June on the farm has been tough this summer. The drought has taken its toll and the work is constant to get water to the horses, small animals, and the garden especially. We want to thank the people who have donated water to the farm while the tanks have been dry and appreciate everyone’s help to keep things going.
The garden has produced several loads to the food pantry including lettuce, swiss chard, zucchini, beets, broccoli, and radishes. Although the water hasn’t been plentiful, the produce we have harvested is beautiful. Again, thanks to the Zion High School ROTC and other volunteers for planting the garden in May to get us to this point.
The Rose garden is also coming along. The lack of rain just keeps them from producing as many blooms as usual, but two visits to the James Lovell Medical Center for deliveries made the patients smile. Actually, the I think this is the best part of my job, because the nursing staff and the patients are wonderful to visit. Three more roses that were added in May have begun to bloom, so anyone that wants to donate a rosebush is still most welcome to do so. The veterans love them.
Our big event is coming this weekend…the 2nd Annual Freedom Farm for Vets Poker Run!!! On July 15th, grab your friends, get on your bikes, and enjoy a truly beautiful ride through countryside. Sign up is between 10 AM and 12 Noon at Fatman Pizza Pub for the south run and Lily Lake Resort for the north run. Arrival time at the end is 5 PM at Lily Lake Resort. The two ‘runs’ will give riders a choice of where they want to spend their day and the party at the end promises to be full of good food,fun and prizes.In addition to informing you about the bar destinations along the route, we want to thank the bars for their support and participation this year. The south run includes Fatman Pizza Pub, R&R Crossing, Hawg Heaven Bar, C’mon Inn, Bobby’s Barrel Inn, Lily Lake Resort. The north run includes Lily Lake Resort, Wagner’s, Deadman’s Saloon (formerly Wildlife Refuge), Mustang Shelly’s Roadhouse, the DMZ Bunker, and Bobby Rockets. These establishments have been very nice to us and we appreciate their support. Invite your friends and join us for a fun Sunday in July and ‘see you on the road’!
The following is a list of organizations and individuals who have made donations to support the event thus far, and we want to send out a BIG thank you to all of them. These donations help to make the Poker Run a great success!
- Budweiser Brewing Company
- Miller Brewing Company
- The Chicago White Sox
- The Chicago Bears
- Lily Lake Resort
- Mustang Shelly’s Roadhouse
- Wagner’s
- Steve Olson Printing & Design
- Deadman’s Saloon
- The DMZ Bunker
- Whistling Pete’s Embroidery
- Bobby Rockets
- Kaiser’s of Kenosha
- Fatman Pizza Pub
- Jim & Steve’s Sportscard Shop
- R&R Crossing
- County of Kenosha, Division of Golf
- Hawg Heaven
- Beef Ornatek
- C’mon Inn
- Matthew Balen
- Uke’s Harley Davidson
- Bobbie’s Barrel Inn
- Octagon Salon and Spa
- Blinder’s
- Texas Roadhouse
- Silver Lake American Legion
- Dover Saddlery
- Main Street, Twin Lakes
- Lovin’ Oven Cakes
- Croz
- Mickey Finn’s Brewery & Food Pub
- Ralph’s Ace of Hearts
- Soccer Plus
- Pell Lake Inn
- Ken Patel
- The Tavern
- Racine Harley Davison
- Kenosha County Tavern League
- Danny’s Café, Inc.
- Zion Cyclery
- Gemini Salon and Spa
- Bristol Hair Shoppe
- River Valley Garden
- Wadsworth Feed
- Hoeksema’s Mini-Mart
- Captain Porky’s
- Omni Salon and Spa, Zion IL
- Hair Crafters
- Coco’s
- Guttormsen Recreation Center
- Palmer Martino, Kenosha WI
Freedom Farm for Vets 