THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503110108
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Marlene Callis looks out for horses across Hampton Roads.
Callis is the founder of Hampton Roads Equine Humane Association, a group that protects abused horses from their owners, and was formed in Suffolk last June.
Although Callis said she has always been a horse lover as a child, it wasn't until she became older that she could afford to own one, she said.
Once she had her own, she began reading everything she could about horses, she said.
``I heard about Colorado Horse Rescue from a magazine and tried to join a local chapter of that. When I learned that there was no local chapter, I thought that meant there was no need. Not so.
``I found that there were many horses in the area that weren't being treated right,'' she said.
So Callis started to organize the group by leaving notes in local tack shops. When she felt that there was enough interest, she called the first meeting at the Suffolk YMCA.
Today the group averages about 20 people per meeting. Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at the Golden Corral Family Steakhouse in Suffolk.
To date, Callis said the group has helped six horses in the area. Callis said several people with land have volunteered to care for abused horses that are impounded by local animal control officers.
``People call when they see a horse that's too skinny, tied to a tree or running loose,'' she said.
In the future, Callis said she would like to lease or purchse a farm for abused horses.
But right now, she's just trying to get people interested in joining the group, which is growing by two to three people per month, she said.
Name: Marlene B. Callis.
What brought you to Isle of Wight? My job at the bank brought me here. My husband Rick is why I stayed.
Hometown: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: March 26, 1964.
Occupation: Vice president of Callis Construction Co. Inc.
Marital status: Married.
Children: Rachel, six months.
Favorite movies: ``Dances With Wolves.''
Favorite magazine: ``Horse and Rider.''
A book you wish everyone would read, why? The Bible. It's a handbook for life.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner with friends and family.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Most any seafood restaurant.
Favorite food and drink: Seafood and pasta.
Few people know ... that I have karaoked (singing to music while reading the words from a screen).
What's the best thing about yourself? My persistence.
Worst habit: Worrying too much.
First thing in the morning: Feed Rachel and then have coffee and breakfast.
Pets: One quarter horse named String, two German shepherds named Raic and Johab, a mixed dog named Kaiser and a cat named Elsa.
Hobbies: Anything horsey, reading and the Hampton Roads Equine Humane Association.
Ideal vacation: A cruise of the Mediterranean.
Pet peeve: Thoughtlessness.
First job: Lifeguard, the Elks pool in Portsmouth.
Worst job: Folding pants at Murphy's Mart.
What achievements are you most proud of? My marriage, my daughter and starting the Hampton Roads Equine Humane Association. We've been able to help six horses locally and our organization is growing.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``A sense of humor is key.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB