What a lovely choice of places to spend the Independence Day holiday!
We've been to School House Ice Cream before just for a quick grab-and-go cone, but on July 4, Independence Day, we were treated to much more than an ice cream cone. We got to spend some time on the well appointed and maintained grounds of the old North Lebanon Elementary School, now owned by Sharon Thompson.
The old school house is beautifully renovated inside, decorated with antique school needs and photographs of some of the actual students who had once attended the small one room school.
Strolling across the groomed paddock, you'll meet Nellie the pot bellied pig, and her co-hort Patsy Swine. Sheep are grazing nearby and a flock of ducks voices their opinion of your presence. Pedro the absolutely adorable miniature donkey keeps a protective eye on all the barnyard creatures and the chickens pay absolutely no attention, spending their time scratching and pecking in the lawn.
What a LOVELY setting for any outdoor event!!
If you haven't been to School House Ice Cream yet, it should be a MUST on your list of things to do this Summer!!
Grandson Damien and I went to see Steve Collins of Belgian Meadows Farm, who was at School House Ice Cream with a group of 8 other horse teams and wagons. The group formed an informal Lebanon Independence Day Parade as they traveled through the streets of town, with wagons full of friends and family, flags flying from the backs of the buggies and wagons, or in Collins' case, the red, white and blue created the covering for his antique covered wagon.
The opportunities for horse photos were amazing today!!
What beautiful animals!!
I can't imagine anyone not being completely taken by the great power of such enormous beasts. Seeing these horses pulling wagonloads of people with little effort was a testimony to their power and strength. People in attendance at School House Ice Cream were invited to ride along back to
Belgian Meadows Farm , if they so desired.
My grandson Damien hitched a ride with this fine team.
Clip Clopping along on the back roads of Lebanon.
All in a row at School House Ice Cream.
These two young ladies hitched a ride horseback,
as the team pulled a full wagonload behind them.
It was nice to get to see Steve Collins. An old family friend of my fiancé,
he was happy to get to meet Gary's youngest grandson, Damien.
Steve Collins of Belgian Meadows Farm,
with his American Flag draped wagon,
his grandson, and mine.
The time today at School House Ice Cream was a horse photographers bucket list event.
So many chances for beautiful equine photography.
Although there was a short time of rain in the late afternoon,
the day was just meant for horses as it was cool and cloudy.
A perfect day for a ride!
Seeing horses out on a trail is always beautiful, but there's just something special about seeing horses harnessed and hitched, traveling down the back roads of town that brings you back to a simpler time when horse and buggy were an everyday means of transportation.
What a lovely way to travel.
Hey, wait a minute! Another familiar face!
That's Lebanon Town Office Employee Christine Torno handling the reins!
Beautiful!!
Back at Belgian Meadows Farm after a little over an hour.
It makes you appreciative of our forefather's means of transportation.
A little over a hour at a relaxed pace for a trip that took me about 2 minutes by auto.
School House Ice Cream is located at 253 Baker's Grant Road near the junction of Depot Road, tucked in neatly beside the North Lebanon Church, in Lebanon, Maine. They are open every day but Monday. But they say to give a call!! If they're home, they'll scoop!!!
You can find more information on School House Ice Cream on their website, HERE:
Belgian Meadow Farm, located at 279 Merchant's Row in Lebanon, offers farm fresh products as well as offering hay rides, sleigh rides and an beautiful outdoor farm-style wedding and event venue. To find out more about Belgian Meadows Farm, or to inquire for pricing for wagon rides, or for assistance with event planning, please visit Belgian Meadows Farm at their website HERE:
