A 'Grand Cottage' gala for Michiana Humane Society shelter animals – Harborcountry News

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds light and variable..
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Updated: August 5, 2022 @ 10:55 am
Cindy Anderson, Stacy Hirschy and Mike Anderson (from left) seek bids on Kathy Sorensen’s hand-made quilt during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage live auction.
Elma Saxon meets adoptable kittens “Tinkerton” and “Leo.” during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser for the Michiana Humane Society.
Julie Haberichter, Thalia Edwards, Kel Penny, Leanne Penny and Eric Haberichter socialize during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser.
Mary Lambert (left) talks about the “Lobster Roll Luncheon for 12 on Beautiful Lake Michigan” Cocktails at the Grand Cottage live auction offering while Allison Goldman looks on.
Those attending the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event could choose from two spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Preparing to bid on auction items during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event.
More than 500 supporters of the Michiana Humane Society gathered during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser.
Marilee and Joe Kurdas at the Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event on July 30.
Making the Cocktails at the Grand Cottage secne on July 31.

Cindy Anderson, Stacy Hirschy and Mike Anderson (from left) seek bids on Kathy Sorensen’s hand-made quilt during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage live auction.
Elma Saxon meets adoptable kittens “Tinkerton” and “Leo.” during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser for the Michiana Humane Society.
Julie Haberichter, Thalia Edwards, Kel Penny, Leanne Penny and Eric Haberichter socialize during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser.
Mary Lambert (left) talks about the “Lobster Roll Luncheon for 12 on Beautiful Lake Michigan” Cocktails at the Grand Cottage live auction offering while Allison Goldman looks on.
Those attending the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event could choose from two spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Preparing to bid on auction items during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event.
More than 500 supporters of the Michiana Humane Society gathered during the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage fund-raiser.
Marilee and Joe Kurdas at the Cocktails at the Grand Cottage event on July 30.
Making the Cocktails at the Grand Cottage secne on July 31.
NEW BUFFALO — Cocktails at the Grand Cottage celebrated its 11th year as the Michiana Humane Society’s signature fund-raising event on July 30 by benefitting the animals cared for in the Society’s shelter (as well as those living with foster families) while providing those attending with “the best view in Harbor Country” from a “beautiful beachside home along Marquette Drive in New Buffalo.”
Michiana Humane Society Board of Directors President Allison Black Goldberg welcomed those attending “back to Grand Cottage” before thanking “our wonderful, wonderful hosts – Will Schauble and Jason Spohn.”
“Over the last 11 years of hosting Cocktails at the Grand Cottage, Will and Jason have helped us to raise over $1 million dollars! That’s a lot of second chances,” she said.
Cocktails at the Grand Cottage festivities were last held in 2019, with the 2021 fund-raiser (Music In The Pines) taking place at Jeff and Allison Goldberg’s Whispering Pines property near Union Pier.
Goldberg said the Humane Society lost former Board President Bonnie Benson last year.
“She was a rock, and she was my mentor, and she was my friend. But Bonnie has left a legacy for our shelter like you just can’t believe.”
Goldberg said another Humane Society Board member who passed away last year, Tim Scott, also left a legacy called Feeding Hope – a program that involves collecting donated food and supplies that are distributed to old pantries in Michigan City “so no family has to make a decision about whether to feed their family or to feed their pets.”
Most recently, Goldberg said “we lost Gail Lowrie,” who she described as “this tiny, soft-spoken firebrand of a woman.”
“Gail was a friend to everybody and an icon of Harbor Country. But what you might not know about Gail is if it wasn’t for Gail we would not be here,” she said.
Goldberg said years ago when the shelter was going through a rough time, Lowrie (a Humane Society Board member) asked two dear friends of hers (Schauble and Spohn) if they could host a “little cocktail party” to raise some money for the shelter.
“Eleven years later Jason and Will are still hosting the cocktail party,” she said, adding that the first event was attended by about 75 people and raised $35,000.
More than 560 tickets (a record) were sold for the July 30 Cocktails at the Grand Cottage, with an estimated $270,000 raised after expenses.
“Tonight we would like to dedicate this event to Gail Lowrie,” Goldberg said before inviting everyone to raise a glass in her honor.
“Here’s to you Gail! And thank you Gail.”
Goldberg said the Michiana Humane Society shelter (located at 722 Indiana Highway 212 in Michigan City) got through COVID and continues to do so much good work for the animals there.
“Do you realize over 98 percent of all the animals that come through our door get placed in homes? That’s amazing when you think about it!” she said.
Michiana Humane Society Executive Director Johanna Humbert shared some “animal stories” from a year that has seen a lot of pet owners unable to keep up with their vet care “and their animals are ending up in our care.”
She said a cat named “Onyx” needed care for a condition where eyelashes are reversed and scratch his corneas and will now make somebody a great pet; a Corgi mix dog named “Little Miss” who needs X-rays to make sure she didn’t eat more than the item of clothing she discharged; and earlier in 2022 a pit bull puppy named “Blue” who has recovered from Parvo using a new technique involving Tamiflu and has been adopted “and is living a great life.”
“We are saving more and more animals,” she said, adding that the Humane Society spent a full 12 months’ worth of its veterinary care budget in the first six months of the year.
After the Cocktails at the Grand Cottage live auction was over, a Fund to Paws auction was held to help pay for vet care during the rest of the year.
Humbert later said some animals have stayed at the shelter longer since they need more care before they can be adopted, so there are many on a waiting list to get in (about 70 dogs and 80 cats in foster homes as of late July).
“We have some amazing foster people who open their homes and their hearts and do incredible work,” she said. “You can so tell the dogs and cats that have been in foster homes when they come in to be adopted … They’re well-socialized and they have good behaviors.”
The Michiana Humane Society is seeking more pet fosters. For more information, go to https://michianapets.org.
Scheerer-McCullough Auctioneers (including Dave Meyers, Stacy Hirschy, Mike and Cindy Anderson) ran the live bidding portion of the evening with auction Items including:
• Mary Lambert personally talked about the “Lobster Roll Luncheon for 12 on Beautiful Lake Michigan” at “Stones Throw,” an iconic home on Marquette Drive overlooking Lake Michigan (promising “You won’t go away hungry”). The feast featuring her homemade lobster rolls from Maine, side dishes of clam chowder, homemade cole slaw, corn on the cob and chips. other appetizers, cocktails and other beverages. Blueberry Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream tops off this quintessential New England lunch. Two bidders were successful in making their reservations for Lobster Roll Luncheons.
• A “Fabulous 7 night get-away to beautiful Telluride, Colorado” in the spectacular San Juan Mountains at a luxury four bedroom home that sleeps 8 just steps from the ski slopes in Telluride (the get-away at their new home in Telluride was donated by Jeff and Allison Goldberg).
• A “Sunset Cruise for you and 15 guests aboard the Nightingale Yacht on Lake Michigan” with beer and wine and hors d’oeuvres catered by Classic Catering (which also catered the July 30 event). The Nightingale, a 56-foot Hatteras, is docked in New Buffalo. The auction item was donated by Rich & Paula Carlini
• “Take me out to the Ball Game!” A Chicago Cubs package including 4 tickets for a September game versus the Milwaukee Brewers and a fabulous dinner at Smoke Daddy Wrigleyville. Donated by Phil Fuentes and Josh Rutherford
• A “Week’s Stay for 8 at Casa delle Forchette” in Troncones, Mexico, a small beach town near Ixtapa. The private, Italian-inspired country home is tastefully decorated with sconces and ceramics from different parts of Italy. Enjoy the beautiful garden and bask in the sun near the infinity pool. From anywhere on the property, check out the multiple views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Donated by Peter & Megene Forker
• An “Italian-style dinner for 10 at the Terrace Room,” an open, European-style Italian bistro at the Harbor Grand. Classically trained in premier Napa Valley kitchens, Chef Alberto Ilescas brings his knowledge and experience of rustic Italian cuisine to New Buffalo’s iconic waterfront dining location. Resident wine expert Jessica Ebert will pair fine Italian wine with dining experience. Donated by Toast Hotel Group
• A “Week’s stay for 8 in Five Star Club in Key Largo.” The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo is located 25 miles south of Miami International Airport. The only way to get on the property is being a member, or as a sponsored guest. The auction item includes a “Gourmet Chef Keys Cuisine” dinner accompanied by highly rated wines. Donated by Michael and Angie Berman.
• “Quilt handmade by Kathy Sorensen.” The beautiful, queen size, handmade Queen quilt by New Buffalo Animal Hospital’s Kathy Sorensen was displayed during the auction.
• A “Photo Shoot with Ryan Bolger.” Bolger is an American Artist known for creating fine art and lifestyle photographs. He will meet the winning bidders (there were two) and their family and pets for a personal photo shoot at a location of your choice within the Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana and Chicago region.
Upcoming Michiana Humane Society events include:
• Aug. 17-31 Dollars for Doodles: Dollars for Doodles will turn your pet into a one-of-a-kind Masterpiece (or Disaster-piece). This offer is fur real! If you donate $25 to help support our shelter animals and send us a photo of your pet, we’ll send you a one-of-a-kind drawing created by our wonderful, yet artistically challenged, staff and volunteers.
• Sept. 22 Remember Me Thursday: The community are invited to dedicate candles in memory of pets we have lost with a luminaria lighting a small remembrance ceremony at the Michiana Humane Society.
• Oct. 1 Artist Studio Tours: A selection of Harbor Country artists will open up their private studios for an exclusive tour to benefit the Michiana Humane Society.
For more information, go to https://michianapets.org.
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