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Northern Michigan Chapter
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
Newsletter Archives - December 1999
Random Ramblings - Chris Raymond
As can be expected at this time of the year, chapter activities have been relatively quiet. Each of us and our dogs are running here and there in the pursuit of our fine feathered friends. In speaking with a number of members, it is interesting to learn that some have traveled to the northern reaches of Ontario in pursuit of waterfowl and grouse, both ruffed and sharptail, others have traveled to Iowa for the ringneck pheasant, and even a few have gone down south for bobwhite quail and plantation hospitality.
Now, onto some housekeeping issues:
- This coming year’s fund-raising event, a shotgun raffle, will be held in March (the specific date will be published later) during our annual membership dinner. Each member will be expected to sell at least ten (10) tickets, however, we encourage each of you to sell as many as you can. This year’s organizer, Norm Licht, will be providing additional information about the event shortly.
- As mentioned in a previous newsletter, we have implemented a new test administration rule. If a registered handler pulls their dog with at least thirty (30) days remaining until the test, they will be required to pay a $25.00 cancellation fee. Those handlers pulling their dogs inside of this thirty (30) day window, will forfeit the entire test registration fee. This should prevent individuals from pulling their dogs at the last minute and provide test alternates a little more time in which to prepare.
- Speaking of tests, we have scheduled the chapter’s spring and fall tests for 19, 20 & 21 May and 19 & 20 August respectively. Please note the spring test will be a three day event in order to accommodate more participants. While the Test Chairmen positions have already been filled, member help in other areas is always needed. Individuals interested in volunteering should contact Rick McPhall at 231.276.6470 for the spring test and Kurt Bard at 231.267.9376 regarding the fall test.
- One final bit of information, chapter officers for the 2000 calendar year are: Lance Vernam, President; Judy Balog, Vice President; John MacNeal, Treasurer; and myself as Secretary.
As we are currently in the process of putting together the chapter’s activities for the upcoming year, please let us know of any thoughts or ideas you may have on the subject.
Many Thanks - Lance Vernam
Over the last couple of years many of you have come into contact with Harry and Sherry Hill. In fact, some of you were probably recruited into the chapter as result of having met them and seeing their enthusiasm for hunting dogs, especially Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, and bird hunting. What you may not have seen were their tireless efforts and the amount of time each put into the chapter. From Harry’s continual drive to sell the most raffle tickets and his organization of the sporting clays shoots, to Sherry’s behind the scenes dedication to the financial well being of the chapter and her assistance in organizing the annual membership dinners, their contributions to this chapter have been many.
As such, we were saddened to learn earlier this fall of their intention to resign their leadership positions within the organization. As Secretary and Treasurer for the past few years, Harry and Sherry have helped grow the Northern Michigan chapter into one of the largest and most active in the nation. It is with heartfelt thanks that we wish them well as they pursue new interests and endeavors. Please join me in extending our sincere appreciation.
Train the Trainer - Chris Raymond
The chapter is fortunate in being able to present a training clinic this summer lead by one of NAVHDA’s more preeminent trainers--Clyde Vetter. Clyde is a full-time, professional trainer/breeder whose training accomplishments include numerous Prize I Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory, and Utility dogs. Furthermore, he has produced, trained, and handled many dogs through the rigorous and prestigious Invitational testing process resulting in their receipt of the coveted Versatile Champion title.
This Purina sponsored event will be held at Norm Licht’s property
on the weekend of 10 & 11 June 2000. Attendance will be limited to sixteen
dogs and their handlers with preference given first to chapter members.
The cost for this event will be $100.00 per dog for chapter members ($125.00
for non-members) which will include: training birds, handler lunch, and
beverages. Each registered dog and its handler will be provided with one
hour of one-on-one instruction with Clyde as well as the opportunity to
observe other participants during their individual hours. Only registered
participants will be allowed to be in attendance at this event. Individuals
interested in signing up for this clinic should contact Lance
Vernam at 231.938.1324.
1999 Fall Test Results - Judy Balog
Please take the time to congratulate all those members who tested at our fall test on 21 and 22 August. The time and effort they put into their dogs was well rewarded; the results of the runnings are listed here.
Chapter and International Membership - Chris Raymond
It’s that time of the year again, well at least it is for me anyway. My organizational memberships are expiring, NAVHDA included, and my magazine subscriptions are running out, so it’s time for me to once again to start writing checks.
It goes without saying that we encourage each of you to renew your membership in both the Northern Michigan chapter and NAVHDA International. While the reasons for membership are many, some of the more popular ones include:
- being able to utilize training resources and areas which would not otherwise be available or open,
- being able to network with a group of other like minded, dog and hunting oriented individuals,
- broadening one’s hunting pleasure through greater canine performance and increased camaraderie between man and dog,
- participating in a non-competitive, hunting oriented testing format that objectively evaluates canine performance and the success of an individual’s training program.
For me at least, membership costs have been returned many times over if for no other reason than for the friendships that I have formed and the experiences I have gained since joining both the local and international organizations.
Enclosed within this newsletter are membership forms which will aid you in renewing your affiliations. While your local membership is kept on a calendar year basis, your membership with international may be on a different twelve month cycle. It would be appreciated if you could return your completed form no later than Monday, 3 January 2000. One issue however must be addressed, and that is of required international membership. In the past, the Northern Michigan chapter has been incorrectly allowing members to join without requiring membership in NAVHDA International. In going forward though, all chapter members will be required to maintain their international affiliation as well. Fortunately, this will not affect many current members. In looking at last year’s international membership roster, we can proudly say that over seventy percent (70%) of our members had duel affiliation.
Welcome
We would like to provide and warm and hearty welcome to the following new members and their dogs:
| Member | Dog & Breed | Member | Dog & Breed |
| Walter Furesz | Markus - GWP | Dick Hedderich | Lily - GSP |
| Roberta Huta | Hans - WEI | Ed Gibbard | Gabby - WPG |
| Helene & Richard Moore | Tank - WEI and Polly - WEI |
Jim Sweeney | Oreo - SM |
Member Spotlight
Congratulations go out to John MacNeal as he recently joined Ron Boehm with his enrollment in NAVHDA's apprenticeship judge program. The added testing experience that John and Ron will gain as a result of their judging activities will be of tremendous benefit to the chapter and our own individual training programs..
If the efforts of others have inadvertently been overlooked, please accept our apologies and bring it to Chris Raymond’s attention at 231.929.7537 for inclusion in future issues.
Green Books
The chapter still has some copies of the official NAVHDA training bible
otherwise known as the “Green Book.” If you are interested in
purchasing one, please contact Lance Vernam at 231.938.1324. Their cost
will once again be $10.00.
Club Clothing
The chapter will once again prepare a clothing
order of interest warrants. Individuals interested in ordering clothing
should contact Chris Raymond at
231.929.7537.
Classifieds
If chapter members have dog training or hunting related items they would like listed for sale in newsletter and web site, please submit a short description with contact information to Chris Raymond at 231.946.4070 (fax).
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