Fall 2 0 1 6
Changing lives, one stride at a time, one smile at a time! Healing With Horses
“Being in the presence of these magnificent creatures makes me feel humbled at the power and gentleness that they possess.”
This past spring, Donna Vallis partook in our pilot bereavement program, Healing with Horses. She agreed to share her Windrush Farm experience in hopes of encouraging others to participate. Life has not been easy for Donna and she has faced serious personal challenges and trauma. However, it is her journey to find healing and hope that is the true reflection of who she is. Donna lives on the North Shore and has vested most of her adult life being an active member within her community. She attends town meetings regarding important issues, is a member of different organizations supporting women survivors of domestic violence, and has been a volunteer for Operation Troop Support (OTS) for 10 years. “It was during an OTS meeting that I first learned about Windrush Farm and the bereavement program. I was at a crossroads in my life and had just begun to take control. I was tired of seeking conventional therapies and thought this was exactly what I was looking for,” shared Donna. Healing with Horses is a program, funded by the Thomas Anthony Pappas Charitable Foundation, designed to help individuals working through grief. Participants learn horsemanship skills while working one-on-one with the horses. The process is intended to allow a sense of comfort and nurturing not only for the animals, but for the client as well. Clients are provided the opportunity to experience the therapeutic power of the horse, while allowing for space to process grief in a supportive, confidential, safe and peaceful environment. Donna had little to no horse experience, but was excited to try something new. “I did have some fear about not connecting with the horses, but as soon as I stepped into Cricket’s stall, the connection was instantaneous,” explained Donna. “Being in the presence of these magnificent creatures makes me feel humbled at the power and gentleness that they possess. It was a heartwarming experience, and I truly felt in my happy place,” she added.
Windrush farm
TH E R A P E U T I C EQ U I TAT I O N , I N C .
479 Lacy Street North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 email: info@windrushfarm.org tel: 978-682-7855 w w w.facebook.com/windrushfarm
www.windrushfarm.org
Another part of the program that Donna enjoyed was the chance to learn while being supported by the others in the group. “Feeling supported and having a multitude of wonderful staff members available helped to keep everyone feeling comfortable. We were all in it together,” she explained. “On the last night of the program, it was like leaving an old friend. Windrush is a place you feel you belong and are welcome. I am not a confident person but coming here makes me feel like I can be myself and feel loved.” Donna is a fighter, and a true example of kindness. She has faced many challenges but continues to power on through her constant pursuit of healing.
Welcome to our New CEO The Windrush Board of Directors and Search Committee are excited to be able to welcome Janet Nittmann to the Windrush community. We on the Board worked with Mandy Hogan to establish a plan for the long term future of Windrush. After an extensive search, and an in-depth interview process, we unanimously selected Janet as the best individual to create a transformative platform for future growth.
John Adams
Board of Directors Secretary and Chair of the Search Committee
A Letter From Janet I am very excited to be joining the outstanding Windrush Farm team and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible! I grew up in England riding ponies and horses with my sister and was very aware of the outstanding work that HRH Princess Anne did to promote the Riding for the Disabled Association. I moved to Massachusetts with my husband and two children because of my husband’s work and was thrilled to join Dover Saddlery in 2003. At Dover I was able to combine my love of horses and marketing in an entrepreneurial environment and was the Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Business Development for many years. While at Dover, I soon learned about Windrush Farm and the wonderful legacy established by Marjorie Kittredge. I am delighted to have been recently appointed chief executive officer at such an outstanding organization.
“I am honored and excited about the opportunity to serve as chief executive officer. Windrush Farm is an excellent organization with a long, rich history. I look forward to working with the staff, board of directors, donors, and volunteers as we build on the legacy of success and move into the next growth phase.” I live in Boxborough, MA and keep a lovely Irish sport horse at Scarlet Hill Farm in Groton. I am an eventer at heart and am currently competing at local schooling shows. As horses have added so much to my life, I look forward to enabling more clients than ever to come to Windrush Farm and experience the joy that horses can provide. I will be officially starting at Windrush Farm on October 6 and hope to see many of you at the Power of the Horse Gala on October 15. Exciting times are ahead! Many thanks for your continued support of Windrush Farm.
Janet Nittmann
Volunteer News Volunteer Referral Raffle
If you refer two friends to come to an Orientation and Training, you can be entered to win a 1-hour private lesson! Friends must attend an Orientation and Training prior to October 17th. Raffle Drawing will take place Mid Fall Session (10/24/16) *Rider limit is 185lbs, unmounted options are available!
Speciality Volunteer Types Needed: Barn Buddy Mentor: a horse-savvy (HH or HH-IT) volunteer who works one-on-one with a therapeutic or recreational client learning unmounted horsemanship skills, or simply spending quality time around the horses
New Volunteer Blog
We are very excited to announce that we have officially launched our new volunteer blog! This will be a great place to funnel educational information along with trending stories, pictures and helpful volunteer tips. Take a peek! We would love to hear from you and encourage everyone to share stories, pictures or articles that you might find. Email volunteer@windrushfarm.org with ideas or topics!
Visit the Blog Today! www.OurHorsesHelpHeal. wordpress.com
Barn Coordinator: Are you interested in taking volunteering to the next level? We are looking for potential Barn Coordinators to help get the program horses (and all of the special adaptive tack!) ready for their lessons during the week in a timely manner. Apply today!
Volunteer Gatherings Thursday, October 20th at 6:30pm Halloween Spooktacular Movie Night:
Movie screening of Hocus Pocus in the indoor arena. Dress warmly and bring your lawn chairs! A fun way to celebrate fall and Halloween with friends and family.
Wednesday, November 9 at 6:30pm Veteran Appreciation Movie Screening:
Are you interested in Volunteering? If you’d like to bring a group to volunteer at the farm,
please contact our volunteer coordinators by emailing volunteer@windrushfarm.org
Come spend your evening watching the film War Horse, while crafting thank-you cards for veterans. Come support our troops in your finest red, white and blue!
Thursday, December 1st at 6:30pm Holiday Decorations Party!
Movie screening of National Velvet while making snowflakes and other decorations for the office and upcoming Holiday Barn party.
“Changing lives, one stride at Local Veteran Group Partners with Windrush
Windrush Farm has been lucky enough to partner with two incredible local veterans. Dick George, Director, of Newburyport and Dick Kelley, Event Coordinator, of Beverly, run the local organization, The Screaming Eagle MA Special Events. They have a true passion for honoring and taking care of fellow veterans. Both gentlemen took the time to discuss their excitement and future plans for their partnership with Windrush Farm. How did each of you hear about Windrush Farm? DG-I learned about Windrush farm from Keith Harris, owner of Choice Graphics in Rowley. He arranged a visit to the farm almost a year and a half ago. I had the tour and was immediately sold on the benefits that Windrush’s veterans were getting from their program. DK- Dick told me about the farm and got me involved. Can you tell us about your involvement in the military? DG- I volunteered to be assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s Airborne Regimental Combat team, and after jump school, received my wings in March of 1958. I have been a member of the 101st Airborne Division Association for many years; I served as Adjutant to the President of the New England Chapter of the National Association for several of those years. DK- I was in the 101st Airborne Division from 1960-1963. I was assigned to HQ & HQ Divarty. My military specialty was High Speed Cryptographer. I was the Net Control station for the entire Division, including all the battle groups. What is The Screaming Eagle 101st Airborne Division Association Massachusetts Special Events? DG- I formed the Massachusetts Special Events 5 years ago under the authority of the National Association. Since then, I have been providing services for veterans in the Newburyport area. Most of our activities are summertime events, such as our annual deep sea fishing trip.
“My goal is to help locate Veterans who could benefit from equine assisted activities and therapies, which in my opinion, is so vital in the road back to recovery...”
Photo: Left Dick Kelley, Event Coordinator, Right Dick George, Director of Screaming Eagle MA
What made you decide to partner with Windrush Farm? DG- My decision to partner with Windrush Farm was so easy. My goal is to help locate Veterans who could benefit from equine assisted activities and therapies, which in my opinion, is so vital in the road back to recovery. My biggest task is helping to raise funds to accomplish this goal. What are some of the ways both Windrush Farm and the Screaming Eagle MA Special Events have worked together to start recruiting veterans, raising funds for veterans programs, and raising awareness of Windrush’s Horsemanship for Heroes programs? DG- MA Special Events has done mailings to the area VSO’S (Veterans Service Officers) informing them of the vital work to help veterans that is being done at Windrush. We have also placed ads in the national Screaming Eagle Magazine which is mailed quarterly to all former 101st Airborne Association members. The ad is not just informative about Windrush’s veterans program, but also solicits donations to help support this work. Race Route Through DK- We also have contacts at the State and Federal level Windrush Property which we will be pursuing in the near future to increase the number of veterans participating. What do you envision for the future of the two organizations and their work with local veterans? DG- Dick Kelley and I envision nurturing a strong relationship between Windrush and MA Special Events to address the needs of our veterans with the excellent and professional equine assisted activities and therapies provided by Windrush. We hope that Windrush becomes a known, trusted and helpful place for taking care of our vets. Visit windrushfarm.org to learn more about our Horsemanship for Heroes Program
a time, one smile at a time!” Saying Goodbye to Trav Windrush had to say goodbye to our beloved pony, Traveler. After living for some time with several debilitating health issues our cherished Trav has joined his friends in eternity, but his spirit will live on at Windrush Farm. Traveler came to us in June of 1998 from the Egan family in Nantucket. He was beautifully schooled, having been in Pony Club. He was both a lesson pony and a competitive pony for the Egan family’s children, and he even evented quite a bit! We quickly decided he would work wonderfully here. Josselyn Shaughnessy shared, “Mandy and I always felt relieved when our girls were riding Trav. We had the utmost confidence that he would take care of them. We were lucky, he liked them both!” Traveler was known for his sass, particularly around those that rode him. “And, I will say, he always stuck his head out to greet me at night check - his soft little nicker welcomed me each night and it is one of those sounds that will forever be in my heart,” added Josselyn. Our Program Director, Jenna Turcotte noted, “I’ve said goodbye to many horses, dogs, cats, and other pets and companions, but there is something different about saying goodbye to Trav. He isn’t “just” an incredible little pony with loads of personality.” She added, “He has been a dependable and talented co-worker, who really has been a Windrush Instructor in his own right. It’s hard to imagine teaching without Trav, and he will be dearly missed by many who had the opportunity to learn from him.” “He was one of the most, if not THE most, loved horses in the barn by the people who knew him best. He’s a legend.” shared Kim Bortolussi, Barn Coordinator. Trav was at Windrush for almost 20 years. The barnyard will certainly not be the same without our high-spirited pony. The Windrush community and all of the horses will miss him tremendously. We love you Trav. Thank you for giving us so much.
Thank you from our Summer Pony Pals
SAVE THE DATE
Windrush Trophy Winners
Fill A Trailer Event Tuesday, Sept. 27th
Special Olympics Saturday, October 1st
Essex County Co-Op Topsfield, MA
Windrush Farm, North Andover
Windrush will have a wishlist of items that are needed around the farm for the Fall and Winter months. With the help of the Co-Op customers, we hope to fulfill this list. We are excited to have the Co-Op’s support, as they host our third Fill A Trailer Event for us. We will be there from 10am-3pm.
Family, friends, and the surrounding communities are welcome to come and cheer on the Special Olympics competitors. It’s a great way to spend a fall day at the farm sharing in all the excitement.
Molly Awiszus and Diane Muntendam: Both ladies managed the Windrush Farm vegetable garden this year, which flourished under their hands despite the lack of rain.
Topsfield Fair Friday, October 7th
Windrush Farm Gala Saturday, October 15th
Tarr Family: For hosting another year of 100 Holes for Charity at the Wenham gold club. Jason Tarr took on 100 holes and donated 100% of the proceeds to Windrush.
Fair Grounds, Topsfield, MA
Boston Marriott, Peabody, MA
Are you planning on attending the Topsfield Fair this year? We will be presenting and showing demonstrations in the indoor arena from 10am to 12pm. Be sure to stop in to see us!
Join us in celebrating The Power of the Horse And All That Jazz. Guests will be serenaded by Eli Newberger’s band, Eli & The Hot Six. The music will joyfully guide us through a night of delicious food and beverages, while honoring the driving force at Windrush, our horses. Dress to dance!
Holiday Barn Party Wednesday, Dec. 14th Windrush Farm, North Andover Join us for our annual potluck holiday barn party! This is a night for family and friends to come together and celebrate good fortune for the upcoming New Year and a blessed holiday season. Starting at 6pm. See you there!
Eagle Scouts: We had the pleasure of having multiple scout projects completed for the farm this past summer, including hay cribs and bug traps.
Josh Erikson: For donating three weeks of his summer break. He helped to accomplish many summer projects and daily maintenance around the farm. Sally Rogers: For helping Josselyn with the upkeep of the beautiful Windrush Farm gardens. Spring and Summer Interns: For all the hours spent helping us to run successful projects and events this summer. They were a great addition to the staff and will be missed. Summer Volunteers: For helping with our summer programming. Without their help, this summer would not have run so smoothly.
2016 Windrush Farm Gala SPONSORSHIPS PLEASE JOIN US
Diamond Boston Bruins Foundation
For an evening to celebrate and Gold Bob’s Discount Furniture Boston Private
support the incredible power of the horse at Windrush Farm
Saturday, October 15th, 2016
Silver Nelson Mullins
6:30pm to 10:30pm
Boston Marriott Peabody
Bronze Choice Graphics Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits
Peabody, MA Cocktail hour and silent auction, open bar, dinner, and dancing
Business Sponsor Bulger Animal Hospital (IVG)
Attire: Dancing shoes
Saturday, October 15th, 2016 Tickets and Sponsorships available online www.windrushfarm.org
* As of August 10
THE POWER OF THE HORSE...
INTERLUDE CHORD
MOVEMENT
SOUL
RHYTHM GALLOP CANTER
G R O OV E
MELODY TROT
STRIDE AMBLE
Where are they now? Jake Levine “Jake will be an 8th grade middle school student this year. He loves snowboarding, wakeboarding and music – listening and playing. This boy, who rode Bacci, Tucker, Bucky, Pie, Swifty and more, for over 8 years at Windrush, is open to living in a way that I’m not sure he would have without this experience. He embraces life, setting fears aside…moving forward to the next adventure. I will never forget the first time Jake was placed on Bacci’s back. His face said it all…it was what bliss looked like. And although tenuous and very afraid to try new things – especially anything that had to do with moving his body, Jake’s fears melted away. I attribute this to Jake’s time at Windrush. “His” horses, instructors and the volunteers – who will be lifelong friends – all contributed to making this happen.” - Kris Martone-Levine (Jake’s Mother) Share your “where are they now?” story by emailing info@windrushfarm.org
& ALL THAT
& ALL THAT
JAZZ
THE POWER OF THE HORSE
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NO. READING, MA PERMIT NO. 96
Windrush farm
THERAPEUTIC EQUITATION , IN C.
479 Lacy Street North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
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#OurHorsesHelpHeal CALENDAR
WISH LIST
Sept 12:
Fall Session Begins
o Several
Oct 10:
Closed Columbus Day
o Riding
Nov 11:
Closed Veteran’s Day
o Waterproof
Helmets: Small-XL Ovation
Nov 23-27: Closed Thanksgiving Break
o Clipper
Dec 16:
o Blue
Fall Session Ends
Truck Loads of Crushed Stone Rain Sheets 68, 69, 78
Blades
and Green Flat Back Water Buckets o Med-XL
Bellboots o4
Heavy Black Pull On
Leather Leads (no chains) www.windrushfarm.org