Barktober: A perfect day

Jean McGroarty, Kokomo Humane Society director, sends this Cheer:

“The weather was perfect, if chilly. The company was great. The Kokomo Humane Society’s sixth annual Barktober Fest on Oct. 8 couldn’t have happened on a better day!

“Dog walk participants helped by collecting pledges from community members and local businesses, and we send our thanks to all who walked and all who donated. Because of the generosity of our community, the Humane Society netted more than $12,000 to help Howard County’s homeless pets.

“We were also grateful to have received such generous support from our sponsors, including: Kokomo Animal Hospital; NIPSCO; Bill and Karen Peelle; Jefferson Road Animal Hospital; William and Sandy Knarr; Community First Bank of Indiana; Hoosier AM/FM Radio; Dianna Delgado and Robert Mullen; BCR CPA Group; Advanced Medical Imaging; Design Team LLC; Beckley Office Equipment; Always About Pets; Paws@Rest Pet Cremation Services; Dr. Robert Mitchell and Dr. Quentin Tanko, Orthopedic Surgery; Four Hounds Haven; Security Federal Savings Bank; Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic and Canine Salon; Humphrey Printing Company; Peelle Law Office; Winifred Kitchell; Craig Rosenstengel; Dr. Pratap and Nirmala Gohill; Kokomo Neurological Group; Eugene and Nancy McGarvey; Judge Lynn Murray; Stafford’s Pet Design ’N Services; Andrew and Michelle Russell; Jeffrey and Linda Saul; Dave and Linda Kitchell; Melissa Ellis; Burger King; Del and Joyce Walker; and PETCO. Many, many local businesses and individuals donated prizes for top fundraisers and for our raffle. Susan Kline of Peru donated artwork for our logo and for our silent auction.

“A final word of thanks goes out to our wonderful Barktober Fest and the volunteers who helped with the setup and running of our event – we appreciate you so much!

“We hope everyone involved had as much fun as we did and will join us again next year. As soon as you purchase your 2013 calendars, be sure to make note of Barktober Fest 2013, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12.”

1-on-1 time with children

Joe Bailey of Kokomo sends this Cheer for Oakbrook Community Church’s “Dad Camp:”

“I would like to send a Cheer to Oakbrook Community Church for putting on another wonderful year of Dad Camps, especially Jason Braun and Doug Mygrant. These camps are open to all men in our community, no matter where they are in their walk with God.

“I would encourage all men in our community with children between kindergarten and eighth grade to seriously consider spending 48 hours camping with their kids and other awesome men and kids. This weekend provides the best quality one-on-one time with your child. My children and I have been participating in these camps for five years and they cannot wait for these weekends each fall.

“In a world where we are always so busy, this is a weekend where we slow down and invest quality time with our children.

“I would also like to thank Sandra Young and her volunteer crew for making delicious meals all weekend.”

Thanks, community, for support

Peg Harmon, interim director of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, sends this Cheer to the community:

“One of the goals of the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is to partner with the community. In addition, many businesses partner with us. Most recently, businesses have partnered with us to make our Summer Reading Club and My Sweet Savannah event successful.

“We want to give special thanks to Tom and Carol Trine and the staff at Elite Banquet & Conference Center for sponsoring My Sweet Savannah to help us raise money for the Gift Fund. Your generosity is overwhelming.

“We would like to thank the following businesses for providing donations of goods and services, and we encourage the community to thank them too:

“AMC Theatres, BeautiControl Consultant Trisha Shively, Beauty Buzz, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, BleachBright, Cherresa Lawson Quintet, Community Howard Regional Health, Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub, Country Catfish, Courtyard by Marriott, Domino’s Pizza – Lincoln Road, Domino’s Pizza – Washington Street, Don Lowry Lanes, Don Panchos, Dr. Mandery, Eden’s Way, El Arriero, Elite Banquet & Conference Center, Gabe’s Pizza, Gingerbread House Bakery, Golden Corral, Gordo’s Tacos, Grindstone Charley’s, Hacienda, Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery, Hampton Inn, Heart n’ Soul Beads & Jewelry, Howard County Genealogical Society, J Edwards Fine Chocolates & Gourmet Cakes & Unique Gifts, Jamie’s Soda Fountain, Ken Cave Photography, KHCPL Genealogy & Local History Department, KHCPL Marketing Department, Kokomo Astronomy Club, Kokomo Civic Theatre, Kokomo Opalescent Glass, Kokomo Skate World & Fun Center, Kokomo Symphony Orchestra, Kroger – Maplecrest, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Louie’s Coney Island, Marsh Supermarkets, Martino’s Italian Villa, Master Creations Jewelry, Maurice’s, MC Sports, McAlister’s Deli, Meijer, Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant, Moore’s Pie Shop, Noble Romans, Old Navy, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Palmer’s Jewelry, Papa John’s Pizza, Papa Murphy’s Bake ‘n Takeout, Patti Host Design, Pet Supplies Plus, Pizza Hut, Pizza King – Kokomo, Red Lobster, Richter Chiropractic, Rural King, Salsbery’s Garden Center, Speedway, Staples, Sunspot, Sycamore Cottage, Target Stores, Texas Roadhouse, The Quarry, Thirty-One Consultant Autumn Brady, Timeless Pieces & Treasures, Waddell’s IGA, Waffle House, Wal-Mart, Whiskey Creek, and Z92.5 FM/WZWZ.”

‘We appreciate all you do’

Jim and Judy Morris of Kokomo send this Cheer:

“A big Cheer and thank-you to the Kokomo Tribune and Coca-Cola for their support with advertising the Bon Air Church of the Nazarene’s live-streaming of the ‘Come to the Fire’ women’s conference. We appreciate all you do for our community.”