In this Issue
August 2005

NEWS ON ELM HILL FARM
Animals a welcome addition to Elm Hill Farm
By Janice St. Hilaire

Above, adult equestrian activity group participant Dan with “Rusty.” Below, Grace Church Youth Group with miniature horses.

Elm Hill Farm is busting out all over with new additions! We were the lucky recipients of two miniature horses, named Rusty and Dusty; one miniature donkey, Eeyore; and two Southdown Baby Doll sheep named Button and Little Boy Blue. These absolutely adorable animals were donated by Tressa Nichols of Spencer, who works with the Bay State Equine Rescue. Also Peggy and Bill, our stable managers, have created an aviary consisting of: hens that will soon be laying eggs, new chicks, and gray and white young turkeys. They join Henrietta, our pheasant and four rabbits—plus all of the riding horses.

As you might imagine, our new animals were met with happy smiles and hugs from our ongoing craft/garden group, our horse activity group and our Friday cooking and social group. The more timid members of our Summer Youth Challenge Program enjoy the opportunity to brush and handle these miniature equines as well.

During the week of July 4, The Blanchard Means Foundation at Elm Hill Farm hosted nine youths and three adults from Grace United Church of Christ from Uniontown, Ohio. They came on a work/mission week—and did they work! They cleared brush, did lots of landscaping, sanded and stained our raised-bed gardens, painted the kitchen cabinets, repaired the indoor horse arena and cleaned out a space for our new recreation room. As you may remember, it was a very cold and rainy week, but they were good sports and only occasionally commented that it was 80 degrees and sunny in Ohio. But their time was not all work. They had a bonfire at night, swam in the pool (even in the rain) and spent one day touring Boston. We are so grateful for their contributions to our vision here on the farm and hope they return another year. Not only did they give us hours and hours of their work, but to our amazement and gratitude, they also left us with a financial gift. We were especially moved because we know how easy it would have been to spend that money during their day in Boston. Thanks, “Cattle-ists!”

During the week of July 17, Elm Hill Farm will have hosted another mission/work group from Hickory, N.C. This group of 15 youths, from The Church of the Master, is led by Cindy Thompson and the Rev. Don Flick, a member of our board of directors. We have the work lists and work gloves all set to go.
Elm Hill Farm is designated as a National Historic District. It is also a very special place. Immediately upon entering East Main Street, one feels closer to the 19th century. The rock walls and gardens, the circa-1700s buildings and barns, the tottering fences, beautiful pastures, the horses, and the magnificently grand houses speak to another time. One can imagine a time when horse-drawn sleds and carriages were the norm, not the for-pleasure activities they are today. We hope you share our belief that such a unique property should be restored and maintained and used for the pleasure of our community, the education of our children, and the nourishment of our spirits. We invite all to participate as a volunteer, bring your civic or church group for a meeting or retreat, or hold your special event at our farm. We welcome you.

For information or to schedule a visit by your group, call Michele Connor, OTR/L at Elm Hill Farm, 26 East Main St., Brookfield. 508-867-4407 or E-mail MConnor122@charter.net .

Above, Grace Church Youth Group and leaders with Blanchard Means local board members, staff, and volunteers Janice and Henry St. Hilaire. At right, Grace Church work crew.