Valentine's Day, February 14, 2002...

To the Dear, Dear Friends of "Banjo Kissell Horse"...

As many of you previously learned, Banjo grew to become an added attraction to the visitors of Chester County, along with many of its inhabitants, as he sat with his cute 'buns', draped over the split rail fence ("His Throne") at 1383 Hickory Hill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317, USA. Banjo was arthritic in his latter years and we believe he used this "Throne" as a means for relieving the pressure on his hip and leg (although, he was on medication prescribed by his Veterinary Doctor). He would be seen some days at one time or another, by many people who passed by him in automobiles, tooting their horns as their way of saying hello to Banjo, and by joggers, runners, walkers, school bus children, and families with their children, stopping to give him delightful treats of apples, carrots, sugar cubes, and horse nibbles.

Banjo had a very gentle mouth (as well as his being a gentle horse on the bridle path). He would go to the fence to greet his friends, taking his treats ever so graciously, and would then nudge his visitor(s) with his head, as if to say, thank you, or perhaps, do you have seconds? We thank one and all for their kind generosity and love shown toward him over the years.

In August 2001, he became close to being 100% totally blind. Although he did not venture to the fence any longer, he would stand in the barnyard and perk his ears to the sounds of the calls from his friends, while they climbed the fence to come in to see him and to give him treats. Our veterinarian assured us that horses have very good instincts, and that Banjo used his instincts quite well in maneuvering his way around the barnyard, locating his pond water and his food inside the barn between feedings.

School buses would stop and the children would call out, "Banjo, Banjo, Hi-iii Banjo!" One Driver, Donna, taught her bus children a song about Banjo, and the bus would stop and they would sing that song to Banjo. He became a photographic icon as well, appearing in four area newspapers in Delaware and Pennsylvania; a video of Banjo appeared on the nationwide, home shopping network, "QVC", located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Among the people who remembered his birthday each year with cards and balloons, a Secret Admirer of his remembered Banjo by leaving a beautifully-decorated, red, white, and blue birthday box of delicious goodies, with ribbons, balloons, and a birthday card.

At Christmas time Banjo's Stocking was hung on the split rail fence, and he received many Christmas goodies (even a large "Chocolate Chip" cookie), as well as the cards.

Banjo entered this World on July 4, 1978, and retired as a parade horse in the southern part of the State of Delaware. From there, he went to another home before we adopted him. It was during the mid 1980's, when we were looking for a companion friend for our horse "Dancy" (Demon Dancer). While browsing through the Classified Section of the Wilmington News Journal, there was an ad that popped in front of our eyes, regarding Banjo. We traveled to Delaware to see him one evening, and immediately fell in love with Banjo, knowing at that moment, he would be making his new home with us at Hickory Hill Farm. Upon borrowing a horse trailer, going to a tack store, to purchase padded leggings (to keep his legs from injuries, during the travels on the roads), we ventured to Delaware to bring Banjo to his newly-acquired home. He was a breed of three mixtures, Appaloosa, Morgan, and Quarter Horse. Banjo's mane and tail were naturally short; and in the Spring, his 'Mommy' (Dottie) would give his mane a "Buster Brown" haircut, a "crew-do". A blurb with some History about him, called "Horse Talk", was posted by the split rail fence for his visitors to read.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about Banjo: He was seen one day, up on the hill, leaning over the fence, retrieving a pair of bluejeans from a clothesline. When he had them, where he wanted them, on his side of the fence, he shook his head from side to side, while gripping them ever so tightly in his mouth, like dogs will do with their toys. Another time, while his 'Daddy' (Ward) was in the process of seeding the barnyard pasture, with a 'special' grass seed, Banjo picked up that bag of seed and proceeded to seed the barnyard, himself. He was an equine who had a tremendous amount of character, to say the least, along with his comic antics.

Banjo is now at peace (he passed away February 7, 2002), buried in his barnyard, on the other side of his pond, along the road, with a large white cross on his grave site. If by chance, you are in the area, please stop by and visit with him at his resting place. We know Banjo would love to have your presence. And, please keep "tooting" your horns!!! He was loved by so many and we will miss him tremendously here on earth; but as you are aware, we will be with him one day at "Rainbows Bridge".

Thank you God, for allowing Banjo in our lives for as long as you did, and for helping me compose this tribute to him. Ward and I thank you for reading these thoughts in Memory of our "BANJO".

Our loving Tribute to Banjo from his Mommy and Daddy

July 4, 1978 - February 7, 2002

We found out on Friday who Banjo's wonderful "Secret Admirer" had been in his latter years (the person who had remembered his birthday every July 4th). I wrote a message on a white poster board about Banjo's passing and we attached it to the split rail fence for his many friends to read. We are seeing bouquets of flowers being left along the fence for him, and one person tied a large red velvet bow on his "Throne". People stop by in his memory and we have received several sympathy cards. You might say, Banjo was our "Celebrity"!