SYALER put on our first of what is sure to become an annual donkey and mule benefit show for the rescue. It was a huge success! We had 25 animals register. At one point in the afternoon a head count of 150 people was made. It was a perfect New England fall day, crisp, but warm in the sun, which shone brightly all day. The trees are starting to change. Mother Nature was smiling on us!!

The town of Alstead let us use the green, the ring, and a little house which served us well as a registration/announcer's booth and on the other side, a space to serve hot dogs and hamburgers, of course we had veggie versions of both and sold out!

Lisa Michael was our judge. No Way I would have wanted her job; it was tough! She did a great job!!!

Kris Anderson was born to be an announcer! She did a fantastic job. She has a keen wit and kept everyone laughing and learning.

Judy Ballantine and her daughter Ollie made the beautiful kissing booth in the pictures. It was such a hit!

We have already been asked to attend a local fall festival with the booth! Judy's husband, along with Terry Lupien's husband Cliff were "Grill Guys" and had my litte sister Pat as a helper. It was a well oiled machine, with people coming back for more. Terry Lupien is one strong woman and I think Grunt work is her specialty. She showed her SYA rescue donkey Mel. When I saw Mel in her Great Pumpkin costume I amost cried. These donkeys are sooo lucky!!! If I come back as a donkey one day, I hope I end up at Terrry and Cliff's. Their beautiful daughter Jen was there to help out as well. Terry Lupien brought mums and pumpkins to decorate with, along with her beautiul SYA rescue donkey Melody. Terry is always front and center when it comes to the grunt work and she was true to form all day!

Lil Filliman did all the computer work. Her mom Robin did the art work for the cover of our program and Lil did all the layout. It's beautiful.. SYA presented Lil with Wren a beautiful, red pony mule a week before the show and she did great at coon jumping with her.

Sherry Common was our registrar and did a great job. Sherry is nothing if not organized (what's that??) and had things running as smooth as silk. Her daughter Tori was a great help and rode her donkey Griffin in the show. Her son Logan helped my friend Jill run the booth which we got to set up in a beautiful, new, wooden gazebo.

Annie Lapensee and her partner Sukie were awesome as usual!!! They provided much needed coffee and donuts and muffins for the workers and brought decorations for our booth and signs.

There was not one glitch! No meltdowns, human or equid, no accidents, no injuries, nothing but smiles, and compliments and happy people enjoying thier animals and having fun educating the general public about why we all love our donkeys and mules so much.

If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be putting on a donkey and mule show I would have LOL! I whined and moaned through much of the work, but as the show date grew closer, I realized I was really having a blast! I can't wait for next year, I'm already planning!!

I am so very fortunate to be part of a wonderful organization that is made up of an amazing "core" team, and truly dedicated volunteers. They say "It takes a village" which is true, and the donkey & mule village is THE BEST!

I guess Louise is now our official goodwill ambASSador. She did very well at her job as the ass to be kissed. We raised over fifty dollars in ass kissing alone!!! Yes, she did get a bag of treats as payment for a job well done!

I'm still basking in the after glow of a wonderful day. I can't say I was exactly "present" as I was running like a chicken with my head cut off making sure everything was under control. LOL!

A huge Thank you to all our show sponsors for their support and contributions!!

Ann W. Firestone, President

Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue at Broomtail Farm