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What a Year

December 31, 2021 by J.B.

Each year, our wonderful friend and amazingly talented graphic design volunteer, Kathleen, sends us a custom advent calendar for the chimp house.

I know that for many of us, 2021 has felt like another lost year at best. But for the past month, this calendar has served as a daily reminder that we have so much to be thankful for.

Behind one door, we were reminded of Jamie and Burrito’s newfound friendship.

A Blossoming Friendship

Behind another, we saw the cattle experiencing the simply joy of an open pasture.

The 3rd Annual Running of the Cows (and One Steer)

We were reminded of the time Jody put on a master class in foraging on Young’s Hill on Love a Chimpanzee Day.

The Celebration

We got to see the chimps explore new playrooms and greenhouses,

Into the Thick of It

and enjoying some time outdoors.

The Wolf of Walnuts

We recalled the day we welcomed six more chimpanzees to the sanctuary,

They’re Here! They’re Here!

and the process of getting to know them.

Two Ways to Spend a Rainy Day

There were reminders of challenging times as well. Burrito was bitten yet again by a rattlesnake,

Not Again

but he survived to grow even stronger and, somehow, even happier.

Exhilarating Day

We were reminded of times the chimps met new human friends,

When Honey B met Luna

and began making new chimp friends.

Let’s Try This Again

2021 was not the year we had all hoped it would be, but thanks to you there was still so much to celebrate. And whatever happens next year, you can be sure that there will be even more highlights and accomplishments to look back on next New Year’s Eve. Which makes me wonder…what will Kathleen use for her advent calendar photos next year? Cy’s group exploring The Bray, their new open-air habitat? Willy B climbing to the top of Ryan’s Lookout? Honey B racing throughout the new 5,000 sq ft flex-fence outdoor enclosure? Jamie climbing a towering pine tree at the top of the renovated Young’s Hill? We can’t wait to find out!

Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you for your ongoing support.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda C says

    December 31, 2021 at 5:30 pm

    Oh, Kathleen, what an amazing, wonderful, beautiful gift!
    it would be an amazing thing to have!

  2. Judy says

    December 31, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    Kathleen truly provides a gift for all of us. As do all of the staff at CSNW. Whatever is in store for everyone we will all share in with amazement, appreciation and loads and loads of love! Thank you to you J.B, Diana and everyone, supporters certainly included. CSNW adds a dimension to my life that I cannot imagine being without. Cheers to a 2022 full of new adventures!

  3. tom austin says

    December 31, 2021 at 5:42 pm

    I have never found a year to last as long as I had expected……

  4. Kathleen says

    December 31, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Well. Needless to say seeing todays blog post notification arrive in my email gave me quite the chuckle. I can not tell you how much fun I have gathering “sepcial” events and photos throughout the year in the hopes I can squeeze them all into my annual advent calendar. Clearly, this isn’t possible no matter how hard I try. This year, more than any other year, had the largest collection of images ever. So many accomplishments. So many notable, adorable, astonishing, heart melting, extraordinary and beautifully ordinary moments but there an advent calendar only holds 25 days!

    For the very first year I decided an advent calendar of 25 days was just not large enough to hold all the goodness sanctuary provided in 2021. I had to increase the layout to include 31 days/doors. And still it wasn’t enough to hold all the magic and wonder that occured.

    I missed out on including a door for each beautiful bovine, Jamie in her hand tied stylish scarf, the special visit with past staff caregiver Elizabeth, Annie’s selfie, photos of lilacs growing on the firehoses in the seven’s greenhouse, countless forages on Young’s Hill, Honey B in cozy nests, too many Negra moments to count, Willy B braving his private outdoor sidewalk, FISH Community Food Bank banana donation, HOOT! 2021, J.B. and Anthony building new steps for the seven, the explosion of dolls purchased from the Amazon Wish List for the one and only Foxie, The Queen’s Brunch 2021, Sage Mechanical (Gary, Aaron, and Jose) working so hard, the new tractor, Benny joining the family, and so and so on. There was no room for any of this. Your accomplishments were overwhelming.

    It fills my heart to relive these moments each year through this silly advent calendar. And the best part is, I make one for myself to selfishly enjoy! Since I could never begin to express my gratitude for all you do, this is my way of saying “Thank you” for being you and doing all you do for the chimpanzee people I hold so dear in my heart. Especially this year. Especillay this very unusal and challenging year. Especially this year. You brought us along for the ride and you made it all look so easy and natural.

    I can’t wait to see what 2022 sanctuary life brings. Holding my breath in anticipation and excitement! Tomorrow I will begin a new collection of images. A new collection of HOPE. LOVE. HOME. Let’s open the door together and see what’s behind it!

    Happy hopeful new year to all.

    • Linda C says

      January 1, 2022 at 11:27 am

      That gift is anything but silly, Kathleen!
      As a matter of fact, I think that if you made a 3rd next year for the auction, it would bring in a hefty donation! After, it’s reusable, right?

  5. Arlene and Michael says

    December 31, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    What an amazing look back at the past year. Thank you Kathleen for such a special gift and J. B. for sharing that with us. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year filled with peace and love.

  6. Michelle says

    January 1, 2022 at 4:40 am

    Happy New Year to all. Thanks for the great Blog. Love and best wishes for the New Year 2022 from your Aussie friend :sunglasses::sunglasses::pray::sparkling_heart::thumbsup::koala::koala:

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