LIFE

Raise the Roof supports nonprofit that assists riders

bgribble@montgome.gannett.com

More than 300 guests enjoyed the great view of a magnificent sunset last Thursday as they paused during a special event hosted to support the Montgomery Area Non-Traditional Equestrian, or MANE, facility in Pike Road.

During the "barn casual" night's fundraiser, they marveled as the brilliant red-orange glow settled into the darkness from their great vantage point in MANE's Poarch Creek Arena, as they gathered for the sixth annual "Raise the Roof" Seafood Celebration.

The aroma of Wintzell's Oyster House specialties lured the supporters back to the fun of the evening and gave them a series of food stations to rave about, while the Whiskey River Band gave them something to dance to as they seemed to recreate a scene from the movie "Something to Talk About."

The band came from Tuscaloosa to play favorite country hits; Stivers Ford rolled in two new leading-edge trucks to add to the excitement; and friends came from near and far to lend a hand of support to MANE, which has been providing equine-assisted intervention to the River Region children and adults since 1994.

MANE, a nonprofit organization, moved to its picturesque Pike Road location in 2004 to continue to provide assistance to those who have physical, developmental, cognitive and emotional disabilities. "Raise the Roof" helps MANE fund the construction loan on the building that was raised on the land five years ago.

The facility houses classrooms; a 15-stall handicapped accessible barn; a break-room and offices; the Kiwanis Korral, a resource room where parents and caregivers can watch riders in the covered arena; the Kiwanis Kare Korner, a horse grooming area, tack room and feed room; a mounting paddock; as well as the expansive covered arena, named for the Poarch Bank of Creek Indians as a tribute to their generosity.

Along the trail

Arrivals parked along MANE's Sensory Integration Trail and climbed aboard a beautiful horse-drawn carriage for gentle rides to the arena.

The MANE Sensory Trail spans more than three acres and has eight carefully designed stations featuring activities to integrate sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch while riders are engaged in therapeutic riding techniques. The trail encompasses a beautiful memorial garden; a covered arena; and an area filled with colorful "pool noodles" suspended in the air, which MANE riders love to giggle about as they ride through on their steeds. A giant tic-tac-toe game, the newest addition to the trail, was completed minutes before the "Raise the Roof" event commenced.

Melissa Trehern,Elizabeth Black and Mickey Perry were among the patrons transported along the trail in grand Western style by the Capital City Carriage Company.

Horsing around

Doug Rice, Guy Wallace, James Michael Hinson, Nan Hudson and Ty Eiland also were among the arriving guests who had the opportunity to tour the facility's barn area and visit with the gentle and handsome horses before gathering with friends around the troughs of beverages in the riding arena.

Gathering in the main event area were Alison and Ted Hosp; Anita and Carl Bartlett; Catherine and Ben Stakely; Colley and Mickey Griffin; Terri and John Mottran; Karen and Robert Granfeldt Jr.; Catherine and Mark Davis; Kelley and Galen Thackston; Lucie and Frank Wadsworth; Janet and Ned Sheffield; Becky and Mike Bannan; Lynn and William Haynes; Anne and Beau Holmes; Charlene and Lex Holtsfold; Julia and Bill Wallace; and Lisa Temple.

Welcoming them and many others throughout the evening were MANE board members and their spouses, including Jim and Beth Edwards; Kelly and Will Wilson; Frank and Jane McFadden; Michelle and Chuck Parkinson; Jennie and Ronnie Brown; Mike and Phyllis Ward; Heather and Miller King; Cindy and Spencer Longshore; Cheri and Mark Jordan; Lydia and Michael Beringer; Katharine and Mark Harris; and Susie and Jim Wilson III.

Straight from the Gulf

They mingled amid the seasonal ambiance set by Joe O'Hara, chef and party designer at the Wynlakes Golf and Country Club. Joe had artfully arranged bales of hay, pumpkins, Indian corn and colorful fall foliage at the front entrance and around the paddock. He continued the theme with the creation of seasonal centerpieces, topping the red, yellow and orange cloth-draped tables using pumpkins and gourds, pomegranates, autumn leaves, fresh grapes, bark-covered ornaments and entwined branches.

The extra-special attraction of this event has always been the actual celebration of the seafood. Patrons couldn't wait to gather at the various stations that featured a fabulous assortment of fresh seafood brought to the location straight from the Gulf of Mexico as the night's appetizers and entrees. They enjoyed grilled and fried oysters, fish, chicken, and shrimp varieties, including bacon-wrapped shrimp, along with cole slaw, cheese grits and other Wintzell's favorites that were served buffet-style down long tables topped with red linens.

At another ice-filled food station, Wintzell's staff shucked raw oysters as fast as MANE advocates could load their plates. All the food and labor was generously donated by Wintzell's Oyster House, compliments of owners Buffy and Bob Donlon of Mobile, who were among the many in attendance supporting the fundraiser.

Support from friends

Among others enjoying the night of great food, toe-stomping music, and connecting with friends were Daisy and Bowman Bear; Cathy and Jim Ridling; Jeila Kershaw; Jim Benefield;Bonnie Waters; Tina Brown; Gee Pinkston; Dee and Bill Coleman; Angie and Woody Rush; Cindy and Bo Torbert; Nancy and Lee Ellis; Stuart and Noble Yelverton; and John and Mary Lee Yelverton.

MANE also was honored to have many horse enthusiasts in attendance, including Julia Beasley, a champion cutting-horse competitor; dressage rider Elizabeth Hunter and her husband, Eric; professional trainers Susan and Sam Wainwright;Toni and DickieFlowers; Kim Alford; Martha and Jud Blount; Anne Alan Jemison and her husband, Slaton; and his parents, Susan and Mays Jemison.

A big treat for everyone was the appearance of Miss Rodeo Alabama Chelsea Maness, who volunteers at MANE each week and is adored by riders and horses alike. Maness returned to the venue the next day to greet 127 special education students, with their teachers and aides, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, U.S. Congresswomen Terri Sewell and Martha Roby, and U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers.

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Share your news with Deborah Hayes Moore via email at socialcolumn @yahoo.com, or by voicemail at 956-0254.