Every year since 1959, the Freeman community has a festival of tasting, which they call the “Schmeckfest.” At the 43rd annual schmuck fest,the menu of traditional German foods that has had such universal appeal over the years will again be served. These foods have retained their popularity with guests from many states and several foreign countries. The dates for the Schmeckfest this year are March 29, 30th, and 31st. The musical “Secret Garden” will culminate the activities of the 43rd Schmeckfest.

Francis Hodgson Burnett wrote the beloved children's story, “The Secret Garden.” It is the story of Mary Lennox, a young girl who comes from India to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor and York Shire England following the death her parents from colora. At Misselthwaite, she is drawn to her aunt lilies garden, which has been neglected since she died in childbirth. Mary works and cares for the garden, and in the process, helps reconcile her uncle to his wife's death, brings her cousin Collin back to health, and finds both a new family and a sense of peace with her past. Why are certain parts of the mansion forbidden territory? What secrets lie hidden in the garden her uncle has locked up and most perplexing of all who or what

is behind that wailing Mary hears at night? I am certain that this will be a delightful musical. 

Each evening it will be performed at eight o'clock pm I always like to attend the Sunday matinee performance at 2pm, which will be on April 1. Recently, I saw a quaint old sundial engraved around the base were these words: 

With the kiss of the sun for pardon, and the sound of the birds from Earth. One is near God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on Earth. As one may gaze at the old sundial, we may realize we could reclaim the secret garden for a new generation. 

Among the last words of the author of the novel, she wrote, “As long as you have a garden, you have a future and as long as you have a future, you are alive.”

Food for thought: The Adventure of life is to learn the purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve.The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give things to remember.

May I always remember to encourage you find the time. Keep a promise. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen, think first. Love someone else. Laugh a little. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure and the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak God's love. Speak it once again. 

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie, Over a Cup of Tea by Dr. Luetta G. Werner

March 29, 2001

Published in the Marion Record

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina