Table Talk · December 30, 2020
I am sure that everyone will join me in give one big, final farewell to 2020! There were some positive things that happened during the year and while I personally am thankful for those things, I will be glad to start a new year! I believe that our family of purebred dog enthusiasts has become stronger and smarter as a result of the past year but welcome the opportunity to close this chapter in our lives and move on!!!
This will be the first year in many that I will be home for New Years’ Eve, as I am usually in Southern California for the Palm Springs cluster. While I am glad to be home for a change, I am going to miss my January tradition of celebrating the sport of purebred dogs with my friends at these shows in Southern California. I look forward to an awesome Palm Springs Cluster in 2022!
The first show weekend of the year, Saturday and Sunday, January 9 th and 10th, kicks off with the Clemson Kennel Club shows in Pendleton, South Carolina. The shows closed at their limit of 1200 dogs. The Nolan River KC shows in Glen Rose, Texas will also be held the same weekend. The entry at these shows is over 2,000 dogs per day. The club is looking for volunteers to assist with set-up on Thursday, January 7th! If you can lend a hand, please show up at noon on Thursday, or reach out to Carol Moser at carolwhitemoser@gmail.com.
In my humble opinion, the silver lining of only having two shows the first weekend is that the quality of the entry will be very deep. To me, watching Best In Show lineups with very deep quality has been the benefit of the limited number of shows being held over the past several months.
The first shows on the East Coast– Great Barrington Kennel Club scheduled for February 6 and 7 and held at the Big E in Springfield, MA–opened Tuesday, December 30th. These shows close January 20, 2021, or when the limit of 1300 dogs is reached.
The first week of shows in Brooksville, Florida close today, December 30th and the Tallahassee shows opened yesterday. Please note that the Ocala shows have an entry limit of 1800 dogs. I was unable to confirm if these shows have reached their limit as of the writing of this column.
Some exhibitors will be heading to Florida and spending 3, 4 or 5 weeks in the Sunshine State. To those of you making the trip, best of luck and be careful! Weather can be a challenge if you are making the trip to Florida from the northern states! I am anticipating some serious competition on the Florida circuit this year. Best of luck to all!!! I will be sure to keep everyone posted on what is happening down in Florida.
Best wishes to David Johnson who is recovering from yet another hip surgery! Here is hoping that is the last surgery for you, my friend!
Healing thoughts to Eric Ringle who has been hospitalized after emergency surgery. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Shar-Pei fancier Cate Stewart. Cate was taken from us at the age of 59 by cancer. Cate, a Registered Nurse, spent several years caring for a dear friend fighting cancer and also cared for her husband who, due to her expert care, survived the deadly disease. The disease took her from us last week. Cate was the past president of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America and was instrumental in the development of the breed’s Judges Education program. Cate’s passing leaves a huge hole in the Shar-pei fancy and the dog fancy as a whole. My sincere condolences to Cate’s husband, John, her family and the Shar-pei fancy. She will be missed by so many.
Huge congratulations to David and Kristyn Stout who announced they are expecting baby Stout #1 in June of 2021. I, for one, cannot wait to meet the little one!
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Cindy Stroupe, Andrea Glassford, Jason McIllwaine, Melanie Steele, Lisa Arnett, Guy Fisher, Beth Gray Harper, Elaine Reisman, Sicily Coniglio, Jocelyn Barker, Deb Shindle, Mary Miller and Joseph Vergnetti.
If you are looking for a New Year’s resolution, get involved with your local club! Now is the time to reach out and help clubs who desperately need assistance putting on shows!
Happy New Year, one and all! I look forward to spending another year with you!!!! Be safe in your travels, and please be kind to all of those who are working tirelessly to keep our shows going. I can’t wait to see everyone soon! Until next time…
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