By Stacey Tucker (Contact / Staff Bio)
May 16, 2009 - 02:37 p.m. EST

KINGSTON — Over 100 students from Highland Pines School in Caro got to experience a little bit of farm life Friday.

Around 100 students and 40 adults visited the home of Doug Kramer, a retired teacher from Kingston Schools. There, the students were given hay rides, learned a little about horse care and safety and also got to go fishing in Kramer’s pond.

“This has been a great day,” said Tracy Henry, assistant principal for Highland Pines. “I appreciate Doug opening his home to the students.”

Kramer said the event came together really well. After scheduling the event at his home, he sent out and received donations and volunteers to help the planning along.

In a matter of two hours, he received a donation from Thumb Cellular for handicapped portable toilets, a $50 gift card from Wal-mart to help pay for fishing poles and McDonald’s provided drinks, containers and cups for the students. He also happened upon a few people who were willing to volunteer their time to help out at the farm.

“That all happened in two hours and from there, it just blossomed,” he said.

The Gleaners also donated all the food for the event, which took place from 10:30, until 2 p.m.

Stacey Tucker is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at tucker@tcadvertiser.com.