Tri Town: Lifestyle Section- June 19, 2015
We are all capable of more than we think
Molly Awiszus, one of our beloved volunteers, surprised us on Wednesday, June 10th with a very special gift. With the help of Roland Dudney, our Farm Manager, Molly decided to take on the project of putting the story of the infamous Windrush duck, Puddles, on paper. Roland and Molly have collaborated for almost two years to put this darling story into a children’s book. It was beautifully written giving readers the feel of a modern day Make Way For Ducklings with elements of the famous seal Andre. We were delighted to have Roland sit down with the staff and friends to read the manuscript from beginning to end. Roland recited about how this little duckling entered his family’s life, built a loving home at Windrush and returned Spring after Spring for 13 years.
The story was beautiful, the delivery was perfect and the thought was priceless. Thank you Molly and everyone involved in this fabulous surprise.
Time to go get that story published !
This years Volunteer Appreciation BBQ was a success! We invited all of our volunteers to come and enjoy some delicious food, the farm and laughter, as we toasted to another great year. We are continuously amazed at the amount of support and commitment we have from our volunteers. We could not off all that we do, without this incredible group.
Thank you all for coming out and sharing in this wonderful evening.
This past Sunday, June 7th, Windrush Farm participated in the Myopia Polo match in Hamilton, MA. Windrush had the opportunity to have two riders, Ava and Brooke Henehan, give a demonstration during the half time of the match. The riders did a wonderful job! Amanda Hogan, our Executive Director and Bob Gore, Board Chair of Windrush, had a chance to speak about the farm. Kathleen Henehan, the mother of both the demonstration riders, was able to talk as well.
We were lucky enough to present the Windrush Farm Cup to the winning team at the end of the match. It was a very special afternoon and we had a great group with us. Thank you to all the volunteers, riders and guests that came to support Windrush.
On June 5, 2015 we were lucky to have Deloitte, decide to once again spend their Impact Day with us at Windrush Farm. Deloitte has been making a huge difference at Windrush over the past five years and we are so grateful for this partnership.
Eighteen employees came out with unbelievable spirit to help clean the exterior of the office and the indoor arena. Deloitte not only donated their priceless manpower but also all of the tools needed to complete the work. Before Deliotte employees arrived on Friday, we received a large shipment of tools that included brushes, gloves, safety goggles and a fantastic new power washer! All donated to Windrush Farm!
Thank you Bruce Clay, Linda Strovink and all the Deloitte employees for all of your hard work. The buildings look so fresh and clean. The projects that you complete for us year after year make a huge impact on the quality of our programs and the services we provide to the greater community. #ImpactThatMatters
Our beloved, Amanda “Mandy” Hogan, Executive Director, was presented with the Making A Difference Service Award during her 40th reunion at Wheelock College on May 30th, 2015.
A classmate and dear friend, nominated Mandy for the award, after seeing all the wonderful coverage of Windrush’s 50th in the Boston Globe. The Making A Difference Service Award is to honor and acknowledge her years of hard work and dedication to Windrush Farm. Mandy has exemplified the mission of Wheelock College to “improve the lives of children and families” and she continues to change lives everyday.
Mandy absolutely deserves this wonderful recognition. We are thrilled to see her alumni feel the same way!
Congratulations Mandy!
Memorial Day Weekend brought some tense moments to Windrush Farm. On Sunday, May 24th, Josselyn Shaughnessy, Associate Director and resident of the farmhouse, and others around the farm, began to smell smoke. Josselyn took the gator out to the backfields to ensure everything was safe. This is when she saw a wall of flames through the woods and immediately called 911.
It is believed that the fire started out in the backfield and spread into the woods along the alleyway between the 3rd and 2nd field. It appears a manure pile combusted and with everything being so incredible dry, it caused quite a situation.
The Boxford and North Andover Fire Departments were able to control the fire and luckily it did not spread into the barnyard. They were here for the remainder of the afternoon, checking for hot spots and confirming all was safe. Everyone and all the animals were unharmed.
Thank goodness for the new dry hydrant! If we did not have it, this could have been devastating.
THANK YOU Boxford and North Andover Fire Department for all your incredible hard work. We are so grateful!
A wonderfully fun update from Chester’s owners…
Dear Windrush Farm Family,
Just wanted send you a long overdo update to let you know that Chester is doing well. He has re-earned the nickname ‘the pesky pony’!! I think we both forgot that he thinks that he is a dog stuck in a pony’s body! He and Chances are getting along over walls and fences (I have not yet put them together, but that will probably happen this summer… when there is lots of grass to keep them both entertained!). He is currently getting over an access in his right front frog (yeah… I have no clue how that one happened). We have it drained and are working on it healing, but he was only uncomfortable for about 24 hours. We have been out on quite a few rides and just recently he realized that I was ok with him hand galloping up the hills in the neighborhood. (needless to say, there is a big grin on my face!) He has also taken up Chances favorite morning routine… around 10am almost every day is nap time! And we just started them out on the grass Sat. Chester gets to be loose in the backyard… only a halter and a lead rope. He has been so good do far… he goes only to certain points and turns himself around and head back in the other direction… he trims around the gardens but has not yet thought about venturing where he doesn’t belong. I told Mark that it looks like he has a new ‘lawn boy’!!!
Thanks again for letting him come back to us… we are really enjoying the little ‘monkey’!!