Exterminators are our friends . . .

Pete from Dixie Exterminating came out today to check out the barn. Cleared it for termites but said we have a resident black snake or two. Nice. Better in the barn than the house. Of course Tom Hardin of Hardin Pest Control already took care of those snakes in the attic . . . relocation program, don't ya' know. Exterminators LOVE black snakes, "They eat mice and other poisonous snakes, Diane!"

I don't know. I'm not convinced.

Pete also volunteered to come out with his church group to help with construction or other repairs that need to be done. How nice is that!?!?! Thanks, Pete. Keep your phone handy, because I will be calling!

Recycle, Re-use, Renew . . .

As we thin the wooded area near the pool we strive to make the best use of the trees that were sacrificed. "Free BTUs!" says Jennifer as she loads the logs into her truck.

On the stump in SC . . .

No, not the political stump, the actual wooden variety! Dan, Ivan, and Diane have been keeping "Big Red" busy as they clear the play areas and pool site.

Hey, this thing works!!

Diane cooking on the griddle reminds me most of: a) Rachel Ray, b) Wolfgang Puck, or c) SpongeBob Squarepants. Yes, "c" is correct.

Now we're cookin' with gas . . .

We finally found some good local talent to help us get our Wolf commercial stove up and running safely! Billy of A.A. Repair serviced the stove as well as our Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer. Thanks, Billy! Does anyone else notice that Billy looks a little like Jamie Oliver?

A little TLC for Lady

Bobby Howell designs some lightweight aluminum orthotic horseshoes for Lady. The wedged design with a roll over toe keeps her in better alignment and eases her arthritis. Don't worry-- Bobby says she can keep riding as long as she enjoys it! The exercise is good for her. What's next? TheraTogs and a little Total Motion Release (TMR)? We'll keep you posted!

New Pool Update

The new pool area still looks a little parched at this point. We are waiting for our final landscape plans to be completed to finish the site preparation. Hopefully the pool construction will begin in early July based on funding availability.

Disc Golf is Coming!

Spencer Neal stopped by Bridgewater today to start planning our new disc golf course. Disc golf is a rapidly expanding sport that is played similarly to standard golf, but players use frisbee type discs instead of balls and clubs. Everyone can play and anyone can win at disc golf!

A place for everything . . .

There is a little bit of difference in our "before" and "after" photos, yes? The workshop is starting to come together as we organize all of our tools and materials. We have a team of skilled parents who can help with all kinds of construction tasks and equipment repair for the kids. No more waiting on vendor availability to fix that wheelchair or stander!

Just Peachy

Summer in the South is here! We are so thrilled with the delicious peaches from our own trees at Bridgewater! This Fall we hope to add pear and apple trees to the mix. Mmmm, mmmm, good!

Dan, Dan, the "Fix It" Man

Not only did Dan Hills bring a whole car full of teenagers to the farm to volunteer this weekend, he also replaced the axle on our DR Trimmer, repaired the wheel on our tractor, and cleared brush from near the new pool area!

Girl Power!!!

Yana and Olya picked peaches and groomed both Lady and Muffin. Looks like a happy pony to me! Thank you, girls!

Ivan the Great!

There is nothing like a motivated teenager to help get the work done! Ivan Hills spends yet another Saturday helping with mowing, pasture management, and construction of the garage workshop. Ivan likes to drive (fast), operate power equipment, and learn new things. That's a winning combination on a farm!

Make a wish . . .

Students from Winthrop University, led by the dynamic duo of Dominique and Victor, scrubbed out our front fountain. After re-locating a resident bull frog to the lake, we were able to bring in some beautiful koi and pond plants. Hugs and high fives to Rona Marren and her daughter Kylie for our newest fin-tastic friends! They are great!

A little therapy at the end of a long day!

Burke "the Fisher King" O'Neill insists that Diane relax and cast the lure out a few times at the end of the day. Good idea, Burke!

Lakeside with Larry . . .

"Have chainsaw, will travel!" Larry Copeland spent a strenuous Saturday at Bridgewater clearing along the lake to make it more accessible for fishing as well as for our planned wheelchair path. Miss Kathi risked life and limb to help! Is that poison ivy in the burn pile . . .?

Kathi "Bo Peep" has lost her sheep!

Actually, Kathi "Bo Peep" is herding neighbor Carol's sheep! Somehow they broke out of their pen. Thankfully they were all returned home, safe and sound!

Volunteer Spotlight

Barbara Mullis helps for several hours per week with whatever needs to be done at Bridgewater--she is fearless!!! From cutting and dragging trees off the perimeter fence, to pressure washing, to helping hang the kennel fencing, to mowing acres and acres of grass . . . Barbara works with a smile, tells funny stories, and never backs off because a job is too hard or too dirty. Do I hear the theme song from "Wonder Woman . . . "????

A happy day for Diane!

Dean Campbell of Campbell Grading removes the stumps and begins the grading work for the pool. Dean let Diane drive the big track backhoe and even let her knock down a 50-foot tall tree with the bucket! Maybe that is why they say that farms can be very dangerous places!!!

Can a girl really have much more fun than this!!??!!?

Thank you, Dean!

Preparing for the Pool!

We have a great tree team helping us get the back yard ready for the new pool for our aquatic program! Sandy and Oliver, you rock!!

At left, Oliver takes care of some of the big sweet gum trees by the new pool area. Sorry to see the trees go, but tender little feet and hundreds of spikey gum balls are just not a good mix!

Frosty, Kara's Gift

Frosty, our main therapy horse, continues his intensive training with Chuck and Suzanne Green of Equuleus Acres Equestrian Center. Frosty's training is a gift from Kara Trimnal's family and friends. Kara loved riding Lady (Frosty's mom) who was our original therapy horse. Now children will be able to continue riding for many years thanks to Frosty, Kara's gift.

Equueleus Acres' motto is "Love, patience, and partnership" and this is certainly the foundation that is being built with Frosty.

We are so grateful to Chuck and Suzanne for their outstanding work with Frosty!!!

Thank You, Volunteers!!!!

Many thanks to all the volunteers who have graciously donated their time and skills to help get Bridgewater Farms ready for our kids! From clearing brush to building fences, all of your effort and enthusiasm is helping to create a place of hope and healing for the children of our community.

Future posts will include photos of our progress as we move closer to a tentative opening in the Fall of 2010.

In the meantime, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to an incredible army of angels including: Dan (Ivan, Anthony, Chris, Yana, and Olya) Hills, Thom Trimnal and family, Barbara Mullis, Larry Copeland, Chuck and Suzanne Green, Adam and Myra Davis and family, Dominique and Victor plus their friends from Winthrop, David and Rona Marren, Don and Barbara Brewer, Corrie Long--her husband, kids, and mom!, Angie and Spencer Neal, Frank, Bubba, Kendell and Lashanea of Johnson Catering, Lauren Colebank (and her cowboy friend), Chris Colebank, Tom and Kathy Hardin of Hardin Pest Control (don't ask!), Barb Cunningham, Yvonne and Chris Stewart, Dean Campbell of Campbell's Grading, Sarah Reese, Oliver and Sandy, Lori and Gill Fowler, Burke O'Neill (the "Fisher King"), Alex Mosley, Jennifer O'Neill, Wanda, Terrell, and Calvin Evans. Please forgive me if I have left anyone off this list--the outpouring of help has been truly overwhelming.

Finally, there are no words to adequately express my appreciation and thanks to Barbara Evans and Kathi "Poison Oak" O'Neill. Their support, encouragement, and tireless efforts have made this adventure possible. :)