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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2010 2:36:12 GMT
Kimby, you know I've been avidly following the this wonderful saga since you began it.
Because of my move and the fix-ups I wound up overseeing, I've missed the latest installments & am only now seeing them. What treasure! The stories about your grandmother and grandfather & their educational ties, plus the romantically disappointed George are a wonderful window into the past.
The photos are magnificent. That first one truly sums up what a magical place it is, and it's heartening to see the old buildings so nicely fixed up and preserved. Love the idea of "you kids" all participating to help with the electrical/lighting budget -- kudos!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 4, 2010 17:53:08 GMT
Fascinating insights into the history of the farm and the family, what a glorious bequest to make...wonderful Kimby, thank you. ;D
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Post by Kimby on Dec 4, 2010 22:28:49 GMT
Mom and Dad resting along one of the trails at Uncle Bob's farm, now the Otis Farm Audubon Sanctuary, in July 2009.
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Post by Kimby on Dec 5, 2010 1:01:36 GMT
The nearby lake named after Dad's mother's family. (Reminds me of the deep south, but it's in southern Michigan.)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2010 11:05:30 GMT
That's a beautiful picture of your parents, Kimby.
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Post by Kimby on Dec 5, 2010 23:41:16 GMT
Thanks, K2. I wish they were still this young!
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Post by Kimby on Feb 28, 2011 20:04:57 GMT
Mom and Dad made a second major donation to the Otis Farm Audubon Sanctuary. Haven't heard yet how it will be spent.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2011 21:03:25 GMT
As long as it is still so important to them, I'm sure it was the right thing to do.
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Post by Kimby on Jul 13, 2011 16:52:37 GMT
Otis Farm update. Cousin Mike tells me that the electricity is in, the 2 old canoes have been hung in the barn with lights installed in them, and the public is enjoying nature programs conducted by the Michigan Audubon Society. Canoes may be rented and floated on Glass Creek from the end of the boardwalk built several years ago by family members, bird watchers hike the trails, and the old cabin with its 6 bunks can be rented for overnight stays. Another family reunion to happen August 27th. I will not be there, but my sister is taking my parents, if their health permits.
All is good.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 17, 2011 15:10:29 GMT
Wonderful news, Kimby.. It's incredible that your family did this, not only giving the farm new life, but sharing it with others into the future.
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Post by Kimby on Nov 2, 2011 16:49:01 GMT
Further update: Mom and Dad did make it to the reunion, and are scheming a 3rd donation. I did not make it to the reunion, but have copied Dad's camera chip and will try to post more photos soon.
The latest plans are to make a solarium of the south facing lean-to that looks over the marsh, to provide light and warmth during the winter. There are also plans dreams to install a circular stairway in the concrete silo that would lead up to a viewing platform. The tile silo would get a roof to protect it from deterioration.
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Post by Kimby on Nov 2, 2011 17:27:32 GMT
An interesting coincidence from one of the reunions. A distant cousin (11th cousin) and I discovered that our parents were at Kalamazoo College during the same time. And that's not all... home.xnet.com/~otis/Site/Kalamazoo_College_Connection.htmlHere's some portraits they took of each other before they were married!
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Post by nycgirl on Nov 2, 2011 18:01:16 GMT
Love the college photos of your parents. Your mom looks lovely and your dad is very handsome. And they still look great!
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Post by Kimby on Dec 29, 2011 20:43:37 GMT
Some photos harvested from Dad's camera chip: Mom and Dad standing on the boardwalk their donation helped build. The end of the boardwalk is a canoe launch onto Glass Creek. The Otis Farm viewed from the boardwalk crossing the marsh. The grey "lean to" on the end of the barn facing the marsh is what they hope to glass in to collect sun and warm up the barn/education center in the winter. And my favorite: Dad and his dog Nellie in Uncle Bob's cabin, now available for overnight stays on the sanctuary.
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 29, 2011 21:14:31 GMT
Kimby, I have to say, this is one of the all-time great threads on this or any other forum. You've made this so fascinating, from the history at the beginning to the evolution of the sanctuary and to all the followups. Including your parents and other relatives in the thread is an intimate gesture that makes the viewer feel involved. It's gotten to the point that I can't wait to see the latest development every time I notice that the thread has been updated.
Seeing the double portrait of the attractive college students, then pictures of that couple still together many years later is a real treat & of a piece with this whole excellent, cohesive thread.
*Applause!*
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Post by Kimby on Dec 29, 2011 21:20:25 GMT
Thanks, bixa. My younger sister has recently copied this blog and printed it out for my parents to see, since they are no longer computer users. She thought they'd enjoy it. Glad you do, too.
BTW, my parents celebrated their 66th anniversary last summer, and Dad will be 90 on his next birthday.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 18:42:53 GMT
Nellie looks like she's getting on in years as well.
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Post by Kimby on Jan 8, 2012 23:03:04 GMT
Nellie is 12 going on 13. Her main problem is too much food = too much weight. She's otherwise healthy.
BTW, my parents have actually talked about getting another springer spaniel from the same kennel when she dies in a couple years! Talk about optimism.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 7:37:32 GMT
My parents' first admission of their mortality was the decision not to replace the dog.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 5, 2012 5:46:16 GMT
My Dad is still very interested in what's going on at "The Farm" and looking forward to his next trip there in July. Meanwhile my cousin Jack sent me photos of the most recent project, a handicap accessible entrance to the barn. Apparently the slope to the sliding barn door that we able-bodied folks don't even notice was too steep for a wheelchair. The elevation difference was less than 4 feet, but required quite a long ramp: It's hard to see changes that radically alter the appearance of the historical barn, but wonderful that it will be able to be used by folks who are less mobile, perhaps including my parents some day....
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2012 5:29:08 GMT
Yes, quite often some of the ramps are much longer than you would expect due to the low gradient that is necessary. I'm sure it will fit in just fine with the scenery over time.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 7, 2012 15:27:59 GMT
Hmmmmmm. Just at a glance I can see another, better way to do that, but one that would have enriched the contractor less.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 7, 2012 17:35:55 GMT
Hmmmmmm. Just at a glance I can see another, better way to do that, but one that would have enriched the contractor less. Actually, the contractor is a cousin, a builder of great integrity and ability, who tried very hard to make the best of what he was given to work with. Which included having to redesign the project, because the county rejected the original plan for intruding into the sacred 35 foot zone between the barn and the road. Never mind that the silo is already practically IN the road. NEW structures have to play by rules that the older buildings didn't. Fortunately the older buildings are "grandfathered in" and don't have to be moved or rebuilt.
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Post by Kimby on Jun 7, 2012 17:48:44 GMT
Reprising some older photos to show the constraints that had to be worked within. This is how close the silo is to the road (yes, that's a road!) This is how much room there is between the road and the barn door. The boardwalk into the marsh takes off from a place that would be blocked by many possible configurations of a walkway. (The resident manager's house and parking lot (unseen) are to the right in this photo.) So, given these constraints: stay 35' away from the road, do not block foot access to the barn door with a ramp for wheelchair access, do not block access to the start of the boardwalk, does your improved design still work, bixa?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2012 19:59:23 GMT
I really love that group photo.
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Post by lugg on Jun 9, 2012 6:10:00 GMT
Really enjoyed reading this Kimby, how lovely it is to see you all maintaining the bonds in your extended family.
# 71 - a small world story
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Post by Kimby on Jun 9, 2012 13:48:16 GMT
Did you happen to notice this, lugg:
"Married June 9, 1945 at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo"
Today is their 67th anniversary! (And yesterday, when you read the "small world story" would have been the other couple's 66th anniversary.)
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Post by Kimby on Apr 1, 2013 19:40:24 GMT
Haven't visited this thread in a while as there wasn't news to report. Today, sadly, I'm sad to report that my Dad died yesterday, Easter Sunday, at the age of 90 (and 3/4). The obituary will suggest that memorial donations be made to the Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary, and later we hope to return to spread his ashes. It is nice to know that this place will remain and we can go visit his memory here.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 1, 2013 23:43:46 GMT
Kimby, your kindness in sharing this wonderful place and its history allowed us all a view into your fascinating and generous family. Your father certainly seemed to exemplify the family's lovely attributes.
I'm forever grateful that you were willing to include us in stories of the family and your dad, including now this sad news.
Thank you and my condolences to you and to everyone whose life was touched by your dear father.
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Post by htmb on Apr 1, 2013 23:54:41 GMT
Kimby, my heart goes out to you and your family. How fitting it is that you chose to share your news of his death here in the Otis thread. Thank you for including us at this time when you must be heavy of heart. Your father sounds like he was a remarkable man who will be missed by many. I wish you much peace.
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