Manes and Tails to meet Monday

    Manes and Tails’ first meeting of 2009 took place at Belanger’s Stables in Caribou. Manes and Tails members from Oakfield to Fort Kent enjoyed an afternoon of facility tours, introductions to a few horses and discussion of possible future activities, including special needs horse programs. The facility is presently closed, but looking for a new manager to open to the public again.
MEMBERS – Members of the Manes and Tails Club met in January at  Belanger Stables in Caribou. Gathered together are, from top to bottom, left to right, Don Violette of Van Buren, Pam Scheppele of Caribou, Erica Quin Easter of New Sweden, Debby Cyr, of Hamlin, Sara Wotton of Monticello, Myrna Bean of Monticello, CeeJay Cyr of Hamlin, Ginger Pryor of Monticello, Kate Easter of New Sweden, Adam Hutchinson of Linneus and Shelley Taylor of Monticello. In attendance but not pictured were  Nancy Dumond Violette of Van Buren,  Jill Willett and Pat Kimball of Oakfield, Christine Robinson of Presque Isle, Diane, Abby and Caleb Radell of Caribou, and Pat Theraiult and Pat Peterson of Fort Kent.
   A nonprofit organization with purpose to coordinate and promote relationship-based horse programs in Aroostook County, Manes and Tails volunteers fund-raise and seek sponsors to create scholarships for special needs individuals and families, and also trains facilitators to serve them. The group also strives to educate the public about therapeutic equine activities and works cooperatively with individuals, stables  and support organizations Countywide.
    Manes and Tails members also discussed ongoing fund-raisers such as continuing to sell raffle tickets for a very special handmade NASCAR quilt and collection of digital electronics for recycling.  Group members also agreed to fiscally sponsor a Van Buren program applying for a grant to run an Equine Empowerment Program for children and families.
    The next business meeting of Manes and Tails will take place on Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the office of Thompson-Hamel LLC,  99 Fort Rd. Presque Isle. Agenda items will include a building project grant recently applied for, several upcoming activities in Monticello and scholarship requests for special needs participants in county programs for 2009.
    For more information on the Manes and Tails, check out www.manesandtails.org or call  Nancy Dumond  at 868-5324.