— — With all the negative news about the SPCA of Niagara County, it seems a good time to weigh-in about the wonderful SPCA Serving Erie County.

The difference is political.

The SPCA in the Town of Tonawanda serves residents of Erie County. However, it receives no funding from the county nor any other governmental agency. It’s well run, has a no-kill policy for the animals in its shelter and receives not a penny from Erie County. Barbara Carr and the wonderful trained people who work there, work tirelessly to host very creative fundraisers, which along with grants and donations, keep it going. Many area residents, myself included, buy their pet supplies from the SPCA’s store as a way of helping them out.

Of course, it was another incorrect Sound Off called in from a person who did not have a clue what he or she was talking about and who, I would bet, had never visited the SPCA on Ensminger Road in the Town and who was comparing that SPCA with the Niagara SPCA. After just one visit to the town site, he or she would come away with a respect for the organization and its friendly, caring staff and the numerous outreach programs it hosts.

So to the dummy who called in Sound Off, check out the facts before calling. Actually, that goes for a lot of Sound Off callers.

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A woman called regarding past Canal Fest events. She recalled that years ago, the event hosted a dog show.

“I had two basset hounds and both won first place, one for the longest ears. It was a nice, cute event.”

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 Speaking of events, get out your best soup recipe and perhaps you’ll win a prize at the sixth annual Soup Cook-Off on Feb. 12, sponsored by the Zonta Club of the Tonawandas.

Soups will be ready for tasting and voting from 1 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Tonawandas Post 264.

For information, call Theresa Marone at 743-9159.

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Lloyd Armstrong stopped by the News to show a story about former North Tonawanda physical education teacher Margaret Roggow whose 100th birthday was noted in a newspaper story in the Sequim, Wash. paper. Margaret is the widow of Norman “Doc” Roggow, who was a favorite teacher for years. She’s still active, doing pool exercises and riding a stationary bike five days a week. She credits her long life to family, friends and exercise, “though all the sweet desserts help, too,” she added.

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Jill Keppeler, our staff writer, was full of fun when she returned from witnessing the first Kenmore Groundhog Day celebration. “Kenmore Kate,” as the groundhog has been named, predicted four more weeks of winter. The fun part, however, according to Jill, was the large number of adults and children who came out before 7 in the morning to witness the inaugural event. Congratulations to the Kenmore Village Improvement Society for thinking up the event.

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Home Mye, a real gentleman, tremendous businessman, active community leader, died this past week. You’d be hard put to see him without a smile and a kind word. As owner of Mye Lumber and Georgian Bay Lumber companies, he could be counted on to help out a myriad of causes, whether it be the Boys Club (now the Boys & Girls Club) or at a school or church function, the American Legion (a 70-year member), DeGraff Memorial Hospital and so many other organizations. His induction as a Citizen of the Year was an honor well deserved. He embodied what made North Tonawanda a good place to live. Condolences to the family.

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Perhaps you received this in an email. It’s a fun read, titled: “Yes, I’m a Senior Citizen”

“I’m the life of the party, even if it lasts until 8 p.m. I’m very good at opening childproof caps, with a hammer. I’m smiling all the time because I can’t hear a thing you’re saying. I’m wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that’s just my left leg. I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

“So, spread the laughter, share the cheer, let’s be happy while we're here and Go Green — Recycle Congress!”

Contact community editor Barbara Tucker at 693-1000, ext. 4110 or e-mail barbara.tucker@tonawanda-news.com