Bark in the Park
 | | Chipper, " best costume " winner. |
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Dog lovers ran for Rover, raced for canines and pupstrutted their way to raising funds for the Humane Society's Mountain Shelter (HSMS). HSMS, which has served Hiawassee and Blairsville for over 20 years, will use the money raised to continue to spay or neuter 100 percent of the dogs and cats adopted from the shelter. The S/N program has been in effect since July 2006 and has resulted in reducing the number of homeless animals in the two counties.
57 runners, ages 3 thru 84 and from 6 states, participated in the 5k "Run for Rover" and 1k "Kids for Canines" held at Meeks Park.
Over All Female Winner was Kayla Patterson, 15, of Marble, N.C. with a time of 23:19. Female Age Group winners were Kalie Estep, Emma Krier, Tonya Davis, Becky Dyer, Jennifer Bell, Laura Baumeister, Brenda Radella, Jackies Hughes, Sherrie Keely, Wally Jean Hoostal and Judy Kean.
Over All Male Winner was Rob Hartman of Blairsville with a time of 18:58. Male Age Group Winners were Chris Jones, William Pertet, Russell Shannon, John West, Clint Watkins, Mitch Radella, Terry Jones, Paul Keely, Andy Wall, Jack Lowe and 84 year old Charles Haines.
 | | Jackson Burrell with his pal, Kate. |
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Alex Varian, 9, of Navarre, Fla., was the Over All Winner of the "Kids for Canines" 1k race.
Teams of dogs and walkers participated in the 2k "PupStrut." Alf's Team, Jamie Seabolt and Johnny Carroll, took 1st place with pledges totaling over $600. The HSMS Strutters took 2nd, and Moe's Team, Dave McGregor and Deb Jones, were 3rd. Bonnie Garrett, Stefanie and Jim Curland, Connie Malone and Kim Leist finished the field of top money raisers.
Congratulations and a sincere thank you to all of the Bark In The Park participants and volunteers. Special appreciation goes to our 2007 Sponsors, Cadence Bank, Brodi, Wolf AM, Indian Hills Spring Water, Mountain Graphics, Mountain Health Foods, Lake Chatuge Animal Hospital, Bellview Home Furnishings, Blairsville Realty, Enviroclean, Cozy Cove Realty and Arne's Auto Service. Lamar Paris and Larry Garrett of Union County were invaluable. Additional sponsors included Budget Blinds, HeirLoom Images, Tucker's Antiques and Gifts, Seasons' Flurries, Bearcat Williams, Betty and Roger Foss and Fritz and Daisy Reif.
 | | Male 5K winners (above) and Female 5K winners (below). |
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 | | Spirit, "largest dog" winner, getting ready with the rescue wagon. |
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