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4 FOCUS - MAY 2016 n the Craft building Janice Bailey was found demonstrating how to operate a loom while Lesley Crothers showed off the art of knitting. The Farming and Community Participation Program Coordinator for the past five years Eleanor Meredith and student volunteer Sarah Peters were busy teasing wool which was dyed orange. Children were having creative fun making crafts out of bits of wool from WindReach sheep. Jonathon Oliver entertained everyone on the autoharp. ets visit Kendra Abbey from Sea- grave who is the Stable Manager. The barns are immaculate and theres a spacious indoor ring. It was fasci- nating to watch little Jasmine age three mounted on Sassy demonstrat- ing the therapeutic riding program. The oldest participant in this pro- gram is 72 said Cori Whittington a retired special education teacher who has enjoyed volunteering with the equestrian program for 10 years. e come across Community Living friends Tony Stephanie and Amanda with Cindy who are proud of the bountiful baskets of eggs they have gathered. An im- portant part of WindReach is work experience for individuals with intellectual mental health or physi- cal disabilities. Participants in the Community Participation program range in age from 14 years and older and benefit from learning everything from animal care to custodial duties horticulture property maintenance recycling vegetable harvesting wool processing and yes egg collection. eanwhile the visiting children mingle with the tame chickens and the colourful rooster pecking and strutting around the yard. One child is taking pictures of these feathered friends on her pink cell phone. he century barn which serves as the farm museum is a treasure chest of antiques artifacts and histor- ic photos. There we find Blackstock resident Karen Allen a volunteer since 2009. Shes demonstrating the art of spinning wool on a spinning wheel to be transformed into warm socks and sweaters. Nana Joanne Laviolette takes her two-year-old grandson Wes to feel the softness of the natural sheeps wool. The displays in the museum barn reveal that The Learning for Life Adult Day program at WindReach has featured everything from apple orchardstobeekeepingtoanimalhus- bandry Cori points out. Fundraising dances and events are also held in this rustic venue. ith assistance from the staff visitors had the novel experi- ence of feeding the farm animals including sheep goats and alpacas. Friendly horses and cows greeted the children as they traversed towards the stables coming over to the fences to say hello. heres a multi-sensory room and trailandevenanarcheryprogram. agon rides around the prop- erty are popular for people of all ages. The kids like roasting marsh- mallows over an open fire pit and other refreshments are available for purchase. heres also a gift shop featuring products created right on the premises. ewly renovated apartment ac- commodations are available for people who would benefit from an accessible respite retreat in a peaceful environment. The Wounded Warriors booked an upcoming visit. FUTURE VISTING OPPORTUNITIES Days old baby chicks. WindReach wagon rides tour the grounds. WindReach continued from page 3 DontworryYouhaventmissed your chance to visit the magical WindReach Farm to have a hands- on agricultural experience in a storybook country setting. Eleanor reassures that there are special events open to the public about once a month. Check out www. windreachfarm.org to plan your visit. Bring your camera and be prepared for a memorable day While enjoying your interaction with the friendly folks and critters you will discover that WindReach Farm truly lives up to its Vision Statement WindReach Farm in- spiresempowersandchangeslives. By Lynn Campbell Focus on Scugog L I T N Blackstock resident Karen Allen with Nana Joanne Laviolette and 2-year-old Wes. M T W W PhotoSbyLyNNCAMPbELL W