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NEIGHBORS
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | AUGUST 15, 2021
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At 100, Scottsdale woman thrives as Red Cross helper BY ROXANNE SCHORBACH Progress Guest Writer
B
etty Grenig of Scottsdale offered this amusing observation as she got ready to celebrate her 100th birthday today, Aug. 15: “What does it matter how old I am today, or how old I will be tomorrow? Privately I’m having a little race of sorts with my 39-year-old refrigerator – to see who outlives the other!” Born Aug. 15, 1921, Betty has been a Red Cross volunteer for more than 80 years. Betty was 20 when Pearl Harbor was hit and was in the midst of wedding plans with her fiancé Robert who was in the army. Understandably, his leave was canceled, and in turn, so were their wedding plans. Notwithstanding the interruption, they were married in a small chapel on base
Betty Grenig of Scottsdale turns 100 today, Aug. 15, and the Red Cross feted her with a small celebration last week. She’s been a volunteer for the agency for 80 years. (Courtesy of the Red Cross)
with Robert’s commanding officer giving her away. As an Army wife, she traveled the world and spent time in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Betty sought out a Red Cross office wherever they were stationed, and her desire to help others was evidenced by her work helping soldiers suffering from head and eye injuries. Although not a registered nurse, she was able to assist with non-medical occupational therapy. Betty taught the young soldiers to thread a knitting needle and knit small animals to develop eye-to-hand coordination. The time spent with the soldiers filled her days and gave her great personal satisfaction. When the time came for a family, her children naturally became her number
see RED CROSS page 21
Scottsdale lawyer’s book looks at ‘Pet Nation’
BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer
M
ark Cushing has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist and strategist for pet health care for names like Royal Canin, Mars Veterinary Health and Zoetis. With names like that on his resume, Cushing has become an expert on the pet health care industry and how pets affect humans, which is the central topic of his upcoming book titled “Pet Nation.” “Pet Nation” is slated to hit the shelves on Sept. 21 and offers a unique approach to the world of pets. “Major publishers wanted the story with the viewpoint about what has happened with pets over the past 20 years and how pet’s role in society, our community and the household has changed,” Cushing said.
Scottsdale lawyer Mark Cushing, hanging out with his dog Louis and cat Yves, has written "Pet Nation," which looks at the evolution of household animals over the last two decades. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)
When asked how he would describe the book, Cushing offered the following visual. “The book is like I am 1,000 feet in the air looking across the American landscape and reporting what changed, why it changed and what the impact of those changes are,” he said. As someone who has been actively involved in animal healthcare for nearly 15 years, Cushing has noticed several trends. A major trend has been how pets have affected our social lives. “Pets have allowed strangers who would have never said hello out of respect to stop and talk,” he said. “It has become a very powerful social capital for people that were strangers.” With pets serving as a social capital,
see CUSHING page 21
