We have a small field at the SS farm, where a mini donkey named Mabel, and one horse share a loafing shed. The field has a covered hay feeder and enough grass to keep them fat and happy. Seeing that there wasn’t much shade in the field, 2 years ago we decided to plant a tree in hopes it would give the extra shade the horses would enjoy. Knowing horses can be hard on young trees, we fenced in the tree with metal panels to protect it from their reach. Our tree grew and began to provide the shade we were hoping for.
Whenever a new horse is brought in to “try out” for our therapy program, we put them in this field with Mabel.
Recently we brought in a cute little haflinger named Tigger. Tig is adorable but mischievous, as many haflingers tend to be. With everything he could possibly need at his disposal-- hay, shelter, water-- it still didn’t seem to be enough to keep him content.
Early one morning I looked out in the field to check on the new horse. I saw Tig standing in the area where we planted the tree, but I didn’t see a tree, just Tig trapped inside the 4 metal panels.
As I got closer to the situation I could see that Tig had eaten every leaf off the tree. Then he pushed the fencing over the tree until somehow, he got himself trapped inside those panels and what was left of the tree he was eating. His appetite for what was off limits became his bondage.
I don’t know about you, but I’m often temped by what I know I shouldn’t have or what I shouldn’t do. Being drawn toward sin is our very nature and it brings with it - bondage.
I’m so grateful God gave us a name we can call on to free us from the bondage of sin. His name is Jesus!
Galatians 3:22
“The scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin,
so we receive God’s promise of FREEDOM
only by believing in Jesus Christ”
Exciting Happenings
Shining Stars All Around
SUMMER 2018 HORSE CAMP WAS AMAZING!!!
New Community Aid Bin Supports SSTM
SSTM is happy to report that a new
Community Aid Bin was placed at the following business: TNT Storage Sheds, Inc.
6655 Old Harrisburg Rd
York Springs, PA 17372
Community Aid gives a monetary donation each time someone puts clothing/shoes in our bins. So PITCH IN to our bin when you are cleaning out your closets!
Community Aid is well known for their generous support of many local non-profit organizations...in the past, they have blessed SS with over $8000.00 in grant money for improvements at the indoor arena and the horse farm.
THANK YOU Land of Little Horses!!
By Brandy Crago, SSTM Executive Director
A big THANK YOU you goes out to the Land of Little Horses. Marie Morrison presented a check to our Stars and Stripes veterans program. This check came from a fund raiser done at The Land of Little horses on July 4 in honor of all veterans. Shown in the photo below left to right are: John Santino, Ann Devney, Marie Morrison, Karen Umstot, and Dave Bickford.
Gettysburg Riding Club Benefit Show
RESCHEDULED
By Karen Bowling, SSTM Newsletter Editor
Saturday, October 13 is the rescheduled date for the Annual Gettysburg Riding Club's Benefit Horse Show. This is a great local show which gives some of our Shining Stars students the opportunity to ride in several events in public.
All are welcome to come on over to the Alice & Kennie Foust Equestrian Park, 102 Hounds Run, Gettysburg, PA to enjoy the horse activities & watch our students (and many other riders!) perform. Bring a chair! The show begins at 9am and can run until 3 or 4pm if there are alot of riders. The Shining Stars students' events are usually completed by noontime. Our faithful friend, the Gettysburg Riding Club, donates proceeds to Shining Stars.
VETERANS--Mark these dates!
We welcome your participation at the Shining Stars arena at any or all of these times!
Volunteers Are Special
The Heart & Hands of Our Programs
As this summer's riding & driving classes come to a close, we'd like to thank our volunteers for their dedication, flexibility, cheerfulness, and patience. This was one extremely HOT summer, which lead to many class cancellations due to dangerous heat indexes. In spite of that, there was alot of hard work and good fun at every lesson!! We look forward to Volunteer Training and then Fall Sessions with returning volunteers and also new recruits!!
Coming Events
Mark your calendars...
Come on RUNNERS!!!
download a 5K registration form
and read more about the 150th York Springs Celebration!! https://yorksprings150th.org/
Save the Date for the Shining Stars Christmas Dinner Show!!
This year we are excited to announce we will be hosting Keystone Theatrics as they present this year's Christmas Show! Come ready to take an exciting Christmas journey with us this November. You will be thoroughly entertained through song, dance, and story telling. Make sure to come come hungry as our Christmas Dinner is always a big hit.
To see what else Keystone Theatrics is up to please visit their website at: keystonetheatrics.com.
2018 Bucket List
Volunteer Training Aug. 21 & 22
5K Run & Fun Walk Aug. 25
Fall TR Session Sept. 10-Nov. 9
Pippinfest Sept. 29 & 30
Silent Auction October 5
Benefit Horse Show October 13
ACCF Giving Spree Nov. 8
Christmas Dinner Show Nov. 16
