Table Talk
Another Steel Valley cluster is in the books. For the most part the weather in Canfield was great aside from storms on Friday that caused a couple of “game” delays. All went well, however, and the storms brought in some beautiful, cool weather. The show committee continues to make great efforts to organize fun activities for exhibitors including a movie night where folks can drive up in their golf carts and watch the movie “drive-in” style. This has become a cluster tradition. A junior showmanship clinic is held on Saturday afternoon and the cluster provides pizza for all participants. Sadly, the days of 4,000 entries here is a thing of the past. The largest entry was about 1,800 on Saturday and some of the RV lots were empty. I heard the fairgrounds will be building an air-conditioned facility in the near future. Hopefully, this will draw folks back to this cluster. The show committee does such a wonderful job and the only real drawback is the historical weather challenges. It was great to see Adam Bernardin back at his setup helping groom dogs and shuttle his team around. He will be back running left-handed circles very soon!!!
The AKC has appointed a new committee to review the current judges approval process that has proven to be quite problematic. The Committee consists of Ron Menaker, Tom Davies, Edd Bivin, Frank Sabella and Tim Thomas. Let’s hope they can come up with an improvement over the current flawed process.
I was very pleased with the mentoring session I had this weekend. It was with an individual who is planning to apply for her judge’s license in about a year. It was extremely encouraging to spend time with someone who was truly interested in learning about the breed. She spent the necessary time prior to our mentoring session reviewing the breed standard and coming up with good questions to help increase her knowledge of the breed. Maybe this is something the application guidelines should encourage!
I was saddened to read the Eugene (Oregon) Kennel Club will be folding due to lack of working members. This is becoming an increasing issue with kennel clubs across the nation. If you are not already involved with an all-breed club, please find one in your area and join! This is a critical part of our sport. Without working members, clubs cannot put on dog shows……everyone should consider giving up one or two show weekends a year to help clubs put on their shows.
Tony Vacha and Courtney Kniola are off to Mexico for their destination wedding. Best wishes for a great trip and a life full of love and happiness!
Congratulations to Carissa and Eric Shimpeno and grandma, Gwen DeMilta, on the birth of Caleb James Shimpeno. This healthy boy weighed in at 5 lb. 10 oz. and 19 inches.
I was thrilled to hear that Stephen Hurt has been “sprung” from the hospital and rehab and is back home. We all hope to see him at a show soon.
Clint Harris continues to work hard in rehab with his physical therapy. He thinks they might be pushing him a bit too hard, but he goes along with it. I am sure he will be back home in no time.
Our most sincere condolences to Ernesto Lara and his family on the passing of his mother. Ernesto has gone back home to bid his mom a final farewell. Safe travels, Ernesto, and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
This coming weekend is the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania cluster. Show Chairman Charlie Olvis works very hard at this cluster to raise funds for Take the Lead. Each year they hold a themed fundraiser and this year’s theme is the Wild Wild West. I’ll bet there will be some interesting costumes for this one! The cluster will also hold a free juniors clinic on Thursday at 4 PM. All kids 18 years of age and younger are encouraged to attend. I believe that they are also having a raffle with tickets available at the show.
Happy Anniversary wishes to Phil & Amy Booth, Joe & Bobbi Walton, Michelle Molnar & Jamie Danburg, Don & Georjean Jensen, and Kathy (Bilicich) & Rick Garcia.
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Anna Milicia, Lynn Meyer, Christine Nethery, Christine Smith, Kathy Garcia, David Fitzpatrick and Betty Leininger.
Give those pooches an extra hug and be careful in your travels my friends.
Until next time…
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