September 2009 - On Top of the World Communities Info

16 The World News® September 2009SPCAMaria DevineSeptember is finally here, and theSPCA will be kicking off our new seasonin a flurry of activity. First, come on outto the Club Fair on Thursday, Sept. 17 atthe Health & Recreation Building at 10a.m. The SPCA will be selling coffee anddoughnuts and accepting donations asK-9 ClubMary ChangDo you remember the hurricanes inFlorida in 2004? There were four of themthat hit the state that year. I was livingmuch closer to the water in Ellenton thenand was told to evacuate for one of thosestorms.As a volunteer for the American RedCross at that time with my significantother and two beagles in tow, I went to thefirst ever emergency shelter that acceptedpets in Manatee County. It was quitean experience – a wonderful one at that!Wonderful? Yes! We set up in the hallwayof one of the elementary schools with ourDownload a PDFof the World News at:www.OnTopoftheWorldInfo.comyou acquaint yourself with many of theclubs that On Top of the World has to offer.Then head over to the Arbor ConferenceCenter, Suite H at 1 p.m. and jointhe SPCA for our first meeting of the year.You can come as a guest and then decideif you would like to join us. Our annualmembership is only $15 per person, or$25 per family.During the year, we have guest speakersand take occasional trips to animalrelated activities or organizations. We’relooking for new members who have a passionfor animal welfare and would like tovolunteer their time and special skills tohelp the pets of Marion County and theirpeople.We told you last month about the specialfundraising event we’ve been planning,and now we know the time andplace. We will be having a White ElephantSale on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to2 p.m., next to Winn Dixie in FriendshipCenter. We thank all of our generousneighbors who have donated new and likenew items for the sale.We’re still accepting donations if youhave something in very good conditiondogs and about a hundred other animals– dogs of all species, cats and birds in ourdesignated wing of the school.We had a great time visiting with otherpets and owners and it was a great timefor those without pets as well, for theycame to our wing to visit. It made passingthe time much more pleasant.Hopefully, you will not have to experiencethat – and yes, Marion County doeshave an emergency shelter that will acceptpets. One never knows, especially here inFlorida. You do need to know what to dowith your pets in preparing them for anatural disaster. That will be the focus ofour first meeting for this year on Sunday,Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. in Suite G of the ArborConference Center.Join us for a very informative meetingand interact with some very friendly dogowners!Please also join us for the remainder ofthe year. Dues for the K9 Social Club remainat a very nominal $5 per family forthe year. You can sign up at any meetingor at the On Top of the World Club Fair,which will be held on Sept. 17.We have an exciting year planned! InOctober, Lilliane Merida-Scannone from“Trained Dog, Happy Dog” of Willistonwill be joining us for a presentation onagility training. Set aside Nov. 8 to join usat our first annual “Doggy Day Fair.” Allare welcome – pet owners and spectators!Look for our posters. Pet owners will beable to register their dogs starting aroundOct. 19; pick up a registration form atthe Health & Recreation Building. We willhave a parade, doggy tricks, an informationtable set up by the ASPCA, holidayphotos and doggy treats!Finally, a reminder that if you havelost a dog or have found a dog without anowner, please contact the front gate (854-8935) or Ralph Mills (390-3446).that you no longer need or have neverused. (Yes, we mean that pretty sweaterhanging in your closetwith the price tagstill on it)! Just dropthem off at 9250C SW83rd Court in FriendshipColony or call352-362-0985. Thencome out and supportus on Oct. 3.You can shop untilyou drop and help aworthwhile cause atthe same time.If you’ve beenthinking about adoptinga pet, maybe thisyoung cutie will getyou moving. Whatdo you get when youcross a rabbit with aPet Adoptions AvailableThrough the SPCA ofMarion CountySnoopykangaroo? Why, a nine-month young JackRussell/Chihuahua mix named Snoopy,of course.If you like your pups energetic, thenSnoopy is the boy for you. He runs likea rabbit when he plays and bounces upand down like a kangaroo to plant kissesAnd what a luau it was; hula skirts,tropical drinks and roasted pig, cookedto perfection.One hundredCandler Hillsresidents spentthe evening ofSunday, July19, imaginingthey were on amagical Hawaiianisland. Thatwasn’t verydifficult to dowith the islandweather, Hawaiianshirts, everyonesportingleis, the musicof Don Ho andthe girls in theiron your nose. He is a constant companionwho will follow you around the houseduring the day andsleep in bed with youat night. He’s comea long way in fostercare in the housetrainingdepartment,but still needs somehelp and guidance inthis area since he’sonly a pup.This affectionateboy gets along wellwith cats and wouldmake a fun loving additionto just aboutany household. Howcan you resist thatsweet face? Okay, ifyou can’t stop sayingaah - please call theSPCA at 362-0985 to find out more aboutSnoopy.We only have limited room in the paperto showcase our pets each month. Ifyou would like to adopt a different breed,age or gender, give us a call to find outabout other pets that are available.Candler Hills ResidentsThrow a LuauBy Ray Ce c hWo r l d Ne w s Wr i t e rgrass skirtsserving authenticHawaiiandrinks. CandlerHills Restaurant,patio and Community Center weredecorated with colorful baubles and wasthe perfect setting for this special summerparty.The party was planned and beautifullyexecuted by Heddy Racinowski andher Candler Hills Social Committee team,with no detail left to chance. Chef Dave ofFriendship Catering turned out an exquisiteoffering of pulled pork, teriyaki chickenand mouth-watering sides. As partygoerspassed through the serving line theywere treated to an atmosphere reminiscentof islandpleasures, withorchids andtropical fruitdecorating eachtable.F o l l o w i n gthis sumptuousdinner, partygoersmovedto the CandlerHills CommunityCenter to topoff the eveningwith games ofspin the hulahoopand musicalchairs. Asthe “Hawaiian”sun set over therevelry, happyneighbors saidgoodnight andmarked calendars for the next CandlerHills event, Oktoberfest.The Candler Hills “social season” waskicked off this past April with a funfilledBBQ. The Luau will be followed byan Oktoberfest celebration and then theCandler Hills social season gets wrappedup in December with the annual holidayparty.Photo by Ray CechA group of residents pose at the CandlerHills Luau.