President's Message

March 2004

Dear Katahdin Members:

I would formally like to present, to all Katahdin members, our new web site address. www.katahdingsp.org Special thanks to Kim Leeman who has worked very hard to give our club such a wonderful site. Kim is still looking for more input in order for the site to expand. We will be using it to post events as well as an endless array of links and articles for all members to enjoy. At this point, Kim needs your help.

Kim is looking for Katahdin members to send in their photos so that she can incorporate them into monthly shots as well as stories and suggestions to help the site grow. We are already moving forward with some plans that help our club move forward. These plans are reviewed in the following paragraphs of this president’s newsletter.

Peg and Lou put on a very nice annual meeting. Everyone brought something for the pot luck. And I must say, that my eyes were much bigger than my stomach. The end of the evening treated us with the inviting sounds of woodcocks, tempting us from not so far away. The evening was rich and inviting for hunters and members alike. I should have gone to meetings a long time ago.

Upcoming events again played the main role for yet another meeting. Suzie Moore and Steve Marcq have the hunt test well under control. The entry forms should be added to this newsletter. If by chance you lose your premium, you can just download a form from www.katahdingsp.org . Jeremy will not be allowing phone entries however. The running order will be posted on our web site. Suzie has gone the extra mile to make this hunt test one that a hunter and his dog would want to come enter. Chukar, is going to be made available for the senior and master hunt tests. This will be a nice addition!

Jeremy, Lou and about fifty quail have been secured for our training day on April 17th. Various training steps and hunt test simulations, will be available for Katahdin members. Steve Marcq has volunteered to be a gunner if needed. The board also thought that it would be best if there was only one person designated to be a gunner. Therefore, for those of you who thought of getting off a shot a or two? My advice would be, that it would be best to concentrate on handling the dog. Or, focus on how your dog is being handled. Let someone else worry about the bird.

We will also be opening up this year’s training day to other clubs. A leaflet will be available in this month’s newsletter. If you happen to lose your leaflet, or if an outside club member is looking to send in an application to the event. Well, once again, one will be available to all, at www.katahdingsp.org . Sorry, I just love saying it. Nevertheless, I believe we are limiting the entry of dogs to about 16, so, enter soon. Jeremy has told me that people are already signing up.

Also available at the April 17th training day will be the new Katahdin membership packet. Our newly elected secretary, Pat Russell, has modified our application, and has combined the writings of our treasurer, Jeremy Thompson, to uphold a very easy to read, user friendly, packet. Kudos to both Pat and Jeremy for their hard work.

Our new Katahdin hats will also be available at our training day and during our Spring hunt test. These hats are very durable and are available in colors ranging from orange, brown, olive or a combination of. A quick view of these hats can be seen on our web site. Pat and Fred are donning them at our annual meeting. Great job goes to Steve for initiating, locating, and purchasing the hats. They are selling!

The national Specialty show asked us to make some kind of a May basket for their event. Pat will be collecting member donations at both the training day and the spring hunt test. Suggestions for these donations are; dog shampoo, combs & brushes, treats, or just be creative with "spring things" for your dog. Thanks to all who will be donating.

I personally would like to welcome Randy Rotermond to the club as a new member. I would also like to welcome Debra Broad who has returned as a renewed member. Not only are we delighted that Debra has returned, she has jumped in with both feet. Debra has volunteered to chair our club championship for this year.

I have recently spent a lot of time calling practically every member whose membership was due to laps for the 2004 season. About thirty-seven total hours of calling time to be exact. Some members have moved on with no forwarding address. Some decided not to renew their membership. Some just wanted to chat with me to see what was new with the club. Our chats were very enjoyable. I could place a voice with a name, and a name with a membership. Every call was worth it. A voice with a name and a name with a membership,,,,I like it.

Sandra Kretz was not able to make the last meeting, but, yes she is still actively looking for Katahdin to host an AKC hunt test training seminar for 2005. This is another great idea and Sandra will keep us informed as more information comes in.

We are still looking into when we are going to organize this year’s team shoot. Unfortunately, the land that was used in the past by Tom White might not be available this year. The board started looking into available dates just in case Tom is unable to secure the available land.

Please remember that it is very important to share information with fellow members. Besides your dog, the next important piece of field training equipment, would be the availability of quail. Now, I have about four different versions of what I call, a quail holding box, or transport boxes. I thought I used the most practical ones on the market, until now. Jeremy Thompson has designed and developed one of the simplest and most feasible, quail transport and storage pens that I have ever seen in years. This quail box is very easy to assemble and operate. Please contact Jeremy if you would like to know how to make one. If not, then I am sure that Jeremy can put together a diagram of the quail box for the next newsletter.

Tom White was not able to make the annual meeting. Therefore, we postponed the awards ceremony and dedication portion of our annual meeting to the next meeting. Our next meeting will be held at Steve and Pauline Marcq's home on Sunday, May 16th at 5:45. I hope to do the awards then. There is also another event that we as a club are working on. However, until we can actually etch it in stone, I would prefer to wait to announce the details.

Until then, we have a lot to do within the next couple of months. We will not be having another meeting until after our slated and successful training day and hunt tests. Don’t forget the other pointing breed clubs who also have events slated for this spring. Entering your dog in their events. They will also enter theirs in our events.

I know of a few expected litters along with some brags. So relax, sit back with your favorite Shorthair and enjoy your newsletter. I would love to meet you at both our training days and spring hunt tests. And remember, our web site is still growing and available twenty four hours a day. Mailboxes should be ready by the time your next newsletter arrives. www.katahdingsp.org I just love saying that.