Give-a-Hoot Auction and T-shirt display ready for action.
Before the gates opened, the volunteers were set and ready to make roast turkey sandwiches and Arby's roast beef sandwiches for the attendees along with chips and soda.
The live auction started the sunny day with many items donated by individuals and companies. Signed and numbered prints, furniture, bird feeders, baby buggies, and a stack of firewood were some of the items on the auction block.
Some of the crowd bidding on a carved duck decoy at the live auction.
A list of individuals and companies who donated items to the BACK TO THE WILD live auction and Give-a-Hoot auction, food service, and supplies. In the foreground are a menagerie of stuffed animals for sale.
Early attendees checking over the Give-a-Hoot auction articles which ranged from restaurant gift certificates to ferry tickets to childrens toys to garden tools and accessories. Something that would please everyone!
Attendees later checking over the Give-a-Hoot auction items. This auction was a busy place for most of the day.
Placeholder for another photograph.
A bean bag toss and duck pond were the childrens games this year. Kids loved the games, the prizes, and face painting.
Even though it was a cool day, there was quite often a long line for the Toft's ice cream. How can you resist when a double-dip cone is 25-cents?
Speaking of ice cream - here a couple of hard working volunteers are dipping into the Toft's ice cream buckets to satisfy the sweet tooth of another attendee.
Mona takes a few minutes out of a busy day to share a laugh with some supporters.
The indoor education center was abuzz during the open house. Volunteers showed the attendees the various educational tools used by the center's volunteers to educate the public. With the exhibits, parents can also teach their children.
A volunteer just finished explaining to this family the different animal pelts which are part of the educational material of the center. These young boys marvelled at the difference between the animals represented here.
Outside, open house attendees found time to wander amongst the enclosures and see the program animals up close. Volunteers were stationed around the center to explain various aspects to the attendees.
The Red Fox and White Fox (as musky as they are) are a popular draw for observation. Another popular animal for close-up views is the Turkey Vulture.
In the mid-afternoon, Mona gave an educational talk to a large gathering of open house attendees. She used a variety of animals to illustrate and educate about human's impact on animals and their habitat. In the foreground is a Fox Snake, Pine Snake, Tiger Salamander, Flying Squirrel, Barred Owl, Red-tail Hawk and a Screech Owl (on the stump to the left).
Some of the audience listening with rapt attention to Mona's talk.
As Mona's talk progressed, a slight drizzle started but it didn't phase the crowd. The shade trees over the auditorium provided the requisite protection.
The Great Horned Owl seems indifferent to the crowd behind him. (He's probably heard Mona's talk a hundred times anyway!)
Mona engages her audience when she speaks. Here some youngsters know the answer for a question posed by Mona about a Bald Eagle.
Mona holds an adult bald eagle that was blinded by West Nile Virus two years ago. Whereas he could never live in the wild again, he serves as an ambassador to allow people to see up close what a magnificent bird he is.
Mona and Bill recognize many of the hard-working volunteers that serve the center so selflessly throughout the year.
A new friend to BACK TO THE WILD! Dick Goddard, weatherman-extraordinaire of Channel 8 in Cleveland, attended this year's open house. As many in the greater Cleveland area know, Dick Goddard does many activities in the interest of animals.
Mona took a few minutes to show Dick Goddard the Bald Eagle up close.
Mona and Dick Goddard share a surprise at the Bald Eagle's actions.
Dick Goddard toured the center with Mona as a guide - a real cook's tour!
The BACK TO THE WILD T-shirt sales and 50/50 raffle tickets sales were brisk most of the afternoon.
Here two young girls come forward to claim their prizes during the Give-a-Hoot auction.
Drawing another lucky number for the Give-a-Hoot auction. There were about 40 or 50 items auctioned off.
Some of the attendees hoping their number is drawn on the next item during the Give-a-Hoot auction.
And some of the young volunteers getting a rest during the Give-a-Hoot auction after several intense days of preparation and working dilligently during and after the open house.
