We Think We Can...We Think We Can...We Think We Can
A few months ago Pat Derby had a vision about making PAWS event experiences more accommodating to our guests. So, a scant few weeks before the event, she asked Ed Stewart to lead a volunteer crew to install over 2,500 feet of permanent, decorative, security fencing from ARK 2000's interior gate, weaving a path through the Lion, Tiger and Bear (Oh, my!) habitats. This year's guests strolled the Road Less Traveled at their leisure, visiting with docents, sampling wine and munching on delicious treats before catching shuttles to Bull Mountain. The adventure was a big hit!
Sincere appreciation goes to Devra Lewis and her Blue Mountain Shuttle team for more than six years of donating their services to our events.
To view a video of the
2010 Elephant Grape Stomp festivities, click here.
This year's event also marked the first ARK 2000 public appearance for Sheba and the ADI-rescued Bolivian lions, as well as PAWS' bears Winston and Boo Boo. The bears were moved from our Galt Sanctuary to their new Bob Barker-built habitat on the Monday before the Grape Stomp event.
It's Good To Be 12 Feet Tall
Arriving one month prior to the Grape Stomp, Asian elephant Sabu captured the hearts of everyone who caught a glimpse of his amazing presence atop Bull Mountain. Never one to let 'em keep ya' down, the Unsinkable Pat Derby, only two days after "graduating" cancer treatments, served as Sabu's special docent, charming guests with her amazing life stories (see photo, above right). Pat, herself, looked 12 feet tall that day!
Adorning Pachy-Beauties
and Cuties
The second annual Ms. TUSKany Pageant was a frolic. The event was made even more fun with the appearance of Miss Calaveras 2010 and her court roaming through TUSKany Village rallying votes. (Pictured right: Princess Rebecca Gilbert, left, and Miss Calaveras 2010 Rebecca Fischer, right.) When the competitive dust cleared, Wanda was crowned Ms. TUSKany 2010, with Mara voted first runner-up. Last year's winner, Maggie, graciously handed over the title to Wanda. Each elephant received a unique ele-edible swag, lovingly created by a team of PAWS volunteers. Hail To Thee Ms. TUSKany!
To view a video of the
2010 Ms. TUSKany Pageant, click here.
The Daze of Wine and Pasta!
Thank you to each of the regional wineries that participated in this event, and to Jeff Newland and his Il Fornaio chefs. They have filled our plates and glasses with scrumptious offerings for many years. This event would not happen without their continued, generous, and delicious support.
To Dream the Impossible Dream
Evident not only in their 26 years of leadership, but also in their compassionate vision and amazing accomplishments, PAWS' founders, Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, inspire each of us every day to keep going, and to never give up on the dream of a better world for captive wildlife.
So as the saying goes: The difficult will take some time. . . the impossible, just a while longer.
MORE GRAPE STOMP FOOTAGE!
Ed Stewart visits with Mara, Ruby, Maggie and Lulu.
View video here.
All photos by Lisa Jeffries.