On February 23rd, ferrets came from all over to help us celebrate how much
we love them at the Frolic in the Snow in Hadley, Massachusetts!
 
Big ferts, little ferts...a few REALLY big ferts...they all had a blast
playing Un-Pot the Flower (some kept digging even after the flower was
already unpotted!), First Out of the Bag (would you believe some little
guys curled up in their bag and went to sleep?), the Floppy Duck Race,
Ferret Bowling, Musical Chairs...then the finale, when ferrets rushed to
put on their costumes and compete for best dressed in the Costume Contest!
First prize in the costume contest was a group prize for a "Lion Tamer"
act, second prize went to a groovy hipster Rock Star complete with fringed
suede vest, mirrored shades, and a guitar, and third prize went to a
gorgeous Victorian Lady dress that even had a small, dainty umbrella
attached!
 
We had with us shelters from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Pennsylvania.  We were visited during the day by FACT, The Educated
Ferret, and we were thrilled to see Jo Fowler of Luv of Ferrets drop by
(Luv of Ferrets is in the proces of moving from Massachusetts to New
Hampshire and Jo and her husband are very busy, but they made time to
come and spent the better part of the day with us, and it was great to
see them!).
 
We had wonderful volunteers, including some students from a local college
who assisted with games, table staffing, judging (they took the costume
contest judging VERY seriously) and the all-important clean-up.  Raffle
items were donated by many people and groups, and we had raffle drawings
throughout the day.  Our live auction items alone raised $155 for the
ferrets in the foster system of NEFFER.
 
It was a wonderful day.  We were visited by slightly over 100 people and
countless ferrets (probably we should have counted them!).  A Boy Scout
troup stopped when they saw the sign, and came in to walk around and talk
to the shelters and learn about ferrets.  We had reporters from two local
newspapers stop by along with their photographers.  To see one of the
stories, go to http://www.gazettenet.com/02252002/news/11856.htm
and read the story!
 
We'd like to thank everyone who came and helped, stopped by, and shopped
at our vendor's tables and supported the shelters and rescues who joined
us on Saturday.
 
Thank you from the officers and members of NEFFER!
[Posted in FML issue 3706]