Awards Ceremony winners and pictures

2-3

More 2011 Horse Show pictures

4

Bits n Pieces—Riverboy

Looking for a Job?

Horse for Sale—Verse

5

A Word from Heather 6

Did you know . . . ways to support GMTRC.

From the Program Mgr Passing the reins . . .

7

8

Inside this issue:

Volume 6, Issue 4 December 2011

Best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday

season. Stay in touch and visit our website

often to learn about the exciting year planned

for riders and volunteers for 2012. We look

forward to seeing you soon!

Looking for gift ideas? Gift Certificates

available Request by email:

gen_info_gmtrc@yahoo.com

or in writing to:

Greystone Manor TRC PO Box 10724

Lancaster, PA 17605

Taking time to reflect . . . time to be thankful. We couldn’t have done it without you! With 102 in attendance, our first ever Gala Event held on Saturday, November 12 at Bent Creek Country Club was a special occasion hosted by WGAL’s

Anne Shannon. Special speaker Lance Hosler, a rider with Greystone Manor TRC, shared from his experiences. It was an inspiring message of encouragement and appreciation for the many ways therapeutic riding has given him confidence and strength to face the challenges he encounters in life. More than just a fundraiser, this was an opportunity for our host, sponsors and attendees to learn more about our program and the benefits of supporting Greystone Manor TRC. We are thrilled to report that we exceeded our goal of $30,000 through the generosity of the supporters and attendees.

Then on Sunday, November 13, the Awards Ceremony was held at the Lancaster County Christian School auditorium with 169 in attendance. Beautifully decorated in fall colors, the decorations provided a festive backdrop

for a delicious assortment of cakes, cookies, pretzels and hot cider, just to name a few of the goodies presented. And once again our Basket raffle at the close of the event was a huge hit for the winning ticket holders. But more importantly, this was a time for our riders, volunteers, families and staff to join together to celebrate another year of great achievements for our riders and volunteers. Turn the page to see who the winners were for this year’s awards. Of course, it’s always a challenge to narrow each category to just one winner . . . they are all winners in our eyes! Many thanks to everyone for your support in so many ways throughout this year. We look forward to 2012 with great anticipation of achieving even greater goals.

Our Vision . . . To grow and be acknowledged as a diverse therapeutic riding program of distinction that is recognized in our community and beyond.

I f you have been to the barn recently you may have noticed a few changes. Not only has there been activity going on

preparing for our new restroom . . . but we also now have a part-time barn assistant to take care of the day to day needs of caring for our equine herd. Although not a newcomer to Greystone Manor, Lisa Carvell is new to this position and we are excited to welcome her in this role. Lisa has volunteered for many years with us — receiving “Most Volunteer Hours” recognition this year. Her love for the program, riders, and horses has kept her very active here. Thank you Lisa for responding to this much

needed position . . . we place our confidence in your skilled hands and generous heart to serve. (Lisa and her husband Kevin (creator of Darrel the Barrel) live in the Lititz area.)

Lisa guiding Peppy through the 2011 Horse Show obstacle

course with Tracy Weaver.

Ride With Pride Page 2

2011 Awards Ceremony

Ken Menne Memorial Award—Most Conscientious Student 2011 Rachel Kennelly

Janelle Conley Memorial Trophy—Positive Attitude, Ready Smile, Willingness to try 2011

Tracy Weaver

Most Improved Girl—Under 10 Maria Weaver

Most Improved Boy—Under 10 Ethan Jantz

Most Improved Girl—Over 10 Courtney Dueck

Most Improved Boy—Over 10 Paul Emert

Most Improved Adult—Female Sherry Groff

Most Improved Adult—Male Stephen Lazun

Rising Star—Adult Andrew Ogolla

Rising Star—Youth Emma Diedrich

Dynamic Duo Beth Beyer and Kim Kauffman

Award presented . . . and the Winner is . . .

Most Volunteer Hours Lisa Carvell

Ken Menne Memorial Award 2011 Jess Rank

New Female Adult Volunteer Linda Leiden

New Male Adult Volunteer Dave Wolfskill

New Teen Volunteer Female Zoe Homan

New Teen Volunteer Male Tyler Westfall

All in the Family Julia and Brinton Rutherford

Dynamic Duo Ryan Paparo and Brandon Graver

Heart and Song Ted Dzubinski

Team Spirit Award Joyce Akins, Carrie Darlington, Diane Dombach, and Amy Livengood

The Worn Sock Award Terri Kutz, Troy Hess, Butch Prokay and Tracy Becker

Ride With Pride Page 3

Ride With Pride Page 4

Just a few more highlights from the 2011 Horse Show (Photos by Gene Behrens)

I t was a friendship from the beginning. Pat Mavros, an LCTR rider for a number of years, rode RiverBoy in lessons. He was her favorite horse and they shared a bond that sowed seeds of

gratitude in the heart of Pat’s husband, George Mavros. Sadly, Pat passed away 2 years ago, but a year after her passing, George decided to begin volunteering (now called Greystone Manor TRC.) He had many opportunities to visit with RiverBoy and share his memories of those days with Pat riding. When news came out that RiverBoy was looking for a forever retirement home, George knew what he wanted to do. Maybe it was destiny that brought RiverBoy close to the heart of the Mavros family. After some careful thought, George presented the idea of retiring RiverBoy in Abbottstown, PA to his daughter, Julie Izzo . . . and the rest is history . . .

or let’s just say the next chapter in the life of RiverBoy. As you can see by the photo to the right, he’s enjoying sharing the pasture with his new friends Axl and Docsy — Julie’s horses. We are extremely grateful to the Mavros and Izzo families for their generous and kind spirit in this transition for a horse that has meant so much in the lives of many riders at LCTR and Greystone Manor TRC. To RiverBoy we say . . . thank you for so many wonderful years as a gentle therapeutic lesson horse. Enjoy your retirement years in your new home — we wish you well and will remember you always.

A circle of love . . . through the years with RiverBoy . . .

to a new home with friends.

Ride With Pride Page 5

Pat Mavros in an earlier photo on RiverBoy.

HELP WANTED

Experience working with

and around horses

PT Barn Assistant (15 hours per week)

Monday—Friday 4:00 pm—5:30 pm

Sunday 7:30 am—10:00 am

4:00 pm—5:30 pm

If interested, please contact Mary Ann

(843) 304-2370

$2,000 or best offer

For more information contact Mary Ann Dabek 717-615-9222

“Verse” - 10 Year Old QH Paint gelding

Color: Chestnut; Pattern: Overo

15.1 hands, 1065 lbs.

Registered American Paint Association

Sire: Ridges Gold Bar

Dam: Versary Pine Robin

Smooth Walk, trot, canter — very sweet disposition.

Needs some training — very receptive and

willing.

We’re sorry to see him leave us but he doesn’t

like his job as a therapeutic riding horse!

HORSE FOR SALE

Ride With Pride Page 6

H i everyone . . . I’m Heather Mitterer, who joined you a few months ago as Volunteer Coordinator. I have had wonderful conversations with many of you, but

please allow me to fill in some details for those who are wondering.

I am a Lancaster County girl! I grew up surrounded by Amish farms in Bart Township and attended Solanco High and Willow Street Vo-Tech. After graduating high school and tech school, I worked at Saint Joseph Hospital in the ICU and Telemetry units. I performed lab work on patients for several years. While finishing school and working, I also volunteered with Quarryville Community Ambulance, as an EMT. I really loved working in the medical field, however due to an opportunity, I moved into management at a manufacturing company in Coatesville, PA. I oversaw the scheduling and production areas of the business for ten years. In the meantime, I decided to go back to college and pursue a degree in Business Administration and another major in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Psychology.

I currently work in ministry at the Worship Center and go on two week mission trips with smaller non-profits every year. I have been to Africa four times and to China once. Most of this work is medical focused, where we set up clinics in remote villages and administer medications, perform

checkups, do eye or dental exams, and teach health related classes. I have also traveled throughout the United States, doing construction and medical mission work in South Dakota and in Kentucky (Appalachia). I am recently married to my best friend of over fifteen years, Dennis. We live in New Holland with our three very spoiled cats and a snake (yep, you read that correctly).

I am happy to be working at Greystone Manor with the many dedicated instructors and volunteers. I look forward to the years ahead and learning many new things from those around me!

Now you can follow us on Facebook. Just type in “Greystone Manor TRC” in your search bar

from your home page. Don’t forget to “like” us! Visit often to stay current with volunteer events and schedules.

It’s important that our

horses have interaction

and care over the

winter break . . . barns

don’t clean themselves

and horses can’t feed

themselves!

Are you looking for a

rewarding and

meaningful way to

serve the program? We are looking for YOU!

Immediate openings! Contact Heather at

vol_coord_gmtrc@yahoo.com if you would like to

volunteer for special projects or barn duty at

7:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. Thank you!

Download our

volunteer application at www.greystonemanortrc.org

Or call 717-615-9222 to schedule an appointment.

Many of our volunteers do hair . . .

make special baked goodies for

events . . .

always get good

exercise . . .

and practice good

horsemanship skills.

Does this sound like YOU!

Volunteer practice dates are

scheduled throughout the

year so you can always hone

up on those skills.

Contact Heather to get on the volunteer mailing list

or schedule a time to meet and learn more!

Now is a great time to start!

Ride With Pride Page 7

A s a non-profit organization, Greystone Manor TRC relies on the support of generous individuals, organizations, and companies to supplement our budget. Approximately one-half of our budget is funded by contributions. If you are not currently a supporter, we would love to add you to our list of friends who

support Greystone Manor TRC and allow our program to continue its valuable work. You can find this listing on our

website with easy access to PayPal for making designated contributions. ~Thank you!

D uring the two months that I have been the Program Manager at

GMTRC, there have been some transitions and changes. I have learned that there is one thing we can count on in life—CHANGE. Some changes are not easy but necessary. Some changes are great and long awaited. Not everyone always agrees with the changes but for the good of the organization may agree to disagree. I have also learned in life that not everyone is going to like each other but everyone must respect each other. We are in a very extraordinary, special field serving extraordinary, special people. We are here for our riders/clients. As we move

into the 31st year, change again will be constant, maybe hard and maybe not everyone will agree. Honoring our vision to grow and our mission to enhance lives, we will be challenged with changes. With the volunteers, donors, supporters, parents and caregivers, we will become an outstanding program. Thank you to those that have helped me during these months and I am delighted to help lead us forward. I am privileged to serve as Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center’s Program Manager to achieve our vision, goals and mission.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Monetary donation. Your tax deductible monetary donation

may be sent to PO Box 10724, Lancaster, PA 17605-0724. Contributions may be for specific purposes or simply as a gift to the operating fund.

Sponsor a horse. For $250 per month you can sponsor one of

our very special therapeutic horses. Your donation will cover the cost of board, feed, veterinary care, and horseshoes.

Sponsor a rider. For $250 you can sponsor a rider who is in

need of financial assistance.

Sponsor a special event. There are many other opportunities

to sponsor special events— from our Annual Horse Show and Awards Ceremony to fundraising events.

United Way. You can direct your United Way giving to Grey-

stone Manor TRC. Simply write in Greystone Manor Therapeu-tic Riding Center on your election form.

Hold a workplace fundraising event. If your workplace holds

fundraising events, nominate Greystone Manor TRC as a re-cipient. If your workplace does not hold charity fundraisers, check with management to see if they would support such an event.

Matching corporate gift. Inquire with your employer to see if

they have a matching corporate gift program that would benefit Greystone Manor TRC. Some employers also offer employees the opportunity to perform volunteer work for a specific number of hours in return for a donation to the non-profit organization of your choice.

Donate a horse. Greystone Manor TRC is always looking for

horses that have the special qualities needed for a therapy horse. Soundness and a forgiving and quiet temperament are a must. Please contact Mary Ann Dabek, Program Manager, if you know of a suitable horse for donation.

Bequests, Memoriams. Remember Greystone Manor TRC in

your last will and testament or as a memoriam. Either way, any funds received will help our program to continue its work.

Wish list. Visit our website to learn more or call the program

phone to inquire of needs. Some needs: wheelbarrow, muck cart, English saddles, bridles, racks, etc.

Legacy Fence Project. Our fence needs are on-going. For

each $100 contribution, a plaque can be purchased and en-graved with your personal inscription and mounted on a section of fencing to show your support. Download a form from our website Home page “News and Updates” or email us at: gen_info_gmtrc@yahoo.com.

Mission: To enhance the lives of individuals with

special needs through equine assisted activities.

Vision: To grow and be acknowledged as a diverse therapeutic riding program of distinction that is

recognized in our community and beyond.

Core Values:

Dignity—We treat everyone in our Greystone Manor TRC family with the highest level of dignity and respect everyone’s contribution to the program—whether large

or small.

Safety—We promise to “do no harm” either

therapeutically or environmentally.

Professionalism—We utilize trained instructors and

volunteers to ensure program excellence.

Community—We cooperatively work with members of the community to build upon the network of opportunities available for individuals with special

needs.

Transparency—We operate in an environment of trust

and integrity offering full disclosure of our program.

Health and Happiness—We strive to provide a fun environment for all participants in conjunction with a focus on the health and happiness of our human and equine stakeholders.

Our Mission, Vision and Values

Board of Directors

Georgina Condran, president

Elizabeth A. Newell, vice president

Drew Hostetter, treasurer

Jennifer Sceppa, secretary

Tim Keller Crystal Mills Lois Herr Ann Swartzbaugh Mary Beth Schweigert Program Manager—Mary Ann Dabek

A

full

calendar

of

events

is

available

on our

website.

Horses leave

footprints on

the heart. PO Box 10724 Lancaster, PA 17605-0724

Phone: 717-615-9222 www.greystonemanortrc.org

A s I look back over the past three years as President of Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center, I feel a great deal of pride in all the wonderful work

everyone involved in our program has done. When we started down the path of creating our first ever strategic plan in 2009, who would have imagined that two years later we would have a beautiful, fully dedicated therapeutic riding facility and a full-time program manager to oversee it. It was only with help from all of you that we were able to achieve these significant milestones.

Although we faced many challenges these past three years, we kept our eye on the goal and continued to focus on making our program stronger than ever. It is from the bottom of my heart that I thank each of you who contributed in any way to helping us achieve this success.

As I pass the reins of board President to Elizabeth Newell, I do so knowing that we have the most incredible team of volunteers, instructors, staff, riders and friends that any organization could hope for. And I know Elizabeth will do an outstanding job as President. I want to especially thank all my fellow board members who continue to generously serve GMTRC with their talents and shared desire for us to fulfill our mission as we strive to reach our vision. As we move forward in this transition, I know the board will continue to raise awareness and funding so that GMTRC will progress, grow and be strong well into the future. I cannot wait to attend our 60

th anniversary gala and remember

when.

Thank you for the privilege of being your President for the past three years.

S ince I will become Board President in January, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you. I currently live in Lancaster with my husband, Michael. I moved to Lancaster County in 1998 when I began teaching Anthropology at Elizabethtown College. Though I have lived all across the US (and in Colombia, South America), I

spent most of my formative years in Kentucky where I developed my deep love for horses. I learned the pleasures of riding while relatively young and spent many happy hours in the saddle, including several semesters on the Miami University Equestrian team. As I got older and life’s responsibilities got in the way, I stopped riding but my affection for all things equine never dwindled. Ten years ago, I began taking lessons again, then began working part-time at a local barn, which led to my getting my own horse, and I haven’t looked back!

I currently own a mare, Cassiopeia, who has been my equine partner for five years. Whether we are in the show ring or I am just hanging out in her stall, she constantly reminds me of the incredible physical and mental benefits that horses can provide for all of us. After watching a few lessons at GMTRC and seeing first-hand how much the riders were gaining from their interactions with their equine partners, I knew I had to find a way to become part of the program. I officially became involved with the organization as a Board member in 2009. I look forward to continuing the great progress that the program has achieved under Georgina’s leadership, as we “grow and become acknowledged as a diverse therapeutic riding program of distinction that is recognized in our community and beyond”.

Welcome to a new member of the Board. . .

I am pleased to introduce Mary Beth Schweigert! Mary Beth lives in East Hempfield Township with her husband Keith and their children, Wilson, 9, and Caroline, 6. Wil, who has autism, started lessons at GMTRC about four years ago. He enjoys riding Hobbit, Rascal, and Wiz. Mary Beth is a native of Winchester, VA, and a graduate of the College of William & Mary. She writes for the Lancaster Sunday News. We are excited to have Mary Beth join the team!

Sandi Keim, Editor Send comments to: gen_info_gmtrc@yahoo.com Thank you!