Enriching Lives for People of All Abilities

Bits of Joy

Winter 2013

For some, it can be difficult to maintain enthusiasm for the outdoors over the winter months, so out at the Farm we strive to keep things exciting for both our riders and horses.

December 8th marked our second show of 2012 and our first show in the winter. Despite the cold, thirteen riders turned out to demonstrate their skills in the

show ring with eight of the Farm’s horses.

Heather Closson, our wonderful volunteer judge, pinned classes for beginning riders as well as those riding independently to walk, trot, and canter. Classes ranged from fun obstacle courses to equitation for the more serious competitors.

Thanks to Cazenovia Equipment’s donation of hot chocolate and Dunkin’ Donuts, the families and friends who showed up were able to stay warm as they cheered. The horses all seemed to enjoy the friendly competition, especially Smokey and Gypsy!

Thanks to all of the riders, family members, volunteers, and Heather Closson for making the show such a success! And a very special thanks to Nicole Cortes, our former intern, for organizing this special day. If you see Nicole around the barn this spring, be sure to congratulate her on earning her PhD in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University!

ARISE at the Farm Winter Fun Show First Winter Horse Show A Success

BNY Mellon Chili Cook-off Benefits ARISE at the Farm

BNY Employees Come Together in Support of the Farm We’d like to send a special thank you to the wonderful folks at BNY Mellon for once again selecting ARISE at the Farm to receive proceeds from their employee Chili Cook-off! We are so grateful for their continued commitment to our efforts both at the Farm and at ARISE.

Four Children to Participate in the 21-Day Challenge

Spring is almost here, which means that Nikki Dandignac, O.T., is gearing up for another 21-Day Challenge! This time around, four riders will be participating in a therapeutic riding lesson each day for three weeks straight beginning on March 1st. If you are interested in making a donation in support of this life-changing program, contact Nancy Kern Kronen at (315) 671-2903 or nkronen@ariseinc.org.

We all know how much I love adventures, the summer sun, and hanging out with kids! Thus this winter, instead of facing the first blows of cold, I decided to jump on an airplane and set forth on the adventure of a lifetime. This trip not only led me to a place where there is summer heat and sun for 12 hours a day, but also a place filled with some of the greatest individuals that I have ever met! From October to January, I spent 15 weeks in West Africa working at the Gbi Special School for the Intellectually Disabled and at the Volta School for the Deaf in HoHoe, Ghana. I worked as a second grade teacher at the special school and a kindergarten teacher at the School for the Deaf. In both classrooms, I worked with children of varying ages and abilities. We learned together, played together, explored together, cried together, and laughed together.

Despite our differences in language, traditions, abilities, and norms we found friendship in each other. This experience reinforced many things I already know, most importantly that

no matter where we live, who we are, what abilities we have, our likes or our dislikes, whether we can walk, talk, run, jump or sing, we were made to work together, live together, and love each other. I was reminded of this every day I was in Ghana and continue to be reminded of this every day I work at ARISE. We are all the same; we are all people who need each other to survive and find joy. This trip rejuvenated my energy going into another summer of adventure and fun out on the Farm and I

can't wait to see you all there! It's good to be home! -Jes Sudol

Horse Spotlight

ARISE at the Farm Camp Director, Jes Sudol, on Teaching in Ghana

Volunteer Spotlight Upcoming 21-Day Challenge

Donna Gregory and Danielle Cann If you come to the barn on a Saturday morning, you may run into Donna and Danielle (but only if you arrive early!). Donna started volunteering a few years ago, and in the true ARISE spirit, recruited everyone else she knew to volunteer also, including her sister Danielle. These two wonderful women get the bulk of the morning chores completed on Saturdays before their early morning riding lesson. Off the Farm, these two are both wonderful mothers, and Donna is a nurse practitioner and nursing professor at Utica College. Thanks Donna and Danielle for sharing your Saturdays with us!

New Adventures and Friendships

Horse Spotlight

ARISE at the Farm Camp Director, Jes Sudol, on Teaching in Ghana

Volunteer Spotlight In Loving Memory: Betty the Chicken

Remembering Betty the Chicken

On Tuesday, January 22, 2013, Ugly Betty (aka Betty the Chicken), went to the "big henhouse in the sky." She was believed to be about 12 years old. Betty was hatched in Georgetown, NY and lived there for the first part of her life before she moved to Chittenango Falls with the Little family. Betty had many adventures during her long life. On several occasions, Cinder, the neighbor dog, tried to carry Betty home to her dog house. On another occasion, she was saved from the jaws of a fox and managed to recover from her injuries. Betty was also the low hen, and got picked on by the other chickens.

However, Betty rose above her circumstances and complained loudly to get the other chickens kicked out of the henhouse. Eventually, Betty moved to ARISE at the Farm, where she became great friends with Nuggett. To our surprise, Betty actually started laying eggs again which she had retired from during the bullying incident. Betty brought smiles to many faces during her time at the Farm where children held her, petted her, and told her their troubles. Betty is survived by many pancakes and omelets. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Saturday, June 8th 2013 will be our first Trail and Camp Prep Day and we hope you can join us! The day will begin early, with sign-up for work crews starting in the morning. There are a variety of tasks to be done, and a job for everyone. Anyone looking to get dirty can report to our Trail Boss for a day of cleanup and development of our Sensory Trail. This trail is enjoyed by many who come to the Farm and provides an accessible path to our woods and fields. The storms from last year have left many obstacles that we would love to remove before summer. Donations to help

with the purchase of stone dust for the sensory trail are also greatly needed and appreciated. For those accompanied by children or who would like to help in other ways, we have many things to do as we prepare for the camp season. Volunteer opportunities include painting, toy washing, and light maintenance crews. A cookout lunch with a vegetarian option will be provided. Please check our website for more details as June approaches. Hope to see you all there!

Save the Date and Mark Your Calendars!

Banjo Banjo has spent many summers with us while on vacation from Morrisville College and his duties as the school’s representative at the NYS Fair. Two years ago, he came to live with us permanently and we couldn’t be happier to have this kind, gentle horse as part of our program. On the ground and under saddle, Banjo is calm and provides a reassuring experience for nervous participants and first-timers. Banjo happily accepts apples, carrots, and cookies as treats. If you are interested in sponsoring this wonderful horse, please contact Laura Little at the Farm Office: 687-6727 or llittle@ariseinc.org.

Volunteer Opportunity - 2013 Family Trail and Camp Prep Day

Saturday, July 27, 2013Cycle & Play in Support of the Farm!

Register to cycle by July 6, 2013 and receive a free t-shirt!

ariseandride.orgLearn more and register at:

Join us for the 3rd Annual ARISE & Ride at the Farm! From the 12- and 25-mile cycle rides through the Chittenango Countryside in the morning to the Farm Festival in the afternoon, it’ll be a fun day for the entire family! Family discounts are available.

ARISE at the Farm is a 77-acre working horse farm and an accessible recreation and educational facility. From therapeutic horseback riding to summer camps, all ARISE at the Farm programs are inclusive and welcome people of all abilities. Learn more at ariseatthefarm.org!

12- and 25-Mile Cycle Rides Adaptive Cycling Relay Race Antique Tractor Show Arts/Crafts Table

Bounce House Face Painting Fishing Hay Rides

Horseback Riding Petting Zoo Scavenger Hunt And More!

We hope you will consider asking family and friends to sponsor you as you ride to raise funds for ARISE at the Farm. The top fundraisers will receive prizes! All of the money raised in the event will be used to support the inclusive recreation programs offered at the Farm.

Events Calendar

1972 New Boston Road

Chittenango, NY 13037

Phone: (315) 687-6727

Fax: (315) 687-6727

ariseatthefarm.org

March 1 - 21 21-Day Challenge

March 2 Horse Leader Training

April 1-5 Spring Camp

June 8 Family Trail and Camp Prep Volunteer Day

June 9 Camp Volunteer Training

June 22 ARISE Horse Show

June 24 - 28 Farm Camp Week 1 (Busing for Onondaga)

July 1 - 4 Summer Break - No Programming

July 8 - August 5 Horsemanship Camps

July 27 ARISE & RIDE at the Farm

July 29 - August 2 Tot Camp & Adult Camp

August 12 - 16 Farm Camp Week 2 (Busing for Madison)

August 19 - 23 Farm Camp Week 3 (Busing for Oneida/Oswego)

August 26 - 30 Farm Camp Week 4 (Busing for Onondaga)

September 2 - 6 Fall Break - No Programming

Winter at the Farm

photo by Irene Bogardus