Mr. Dathan Byrd was incorrectly identified as Mr. Dennis Maynard in a Community section photograph in Wednesday's newspaper.

When motorists drive into the Shell station on the North Shore, Smith's, on Saturday and say to Hamilton Lions and Leos manning the pumps, "Fill 'er up,'' they will be helping to finance a petting zoo at a wonderful new concept for Bermuda, WindReach Recreational Village in Warwick.

The Village, which is still in the planning stages, is the brainchild of Mr.

Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell, a long-time resident of Bermuda, and will be located on a 3.75 acre site at Spice Hill Road.

The local project will be similar to Mr. Mitchell's WindReach Farm near Toronto, Canada.

There, 105 acres of sprawling countryside have been turned into a working farm specifically for the enjoyment of the disabled and those with special needs.

Mr. Mitchell designed the entire facility so that everything and everywhere is accessible to all.

Pathways are fully wheelchair-accessible, as are the guest units and such purpose-built attractions as hay ride carts and see-saws.

Born with cerebral palsy which left him with a speech impediment, Mr. Mitchell knew better than anyone how difficult it was sometimes to enjoy the same things in life as others, and in establishing the Canadian farm he realised a childhood dream of working out of doors and bringing pleasure to the disabled.

At WindReach Farm, Mr. Mitchell drives tractors and participates fully in other facets of its operation.

Such has been the success of the farm -- thousands have visited since it opened, including groups from Bermuda's Lefroy House, Extended Care Unit and Orange Valley School -- that Mr. Mitchell is now turning his attention to fulfilling a similar dream in Bermuda.

Locally, the WindReach Recreational Village will be a centre where the able and disabled will mix happily as they enjoy a broad range of recreational activities.

It will welcome all disabilities and age groups, including the elderly.

In addition, mainstream schools and organisations will be invited to participate as visitors and volunteers.

In founding the WindReach Bermuda Trust, a registered charity with local trustees which will shoulder fiscal and management responsibilities for the Village, Mr. Mitchell said: "The Village must not become known as only a place for the disabled.

"Disabled and able, young and old, should enjoy and appreciate each other, relaxing and working together.'' Plans call for a fully accessible equestrian centre, an indoor activity centre, overnight campground, picnic area and playground, and a petting zoo.

As in Canada, the local WindReach petting zoo will feature animals and fowl in a natural setting accessible to humans for the dispensing of affectionate pats and general observation.

"There will be goats, sheep, cows, a miniature pony, rabbits, chickens, ducks and geese,'' Mr. Mitchell said.

According to Mr. Paul Sullivan, who worked with WindReach Farm in Canada and has been brought to Bermuda by Mr. Mitchell to help organise and get the local facility started, it is hoped that work on the project will begin in January of next year, with Autumn, 1996, as the targeted opening date.

Present plans call for the equestrian centre to be completed first, with the petting zoo to follow shortly thereafter.

The Hamilton Lions Club has undertaken to raise funds for the petting zoo, and Saturday's gas-o-rama is the first in a series of events to be planned specifically for this project.

"Normally, funds raised at our annual gas-o-ramas are given to a charity of our choice, but since the club has taken on the full fund-raising responsibility for the petting zoo, all of Saturday's proceeds will be earmarked for that project,'' Lions past president and gas-o-rama committee member Mr. Dudley Cottingham explained.

The estimated cost of the petting zoo is $60,000, which will include a large barn to accommodate animals and storage.

"The barn will be put up to commemorate the Hamilton Lions' 50th anniversary next year,'' Mr. Cottingham disclosed.

He noted that WindReach Recreational Village founder Mr. Mitchell was also a dedicated and active member of the Hamilton Lions Club, and had three times been named Lion of the Year.

"The petting zoo will be for all age ranges and all abilities and disabilities, and will provide a wonderful experience,'' Mr. Sullivan promised.

Helping the Hamilton Lions with Saturday's gas-o-rama will be members of the Leo Clubs (a junior arm of Lions) at the Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School.

LLAMA LOVE -- King Edward Hospital Extended Care Unit driver/assistant Mr.

Dennis Maynard get a welcoming kiss from a llama at WindReach Farm in Ontario.

Awaiting his turn is ECU patient Mr. Reginald Smith. The duo were part of a group of ECU patients and helpers who visited Mr. Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell's working farm in Canada.

THANKS A MUNCH! -- Since King Edward Hospital Extended Care Unit patient Mr.

Rupert Gibbons wasn't prepared to give this sheep the shirt off his back, the animal settled for a nibble instead. The encounter took place during a visit to WindReach Farm in Canada, where the mentally and physically challenged get a first-hand taste of country life.

FILL 'ER UP! Lion and founder of the WindReach Bermuda Trust Mr. Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell, right, and Mr. Paul Sullivan practise for Saturday's Gas-o-Rama, when members of the Hamilton Lions Club and Leos (junior Lions) will pump gas throughout the day to raise funds for a petting zoo at the forthcoming WindReach Recreational Village in Warwick.