OXEN AMBASADORS – BLOG WRITTEN BY CARTER (Jim Whelan's off ox)
Hi – my name is Carter and I am the off ox of the team of Percy and Carter. That is our picture pulling the hay machine at the top of the blog. I believe that is your editor Rob working us and that is our owner Mr. Jim on the forecart holding on for dear life. (Editor's note: It's Tim Harrigan driving the boys) We live on Promised Land Farm in Central Indiana along with two other retired oxen, named Chub and Jerry. Oh yes, we allow our owners Jim and Nancy Whelan to share the farm with us. I am the only one of the two of us that has mastered how to use this keyboard. Chub and Jerry have their own Facebook page (Chub and Jerry Oxen) so they are really good at it. Jerry said it was our time to learn how to do it.
This is Chub and Jerry, our mentors and previous ambassadors. They have been retired for almost three years now. They have been to events in at least three states. They have met at least three Indiana Governors (including our current U.S. Vice President) and a U.S. Senator who comes back every year and asks to see the oxen. Two former Indiana First Ladies came by to see them and they took pictures with them. We got to meet the Senator this year as part of our presentation. They have been part of the Indiana State Fair in the Pioneer Village, demonstrating the value of oxen to early pioneers and farmers so long that children and families came back year after year to see them. Thousands of pictures have been taken of them with families and these will be passed on for generations. One picture of them in yoke with Mr. Jim driving was voted the picture of the week by the Indianapolis Star.
Now it is up to us. Last year we took their part and we realized it is a big responsibility to follow. We went to all of the events they participated in, including two county fairs, a French and Indian war reenactment, an Ohio Farm Fest and a special appearance at an Indianapolis museum on a western day. Heck, we were more popular than the Wells Fargo stagecoach pulled by four BIG horses. This picture is when we met the U.S. Senator the first time (our debut at the State Fair). Mr. Wade Johnson has been driving us at the fair. (Jim's Note: Percy and Carter it appears you are more interested in the lovely young lady than the senator. I have some training to do). In our future blogs we hope to tell you all about our adventures both at home and on the road. We thought we would talk about our escape habits but Miss Nancy edited that part (even though it was so much fun). Thanks for reading and happy trails to you.
This is Chub and Jerry, our mentors and previous ambassadors. They have been retired for almost three years now. They have been to events in at least three states. They have met at least three Indiana Governors (including our current U.S. Vice President) and a U.S. Senator who comes back every year and asks to see the oxen. Two former Indiana First Ladies came by to see them and they took pictures with them. We got to meet the Senator this year as part of our presentation. They have been part of the Indiana State Fair in the Pioneer Village, demonstrating the value of oxen to early pioneers and farmers so long that children and families came back year after year to see them. Thousands of pictures have been taken of them with families and these will be passed on for generations. One picture of them in yoke with Mr. Jim driving was voted the picture of the week by the Indianapolis Star.
Now it is up to us. Last year we took their part and we realized it is a big responsibility to follow. We went to all of the events they participated in, including two county fairs, a French and Indian war reenactment, an Ohio Farm Fest and a special appearance at an Indianapolis museum on a western day. Heck, we were more popular than the Wells Fargo stagecoach pulled by four BIG horses. This picture is when we met the U.S. Senator the first time (our debut at the State Fair). Mr. Wade Johnson has been driving us at the fair. (Jim's Note: Percy and Carter it appears you are more interested in the lovely young lady than the senator. I have some training to do). In our future blogs we hope to tell you all about our adventures both at home and on the road. We thought we would talk about our escape habits but Miss Nancy edited that part (even though it was so much fun). Thanks for reading and happy trails to you.
Hey Carter, thanks for posting! We knew Jim would never learn to type;)
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