FRIDAY: “Wine & Wolves” Holiday Celebration at Waccabuc Country Club

November 18, 2011
by Deb Heineman

In what has become a favorite holiday event, over 100 people will again join Atka, the WCC Ambassador Wolf, local restauranteurs, authors and vendors for “Wine & Wolves 2011” at the Waccabuc Country Club Carriage House on Friday, December 2.

Founded in 1999 by world-famous concert pianist Helene Grimaud, the Wolf Conservation Center is celebrating 12 successful years of pursuing its dual mission of education and conservation, conducting – with the help of its ambassador wolves – on- and off-site programs that teach thousands of kids and adults of the wolf’s crucial place in the environment, and hosting two species of critically endangered wolves as part of the federal Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. In late spring, the Center welcomed and introduced to a fascinated public its next generation of ambassador wolves – two pups named Alawa and Zephyr.  The Center is also celebrating the upcoming 2012 season’s three SSP wolf couples, and hoping to welcome SSP pups this Spring!   

In 2011, the Wolf Center said goodbye to Kaila, the last surviving member of its original ambassador pack, who died at the age of 15. “It’s been a difficult two years, losing Apache and Lucas in 2010, and then Kaila this past February. Their contributions, as ‘bridges’ between the wolf world and the human world, were priceless, and we miss them immensely,” said the Center’s Curator, Rebecca Bose. “Alawa and Zephyr, the new generation ambassador pack, began greeting our visitors and teaching them about wolf behavior as soon as they arrived, and, along with our ‘rock star’ lone wolf ambassador Atka, are thrilling their audiences!”

“Wine & Wolves” is made possible through the generous support of the local community:  As in past years, dozens of the area’s finest local restaurants, liquor stores, and merchants will provide food, wine and holiday gifts for auction via silent bid.  Restaurants already committed to the event include Le Chateau, Crabtree’s Kittle House, Le Jardin du Roi, Horse & Hound, Gail Patrick’s Cafe, and O2 Cafe, with more to be announced this month.  Music will be provided by local talent, and local authors will also be on hand to sign copies of their work in the party’s charming venue, the Carriage House at the Waccabuc Country Club (Mead St., Waccabuc, NY).  Unique Wolf Center merchandise will also be for sale – perfect timing for the holiday gift-giving season!

The Wolf Conservation Center invites you to join them on December 2 for the celebration, enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, and do some holiday shopping.  Atka will be there to welcome guests and thank them for their support.  Please go to www.nywolf.org to the Special Events calendar. Tickets are $75, attendance is limited, and past years’ events have sold out, so register today! You may also call 914-763-2373 x1 for more information.