Fiona Apple has wanted to work as a Green Chimneys farm intern for years. On a rainy Monday, her wish was granted! The Grammy winning singer and songwriter was on campus this week for the “Spend a Day on the Farm with Fiona” program. A day with Fiona was auctioned off during last year’s spring gala auction. Fiona mucked stalls and fed animals -- just like our other farm interns do! Upper barn manager Maureen Doherty introduced her to Sylvester, a calf rescued from a slaughterhouse in NYC, and Petey, an alpaca that watched her over the Dutch door. She also met many of our students.
Fiona and her mother visited Brian MacCarry’s music class, Dale Picard’s ECAD dog training program and the greenhouse, where they learned about some of our programs for children with special needs. The pair was accompanied by auction winners Cynthia and Margo Manocherian. Michael Kaufmann, director of the farm and wildlife center, provided a comprehensive farm tour.
Fiona and the auction winners were treated to a trip into the flight rehabilitation cage where wildlife specialist Paul Kupchok captured a red-tail hawk ready for its return to the wild. After a vegan lunch specially prepared by chef Mark Kaplan, Fiona assisted in the release of the rehabilitated hawk in heavy April showers, which she enjoyed sans umbrella!
The day was capped off with some artistic flair as she painted a fiberglass Labrador retriever that will be auctioned off in our fall celebrity dog auction (www.charityfolks.com). Thought you might like a photo of Fiona with some of our students in the East Coast Assistance Dog (ECAD) training program.
She is pictured here with the winner of the auction and two of our students.
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