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January
Intern Program
In January, Carrie Taylor, an Intern from Penn State, began her semester long program working at Pegasus. Carrie is a rehabilitation student and was able to gain practical experience by assisting with classes and learning about the various aspects of therapeutic riding.
Greater Philadelphia Cares
Greater Philadelphia Cares sends volunteers to Pegasus on a bi-monthly basis to help with various jobs at the facility. Through the hard work of these individuals we are able to get many maintenance chores performed.
February
Annual Dinner/Dance
Our Annual Winter Dinner Dance was held on February 4, 2006 at the Waterfall Room in Philadelphia. This annual event was a success once again and over 300 people attended. This fund raising event, which raised over $8600.00 this year, is a substantial source of assistance for our winter operating budget and a wonderful opportunity for our riders and their families to socialize with the greater Pegasus community. This year the celebration was bittersweet since we were also acknowledging the recent passing of Carol Tatum. The Pros, entertainment specialists, donated the DJ and have done so for several years. Our gratitude is extended to Dennis Tessler, the Pros’ CEO, for his generosity. We look forward to planning the event for 2006 and naming it the Carol Tatum Memorial Dinner Dance.
Benefit Dinner at Eastern Center for Arts & Technology
On February 25, 2006 representatives from Pegasus attended a dinner at the Eastern Center for Arts & Technology which was prepared by the students, the proceeds of which were being donated to Pegasus. This event was arranged by one of the Pegasus volunteers
March
NARHA Region 2 Conference
Barbara Wertheimer and Kate Marshall (former Program Director) attended the NARHA Conference on March 8-10, 2006 in New York State as part of their continuing education. This conference enabled them to establish contact with many of the people in the equine therapy world.
Professional Development Fair/Temple University
On March 15, 2006 Kate Marshall attended the Internship/Professional Development Fair sponsored by the Recreational Therapy Department at Temple University.
April
National Volunteer Week
Pegasus celebrated National Volunteer Week by hanging a banner in the arena for the volunteers. In appreciation for their hard work, all volunteers were given a Pegasus hat and treats were served throughout the week.
Camden County College
Each year a Pet Assisted Therapy course is offered at Camden County College. Professor Phil Arkow brings his students to Pegasus to observe equine therapy in progress. A question and answer time is made available as well as a tour of the facility. This program has been very successful and continues each year.
May
Kentucky Derby Party
On Saturday, May 6, 2006, Board President, Barbara Wertheimer, hosted a Kentucky Derby Party at her home for all members of the Executive Board and Advisory Board. It was a wonderful way for the members to interact socially in a relaxed setting.
Participant Horse Show
On May 13, 2006 we held a Participant Horse Show for all Pegasus riders. This event had not been scheduled for a number of years and it was decided that we needed to reinstitute it. All riders were given an opportunity to ride in a class and the instructor that worked with the rider gave a brief explanation of what the rider was doing and the progress made since the start of riding. Since this was our first show of this kind in quite a while each and every rider was awarded a trophy.
Spring Fling
On May 13 2005 we held our Pegasus Spring Fling featuring food and games. This family event followed the Participant Horse Show and was held at the facility. Prizes were awarded for the winners of the “Horseless Horse Show”, watermelon eating contest and other fun events. Face painting and an arts and crafts table was also set up for the children. The event raised over $1200.00. However, it was decided that in the future it should be on a separate day from the Participant Horse Show.
Therapeutic Riding Week – May 15-21, 2006
Pegasus celebrated Therapeutic Riding Week by hanging a banner in the arena so that everyone would be aware of the event. We also served refreshments for the riders and their families.
Fairmount Park Cares Day
On May 20, 2006 volunteers participated in Fairmount Park Cares Day and helped to clean up the grounds and plant spring flowers on the property.
Abington Senior High School Service Learning Day
On May 26, 2006 students from Abington Senior High School volunteered at Pegasus and helped with various spring cleaning chores and horse show preparations.
Handicapped Riding Event of the Devon Horse Show
On May 27, 2006 Pegasus attended the HRE at Thorncroft. We brought 4 riders and 2 horses. As always, this event is exciting for our riders and volunteers. All of the participants placed in the ribbons and displayed great poise and skill during this competition. We are very proud of all of the riders; they each demonstrated the finest qualities of sportsmanship and determination. We entered the Costume Class with one rider and won first place with our “Survivor” theme. The Luau theme was carried over in the wonderfully tropical first place display of food. A special thank you to Andrea Kurtz and Joanne Smith for organizing the picnic lunch which was appreciated by all. We had a great time and plan to continue to enter these competitions each year.
Lower Moreland High School
As part of her senior year CAPS service project, a student worked at Pegasus for four weeks. She not only volunteered with therapy sessions, but also helped perform many maintenance tasks on the premises.
June
Inglis House Awards Luncheon
On June 20, 2006 Barbara Wertheimer and Kate Marshall attended an Awards Luncheon at Inglis House for all awardees of the Inglis Foundation Innovation Awards. Presentations were given about each recipient and gratitude was extended to the Foundation for the $6700.00 award.
New Turnouts
Through the generosity of McLean Contributionship we were able to install two additional turnouts in our field. These areas enable us to turn out all of the horses in two shifts. This not only decreases the work which must be done moving horses, but also lets the horses spend more time outside.
July
Variety Club
On July 5 through August 11, 2006 The Variety Club Summer Day Camp at Pegasus became a reality. The camp was located in the house on the premises and involved approximately 20 campers who were developmentally disabled teens. The riding component of the program involved having willing campers participate in therapeutic riding twice a week. Ten campers actually were involved with the riding and two campers who were deemed unsafe to ride participated in a “driving” activity with the horses and carriages. The program was a wonderful success and progress was observed within the short five week period. Pegasus hired camp counselors to assist with the equine therapy and provide horse handling and side walking assistance. During the camp period several special theme days were designated to add to the fun, such as Tropical Day andWestern Day.
NE Sunrisers Rotary Club
On July 7, 2006 Barbara Wertheimer attended an early morning meeting of the NE Sunrisers Rotary Club to talk about Pegasus and hopefully cultivate an interest in the program for their service project.
Fairmount Park Trail Permits
The Fairmount Park Commission continued its permit system and provided exempt status to five riders. We consider it a privilege to have the wonderful opportunity to be on the trail system in Pennypack Park and we thank the Commission for the exemption in 2006.
August
Pegasus Camp Staff Swim Party
At the end of the camp program all of the Pegasus staff spent an afternoon swimming and relaxing while discussing the camp program and the manner in which it could be improved upon.
September
Philadelphia University Intern
Occupational therapy student Jill Friedenberg began an internship as part of her fieldwork required at Philadelphia University. Jill worked with our riders during therapy sessions in order to develop occupational therapy skills.
Hoofprints
In September we began our monthly issues of the Pegasus newsletter Hoofprints which were sent to all riders with their monthly invoices. The newsletter will enable the riders and their families to be in better communication with the events at Pegasus. Hoofprints is being prepared by the Executive Director.
Holy Ghost Prep Service Day
On September 29, 2006 over 25 students and parents from Holy Ghost Prep volunteered at Pegasus for a day of service. The students and parents participated in many different maintenance and clean-up jobs including moving furniture in the offices.
October
Thorncroft Fall Horse Show
On October 8, 2006 three riders and two horses from Pegasus attended the Fall Horse Show at Thorncroft. Our attendance at this event was appreciated since we were the only outside program competing. Our riders performed admirably, winning first and second place ribbons.
Centered Riding Clinic
On October 9, 2006 Equine Director, Sarah DelRicci and Program Assistant, Aviva Hirsh attended a Centered Riding Clinic at Chapter One Farms as part of their continuing education.
Main Line Reform Temple Mitzvah Program
On October 16, 2006 Barbara Wertheimer spoke to two classes of fifth graders at Main Line Reform Temple who designated Pegasus for their annual Mitzvah (charity) project. She described the program and showed a short video and then answered questions from the students. During the year the students will raise money for Pegasus and do a volunteer day in the spring.
Abington Senior High School Senior Give Back Day
On October 18, 2006 eight seniors from Abington Senior High School volunteered at Pegasus as part of the annual Senior Give Back Day where seniors contribute five hours of community service. The young ladies who were present not only participated in lessons, but also helped with several long overdue maintenance chores.
November
Roman Catholic High School Alumni Assn. Holiday Raffles
Pegasus is participating in the Roman Catholic High School Alumni Assn. Holiday Raffle fundraiser. Raffle books were distributed to all interested parties and Pegasus received 70% of the proceeds collected. We look forward to participate in this easy fundraiser annually that was brought to our attention by former Board Member, Gene Murray.
December
Fairmount Park Commission Celebration of Stewardship
On December 6, 2006 Equine Director, Sarah DelRicci attended the Fairmount Park Commission Celebration of Stewardship at the American Swedish Historical Museum. It was a wonderful opportunity for Sarah to meet many of the Park Commissioners and staff who have been so very helpful to Pegasus over the years.
New Arena Footing
After a very long wait, new footing for the arena was installed during the Christmas vacation period when Pegasus was closed for vacation. The cost for the footing was contributed in part by the generosity of the Goodstein Foundation and the NE Sunrisers Rotary Club.
Major Maintenance Projects
During 2006 the following maintenance projects were performed on the premises:
- Replacement and repair of half of the arena roof
- New heaters for the apartment and house
- New heat pump for offices
- Mercury vapor lights around arena and old barn
- Sistering joists for Old Barn roof
- Rate of rise heat detectors alarms for barn
- Sensor detectors for barn
- Painting of exterior of house
- Painting of interior of house
- Replacement of powder room fixtures in house
- Removal of old carpet in house
New electrical wiring in house and installation of fixtures
