DUCK TRACKS

News from Byers Homestead - Commerce Twp., Michigan

SPRING 2013 byershomestead.org
FRIENDS OF BYERS is a 501(c)(3)
Non-Profit Organization - All donations are tax-deductible

EVENTS FOR 2013

Saturday, March 23 EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, July 13 I CE CREAM SUMMERFEST

New Tamworth Bridge Finally Open !!

Stop by and see our brand new bridge ! After many months of closure, the Tamworth Bridge reopened in December. The original bridge was about 90 years old and was declared unsafe by the Road Commission in January 2012. The project was a major undertaking and included the creation of an alternate road access, moving utility lines, removing trees and re-routing the river. We are all delighted with the finished product, and thank the RCOC for including Friends of Byers throughout the project.

Call: (248) 363-4354 or 363-2592 E-Mail: byers@commercetwp.com Our monthly meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00, at the Farmhouse Stop in and see whats happening.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt Say Hello to

Spring
Mark your calendar for this fun event. SATURDAY, MARCH 23 beginning at 1:00, for kids 10 and under. Admission is $1.00. After the scramble, take your childs photo with everyones favorite Wabbit, and then stop by the Antique Barn and Candy Shoppe, Three age groups bring your basket and join in the fun. We are very fortunate to have the generous sponsorship of Genisys Credit Union and the Henry Ford Health SystemCommerce Clinic for this event. NEEDED: Wrapped candy for the eggs If you can help, or for more info on the event, contact Mary at (248) 3634354.

*ART ON THE RIVER

* Saturday, July 20 Saturday, October 26

HALLOWEEN BOO BASH

Sunday, December 15 VISIT WITH SANTA

So much in progress And so much more to do.

There is a rich diversity of historic, cultural and natural amenities resurfacing in the Historic Village area of Commerce Township. We at Byers Homestead are part of it. Visitors to the Barn, the Farmhouse and the grounds relate two themes: When I was young, I rode my bike here. I fed the ducks. I thought of the first settlers and their daily lives . . .

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I knew June Byers. I loved her restoration of antiques and her caring for the ducks and the birds. I loved her stories and festivals. As freshness and life return to Byers Homestead, local citizens are gaining a Sense of Place as they drive by every day, enjoying the beautiful new riverfront.

awaited attention it needed. Rotting siding was replaced, chimneys repaired, broken windows replaced, a period door installed, new gutters & downspouts, and more important, the entire farmhouse was scraped and painted. Sam Muraco of MLC building, an expert in restoration of historic buildings, gave it the TLC it deserves. Commerce Township and Friends of Byers shared the costs of this work.

Santa Makes a Stop at the Duck Farm

The third annual Visit with Santa on December 16 brought out the community in a big way. More than 275 visitors came by to chat with the Big Guy in Red. This year, the Farmhouse was Santas headquarters for photos near the fireplace, and visitors ranged from newborn babies, to middle-aged ladies, to a 100-pound mastiff named Baby. MANY THANKS! To our generous sponsors: GENISYS CREDIT UNION and HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM, who helped make our Visit with Santa event the best one ever !

Wellhead to be Reopened Friends of Byers will soon restore running water on the Byers property, and also have two sites for hose hookups. This is a huge step forward, because right now we have no running water. All the preliminary work has been done, and the new pump was donated by a generous local plumbing contractor. The next step is to dig a trench for the water lines, and we are looking for someone interested in helping with this part of the project. Please contact Cheryl Quinn (248-360-2649).

Duckfarmers Get a Pat on the Back

The Friends of Byers were spotlighted at the Commerce Township Community Breakfast in May 2012 where they were presented with the Community Service Award. Chairman Cheryl Quinn noted that the Friends of Byers had clocked over 1,300 volunteer hours in the past year. Im proud to be among a group who gives from the heart. We are committed to the preservation of history in our community. OUR WEB-FOOTED FRIENDS COULD USE A LITTLE LOVE
Did you know that the Friends of Byers have been NEWS FLASHES feeding over 100 ducks for the past 15 years? This winter, though, the price of corn went up by 30 % and we need your help! Please consider helping us feed our feathered friends by donating a bag of corn ($10.00) that will keep them happy for about a

Footbridge Now Closed The pedestrian footbridge was closed by Commerce Twp on February 4, who declared it unsafe at this time. Donated by Home Depot back in 2000, the footbridge has been a focal point at Byers but has deteriorated in recent years. Plans are underway for constructing a new footbridge, so stay tuned for more news. We hope to see work begin this spring or summer.

Farmhouse Gets a Face-Lift

Have you noticed that the Byers Farmhouse looks a little different? Its all sparkly fresh because last year the exterior got the long-

Local Businesses Get Involved in Preservation

HATS OFF - to several local businesses who stepped up to support the Duck Farm in 2012. We cant do it without you. Among them are:

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Genisys Credit Union

Who has generously sponsored all of our events for the both 2012 and 2013 Your donation made all the difference! WOW!! How great is that ?!

something to give back for the childhood memories he cherishes. Thanks, Brian.

NEED TO RACK UP SOME COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS?

Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout troops NHS students and others We have plenty of projects for you to do at Byers. Contact Ellen Smith at (248)363-2592 or Cheryl Quinn at(248) The 2nd ART ON THE RIVER event will be presented on July 20 at Byers Homestead - by the Huron Valley Council for the Arts. HVCA is now seeking artists. If you or someone you know is interested, contact Leah Ohmer hvca@comcast.net. The deadline is May 1, 2013

Henry Ford Health System Commerce Clinic --- Henry Ford recently opened their new clinic on Commerce Road near Union Lake Road and generously supported our Visit with Santa event, helping to make it a great success. Henry Ford-Commerce and their great medical staff are again sponsoring us in 2013. The progress made at Byers in 2012 shows how much can be accomplished in our community when local businesses decide to get involved and lend a hand.

Eagle Scout Builds New Flagstone Path

We now have a new flagstone pathway and stone staircase leading up the hill near the Barn, thanks to Eagle Scout Chris Lair, who completed the project last summer. Thanks, Chris!

WISH LIST Please

consider donating one of the following items that would beautify Byers, or make the work a little lighter: Barnwood Siding Shingles for Grannys Pantry Gutters/downspouts for Barn Park Benches Wrought Iron Lawn Furniture Wrought Iron Railing 3/4- size Mattress Shop Vac Weed Whacker Steel Outdoor waste receptacle

Volunteers Needed
Do you have a skill, talent or interest that you could share with us? Friends of Byers needs you!! We especially need carpenters, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, eventplanners, sign-makers, etc. but we can use you even if you have two left feet! Please consider volunteering to help. Youll find it both gratifying and fun. AND any skilled labor is a tax-deductible donation. . Contact Cheryl (248-360-2649).

Apex Concrete Company

Owner Brian Miller and his crew constructed two new brick-paver patios near the Barn and Farmhouse, removing the old cracked concrete and creating new hardscapes for Byers. Brian asked if he could do the project for us, free of charge, because as a child he came to the Duck Farm, and always wanted to do

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(2) 50-foot hoses 26-inch flat screen tv

facilities that we enjoy in Commerce Township, youll want to vote YES for the Parks Millage that is up for renewal in 2014. Whether you care most about soccer, baseball, a place to let your pooch run free, or a beautiful historic site like Byers Homestead, parks are vital to a communitys quality of life - If we fail to renew the parks millage in 2014, there will be no funds for parks maintenance, upgrades, acquiring open space or taking care of places we love like Byers Homestead.

Make sure you vote YES next year, and tell your friends and neighbors why they should also support our parks. Its a small amount to invest - for a great big pay-off.

FRIENDS OF BYERS
2013 OFFICERS: Chairperson: Cheryl Quinn quinn.cheryl@gmail.com Secretary: Ellen Smith ellen_smith2148@yahoo.c om Treasurer: Karen McCloy Schantz dqish2@aol.com

Parks Millage Renewal is Next Year

If you value the beautiful parks, open space and sports

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We are blessed to have Byers Homestead preserved as a Township park. We encourage you to come out to the Duck Farm for a few hours and take advantage of this beautiful spot. Enjoy being one with nature -- hear the river, the quacking ducks who live there, and experience the peace and serenity of the park. Whether youre new to Commerce Township or if youve lived here since childhood and know the Duck Farm well, this historic jewel is ours to treasure and care for. Its a wonderful opportunity for keeping YOUR volunteer spirit alive, and we invite you to be a part of the exciting progress and fun activities waiting for you here. The Friends of Byers are seeking volunteers in many areas If youre interested in helping, or becoming a member, please return this form to: Ellen Smith, 215 Foxbury, Commerce Twp., MI 48382 (248-363-2592) ___ Painting, carpentry, electrical or plumbing ___ Fundraising / Special Events ___ Gardening, landscaping, tree-trimming docent ___ Website assistance Other:________________________________ ___ Clerical ___ Publicity; sign-making ___ Historical research, Farmhouse tour ___

___________________________ _________________________________________________________ NAME ADDRESS PHONE E-mail: _________________________ dues are

Byers. Thanks!

I am Interested in Joining FOB Annual

$10.00, make check payable to Friends of

FRIENDS OF BYERS c/o Ellen Smith 215 Foxbury Commerce Twp., MI 48382

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

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