On the morning of Feb.11, Sandy Johnston, owner of Elm Shade Farm, was in his milking barn when he smelled smoke. By the time he made it around to the front of the building, he could already see flames and smoke coming from the barn. Johnston lost 15 dairy cows and seven calves in the blaze. A dog and several barn cats also died. Long-time friend and neighbour Brian Curtis, who just happens to be a member of the band Slightly Haggard, said the group will host a fundraising dance in support of the Johnston family following the tragedy. “I’ve known him all my life,” Curtis said. “Some of his cattle are in my barn,” he added. Curtis used to have a dairy operation, so he had some space and equipment to spare to lend Johnston a hand. “There’s a lot to it,” Curtis said, when it comes to picking up the pieces after a fire. On top of the stresses of rebuilding and insurance, there are all the animals that still need to be taken care of. “On the day of the fire, you wouldn’t believe how many neighbours and fellow farmers came by to help,” Curtis said. In a matter of an hour, helpers were cleaning out his barn to prepare for the transfer of some of Johnston’s cattle. “It was really impressive,” Curtis said. The upcoming fundraiser is an extension of that support for Johnston, well-established in the local farming community, according to Curtis. The fundraiser dance will take place on Saturday, March 31 at the Burrough’s Falls Reception Hall, 14235 Route 143, starting at 9 p.m. See full story in the Thursday, March 22nd edition of The Record.
Fundraising dance for the Johnston family
