New barn quilt where farm ‘used to be’

Doug and Barbie (Walla) Omernik have sponsored Shawano County’s 391st barn quilt that is on a shed on a 6-acre plot they purchased in 2019 from Ken and Maddy Holmes at W3476 Hofa Park Road, Pulaski.

The quilt pattern they selected is called Carolina Lily.

“Since purchasing our home, we have enjoyed meeting people who tell us stories about our property and what ‘used to be’ there,” Barbie said. “This is the favorite opening line by those who have shared the history of our homestead.”

The Omerniks have heard often how what is now their wildflower field and was used by neighbors’ honeybees and a multitude of wildlife “used to be” a cow pasture. The old well that was used daily to pump water has been capped and turned into a shrine with a statue of the Virgin Mary and an angel. The old hand pump is still next to the old well.

The hill in the back was used to drive a tractor into the hay mow (and which now has a wishing well on top) is where the barn “used to be,” according to the Omerniks. They said the round base of a silo that “used to be” there now displays an old combine and an old kitchen wood stove that serve as reminders of simpler times.

Other reminders of what “used to be” are spread among the wild vegetation along a walking trail — including an old plow, seeder and disk.

“We know there was a lumber mill on our property, too,” Barbie said. “At one time, in the field, there was a large commercial fishing boat painted as Noah’s Ark. It’s no longer there, but is still fun to hear about, but maybe biblical times are too far back in history to talk about here.

“We are proud to be part of the Shawano County barn quilt trail with our beautiful quilt and are proud of our homestead history.”

The barn quilt was painted by the Shawano County barn quilt committee and was put on display by LeRoy and Keenan Raddant, who work for Raddant Electric in Shawano.