Every October in Susquehanna County is "Susquehanna County Reads" month. Co-sponsored by the County Literacy Program and the County Library, events this year were based on Willa Cather's My Antonia and its themes and concepts. The Friends were pleased to host an event at Salt Springs on October 3, "Honoring Our Rural Heritage" (circa 1880), to kick off the program.

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs this day were taken by local photographer Joe Facinelli.

This display featured "what is it?" items. Can you identify the dibble, soldering iron, and bootjack? (most items from the John McKeage Collection)

Other displays included shoemaking (most items from
the Vince Homer Collection)

weaving on a rug loom

spinning wool

and a replica of a grange,
set up by members of Fairdale Grange 1157

complete with old record books.

Hands-on activities included shelling corn . . .

and boring holes with this augur press.

Other chores included washing clothes (photo by d.a.)

hauling milk (photo by d.a.)

and planting corn.

The front lawn and front porch offered old-time toys and games: Jacob's ladder, game of Graces, horse shoes, cup and ball, and many more . . .

including the buzz saw . . .

and yo-yo.

Every farm, of course, has animals, such as sheep.

Here at Salt Springs, we have llamas, too. Because they are not your typical farm animal, our llamas are used to being the objects of much attention and grab every opportunity to get their pictures taken!