Loretta

Teacher, author and illustrator.

Mar 062022
 


We love exploring South Carolina that has 34 palmetto tree studded Sea Islands!
There are so many beautiful places to enjoy around the islands and good food too! We love to buy the fresh shrimp from the shrimp trawlers when we visit St. Helena Island. The Shrimp Shack is our favorite seafood restaurant on St. Helena, South Carolina. The Sea Island Pkwy has many places to explore.  Inquire about the local museums to learn local history and visit with the various guides working at the museums for amazing stories and available publications worth purchasing.

 

I made an exciting discovery when we spent a few days in Beaufort, South Carolina at one of the museums there! One of the  S.C. maps displayed was especially detailed. I found an island named “Rabbit Island!”  It is in Beaufort County one mile west of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital! That is not all! There is a Hare Island and another “Rabbit Island” in Georgetown County, South Carolina!! 

 

Sep 082017
 

Preparing for Pioneer Day is always exciting! Tomorrow  is Saturday Sept 9, 2017 and the cool weather and sunshine will be the perfect time to visit Gray Court, South Carolina and join the many pilgrims and settlers visiting the  settlement  there just off Hwy.14 .   Looks like a great day in store for Pioneer Day and the parade starts at 10:00 a.m. Hope the canons will be fired-I love the sounds of freedom! Meet our heritage rabbits at the Garden Gate Rabbit Park table under the largest oak tree in the middle of the Culbertson Backcountry Settlement in Gray Court! Bar-B-Q is on the menu (finger lickin’ good) with fresh churned ice cream at Verdin’s Front Porch Churn. Enjoy the slow pace touring the cabins, listening to the string instruments, and talking to the craftsmen, re-en actors and local folks about the good ol’ days we still enjoy!! Adults pay a small fee when they enter. (or donate more to support the historical Soc maintaining these buildings etc) Don’t miss this event neighbor!

There are lots of  right friendly folks at the settlement!!
You will see a lot of smiling faces, maybe people you know and neighbors you didn’t know you had!!
Folks ask Glenn,  ” Is that a real raccoon cap-just like Daniel Boone had?”
He’s happy to tell you all about that coon!

Folks travel a long ways to be here!

You never know who you will meet and what you will see!
Is that a wild boar?
Yep!
That boar’s name is “Christmas Dinner!”
People that lived on settlements prepared all their meals.
Food was raised in gardens and came from livestock they raised.
All their clothing was made by hand. Where did the leather for vests, coats, hats, belts, shoes, boots, moccasins, pouches, saddlebags, saddles and harnesses come from?

There is so much to learn from our history here in South Carolina!

Have you seen a flintlock muzzle loading rifle?


Some of our veterans are experienced swordsmen!

Jun 082016
 

 

There are rabbit shows held every year  all over the United States.
We like to attend rabbit shows hosted by rabbit clubs that consist of members of the A.R.B.A. (American Rabbit Breeders Association).  ARBA rabbit shows schedule licensed rabbit judges that are trained by the American Rabbit Breeders Association and use the ARBA Standard of Perfection  to select the winning rabbit that best represents the written standard for each particular rabbit breed.

Introducing a new Breed

Introducing a new Breed

This rabbit carrier is displaying an  Argente Bruin as a new breed of rabbit to be introduced to A.R.B.A.

Let’s look around and see what is happening before a show begins! People entering the building are pulling carts loaded with rabbits transported in carriers.

Rabbits are arriving in carriers!

Rabbits are arriving in carriers!

Some carriers are built for large rabbit breeds and may have 2-3 compartments.
The smaller breeds are carried in and may have up to 4 compartments. When the rabbit entries are checked in then the show superintendent will start the show with announcements, and Show A will open.  All the judges are introduced at their judge’s table and the first breed they will be judging is announced.   Everyone will prepare their breeds for showtime!

Rabbits are placed in coops.

Rabbits are placed in coops.

Only a few rabbit breeds are judged at a time. When 6 judges are working then 6 breeds of rabbits are to be judged and taken up to the coops that hold the senior bucks, senior does, junior bucks, and junior does of a variety within the breed called and also listed at the judges table.

This Rex rabbits waits to see the judge!

This Rex rabbits waits to see the judge!

This Rex rabbit has his ear tattooed to identify him by his owner. All rabbits are required to have their ID tattooed in their ear if they are to be judged in the show.

Some ARBA Shows will have the youth dress up their rabbits for competition.

Some ARBA Shows will have the youth dress up their rabbits for competition.

Everyone can show rabbits in the Open Show A. There are also Youth Shows for members 18 years old and younger with 4-H club competitions and several special interests. The dress up competition is a brief time for the youth to present their creative rabbit costumes they have made for their rabbit to wear for specialty awards according to themes, originality, and  events. Just a few of the winners are lined up in the picture above! Did you see the rabbit with wings?

Mr Brewer will judge the Dutch rabbits in Open A show.

Mr Brewer will judge the Dutch rabbits in Open A show.

The Dutch breed has been called and here the judge begins with checking their ear numbers. The judge has a writer to mark down and record comments as well as placement the rabbit has won.

The judge takes a closer look at the eyes.

The judge takes a closer look at the eyes.

If you listen to the judge you will hear his comments and compliments about the rabbit he is examining! Here the eyes must be examined for eye color, eye spots, and their clear healthy condition.

Dutch markings are important.

Dutch markings are important.

Dutch markings are explained in the ARBA Standard of Perfection book. The Dutch rabbits are a very popular and also challenging breed to raise!

There are also Dutch varieties that compete.

There are also Dutch varieties that compete.

IMG_7999 comments

 

 

 

 

 

Rex at Augusta Show7982best rex

Feb 162016
 

  Our calendar each year is an amazing selection of  pictures Loretta Hayward takes of Garden Gate’s sweet rabbits!
The unique poses of bunnies in the garden, posing at a party, or celebrating the seasons and holidays make this treasured collectible a wonderful gift!

Like a visit to our rabbit park!

In many ways this is a picture portfolio that is a brief glimpse of what a visit to our rabbit park is like!

      Garden Gate’s calendar always has surprises in store! There is much more in the pictures if you are observant. The cute rabbit expressions and various poses let you know how curious the rabbit is, whether he may have been eating a blossom, or is ready to leap into another part of the setting! The various locations of the rabbit park set the stage for a series of events or pictures that may be part of a slide show shared at an event, the next illustrated story shared with visitors to our park or  a rabbit adventure story to be included in the next book of the “On the Banks of Durbin Creek” series!!
Be sure to purchase your own Garden Gate Rabbit Park Calendar to show your love for their work with rabbits and to support the educational rabbit park! All printing is done in the USA with South Carolina printers and makes possible the next calendar to be printed! The best help we get from our family of friends & fans is not only volunteer help but also promoting our books, cards & calendars that we may print more inspiring books each year!

Aug 162015
 

Clinton's library has story time with Garden Gate rabbits!

Clinton’s library has story time with Garden Gate rabbits!

It is so good to see our friends come out to the library story time!
We can have a fun time visiting after the program and enjoy the bunnies too!
Every program is special with new stories, entertainment and new rabbits to meet.

Family night is exciting at Lauren's library especially when the Hayward family brings their rabbits!

Family night is exciting at Lauren’s library especially when the Hayward family brings their rabbits!

Lined up to pet bunnies_7936

Those sweet children behaved so good I just had to take their picture!
They can’t wait for me to get done (taking the picture) so they can pet the rabbits!!

Visiting rabbits at Laurens Library7939

 

Our bunnies love all the attention they can get and they also like to show off!

Aug 142015
 

Welcome to the Main Library in Anderson County!

When we arrived at the library we received a warm greeting and plenty of help carrying the rabbits into the auditorium. People were also arriving early and forming a line at the door to get a front row seat!IMG_2116

     As soon as we are set up for our program presentation we take the last few minutes to greet everyone and get acquainted. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with special friends and to make new friends too!
People  like the variety of  stories, rabbits and experiences that  make our time together so informative and entertaining.  We also enjoy the personal stories people share with us about their rabbits and amazing pet friends.

Looking for the best seats in the auditorium!
As everyone looks for the best seat in the room they also want a good location to watch the rabbits!
What will the rabbits do? Of course they will jump around but will they run away?
No one wants to miss seeing that happen!
After the programs are finally done the people ask us this question the most often.
“How do you get the rabbits to stay on the tables?”
The rabbits actually are free to jump and can leave the table when they want to.
Do you think when the rabbit sees the room full of people and the rows of children
sitting on the floor that he wants to jump down onto the crowded floor instead of
watch what all those people are going to do next?

So many rabbit to meet!

The children are so glad there are so many rabbits to pet!

So many happy faces!

So many happy faces!

And we also love to have a  happy young friend return
with a smile and take time to say, “Thank You!”

You can see why we enjoy sharing our rabbits!
We are sharing the joy!

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Enjoying rabbits with our friends in Iva’s library.

IMG_2082petting time croppd

Learning about the English Lops rabbits in Powdersville Library

IMG_2099English Lopgood
Challenging our listeners .

IMG_2101good group

IMG_2111 petting rabbits Pendleton

Pendleton Branch Library welcomes Garden Gate Rabbits!

Pendleton Branch Library welcomes Garden Gate Rabbits!

Gloria is getting rabbits ready for the program!

Gloria is getting rabbits ready for the program!

Pendleton Branch Library has some interesting history!

Pendleton Branch Library has some interesting history!

Libraries are amazing places to visit and each library has a unique history all of its own.  Do you know the history of your local library? When was your library built?  Some of the finest books have been donated to the library for others to enjoy and you can learn about the history of your town if you will ask your librarian to help you find an illustrated book about your town history!

All rabbits like to explore-even at the library!

All rabbits like to explore-even at the library!

The crowd is listening-and some are watching the bunny! Jump  bunny jump!

The crowd is listening-and some are watching the bunny! Jump bunny jump!

We enjoy visiting the branch libraries in Anderson County!
Belton, Iva, Powdersville, Williamston, and several other branch libraries scheduled Garden Gate Rabbit Park to present a program and bring our rabbits too!

It is exciting to learn about rabbits whether you watch them, listen to stories about them, or read books about rabbits.

It is exciting to learn about rabbits whether you watch them, listen to stories about them, or read books about rabbits.

 

Gloria talks about her Dutch rabbit.

Gloria talks about her Dutch rabbit.

 

What will you learn about rabbits when you pet them?

What will you learn about rabbits when you pet them?

Be sure to come see us at the library!
Let your librarians know how much you like rabbits and Garden Gate Rabbit Park!

Aug 142015
 

The Main Library in Easley, South Carolina.

The Main Library in Easley, South Carolina.

Glenn tells about our rabbit park during our first program.

Glenn tells about our rabbit park during our first program.

 Ben presents our English Lop rabbits.

 Ben presents English Lop rabbits!

It is true!    Our book loving friends and librarians love our rabbits too!
We have made many trips to libraries with our sweet rabbits traveling with us thanks to the special requests, celebration invitations, special library parties and themed programs that the librarians scheduled!

Almost Ready!

Almost Ready!

Gloria is waving, the bunnies are watching everyone assemble, the slideshow of Garden Gate Rabbit Park is set up, and the program is about to begin at the Main Library in Easley, South Carolina! We are always excited to tell  our stories and share our rabbits with families as each year is like a new chapter in our favorite book! The wonderful adventures continue and our lively rabbits are always entertaining!

IMG_1804 smiling girl meet silver fox croppedEveryone gets a smile!!
“Flower” our blue Silver Fox has settled down to visit.
IMG_1807 ND in tunnel
Prepare for surprises!
Netherland Dwarf rabbits are fun!
What will happen next?

Main program_4106

Ronald answers your questions about rabbits.

Ronald answers your questions about rabbits.

Pickens Library an bunnies_4102Ron Ben

IMG_1809 great kids visit rabbit tableTime to visit with Garden Gate’s rabbits.
This may be the first time to pet a show rabbit
or one of our celebrity rabbits
that are featured in our books and have been on TV.

Main pm_1818 great“On the Banks of Durbin Creek ”  is our delightful books series  with stories about our rabbits!
Each of the books illustrated with pictures of our adventurous rabbits
are written by Loretta Hayward who is always delighted to sign or inscribe your books.
We hope you will attend one of our events!
There is so much to learn and so many questions that we can answer!
We hope to see you soon!

Dec 162014
 

It is more than a pretty picture!

It is more than a pretty picture!

Our annual Garden Gate Rabbit Park calendar is an exciting accomplishment each and every year! With all the work we do it takes extra special effort, planning and customized work within our preparations to get the pictures each year!
Hi,
” I am speaking from experience when I tell you that taking pictures of rabbits takes extra special work! I never take it for granted that my pictures will turn out and so I regularly take 75-100 pictures! That is just the beginning since I need to take pictures from various angles and in different outdoor lighting. So many people take a camera, aim, and shoot! They think they got their picture since they pushed the button!! Cameras even allow the picture to be seen after they are taken so people are pretty happy with the results! However rabbits are generally much more difficult! The pictures are proof of that! Twitching ears, blurred heads, and various “motion” pictures show their abrupt movements and typical reactions characteristic of rabbits. At any time or any place a rabbit may bolt, plop down to rest, make a lightning leap or pause to wash their face and groom their ears! Experienced photographers often share their comments and compliments with me recognizing our rare pictures are major accomplishments and truly excellent achievements!”

 

Rabbits may leap on impulse!

Rabbits may leap on impulse!

“There is no end to what fun we could possibly have while taking pictures of rabbits!!”
(yes-I really said that!)
Since I am writing this blog and not a news or magazine article then I naturally like to comment on my work because so many unpredictable things happen and funny situations have occurred!! Sometimes people do not think how often insects or various creatures enter the picture in a split second!! After a few years I expected to adjust and not react! Not so! Our cat prowls about and peers through bushes and around the potted plants, dragonflies dart about and land, squirrels drop acorns from the oak limbs overhead, chipmunks scamper along the rockery, and lizards still drop out of the trees and occasionally land on the camera-lady! (gasp!)

Oct 302014
 

It is very exciting here at our rabbitry whenever a litter of baby bunnies are born! Our large rabbits usually have the larger number of bunnies in their litter. Whether there are two baby bunnies born or 14 baby bunnies born we are always happy to spread the good news through our family and to our friends! Of course the first couple of days we only check the litter nest box to make sure the babies are alive, and all gathered together in the nest where they will be safe and warmly covered with their mother’s fur. Checking back to be sure none of the babies have crawled away from the nest is really important too. We keep records about the birthdate and number born in the litters. After two days we can see which bunnies are well fed by their fat bellies and make an effort to see that any runt gets fed too. The babies have fur coming in and we can tell what color and markings they will have. By the time they are 10 tens old their eyes are open and we are enjoying them even more. We are thinking of names for the bunnies and watching them wobble about on their legs too! Of course the bunnies all try out a hop or two and just like pop corn they quickly fly up into the air wildly soaring in various directions which stirs up even more lively leaping excitement in the litter box!

Two Dutch Baby Bunnies!

Two Dutch Baby Bunnies!


They are so cute!
I make pink bibs for the girl bunnies and blue bibs for the boy bunnies! We love to take pictures to remember these happy times! They grow up so fast and in five – six months the Dutch rabbits are adults already!

Jun 052014
 

Truly waits for the children to arrive_4358
Meet Truly!
Here our white Mini Rex is waiting for the kindergarten classes to arrive and our program to begin!
It is always an exciting time to learn with rabbits in the classroom!  Children of all ages (even old ones) can be even better readers, writers and illustrators when they are inspired! As a teacher I know the value of establishing a good foundation for children to build their life and future upon! Schools have seen the benefits of our programs in their classrooms and the lasting impressions children have had meeting our rabbits. As a result we are annual visitors to those schools!

Now take a closer look!!

Meet Truly-our Mini Rex!
 Truly is one of our Mini Rex rabbits that we raise at our rabbit park! She is as sweet as she looks!
A closer look makes a BIG difference! Now we are seeing with our eyes, our ears, our hands…and learn so much more through our senses.

Petting Rabbits!

 

The faces of the children as they visit with our rabbits speak volumes!

There are some amazing moments meeting bunnies for the first time!

There are some amazing moments meeting bunnies for the first time!

Developing our senses and then the skill of observation is a good beginning.
How do you describe rabbits?  O…..soft…..

Long.

Fuzzy.

Cute!

How sweet!

Hoppy!

Funny!

Furry.

Floppy ears.

Too cute! (we hear that a lot!)

BIG!

Happy!

……………………..Fast!

That one is loose!

There are so many words that describe rabbits!
There are so many words we can learn that are about rabbits!
Do you have over 100 words in your list?  Over 200?
Is quiet or amiable on your list?
What about unpredictable, impulsive or capricious?

Rabbits are also terrific!