March newspaper column



I wanted to give part of my space this month to this organization. A member gave me this info so I am putting it in exactly as it came to me and I feel it is a very worth while to educate the public about.

Faithful Friends Animal Advocates Inc.is a non profit organization that cares for and finds homes for abandoned and neglected animals in Newton and McDonald Counties. It was started 5 years ago when concerned friends came together, seeing a need for an animal shelter, after the city of Neosho closed it’s animal shelter and sold all animal control products. Organizers decided to build a no-kill shelter in Neosho. After 5 years of fund raising, the new FFAA shelter will hopefully open in May 2014. At this time rescued pets are fostered in homes of caring individuals. There is always a need for more foster homes. If you can help, please call 417-592-2512 or submit an application to foster on the website ffaaneosho.org  FFAA publishes a quarterly newsletter. If you would like to receive one, please submit your name and address information or request via email on line.

Fund raising is a constant need, with the next big event the Second Annual FFAA Spirit Triathlon March 29 2014. Volunteers are still needed to help the morning of the triathlon. Details for triathlon registration and volunteering are available on the FFAA website.

In January, 31 puppies were rescued, along with several adult dogs and cats. Animal adoption days are planned for the first and third weekends of each month, weather permitting. Adoption days are held at Joplin Petsmart, or at the new thrift store. Faithful Friends Animal Advocates opened a thrift store in Neosho, located at 915 W. Harmony Street Suite A-2 telephone # 417-454-4555. Hours of operation are Monday -Friday 10:00-6:00; Saturday 10:00-4:00 and Sunday 1:00-4:00. Donations are welcome at the back of the store M-F 10:00 - 3:00  and Saturdays 10:00-1:00. Please note some items can not be donated, there is a list on the website.

As for the books I have been reading: I guess I am becoming a mystery reader now.

No Time for Goodbye

by

Linwood Barclay

What would you do if you woke up one morning and your house is empty with no trace of your family?

Now imagine you are a 14 year old girl. That was the opening setting for this book. Cynthia woke up with her mother, father, and older brother gone. There was absolutely no evidence of foul play, no note, no goodbye, they had just vanished along with the 2 family cars. The story moves forward to 25 years later when things unravel finally and she starts to learn the truth.
She has started to think she and her daughter are being followed and someone is watching the house. Her patient husband is coming to the end of his rope as he sees his wife coming undone. A clue is that she learns that her father as she knew him never existed as he was leading a double life. A really good mystery with her husband taking a lead role in solving it when the police are unable to.

Never Look Away

by

Linwood Barclay

Another story about the disappearance of a family member that turned out to not be the person that David thought he married and had a son with. David is a small town reporter and when his wife vanishes, as he “looked away” at an amusement park. He becomes the suspect as far as the police can see, as his story just doesn't add up to the facts they have. He ends up finding out that his wife has established a false identification by being his wife as she hid out till the time was right to claim her share of some big money. But the house of cards starts falling apart and in the end a mothers love shines long enough for her to save her son.

The Magdalen

by

Marita Conlon-McKenna

This was a much different pace from the previous mysteries. The setting is in Ireland in the 1950's.

A young girl falls in love with a handsome young man who is new to the coastal fishing town. She ends up pregnant then finds he doesn't want her as he has ambitions to marry an older woman so he can gain control of her farm. Esther's family is ashamed of her and must hide this sin. She is sent to a convent that takes care of unwed mothers and other women of the time who are not able to take care of themselves. This convent is called the Holy Saints Convent and is Dublin. They manage a huge laundry business called the Magdalen Laundry. It was named this because they saw the women they had in their charge as fallen women and they worked long hard hours doing laundry as a punishment as well as a way to have a place to live. The book gives you a look into what it would have been like back in the 50's and the total dependence that women had to be taken care of. If they didn't own property, own a business, or have a husband they were pretty much outcasts. And one small sin on this girls part would make her an outcast even to her own family. Through her months of labors in this laundry she learns she has an inner strength that she will need to stand on her own two feet. She will find a way to learn how to take care of herself and break from the bonds of society and the Church.