Country February/March 2019

THE RESULTS ARE IN! Once again readers awed us with their submissions to the Country Life Photo Contest. We received a record number of images, and selecting the winners was tough. There were so many amazing entries from readers who shared not only their eye for photography but also their love for America. Courtney Stirling of Meadville, Pennsylvania, took the top prize. You’ll find her photo along with the category winners and honorable mentions in a collection starting on page 28. And we put Bryce Anderson’s winning scenery photo on the cover. Congratulations to Courtney, Bryce and all those who entered. I hope the collection moves you to grab your camera and head outside. There’s so much beauty to behold in our country, as you’ll see in the pages of…

“I grew up in a small town called Monticello, and I’ve lived in Illinois my entire life. Farming is in my family on my mother’s side, which is how I fell in love with the country lifestyle. Photography is my love, and my hobbies include playing drums in a band. The sunsets and sunrises here in the heartland are gorgeous. And I enjoy the way of life here. People are nice and work hard, and the communities are tightknit.” See Mark’s category-winning photo on page 31. Become a Country Field Editor! Apply at country-magazine.com/fieldeditors…

I was born Nov. 7, 1933, on a small farm in France. I learned to stand on my head while guarding the cows. In the October/November issue, there was a picture of a scarecrow standing on his head (page 62). I wanted you to see what the real thing looks like, so I sent you this picture of me on my 75th birthday in 2008. Gilbert Vignau Las Vegas, Nevada THE VINTAGE TRUCK pictured on page 22 of the October/November issue was a Chevy, not a Ford. A Ford would have been on the road. Bill Harris (Ford owner) St. Peters, Missouri I WAS SURPRISED to open the October/November issue and see Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery in Holmes County, Ohio (page 32). Just the week before, a bus of us…

It wasn’t a good running day, but my husband, Reuben, managed to collect some sap. Our 1-year-old son, Joseph, didn’t mind. He was just happy to be in the woods with his dad. Reuben and his older brother, Peter, were 12 and 14 when they first saw a maple tree tapped. Their uncle taught them to do it. The boys thought it was cool, so they built a campfire in their backyard and boiled away all day. The following year they built a trailer and took turns boiling the sap. The year after that they built a sugarhouse and bought an evaporator. The boys were in business. A decade later, we sell our syrup on the honor system at our store in New Ipswich (someromaplefarm.com). We tap trees at other…

If you should happen to be cruising along a stretch of U.S. Highway 20 a few miles east of Ridott, Illinois, a certain red barn can’t help but catch your eye. Green and white shingles on its roof spell out in bold letters: “TO GOD BE THE GLORY.” A friend asked me to look into the barn’s history to find out who had put those words on the roof. The barn was built in 1915, but our story began in June 1972. Owner Gilbert Crull’s sons—Steve, Jeff and Terry—were home for summer vacation from college and the barn was in dire need of new shingles. “I told the boys a new roof on our barn had the potential to become a huge witnessing billboard,” Gilbert said. “All they had to…

WHEN YOU HEAR about my small town, you probably think of Groundhog Day and the most popular weather forecaster in the world, Punxsutawney Phil. Each year, thousands of people gather at his home on Gobbler’s Knob to witness the groundhog make his prediction. As legend goes, if he sees his shadow we’ll have six more weeks of winter. On Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, the town rolls out the red carpet for visitors with fun and entertainment. Take a hayride or walking tour through town, and stop by Barclay Square and the Celebration Tent for goodies and family-friendly activities. No matter the time of year, all around town you’ll find groundhog statues, known as Phantastic Phils, decorated by local artists. During the first week of July we host the Groundhog Festival.…