Month: November 2014

Hopewell’s creative art center has been working fervently on beautiful items for the Farm & Craft Market. There will be a holiday open house from 9am – 5pm on November 21 and 22 and also November 28 and 29.

Some of the items include holiday tree ornaments and gifts, repurposed art, antiques and hand-crafted wood items. Our own maple syrup, made right right here on the farm, is also available. All of the holiday items are made by our residents and dedicated staff.

Many of our residents have an artistic eye and feel that art keeps them focused so that they can stay on their path to healing. Please stop by Hopewell’s Farm & Craft Market and support our therapeutic community.

Without much warning, the Cleveland area was hit with Lake Effect snow last week. This is the first major snowfall of the season, and Mesopotamia received nearly eight inches of the fluffy white stuff.

Because Hopewell is a working farm with livestock, special wintertime accommodations have to be made for the farm’s animals. Norman Wengerd, Hopewell’s Farm Manager, said that all of the animals have shelter to protect them from the elements. While the chickens are able to stay outside in -20 degree temperatures, Hopewell’s farm crew makes sure that the barn doors are closed at night or on windy days. Heaters are even installed in the water tubs to keep the water from freezing. Hopewell’s resident farm crew also helps to feed hay to the animals.

In the summer, however, the cows, horses, sheep, goats and chickens have the opportunity to graze on Hopewell’s green grass during the day.

Only 122 more days until Spring!

The nature group is always exploring and looking for their next adventure. Recently, the nature group helped transport wood via horse and buggy to the sugar house to prepare for next year’s maple sugaring that we are very excited about.

Norm, Hopewell’s farm manager agreed to give the nature group some of the wood by the Wellman pond fire pit for the next camp out for the extra help. While the group was waiting for the horses to bring back an empty cart to refill with wood, they found a safe, strong grape vine hanging from a tall tree and took turns swinging. They also began to gather logs and sticks that were down to build a teepee in an upcoming nature group.

Lots of laughing and work was completed successfully. The whole group exhibited great cooperation.