Alycin Hayes in Costa Rica working with Louis one of the orphans at Pueblito- a Village for Abandoned Children.
Sunset on the Putumayo River
Photographs by Paulo Estevaletto
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March, 2021
When I was in Costa Rica I worked at Pueblito - a Village for Abandoned children. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. AMAZON HITCHHIKER A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil Exerpt from Chapter 4. Orchids of Our Jungle - Costa Rica If you have ever left North America and travelled to any Third World country you will have seen lost children in small groups or alone on the street. Some are selling cheap articles and others are begging or crouching fearfully in doorways. They are the unwanted children of the poor, the mistreated victims of human torture; children who have been abandoned in the city by families too poverty stricken to feed them and left to make it on their own by stealing, scavenging in garbage and engaging in prostitution. They are the rejects on the outskirts of a society incapable of caring for them. The children at Pueblito were amazingly strong, independent little souls. They had been on the streets alone and managed one way or another to survive... Alycin Hayes February, 2021
I just finished writing my new book. AMAZON HITCHHIKER A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil Excerpt from Chapter 9 Cayman and Pink Dolphins-Peru It is almost impossible to explain how it feels to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no end in sight. Dawn began with the call of exotic wild birds as the sun peeked over our lifeline, the muddy Putumayo River. We would set out in our leaky dugout canoe,each taking turns paddling until we became too tired. Exhausted and wondering if we would ever find an end to this river adventure, loud calls from above would reveal dozens of brilliantly colored red tailed macaws flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this everchanging dangerous green wilderness... Alycin Hayes 
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January, 2021
I spent most of my 2020 COVID quarantine writing my new book
AMAZON HITCHHIKER-
A Woman’s Adventures From Canada to Brazil
It is the true adventure travel story of my solo travels hitchhiking overland and paddling dugout canoes from Canada to Brazil in 1975/76.
My story includes hitchhiking across the USA & Mexico, finding love in Guatemala, working with orphans in Costa Rica, paddling a dugout canoe through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, being led by pink dolphins to find a primitive Amazonian tribe, meeting an escaped Nazi in the Bolivia Rainforest, learning from San Pedro in La Paz, being penniless in Argentina during the "Dirty War", finding love again in Brazil …
My plan is to get it published in 2021.
Alycin Hayes
I spent most of my 2020 COVID quarantine writing my new book
AMAZON HITCHHIKER-
A Woman’s Adventures From Canada to Brazil
It is the true adventure travel story of my solo travels hitchhiking overland and paddling dugout canoes from Canada to Brazil in 1975/76.
My story includes hitchhiking across the USA & Mexico, finding love in Guatemala, working with orphans in Costa Rica, paddling a dugout canoe through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, being led by pink dolphins to find a primitive Amazonian tribe, meeting an escaped Nazi in the Bolivia Rainforest, learning from San Pedro in La Paz, being penniless in Argentina during the "Dirty War", finding love again in Brazil …
My plan is to get it published in 2021.
Alycin Hayes
Alycin Hayes will be one of the Authors in Florida's Sunshine State Book Festival which will be an online Festival this year due to COVID and run from January 30th to June 30th, 2021.
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Every year we offer unique creative workshops at Echo Hill Farm in Canada, however due to COVID19 it has become impossible, so instead in the of summer 2021 we are offering unique camping at Echo Hill. Click on this HipCamp link to see the details.
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Our children's book
Milo and the Mustang
by
Alycin Hayes
Awarded
Great Kids Book for Road Trips
by Morrow Books
"Lost in the wilderness, Milo befriends a wild Mustang horse who takes him on a magical adventure that will capture your child's imagination in this beautifully illustrated children’s book.
I suspect that after reading this book children travelling by car in the countryside, will look out of their windows and imagine themselves adventuring with a wild Mustang horse.
Milo and the Mustang is a story that was inspired by a real boy named Milo who had both severe Autism and Cerebral Palsy. The author Alycin Hayes gave riding lessons to Milo, on her Mustang horse. She was impressed with the immediate connection and unique communication that Milo and her Mustang enjoyed. Children reading the story will identify with Milo before it is revealed that he has special needs.
Alycin Hayes who has dyslexia wrote the story, Deaf Artist Beverly Marie Melton illustrated it and Milo Austin-Olsen who has both severe autism and cerebral palsy made the final choice of the cover and illustrations to use in the book. Milo and the Mustang has large-print so it is easier for children with vision problems to read. The illustrations and text are in the same location on each page to give the story a consistency for children with Autism."
For Sale on Amazon
www.amazon.com/Milo-Mustang-Alycin-Hayes/dp/0973032030
Milo and the Mustang
by
Alycin Hayes
Awarded
Great Kids Book for Road Trips
by Morrow Books
"Lost in the wilderness, Milo befriends a wild Mustang horse who takes him on a magical adventure that will capture your child's imagination in this beautifully illustrated children’s book.
I suspect that after reading this book children travelling by car in the countryside, will look out of their windows and imagine themselves adventuring with a wild Mustang horse.
Milo and the Mustang is a story that was inspired by a real boy named Milo who had both severe Autism and Cerebral Palsy. The author Alycin Hayes gave riding lessons to Milo, on her Mustang horse. She was impressed with the immediate connection and unique communication that Milo and her Mustang enjoyed. Children reading the story will identify with Milo before it is revealed that he has special needs.
Alycin Hayes who has dyslexia wrote the story, Deaf Artist Beverly Marie Melton illustrated it and Milo Austin-Olsen who has both severe autism and cerebral palsy made the final choice of the cover and illustrations to use in the book. Milo and the Mustang has large-print so it is easier for children with vision problems to read. The illustrations and text are in the same location on each page to give the story a consistency for children with Autism."
For Sale on Amazon
www.amazon.com/Milo-Mustang-Alycin-Hayes/dp/0973032030
Due to COVID-19 most 2020 Film Festivals were cancelled or
indefinitely postponed so we are releasing our short film
"Wild Florida's Vanishing Call" for free on vimeo.com/385975713
indefinitely postponed so we are releasing our short film
"Wild Florida's Vanishing Call" for free on vimeo.com/385975713
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Wild Florida's Vanishing Call Premiered at
Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival
in Gainesville, Florida Feb 13th, 2020 and won Best Local Film
Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival
in Gainesville, Florida Feb 13th, 2020 and won Best Local Film
" A moving, powerful inside look at Florida, what has happened to wild Florida and why we must save our wildlife and wild places. " Co-Directed by Alycin Hayes and Jimmy Evans Film festivals go to: FilmFreeway a short film dedicated to saving Vanishing Wild Florida's wildlife habitat |
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Present in the Landscape Artist workshop September 2019
A Workshop For Beginners and Experienced Artists
"Present in the Landscape" a day of immersion into Plein Air painting and drawing with instruction and guidance by renowned Canadian Artist, Tom Campbell. http://tomcampbellartist.com/
Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes will help you connect your senses with nature to enhance your art using techniques
of Shin Rin Roku. www.AlycinHayes.com
A Vegetarian Lunch with Wine will be also be included.
After a day of painting we will gather for sharing ideas and music around the campfire. Bring an instrument if you like.
This creative event will take place at Echo Hill a private Nature Sanctuary/Organic Farm
located about 20 km from Stratford, 40km from London and 160 km from Toronto.
Fee for the full day is $75.00. CAD and includes all of the above.
After Registering you will be sent directions and a suggested art supply list.
Class size is limited so please register early.
Rain or shine. Landscape artists embrace all elements.
To Register for the class
Please Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com with your full name, address and phone number
A Workshop For Beginners and Experienced Artists
"Present in the Landscape" a day of immersion into Plein Air painting and drawing with instruction and guidance by renowned Canadian Artist, Tom Campbell. http://tomcampbellartist.com/
Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes will help you connect your senses with nature to enhance your art using techniques
of Shin Rin Roku. www.AlycinHayes.com
A Vegetarian Lunch with Wine will be also be included.
After a day of painting we will gather for sharing ideas and music around the campfire. Bring an instrument if you like.
This creative event will take place at Echo Hill a private Nature Sanctuary/Organic Farm
located about 20 km from Stratford, 40km from London and 160 km from Toronto.
Fee for the full day is $75.00. CAD and includes all of the above.
After Registering you will be sent directions and a suggested art supply list.
Class size is limited so please register early.
Rain or shine. Landscape artists embrace all elements.
To Register for the class
Please Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com with your full name, address and phone number
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Canadian Artist Tom Campbell will teach a landscape painting class at Echo Hill, Tuesday & Wednesday May 7th, 2019. (This class is full, however there will be another class later this Fall. )
Tom Campbell, a Stratford-based painter, has been an instructor at the Toronto School of Art since 1989, with teaching stints at Sanford Fleming College, Sheridan College and the ROM. Since 2000, he has also travelled to the Aegean island of Ikaria every other spring to teach at the Ikarian Cultural Centre of Greece.
Tom Campbell, a Stratford-based painter, has been an instructor at the Toronto School of Art since 1989, with teaching stints at Sanford Fleming College, Sheridan College and the ROM. Since 2000, he has also travelled to the Aegean island of Ikaria every other spring to teach at the Ikarian Cultural Centre of Greece.
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"The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
is
Now an Audio Book
Buy it on Amazon&Audible
Narrated by the wonderful actor
Michael Bawtree
Recorded by Brent Jones at
Quiet Earth Studio.
Our Wild Green Man Mask workshop held in September, 2018 was a wild success!
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
"Echo Hill is a beautifully forested setting where I felt tension dissolve as we walked through the forest. The workshop helped to nurture creativity I didn't even know I had! Thank you Alycin for your fun and inspiring workshop! I can't wait for your next one!"
Jan Kalmusky
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
"Echo Hill is a beautifully forested setting where I felt tension dissolve as we walked through the forest. The workshop helped to nurture creativity I didn't even know I had! Thank you Alycin for your fun and inspiring workshop! I can't wait for your next one!"
Jan Kalmusky
Wild GreenMan Mask Workshop
Saturday, September 1, 2018
1pm to 5pm , $30.00 per person
Location 20 km from Stratford, Ontario, Canada
To confirm your Registration Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
This will be a fun, casual, entertaining Mask making workshop taught by Guest Artist JUDY ANDERSON visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Judy's work in puppetry spans from working with Shari Lewis and Jim Henson to performing on the Disney Channel.
https://puppetsforpeace.org/portfolio/judy-anderson/
With
ALYCIN HAYES who will be our Forest Guide will lead us on a walk in a Private Nature Preserve to gather the plants and other beautiful natural things that strike our fancy, to use in making of your Green Man masks. https://www.echohillproductions.com/bios.html
Art supplies and mask base are included, however if you have a paints or others art supplies etc. you want to use please bring them.
Wine and a light snack will be served, followed by a drum circle to thank the ancient magical spirits of the Green Man. Bring your own drum if you have one. Drums will be provided for those who need them. An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history. Permeating various religious faiths he is our benevolent spirit of the wild woods.
Directions will be sent after you register. Registration is limited to a very small number of participants so please register early.
For registration or questions Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Click here to find out more on Facebook Event Page link.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
1pm to 5pm , $30.00 per person
Location 20 km from Stratford, Ontario, Canada
To confirm your Registration Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
This will be a fun, casual, entertaining Mask making workshop taught by Guest Artist JUDY ANDERSON visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Judy's work in puppetry spans from working with Shari Lewis and Jim Henson to performing on the Disney Channel.
https://puppetsforpeace.org/portfolio/judy-anderson/
With
ALYCIN HAYES who will be our Forest Guide will lead us on a walk in a Private Nature Preserve to gather the plants and other beautiful natural things that strike our fancy, to use in making of your Green Man masks. https://www.echohillproductions.com/bios.html
Art supplies and mask base are included, however if you have a paints or others art supplies etc. you want to use please bring them.
Wine and a light snack will be served, followed by a drum circle to thank the ancient magical spirits of the Green Man. Bring your own drum if you have one. Drums will be provided for those who need them. An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history. Permeating various religious faiths he is our benevolent spirit of the wild woods.
Directions will be sent after you register. Registration is limited to a very small number of participants so please register early.
For registration or questions Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Click here to find out more on Facebook Event Page link.
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Exciting News Our children's book "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian and Tiddlywinks " will soon be an Audio Book narrated by Michael Bawtree. Recording has started.
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Saturday, April 28th,2018 at Noon,
Alycin Hayes will read her children's book "Milo and The Mustang" at Third House Books in Gainesville, Florida to celebrate Indie Bookstore Day.
Alycin Hayes will read her children's book "Milo and The Mustang" at Third House Books in Gainesville, Florida to celebrate Indie Bookstore Day.
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More Summer Workshops
Coming in 2019 to be announced...
All workshops are limited to small groups
Nature Inspired Creative Workshops :
Past Workshops at Echo Hill
Wild GreenMan Masks
"The Green Man" is an ancient symbol of nature, fertility and wildness.
We will hike to gather plants from the wild to make your own original green man mask that you may wear or hang on a wall. All art supplies, mask, paint glue and gluten free lunch included. This class will be taught by Judy Anderson an artist and puppeteer from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. To Register Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Living with Beavers -Hike to a wild beaver dam and find out how to make a beaver deceiver and live happily with the beaver on your property. Led by Alycin Hayes. Summer , 2018
Forest Bathing / Shin Rin Yoku Experience as you learn the Japanese Art of Forest Bathing as we all learn from the forest. You will learn how to truly appreciate and become one with your wild inner self. This class will be taught Forest Guide Alycin Hayes, Summer, 2018
Make Apple Cider like the Pioneers -Gather wild organic apples and make cider from them in a pioneer Apple Press. All supplies and lunch included. Taught by Alycin Hayes Fall 2018
Foraging for Wild Teas -Gather wild herbs and learn how to dry them to make teas from them. High tea included. Taught by Alycin Hayes Summer, 2018
Surviving in the Woods - After a survival skills lesson you will be led to a secluded spot in the woods and left alone to camp one night completely alone with the woods and night. Summer 2018
Rock Hunting & Painting
Cactus Creations
Finding Your Own Trail
Nature Painting
Singing Drums
Listen to horses in their language
Grooming your horse will love
Rock On at Echo Hill - with fossils and rocks
Adventure Travel Journaling
Surviving in the Woods
Wilderness Murder Mystery
Wine & Paint Camp-out
Return to the Wild Camp-out
Stalking Wild Teas
Finding Puppets in the Wild
Permaculture 50 years Later
Hunting wildlife with your Camera
Canoeing basics ( for beginners)
Your Inner Song
How to Grow Your Own Forest
Living with Wildlife - Learn how to coexist with the wildlife in your own backyard
Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing walks) - Weekly during Spring and Fall
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
Guided Forest Walks Shinrin-Yoku
Forest bathing embraces the healing properties of trees
Literally translated "Forest bathing" or "Taking in the forest atmosphere" is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits. The practice originated in Japan where it is called Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) in Japanese.
During late summer and early Fall of 2017 we are booking Guided Forest Walks - Shrinrin-Yoku in our private 100 acre hilly forested Nature Sanctuary located near Stratford, Ontario, Canada. No swimming is involved, rather you will wash away your stress on your guide walk through our therapy forest trails.
Our Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes is a certified Reiki practitioner and Equine bodyworker. She studied Yoga in India and has developed special mudras and other techniques that help you connect your senses (hearing, visual, tactile, chemical and electromagnetic) with the wild natural world.
On our guided walks you will learn to reconnect once again with your inner being by focusing on your own innate survival senses. As your brain tunes into nature you will feel at home and the healing of the forest will calm and soothe your nerves as your mind and body naturally promote healing.
The scientifically-proven BENEFITS of Shinrin-yoku include:
• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep
We can accommodate individuals or small groups.
Our 3 hour walks include tea made from plants we gather as we walk.
For more information or to book a walk e-mail: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Ask about out Equine Assisted Forest Walks.
Forest bathing embraces the healing properties of trees
Literally translated "Forest bathing" or "Taking in the forest atmosphere" is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits. The practice originated in Japan where it is called Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) in Japanese.
During late summer and early Fall of 2017 we are booking Guided Forest Walks - Shrinrin-Yoku in our private 100 acre hilly forested Nature Sanctuary located near Stratford, Ontario, Canada. No swimming is involved, rather you will wash away your stress on your guide walk through our therapy forest trails.
Our Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes is a certified Reiki practitioner and Equine bodyworker. She studied Yoga in India and has developed special mudras and other techniques that help you connect your senses (hearing, visual, tactile, chemical and electromagnetic) with the wild natural world.
On our guided walks you will learn to reconnect once again with your inner being by focusing on your own innate survival senses. As your brain tunes into nature you will feel at home and the healing of the forest will calm and soothe your nerves as your mind and body naturally promote healing.
The scientifically-proven BENEFITS of Shinrin-yoku include:
• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep
We can accommodate individuals or small groups.
Our 3 hour walks include tea made from plants we gather as we walk.
For more information or to book a walk e-mail: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Ask about out Equine Assisted Forest Walks.
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2017 - February 18th The International Folk Alliance Silent Auction featured Milo and the Mustang & The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks www.folkconference.org/silentauction.html
2017 - January - Third House Books was sold of out Milo & the Mustang, but has recently restocked it.
2017- Online now and 9am - 4pm February 11th on the radio.
Echo Hill Productions has donated 3 books to Gallery Stratford's I Love My Gallery online and radio gallery fundraiser. Go ahead and make a bid to get a copy of "Milo & the Mustang" or "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
2017 - January - Third House Books was sold of out Milo & the Mustang, but has recently restocked it.
2017- Online now and 9am - 4pm February 11th on the radio.
Echo Hill Productions has donated 3 books to Gallery Stratford's I Love My Gallery online and radio gallery fundraiser. Go ahead and make a bid to get a copy of "Milo & the Mustang" or "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
December 2016 - Gainesville, Florida's newest independent bookstore Third House Books is now selling our books. They specialize in titles from small independent presses and brew fresh delicious coffee! Drop by or check out their Facebook page for upcoming events.
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Alycin Hayes represented Echo Hill Productions at Ingersoll's Book Fair on October 15, 2016
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Elliott Hayes' short play "Poison" has been adapted to be one of the love stories in this new feature film. "6 Love Stories" https://www.facebook.com/Elliott-Hayes-420260881389428/?fref=ts
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/6-love-stories-film-review-926234
Elliott's segment mentioned in Hollywood Reporter - "The best segment is also the most serious. It involves a man who angrily confronts his wife after discovering her in their bed with someone else. The superb performances by Matthew Lillard and Carrie Preston vividly convey the bitter aftermath of the adultery,"
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/6-love-stories-film-review-926234
Elliott's segment mentioned in Hollywood Reporter - "The best segment is also the most serious. It involves a man who angrily confronts his wife after discovering her in their bed with someone else. The superb performances by Matthew Lillard and Carrie Preston vividly convey the bitter aftermath of the adultery,"
April 2, 2016, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
Alycin Hayes will read from her children's book Milo and the Mustang at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. There will be signed copies for sale.
RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/475465622645226/
Alycin Hayes will read from her children's book Milo and the Mustang at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. There will be signed copies for sale.
RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/475465622645226/
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April 2, 2016, Saturday Alycin Hayes will read from her children book Milo and the Mustang at The Bookshelf in Thomasville Georgia.
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'A moving story beautifully told.'
Tuesday April 12th, 7p.m.
Alycin Hayes will be one of the authors at the Gainesville Florida Library Local Children's Author Night. Milo and the Mustang's Illustrator Beverly Marie Melton will be there to sign books too.
Milo and the Mustang is a beautifully illustrated children's book that was inspired by an autistic boy with cerebral palsy who loved horses. Caprice, a wild Mustang horse helps Milo experience a rare kind of freedom and friendship that most of us only find in dreams.
Some dreams really do come true.
For more information about this book go to our Face Book page: Milo and the Mustang
Alycin Hayes will be one of the authors at the Gainesville Florida Library Local Children's Author Night. Milo and the Mustang's Illustrator Beverly Marie Melton will be there to sign books too.
Milo and the Mustang is a beautifully illustrated children's book that was inspired by an autistic boy with cerebral palsy who loved horses. Caprice, a wild Mustang horse helps Milo experience a rare kind of freedom and friendship that most of us only find in dreams.
Some dreams really do come true.
For more information about this book go to our Face Book page: Milo and the Mustang
