HVGRC NEWS. Sue Handelman - An Appreciation by Bob Swanson. A newsletter for members of the Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club. October December 2016

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1 HVGRC NEWS A newsletter for members of the Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club October December 2016 Sue Handelman - An Appreciation by Bob Swanson As many of you know, Sue Handelman has decided to retire from her position as editor of our newsletter effective with this issue. Sue has been the editor since an incredible 27 years. She assumed the position from Pixie Carter and was well suited for the job after writing the HVGRC column for the GR News in the 1980 s. Our membership has changed a lot over the past few years and many of you have shared many good times with Sue. But, for those of you who don t know about this quiet, unassuming woman who has done so much for our club and our breed, here are some highlights of her vibrant career in Golden Retrievers: I was introduced to HVGRC after a happy coincidence. In the late 1970 s I met Lynn Halpern at a local park, where we were both walking our goldens. She told me about HVGRC which was a new club at the time, and invited me to come to a meeting. It seemed like a great connection and a way to learn from others, and was the beginning of a long association. My first golden came from Torch Flinn at Tigathoe Kennels. He was sweet and super-energetic, wild actually. To get him under control and teach him some basic manners, I took him to obedience class. When he won first prize in Novice A at his first show, I was thrilled and thoroughly hooked on obedience. Sue with Nugget, who started it all. He became Tigathoe s Midas Touch UD, aka Nugget and finished his career with a first in Utility and 10 OTCH points. Obedience continued to be my focus for many years. Among other shows, we always entered obedience at the annual HVGRC Specialty, originally held in Poughkeepsie at the City Center. Since then, all of my goldens have participated in performance events. cont d p.2

2 The hunting retriever program was just getting started in the 1980 s. Until then the only field events were WC,WCX and field trials. We certainly weren t ready for field trials then. Since the 1980 s, my goldens earned these titles: Sparky Tigathoe s Trailblazer UDT JH WCX Pumpkin Emberain Golden Gate UDT MH WCX (My first Master Hunter and Master National qualifier) Peanut Trailblazer s Indian Summer UD SH WCX (daughter of the two above) Buttons Emberain Sunkist Miss UD MH WCC Daisy Splashdown Blithe Spirit CDX SH WCX Joy Topbrass Joie de Vivre CDX MH WCX Heather My Stardust Melody UD MH WCX QAA and Master National qualifier Heather is Sue s first and only Qualified All-Age Golden. Sue and Heather earned this terrific qualification without any professional help. I first became aware of Heather when I noticed she won award after award, year after year at our Annual Meetings. For a non-hunting participant, I had great respect for this winning team and then amazement when I found out Sue had done it herself. I was very saddened to learn that Heather is currently being treated for T-cell lymphoma. The sadness I saw in Sue s eyes when she told me was heartbreaking. Many of us have experienced cancer with our dogs and understand what Sue is going through. The bond between Heather and Sue is so strong and we are wishing Heather a bright future. Being a member since the beginning, I asked Sue what the club was like in the early days: Even though my interests were different from many others in this club, we learned from and cooperated with each other. Marge Trowbridge, breeder-owner of the wonderful Trowsnest Whirlwind, encouraged me to show Sparky in Veterans conformation at the National Specialty. He didn t place, but a Florida breeder noticed him and asked if I would breed him to her beautiful, soon-to-be champion bitch. When I had my one litter of puppies in 1987, HVGRC President Howard Falberg was kind enough to refer one of his previous puppy buyers to me and that puppy went to a great home in California. Other members gave me helpful advice on puppy raising. At the request of our club president, Tony Vitti, I chaired our first WC/WCX event in And what she sees for the future of HVGRC and our breed: Our club has certainly advanced with the times by putting on two annual agility trials as well as its annual specialty at FDR Park and, of course, the health clinic. With a widely-dispersed and rather small membership, I m not sure what more we can do. I think most people today just want a well-mannered pet with breeder follow-up when needed. Hopefully we can continue to nurture the temperament that drew us all to our Goldens in the first place, and help the public resist the trend toward Doodles and comparable cross-breeds. Columnist, editor, breeder, field competitor, event chair, hard working, wonderful person Sue has done so much for HVGRC over the decades. I know I speak for the entire membership with just two words that cannot begin to express all of our gratitude: Thank You." A Fond Farewell Yes, it is true. After 27 years as newsletter editor, I am retiring and this will be my last issue. Producing this newsletter has been a wonderful way to be close to all of you. Others were touched by your stories as well. When I was still using a local printer, a Mom and Pop operation, the owner s wife told me that she shed a few tears whenever she read in our newsletter of the passing of someone s loved Golden. Thank you for sharing and trusting me to record your joys and even your sorrows for so many years. I treasure the memories and hope you will continue to keep in touch. Sue Handelman 2

3 President s Letter Welcome to Fall! Another season is upon us with changes in the air, the color of the leaves and the shortening of the days. It is also a time when we are seeing changes in two key positions within HVGRC. After 27 years as editor of this incredible newsletter, Sue Handelman is stepping down. Yes, 27 years volunteering as the editor of this newsletter. Sue s stewardship has seen this newsletter grow from a couple of pages run off on a copy machine to the outstanding piece it is today. Sue s incredible patience with late submissions, missing information and a host of backroom issues is revered. To say I will miss Sue running this ship is an understatement. I ve only had the pleasure of really getting to know her over the past few years, but her kindness, intelligence and love of HVGRC has made a large and lasting impression on me. How do you thank someone for 27 years of dedication? As many of you know, Alyson Fuge is stepping down from her position as Treasurer after seven years of outstanding bookkeeping and dedication. I will miss her logical and well thought out points of view at our Board meetings, but am very happy to say that her move to Pennsylvania will not keep her from staying on as a member and participating in meetings and activities. New member Karen Frustaci has volunteered to assume the role of Treasurer and the Board voted unanimously for her appointment. Karen brings with her a solid background in finance and will be a terrific addition to the Board. By the time you read this, many of you will have attended the October meeting at Karen Fennikoh s home and been entertained and educated by her presentation of her 40+ years in breeding and showing Golden Retrievers. We have quite a few very accomplished members across all venues and I hope to entice them to think about making a presentation about their accomplishments and history. Our foundation is a strong one and there is so much we can learn from each other. Our December Holiday Party will take place on December 10th. Chris Miele has arranged for us to use a restaurant that will fit all of us inside with plenty of playroom for the dogs outside. Details to follow, but save the date! In just a few weeks, we will be holding our All Breed Agility Trial at Victoria Farms in Middletown, NY. The trial will run November and volunteers are always needed. The Premium can be downloaded at The Volunteer link should go up shortly. This is a fast paced day with a lot of dogs and activity. We can never have enough hands to help. Our April and November trials are the biggest money making events sponsored by the club. Please help us keep them that way! We are working on finalizing the date for our Annual Health Clinic. Details will be posted to the website in the next few weeks. As always, we need volunteers to help Giselle Graham and Ann Marie Cioffi run another perfect clinic. As always, every member of the Board is open to comments and suggestions. Please feel free to any of us. It is your input and dedication that has kept this club running for so many years. If you having meeting ideas, speaker suggestions etc, please let me know. I hope this has been a good year for all our members. If our paths don t cross over the next few months, I hope your holidays are wonderful and the New Year brings with it much joy. Bob TABLE OF CONTENTS An Appreciation...1 A Fond Farewell...2 President s Letter...3 Our Stars Golden Sunsets Welcome...9 Calendar of Coming Events Specialty Raffle...10 Congratulations...10 Keeping in Touch...11 Deadlines for Next Issue...11 HVGRC Officers...12 Bits & Pieces

4 !! Our Stars!! Bruce and Audrey Coleman have been busy in obedience and field trials: HR Skylight s Repeat Offender***, SH, CCA (Pete) became Qualified All-Age by placing first in the Central NY Retriever Club trial on Memorial Day weekend. Rippling Run Blue Ribbon s Kiss Me MH, CD, WCX, CGC, CCA (Kate) earned her CD at the Schenectady DTC trials in August. Kathy Eddy is proud to report that her Magic earned a TDX title at the Hudson Valley Tracking Club test on October 2 nd. This also earned her a VCX. She is now Am/Can CH Comstock s Gift of the Magi TDX, JH, VCX. Kathy reports that after a rough start, she buckled down to succeed on a track that was 3 hours, 40 minutes old, and close to a spot where a number of hikers had recently passed. Never one to rest on her laurels, Kathy says now on to VST Late news: Magic earned her WC Oct. 8 at the Northeastern Flat-Coat Retriever Club This was 8 weeks after whelping 8 puppies! 4

5 !! Our Stars!! Karen Fennikoh s Louise has accumulated additional Grand Champion points by getting assorted BOB, BOS & SEL wins. She is now a Bronze Level Grand Champion: GCHB Amberglo s Acceleration Thinking she might receive a certificate for Louise s GCHB title, Karen was surprised and pleased to receive this bronze medallion: Her younger ½ sister, Paisley has picked up 3 single points over the summer: Amberglo s Turbo 5

6 !! Our Stars!! Carol Russo is celebrating with Beckett (Picabo s You Are My Sunshine, CGCA, THDE, CCA, NW1) after the Garden State GRC Specialty. Despite the brutally hot weather, Beckett wagged his tail through both Specialty shows I one day in his usual happy Golden way. He was rewarded with Best Veteran in Specialty in both the Somerset Hills KC/GSGRC morning Specialty under judge Diane Kepley and the afternoon Garden State GRC Specialty under judge Nancy Talbott. Having gone back in for BOB, Beckett even made the final out in a group of lovely specials! His name will now appear on the CH Tangleloft Odds on Pebwin CK WC VC Memorial Trophy. His handler, Diana Mason, has presented him beautifully and Carol is grateful to her for this, his 5 th Best Veteran in Show win. Further celebration ensued as Beckett achieved his Therapy Dog Excellent title! Beckett and Carol have visited young and old alike, logging over 200 visits while bringing that Golden happiness to others less fortunate. Carol and Beckett have a special partnership that is its own reward. So many hearts have been lifted by his presence and the team has met some wonderful people. Beckett originally began his Therapy Dog days with Carol s daughter Amanda. Desiring a Girl Scout Gold Award project that would include her love of animals, Amanda trained and became certified with Beckett through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. Her project, entitled A Heart of Gold, included visits to Scout troops, nursing homes and pediatric settings. Finally, Amanda was off to college and Carol was handed the lead. Carol and Beckett continue to make weekly visits to a nursing/rehabilitation facility where he has become a celebrity visitor! You are encouraged to pursue this wonderful activity with your Golden partner. 6

7 Golden Sunsets Cassidy March 27, 2002 July 21, 2016 By Joe Chvastek It was March 1, 2002, when I went to our first Golden, Kelly and kissed her goodbye before I went to the gym. At 14 ½, I knew that any time could be THAT time. I told Kelly through some moistening eyes that if she had to, she could let go and that we d be all right. I returned from the gym and she gave me that Golden retriever smile as I came in. Later that night after watching a movie, I went into the kitchen to take Kelly out and saw her sleeping in her usual spot. I walked heavily so not to startle her, knowing the heavy footsteps would wake her. This time they didn t. Kelly had passed in her sleep. We were devastated and sat next to her, crying. A few weeks after Kelly passed, Sandy had a dream with Kelly running down a hill towards her, with a dark golden puppy romping along side of her. Sandy told me about the dream and how real it seemed each day for the next couple of days. About a week after that dream our vet called us and said I don t know if you re ready, but I know of two litters coming. One of the litters..this will be their last and each puppy has been a home run. He gave us the phone numbers. A few days later we called one of the numbers and heard newborn puppy yips at the other end of the phone.. the puppies were actually being born! A few weeks later we went to see the litter.we sat on the floor and the puppies walked all over us, with that puppy smell, biting anything that presented itself, fingers, noses, feet, shoe laces you name it. It was the first time I had seen puppies that young, and was without a doubt one of the best things that I have ever experienced. Some weeks later, the day before Mother s day, Cassidy came home with us. The next day, half-jokingly, I picked up Cassidy, walked over to Sandy and said Happy Mother s Day! From that day on, Sandy called her the best Mother s Day present, ever. Cassidy was the first dog that we took for any kind of formal training. We did obedience at First Dog Training Club and we clicked. We fed off of each other and it was unlike any feeling I had ever felt. While at First Dog, I saw a flyer about some club called Skyline Agility. I read it and thought it would be fun to try. That worked out to become a journey that cemented a bond between us unlike any other, and brought us so many places in the canine community along with getting more than half way to MACH before I had to retire Cassidy due to a knee issue in Cassidy passed on July 21, 2016, living a very loving, happy and active 14 ½ years. Each year we would take our two week journey up to Lake George. I would throw a tennis ball into the lake until my arm was sore (there were years when we had three Goldens at the lake, Summer and Ryan being the others, along with Sundance our Shiloh Shepherd). To us it was the highlight of the year, being with our kids at the Lake, all of us having a great time. This year s trip to the Lake, was the first time in 30 years that I didn t throw a tennis ball in the Lake for a Golden to retrieve, having also lost Ryan this year. While there, we noticed at the end of the dock, where our kids would launch themselves from, all of the years worth of scratch marks. It was a melancholy and comforting set of feelings and did bring a smile to us. But while there I also noticed something sitting in a small opening on the dock by the small boathouse. It was a pink spaldeen from last year - Cassidy and Ryan s last time at the Lake. To Sandy and I it was Cassidy letting us know that she was there with us. cont d p. 8 Cassidy s first Agility Q at the HCGRC Trial. Nov

8 Cassidy was the pack alpha, a true leader, never using more correction than as necessary. She never challenged Summer, our oldest at the time, and was very confident of her standing throughout her life. Cassidy survived two cases of Mast Cell tumors, coming back strong each time, and was happy and active right until her last days. After we lost Ryan the January before, Cassidy became sort of a clown again, noticing we needed something to lighten our load. Last fall, I had two graves dug one for Ryan as we knew she wasn t going to survive hermangiosarcoma, and one for Cassidy, so if she passed during the winter, I wouldn t have to dig through frozen ground. Well on her 14 th birthday this past March, she walks over to where her grave was, smelled it and proceeded to take a humungous dump on the grave. She had never so much as peed at that spot. Cassidy never had any issue communicating. It s been more than two months since Cassidy s passing, and we still can t get our heads around the fact that she s gone. As you can see, Cassidy gave us some the greatest experiences of our lives. We can still feel her presence, especially in the training of her new girl, Spryte. The bond that I had with Cassidy was unlike any other in my life. Cassidy.I just say the name and it stops me in my tracks. Cassidy.you taught me so much, gave us so happiness. Cassidy.you were unlike anything I have ever experienced. For all of the thousands of days of joy and the last days of devastating heartbreak, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. The love between us and Cassidy was one of the most powerful things we ve experienced. There are many different kinds of love we ll feel in our lives, but the love we got from Cassidy was unmistakably one of the greatest treasures of our lives. HRCH,UH Windrush's Blaze Orange CD, MH, CGC, WC (12/24/ /26/2016) Sunfire s XX Muleteam Borax UD SH WC WCX ex Buckshot s Para Bellum MH WCX OD. There is another set of paw prints on the Rainbow Bridge and a star in the sky as "Murphy" the last of his litter, joins his brothers and sister. Thank you Chuck Ward for the wonderful life you gave him, and the experiences and exciting times you had together. -Lisa Weinberg Friend, please don't mourn for me I'm still here, though you don't see. I'm right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay. My body is gone but I'm always near. I'm everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but I'll never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart. I'll never wander out of your sight- I'm the brightest star on a summer night. I'll never be beyond your reach- I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach. When you start thinking there's no one to love you, you can talk to me through the Lord above you. I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze. I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. I'm the smile you see on a baby's face. Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace! Author Unknown I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground. I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond, The clear cool water in a quiet pond. I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring, The first warm raindrop that April will bring. I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine. 8

9 Welcome! Please welcome Sunfire s Spryte of the Highlands to the HVGRC family! She has brought so much joy into our lives! Joe and Sandy Chvastek HVGRC CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS Nov All-Breed Agility Trial Victoria Farm, Tetz Lane, Middletown, NY Hours: 7:30 AM 5:30 PM each day Volunteers are welcome at any time during the day Chair: Chris Miele Judge: Kendall Fairchild Dec 10 Holiday Party Details to be announced January 2017 Health Clinic Date to be announced Co-chairs Giselle Graham & Ann Marie Cioffi Sept GRCA National Specialty hosted by Potomac Valley GRC 9

10 2017 Specialty Raffle Hi everyone, It s never too late or too early to be thinking of the 2017 Raffle. In fact, I believe much of our past success is due to all the items that have been donated throughout the year. Early donations help me in the planning stages of what baskets I have, what items I need to get and it gives me ideas for the creation of new baskets. Potential raffle items may come your way at any time while attending a flea market or tag sale, cleaning out the attic, or receiving unwanted gifts. Perhaps you have a friend who is starting a new business. Our raffle is a great way to get exposure and help them grow their business. Dog related businesses and dog related basket items are terrific and always welcome but remember they don t have to be. We ve sold tons of tickets for merchandise of everything you can think of from wine and chocolate (who wouldn t like that!) to books, children s items, household potpourri, garden tools, birdhouses, vases, candles, picture frames, 4th of July party stuff, bar-b-que items, mugs, coffee and espresso, stuff for your cats, even movie memorabilia along with everything you need for a night at the movies. I even received beautiful handmade dog collars all the way from California! There were autographed best selling books! The list goes on... Last year we had 87 amazing baskets and displays and that means there were 87 very happy winners. Actually there were more because David Emberling Studios of Weston, CT offered 6 gift certificates to create your favorite photo he specializes in photos of dogs and does beautiful work. Chris Miele kicked off the 2017 donations in June when she gave me a Snuggle Safe Heat Pad, a basket, a dog sign and mug, GR note pads, an ornament and a stoneware dog bowl. Thanks Chris! Giselle Graham never stops giving. I ve made several stops to her home already to pick up 15 baskets! dog stickers, a book, toys, a blanket, mugs, bowls, collars and leashes, ornaments, harnesses, a figurine and plaque, note pads, grooming set, picture frame, and lots of poop bags! Thanks Giselle! President Bob Swanson gave me 3 terrific baskets, a Bow Lingual find out what your dog is saying!! and a Blinking Bone that clips to your dog s collar so you can see him at night. Thanks Bob! The holidays are coming which means there will be many opportunities to gather stuff for our 2017 Raffle. Please keep it in mind and either bring your items to the meetings, give to someone who is attending or contact me for a pick up: kira3@comcast.net Together we ll make the 2017 Raffle a huge success!! Thank you and Happy Autumn!! Lorraine Cusimano CONGRATULATIONS to our own Chris Miele: new Eastern Vice President of GRCA Previously HVGRC President and President of GRCA 10

11 Keeping in Touch The HVGRC maintains a club list on Yahoo. Membership in this mailing list is restricted to members of the Hudson Valley Retriever Club. All members of the HVGRC may join the Yahoo Group. In case you are not familiar with Yahoo groups or do not know how to join, the following information, written by Jonathan Halpern, may be helpful: If you need help, contact Jonathan at jon.h@att.net or Once on the list, the member will receive all s sent to the list. Any member of our Yahoo Group may send an to all other members of the Yahoo Group by addressing an as shown in the heading above. Please note: the Yahoo groups address does not accept attachments. To join the HVGRC Yahoo Group, an HVGRC member must navigate to the Yahoo web page for the HVGRC group, and left click with the mouse on the box labeled Join the group. The web address of this page is: Follow the instructions to join the group. After this step is completed, Yahoo will send a message to our list administrator asking for approval to join the group. The list administrator will approve the membership in the group and Yahoo will send an confirming membership. If a club member changes to a new address, simply join the group again using the new address. Notify the HVGRC list administrator if you want the old address cancelled. The club also has a private Facebook group. To join the group search for Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club on Facebook. At the top of the page on the Cover Photo click the tab that says Join Group. You will need to be approved. DEADLINES FOR NEXT ISSUE January 1st Deadline for News January 15th Mailing Date HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS All news must be submitted in legible, written form received by the editor before the deadline. Until further notice, please submit news to Melissa Fairweather parhelion@hvc.rr.com 11

12 Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club OFFICERS PRESIDENT Robert Swanson PO Box 220, Sherman CT (H)860/ (C) 860/ VICE PRESIDENT Jonathan Halpern 45 Berrian Road, New Rochelle, NY (H) 914/ (FL)561/ TREASURER Karen Frustaci 355 Route 340, Sparkill, NY (H) RECORDING SECRETARY Carol Russo 9 Strawberry Hill Court, Montvale, NJ (H) 201/ signetm@optonline.net CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Lorraine Cusimano 27 Sherwood Hill Rd, Brewster, NY (H) 845/ Kira3@comcast.net BOARD OF DIRECTORS CLASS OF 2016 Ann Marie Cioffi caseyberry@aol.com Lynn Halpern Lynn1@att.net CLASS OF 2017 Helen Sherman HshermanK9Gold@aol.com Brian Visokay Brian@brvisokay.com NEWSLETTER EDITOR Susan Handelman 40 Birch Drive, Katonah NY (H) 914/ shandel@optonline.net LAYOUT/E-NEWS EDITOR Melissa Fairweather parhelion@hvc.rr.com STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AKC PUBLIC ED COORDINATOR Sandy Spitzer russan@frontiernet.net FIELD REP Position Open: Volunteer Needed GRCA DELEGATE Chris Miele xcreek@aol.com GRCA NEWS Robert Swanson overlookgoldens@gmail.com HISTORIANS Vincent Savarese & Karen Fennikoh (H) 845/ MEMBERSHIP Lisa Weinberg WindrushGoldenRetrievers@gmail.com PROGRAM Position Open: Volunteer Needed PUPPY REFERRAL Binnie Weissleder Dogzrus1@comcast.net VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS Giselle Graham Jgraham54@sbcglobal.net For more information go to our website: hvgrc.org

13 BITS AND PIECES PUPPY REFERRALS When listing your puppies with Binnie Weissleder (802) or please observe the following: Call her within a week of the litter s due date to confirm that the litter actually has been whelped and to let her know how many puppies are available. Don t forget to let her know when all the puppies have been sold. Please also let Binnie know if you have any older dogs available. PLEASE NOTE! HVGRC Puppy Referral Guidelines, in effect since August 1, 1998, require that a signed release form for each litter be completed and returned to Binnie and Mike. If you need a copy of this form, call Binnie. Breeders Please Note: HVGRC subscribes to the same Code of Ethics as GRCA. Members are advised to keep informed of any changes now being considered. NEWSLETTER ADVERTISEMENTS Litter Listings or Items for Sale There is no charge for these kinds of advertisements. The following requirements still apply: In conformity with HVGRC Puppy Referral Guidelines, ads for puppies must be accompanied by copies of parents hip, elbow, eye and cardiac clearances. NOTICE re PUPPY ADVERTISEMENTS: The Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club makes no warranties or guarantees as to quality, health or any other matters with respect to either the dogs listed herein or the puppies which have or may be produced as a result of the breedings listed herein. The HVGRC recommends that a fully executed, written purchase agreement setting forth all the terms of purchase be obtained before possession of a puppy is transferred to the purchaser(s). HVGRC WEBSITE Visit the HVGRC Website frequently for the latest information: hvgrc.org. Please note: Anyone wishing to post news or notice on the website, should send it to our President, Bob Swanson, who will then transmit it to our webmaster. HVGRC Use this address whenever you need to communicate with the full membership: hvgrc@yahoogroups.com PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS In order to qualify for membership in HVGRC you must first attend two club functions. For application form and further details, contact our Membership Chairperson, Lisa Weinberg, at (914) (H). Her personal is WindrushGoldenRetrievers@gmail.com or through the club membership@hvgrc.org. SPECIAL TROPHIES Attention: potential donors! Anyone who wishes to donate a Special Trophy for our Annual Specialty Show (in addition to the regular club trophies) needs to plan ahead. It is necessary to submit a descriptive letter to the Board of Directors for their approval by April of the previous year. For example, for our June 2017 Show, such a letter must reach the Board by April Prizes may be offered in honor of, in memory of etc. Be sure to include a full description of the trophy itself. If something inspires you, write to the Board. NEWSLETTER DISCLAIMER Following GRCA guidelines, the HVGRC Board has adopted the following policy for articles submitted by individuals: Signed or featured articles express the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HVGRC. The responsibility for factual accuracy and documentation belongs solely to the author of the article. From the Board of Directors: Attention all chairmen: It is a club policy that all published materials including but not limited to flyers, premium lists, and GR News columns be submitted to the Board of Directors for review prior to being released. New members please note: Please refer to the HVGRC web site for Guidelines and Requirements for Annual Awards. This material is no longer included in the new member packet. Every leaf speaks bliss to me Fluttering from the autumn tree. Emily Brontë 13