Blackhorse Women's News

2nd Qtr 2023 News                                        
By Sheryl Myers, Co-coordinator

Dear Ladies and Supporters of the Blackhorse Women's Group,

Hope this finds you all well and looking forward to some Spring-like weather. Our 38th 11th ACVVC Reunion will be here before we know it, so be sure to keep this edition of the
Thunder Run handy, as you plan your trip to Grand Rapids.

Sadly, I was recently informed of the passing of two our Blackhorse Ladies. Thelma Walker, spouse of Henry Walker, D CO 1st Sq '66-67, passed in September 2022. Thelma & Henry were married 58 years and attended many 11th ACVVC Reunions. Barbara “Barb” Moreno, spouse of Robert “Bob” Moreno, G Trp, 2/11 '68-69, passed in February of this year. Barbara served the Women's Group as a coordinator, for many years. These two ladies' names will be added to our Sarah's Angels Honor Roll and they will be honored at the Reunion Memorial Service..

BWG MEETING: Our Blackhorse Women's Group Annual Meeting will be held as usual on Saturday morning of Reunion Week. Our agenda is still in the planning stage.

TOUR: On Friday morning, please join us on a Tour to Heritage Hill. a residential neighborhood that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States. From there we will be heading out to the “country” to Dunneback & Girls Farm. The Girls will be giving us a tour of this 4 generation farm, and serving our Box Lunches. It will be Apple Harvesting season in Michigan, so pick a bag of apples while you are there! (See the farm's story below.)

REGISTRATION FORM: he registration form for the tour is in this edition of the Thunder Run, please save, copy, or print the form, in case you do not receive the next Thunder Run before our registration deadline of August 15th. The registration form will also be posted on the Blackhorse Women's Group webpage.

DUNNEBACK & GIRLS FARM - A FAMILY TRADITION

It all started nearly 100 years ago. Edwin Dunneback purchased the farm in Alpine Township in 1922. He farmed 170 acres of apples, peaches, corn, hay and a herd of dairy cows.

Edwin had four sons & one daughter. Edward & Joseph continued on the farm adding strawberries & the cold storage, now known as our farm market. From the 30's to the-60s, the barn hosted dances, weddings, farm tours, & hay rides. Edward met his wife Helen at one of these dances.! Edward & Helen had 3 children, Pamela, Michael & Suanne. In 1969, the family was forever changed, when our beloved Michael, son, brother, & uncle, was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Ed could not bear seeing “& Sons” on the front of the barn, so Pam climbed up and changed it to "& Girls”. The tragedy caused irreparable damage to the family, but they pulled together and continued farming. Suanne moved back to the farm to work with her Dad everyday. She has run the farm for the last 40 years. Suanne, her husband and two daughters, Stephanie & Sarah, now live on the farm working to carry on the family tradition of four generations. We offer “u-pick” asparagus, strawberries, sweet & tart cherries, apples and pumpkins. The same barn houses our fresh produce market, gift shoppe, bakery, kitchen & tap room.
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