A Day at White Post Farms
Joy, laughter, and learning to celebrate the fall season
On a bright and sunny Saturday in October, roommates from the Ontario Avenue residence in Plainview attended the White Post Farms Fall Festival. A fall tradition for many, the festival in Melville offers a variety of activities, including an animal farm, lively shows, hayrides, and a pumpkin patch.
Everyone was excited for the day of fun that awaited them. For many people, visiting White Post Farms has become a fall tradition. Admission into the fall fair includes the animal farm, lively shows, hayrides, and a pumpkin patch!
Randy Cosby, Robert Behrendt, Richard Krinsky, and John Volpe attended with House Manager Tammy Vallancourt and Direct Support Professionals Marie Badio and Tyechia David. They all began their journey through the farm by visiting the dromedary camels.
At White Post Farms, no animal goes hungry because all visitors love feeding them throughout the day. Tammy grabbed a bucket of feed, and Robert and Richard jumped at the opportunity to feed the hungry camel. After the camel took the feed from their hands, Robert and Richard smiled.
The group continued through the farm, stopping to greet the other animals, including the ostriches. Outside the ostrich pen, a sign challenged guests to compare their height to that of the bird, which stands 8 feet on average. Randy, Richard, and John took turns standing beside the sign. Randy was the closest, measuring just over 6 feet tall!
Afterwards, they visited the miniature cows, the koi fish, the squirrel monkeys, and the ring-tailed lemur. Next to the lemurs was a display of three friendly bears. Richard, Randy, and Robert posed like bears for a photo with the display, stretching out their claws.
Richard and Robert entered the bird aviaries, where they encountered rainbow birds called lorikeets. Tammy retrieved bird food for Richard and Robert, summoning one of the birds to land on Robert’s wheelchair. Robert looked closely at the bird as Richard fed it. Richard said the bird aviaries were his favorite part of the day!
Everyone stopped at the gift shop after spending time with the friendly birds. Randy and Richard found Jack-o-lantern hats that they both liked, especially since they glow. With Tammy’s help, Randy and Richard went to the cashier to purchase new hats, which they proudly wore the rest of the day.
Tammy had been looking forward to meeting the giraffes all day, and Randy, Robert, Richard, and John shared in her excitement! On the way there, they stopped by the goats to say hello and share treats.
Upon entering the elevated Giraffe Experience, which brings its guests eye-to-eye with the tallest mammals in the world, farm staff gave out carrot slices to feed the friendly giraffes. Overcoming some hesitation, having never fed a giraffe before, the four friends came face to face with the tall creatures, confidently providing them with the crunchy snack. 
Everyone felt proud and amazed as they exited The Giraffe Experience, as they created a new memory together.
Everyone met up near the zebras with friends from the Kirkland Drive residence in Greenlawn. Randy, Robert, Richard and John greeted Paul Cusanelli, William Hoffman and John McCabe. Richard told them how beautiful the farm was.
Before grabbing a bite to eat, everyone went to the pumpkin patch. It was John’s favorite part of the day. They took some fall-themed pictures, and reflected on everything they saw so far.
It was a day that the roommates and staff truly enjoyed. They all decided on a pumpkin to take home and carve. On their front step, their Jack-o-lantern will illuminate the night, reminding everyone of their great adventure at White Post Farms.