To the Editor:

The Dog Park Affiliation of Wareham (DPAW) was delighted with the creative artwork entered in Unleash the PAWsibilities Youth Arts Contests. The contestants were celebrated & the winners announced on August 2^nd at TD Bank.

TD Bank pup Junior was the official greeter, with the Wareham Pack Walkers with Dory & Pocket, two of their Comfort Canines, in attendance. Darryl Higgins created balloon sculptures for the artists’ families & those doing banking. Attendees enjoyed pizza, watermelon & doggy give-a-ways supplied by Minerva’s, DPAW & TD Bank.

Frenchie Mckenzie (age 7), Emily Holmes (age 10) & Emilyann Schluter (age 15) won the Visual Arts Contests. Brielle Ray (age 10) won the Poetry Contest. Each winner received a trophy thanks to Facchetti & Facchetti, LTD. Tom Tricker, WFL/Spinney Libraries, Onset Bay Association Office & TD Bank provided contest organization assistance. Anthi Frangiadis, Gretchen Pyne & John Cardinal shared their talents & time as visual arts judges. Generosity from area businesses ensured every contestant won a raffle prize: Big Pro Party, The Black Dog, Flagship Cinema, Gleason Family YMCA, Gone Country Creamery, Ryan’s Family Amusement, Marc Anthony’s Pizza, McDonalds, Minerva’s Pizza, National Life Center, Nemasket Kayak Center, Pro Cuts, WaterWizz & WCTV. Gone Country Creamery shared a portion of August 2^nd  sales. They also added a new frosty human treat to their menu — the DPAW cup. Sure pups would love it too! Fifty percent of DPAW cup sales go to DPAW.

The DPAW youth art is on display at the Wareham Post Office through August 30th. The youth creations are to be used for DPAW acknowledgements & promotions.

The United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Mini Grant Program funded banners, yard signs & printing as part of this event & upcoming DPAW events. Check out the “Future Home of Wareham Dog Park” banner at the physical site on Maple Springs Road directly across from the Route 25 on ramp. Upcoming events & park updates found at www.warehamdogpark.org.

Sally Morrison, DPAW

Unleash the PAWsibilities Coordinator