Estacada Funeral Chapel

The staff members of the chapel erect a stable, decorate it with fir boughs and place a star on top. Thick piles of hay are spread out in the stable to keep the donkey and two sheep warm during this cold time of the season. Visitors can enjoy the display and pet the animals anytime from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Dec. 26 at on 207 Villa Road. The animals are donated each year by Don and Milynn Schaefer, who have lived in Newberg for 45 years. "We have been taking the sheep down for four or five years and the donkey started last year," Milynn Schaefer said. "The ride down in the trailer gets the sheep a little upset, so it takes them a few days to get adjusted to a change of atmosphere. They will calm down and realize that people have treats for them!" A D V E R T I S I N G Continue reading belowThe donkey is of the Miniature Sicilian variety and can live for as long as 40 years if it receives proper care. Jamoka is believed to be around 9 years. His owners describe him as a good fit for the nativity scene because donkeys are also known to be a perfect guard for sheep and protect them against potential predators. The two sheep are Miniature Baby Doll Down Souths named Sadie and Buttercup around 5 years old. "They are a breed that was almost extinct and someone at Washington State (University) found a few clusters of sheep and they have been brought back," Milynn Schaefer said. "I've had this breed for 20 to 25 years and I was one of the first ones that had them around here. They don't live a huge long life." A local 4-H group, "Bacon Bit n' Friends," tends to the animals daily, feeding them and keeping the nativity clean while volunteering their time. For at least 10 years the Stahlnecker family has had the pleasure of tending to the animals. The mantle was passed down from brother to one sister and then to Kasie Stahlnecker, 15. Once she graduates from high school the mantle will be passed along to another fami...