Crebilly Farm Update 1/4/23

Dear Friends,

My sincerest greetings to you after a long holiday season.  Nothing like starting off the new year with four million bucks!  In case you haven’t heard this latest wonderful news regarding the preservation of Crebilly Farm, here is the press release from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: https://www.westtownpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/12.29.22-DCNR-LWCF-grants.pdf  Thank you thank you to our local politicians: Senator Comitta, Senator Kane and Representative Herrin.  Their tireless lobbying helped make this happen and another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.  

As I have spent the last few months reflecting upon this incredible miracle unfolding before us, it dawned on me that we have achieved a real-life fairy tale.  Together, we climbed a huge mountain.  Against all odds, we slayed the dragon.  Then we climbed the steep tower and managed to rescue the princess.  And now, thanks to the dream we dared to dream, Crebilly Farm is going to live happily ever after.  Her land and history will be protected in perpetuity and unbelievably, will remain undisturbed and untouched as she always has been.  Margaret Meade’s quote comes to mind as I write this:  “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.  In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”  Every one of you reading this is part of the committed group who helped make this happen.  Thank you.  Most of all, thank you, dear Robinson Family.  

Before I go I would like to take this opportunity to finally acknowledge the selfless volunteers of Crebilly Farm Friends, as their support has been invaluable and their recognition long-overdue:  a beautiful horse named White Spike, two Collies, one Sheltie, a very vocal house duck, a couple donkeys, one quite large, long-haired cat, a few chickens, two bunnies and a fish.  Last but not least, thank you to a really great guy (my silent partner) named John Braxton.  Once upon a time years ago, after I swore to John many times:  ‘I’m just going to do this one more thing…’  somehow he knew ‘one more thing’ was not going to end anytime soon.  So he got involved.  He built the www.CrebillyFarmFriends.com website to house up-to-date information and turned my little email chain into a blog.  He recorded and uploaded every. single. hearing.  For five years.  (I cringe to think how many times that sweet man ate a granola bar for dinner).  He has been my editor, shrink, bartender, comedian and sounding board.  He graciously tolerated the laptop that invaded our personal time on countless occasions, including its attendance on every vacation, every road trip, every holiday, even our honeymoon.  Not once did that man complain or suggest quitting.  He just rolled up his sleeves and we knocked it out together.  Johnny B- I owe you a picnic at Crebilly Farm and I can hardly wait to make due on my promise.  In fact, just writing that sentence has made me tear up as I guess the reality (and relief) of this is finally starting to sink in.  I can hardly wait to show you the magnificent beauty I’ve been telling you about all these years.  What lies within Crebilly Farm will take your breath away… there are truly no words to describe…  

Happy New Year, indeed.

Sincerely,

Mindy Rhodes