Frank Rizzo | Democrat It was a laugher for Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Bernard Berson at the Forestburgh 5K on Saturday. At 83 years of age, Berson was the oldest participant.

Sweatin’ to the ‘newsies’ for the doggies

Story by Frank Rizzo
CALLICOON — August 20, 2013 — A Zumbathon charity event last month drew dozens of participants on a hot evening to move to the pulsating beats of new dance songs and raised about $800 for the dog rescue non-profit Carrie’s Rescues of Youngsville.
It was organized by Nicole Muscara at the Delaware Youth Center in Callicoon and featured licensed Zumba instructors Muscara, Sara LaFleur, Karen Bayly, Teresa Couitt, Brigitte Berry, Lori Karadontes, Stacy Seefeldt and Jamie Vanderzoort. The event raised funds for a veterinary account to cover animal expenses at the facility.
Carrie Endress started the non-profit two years ago to make up for the lack of dog rescue places in the area.
“People don’t realize it, but we have a pretty big dog overpopulation problem in the county,” said Endress, a vet technician with Dr. Joe Nebzydoski and a graduate of Alfred State. “We only take local dogs.”
The 2006 graduate of Livingston Manor CS also plans to start a spay/neuter program for dogs aimed at underprivileged dog owners who might not be able to otherwise afford the costs.
Carrie’s Rescues takes in abandoned dogs and find them permanent homes to avoid euthanasia.
The dogs are temperament tested, spayed and neutered, fully vaccinated and tested for heartworm and Lyme before they go into a home.

A Zumba Party hosted by The Janice Center on August 3 at Kauneonga Lake raised close to $600 for Ride 2 Survive/Sullivan County. The local organization, formed by cancer survivors Kara Passante and Glorianne Ellison helps cancer patients with transportation costs to and from their treatment facilities. For more information on Ride 2 Survive, visit www.ride2survivesullivancounty.com.