Paw & Pole: What a howl!

Dogs, skiers enjoy a day of pure fun

They paid a nice tribute to tireless volunteer Lyn Stallard by raising an estimated $14,500 for the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley during the 14th annual Paw & Pole cross-country skiing event March 6 in Sun Valley.

It’s an important amount, because it represents about 14% of the Shelter’s 1999 goal of $100,000 in donations.

The event was dedicated to Stallard. She has served the Animal Shelter for 25 years on the Board of Directors and in grass-roots activities. She has helped organize the Paw & Pole and has done publicity, newsletters, fund-raising and educational programs.

In contrast, last year’s Paw & Pole raised just $2,400.

But this year’s event that attracted 100 racers and 19 pet trick entrants had a number of creative fund-raising touches.

About $4,500 was donated by nine sponsors. Each sponsor provided a judge that decided on the winning "Best Pet Trick: and "Best Costume."

Sponsors (and judges in parentheses) were Wood River Veneer (Sharon Zell); Conifer Partners (Mike Feltman); Mather Capital; First Bank of Idaho (Jeff Bates); PaineWebber (Jody Cadenhead); Engelmann Inc. (Earl Engelmann); RE/MAX (Barb Vanderpool); Sutton & Sons; and one anonymous sponsor.

A big chunk of money, $7,000, was raised in the Hawaii Trip/Other Gifts raffle.

Local resident Sue Hare won the Hawaii trip donated by Felisa Vanoff. Sara Shepardson won the introductory fly fishing class donated by Silver Creek Outfitters.

Jill Vogel won the doggie key chain donated by Barry Peterson Jewelers. Carole Jackson of Seattle took away the spa treatment package donated by Solavie. And W. Willich of Seattle won the doggie charm bracelet donated by Barry Peterson Jewelers.

Other very important facts about the 1999 Paw & Pole, where 40 volunteers did an exceptional job donating time:

Four shelter dogs were adopted—Cashmir, Hailey, Mobley and Drake. Four new foster families were signed up, and eight new volunteers were registered to help out at the Hailey-based shelter.
Of the nine shelter dogs at the event, most got to race with individuals without a pet, and one dog raced three times!
The shelter’s youngest volunteer, Hailey Zanes, helped out by walking a dog and handing out kid volunteer applications. She even celebrated her eight-year-old birthday party at the shelter on March 8, 1999!
Bobby Noyes, the shelter’s first manager, once again helped set up and organize the racing. He was Zorro, the masked man in the event.
Lem Sentz from The Ore House donated and cooked lunch for over 150 people, with helper Phil Hebert. Additional food was provided by Atkinsons’ and Williams Market.
Timing was once again handled and organized by Robert Renfro, Sue Engelmann and the crew from RE/MAX.
Sun Valley Company and Hans Muehlegger donated the use of the Sun Valley Gun Club, and groomed the trails.
Michelle Schwartz from Pro Photo donated the photography and doggie portraits. Larry Flynn donated his services and did all the music and announcing.