher cuts some yellow construction paper into 6"x4" rectangles.

Have the children draw their own version of a chick, or help them follow the direction that I found on line.

 With a hole puncher, (one with a small hole maker would be great,) punch holes through the side of the two egg pieces.

 Cut out the chicks and the eggs.

Flip the bottom portion of the egg over and tape Eggbert to the back, making sure that he faces out.

Using the tinniest drop of white glue, glue on a few fluffy colored feathers.

Push a brass paper fastener, or "brad" into the holes for the hinge.

Eggbert is inside the egg.  You can go on You Tube and hear the original Rosemary Clooney Eggbert song from 1952!

We used to line up the students in a semi-circle with their eggs which were closed.  They would sing the song and when he pops out they open the egg.  This is guaranteed to make everyone smile.

Chickens, Chickens, Chickens, Pigeons

 Although I have grown up in suburbia, I am a fan of chickens.

When I was browsing at a local church thrift shop, this book popped out and was interesting to me.

This manual, Judging Poultry for Production,  was written in 1930 by  James E. Rice, Goldan O. Hall, and Dean R. Marble.

 

There are comparisons of beaks, 

combs,

eggs

feet,

and other attributes that make for excellent chickens.

My own dad was a pigeon fancier.   He had many journals that  described the best qualities of racing pigeons.   He came from the Bronx and Queens, and this was a very urban hobby for men of that era.   I would go with my dad to Maspeth, Queens with wicker baskets of racing birds.  We would load them onto a special truck which would take them hundreds of miles away.  The birds would race home and be "clocked" with an oak racing clock.  Bands would be put into capsules and inserted into the clock.

The time that the bird came home to its coop was registered inside the clock.  Later the miles per hour were calculated and the winner determined per club.  Pigeon chicks were given racing bands which were slipped over their feet and onto their legs.  As the bird grew the band would be secured until it was removed after a race and put into the capsules. 

When I saw this book, it reminded me of the information that my father had mastered regarding pigeons.  He knew each bird individually.  He kept records about their lineage,breeding and their accomplishments.  He knew if one had been lost and sometimes returned to the coop after many years!

 

He knew how  to pick a winner.  If anyone is interested in this book, please contact me.