Christina Marcolini Therapeutic Massage

DNR biologists made an exciting discovery at a recent BioBlitz in southwest Indiana.🎉

Our nongame aquatics biologists participated in the annual Indiana Academy of Science BioBlitz held at Harmonie State Park. During the event, a state endangered Bantam Sunfish was collected from two small Wabash River tributaries!

Prior to this discovery, the Bantam Sunfish had only been reported from two other locations in the state, however, those collections weren't confirmed by DNR biologists.

Extreme southwest Indiana marks the northern extent of the Bantam Sunfish’s range. After this recent find, the DNR nongame aquatics team plans to expand its search in the area, hopefully finding a larger source population.

A BioBlitz is an event rooted around discovery, where professionals and amateur enthusiasts come together to search for and document as many different species as possible within a certain location.

Learn more about Indiana's rare and endangered species and the work being done to protect them here: on.IN.gov/nongamewildlifefund

I'm preparing for an oncology massage class on Friday. I still have reading to do.😬

I am honored to have done chair massage at several events on this beautiful farm. Best wishes to their next chapter.

Honoring a Cherished Legacy:
It has been a huge blessing to share our farm with thousands of families and guests who have visited Dollie’s Lavender & Flower Farm. My great grandmother Dollie would be so delighted to see the memories that have blossomed here, on the land she and Great Grandpa worked so hard to give to their following generations. It has been an honor for our family to carry forward her legacy while welcoming so many wonderful people to our farm. We have been honored to be the generation to share the farm with our community! The weddings, showers, open houses, surprise engagements, parties, celebration of life services, family reunions, educational tours…the list keeps growing as I remember back through the years. The Seasons we have been open have been so incredible for our family. It’s been a real labor of love.
Embracing Change and New Seasons:
Just as there are seasons in weather and time, we know that we have different seasons in life. We have decided it is time for a change in season for us and Dollie’s. In evaluating the irreversible damage done to the flower field this last time we were over-sprayed, and the daunting work of replanting half the field once again because of the damage done to the plants, we have decided to close the flower farm and focus on family rather than try to battle the damage yet another time. After years devoted to ministering to families, working hard to foster a welcoming atmosphere in a beautiful field while nurturing flowers and lavender, we feel called to shift seasons and focus more closely on our family. Our grandchildren are growing up quickly, and we want to be present for their important moments. The legacy instilled in me has always emphasized faith, family, farming. While our recent years have centered on flowers and farming, now is the time for us to shift our attention, time and energy to our family. We will so deeply miss all the wonderful people who visited Dollie’s! But the season to close the farm to the public has arrived for us. We will continue to sell our fabulous lavender products available on our website or by calling the farm number for pickups, in addition we hope to see you when we have a “pop up shop” at local markets.
Wishing Joy and Success to Future Flower Farmers:
To everyone who dreams of opening a flower farm, we wish you the same joy, success and fulfillment that Dollie’s Farm has brought to our family. May you blossom in all you do! Our best advice that we can share is something we never considered would be the finality of our dream… be sure you don’t start your flower farm where it will get oversprayed time and time again, the flowers cannot survive it.
A Final Thanksgiving Message
Our family wishes to thank everyone who has helped us live this dream! To the ones who taught us and shared knowledge with us, thank you! To the fabulous people who have been a part of our crew through the years, we thank each of you for helping us make Dollie’s the best! You have been such a blessing to so many! To Festival Country in Franklin… you guys are incredible! We have been so blessed by your support. Franklin businesses are better because of you! And finally, to all the people who visited the farm over the years, all our bloom club members, the guests who put trust in us for their big moment…. THANK YOU! It is our sincere hope and prayer that the gift my great-grandmother Dollie gave to us has made wonderful memories in your life and has been a gift to you as well.