Main Sections

Sharing Some Holiday Magic Meet The Reindeer Of Vermont Reindeer Farm

photo by Photo provided No winter holiday season is complete without the appearance of reindeer. These special animals are all over the state and most recently strolling down Church Street! Meet Prancer, Blitzen and the Broe family of Vermont Reindeer Farm! (Pictured above: Prancer and Jeremy Broe)

photo by Photo provided

photo by Photo provided

Tuesday December 23, 2014

By Cookie Steponaitis

You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
The song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was written by Robert L. May in 1939 and added to the classic melody of Johnny Marks in 1947. It is a holiday classic that still delights people of all ages and is as much a part of the holiday season as snow, hot chocolate and decorated trees. Truth be told, most of us can remember being tucked into warm beds and pretending to sleep while listening intently for the sound of magical hoof beats on the roof over our head. Reindeer are a part of holiday magic, lore and conjure up stories of love and magic. Pauline and John Broe are among the 120 reindeer owners in America and well aware they are part of a unique niche in the agricultural community.
     While the couple has always been involved in farming and had a passion for animals, it was actually an article in the County Woman’s magazine in 2009 that started the family on an adventure of love and discovery. They were intrigued by the article that showcased a family in New York that had reindeer and the couple talked about bringing some to their farm in West Charleston. While John had experience working with a local man who managed an elk herd, it seemed only logical that reindeer would fit into the family farm. Little did they know in 2009 there were no reindeer in Vermont and the permit process and closed border policy and rules detailed what was required with the keeping, documenting and caring of these elegant animals. “We kind of learned as we went,” shared Pauline. “Even our vet had to learn along with us. We belong to ROBA (Reindeer Owner’s & Breeder’s Association) and the families’ nationwide who own reindeer work together. It is really a supportive group. We attend conferences every year to learn more. Each year they are held in a different state.”
    Not only raising reindeer that include five year old Prancer, four year old Comet and eleven year old Blitzen, the farm includes a mini-donkey named Mr. Jingles, two pot belly pigs and a host of other whimsical animals. “It would probably surprise your readers,” added Pauline, “that both male and female species grow antlers. Only reindeer and caribou are the two deer species that grow antlers. They start growing them in March and they are encased in velvet until August and stay in hard antlers for a few months. Male reindeer shed their antlers in December and females shed theirs in April.”
    While reindeer of course have a very special purpose on Christmas Eve, the Broe reindeer are actually quite the celebrities from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Every Friday-Sunday night the Broes, Comet, Prancer and Blitzen can be found at events all over the state and just last week they were walking down Church Street and this weekend will find them doing double duty in Arlington and Williston. The reindeer are always the center of attention and wide eyed wonder for children. “For us,” reflected Pauline, “there is a magic about the holidays and we do as many charity appearances as we do for hire. Just this past week I got a Facebook message from a mother out of state whose daughter wanted proof to show her friends that reindeer are real. We took some of the antlers from Prancer that had come off and shipped them to her with a photo and a note.”
    For people looking to learn more about reindeer and wanting to plan a time to see them, please visit the Vermont Reindeer Farm Facebook page for events near their area. The farm is currently open for visitors by chance and in the summer on Sundays from 10-4 starting at the end of June. And when asked the eternally hopeful question from almost every child how and why the Browe family has reindeer Pauline smiles and sticks to the family storyline. “We are deer keepers for Santa,” she shares. “He comes and gets them when he needs them for his special night.” May each of us tap into that part of us where reindeer fly during this season of love and sharing. If by chance you are out and happen upon the Browe reindeer, please stop to enjoy these magnificent creatures and meet a couple for whom the season of giving really never ends and magic, whimsy, agriculture and the Green Mountains of Vermont merge into a way of life that makes it unique in any season.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives