Family reunites at historic farm

Shamrock Farms Bed and Breakfast on Millville Rd. in Mayfield Twp. was the scene of the Henderson family’s holiday gettogether. MAYFIELD TWP. — Shamrock Farms Bed and Breakfast opened its arms to a very special family get-together recently. The bed and breakfast, run by Maurine Scott, opened in the autumn of 2009 after the historic structure was renovated and elegantly appointed. The sprawling house, which dates to 1902, is part of a 195-acre thoroughbred race horse farm.

Members of the Henderson family arrived at Shamrock Farms recently with a unique picture of the place in their minds. Gil Henderson and his brother Richard once called the rambling gold and green Victorianstyle house and the farmland around it home.

As children, they roamed the acreage of what is now Shamrock Farms. Back then, however, their dad, Ervin, managed what was then an important dairy farm owned by Eugene Arms.

Gil and Myrna Henderson (left), Judy and Richard Henderson (center back), and Myrna’s brother Clare Wentworth and wife Nancy (right) were among the 24 family members that celebrated at Shamrock Farms. Photos by NANCY R. ELLIOTT Just before Christmas, the Henderson brothers returned to the Mayfield Township farm where they were raised, along with their wives, children and grandchildren. The happy group of 24 reminisced, but first and foremost enjoyed the family time together as they celebrated their holiday meal at Shamrock Farms.

Gil said Arms’ ownership of the property dated back to the late 1800’s. When Arms left for Chicago in 1942, he left the farm in the care of Henderson’s dad and mom, Phyllis. Gil was only seven years old.

“It was one of the top dairy farms in terms of production,” said Gil, now 76.

“I knew old Mr. Arms,” said Gil. He said that there were four Arms children, and their father asked the children to agree to the Hendersons’ continued residency at the farm, even after his death.

“Those four kids honored it,” said Henderson. “My folks lived there 25 years after they quit milking cows, rent free, didn’t even pay taxes.”

“They treated my dad as one of the family,” agreed Richard. “They were very generous, respectful.”

As youngsters, Gil and Richard went to Millville country school, now a residence.

Gil noted that times have changed since he rambled the acres around what is now Shamrock Farms.

“I was blessed to get in on the last ten years of horse-drawn farming,” said Gil. “There was a tight sense of community if for no other reason than survival ... As a kid, I felt the expectations of the community because everybody knew you.”

“My dad didn’t own a theshing machine or a combine — neighbors depended on each other. They were all small operators.”

Both of the boys grew up to become educators. After teaching in Lapeer, Gil became a junior high principal in Farmington Hills. He also led an active political life, serving a term as mayor of Novi from 1975 to 1977.

“That was my hobby,” said Gil, who also served ten years on the board of education there. His wife, Myrna, was an educator, too, starting out in Lapeer County.

“She was the first and only special ed teacher in the whole county,” said Gil. “Clyde Schickler was a forwardthinking person.” He noted that Schickler’s foresight utlimately led to a millage for special education.

The couple now resides in Brighton and in Florida, from where they travelled to partake in Christmas at Shamrock Farms with the rest of their family.

Richard and his wife, Judy, still live in the Lapeer area. Richard taught in the Lapeer school system and became operations manager under the superintendent. He also helped his dad on the farm.

“It was a little tough on the farm,” Richard recalled, noting that his father eventually lost his vision to macular degeneration. “He did a remarkable job ... He milked cows there until he was in his early seventies.”

Both of the brothers enjoyed the visit to their former stomping grounds with their families.

“It was a hoot,” said Gil. “It was wonderful to see everybody having fun and enjoying each other.” He told the gathered family about life in the house as a child, and what it was like to be raised at a time when there was no electronic entertainment.

Shamrock Farms Bed and Breakfast has become a popular spot both for visitors and for business and social events, like the Henderson family Christmas gathering and dinner. It is located at 2388 Millville Rd. in Mayfield Twp. For more information, check out their website at www.shamrockfarmsbb.com.