On Tuesday night, Katy Hager posted in a neighbourhood Facebook group that her five-year-old son, Noah, was planning a lemonade stand the next day in support of Twin Valley Zoo.
“I woke up this morning and there were like, 30 shares,” she told The Spectator on Wednesday.
Within an hour of setting up, neighbours — friends and strangers alike — stopped by the Brantford boy’s lawn, to offer their support and enjoy a refreshing treat.
But then one unfamiliar visitor arrived by car, having made the trip from Langford in Brant County.
It was Henny Stallmann, the founder of the zoo.
The 87-year-old enjoyed a glass of lemonade, chatted with the young philanthropist and shared the story of how the zoo began.
“My husband loved animals, and we bought the place where we live now, and there was nothing there, it was all wheat fields,” Stallmann told The Spectator.
He got some animals for the love of them — elk, deer, horses and ducks — but when an injury put him out of commission as a carpenter, they thought of starting a petting zoo.
“My mom would stand at the end of the driveway, and if we got five cars a day, we were thrilled,” said Helena Stallmann, who now runs the zoo with her brother — while her mom Henny still manages the bookkeeping.
In the 34 years since, the zoo has grown, employing a staff of approximately 18 including zoologists and vet technicians.
Helena saw a post about the fundraiser and knew they had to stop by.
It was Noah’s first lemonade stand. They set up a pretend one in their backyard and he wanted to try the real thing.
“But we don’t need the money,” he told his mother. He remembered a story his grandmother told him about helping others and decided “we should give it to the tigers.”
He also loves visiting the wolves and bears at the zoo, playing outside in his mud kitchen and sandbox, and watching TV “if Mom says yes,” he told The Spectator.
For the Stallmann family, the token of support was heartwarming.
“These are the important things that matter,” Helena said.
Fostering an appreciation of animals “was what my father’s whole intention was when we started the zoo,” Helena said.
The zoo in turn, is preparing to host a customer appreciation day on Aug. 24, which will include a bounce castle, cupcakes for the first 300 guests and crafts for the kids, Helena said.
In the end, Noah raised nearly $250 for the zoo. Following the success of his first lemonade stand, he said he plans to have another — and it turns out he’s quite the budding businessperson.
“He chased down someone when we were setting up,” but the man didn’t have any cash on him, so Noah suggested, “well, go home and get some,” Katy said with a laugh.
Celeste Percy-Beauregard’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report on stories about Brant County. Reach her at [email protected]
