by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know as in last week’s column, this week from November 2nd through the 8th is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week which will culminate for our organization with the animal shelter’s OPEN HOUSE on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm? All are invited to come and meet the staff and so many of our homeless pets, tell us about your pets, tour the facility and enjoy cider and cookies. As always we are asking for donations of much ongoing needed supplies listed at wvhumane.org and monetary contributions are most welcome too!
It just so happens that I was invited to be the guest bartender at Mattingly’s Tavern in the Village of Florida on Thursdays from 6 to 8pm for the month of
November (except Thanksgiving) which falls right into this dedicated week for shelters. I do have other “talents” besides being President and managing the shelter. I was the dedicated baker for my family’s holidays, I sang a solo for the Pope in college choir, held a secondary education teaching degree in mathematics, met my husband auditioning as a singer (and got the gig), and achieved my 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, worked as a telephone operator, teacher and bookkeeper for several companies over the years. But I have never been a bartender! Yet how could I say no? I have actually rarely said no to most anything that will benefit our organization and its mission. I have taken whipped cream pies to the face, been dunked in the dunk tank, hosed with cold water, took an ice bucket over the head, crawled under low decks to rescue a cats and kittens, nearly froze to death breaking ice on Greenwood Lake to reach a swan and another time a large dog, been on a drug raid and handled far too many neglect and cruelty cases from dog fighting, to starvation and hoarding cases. In fact the only time I can remember saying NO was to jumping in the freezing lake for our Polar Plunge! I felt I had a legitimate excuse in that if I had a heart attack who would take over the shelter??
While many rescues can be terrifying, being a 2 hour bartender is less so. I’m sure I can use the tap to pour beer. However, just to be sure Grace Yeoman, an experienced bartender, will be joining me on this first Thursday as my guest host. Together we will be working the bar for tips with all proceeds benefitting our shelter residents. I invite the community to stop by for a beverage, some yummy snacks, good conversation and maybe even a little surprise or two. This year we have received many invitations to participate in outside events and did our best to attend those that we could. We are thankful for all of the invitations and for everyone’s support. So, stop by at Mattingly’s Tavern on Thursdays from 6 to 8pm for my personal thanks and don’t forget to leave a tip. 😉
Pet of the Week:
