JULIE VERSCHAGE STEPS DOWN AS GENERAL MANAGER OF AVON TOM WAHL’S AFTER 29 YEARS

BY SUZIE WELLS

If you’ve been in the Avon Tom Wahl’s over the years, chances are you’ve seen Julie Verschage, General Manager of the Avon agship. A er 22 years as GM and 29 years with the community, Julie is hanging up her GM hat to enjoy a semi-retirement.

Julie began at the Avon Tom Wahl’s in 1990, working as a crew member for ve years before taking a few years o to care for an elderly family member. She returned to Tom Wahl’s as a supervisor and was promoted to assistant manager within a year and then progressed to General Manager.

As she embarks on her new adventure at the end of April, Julie says:

“I have had so many team members that have been a pleasure to work with and whom I enjoyed inspiring to succeed in their next career choice. It is heartening when they come back to tell me that they too enjoyed having me as their leader.

“My success here has all been because I have surrounded myself with great people, just like my great leader Keith Herman told me to do. It has made my career fantastic.

“To all our great guests, thank you! I have enjoyed seeing and talking to you all over the last 29 years. Without all of you, Avon would not have been so successful in being the number one store throughout our company. It’s your wonderful visits that have made this happen for the last 22 years. I have made many friendships and will truly miss seeing you all.

“To Tom Wahl, thank you for all your encouragement throughout the years. It always warmed my heart to hear you tell me I was the best manager and that I do a great job with your namesake. I will miss our visits and talks of the past.

She says she has so many fond memories from her years at Tom Wahl’s and especially loves whenever old sta members come in and they chat. She also loves when Tom himself comes in for visits about every other week.

Julie says the physical building may have changed over the past 29 years, but the way it’s run has not. Each location follows Tom’s philosophy that customers always come rst. Tom has cardinal (golden) rules all team members still work by: Beat the customer to the counter; Beat the customer to a smile; Make only the best; Keep the place clean; and Always say thank you.

Julie says maintaining those standards across team members and across locations is de nitely what makes Tom Wahl’s the essential part of the community it is to this day.

In her semi-retirement, Julie says she will work part-time as manager in charge of training to share some of her knowledge and expertise with other managers and crew members across locations.

“Last but not least, thank you to my husband for his endless supportI couldn’t have done it without him. I will miss my current role, but I will enjoy my semi-retirement. ank you all again! Much love to you all!”

Penny Saver

My name is Lexi. My mom and dad went all the way to Port Byron to bring me home. They tell me I am a gentle giant. After all I weigh 110 lbs. I like to go for rides with my family. I am a herd dog and they are my herd. I am always observing the surroundings to keep them safe. I love people!

I need a home

Leroy is an approx. 1yr old Mountain Cur mix. Leroy is a great puppy who needs some basic training.

If interested in Leroy, please call

Livingston County Dog Control 585-243-6740

Pet Obesity Is A Growing Problem

Many pet owners would never intentionallyharmtheircompanion animals. In fact, pet owners often go above and beyond to ensure their animals are well cared for and content. However, many well-meaning people may be inadvertently harming their pets with something they provide each and every day: food.

Obesity is on the rise among pets. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says that 54 percent of dogs and 59 percent of cats in the United States were categorized as overweight or obese in 2016. That marks an increase from 52.5 percent and 58.3 percent, respectively, from four years ago. The majority of veterinarians think that pet obesity is a significant problem and nearly half of pet owners admit that their vets have discussed a pet’s ideal weight with them during pet health visits.

Finding the Right Food Bowl for an Older Cat Takes Trial and Error

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I hope this advice helps other cat owners. My cat, Ferris, is 13 years old, and while he’s generally healthy, he does have arthritis and is not as energetic as he once was. I noticed a few months ago that he was not nishing his dry food in the evenings, so I took him to the vet to get him checked out. Everything was ne, but the vet said that he might have some discomfort crouching down to reach his food and water.

I went online to nd a raised platform that would hold food and water dishes. e trouble was that many of the platforms were too high for Ferris to reach comfortably, and he didn’t seem very happy with the platform design. Instead, I found a dish that he loves. It sits about three inches above the oor and is angled higher in the back so that he doesn’t push the food out of the bowl while eating. It’s weighted so that it doesn’t shi while he eats. is is a lot more comfortable for Ferris, and he’s eating all of his food again. -Terry L., Bloomington, Indiana

DEAR TERRY: ank you for sharing your story! I’m glad that Ferris found the perfect food dish.

Sometimes we have to try a few di erent items before discovering the perfect one for our pets. Whether it’s a food dish, a toy or a bed, we have to be prepared to spend a little more money than expected to get just the right item. Trial and error is part of the process, and part of the joy of owning a pet.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner. com.

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