Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 23, 1993 TAG: 9307220433
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis-Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
They slither, they slink alongside the road
Hauling kittens and puppies they aim to unload.
dash away whistling; they sing, oh, they hum.
Grinches are stupid; they are dumb, dumb, dumb, DUMB!
The shelter operated by the Humane Society of Montgomery County is overflowing with unwanted pets right now. "At last count, there were 46 kittens, about 20 cats, 40 to 50 dogs and one rabbit," said Kathy Brown, a society volunteer.
None of the animals will be euthanized. That goes against the shelter's no-kill policy.
On top of that, the shelter has been robbed not once but twice in the past six weeks. The greedy grinches took money collected from adoption fees and raffle-ticket sales the first time they looted the place; the second time, they wiped out the dog and cat food.
Sheesh.
"Fortunately," Brown said, "someone has donated a security system for the shelter."
Laura Vangunten, an organization spokeswoman, said the final blow came recently when the shelter lost one of its major sources of free pet food. In the past, local Wal-Mart and Kroger stores donated damaged bags of food to the shelter. Now, manufacturers reclaim the products. "We feel like we've been hit with a double whammy," Vangunten said.
That's why members of the Humane Society are having Christmas in July! "We can't wait until Christmas," Vangunten said. "The animals need help now."
"Christmas in July" will be Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., at several sites in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, including Wade's, Radford Bros., Kroger, Wal-Mart and the New River Valley Mall. At each site, Humane Society members will give information about the organization and its goals.
You'll also find Christmas trees trimmed with "animal angels." The decorative tags will have names of animals available for adoption, as lists of services and items the animals need (food, litter, blankets, medicine and vet care). All you have to do is choose an "angel" to help.
As part of the celebration, the society will have a Christmas party at the Second Time Around store in Blacksburg's Patrick Henry Plaza on North Main. The store will offer special deals on Christmas items, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The society's new T-shirt will be on sale ($10) at all locations. They're attractive, and the display an important message for all would-be grinches to see.
Of course, if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit, you could head over to the shelter Saturday and give a lucky pet a home. The shelter, at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Virginia 8 in Christiansburg, will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
\ READY, SET, GO! Fun and games await you Saturday at McCoy Ballpark.
The annual "Fun Day" by the Longshop-McCoy Ruritan will have a rousing start at 10 a.m. with a parade. The cavalcade starts at Centennial Christian Church and moves on to the ball park, where the rest of the day's activities will be held.
The Ruritans are promising live gospel and bluegrass music, a crafts show, games for kids and lots of good food. For younger children, there's a "Little Miss and Master Fun Day," as well as a baby contest for tykes under 2.
The events are open to everyone and admission is free. The ball park is on Virginia 652 in McCoy just west of Blacksburg.
\ TELLIN' TALES: Gary Galbreath, a yarn-spinner from Roanoke, will entertain children Saturday at the Library Plaza fountain at Virginia Tech with shows at 9 and 10 a.m. The free event is sponsored by the Virginia Tech Union. The tales will move to Squires Student Center's Colonial Hall if it rains.
\ A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND: We whispered all our secrets her ear. She was, of course, our dolly.
From china dolls to rag dolls, dolls are the friends of rich and poor alike.
The Giles County Historical Society has invited owners of old dolls to participate in an exhibit this weekend at the Andrew Johnston House in Pearisburg. All sizes and types of dolls will be displayed Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
In addition to the dolls, doll houses, furniture, clothes and accessories will be displayed.
Admission is free. The Johnston house, built in 1829, also will be open for tours.
\ AN HONORABLE TRADITION: Militiamen formed nearly half of the Continental Army that fought in the Revolutionary War.
In Colonial America, every able-bodied man was in a local militia. Throughout history, the militia has served in times of national emergency.
This weekend, you'll have a chance to see history in action. The Long Way Home Amphitheater is the site of "Militia Days."
Representatives from nine groups will visit the site to demonstrate military strategy from Colonial to modern times. The militiamen will perform drills and tactics for the public.
Events will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The amphitheater is on First Street in Radford. From Interstate 81, take Exit 105 to Virginia 232.
Admission is $2 and those with "Militia Days" tickets will receive $2 off admission to the evening performance of "The Long Way Home" drama about Mary Draper Ingles' escape from Shawnee Indian captivity. For reservations, call 639-0679.
by CNB