When I was growing up my parents used to repeat over and over to my brother and I two sayings. “In every black cloud there is a silver lining.” And “When one door closes a window always opens.” Over the past several weeks these words of wisdom have played over and over in my head.

Several weeks ago a DNR Conservation Officer inspected the Nook and found me in violation of seven different points which threatened to revoke my license. The first major point was the size of several of my existing squirrel cages. The extreme winter weather this winter doubled the amount of squirrels and opossums I normally receive, and because of this we were forced to fill every available space and cage. This past Sunday I organized a workday and fundraiser to build 6 new cages to house all of our resident squirrels. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. 30 volunteers arrived to help build the needed cages, with all of the materials paid for by our fundraiser.

This group was a wonderful mix of men and women, adults, teens and children. In very tight quarters they worked together like a well-oiled machine. As I walked throughout the different work areas I watched people of different backgrounds coming together for the common goal of Saving the Nook. Although I was exhausted by the evening, the outpouring of love and support from this group will stay with me in the days ahead. The remaining violations are a matter of providing proof of paperwork that has already been sent. Although the remaining process may be the most stressful to negotiate, I am confident that with the support of this community we will meet all the challenges that lie ahead. In the past year, we admitted over 1,000 mammals and birds at the Nook. In each one of their lives we made a difference. Most of the time it was caring for them and then returning them to the wild, and sometimes it was giving them a peaceful and loving place to end their life. At the end of all this turmoil I am convinced that the good in people and in this world will always win out over adversity and injustice.

With Blessings and Hope,
Cheryl

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