Abby Pelletier shows her winning ways.
ANTA/Past Events/sarasotafl08
Posted 09/02/08
If you are going to be in the Southeastern part of the country on Saturday, March 15, 2008, save the date for ANTA's fun day, St. Paddy's Day Southern Style.
The festivities will be held in Sarasota, Florida and will include a fun match, judged by Jim O'Brian, as well as lure coursing, flat racing, a CGC test, and introduction to earthdog, rally, agility, and obedience.
Also planned are a CERF eye clinic and a microchip clinic. Both of these activities require pre-registration.
If you're making a long-enough visit, additional points of interest include Mote Marine, Selby Gardens, Mayakka State Park, Siesta Key Beaches and the Ringling museum.
Full information is contained in the flyer that accompanies this issue of ANTIC. This is prime vacation time in Florida, so make your reservations now so that you won't miss out on the fun.
Heidi Evans
ANTIC, December, 2007
As anyone who has planned an event knows, all the real fun is in the anticipation! St. Paddy's Day Southern Style was just that for us. It was truly a combined effort of Sue and Jim O'Brian, Bridget Smith, Amy O'Brian, Jeff Markey and myself. We plotted, cajoled, tasted and tried out just about everything and had fun doing it.
It was a beautiful day in Sarasota, Florida on March 15th. The garage/barn on Jeff and Amy's property was decorated in theme for St. Patrick's Day, and it looked great. There was a 20' x 40' tent set up for the ring at the side of the barn with lure coursing and the go-to-ground beyond that. The flat racing was on the far side of the field.
We had Dr. Davin Borde from Institute of Veterinary Specialists in Gainesville, Florida doing a Heart clinic. Also in attendance was Dr. Tom Miller (also a Norfolk owner) from Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists in Largo who held a CERF Eye Clinic. Dr. Steve Iulo from Veterinary Associates in Venice, Florida checked patellas and inserted microchips. This was the first Canine Health Information Clinic (CHIC) held specifically for Norfolks.
Bridget picked up donuts and coffee, thanks to ANTA, that were available for participants. Every dog that registered received a Shamrock bandana and a raffle ticket. ANTA Board members Tony Gabrielli, who helped me with registration, and Joan Eckert arrived early that morning.
Norfolk owner Charlotte Miller sold custom made chocolates with, yes, you've got it, Norfolks on them! Jane Anderson sent store items and there were also ANTA doormats from Cathie Heimbach. I drafted my daughter, Reba Evans, to man the store for us. Neville Lorick was the unofficial `official' photographer.
Let the Good Times Roll
Judge Jim O'Brian got off to a bit of a late start thanks to me. I kept thinking more people were coming (how does it go, `Build it and they will come'?) and come they did! By the middle of the morning I stopped during the judging to count heads: 70+ people and 45 dogs! How did this happen, I asked myself, in the middle of south Florida? Besides the great turn out of Norfolks there was a Norwich presence and several other breeds as well.
Best puppy in match went to "Maggie" (Ch. Brickin Cut and Run x Ch. Chantilly's Tiger Lil) owned by Steve Roberts. Best bitch was Avalon's First Glisten at Abbedale (Ch. Avalon's First Step x Ch. Abbedale's Glitter) owned by Lori Pelletier.
Best dog went to Chantilly Harlequin Romance (Ch. Copperplate Christmas Cracker x Ch. Llwydd Lady of the Lake) owned by Janice Lorick.
Junior Showmanship entries, Ann Martin with Daphne and Austin Tabor with Sophie, were both winners. One of the highlights of the day was the costume contest. The competition was fierce and the winner, determined by applause, was Sophie Tabor for `dog-a-pillar".
There was a Parade of Champions as read by Reba. Each Champion received a beautiful medal with a Norfolk embossed on the front provided by ANTA. These dogs were all AKC Champions, with many having been re-homed over the years. Their `forever owners' were so proud to accompany these dogs around the ring and were so taken with their medals you would have thought they were made of gold.
Dogs in the parade were Annie Gagliardi, Lizzie Brussatti-McGee, Tommy Ames, Channel Wynn, Puddy Miller, Zoey Smith, Oliver Rothstein and Emma and Lily O'Brian. Everyone who entered the match ring received a prize: a bully stick and a plush toy. The raffle was held after the judging with many great trinkets being given away. Most of the prizes on the day were from generous donations.
For lunch, Amy and Jeff smoked a couple of pork shoulders for pulled pork that was the main `entrée,' served along with coleslaw and baked beans. During lunch there was a dancing demo by Joan Graham and her Norwich, Hally Berry.
Throughout the day, Lee Little performed nonstop grooming demonstrations with help later from Tony Gabrielli and Lori Pelletier who, in three days, groomed her way through 17 dogs in Boca Grande. Several demos were given: one on training by Jeanine Braun and another agility/rally by Fran Lindstrom. Bernice Stanton, from Orlando, helped with the go-to-ground as well as flat racing in the afternoon. Jeff Markey and Judge Jim manned the lure coursing equipment.
To cap off the day, dinner was catered at my house with 15 people and several guest dogs to enjoy the fare.
Through ANTA, many Norfolk owners had fun and, at the end of the day, walked away with prizes and maybe even a bit `o' new knowledge. Many of the attendees, both dogs and human, I think benefited from the demonstrations and information that was relayed. Although I am not sure any of us had any idea of how it was all going to end up, the consensus was that we'd all had a GREAT day!
Heidi Evans
WOW! Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Heidi sets the gold standard
for planning events that combine doggy good health with dogs and people
having great fun. Would YOU like to host an ANTA fun day?
It doesn't have to be as elaborate as the Florida affair (Heidi, after all,
has had a few years to hone her party-giving skills!) but you, too, can
have a great time socializing with your fellow Norfolk owners. Contact an
ANTA officer or board member if you are interested.
ANTIC, June, 2008
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