Down on the Farm!

Story And Photos

BY MARIANNA FRANCES

friendly locals. Everyone there has a story to share about their fun times at Milking R Dairy.

When we first arrived at the farm, it was different than expected. There was a cute house structure that welcomed all visitors and an open field, filled with play structures for kids of all ages to play. There were lasso roping stations and water pump relays. Tire swings, a ball pit area and three large tube runs (think of a hamster on a wheel). My boys took off running from one play area to another and I was able to sit an relax while watching them from the adirondack chairs. If you are looking for a special location to host your next event or birthday party, this would be ideal.

Adjacent to the playground is an adorable ice cream truck with their custom specialty ice cream. There are plenty of picnic table and seating to take a picnic lunch or snacks. The ice cream truck had too many different flavors to count and we tried quite a few. All were delicious of course, but the Banana Pudding ice cream is one of their most popular. Their ice cream truck and farm playground are open every Thursday 2-6, Friday 11-6, Saturday 11-4 and Sunday 1-3. Make sure to check their Facebook page for current hours - Milking R Ice Cream Fan Club.

Sutton Farms, owned by Sutton and Kris Rucks, is a fourth-generation family-owned farm and home to 1,200 milking cows. Daughter Lindsey and son Garrett also grew up and work on the farm. While on tour I could feel the connection both owners had with the farm and the pride they took in the work they do there. Seeing the cows, how well they are treated by the workers, and knowing that at the end of the day it is a family run business makes a huge difference for me as a consumer and parent. Their Holstein and Brown Swiss cows are milked twice a day and are fed a grass-based diet balanced with the perfect amount of proteins and minerals. Seeing the work and care that goes into this farm and the products they make inspired me to seek out their brands for purchase. To make sure I can support farmers local to where I live.

To find locations near you for purchase - https:// suttonmilk.com/store-locator/

To visit the farm -5818 US 98, Okeechobee, FL 34972

EVENTS & Things to Do

Food vendors, Arts & crafts for sale, Environmental exhibitors. Learn more at visitmanateelagoon.

KIDS RUSH $15 (M-F 10AM -1PM) Ages 6 & Under ONLY! All passes good until 1 PM. 2 & Under free with regular admission purchase . For more info www.jumpadrenaline.com/lake-worth

The Art of Story at the Schoolhouse Museum and Learning Center. Weekly on Fridays from 3-3:45 PM. After reading the selection of the week, we will review the bookfocusing on the illustrations-and discuss what we see as well as the art process used to create the illustrations. Children will then have the chance to create their own art in that illustrator’s style! FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION. For ages 3-7 PM. Learn more and RSVP at www. schoolhousemuseum.org.

Manateefest 2023

This FREE familyfriendly event is an annual celebration where visitors can come explore the wonders of manatees, the Lake Worth Lagoon and environmental conservation. ManateeFest 2023 is sure to be a day that your entire family will remember! Saturday, February 4, 2023. Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Outdoors at Manatee Lagoon. Cost: FREE. FREE admission & parking, Sea Life face painting, KidsFunZone, family-friendly venue offering events year round!

15th Annual Science of Chocolate: Learn about the history of chocolate and enjoy complimentary tasting stations. Hands-on activities include the Cocoa Chocolate Oobleck lab, a chocolate jeopardy game and liquid nitrogen chocolate ice cream for the entire family. February 18, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cox Science Center and Aquarium at 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Admission is $20.95 for adults, $16.95 for children 3-12, and $18.95 for seniors (ages 60+). It is FREE for CSCA members and children under the age of three. www.coxsciencecenter.org.

Celebrate Black History Month all month long at the Palm Beach County Library Black Excellence in Art on Thu, Feb 16, 3:30 pm

Celebrate Black History Month by learning about two awesome Black artists. Then make a masterpiece of your own! Dress for a mess. Supplies provided. Ages 8-12. (45 min.) Call (561) 681-4100 to preregister. Presented by Acreage Branch.

Anime Club: Black History Month Specials Sat, Feb 25, 2:30 pm -Celebrate the contributions

Pediatric

Specializing in Dentistry for Infants, Children, Adolescents and those with Special Health Care

Michael

Specializing in Dentistry for Infants, Children, Adolescents and those with Special Health Care needs Michael

J. Roseff, DMD, LLC

of Black manga artists, studio heads, voice actors, anime leads and content creators, and showcase your original video animation tributes this month! Snacks provided. Ages 13-17. (90 min.) Call (561) 304-4500 to preregister.Presented by Lantana Road Branch.

Complete list of events and activities can be found here - http://events.pbclibrary.org/bhm

‘Roar and

Snore’ Family

Sleepover: Here is your chance to spend the night in a world millions of years ago with life-size, roaring and moving dinosaurs. Explore the fascinating world of our "Dinosaur Explorer" exhibit and sleep next to your favorite Jurassic friend! The event includes a pizza dinner, planetarium show, dinosaur-themed programs, trivia and Science Center exploration. Participants must supply their own sleeping bag, twin-sized air mattress or foam underlay, pillow and personal hygiene materials. No cots please. One adult chaperone required for every five children. Chaperones are responsible for and must supervise and stay with their group during the entire visit. Evening pizza break and a morning breakfast are included in cost. February 24, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Cox Science Center and Aquarium at 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Admission is $75 for non-members, $70 for members per person. www. coxsciencecenter.org.

Spring Workshops starting at ArtNest Boca and Delray. Fun Classes include DRAWING CLUB: DRAGONS & UNICORNS In Drawing Club with artNEST™, the focus will be Mythological Creatures while learning perspective, basics of shading, proportions of the face and body and how to successfully unleash the images in your kid's minds onto paper in a stressfree environment. No experience necessary, just an open mind and love for drawing and creativity.

• Tuesdays ∙ Feb: 28 ∙ March 7, 14, 28 ∙ April: 4, 11 ∙ (skip March 21) • 4pm - 5pm • 6-8 & 9-12

SAVE THE DATE

Florida’s Premier Muscle Car Show

Old School Square, Delray Beach, FL • March 4, 2023 (rain date March 5) 10am - 3pm. A charitable benefit for Sandoway Discovery Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, sandoway. org All vehicles to be professionally judged, including by celebrity host Mike Brewer, star of The Discovery Channel hit show “Wheeler Dealers”. Learn more at www.muscleonthebeach.com.