In Memory of Summer Wind Farms Sanctuary

08/05/2025

05/13/2025

12/07/2024

I’ve been trying to write this since Monday, and I just can’t find the words. How could mere words ever describe the most amazing person I’ve ever known? Chuck was larger than life, and we all thought he’d live forever. Nothing was stronger than Chuck. He was my hero. My compass. My fixer of problems and solver of crises. He always had all the answers, and now I’m so damn lost 💔

If you knew him, you knew he was special. Even the sanctuary animals trusted and respected him. Animals that could easily kill other people, he handled with ease! He was such a gentle soul, and I think they could sense that. Chuck was a big, scary guy, but he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Even if you wronged him, he rose above it and moved on with grace and dignity. He was a lion among men, so it is only fitting that he spent the best years of his life amongst them 💙

He wasn’t my biological dad, but he always treated me like his daughter, and he spoiled me rotten. How blessed I was to have that incredible man come into my life right when I needed him most. I was a shy, insecure 13 year old and he taught me to trust myself, instilled confidence in me, and played such a huge part in the woman I became. I am forever thankful for his influence and love 💙 And he was the most amazing Papa to my babies. They are taking it as well as can be expected. They don’t understand all of it, but they’re sad he’s gone. Watching them cry was heartbreaking 🥺 I know exactly how they feel 😢

My poor Momma’s heart is shattered 💔 They had a love like you only see in movies and fairy tales. She’s trying to stay strong for us, but I know she is just gutted. Please pray for her 🙏🏻

Together, Mom and Chuck helped sooo many people and animals over the years. They’re truly the most amazing people I know, and I am beyond blessed to have been raised by them 💗💙 And I will be forever grateful for the time my children had with their Papa too 🥹

We received news a couple days later that Chuck’s longtime friend, and trusted veterinarian, Dr. John Geiger also passed the same away on the same day. If you knew them both, they were two peas in a pod, and had so much respect for each other. It brings me some comfort to know they are reunited in Heaven 🥺

We are planning a Celebration of Life. If you’d like to attend, please contact Mom, Chris or I privately. And if you’d like to share a memory of Chuck in the comments that is special to you, we’d love to hear them 🥰

10/29/2019

North Bay Produce issued a voluntary recall of Honeycrisp, Fuji, Jonamac, Jonathan, McIntosh and Red Delicious apples sold after Oct. 16 in two-pound or three-pound bags and 600-pound bins.

07/13/2018

We are saddened to report the unexpected passing of volunteer Donna Warmuskerken. Donna was known as the "cake lady" at the sanctuary.

Anyone who volunteered with Donna knew what a big heart she had for our animals—she donated both her time and baking talents to them. Donna frequently brought cakes and other treats for the animals from her workplace, Christine's Cake & Pastries in Shelby Twp. In her honor, the bakery has offered a donation, which we plan to use on a memorial stone.

The funeral service for friends & family will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at 10 AM in Emmett on Saturday, July 21. A luncheon will follow at 11:15 AM at Brockway Township Hall. Please contact Joanne Warmuskerken if you are planning to attend.

03/20/2018

Truly a tragic loss.

It is with great sadness that Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Dvůr Králové Zoo announce that Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, age 45, died at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya on March 19th, 2018 (yesterday). Sudan was being treated for age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds. His condition worsened significantly in the last 24 hours; he was unable to stand up and was suffering a great deal. The veterinary team from the Dvůr Králové Zoo, Ol Pejeta and Kenya Wildlife Service made the decision to euthanize him.

Sudan will be remembered for his unusually memorable life. In the 1970s, he escaped extinction of his kind in the wild when he was moved to Dvůr Králové Zoo. Throughout his existence, he significantly contributed to survival of his species as he sired two females. Additionally, his genetic material was collected yesterday and provides a hope for future attempts at reproduction of northern white rhinos through advanced cellular technologies. During his final years, Sudan came back to Africa and stole the heart of many with his dignity and strength.

“We on Ol Pejeta are all saddened by Sudan’s death. He was a great ambassador for his species and will be remembered for the work he did to raise awareness globally of the plight facing not only rhinos, but also the many thousands of other species facing extinction as a result of unsustainable human activity. One day, his demise will hopefully be seen as a seminal moment for conservationists world wide,” said Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s CEO.

Unfortunately, Sudan’s death leaves just two female northern white rhinos on the planet; his daughter Najin and her daughter Fatu, who remain at Ol Pejeta. The only hope for the preservation of this subspecies now lies in developing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques using eggs from the two remaining females, stored northern white rhino semen from males and surrogate southern white rhino females.



photo: Andrew Harrison Brown

03/09/2018

Read the body language of dogs via these helpful examples. Spread the word and prevent bites!

02/10/2018

What an amazing program, both for the animals and humans.

02/09/2018

Happy Friday! Enjoy this video and stay safe with the snow day we’re getting in Michigan. Please remember to check on your barnyard animals today. Water freezing is a big danger this time of year.

01/26/2018

Who saved who?

01/19/2018

This is a horrible situation all around. Honey bees are already in crisis, and then vandals come and intentionally destroy a healthy population with diesel fuel. Who would do such a thing?