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2nd Annual Friends Of Furry Faces
The Humane Society of Marion County (HSMC) recently hosted the 2nd Annual Friends of Furry Faces Wine and Animal Art Auction at the Adena Springs Golf & Country Club. › Written And Photographed By Ronald W. Wetherington
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he evening began with guests viewing all the auction items while enjoying hors d’oeuvres. They were drinking Chateau La Paws Cabernet and Chardonnay wine. This wine is made in California by a company that puts a picture of a different shelter dog on each label and donates some of the proceeds from sales to no-kill shelters. For the wine auction, fine wines were donated from some of the best wine cellars in North Central Florida and by several wine merchants for sale at this event. Featured were three bottles of wine signed by John Travolta and Kelly Preston that raised a considerable amount of funds. The auctioneer for the wine auction was renowned sommelier Tom Tylee, whose extensive knowledge of fine wines enhanced the auction. Bidding was lively. In addition to a wine auction, there was an animal-themed art auction. The painting by Robert Stebleton, Furry Friends, Why Not, featured an English bulldog surrounded by three kittens. Mr. Stebleton donated six original paintings for the animal art auction portion of the event. Stebleton and his wife live year-round in Ocala having moved from Maine several years ago. He uses a pallette of warm
David Lilly and Elizabeth Nixon tropical colors creating a vibrant abstract. Additionally, Guy Harvey donated a signed and numbered print, and local artist John Fort donated two large oil paintings titled Eternal and Instinct. The auction included modern art of an Irish setter by artist Sharon Crute, formerly of Ocala. Ms. Crute adopted her cat, Dave, from HSMC. Over 100 tickets were sold for this charity event and gourmet dinner. Guests dined on delicious cuisine in a luxurious setting with views of ponds and waterfalls. Over the past two years, the Friends of Furry Faces event has raised almost $100,000. Planning for the 3rd Annual Friends of Furry Faces is already in progress for 2017. Bruce Anderson, a local owner of thoroughbred horses and chairman of the second annual event, said, “It’s only fitting that the leading animal charity in Marion be at the forefront of creative fundraising as it is designing new and efficient programs for our homeless animals in the community. Plus, our pool of 1,700 volunteers makes the HSMC the charity with the least administrative costs so that 86 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the care of our furry faces. Friends of Furry Faces has become the prominent fundraiser for animal welfare because Bruce Fishalow, Dallas Roberts and Tom Ingram it’s not another fund-raising event, it is a fund-raising party!” Bruce Anderson has been a member of the Humane Society of Marion County Board of Directors for many years and is a strong supporter of animal welfare. Formed in 1964, the HSMC has since been dedicated to matching families with homeless pets and educating the community about responsible pet ownership. HSMC is a private, nonprofit organization and a no-kill shelter. The HSMC mission is to prevent cruelty, suffering Ed Cluster, Julie Atkinson, Roseann Ben and Danielle Marciano Morton and Bruce Fishalow and over-population of animals. The HSMC shelter is located at 701 NW 14th Road in Ocala. It has a capacity for up to 300 dogs and cats. The HSMC Thrift Store, located at 110 NW 10th Street, supports the HSMC mission and provides funds by the sale of donated items.
Ronald W. Wetherington SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR
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