The animal shelter lobby is the staging area for the garden party to be held on Monday, June 29. In addition to all the food and drink, at six o’clock a live auction will be held with some significant items to be auctioned off by Trip Barnes, who is also donating his services to the winner of a “magical mystery tour” of the Island for 20 people. Anyone who knows Trip will appreciate what a hoot that will be. Nat Benjamin, the wooden boat guy, is taking some folks out on his own Charlotte, some lucky bidder will be washing down 100 fresh oysters with Champagne, and, for landlubbers there is a chance to play a foursome at the Vineyard Golf Club. That is just a sample of the good stuff in the live auction. The silent auction contains some “must haves” also. There are gift certificates for a number of the Island’s favorite dining establishments, a biplane ride that includes breakfast at the Right Fork Diner, a total body experience including a mani/pedi, bathrobes and massages for two, and up to 10 hours of consultation with an interior designer to help with those “trouble spots” in your home. All told 35 goodies to appeal to a range of interests are on the silent auction list. This is shaping up to be one of the significant events of the summer party season.

Now to the reason for all this, our animal shelter residents. We rejoice in the adoptions of all three of the Shih Tzu sisters; Oreo and Brownie went to the same owner. They will be loving companions for many years. Two black female kittens, about 12 weeks old, were brought to us last week. They have been named Laverne and Shirley. Unfortunately they are very shy and will need a lot of petting and handling in their new home. Jessica, the tuxedo female, is still with us, as is the still-grieving Skipper. If anyone wants to try restoring him to good humor he will be free to that kind person. Then there is Austin the guinea pig, still munching his carrots in his cage in the lobby.

Many thanks to the Seafood Shanty for the great success of the Woofstock party they threw for the benefit of the animal shelter. If any participant failed to get a T-shirt they may stop by the shelter to pick one up. Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662.

Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.