Candace Johnson's Award

Summer campers from 2009 will remember Candace as the popular counselor in the 1890's day dress. Last month she won an award from the Sandy Library art show - 1st place for an acrylic painting called Drained. Candace's work has also shown up on Foster Farm posters and flyers. .Congratulations Candace! We love your work!

Merry Christmas from the Philip Foster Farm!

Did you know that the year the first wagon train arrived in Oregon (1843) was also the year that Christmas began making its comeback in England? The holiday had been divided between debauchery and religious observance to such an extent that many Christians refused to celebrate it, considering it a sacrilege to combine the elements of spiritual devotion with the merrymaking and pagan influences of the solstice.

Meanwhile, in London, Charles Dickens persuaded his readers that grumpiness was not a virtue in his classic A Christmas Carol, and an enterprising printer created Christmas cards - colorful postcards to acknowledge the season - the same year.

How did your family handle this transition? Make the time to ask those questions this year as you gather with older friends and relatives. Annual traditions are an important part of your family history, and a window into your family's values.

If you find anything interesting, please do comment here. And have a very Merry Christmas!

Oregon Trail Unit Study Resources

Last month, "Jamin" posted some links to great online resources for families wanting to learn more about the Oregon Trail. You can see her blog post at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/731949/.

Thanks, Jamin, for connecting families with hands-on learning opportunities!

This is Jamin in front of the memorial at Donner's Pass.

June 4, 1852

Excerpt (30 seconds) from a Trail Diary at Windlass Hill in Nebraska:

Twin Falls, Idaho on the Oregon Trail

Twin Falls is proud of its heritage as an agricultural town on the Oregon Trail. Watch for the Oregon-California Trails Association marker just like the one at the Foster Farm.

Composing Trail Music

Interesting comments and musical illustrations of those who traveled in wagon trains.

Tom Marquette takes to the Road

Foster Farm volunteer and Oregon Trail reenactor Tom Marquette  in the News.