MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HUNTING RETRIEVER CLUB

 

JANUARY 2008

 

NEWS LETTER

 

Hi Folks!

 

For those who attended the Annual meeting / winter party on Sunday, January 20th, you know it’s an exciting time to be a part of MVHRC.  First, we had a bunch of folks earn titles, Grand Passes, and even a 500 point milestone!  Congratulations go out to the following owners/handlers (and their dogs) who titled in 2007:

 

Ted and Kim Souhrada ~ SHR                      Carlton Creger ~ SHR

Ken and Sandy Martin ~ HR                         Clark Malmer ~ HR

Josh DeCastecker ~ UH and HR                    Mike Botts ~ UH

Mike and Lisa Seaman ~ HRCH                    Keith Pauli ~ UH and HRCH

Bill and Sally Sarafin ~ UH and HRCH        Burt Fletcher ~ UH and HRCH

Terry and Carol Hartley ~ UH and HRCH

 

We also had Mike Botts and Mike and Lisa Seaman earn their first Grand Passes up in Michigan last fall.  Way to go!  Finally, Mike and Jo File reached 500 points and are now members of that elite club. Kudos to you!

 

Clark Malmer received the Darrell Day award for getting stuck in the mud while hunting with Mark Raskie.  If you’re looking for a pair of waders, please contact Mark for the exact location of Clark’s.  If you can get them out of the mud/ice, they’re yours.

 

Before I go on, I want to thank all those who helped make the winter party a great success. The food was delicious and plentiful.  The company was colorful and a good time was had by all.

 

On to club business.  We had a changing of the guard with the elections for club officers. Darrell Day was elected President.  Burt Fletcher was elected Vice President. And I (even though I don’t have the legs for it) was elected Chief Scribe (Secretary).  Mike Peal signed on for another year as Treasurer (Thanks Mike!).

 

I would be remiss if I did not offer our sincere thanks to Janie Hoctel and Mark and Kris Raskie for their dedication and commitment as outgoing club officers.  We appreciate all the time and effort you selflessly devoted to the success of the MVHRC during your tenure.

 

We also had several additions to the Board of Directors. Welcome Daylan Daniels and Ken Martin. Thanks for your service!  The Board of Directors includes Daniels, Martin, Keith Pauli, Kris Raskie, Mark Raskie, Terry Hartley, Mike File, Mike Botts, and Mike Seaman.

 

Keith Pauli (with help from Andy and Melissa) is taking over the MVHRC web site.

 

Burt Fletcher put together the Training Schedule for 2008 (see attached). Look for it to be posted on the web site soon.  Remember to renew your Iowa hunting license and habitat fee for 2008.  The 2007 license expired on 1/10/2008.

 

There will be a Board of Directors meeting at the Isaak Walton League beginning at 6:30 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2008.  This meeting is open to all members.  There will be a discussion on where the club is heading and how we plan to get there.  Also, items from our annual meeting will be discussed.  Finally, plans for the upcoming hunt test and Grand hunt test planning and preparation will be discussed to continue our efforts towards putting on a successful Grand this fall. 

 

The Financial Review Committee (Audit Committee) took a look at our books and had several recommendations to make Mike Peals job as Treasurer a little easier.  The recommendations are currently being evaluated and we’ll hear more about them in the future.  A big thanks to Ken Martin, Carol Hartley, and Carolyn Handley for conducting the review.  Mike is doing a great job and his books balance to the penny!

 

The Sportsman’s Show is coming up on February 14th to the 17th. One change we need to be aware of is that all dogs must be kenneled when they are at the booth.  Dogs are no longer allowed to be on leash while at the booth.  Also, if you want your dog’s picture on the booth, get Mike Botts a picture ASAP.

 

Just a reminder.  We’ve got our Upland Hunt test scheduled for February 9th and 10th at “For the Birds Hunting Preserve” in Illinois City, IL.  Check the HRC web site for the Premium and other hunt tests scheduled for this year. If you plan on running the test, get your Premium and payment to Mike Botts ASAP so we can order birds.  Be aware that Muddy Waters cancelled their Upland Hunt test in March.

 

Finally, we voted to amend the club By-Laws to clarify the number of votes each paid membership is entitled to have. A single membership is entitled to one vote. A family membership is entitled to two votes. Attached is a MVHRC Membership Application. Please complete the form and return it to me so that we have current information on all members.

 

I’m going to be sending the monthly News Letter out to members electronically to help save money on postage.  If you receive this News Letter hard copy and want it electronically, send me your email address and I’ll add you to the mailing list. My email address is wsarafin@niu.edu.

 

Well, I tried to keep it short and just hit the high points. For more detailed information, please check out the Meeting Minutes on the web site.

 

Thanks and let’s have a great year!

 

Bill

 

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”