Scarecrows Make Unique Fathers Day Gift

Scarecrows Make Unique Fathers Day Gift AG WORLD Ag World 13-2-20 "We made this family of scarecrows as a gift for my father," says Millie Clark, who along with her husband Cameron operates a rural restaurant near Wintergreen, Va. The scarecrows stand guard over a gar-den at the front of the restaurant, which is housed in an old farm house built in 1743 and specializes in old fashioned southern fried cooking. The restaurant is part of a family resort complete with horse stables and tennis courts. Six years ago, Millie built "Jack", the male scarecrow, as a surprise birthday gift for her father, OJ. Wade. Every year since she has set up the display as a gift on Father's Day, and every year she adds a new "creature" to the display. Over the five years, "Jack" took wife "Marge", a dog, some chickens, a baby, a mule and an antique plow to help with the spring plowing. The display stays up until the last day of October, providing entertainment for the Clarks and restaurant guests alike. "Dad really looks forward to it. He knows there'll be something different every Father's Day, but he doesn't know what it'll be," says Millie. "Tourists like to take photos of themselves in front of the scarecrows. Some even sit on the mule to pose for photos." Mildred uses scrap materials to build the scarecrows. Two by four boards and chicken wire, covered with old feed bags, old dresses or blue jeans, are used to make the bodies. "We redress the scarecrows each year, using the same frames," says Mildred. "Next year we may put Jack and Marge in an antique wagon, filled with hay and pumpkins. But don't tell Dad." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mil-lie Clark, Rodes Farm Inn and Stables, Rt. 1, Box 239, Wintergreen, Va. 22938 (ph 804 361-1200).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.