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52 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 Art MacConni one of many dedicated volunteers at Farmtown Park in Stirling, is pictured here, last summer, adding the finishing touch to yet another original piece of artwork. This graphic design is destined to become the front panel of a bar at Farmtown. And as MacConnell and others in the know have often quipped, “Every sign you see at Farmtown is a work of Art.” rzrry voLLUM THE COMMUNITY PRESS PART TWO A brief history of Farmtown Park — TERRY VOLLUM Farmtown Parkin Stirlingis home tothe Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage which cele- brates and preserves the culture of rural Ontario — stressing the importance of agriculture while paying tribute to the dedicated farmers who provide us all with fresh, wholesome food. The idea for the museum was born in 1986 at the soe es Plowing Match an ‘vision of a handful of jocal residents, whose passion and support for the idea was soon embraced by area farmers Butit would be more sive facility features nine buildings and more than 45,000 square feet of incredible displays, including thousands of artifacts and antique farm machinery. The day-to-day operations at Farmtown Park are presided over by its one salaried employ- ee, Farmtown manager Margaret Grotek. All other tasks are handled bya group of dedicated volunteers. “Several years ago, I was asked to paint several signs for the mu- seum,” explained sign painter Art MacConnell.”AsIspentmore time there I realized there were many other projects I could help with... and that’s when I decided to be- the first building (the dairy building) was constructed and today the impres- And beinga sign painter terwith more than’ 60yearsex- perience, felt I would fit: ian nicely.”