Walking the llama trail - The North Star Monthly

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www.northstarmonthly.com NOVEMBER 2009 25Snowy landscape foreshadows what’s to comeWalden Hill Journal with Jeff & Ellen GoldNov. 2, 2008:The first two days of Novemberhave been chilly but very sunny.Though it never climbed out of the30’s today, we were able to bundleup and do some more work outdoors.Ashes have been dumped onthe various lilac beds and the emptycan moved to its winter spot near(but not too near) the side door. Idid some more cutting back on theflower beds and tilled the final rowof the vegetable garden. We tookadvantage of yesterday’s sunshine todo some backroads exploring withmom in NH. We traveled the lengthof Partridge Lake, enjoying the picturesquelake and surrounding wetlands.From there we climbed up toTinkerville and Lyman for a beautifulview of snow covered Mt.Washington. The road woundaround and back down to Lisbonwhere we took Pearl Lake Road upto Sugar Hill for more views of theWhite Mountains. It was a verypeaceful and enjoyable slow drivewith a nice variety of scenery: lakes,farmland, wetlands, mountainstreams, thinning forests and majesticmountains, on a relatively shortcircle route. Heading back to Vermontwe saw two deer, too close toand in the road, and a very fat skunkwaddling up Walden Hill. A settingcrescent moon with Jupiter shiningbrightly behind and a less brightVenus in front, along with a lowhanging Big Dipper lit up the clearnight sky.Nov. 10, 2008.A week of balmy Indian summeris finally giving way to winter.Rain has turned to snow as the temperaturedropped. Highs hadclimbed well into the 60’s, but lastnight saw the temps plummet backdown to 27°. It was a welcomed, extendedperiod of warmth to enjoybeing outdoors and complete lastminute chores. Gathering kindlingof various sizes was our final task.There’s no shortage of downedlimbs throughout our woods. Oursnow tires are set to be mounted ina few days; none too soon by thesound of the forecast for the week.Nov. 12, 2008The morning sun made goodinroads towards melting off oursnow cover, but the White Mountainsretain their impressive wintrymantle. Deer tracks circling oursmall cedars have disappeared withthe snow. Tracks in the woods probablyremain since the sun has a moredifficult time penetrating the thicktree cover. Hunters will have a varietyof ground cover to kick off thebeginning of rifle season this weekend.We spent a good part of theday in the basement, cleaning outand moving the large flat file thatstores Jeff’s pricey block printingpaper. He discovered that mice areattracted to the organic based kozoand have been nibbling around theedges as well as leaving telltale deposits.The file is now upstairswhere the cats can discourage themice from venturing.Nov. 17, 2008.More strong winds this weekendand heavy rain. After a high of60° Saturday night, we’re back downinto the 20’s. Sun is in and out, highlightingsnow showers in the valley.The White Mountains are getting afresh coating of snow after beingdown to bare ground again. Riversare raging with this latest round ofheavy precipitation.Nov. 19, 2008.A nippy 17° this morning after alow of 14° last night. The sun hasbeen battling with clouds all day andnever stayed out long enough totake away the chill. We had the stovecranked up this morning and willneed to stoke it up again soon.Hunters have an unfair advantagewith just enough snow cover tosoften their steps and show wherethe deer have tread, without enoughto impede negotiating the woods.The cold might keep the huntersfrom remaining stationary too long,though. I certainly didn’t dally enroute to the mailbox today.Nov. 24, 2008.The thermometer is just aboutto hit 32°. It’s been almost a weeksince the temperature has climbedup above freezing. Four inches ofvery fluffy snow cover the groundwith the wind keeping it in motion.So far we’ve been managing withoutthe snow thrower but it’s readyif needed. Meanwhile I’m gettinggood exercise shoveling. Chickadeesare quickly emptying the feeder. I’llneed to hang some suet out soon.Bright sunshine yesterday providedsome needed warmth and cheer andbathed snow covered Mt. Washingtonin a late afternoon, rosy glow.Nov. 26, 2008.Warmer weather yesterdaybrought mixed precip mostly in theform of heavy wet snow. Jeffneeded the snow thrower to clearboth drives. Just as he finished onthe lower one, the town plow camethrough and dammed up our roadaccess, so Jeff worked that openagain. No sooner had he completedthat very arduous task, removed histotally soaked outer clothes and satdown for a breather, than the roofsnow came thundering down,blocking the garage. Removing thatmound will be our challenge today.At least the sun is attempting tobreak through and melt down someof the accumulation. Meanwhilechurned up snow and tracks fromthe field show that the deer were outpawing through the snow in searchof forage. Hopefully they found abit of nourishment.Nov. 30, 2008.It’s still only 20° this morningafter a low of 17° last night. The sunis trying to break through a thin buteffectively blocking layer of clouds.There must be warmer air in the valley,trapped in by colder air aloft becausea thick oceanic carpet of mistblankets the valley. Islands ofmountaintops float in the morningsea. Somehow that effect is more ofa summer phenomenon and looksa bit out of place against the snowyforeground. A thin coating of hoarfrostgrays the trees. Fortunatelywe’ve made it through Novemberwithout too many dreary days.Colder weather and early snow havelivened up the landscape. Unfortunatelythe constantly changing temperaturehas left a precarious coatingof ice with only a thin protection ofsnow covering it. Once we get asubstantial dump, we’ll be on firmfooting again. Chickadees are emptyingthe feeder daily. A large hairywoodpecker and an upside downnuthatch have joined the blue jaysand chickadees in attacking the suet.88th AnnualDAVILLE METHODIST“Oldest and One of the Best Game Suppers in Vermont”Since 1921Thursday, ovember 19, 2009Venison Moose BearRabbit Chicken Beaver(Other game as available)Serving: 5 p.m.-6 p.m.-7 p.m.Adults: $14 12/under: $8Danville United Methodist ChurchOn the Green in Danville, VTTickets at Hastings Store in West Danville, Danville Restaurant or Marty’s Storein Danville or Caplan’s Army Store in St. Johnsbury. Advance purchase stronglyrecommended. Tickets at the door only if available. For more information, call(802) 684-3666 or (802) 684-3398.Sponsored by the Danville United Methodist Circuit Men’s Club.
26 NOVEMBER 2009 THE NORTH STAR MONTHLY>> Page 1sign of the cold season ahead. Thecold never seemed to botherNancy. It seemed obvious shespent much of her day outside. Shesmiles a lot and never seems fazedby probing questions.When the abandoned land thatwould later become Agape HillFarm was purchased at auction andthen sold to Nancy and Ed, thefirst and most important step intheir new journey was taken. Ironically,the land itself had a tragichistory, including the untimelydeath of the previous owners andsubsequent burning of the farmhouse.The word “agape,” pronounced“ah-GaH-pay,“ is one ofseveral Greek words for love.Rather than brotherly or romanticlove, agape love is the kind that isself-sacrificing. It is an expressionof grace and is not dependentupon the appearance or actions ofthe person receiving it. You don’tearn agape love - it is a gift.Nancy and Ed built a new logBring a Friend NightEVERY WEDNESDAYBuy 1 Dinner, Get the 2ndHALF PRICE• Seafood• Steaks• Chicken• Sandwiches• Kid’s Menu• Vegetarian ItemsFunction Room Availablefor Large Partiescabin and started thinking about away to bring positive vibes to theirnew farm. They began growingvegetables and raising chickens andsheep, but something was missing.Then it happened.“Mom, can I get a llama,”asked Daniel Kish, the couple’syoungest son. Ten years later, thecouple has 18.Llamas are usually shearedonce a year for their fiber, which ishighly sought after for textiles, andthe animals are easy to care for.Nancy and Ed began ponderingways to utilize more than just thecamelids’ fiber.Farming is a tough businessand, like her husband, Nancy alsoworked off the farm as the zoningadministrator for the town ofHardwick. She was also studyingfor her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology.For her internship, shebegan working with Heartbeat LifeSharing, a nonprofit special needsorganization located on a 160-acreHardwick farm. Nancy developedthe bestSundayBrunchin the Northeasttwo for$22thru 20092284 Route 302Wells River, Vermont803-429-2120Tues - Sat 5-9Sun 11-8Sunday Brunch 11-2what she calls an “interactive farmexperience” for Heartbeat clients.They regularly joined her on thefarm where they were “matched”with their llama. The matchingprocess, says Nancy, is the mostimportant and enjoyable part ofthe process.“Once I determine what someoneneeds to work on, I try andpair them with a llama that mirrorstheir personality and habits,” shesays. “By taking care of their llamaand working with them, they unconsciouslyseem to work onthemselves as well. It’s my favoritepart.”There is proof that the programworks.One of Nancy’s clients, ayoung man with special needs,came to the farm with a uniquecondition. Aside from being nonverbal,he had difficulty openinghis hands, instead he always seemto have clenched fists. After a fewvisits to the farm where he fed,groomed and walked his llama, hishands starting opening while hewas feeding the animal.“They really seem to help eachother,” Nancy says.” Trust is themost important thing in the relationshipbetween them and theirSNOW IN THE HILLS by Will MosesSerigraphs, Prints, Christmas Cards, 2009 CalendarsPuzzles, Books, Framed Mirrors, Conservation FramingThe Framing Format & Gallery485 Lafayette Street ❆ St. Johnsbury, VT802-748-3964 ❆ 800-699-3964www.framingformat.netllamas. It teaches the client thevalue of trust in this kind of relationshipand that lesson can helpthem in other areas of their everydaylife.”Nancy also runs an afterschoolllama club for local elementaryschool students and the matchingprocess there is just as important.She often matches the active studentswith short attention spanswith the younger, more energeticllamas.“They end up running eachother all over the place and thenthey’re exhausted.”Much like the special needsclients; the children learn how tomanage the personalities of theirllamas, who often share traits withtheir handlers.For both the special needsclients and afterschool club, frequenttrail walks with their llamasprovide the opportunity for bonding.The one-on-one time allowsthe partners to “size each otherup.”“The llamas are very calming,”Nancy says. “The beautiful thingabout them is that they accept youfor who you are. School can betough and both children and adultsdeal with acceptance issues in theirlives.”Nancy continues with thesetwo programs as part of her farmbusiness. In addition to offering theinteractive farm experience to thegeneral public, she also does trailwalks and birthday parties by appointment.Llamas are a South Americancamelid, widely used as a packanimal by the Incas and other nativesof the Andes mountains. InSouth America, llamas are still usedas beasts of burden, as well as forthe production of fiber and meat.The height of a full-grown, fullsizellama is between five feet andsix feet. They can weigh between280 pounds and 450 pounds. Llamasare very social animals and liketo live with other llamas as a herd.Llamas are intelligent and can learnsimple tasks after a few repetitions.They can also, according toNancy, help us become betterhuman beings. »Capitalism/Somers Town (11/1 - 11/5)»Bright Star/Not Quite Hollywood (11/6 - 11/12)»The Boys are Back/35 Shots of Rum (11/13 - 11/19)»Cold Souls/Paris (11/20 - 11/26)»Still Walking/TBA (11/27 - 12/3)»SAT.7: Met Live in HD - Turndot Live, 1 p.m.»SAT.7: Cabaret Music Series - Ricky Golden, 8 p.m.»SUN.8: Jazz on Sunday Afternoon, 4 p.m.»SAT.21: Cabaret Music Series - Leighton Sullivan, 8 p.m.»SAT.24: MetLive in HD - Turndot Encore, 1 p.m.»SUN.22: Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon, 4 p.m.»SAT.14: Gala Benefit Auction, 6/7 p.m.»SUN.15: Burklyn Arts Council, 40th Anniversary Lecure»Auction Preview ExhibitLarge selectionoffloormodelsatdiscountedprices.Stop by todayfor greatsavings!Modern Furniturewww.modernfurniturevt.comExit 23 Off I-91 • Rt. 5Lyndonville, VTMon. - Sat. 8:30-6, Sun. 10-4802-626-3273103 Coventry StreetNewport, VTMon. - Sat. 8:30-6802-334-5616
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Walking the llama trail - The North Star Monthly

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