Shelter on the Hill Annual Meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. According to the organizations by-laws, there shall be an annual meeting of the membership for the purpose of electing directors and the transaction of any other business authorized by the board to be transacted by the membership. Members in good standing (dues for 2012 paid up prior to October 5, 2015) are welcome to attend. There are no director elections this year and no other business authorized by the board for this meeting.

Our goal is to build an animal shelter which will house lost and abandoned animals from the mountain communities and which will, when built, provide greater opportunities to educate and create awareness of responsible pet ownership, as well as encouraging the spaying and neutering of pets to reduce strays, prevent neglect and abuse, and to show compassion to pets and reunite them with their owners.

By the end of 2010 the interior of the shelter the interior walls were in place and all insulated, primed, and painted. During 2011, work continued on the interior. Volunteers scraped and scrubbed primer and paint from the floors, spayed them with stain and finally spread several coats of sealer. When the floors were finally finished, Rick and Jerry of Rick's Custom Cabinets, fabricated and installed all the cabinets and countertops for the admitting area, the exam/treatment room, the food preparation and laundry area, and the front office. They also designed and fabricated bases for the cat condos with sturdy drawers for additional storage.

The Wine and Cheese Fundraiser in September broke last year's record for money raised despite a smaller attendance, no doubt due to the horrendous thunder, lighting, and heavy rain of the night before (and maybe the 100 or so wild fires the storm produced). With all the wild weather it was fortunate that the event committee had elected to use one big tent in the vineyard on Tejon Ranch. Although it was not needed for protection from the elements it seemed to gather participants and activities together to produce a great deal of good-natured banter and bidding "wars." Music matching the lighthearted mood of the afternoon was provided by the very talented singer and guitarist Cary Park. The event netted over $9,000 - which put us well on the way to getting bids for the finish electric, finish plumbing, and front porch. Many thanks to event coordinators Sue Alberti, Michelle Maga, Lianne Snyder, Michi Knight, and Debbie McNeeley Alice Crandall, Pam Wheeler, and Candace Huskey and auctioneer Knute Johnson and of course our wonderful sponsors - Centennial Founders LLC, Frazier Mountain Internet, (continued p. 5) TXI Texas Industries, Ace Hardware & Lumber, Frazier Mountain Real Estate, Antelope Valley Bank , All Seasons Realty, and Frazier Mountain Community Health Center.

The Thrift Store continues to be our most effective fund raising enterprise. The volunteers not only give their time but also their energy, experience and imagination to continuously improving the the stores ability to serve their customers. Without the volunteers, the donors and the customers there would be no shelter building! (please see more Thrift Store news by manager Judy Cadman on page 3.)

Thank you to ALL of our donors this year. This last year has been a terrific for for SOTH and your support has been instrumental in bringing us closer to the goal building a local haven for lost and abandoned animal in the mountain communities.

As important as your financial support is to us - and it is very important - we are just as grateful for your membership and what your membership represents. The people, organizations, and agencies we deal with need to know that SOTH has has large and loyal following - and that knowledge gives our dealings with them extra weight. It also gives SOTH the knowledge that the organization is still on the right track with our members to accomplish the goal of a local animal shelter.

Renewing your membership investment in SOTH is vital to accomplish the goal of building a safe, sanitary and secure shelter to house the stray dogs and abandoned cats left on our community's collective doorstep. Please take a few moments to renew right now by filling out the form on the back page of this newsletter today. With your continued support we can finish this building and start serving the lost, stray and abandoned animals here in the mountain communities. Please, do it now. The animals are out there.

Candace Huskey, President

Volunteers are needed to work at our Frazier Park Thrift Store. It is located just east of the pharmacy in the Galt Center. The Thrift Store is our primary fundraising enterprise. If you would like to volunteer or have items to donate, the Thrift Store is open Tuesday thru Saturday 10-4, weather and staff permitting. Or call the store at 245-1436.