Pet Talk

    Well, all I can say is WOW! How do you follow up on a day like Saturday with an accurate description of the day? The weather was perfect, the volunteers came out in droves, the donations of baked goods and fresh produce were awesome, it was just about as perfect a day as anybody could ask for.
    We had a huge general entrance tent — thank you Lynn York for your generous help with that and the monkey bouncy house. Under the tent were items for sale, baked goods, raffle items and door prizes.  Hundreds of people came in to hear some of the best music anywhere in the country, let alone the state.  The talent was just incredible!
    We served chili, nachos, hot dogs, Houlton Farms Dairy lemonade, chips, soda, popcorn, cotton candy and pizza from Ken’s Store.
    We had a clown that was selling balloons and a lady came through the gates and gave us a donation to pay for all the balloons so the children could have free balloons all day long. Thanks to our clown Ben for handing them out! Ben volunteers at the shelter every week and we just love having him join us for our special events. Great job Ben!
    The car show was just spectacular. All of Broadway was lined with some of the best antique and classic cars, many coming all the way from Calais for the day. We really appreciate the support and hope you had as much fun as the people who came to view your treasures.
    Next week I’ll try to give you a full list of all the volunteers, donors, car show winners and participants but I have to just take a minute to thank two special people. Jon and Heather Miller. Jon Miller is married to the  Shelter Executive Director and the two of them put this entire event together. It took months of planning, Jon built all the booths himself, he made the trophies for the car show, he arranged for tents, music, power, prizes, posters, you name it.
    Yes, it’s a group effort, and the entire board of directors did their part, we met frequently, we all solicited baked goods and got permits and sold raffle tickets and made chili etc., but every football team needs a coach and a quarterback and Jon and Heather were that and more. Thank you so very much for all your hard work and dedication.
    Also a special thank you to Jon and Cara Maples who made it possible for us to have our best raffle ever, a 46-inch flat screen TV. The winner was drawn Saturday night and the TV went to Betsy Humphrey.
    And to Richard Cleary and Chief of Police Butch Asselin — thank you both for being such good sports and going into the dunking booth! Town Councilor Sue Tortello also offered to go in but late in the afternoon there was so much going on that we gave her a reprieve. We’ll catch you next time Sue, and thanks for being willing! 
    Let me just end by thanking Bob McGuire. Bob was ready at 5 o’clock Saturday morning to start setting up in the park, he was there all day helping with tents, running to get equipment, exchanging helium tanks, anything that needed to be done.  He was there at 8:30 at night loading trucks, and he was back in the park at 6 o’clock Sunday morning making sure we didn’t miss any trash that needed to be picked up. I don’t know where he gets his energy and drive but we are so very blessed to be the recipient of his good works and I can’t even begin tell you everything he has done for the Shelter this past year.
    Thank you Bob, thanks to all of you, who made this event successful and fun and to all of you who attended, I hope you had a wonderful day, enjoyed the music and enjoyed the food!