'Bessie/Belle' did her job & Cow Pie Bingo was a great success

To The Daily Sun,

On behalf of Meredith Altrusa, I would like to express appreciation to local businesses and individuals for helping to make Altrusa's 2015 Cow Pie Bingo such a grand success.

"Bessie" (aka "Belle"), the sweet calf from Walker Farm in Bristol, did indeed deposit her pie in a timely fashion and made Ron Swanson of Rhode Island $5,000 richer. Our club is richer by the same amount, and that profit will be put to good use here in our Lakes Region area; our monthly, year-long Community Dinners, Altrusa Scholarships for local adults pursuing continuing education, and our Literacy endeavors will all benefit from that $5,000.

Success comes because non-profits such as ours depend on the contributions of others outside of our organization. We could not do this without the help of many others.

First, many thanks to John Moulton, Rob Stevens, and Wes Thomas of Moulton Farm. They not only gave us the space for "Bessie/Belle" to do her thing but roped it all in, in addition to allowing us to sell tickets and T-shirts all summer long at the Farm. They were even responsible for arranging for "Bessie/Belle" to live at Moulton's for about a month before last Saturday in order to acclimate herself to the environment! Thank you to both Moulton and Walker farms.

We thank the following businesses for sponsoring the event which helped cover the cost for the Cow Pie Bingo T-shirts that read "Cow Pies Happen". Thank you Griddle in the Middle, Petal Pushers Farm, and The Sandwich Creamery as Cow Level Sponsors. To the Common Man Family of Restaurants and the Meredith Hannaford Supermarket, we are grateful for your sponsorship on the Heifer and Calf Levels respectively.

Much appreciation goes to the staff of Meredith Parks & Rec for arranging and outlining the grid for "Bessie/Belle" to walk around, and sometimes frolic in, much to the delight of the spectators. And a shout-out to Middleton Lumber here in Meredith for providing us with sign stakes, so folks could identify their square on the field.

Thank you to Meredith Aubuchon Hardware, Heath's Supermarket in Center Harbor, the Meredith Chamber of Commerce, the Arts & Crafts Festival on Main Street in August, Hermit Woods Winery, and the Meredith Community Center for allowing us to sell tickets at your establishments.

Lastly, many thanks to friends, summer residents, tourists, and family members of Altrusans who bought tickets for the event, allowing us to sell all 500 prior to the big day.

We are, indeed, fortunate to live in such a generous and giving community.

Nancy Law

Chair of Cow Pie Bingo

Meredith Altrusa Club