AppleHammer Cabin Ribbon Cutting

On April 23 something very special happened in Parke County Indiana. Many people, family and friends, gathered to celebrate the completion of the brand new cabin and join in the fun of a ribbon cutting ceremony. My family has been camping, hunting, riding four wheelers, and partying at this property for over 25 years. The old 'cabin', if you want to call it that, has been in disrepair for most of these 25 years and it was time to replace it. I can't even begin to describe the old cabin to you, but if you picture your garden shed with a loft and nowhere near as plush you have a vague idea of where we have slept.
A couple years ago AppleHammer Industries (ie my dad and my uncle Chris) started talking about building a new, nicer cabin. The new cabin would have porches, actual windows, and most importantly, running water, only one level and a lot more space. The old cabin had electricity and a water spigot outside, but the new one is laid out to potentially have a toilet (gasp) and a much need shower.
The AppleHammer Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was a big event. There were speeches, a poem, a toast, gifts, and of course, the actual cutting of ribbon.
As the AppleHammer Event Coordinator I opened the event with the reading of a poem that was a tribute to the old cabin.

Wes was chosen to give the PBR Toast. Pabst Blue Ribbon was my grandpa's favorite beer and the cabin was one of his favorite places. It seemed only right that Mutt be included in the opening of the new cabin.

Dad and Chris were prepared to hack through the red ribbon with their pocket knives. But, why do that when you could just use giant ribbon cutting scissors.

Even Grandma came to see the new cabin. The wood carving is a morel mushroom done by Mark DeWeese with a chainsaw. Chris and Dad's hats are a tribute to the Amish man that built the cabin for them. Dad's suspenders, unfortunately, are not in any way related to the Amish hats, but just something he wears. Jack and Lilly are the fourth generation to enjoy the Parke County Property. This was Jack's second time there, the first being the previous weekend to get ready for the ceremony.

This is what its all about. After the festivities were over everyone melted into the woods to hunt for the elusive mushroom. As you might guess by everyone's posture, we're on a patch right now. Jack didn't do much mushroom hunting while in the woods, but he did seize the opportunity to take a nap. Lilly, on the other hand, seems to be pointing Papaw in the direction of a potential find.

Getting a little tired of hiking, Lilly takes a rest on a log. After a very long day both of my children were carried, crying, out of the woods.

All of the guys, minus Bryan, spent the night at the cabin. Bryan had to come home so he could be an Easter Bunny in the morning. But, we can't wait to go back and take the whole family to spend the night at the cabin. Lilly already has her cot all picked out. Sorry Chris, I think its yours.