Tours and Places
Beach community recipes to the rescue of abandoned dogs
By PlayaCommunity.com
Linda Murdock and a stray Aussie."Killer" Party Potatoes By Penny Lipke Alves, a competition-winning Chile recipe and Val's famous BBQ shrimp (to die for!) are just some of the 200 recipes to be found in "Recipes to the Rescue," a cookbook put together by Panama Animal League (PAL), containing the best recipes contributed by members of the beach area communities.
The retired expat community that lives along Panama';s Pacific beach areas are a highly social group, visiting each others'; homes and sharing meals regularly. Pot lucks are the order of the day, with people bringing their tried and true recipes to the table, some of which have been passed down through family generations, like Claire Ross'; "Papa Bear's Salmon Special."
Another peculiarity of the beach expat community is that people have come from around the world, bringing with them a variety of culture and background. This diversity is reflected in the cookbook, with recipes like Scottish Shortbread, Moroccan Spiced Chicken, Panang Gai and Coq Au Vin.
"Recipes to the Rescue" is produced by Panama Animal League (PAL), an informal, not-for-profit organization which started in 2011. Its leaders are Kathy McGovern, Linda Murdock and Sheila Scott, all who live around the beach communities. Distressed by the number of stray animals on the streets, the ladies got involved with initiatives to spay and neuter the dog and cat populations.
This brought them face to face with another problem - the large number of abandoned dogs. "We had one situation where a pair of Labradors were left in the back yard, and the family moved out of the country," says Linda Murdock, "When you come to Panama with North American eyes, and have a love for animals, you want to help".
PAL was born as a result to rescue and find homes for abandoned dogs and puppies.
In the last year, the ladies of PAL have taken about 20 animals off the streets in the beach areas. This means getting them immediate veterinary care (including spay/neuter), fostering them and finding them suitable, stable homes.
A community cookbook from the beach area helps raise money to rescue abandoned animals.
"Abandoned dogs require an average of $100 in veterinary treatment per animal," stresses Linda Murdock, who is currently fostering five dogs at her small San Carlos home. "We depend on contributions from people to keep doing what we are doing," says Linda. The cookbook raises funds for the project. The production of the book itself was sponsored by ads from local businesses, and the book is sold for $15 a copy.
The community is behind the work Linda Murdock and the ladies of PAL do. When they put out a call for recipes, they quickly received enough 'best recipes' to fill up a cookbook, making "Recipes to the Rescue" a true beach community project.
Even so, more is needed. "We are in urgent need of homes to foster animals", says Linda. "Get in touch with us if you can help."
Contact PAL through their Facebook page: Facebook.com/PALPanama or at palpanama.com, where donations are taken via PayPal.
The cookbook is also available in the Coronado area at offices of Mail Boxes Etc and Playacommunity.Com or at VETS in Coronado.
Beach Activities, Events & Specials Saturday, Janurary 21Grand Concert National Symphony Orchestra of Panama. Director, Maestro Jorge Ledezma. Guest Soloist Marianna Prjevalskaya on Piano. Tickets $20 at Iglesia San Jose, door before the concert. Call 6494-8103 or 6618-8428 for start time. Wednesday, January 25Playacommunity Mixer. Please check Events Calendar at Playacommunity.Com for venue and start time announcement. Saturday, January 28Live music and celebrations for Chinese Year of the Dragon. From 6:00 p.m. at Picasso Restaurant & Bar. Located opposite fire station, inside the gates in Coronado. 345-3777. KarokeEvery Saturday at 8 p.m. join MC Luigi y Los Karoke Locos at Dad’s BBQ. Drink specials and prizes. Located on the InterAmerican Highway in between Cochez and the Village Mall. Call 345-4520 for more information. Salsa DancingSalsa classes at Paraiso Restaurant in Las Uvas (3 km up towards El Valle) every Friday at 6:00 p.m. $5 per person. FitnessGet in shape in 2012. Email natasha@sunwavefitness.com or call 507-6533-9311 for info. |