HEEFS February 2018 Newsletter
/HEEFS is going to PRIDE Toronto!
We are just bursting with excitement about this year's Pride Toronto event - taking place from June 22-24. Now in its 38th year, this event is known as one of the biggest and best Pride events in the world and this year we're going to be a part of it all!
HEEFS will be out in full force with a big, beautiful float in the Pride Parade spreading our message of love and compassion while showing everyone that families come in all shapes and sizes!
If you've never been to Pride Toronto, you're in for a real treat! This 2-day event includes a street fair, lots of different parades and of course fun for the whole family including bouncy castles, bubble machines and non-stop excitement!
We hope you to see you at Pride Toronto from June 22-24!
Want to get involved...or just find out more? Email marco@happilyeveresther.ca
We'd Love to Meet You!
If you've always wanted to visit HEEFS, or if you've been here dozens of times, we love when our friends come out for a tour or a volunteer work day. You can sign up for tours and work days on the HEEFS website.
What to expect...on a tour day
Tour days are great for exploring the grounds, meeting the residents and learning all about everything HEEFS! Tours usually last about an hour and after you can explore the Enchanted Forest, talk a stroll along our Memorial Trail or just visit with the residents who are up for a little socializing.
What to expect...on a work day
Work days usually start around 10am and end around 4pm and we work in any weather - except thunderstorms! Most days there are several jobs to choose from that vary from more to less physical and some are inside the barns and some are out in the fields. There's always something for everyone to do! Jobs include chopping fruit and veggies for the residents' meals, painting and general grounds and garden maintenance, loading hay into the barn and the ever popular (seriously!!!) Poop Patrol! And there's always lots of time for socializing with the residents throughout the day!
Volunteer Spotlight!
Meet Krista!
It's no secret that HEEFS runs on the power of our incredible volunteers. Some volunteers help with the residents, some help with the grounds, some help out in the office...and then there's Krista!
As the President of the Board of Directors, Krista calls herself the "behind-the-scenes" volunteer because what she does for HEEFS may not be seen in the neatly organized and comfy barns or the bowls of lovingly prepared resident meals, but without the work Krista does, HEEFS simply wouldn't be possible.
With a background in both law and human resources, Krista makes sure everything at HEEFS is kept up-to-date and running smoothly. Being a registered charity in both Canada and the US, HEEFS has to carefully follow strict guidelines when it comes to things like insurance, fundraising, legislative compliance and animal acquisition. Then there's also by-laws to draft and monitor, Board meetings to oversee, banking and managing major expenditures. We like to think of Krista as the fuel that keeps the HEEFS' engine running smoothly. It may not be the most glamorous work but it does come with unlimited rooster cuddles and lots of piggy snout kisses!
Get To Know Dolly!
This sweetheart is HEEFS newest resident and we couldn't be happier to have her here with us where we know she will be safe and loved for the rest of her life.
Dolly, a commercially farmed broad-breasted white turkey, was destined to be on someone's dinner table when she fell off the transport truck enroute to the slaughterhouse. Dolly's breed is not "natural" she has been specifically bred to consume less feed and convert this feed into meat within a very short time. This rapid growth means a bird, like Dolly, can be ready for slaughter as early as 12-14 weeks old.
When she was found injured and scared on the highway by Officer Scott Richardson of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, she was picked up and taken to the Wildlife Haven Waterloo, Gravely dehydrated and lethargic, Dolly literally collapsed when taken out of the carrier she arrived in. Her feet were grossly swollen as a result of 'bumblefoot', a painful bacterial infection which would have made it very difficult for her to even stand. Dolly also suffered a broken wing when she fell from the truck.
One of the few "lucky" ones, Dolly was given excellent care and attention from the minute she arrived at Wildlife Heaven Waterloo. They wrapped her broken wing, cleaned her up and managed her infected feet. Being bread to grow rapidly, her weight was also a concern and Dolly was immediately put on a restrictive, but highly nutritious diet.
Within a few days, Dolly was looking better, feeling stronger and was on her way to a full recovery, although that is still a long way ahead of her. Now that Dolly is at Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary she is encouraged to be a little more active as part of her healing process and she is loving every minute she gets to spend time exploring her new home. Her little peeps of excitement when she discovers something new...and EVERYTHING is new to Dolly, just makes our hearts sing with joy!
Help Keep Our Residents Warm and Comfy!
Did you know...
When the weather is super cold, like it's been up here at Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, we go through a lot of extra straw to make sure all of our residents have soft, warm beds to sleep on.
Please help make sure we always have a good supply of straw on hand to get through the winter months.
You can purchase some straw for us and find a whole lot more Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary items, at the HEEFS Store
Try This Today!
Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Truffle Oil and Parsley
Ingredients
2 teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil
1 lb (454 g) leeks, top green part discarded
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon (5 ml) sea salt
1 lb (454 g) yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 quart (1 litre) vegetable broth
1-13.66 oz (380 ml) can lite or full fat coconut milk
Truffle oil and fresh herbs for topping
Instructions
1. Sauté the leeks and garlic with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil in a stockpot for 5 minutes over medium high heat.
2. Add the vegetable broth, potatoes and sea salt. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium high and cook until potatoes are tender for about minutes.
3. Stir in the coconut milk.
4. Purée the soup with a stick blender or add the soup in a blender. Blend until smooth.
5. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Serve with drizzled truffle oil on top of the soup. Add fresh herbs, such as parsley.
Find more delicious recipes at Esther's Kitchen
Gone But Forever in our Hearts!
Please visit our In Memoriam page on the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary website. On this page we will forever remember and honour the amazing residents whose time at HEEFS has passed.
