The Friends of Bluffton Dog Parks needs your help. The group was formed in 2005 with the goal of building an eco-friendly dog park in Bluffton.

A small, blonde dynamo named Charlotte Wamser is head cheerleader for the project. Charlotte has worked tirelessly, along with a small group of dog lovers, to make this a reality for our four-legged friends.

Bluffton is in a race with 14 other towns in America to win $100,000 in prize money to build the park. The land on which the park is to be built is on Buckwalter Parkway and will be accessible to everyone. All pertinent approvals have been given by the county and the town of Bluffton. Now we must raise money for the building.

Go to www.petsafe.net to cast your vote. The contest ends July 31, so time is running short. You also can learn more about the Bluffton Dog Park at www.blufftonbarkpark.org. You also can cast your vote on Facebook.

* The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is the oldest private organization in the United States. It was founded in 1853 by a lady named Ann Pamela Cunningham, a South Carolinian from Laurens County. Miss Cunningham was an invalid most of her life, having been injured as a child in a horse-riding accident.

The Cunningham family became interested in Mount Vernon while on a steamship journey on the Potomac River. The boat passed by the dilapidated, at the time, ancestral home of our first president George Washington. They were horrified that such an important spot was left to fall down.

In those days, ladies were not supposed to be seen or heard in public, and certainly not in print. Because of this, Miss Cunningham used a pen name in all of her writings and pleas for needed money.

This was a time when there were stirrings of war between many factions in our country. In spite of this, the very frail, and often in pain, preservationist pressed on. She overcame so many obstacles, it is amazing. What a role model she is for doing what you believe and making it happen.

Now the beautifully restored Mount Vernon stands as a wonderful legacy to a lady from South Carolina. Mount Vernon has more than 1 million visitors a year and is the most popular historic estate in America.

Miss Cunningham died at her home Rosemont Plantation in 1875. She is the "mother" of America's preservationist movement. Look up Mount Vernon Ladies' Association on the Web to find out more interesting tidbits.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.