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We wanted to let you in on the buzz around here..... February 15 2010 Show season is approaching, and we are starting to figure out our show string this Spring. Looks like we have a really nice line up from last years crop of cria. Corazon is a beautiful little boy out of Sarita, one of our foundation females. We really think this boy will do well... Also, Tica, Lilly's little girl. She has a very long staple and is very fine. We are also bringing back with us Rush and Zuri... Since they both ribboned last fall, we are hoping for another repeat this Spring season. January 1 2010 Happy New Years! Cheers! December 24, 2009 We want to wish all our friends and alpaca fans a wonderful holiday season! Let hot apple cider.... warm your nose... and alpaca socks... warm your toes! November 28 & 29, 2009 Our Annual Holiday event was well attended! From Southern Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, New Hampshire... etc. etc. and of course all our friends and neighbors right here in Canterbury. Thank you all for supporting local community events, and in some cases... not so local events. The Reminder News sent their top reporters & photographers here on Sunday and from what I hear they were well received. The pokeweed dye pots were a hit and the yarn came out spectacular. Congratulations to Madison from Canterbury, she won the Alpaca Teddy Raffle! Our shop is open daily throughout the holiday season from 11am-5pm or by special request. October 17 & 18, 2009 NEW YORK SHEEP AND WOOL!!! Wow, what energy for all those frenzied fiber fanatics! It was great to see folks back again from previous years. And... of course meeting all the newbies. The Rav group was a blast as usual. I do think that this is a great place to meet all the faces behind those avatars. Our roving and yarns where a big hit once again, along with some unusual items we had this year... Recycled Vintage Knitting Needle Bangles & David Veit Needle Holders flew out of the barn! Especially exciting was an email we received afterwards from Raye Schwartz, president of the Big Apple Knitters' Guild (BAKG) who said some fabulous things about our yarns... "But a good part of my day was spent in the alpaca/llama barn, playing with and cuddling the most amazing alpacas and llamas...boy do those animals give great hugs and kisses. ...The highlight of this excursion was a tee-shirt I bought from Burgis Brook Alpaca farms (one of my favorite alpaca yarn vendors...if you're really nice to me, I might knit you a hat from their yarn...that's if I can stop cuddling and petting it)." Thank you Raye for that plug about our yarns, which by the way, is now available online here in our yarn section. We look forward to next year, and meeting more members of BAKG. October 4, 2009 Our first Walktober happening. The weather actually held out for us as more than 100 visitors came thru. We spoke about the history of alpacas, raising alpacas and showed folks about the processing of alpaca fleeces. Here is an article from the Reminder News to highlight our day. September, 2009 A visit from Canterbury Stitchers! We wanted to let you know that we enjoyed having you visit both the alpacas and the shop. The Yarn Tasting was absolutely invaluable to us! Thank you Thank you. August, 2009 Well, it finally feels like summer... (not that I'm complaining about the heatwave!). We've had some excitement here at the farm with two crias bornn so far. A beautiful little boy named Corazon (meaning heart) and a little girl named Tica (meaning flower). Both babies and mamas are doing great! Our Beginning Knitting class was a success... and now we are offering two more! Barb again is teaching a Felted Bag Class and a Sock Class. July, 2009 Our store has been graciously received! The vino & yarn gathering brought together a variety of ladies (and a gent or two!). It has been great getting all the feedback from our store visitors too! Take a look at our first class offering here: Beginning Knitting with Barb Goldhamer. and quickly following that class will be a felted bag class... details to follow. Please come and visit us. April, 2009 Breaking news... In The Crimp (BBA's fiber shop) is turning into a full blown yarn store. With natural fibers from area growers along with the brands recognized by fiber fanatics such as Noro, Berroco, Malabrigo, Debbie Bliss and more. We're stocking needles and will have patterns for purchase and a free selection. We should have all in place first week in May so be sure to stop by and have some tea and browse. March, 2009 It's that time of year again, when we train the crias to behave at their first show of the season! North American Alpaca Show in W.Springfield, MA... where approx. 1500 alpacas compete. Great show and great gatherings with fellow breeders. Our show string this year looks very promising... so we'll see what happens in the ring.. Come a visit, cheer for us or just stop by to say hi. December, 2008 Our Annual Alpaca Holiday Farm Days was a blast. It was really great to see folks we've met throughout the years, and newcomers visiting an alpaca for the first time. It's always great to see their expressions as the alpacas graze or when the alpacas come up for a nose kiss! We welcomed the writers and photographers from several area newspapers and await photo ops and articles to emerge throughtout the month. Congrats to Judi Ann from Danielson, CT who won the Alpaca Toy during our raffle. Thank you Terri for the fabulous spinning demonstration using your walking wheel and Herman for your felted gnome. And thanks Andrew for helping around the barn and alpacas. Loads of thanks goes out to LoLo for her knitting expertise and of course our family who patiently deals with all the fuss every Thanksgiving Weekend! Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season, and be sure to stop by for an alpaca-fix! September, 2008 Fall is here and show/fair season is upon us once again. Although the weather didn't work out for us during our Open Farms Days this past weekend, we had some newcomers, and folks who came out last year. The rain put a damper on our fiber demonstrations, but in the afternoon, we had the best event ever... visitors and friends witnessed Diana delivering a beautiful little girl! Mama and bebe are both doing great. What a treat. So now we are getting the yearlings ready to show, stockin up the store with accessories for the season and looking forward to a better weather weekend for our Holiday Open House Thanksiving Weekend. August, 2008 Another fun time at the Hamburg Fair. Weather panned out for us and we had another successful yarn year. Thank you all who came back to see us, and looking forward to next year. July, 2008 Cria season has started. The babies are pronking and playing together while mamas are sunbathing after 11-1/2 months of carrying her load! Still have more to come as the preggos battle the summer heat huffing and puffing and loving their afternoon belly splashes and hose-downs. Come and visit us and watch pacas at play. May, 2008 Shearing 2008. Wow, what a day! We had helpers from Danbury, Moosup, Rhode Island, Canterbury and even California! A long day it was, but the alpacas are grateful they no longer have to have winter coats on... This year the press was here to document the day in the life. The pictorial link for the newspaper is here (posted June 12th): www.norwichbulletin.com/multimedia and the pdf of the Norwich Bulletin back page of the Living Section is here: www.burgisbrookalpacas.com/pdfs/Shearing2008.pdf April, 2008 North American Alpaca Show was another success! We took home 5 ribbons out of some huge classes... There were approx. 1200 alpacas at this show..really beautiful alpacas! Our juvies took home their first ribbons. Manifest Destini and Coyo's Briza out of our superstud herdsire Coyo Destini. We are very proud of these babes... Acacia took home another ribbon along with Sarita and Patriot. Thank you all for coming by to visit us there and to cheer us on ringside. January, 2008 Wanted to wish you all a very happy New Years.... Looking forward to Spring already! November 24 & 25, 2007 Holiday Open Farms Days was another success. It was good to see returning friends and neighbors! Visitors as far away as Long Island, came to visit the farm this weekend. What beautiful days to browse the farm, see the alpacas run and play and learn everything about raising these wonderful animals. We had demonstrations of spinning, knitting, carding/combing raw fleeces, felting and kettle pot dying. Lots of products and yarn sold from our farm shop and calls are still coming in scheduling visits with their families and groups. Lucky winner of the alpaca toy raffle is Debra from Pawcatuck, CT. If you would like to come back and visit us, please just give us a buzz and we'll be glad to meet with you. October 13-14, 2007 New England Coastal Classic Show. A good show, and thanks to the folks that came out to visit us. We brought nine alpacas...juvies, yearlings and Patriot our 2 year old... All came back with ribbons! And Patriot took a blue ribbon for his fleece and best of all "Judge's Spinners Choice" out of over 100 fleeces! It was a good show! October 1, 2007 Great article in the Putnam Traveler about our farm! www.putnamtraveler.com September 29-30, 2007 National Alpaca Farm Day! and wow what a weekend it was...a wonderful turnout..approx. 400-500 folks turned up to browse the farm, see the pacas, and shop for yarn and gifts. We have met such great neighbors and folks from around the area. Supportive friends and family were invaluable throughout the days, helping out with demos, questions, and refilling of the free refreshments. Curious passers by stopped in to see what the fuss was all about, and townsfolk wondering who those busy folks are building that big barn! Thanks to all of you for coming out to meet us and of course the alpacas. We had a lot of fun meeting you all and seeing familiar faces from previous events! We look forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving Weekend for our Holiday Open House! September, 2007 OK, so we've got the farm store up and running....and the farm access road will be ready by the 29th...(Thank you Mark Weeks!) and the yarn is still being dyed...and the mulch needs to be placed... oh yeah..we have to attend Celebrating Ag Day... and we're still in breeding season...getting the babes walking for the show mid-October..planning more products for NY Sheep and Wool...we're interviewing with the local newspapers for upcoming events and community lifestyle sections...did I mention the Alpaca 56-page magazine is at the printer!!!... cookies and planning for alpacas to arrive and leave...geesh...that last statement doesn't seem to work together...so thank you Sandra and Amy for baking those cookies for the 29th... Amy, did I tell you I needed cookies for the 29th?...who said farming was relaxing...oh yeah... getting those ads ready for alpaca farm days...event listings for the newspapers...posters up at Brahms and post office...need to print those handouts for the farm days...oh my...gotta get signage made to tell folks where we are!!!! YIKES...I love alpacas. June-August, 2007 Wow what a busy summer this has been for us... We have lots of crias on the ground and more to come in September. The farm is taking shape as we are getting ready for our end of summer & fall events. First up is National Alpaca Farm Days last weekend of September... our farm store should be finished (hopefully) by then. We'll have felting demonstrations, knitting and spinning besides lots of alpacas bouncing about. Please come and join us, all are welcomed. Take a look at our calendar to see what up and coming.  May, 2007 Wanted to tell you all about an exciting new website www.alpacaficionado.com A great resource for breeders and those looking to start a farm! Check it out when you get a chance... May, 2007 On cria watch! First three are due this month...very exciting time at the farm...We also shear end of the month...always a joy to see dramatic appearances! April, 2007 Our show season is over for spring....We did well at MAPACA in Harrisburg...Patriot took 4th out of a class of 14 and his fleece took 1st place at the fleece show there.. Sarita also took a 4th out of a class of 16, so were were thrilled...Largest Alpaca show in the United States! Thank you folks for coming by our pens there...It's great to see familiar faces that come to the farm! March, 2007 Well, the weather proves to be interesting here at the quiet corner of Connecticut. As we train our weanlings for their first show, we have some promising new show gals. Please stop by our pens at the North American Alpaca Show in West Springfield, MA, March 29th-April 1...Cheer us on while we're in the ring! January, 2007 Happy New Years! Well we're already planning our event schedule for the Spring Season...and we cannot believe it's already mid January and NO SNOW!!!! We've been very spoiled with this weather, and it gave us plenty of opportunity to get things done on the farm. Take a look at the upcoming season, because its right around the corner... December, 2006 We want to wish all our friends and neighbors a wonderful holiday season. Happy Holidays! October 13-15, 2006 Show News from the New England Coastal Classic in New Gloucester, ME. We had a wonderful show with only three alpacas! Patriot took a blue ribbon in his class of 10 in Light Fawn Yearlings. Nebula took another blue in her class of Light Fawn. Devante took a blue in his class of 2 year olds. Devante also took WHITE MALE COLOR CHAMPION! A HUGE win for him and us too! As the ring steward handed me a tissue as I cried holding that beautiful alpaca and dark purple banner...Jill McLeod (AOBA Judge) expressed his "incredible fineness at his age and with no medulation, perfect conformation and beautiful balance"...all we can say...it was a very, very good day! June/July, 2006 We've Relocated The Farm! Located on 43 beautiful rolling acres in the quiet corner of Connecticut. Busy building a new barn for the alpacas, clearing, planting and getting our farm store ready for the winter season. Quite an adventure. We welcome all our shoreline visitors and look forward to meeting new folks from around "the last green valley". May 12, 2006 PAOBA... First time down in York, PA. A wonderful show. The check in was smooth and organized. Another successful show for our alpacas. Everyone ribboned again...Devante took a fourth behind Aga Khan...Patriot took a fourth and Nebula took blue...Nebula also took COLOR CHAMPION! We were thrilled to be in large classes with beautiful animals and to have ribbons for all our alpacas. April 1, 2006 Show season begins... What a show! We started our show season with a bang with 4 ribbons! NAAS Show was a big success for us. Huge classes, 1200+ beautiful alpacas. Nebula took a Blue in her Juvy Lt. Fawn Class...Patriot took a Fourth in his huge class, and Devante took a 3rd in the 2+ White Class... Also one of our foundation females, Lilly, took a 5th in Produce of Dam out of 20 entries... A huge success for us and a great start to the season. Thank you everyone who stopped by to visit us. We are always thrilled to see familiar faces to cheer us on! January 1, 2006 Happy New Year We want to with all our friends and family a wonderful upcoming year. Wishing you all health and prosperity. November 26-27th, 2005 Our 4th Annual Open Farm Days!..... and wow what a turnout.....hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of great folks turned out to help us start our holiday celebration. Katie of West Haven won our Alpaca Teddy Raffle...special thank you to her for visiting us with her family. We also want to thank everyone for a great time..it was wonderful meeting all the newcomers and those returning from previous visits. We hope your holidays are filled with joy and that you'll stay warm with all that alpaca you bought! October 7, 2005 Announcing our new herdsire COYO DESTINI. This macho has amazing progeny on the ground. We are very excited to be able to co-own him with Long Plains Alpacas in Maine, and Calidad Alpacas in New York. August 26, 2005 Wow What happened to Summer! July flew by with just the weather to speak about.... and for August...last week we were at the Hamburg Fair. Hot and muggy and still we sold a lot of yarn! Thanks to all who came by to visit us and for those who came back from the previous year to say hello. We always seem to meet great folks from that area. All are welcomed to visit us here at the farm too. June 6, 2005 Yes it actually happened.....405 Days! Sunday June 5th, 2:15pm, Daisy delivered a 21.3 pound (Beige/LF?) girl....with the longest legs you ever want to see.... As you can imagine she was absolutely exhausted.... We just came home from picking up hay and there she was walking out of the barn with head and front legs hanging about..... She was very tired and decided to deliver her laying down..... But the kicker is.....after the shoulders came out...Daisy was still laying down.... she still kept us waiting....the oh so important deciding factor was still inside!!! We did not know if it was a girl or boy....talk about anticipation...anxiety...absolute agony... and after about 5 of the longest minutes ever....the last contraction.....fini...a beautiful girl! "gasp" Everyone made it through just fine.....and you could imagine the celebration we had afterwards.... June 5, 2005 Crias Crias Crias! Our first born on the farm, had her first born! Bonita had a beautiful silver grey boy! At 11:15am 17 pounds...Congrats Julie Delaney of Iowa the new owners of Bonita and her new future herdsire! May 19, 2005 We are awaiting our first crias....Daisy is waaaay overdue and as I write this note, she has been "cooking" for 386 days! Hopefully she is not looking for fame to break a world alpaca gestation record. It will truly be a joyous day when she finally decides to give it up! May 3, 2005 We wanted to thank Ashlar Village Retirement Residents for visiting us. We hope you enjoyed learning about alpacas and the wonderful yarns and products we make from their fiber. April 26, 2005 From West Springfield to Harrisburg, PA....our shows went well. This year's show string are struttin their stuff. Next event will be New England Alpaca Fest at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, May 14-15th. A grand time to be had by all. Lots of alpacas from the New England breeders, along with alpaca fiber, yarns, products and gifts for the family. March 6, 2005 Spring shows are upon us. Training the weanlings for their first show experience is pretty tough with all this snow! They're not happy, the mom's are not happy....and neither are we, seeing we get the brunt of all that spit.... As we perservere, these kids will be ready. First Show of the season....The North American Alpaca Show in West Springfield, MA. April 1-3. Come by and visit our pen spaces and cheer for us in the ring! January 6, 2005 A warm New Years Wish for all our friends and farm visitors. 2004 was a great year for show results and meeting new alpaca enthusiasts as well as devoted alpaca shoppers of all ages! We wish all of you a wonderful and prosperous New Year and look forward to a continued friendship. December 9, 2004 WTNH Channel 8 Visits the Farm! Matt Scott interviewed Alisa about raising alpacas and what to do with them! All the pacas were on their best behavior and Matt was thrilled to pet "Devo" and talk about his fiber. Matt and his team was sent home with a bit of alpaca for the toes! And "Adrian" yarn for knitter & anchorwoman Ann Nyberg..... |
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