MATTHEWS FARM TO SHEAR SHEEP

THE MATTHEWS LIVING HISTORY FARM MUSEUM WILL HOLD SHEEP SHEARING , FLEECE PREPARATION AND OTHER FARM ACTITIVIES ON SUNDAY, JUNE 12 FROM 2-6 pm.

The sheep shearing at Matthews Farm Museum will begin around 2:30. Sheep are traditionally sheared (shorn) once a year, in the spring, and their fleece is then sent to market, processed, or used by hand spinners. Some spinners will spin raw unprocessed wool. This technique is called "spinning in the grease", due to the high content of lanolin in the wool. Lanolin has also been called "wool fat". Most spinners prefer fleece that has been processed into roving.

Matthews Farm Museum will be demonstrating the different steps involved in processing the fleece; washing, drying, carding (combing out the fleece) and spinning into wool. Kathy Hill will be weaving wool on her loom.

The garden out behing the house is in. The seeds have been planted and plants are popping out of the ground, nasturtiums and marigolds are blooming. The lettuces are ready for harvest. Master Gardeners of the Blue Ridge will pick and clean the lettuce, mix it with chopped green onions and wilt it with a hot bacon dressing. They'll be giving samples while they last along with their recipe for the dressing. Yum Yum!

A recent addition to the farm is Sharon Puckett, a local artisan from Laurel Fork. Sharon has always been interested in basketweaving. While recuperating from an illness years ago she began to take lessons, for about two years. She later joined a basket guild and took additional lessons from different instructors. She now teaches basketweaving as well as selling her baskets. Sharon says the primary purpose for her to basketweave is for her own enjoyment and to save the lost art. Sharon will be demonstrating basketweaving and have her baskets for sale.

We will have "MATTHEWS FARM MUSEUM" hats and T-shirts for sale. There will be MUSIC and the "Down on the Farm Shop" will be open.

To reach Matthews Farm travel US HWY 58 to Delhart Rd, turn left onto Nexus Rd and left onto White Pine Rd. Matthews Farm Museum is located at 476 White Pine Road, Galax. Admission to the farm and events are Free. For more information Please call 276-773-3711.