Description
This book will take you on an adventurous journey with Armani the Crow and Nutty the Squirrel. You will see how a small hidden field in Matamoras, Pennsylvania, turns into a pumpkin farm called Field of Dreams, all at the hands of a group of middle-school and high-school kids who volunteer their time to work on the farm. To some, Field of Dreams is a small pumpkin farm; to others, it is a true field of dreams.
About the Author
Field of Dreams Pumpkin Farm was created by Cory Puopolo in 2011 with the purpose of providing a job for a local teen named Tyler, who at the time wasn't able to find a place to work. Each weekend, Cory and Tyler provided hayrides that led out to a small pumpkin patch where customers were able to pick their own pumpkins. Although it was not a big pumpkin patch, the community loved it because it was located in town. Cory and Tyler loved how much the community enjoyed the pumpkin patch and brainstormed ways to make it even better. Six years later, the pumpkin patch has grown to become a place that families from near and far love to visit. It went from one kid helping out to over fifteen kids volunteering per year. There is now a one-acre corn maze for families to stroll through. Families can also enjoy cooking s'mores by the fire and taking pictures by wooden character cut-out signs. All of the proceeds collected at the pumpkin patch goes back into the community, whether it's holding a free basketball tournament at Church Street Park in Port Jervis with the Field of Dreams volunteers handing out hundreds of hot dogs and hundreds of dollars in prizes, or donating kids clothes or sports equipment to the community kids by the Field of Dreams management. Field of Dreams itself was also created so that every family, no matter their socioeconomic status, could visit and enjoy the pumpkin patch. Field of Dreams has never charged an entrance fee, the hayrides are free, the pony rides are free, and the maze is free. The only thing that cost money are the pumpkins. This way, any family can enjoy the day and spend little to no money. This is why Field of Dreams is truly a field of dreams to so many people in the community. Field of Dreams is simple fun, but has such a big impact. To some people, it is just a pumpkin patch. To those that see beyond the field and the small orange pumpkins, the meaning is so much more. The students in high school that volunteer learn how to work with customers, handle money, learn the responsibilities of being on time for work, and get to be a part of helping out the community. It brings together many people of all backgrounds. Our goal is for every child and adult to leave with a smile on his/her face and, to this day, we have yet to fail! This book is in loving memory of Tajhee Williams. He was a respectful young man. He was also an amazing mentor not only to his brothers, but also to many kids in the Port Jervis community.
