The Austinaires and Santa Claus celebrated Christmas in the East at the Mower County Humane Society. Photo provided

By Jay Lutz

Mower County Humane Society

On Wednesday Dec. 2, as part of Austin’s annual Christmas in the City and the new Christmas in the East celebration, the Humane Society shelter hosted Christmas at the Humane Society.

Thanks to Bruce, Chris, and LuAnn Budahn of Austin Aeroflight, Santa flew in by plane and arrived just north of the shelter where he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of children and parents. After numerous greetings and photos with Santa and the plane the crowd made its way to the shelter building for more Christmas activities.

Many of the children (and kids of all ages) posed for a photo with Santa and received a printed copy in a handmade craft frame. There were also door prizes, a silent auction, a raffle, and candy canes for everyone. To help set the mood and get everyone in the holiday spirit the Austinaires performed and filled the building with beautiful Christmas music.

The Mower County Humane Society would like to thank Lisa Belden for all the hard work and effort she put into making this such a great event. Lisa has been working on this idea since last summer, and it was a tremendous success! She also donated, and in some cases even made most of the items given out as gifts or door prizes. Her generosity during this holiday season is truly inspiring. Congratulations to Diane Twedell for winning the handmade quilt raffle prize.

We would also like to send a special thank you to Jane, LeeAnn, Trudy, Annette, Jeffrey, Sean, Kayla, Kathy, Liz, Kirsten, Ruth, Sharon Kaplan, Barry, Mildred, Sharon Badenschier, Mona, Steve’s Pizza, Family Video, Leonard, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce for your help in making this such a fun night.

A big ‘thank you’ to the Austinaires for taking the time to share your beautiful voices. And a very special thank you to all the Christmas fans young and old who came out to celebrate the season with us.

 Spay and neuter clinic

Remember to give the gift of a spay or neuter to your pet. The Mower County Humane Society is again hosting the Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MNSNAP) mobile surgical unit at the shelter on Thursday, Jan. 7. Reduced cost spaying and neutering procedures as well as vaccinations and microchipping will be available. Contact MNSNAP directly at mnsnap.org or 612-720-8236 to register and set up an appointment time.

 Volunteers needed

We continue to be in need of shelter volunteers to help with the care of the animals. If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer opportunity and would like to help, please contact the shelter at 1-507-437-9262 or visit us at open house on from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays or from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Memorials

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the following memorials we have received in memory of: “Emmy” Holgate, “Madeline” Nelson, Doug Lindgren, Winnie Hanson, Ardis Newman, Clarence, Thelma, and Donna Nybo, Arnold Weber, “Zeke” Calhoon, “Casey” Wessels, Helen Weber, Donald Bertison, Richard “Rich” Prizler, and Lea Hejl.