The holidays have a special meaning to all of us. It could be the sights and sounds of the children sled riding down the hill behind the farm house or the late nights making holiday treats in the kitchen. Or it could be the traditions we have in our families that we celebrate every year. [...]
Honorable mention: Sharon Sweda, Huron, Ohio Jacob slumped as Katherine cleared the table around him. Sensing he’d skip choir rehearsal, she chose to pray, rather than argue. The foreclosure notice had changed everything at the farm and Jacob became more withdrawn as the deadline approached. “Where’s Jacob?” Pastor Thomas inquired. Rumors circulated that Jacob was [...]
Winner: Alejandro Villalva, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Reserve, 42, San Antonio, TX Richard sat silently, transfixed, his entire attention riveted to the photo that he found in the illustrated book of the Vietnam War which his grandson had just given him as a Christmas gift. The photo was a hauntingly brutal depiction of young [...]
Third place: Maryann Lepovsky, 65, of Lucinda, Pa. All the lights were out in town except for the bright orange Rexall sign on the corner drugstore. The soft snow as falling onto the frozen ground covering the grass and trees with a layer of fine angel hair. The date was Dec. 23, 1966. The peace [...]
Second place: Mark Llewellyn, of New Castle, Pa. Doreen’s eyes, glassy in this state of reverie, wandered from one hand to the other. Arthritis found refuge in the aging joints long ago, and her knobby knuckles were testament to a life rife with farm work and household chores. Once the farm had been dutifully handed [...]
The holidays have a special meaning to all of us. It could be the sights and sounds of the children sled riding down the hill behind the farm house or the late nights making holiday treats in the kitchen. Or it could be the traditions we have in our families that we celebrate every year. [...]
Christmas stories of love, wishes, lessons learned and animals filled our mailbox and inboxes in the past few weeks and we couldn’t have been happier here at the Farm and Dairy! The stories gave us the jolt we needed to get into the holiday spirit. The judges had a tough time picking the winners but [...]
Tyler Moff Berlin Center, Ohio Age:10 I was out doing chores. It was Christmas Eve. I did all my chores but I forgot one. This chore that I forgot led to a nice, hilarious Christmas-haying the cows. I went inside and got ready for bed, wondering what would be under the tree tomorrow. I was [...]
Honorable mention: Veronica Easterday, 14, of North Bloomfield Beep! Beep! Beep! Santa lazily covered his head with his pillow trying to block out the disturbing beeps of his alarm clock. Subconsciously, pushing the snooze button, he snuggled into his warm electric blanket, “Just five more minutes.” Fifteen minutes passed and the alarm didn’t beep. An [...]
Abigail Langmeyer Age: 7 Cortland, Ohio There was a little girl named Jane who lived on a farm in Texas. She wanted a cat for Christmas, but her Mom and Dad said “no.” Jane said this cat will be my friend and help me with my chores. Maybe Santa will bring if to your said [...]
