Tee Time at the Zoo

The calls have been coming daily into the Zoo for several weeks with a common question: when will miniature golf start? Although the opening was scheduled for May 1st, the staff put on a real push and managed to get things ready to open this past weekend. While I suspect staff motivation was influenced by their desire to play at the end of the work day, I'm sure most mini-golf enthusiasts will join me in saying a big "thank you". The course provides an important revenue stream for your financially strapped Zoo and every additional week of golfing is greatly welcomed. Now let's pray for lots of sunny days. The course opens at 10:00AM and on weekdays runs until 4:30; on the weekends it is open to 6:00pm. Once we have our summer staff in place, the hours will be expanded. Remember than when you play miniature golf, you are directly supporting care of the animlas who call Cherry Brook Zoo their home.

Just Imagine & Blue Sky Thinking

I read with interest the headline today in the Telegraph's City Section and thought how appropriate to the Zoo. In the Zoo's soon to be released Donor Newsletter, we ask our supporters to "just imagine what your Zoo would look like today" if the money originally set aside for growth and enhancement could have been spent on that instead of having to meet yearly deficits. Hopefully, as the invitees to the weekend conference gather to consider the possibilities for our area and develop a new vision for Greater Saint John, that vision includes the zoo that has belonged to the people of Greater Saint John for more than 30 years.

Councillor Peter McGuire also was reported recently as looking for future ideas, what he called Blue Sky thinking. He indicated that perhaps the best path to get ideas of what people would like for their recreational time would be to "ask the children". We agree! And there was a group of children in Councillor McGuire's Ward who spoke loud and clear some months ago when an entire Grade 4 class wrote to city hall telling them how important their Zoo was and asking for support to keep it open for them. Hopefully he was listening!

Exposed Assets

After a brief scare this past weekend that winter would rear its ugly head, it now looks llike spring weather is definitely here. Nature is peeling the layer of ice off the river and glimpses of exposed river stir thoughts of sails racing along. One Saint John asset that we can realy brag about, but often take for granted, is our fantstic river system. I look forward to the fantastic views of sail boat races twice weekly in Millidgeville. It's a free spectator sport more should take time to enjoy.

The better weather is also seeing another city asset exposed...the tarps have been removed from the Zoo's 18-hole miniature golf couse and staff are hard at work to get it ready to re-open in early May.

Bunnies, Llamas and Lots of Easter Fun

When we prayed that it wouldn't rain on Saturday during Easter celebrations at the Zoo, the alternative we had in mind was definitely not the cold temperatures and occasionalsnow flurry. But in spite of the chill, hundreds turned out to meet the Easter Bunny and share some great family fun ...riasing nearly $2500.00 for the Zoo. There was face painting, special draws, and a chance to get up close with llamas and donkeys. The Easter Bunny was on hand to greet visitors and handed out new toothbrushes to the kids who also got white chocolate bunnies. You can check out photos of the special event on the Zoo website at www.cherrybrookzoo.com. Thanks to the many involved in making the day a success and to all the visitors who turned out to support the Zoo. A good time for everyone. And the animals certainly enjoyed having so much company after a long winter.

An Early Easter at the Zoo

Well your Zoo is all set for "Easter at the Zoo" on Saurday (please, Lord ...skip the rain!) But the Easter Bunny came early for the Zoo on Thursday night thanks to the efforts of some District 8 Teachers who put together a great fundraiser held at the Blue Olive. They turned a well-deserved evening of relaxing and socializing into a money maker for the Zoo. Backed by prizes from generous businesses and the enthusiasm of attendees in purchasing tickets, it looks like the total raised will pass the one thousand mark. Money much appreciated and much, much needed by your Zoo. thanks to everyone ...and we will have a total dollar report in a later posting.

Thanks to all - and see you at the Zoo on Saturday.

What a Million Might Do?

When I read in the Telegraph reference to the $1 million it has cost for the city pension lawsuit already, I couldn't help but dream of how much that one million could change the Zoo...I get visions of a brand new, larger primate house and enclosure fot the mini-golf course so people could use it year round (and so generate revenue for the Zoo) ... plus a family-oriented Safari Adventure area where people could stay overnight...oh the dreams go on and on. No doubt spending a million on these things would generate more smiles and 'good feelings' than the current courtroom marathon. Then again, maybe we should just start buying lotto tickets - are the odds better there that the Zoo gets the funding it needs?