# 11 Turkey Time and Winter Chills

Well it's Turkey Time and the rest of the holidays are just around the corner! It would be nice to think that the holidays bring some down time for the farm, but that's never really the case. In the last few weeks we've been busy with fall clean-up and winterizing. You'd be amazed how much care and thought goes into planning for the long winter months when you've got 30-some animals to worry about. Straw bedding needs to go down for warm sleeping, and straw bales get moved into place to cut the wind. Stalls that are normally open and breezy have to be outfitted with large sections of plastic sheeting to keep the rain, sleet, and snow from burying our furry friends. Summer buckets need to be swapped out for electric freeze proof buckets, and all the fans, garden tools, rakes, etc. get moved to the attic for winter storage. Even the horse barn gets a thorough prep to insure that water lines are secure from freezing, the furnace is ready to ignite, and ever present thawing buckets are all in place. A couple of weeks back, the fine folks from Baird Warner Crystal Lake came out to give us a hand and still managed to get a fresh coat of winter paint on many of the stalls.

If that isn't enough, we also hosted the Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers Rotary who joined us to begin installing our much needed and greatly appreciated new fence. The fence materials were purchased with a generous grant from the Dawnbreakers, and with half the job finished to date, we couldn't be happier!!! We're still hoping to get the remaining post holes dug before the snow flies, but I'm thinking I may be a bit too optimistic. Even unfinished, our kids have already begun enjoying the new pasture areas. Not only are the horses contained and safe, the kids can work in multiple areas and easily flow from one area to the next.

And speaking of kids, we're happy to announce that we're adding the Clay St. School from Woodstock School District 200 to our cast of youthful characters! Welcome to the farm!!!

New kids are sure to put a smile on the face of Babs the sheep who is just recovering from a foot injury. Dr. Bill's been diligently nursing her infected foot back to health and recently surprised the rest of the gang (perhaps not favorably) when he arrived with fall shots for everyone! So again… there's always something to do on a farm!

And, with the arrival of a number of new kids, we've got new staff as well! Deanna (Dee) Oliver has been a volunteer for the past 2 years and joins us now as an animal activities facilitator. Along with semi-newcomers, Jill Browne and Kristin Miller, Candi's got a full table over in the instructor's pod! And, with a helpful assist from Diane Wlezien, who recently gave up her day staff status only to return as a late afternoon contract facilitator, we've got plenty of action in our little one room office! Of course, desk huggers Irene and I are also holding down the fort, so there's never a dull moment at TLC!

Going back to the kids for a moment, I want to share some of their recent thoughts on how one goes about "taking responsibility for one's own actions." Their answers: "expressing feelings in an appropriate manner, talking your problems out, saying your sorry, no whining, (from a whiner!) not blaming others, forgiving others, admitting to your mistakes and faults, being on time, getting up on time, following directions, being appropriate, not provoke others or animals, no stealing, treat others and animals as you want to be treated, cooperation, tell the truth, team work, good manners, appropriate social skills, empathy & putting yourself in someone else's shoes, self appreciation, and learning from your mistakes." So are we making a difference?? It would sure appear so and we're thrilled with their responses!

Well this blog is getting long, (do we see a pattern here??) so let me close with a friendly holiday reminder about our animal adoption program and our ongoing acceptance of scholarship donations. Many of our kids come from troubled homes with very limited means. Our scholarship program allows them to come to the farm for up to 16 weeks, free of charge. And if animals are your thing, adopt one of ours!! When you adopt a Light Center critter, we'll send you a history and a semi-annual update on what's been going on in their world. And new this year, you'll find the words "Loved by" preceding your own name on your adoptee's stall or cage. And not to leave out the good 'Ol Light Center itself, operating funds are always needed and immensely appreciated! When you're thinking of things you're thankful for, think of our kids who are thankful for the Light Center. Our doors stay open because you care!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Jan