"Chewin' the Cud" is an online journal written by Chenoa Manor's Executive Director Dr. Rob Teti

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, he became a butterfly.

With the same excitement and renewed energy that the caterpillar must have experienced when he first spread his wings as a butterfly, so, too, did I approach this new year at Chenoa Manor!   There have been so many exciting events occurring, some expected, others unexpected; but all of them are positive and encouraging.

After Chenoa Manor's fall fundraiser and feature article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, we've been blessed with the generosity of donations; some coming as far away as England, Alaska, & Australia.   As the donations accumulated, we were able to seriously consider beginning the renovation of our 200 year-old Bank barn.   And so, within a matter of a few days amid the snow and cold of February, a very small group of Amish workers began the first phase of the project.   Phase One consisted of renovating the former milking parlor into a large, natural-light filled wing of the bank barn, complete with spacious stalls & automatic watering devices.    

As of this writing, the final component of the newly renovated parlor, stall installation, has yet to be completed.   That hasn't stopped us from showing our touring visitors the amazing new parlor that will mark the completion of Phase One.   Currently, the parlor is temporarily housing and displaying much of the artwork that has been created by the youth inspired by Chenoa Manor.   

Our goal is to renovate the Bank barn in its entirety...and we're only $75,000 away from making that happen.   In addition to the parlor of Phase One, Phase Two will include a first floor treatment area for sick or quarantined animals; a second story art gallery where our youth programs and projects can not only occur, but be available for display and purchase; and a third story indoor area for our large pigs.

Unfortunately, the moisture from spring and summer 2009 - as well as the severe winter snowfall - wreaked havoc on the original wooden beams of this historically classic and unique structure.   Our contractor predicts that the renovations need to be completed BEFORE winter 2010 if we want to save this barn as well as saving the improvements that we have done thus far.   As always, we need your help to raise the remaining funds!   Everyone donating $1,000 or more toward the barn renovation will have their name permanently on display within a large barn wall mural that is being created especially for Chenoa Manor.  

Chenoa Manor had the pleasure of hosting our original intern from 2008, Nin Cameron-Blake, from January through March 2010.   We were fortunate to have his invaluable help during the worst winter experienced in years.   Read more about Nin's Chenoa Manor experience.

In addition to welcoming back Nin, Chenoa Manor welcomed a few new faces like Dakota, a 20-year-old miniature horse with Cushing's disease; Edith the broiler hen from a NYC live animal market, and Bernie a visually impaired rabbit originally found as a stray.   Another new face, Cecilia a former live animal auction victim headed for human consumption, graced Chenoa with new faces of her own when she gave birth to twins several weeks ago.   Her twin girls, Calypso and Ani, have been exploring the sanctuary from sunrise to sunset with boundless energy and insatiable curiosity.   

The warm weather brought out a bevy of beauties from Ursinus College.   A handful of dedicated sisters of the Tau Sigma Gamma sorority joined forces with our incredibly talented perennial favorites, the young men from Church Farm School, for a beautification day at the sanctuary.   Together the two groups worked at planting a variety of trees throughout the property, from pine trees to weeping willows, and sycamores to oaks.  

Finally, our 2010 tour season began with a series of tours, beautiful weather, and fantastic visitors.   We are extremely disappointed to not have our first tour guide, Maryanne, back as a guide due to health issues.   Maryanne brought a unique charm and warmth to her sanctuary tours.   The animals surely will miss her regular presence.   Maryanne's role is being filled by Chenoa's other incredibly insightful tour guide, Kasey, as well as two of our regular young men, brothers Alden and Aaron.  

We hope that you will join us this year: as a visitor, animal sponsor, contributor, or fundraiser attendee - and be part of our continued growth as we continue to be an ally for animals and youth.

Posted: 7/9/2010