WINSTED — For $12, participants in the most recent Laurel Festival fundraiser received two hours of bowling, shoes, pizza and soda at Laurel Lanes on Friday, May 15.The 81st annual Laurel Festival will be held this June and will award scholarships to three local high school upperclassmen.Last year, the Festival crowned a Laurel Queen without the ball and parade. This year, the Laurel Ball will be held June 12 at Crystal Peak, and the Parade and Crowning on June 13 at East End Park.Lara Green-Kazlauskas, a member of the Laurel Commission, was pleased with the turnout for the bowling fundraiser.“Everyone’s been really supportive, and our fundraisers have been successful,” said Green-Kazlauskas. “I am really excited that the ball and parade are coming back this year. One resident told me ‘whatever you can possibly do to get the parade back, please do it.’ He offered to donate a Firebird for the parade and bought two ads in the program.”Eight girls have signed on to be contestants in this year’s festival so far. “We would love to get more!” Laurel Commission member Lynette McCarthy said. “The numbers usually hover around a dozen. Girls get a lot of experience. They have to interview and present themselves in public which is all good experience as they move on to college and learn how to interact with people of all ages.”Green-Kazlauskas said they would love to have as many children as possible in the parade. Several younger girls at the bowling fundraiser will ride the float during the parade. Daisy Leach, 7, was looking forward to “throwing candy and looking for her friends.” She said she was not too concerned with being a future Laurel Queen. “I want to be a princess,” Daisy said.Samantha Stoeke, 10, said her friend asked her to be on the float. She was going to get all dressed up, but still had to find a dress.The Laurel Lanes fundraiser also included a Teacup Auction. Dylan Amery, 13, donated a black-and-white photograph for the cause. Amery said he had put a photo of a cow on Instagram, and someone on the Laurel Commission contacted him about donating after her daughter saw it. He plans to attend the parade.For information about the parade or advertising in the Laurel Festival, visit artfulphotography.wix.com/laurelfest. Tickets for the Ball at Crystal Peak, which is open to anyone, can also be purchased for $27.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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