Carolyn Harmon writes from the USA

Rob Hein, of Poca, owner of the animals featured at this year’s Live Nativity at Valley Park in Hurricane. To his left are three miniatures donkeys that will be featured at the Live Nativity.

POCA – While preparing for the Live Nativity that begins tonight (Dec. 2) at Valley Park in Hurricane, USA, Rob and Kim Hein had a nativity of their very own.

“Cotton,” a baby doe, will join her parents “Jack” and “Jill” along with three miniature donkeys: “Bucket,” “Snap,” and “Butter.” According to Rob, “Cotton” was a huge surprise, just born last week, and not on the original guest list.

“They are not supposed to bring lambs this time of year,” Rob said.

In the event some have lost their Christmas spirit between the electronics and candy aisles, the Live Nativity might be the place to find it again. The event is a collaborative effort between Putnam County Parks & Recreation, Christ Harvest Cathedral, and the Heins.

Rob works a 40-hour week on tractor-trailers as a diesel mechanic in Milton, and on the side he and his wife, Kim, operate a farm with about 18 – head of horses, mules and donkeys; four sheep, five dogs, three cats, and a pet rat.

“They have their own little society out here with their leaders,” Rob said.

Each one has a registered name and a barn name. Some of their barn names are “Little Man,” “Peggy Sue,” “Rain,” “Charlie,” “Stormy,” “Joe,” “Ginger,” “Jazz,” “Revy,” “Buttons,” and “Chloe.” Like their names, they have very different personalities, and around the farm it is never a dull moment. For example, “Little Man,” a registered miniature donkey, thinks he is a big man and about every two or three days tries to hook up with one of the larger females, which are called “Janets.”

“He gets kicked and lets his pride heal and then he tries again,” Rob said.

The Hein family has owned the Poca farm since 1878, when Rob’s great-grandfather came over from Germany and purchased it. Years ago, someone asked Rob if he had any animals that he could bring to a Live Nativity, and it began with a miniature horse. Now they take animals and often a sound system, to different churches from Poca to Paint Creek. Depending on what the people want, Rob can accommodate. The trip involves crating the animals, hauling them in a trailer to the different locations, and staying with them until the event is over.

“I get to say they belong to me,” Rob said.

In addition to his full-time job, and feeding his animals 100 pounds of grain a week, Rob is a trail instructor for 4-H at Camp Virgil Tate in the summers, and the announcer of the Elk River Boots & Saddle Club in Elkview, where and his family have shown their animals for years. To de-stress, Rob likes to jump into the saddle of his Arab-Appaloosa, “Stormy,” because when he rides, there is nothing like it, he said.

“I tell everybody he has a 427 motor with a 5- speed transmission,” Rob said. “Once you’re in the saddle – if you cue him – you better be ready to go because he’ll fly.”

The Live Nativity is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec.2 and Thursday, Dec. 4. from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Valley Park in Hurricane.