Alaskan Malamute HELP League
by Gwen Scott
In February, I had the good fortune of being hired by the Alaskan
Malamute HELP League (AMHL) to oversee the Administration of their small
office on Burleigh Street (in the former Lucky Dollar Store). Few people
are aware that the AMHL was started by a few very dedicated local people,
including Dave Hardie, Molly Moldovan, and Jim Thomson (President), who still
devote hours of their time and talent to this most humane, organized rescue
operation. While catching up on a bit of filing and becoming familiar
with the League and its activities, I discovered that the HELP League, a
non-profit, registered charitable organization, originally started in 1990
when Chelsea, a 1-year-old female Malamute, was taken to the vet to be euthanized.
She was a sound, healthy dog, but her owners couldn’t keep her. The vet thought
Chelsea deserved a second chance, so she called a client, a Malamute breeder,
with the hope that the breeder would help to find a new home for Chelsea.
The breeders did better than that... they adopted Chelsea into their own
family of dogs.
After all, they reasoned, this was a one-time deal... it would never happen again. Were they ever wrong! Word quickly spread that these people would help Malamutes in trouble. Soon, they were getting calls from owners and shelters
seeking help to place their dogs. Since that time, the AMHL membership of Malamute lovers has grown to nearly 800 in Canada and the U.S. This national organization co-ordinates, facilitates, and finances adoptions of Malamutes into loving homes. A network of over 30 volunteer foster homes across Canada care for the dogs while they wait to meet their new families, which are usually found through Internet resources, newsletter advertising, and referrals. The AMHL provides financial support for housing, food, veterinary care, hands-on socialization, and introductions to potential adopters for all rescued dogs, as well as transportation for the dogs at remote locations (one trip went as far as from Vancouver Island to Tennessee).
The AMHL works closely with humane societies, SPCAs, shelters, and other pet rescue organizations. Full veterinary
care is provided for all rescued dogs, including an initial assessment, any immediate medical attention required, initial
vaccinations if required, check-ups, vaccinations, and a mandatory spay or neuter for all dogs. Social events open
to both members and the public include an Autumn Field Day (the largest annual gathering of Malamute dogs and their owners in the country) and a wintertime series of informal dog sled races that encourage dog owners to enjoy outdoor activities with their northern dogs. HELP League volunteers also maintain “The Malamute Saloon" in Havelock. www.malamuterescue.com features photos and descriptions of dogs currently available for adoption, detailed information on the Malamute breed, a listing of lost Malamutes, and downloadable copies of all their brochures. The website is updated daily as required for lost dogs and new dogs in rescue ready for adoption.
*Note: Winterfest is being held in Apsley March 5th & 6th
STRENGTH & POWER
by Gord Johnston
If you ask a group of people to give you five most of them will probably
hit your hand. The odd person may even hit your hand hard enough to try
to hurt you and think their superior if they succeed. If you
ask the same group of people to touch your hand gently some will, others
may hesitate first and there may be some who may feel too uncomfortable to
do it. It seems to take more strength to be gentle and caring than it does
to hurt someone whether it be physically or verbally.
When we face our fears and stop allowing them to control us, and stop feeding our ego to give us the allusion of self worth. We then become as powerful as we possibly can be. We become who we really are!
Hockey School in Apsley
by Nicole Allen
My name is Nicole Allen. I am a 13 year old goalie from Barrie,
Ont., and during this past Christmas break I attended Arnie Brown's Hockey
School in Apsley. I had a lot of fun at the school and not only did
I learn a lot, but I also experienced faster, more intense hockey than I'm
used to in my own league back home. The school was mixed boys and
girls, and most of the players in my age group were boys, many of them older
than me. Their shots were pretty hard and accurate, and by the time
the four days were up, I had plenty of bruises to show for my efforts, but
it was definitely worth it.
The school also gave me a chance to meet new people and
make some friends. I became friends with Alicia from Apsley and
Stephanie from Ottawa, and also was able to play hockey for the first time
with my cousin Samantha from Courtice, who also attended the school.
As a cool bonus, I won a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater at the banquet!
The coaching I received along with the experience I gained at the
Arnie Brown Hockey School has definitely made me a better goalie. I
can't wait to get back to my league and show the other teams what I've learned.
Thank you to Arnie Brown and everyone else who worked so hard to make this
hockey school happen. I had a great time.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Editors Note: There were over fifty participants who attended this terrific event. Way to go Arnie and all of those who volunteered their time. It is vision like this that helps to keep North Kawartha on the map.
Thanks again………………...
by Gwen Scott
In February, I had the good fortune of being hired by the Alaskan
Malamute HELP League (AMHL) to oversee the Administration of their small
office on Burleigh Street (in the former Lucky Dollar Store). Few people
are aware that the AMHL was started by a few very dedicated local people,
including Dave Hardie, Molly Moldovan, and Jim Thomson (President), who still
devote hours of their time and talent to this most humane, organized rescue
operation. While catching up on a bit of filing and becoming familiar
with the League and its activities, I discovered that the HELP League, a
non-profit, registered charitable organization, originally started in 1990
when Chelsea, a 1-year-old female Malamute, was taken to the vet to be euthanized.
She was a sound, healthy dog, but her owners couldn’t keep her. The vet thought
Chelsea deserved a second chance, so she called a client, a Malamute breeder,
with the hope that the breeder would help to find a new home for Chelsea.
The breeders did better than that... they adopted Chelsea into their own
family of dogs. After all, they reasoned, this was a one-time deal... it would never happen again. Were they ever wrong! Word quickly spread that these people would help Malamutes in trouble. Soon, they were getting calls from owners and shelters
seeking help to place their dogs. Since that time, the AMHL membership of Malamute lovers has grown to nearly 800 in Canada and the U.S. This national organization co-ordinates, facilitates, and finances adoptions of Malamutes into loving homes. A network of over 30 volunteer foster homes across Canada care for the dogs while they wait to meet their new families, which are usually found through Internet resources, newsletter advertising, and referrals. The AMHL provides financial support for housing, food, veterinary care, hands-on socialization, and introductions to potential adopters for all rescued dogs, as well as transportation for the dogs at remote locations (one trip went as far as from Vancouver Island to Tennessee).
The AMHL works closely with humane societies, SPCAs, shelters, and other pet rescue organizations. Full veterinary
care is provided for all rescued dogs, including an initial assessment, any immediate medical attention required, initial
vaccinations if required, check-ups, vaccinations, and a mandatory spay or neuter for all dogs. Social events open
to both members and the public include an Autumn Field Day (the largest annual gathering of Malamute dogs and their owners in the country) and a wintertime series of informal dog sled races that encourage dog owners to enjoy outdoor activities with their northern dogs. HELP League volunteers also maintain “The Malamute Saloon" in Havelock. www.malamuterescue.com features photos and descriptions of dogs currently available for adoption, detailed information on the Malamute breed, a listing of lost Malamutes, and downloadable copies of all their brochures. The website is updated daily as required for lost dogs and new dogs in rescue ready for adoption.
*Note: Winterfest is being held in Apsley March 5th & 6th
STRENGTH & POWER
by Gord Johnston
If you ask a group of people to give you five most of them will probably
hit your hand. The odd person may even hit your hand hard enough to try
to hurt you and think their superior if they succeed. If you
ask the same group of people to touch your hand gently some will, others
may hesitate first and there may be some who may feel too uncomfortable to
do it. It seems to take more strength to be gentle and caring than it does
to hurt someone whether it be physically or verbally.When we face our fears and stop allowing them to control us, and stop feeding our ego to give us the allusion of self worth. We then become as powerful as we possibly can be. We become who we really are!
Hockey School in Apsley
by Nicole Allen
My name is Nicole Allen. I am a 13 year old goalie from Barrie,
Ont., and during this past Christmas break I attended Arnie Brown's Hockey
School in Apsley. I had a lot of fun at the school and not only did
I learn a lot, but I also experienced faster, more intense hockey than I'm
used to in my own league back home. The school was mixed boys and
girls, and most of the players in my age group were boys, many of them older
than me. Their shots were pretty hard and accurate, and by the time
the four days were up, I had plenty of bruises to show for my efforts, but
it was definitely worth it. The school also gave me a chance to meet new people and
make some friends. I became friends with Alicia from Apsley and
Stephanie from Ottawa, and also was able to play hockey for the first time
with my cousin Samantha from Courtice, who also attended the school.
As a cool bonus, I won a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater at the banquet!
The coaching I received along with the experience I gained at the
Arnie Brown Hockey School has definitely made me a better goalie. I
can't wait to get back to my league and show the other teams what I've learned.
Thank you to Arnie Brown and everyone else who worked so hard to make this
hockey school happen. I had a great time. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Editors Note: There were over fifty participants who attended this terrific event. Way to go Arnie and all of those who volunteered their time. It is vision like this that helps to keep North Kawartha on the map.
Thanks again………………...
North Kawartha Youth Steering Committee
by Lannie Reynolds
October 27th, 2004 concerned citizens of all age groups met to discuss the forming of a Youth Steering Committee. The goal of this meeting was to appoint a dedicated group of people to assess the needs of our youth and identify programs in our township that exist, and used along with unavailable programs that are needed. A committee that represents different age groups from our community was established. The goal of this committee with the help from local youth is to determine a mandate, along with developing new programs while enhancing current ones.
The first official meeting of the Steering Committee was held November 24th, during this meeting the mandate and goals of the committee were discussed. It was decided that the mandate of this Committee is “To promote the health and well-being of our youth, while providing opportunities for youth involvement within the community”.
A Youth Community survey is being distributed to help establish a database of existing activities that our youth participate in, along with programs that are wanted but unavailable. We as a committee are committed to long-term goals and projects, and with the support of the community we see only success.
Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at the Council Chambers, and we welcome any input that you may have.
Members of the Youth Steering Committee:
Robin Miszuk, Chair, Christine Everett, Co-Chair, Donna Fredriech, Secretary/Treasurer, Lannie Reynolds Research/Grants, Lori White Member at Large, Kelsey Sewell Member at Large, Gary Garaldi Member at Large, Carolyn Amyotte Council Liason, Arnie Brown Council Liason.
To Our Friends & Neighbours
by Bert & Gisela Donia
This is a new year and it can be a new beginning, while the New Years resolutions have faded into the background, here is one that you can keep. Consider this year to be an organ donor, it is the ultimate gift you can give, but you will have to let your family know.
Doctors have made great progress in transplanting organs and thousands of lives could be saved but the organ donors are not available. What a tremendous gift would it be to give
somebody the gift of sight, to see your children for the first time, the sunsets, the snowstorms. A burn victim could live because of skin transplants; a diabetic would not have to lose a. limb if a bone donor was available. These are the less obvious transplants possible today; of course the list is long for people waiting for heart, kidney, liver and lung transplants.
In some European countries you are automatically a donor unless your family objects, here we are still reluctant to
discuss organ donations, Canada has one of the poorest
records for organ donations. You have to tell your family your wishes, loud and clear, because should something happen they will still have the last say and can veto your wishes. We lost Bert's young daughter Lisa last summer and because we knew she wanted to be an organ donor, so many people benefited and lived. At the time it was just a discussion around the supper table, Bert had received his new driver’s license and I asked him to sign the organ donor card, he was somewhat reluctant and wanted time to think about it. Lisa jumped in with both feet and gave him a lecture as to why he should sign here and now. He did, little did we know how this discussion would come back into our minds and when the time came to say goodbye to Lisa, fur the last time, we also knew she wanted to keep on giving.
Did you know there is no religion that opposes organ donation? If you are a Christian it is really the ultimate gift to give, as our bodies are no good to us after death, alas someone else may live.
Just before Christmas we received a letter telling us two
people received the gift of sight. Is the loss of a child or any loved one easier to deal with because of organ donation?
No, of course not, but at least the loss was not all in vain. In Lisa's memories we are talking to people about organ
donations, to make people more aware, to open a dialogue. We have but one life with only one chance to give, please consider organ donation, you can make a difference.
Canada’s National Organ & Tissue Information Site:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/organandtissue/
by Lannie Reynolds
October 27th, 2004 concerned citizens of all age groups met to discuss the forming of a Youth Steering Committee. The goal of this meeting was to appoint a dedicated group of people to assess the needs of our youth and identify programs in our township that exist, and used along with unavailable programs that are needed. A committee that represents different age groups from our community was established. The goal of this committee with the help from local youth is to determine a mandate, along with developing new programs while enhancing current ones.
The first official meeting of the Steering Committee was held November 24th, during this meeting the mandate and goals of the committee were discussed. It was decided that the mandate of this Committee is “To promote the health and well-being of our youth, while providing opportunities for youth involvement within the community”.
A Youth Community survey is being distributed to help establish a database of existing activities that our youth participate in, along with programs that are wanted but unavailable. We as a committee are committed to long-term goals and projects, and with the support of the community we see only success.
Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at the Council Chambers, and we welcome any input that you may have.
Members of the Youth Steering Committee:
Robin Miszuk, Chair, Christine Everett, Co-Chair, Donna Fredriech, Secretary/Treasurer, Lannie Reynolds Research/Grants, Lori White Member at Large, Kelsey Sewell Member at Large, Gary Garaldi Member at Large, Carolyn Amyotte Council Liason, Arnie Brown Council Liason.
To Our Friends & Neighbours
by Bert & Gisela Donia
This is a new year and it can be a new beginning, while the New Years resolutions have faded into the background, here is one that you can keep. Consider this year to be an organ donor, it is the ultimate gift you can give, but you will have to let your family know.
Doctors have made great progress in transplanting organs and thousands of lives could be saved but the organ donors are not available. What a tremendous gift would it be to give
somebody the gift of sight, to see your children for the first time, the sunsets, the snowstorms. A burn victim could live because of skin transplants; a diabetic would not have to lose a. limb if a bone donor was available. These are the less obvious transplants possible today; of course the list is long for people waiting for heart, kidney, liver and lung transplants.
In some European countries you are automatically a donor unless your family objects, here we are still reluctant to
discuss organ donations, Canada has one of the poorest
records for organ donations. You have to tell your family your wishes, loud and clear, because should something happen they will still have the last say and can veto your wishes. We lost Bert's young daughter Lisa last summer and because we knew she wanted to be an organ donor, so many people benefited and lived. At the time it was just a discussion around the supper table, Bert had received his new driver’s license and I asked him to sign the organ donor card, he was somewhat reluctant and wanted time to think about it. Lisa jumped in with both feet and gave him a lecture as to why he should sign here and now. He did, little did we know how this discussion would come back into our minds and when the time came to say goodbye to Lisa, fur the last time, we also knew she wanted to keep on giving.
Did you know there is no religion that opposes organ donation? If you are a Christian it is really the ultimate gift to give, as our bodies are no good to us after death, alas someone else may live.
Just before Christmas we received a letter telling us two
people received the gift of sight. Is the loss of a child or any loved one easier to deal with because of organ donation?
No, of course not, but at least the loss was not all in vain. In Lisa's memories we are talking to people about organ
donations, to make people more aware, to open a dialogue. We have but one life with only one chance to give, please consider organ donation, you can make a difference.
Canada’s National Organ & Tissue Information Site:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/organandtissue/
