Thank You

The Fundraising Committee of the Church of Christ Congregational would like to thank everyone who helped make the Silent Auction on April 27, 2019 such a great success.

We offer particular thanks to:

–the local restaurants and breweries who donated beer and delicious food for the hors d’oeuvres: Big Elm Brewing, Norbrook Farm Brewery, Wood Creek Pub and Grill, the Bistro at Infinity Halland Berkshire Country Store, as well as the many awesome local cooks.

–the local businesses for their donations:Blackberry River Inn, The Manor House, Berkshire Country Store, Hair Station, Station Place Cafe, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Infinity Hall, Norfolk Country Club, Quinoco Fuel, George’s Garage, Great Mountain Forest, Stadium Systems, Salisbury Wine Company and Mead Maple Syrup.

–the local talented artists who donated beautiful works of art: John Thew, Eve Thew, Wayne Jenkins, Peter Kelley, Nina Ritson, David Roelofs, Nancy Herzig, Chris Peterson, Leslie Watkins, Peter Coffeen, Dianne Pierce, Mariah Green and Debbie Hennes.

–the generous donors who gave gifts or their services: Lynn and Tim Deasy, Sally and Lawrence Hannafin, Grant and Kristen Mudge, Anne Childs, Jude Mead, Linda Creedon, Michael Sconyers and Molly Ackerly, Meg Huddleston, Betsy Gill, Louise Davis, Alison Warner, Turi Rostad, Marie-Christine Perry, Heather Coon, Eileen Fitzgibbons, Heather Thomson, Tina Olsen, Darrell Long, Michelle Childs, Chris Kiely, David  Gourley, Holly Jenkins, Karen Rossi, Ted Hinman, Ruthann Olsen, Dan Patten, Anita Holmes, Kathy Boulware, Tony Carlotto and Darby Weigel.

–Grant Mudge and Bill Eckert for their musical entertainment.

–all the volunteers who helped to set up, prepare and serve food, clean up and sell tickets.

And a huge thanks to all who came and supported this fun event!

—Jan Graham-Jones and the Fundraising Committee

Lyme Disease Can Pose a Real Threat to Dogs

After reading the article “Alternative Ways to Protect Your Dog from Tick-Borne Illnesses” in the May Norfolk Now, I felt it necessary as a veterinarian to respond. There is some misinformation within the article that could lead dog owners into thinking that tick diseases are not an issue. Lyme disease IS a significant problem for dogs. Many dogs exposed suffer painful polyarthritis and if left untreated can have relapsing episodes their entire life. But even worse, Lyme disease in dogs can trigger an immune-mediated disease that will damage their kidneys, called glomerulonephritis. This disease is rarely curable, and those dogs inflicted with it will die within a few weeks of diagnosis. 

Besides Lyme disease, the ticks in our area transmit other diseases such as ehrlichia and anaplasma. These infectious agents attack the dog’s white blood cells and platelets, causing systemic illness. There are currently no vaccines for these agents, so tick control is the best you can do.

Since opening my practice in Norfolk 15 years ago, I have been educating my clients on the benefit of tick control and Lyme vaccination, and have seen a notable decrease in Lyme disease in those pets that follow that advice. 

I do not disagree with Ms. Reich about the need to reduce the toxins in our pet’s lives, just as we should do in our own lives. Unless you are eating a 100 percent organic diet, you are most likely taking in the toxin Roundup every day. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in. Over the last 20 years, however, the field of veterinary medicine has been re-evaluating its recommendations for preventative care. Vaccine recommendations are now based on the individual pet’s lifestyle, with the number and frequency of vaccines reduced. I realize it is not a perfect system. But pet owners are not being “pressured” to vaccinate or use these products. They are being educated and allowed to choose. Some natural tick products DO work but need to be applied daily to the pet. Most pet owners cannot remember to do that. 

There is a place for natural therapy options in the veterinary field. Many of my patients are currently using them. Some patients that I cannot help are referred to a local veterinarian for Chinese herbal therapy. However, it would be ignorant and arrogant of us to turn our backs on those modern therapies that have been researched and proven effective.

Dr. Kim Maynard, DVM