A new twist has been added for the fiberglass model forms for this year.
“The village of Pinehurst is going to the dogs...again,” says organizer Sherry Mortenson, a member of the Guild. “We’re excited and thrilled to get started and can’t wait to unveil our new feature, the ‘cat’s meow.’”
Now is the time to head to the art studio and create a masterpiece for this fund-raising and fun project, she says.
Mortenson came up with the well-received idea two years ago in hopes the display would become a continuing event.
This year’s dogs and cats patiently await artists to transform them from plain fiberglass critters to works of art. After their transformations, from June to September, the 53 works will be displayed at stores in the village of Pinehurst. Some are featured in store windows and others greet visitors at the front doors or inside.
The Guild then unleashes the dogs at a preview party to introduce all the pets to the public. This year’s party will be on May 19 at the historic Fair Barn in Pinehurst.
An auction in September is the grand finale, with three area charities benefiting. Winning bidders get to adopt the dogs and take them to their homes or businesses that night.
Judges also choose winners in several categories during the auction event. They will award a coveted “Best of Show” award among many prizes.
Tickets and details abut the finale event will be available at a later date.
Mortenson says the Dog Days of Summer kicks off now by offering the dog and cat forms to artists to begin their creative, but time-consuming work. About 20 artists have already expressed interest. Many are return crafters, but several are new to the competition.
“It’s really an exciting time for the project,” says Mortenson, pointing to the dog and cat forms. “This process is a long one, and we need to get started now to make the summer events a success.”
Sponsors are also recruited now to insure the fund-raiser meets goals to help the designated charities. In 2005, the event raised over $60,000.
The 2006 Dog Days of Summer is again a fund-raising event. Proceeds will benefit The Companion Animal Clinic of the Sandhills, The Moore Free Care Clinic and The Tufts Archives at Given Memorial Library.
The dog form, which artists can paint, decorate and embellish, are basset hounds this year. The dog forms used for the 2004 event were in the shape of the Labrador breed.
“The basset is a very different look,” says Mortenson. “We asked the designers to make the molds as close to life size as they could, and it’s a very real product.”
The cats were added after a few suggestions from the public. Just looking at the stark-white molds has the mind conjuring images.
“They have that Cheshire cat grin and attitude,” says Mortenson.
To get involved as an artist or sponsor, call Sherry Mortenson at (910) 695-0220 or send an e-mail to isarose@earthlink.net
The competition is limited.
The Pinehurst Business Guild also hosts other community-oriented events in the village of Pinehurst including the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, the village’s Easter egg hunt, the Holly Arts Festival and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and events.
Contact Melissa Breedlove at 693-2476 or by e-mail at mbreedlove@thepilot.com
Who Benefits
The following are the organizations that will benefit from funds raised during the 2006 Dog Days of Summer.
Companion Animal
Clinic of the Sandhills
The CAC is dedicated to eliminating pet overpopulation in the Sandhills by working with local veterinarians, existing rescue and adoption organizations, county governments and the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University to educate pet owners about spay and neuter services. In some cases, the group helps make affordable sterilization services available. The group is in the early stages but plans a spay/neuter clinic. A not-for-profit organization, CAC needs members and supporters. Join by calling Deborah Wilson at (910) 692-9650.
The Moore Free Care Clinic
The Moore Free Care Clinic, 705 Pinehurst Avenue, Carthage, provides high-quality primary, preventative and specialty health care to limited-income people living in Moore County who are uninsured and can’t afford access to health care. Patients are seen by appointment only during evening hours Tuesday and Thursdays. Medical and lay volunteers are essential to the clinic’s operation as are donations.
The Web site is www.moorefreecare.org. The telephone number for more information is (910) 947-6550 or e-mail MooreFreeCare @earthlink.net
Tufts Archives
The Tufts Archives holds over a century of memorabilia from the Pinehurst area. The address for Tufts Archives is 50 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst, and it is situated at the rear of Given Memorial Library in Pinehurst. Tufts Archives displays memorabilia and artifacts dating from 1895 and many concern golf, the history of Pinehurst, its founding Tufts family, and Donald Ross, America’s premier golf course architect. The archives also contain the John J. Hemmer photography collection of more than 80,000 photographic negatives from the 1930s to the 1970s. No admission fee is charged. The hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 295-3642 for more information.
