Volume E6 June Upcoming Events Giant Schnauzer Club of America Newsletter July 5, July 6, Southern Regional Specialty #1 Texas Kennel Club Cluster Dallas, Texas Southern Regional Specialty #2 Texas Kennel Club Cluster Dallas, Texas July 6, GSCA General Meeting Texas Kennel Club Cluster Dallas, Texas July 7, GSCA National Specialty Texas Kennel Club Cluster Dallas, Texas Aug 31 Sep 3, Cottonland Cluster Supported Entries Monroe Civic Center Monroe, LA Upcoming Events (continued) Dec 6-9, Dec 15-16, AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL May 8-12, 2013 Hounds For the Holidays Agility Trial Supported Entry Uihlein Soccer Center Milwaukee, WI 2013 GSCA National Specialty Purina Farms St. Louis, MO Message From the President I am always conflicted over the Specialties, regional and national. The excitement and anticipation can get pretty intense, especially if you re in on the planning and working the event while trying to groom and train your dog to show to the best of your abilities. On the other hand, seeing old friends and meeting new folks, good food, lots of laughs and a chance to see the finest Giant Schnauzers in the world gets me a little tingly. Okay, it gets me a lot tingly, but that s the point, isn t it? I was not able to attend the Western Regional in Glendale, AZ in April. I still have one of those day jobs that keeps cutting into my dog show time. But, I was reviewing the marked catalog to include in the next issue of Giant Steps and was impressed in so many ways; 15 total entries and all the work that Ginny Maese and her committee did to ensure a successful show. It took an entire page in the catalog to list the people that helped on this event. Good job, Ginny and crew, I know how hard you all worked to pull this off. I was able to be at the Eastern Regional in Newcastle, PA in May and this series of supported entries with a Specialty on Saturday was all that anyone could ask for in a Regional Specialty. I know for a fact, Maryann Bisceglia put in a ton of hours buying trophies and food and rounding up volunteers. In fact, we had so many volunteers at one point that we didn t have jobs for all of them. What a problem to have!
Message From the President (continued) There were two aspects of this Specialty that knocked my socks off. First, Twenty- one of the most beautiful Giants in the world. I mentioned a few minutes ago about the thrill of seeing the finest Giant Schnauzers in the world and this is not hyperbole. This is a fact. I know that this was a fact at both Regional Specialties in. Second, the excitement, encouragement and camaraderie from the GSCA members was wonderful to see and hear. One advantage of a supported entry at an all- breed show is the group ring. The yelling, clapping and whistling from the GSCA members was deafening. It is the first time I have ever been to a Group judging where the Giant Schnauzer got the loudest applause. I have never been so proud of the GSCA members who stayed after breed judging and cheered for the Giants in Working Group every day. I ve been told being an officer in the GSCA can be a thankless job. Well sorry, but times like this make it very worthwhile. There is basically one thing this club needs to get right and that is its Regional and National Specialties. So far looks to be a banner year with the folks in Dallas working like crazy to put on a National Specialty of which we can all be proud. Cristi Ramos has been on the phone with the board of directors every month before every board meeting updating the board on progress, asking questions and soliciting more volunteers. She has assembled a remarkable group of volunteers from the South, the West, the East and the Midwest. I am confident the Quest for the Best Giant Schnauzer National Specialty in Dallas will be a dog show of the highest order. Good job everyone, and looking forward to seeing y all in Dallas! Doug Hill President, Giant Schnauzer Club of America New GSCA Website The Giant Schnauzer Club of America website just received a long awaited grooming. Take some time to look around. In addition to the material on the previous site, there is a new and improved Forum that we hope will become a great resource for Giant owners. The front page has the most up to day News; Featured Areas that have recently been updated; as well as a current Event Calendar. Let us know if you find any kinks, and we will get them worked out. Happy Browsing! Giant Schnauzer Club of America Officers and Committees President Doug Hill Giant Steps Editor Doug Hill Vice President Kim Demchak Giant Store Karen Child Treasurer Howard Postovit Health/Heredity Carie May- Bowers Secretary Lori Clark Information Center Marianne Mazzenga Eastern Region Director Maryann Bisceglia Judges Education Steve Fox Southern Region Director Greg Reyna Judges Selection Vicki Kallett & Cindy Wallace Midwest Region Director Mike Rutkas Membership Jennifer Tennison Western Region Director Vacant Newsletter Editor Lori Clark Past President Bernie Tuerler Agility Points Tabulation Beth Unser Adoption & Rescue Kim Demchak Breed Points Tabulation Marina Raukhverger AKC Delegate Kim Demchak Obedience Pts Tabulation Bonnie Postovit AKC Legislative Liaison Robert K. Darden II Rally/Tracking/Herding Marjana Callery Points Tabulation AKC Gazette Columnist Greg Reyna Performance Events Bonnie Postovit Archives Peggy Gumm Public Education Vacant Awards/Trophies Linda Hurst Temperament Testing Cricket Zink Breed Education Olga Gagne Webmaster Lori Clark Breeders Education Maryann Bisceglia Ways & Means Karen Child Congratulatory Marnie Lowe page 2
Member Profile Name and Location Robin Henderson, Ocala Florida Occupation Registered Nurse, Operating Room Your Giants names BIS, BISS GCH Kenro's Fleeting Moment (Enya), Ch. Momentumm Top Gun V. Ruster (Maverick), Ch. Ruster's This Magic Momentumm (Tali), Ch. Spicerack I Get Around (Roam), Ch. Spicerack's The Fireman (Crush), Spicerack's Heart's On Fire (Elektra) How long have you been a GSCA member? About 4 years How did you get into Giants? I am a second generation Giant Schnauzer lover! My mother purchased her first Giant in 1972, after having Miniature Schnauzers and a German Shepherd. She bred under the Spicerack kennel name. The first Giant that I owned was Ch. Spice Rack Dr. W.L. Garlick (Gar). After an absence from the breed, I purchased "Maverick" from Christine Lietzau of Momentumm Giants & shortly after, Tali came to live with us! Do you have other pets in addition to Giants? Yes, we have one miniature schnauzer that is my husband s lap dog! What do you do with your Giant? Primarily, I show in conformation. In 2006, I co-bred my first litter with my mother--the Diva/Uri litter. In 2008, I showed five of the pups from that litter and finished championships on them. In 2010, I bred my own litter -- one has his championship and three others are pointed! 2011 was an exciting year as a breeder and owner! I am thrilled to be the owner of BIS, BISS "Enya" (#1 All Breed/#2 Breed); co-breeder of BIS "Kiera" (#3 All Systems), and Breeder/owner of "Crush" (#20 Breed)! I am currently doing some obedience training to start performance. Do you have other hobbies besides dogs? Boating, travel, watching college football. I use to have time to play the piano, but now I pull jackets! page 3
Member Profile (continued) What is your dog(s) favorite treat and/or toy? They all love to play keep away with a stick, but the younger dogs love to play with socks! Enya would stalk my husband when he got home from work, waiting for him to take his socks off, so (unbeknown to me) he taught her how to take them off of his feet. She surprised me one evening when I sat down and kicked off my shoes! What was the last dog-related thing you read? The current issue of Canine Chronicle! I belong to several online dog-related boards and keep a copy of Pat Hastings "Structure in Action" close by. What is the best advice anyone ever gave you about Giants? Two things come to mind: "Show your own dog" and when I was learning to groom my own dogs, "the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is two weeks!" Both are great pieces of advice! I have found grooming and showing my own dogs a very fun and rewarding experience! If there is a club member that you would like to see featured in the Member Profile column, please send their name and contact information to Lori Clark at secretary@giantschnauzer clubofamerica.com. Anything else you d like to add. In the early years of my involvement of the breed, I would stand at the show rings and watch Giants. The few really good Giants would stand out in the crowd. In 2002, when I was returning to the breed, I attended the National Specialty in Ohio. There were over 100 dogs entered there. I sat and watched in awe of how the quality of the breed had evolved through the years! Temperaments have also changed! No longer do you see "aggression toward other dogs" around the rings! The hard work and dedication of the breeders is to be commended! A Giant Accomplishment Bernie Tuerler, Bridgette Tuerler, and Sasha (TC Galilee Ingebars Inspiration UD, RAE, HSAs, HXC, OAP, NJP, XF, NFP), with judge Jan Skurzynski, finished their quest for a Master Agility Champion title (MACH). As Sasha also has her AKC Conformation champion (CH), and Herding champion (HC), this latest accomplishment earns her the prestigous AKC Triple Champion title (TC), another first for the breed. New Member Applicant J C Henderson 1900 Little Elm Trail #137 Cedar Park, Texas 78613 Email: mejc@sbcglobal.net Sponsors: Cynthia Wallace and Victoria Kallett page 4
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Telephonic Board Meeting Minutes ~ May 8, Board Members Present: Doug Hill, Kim Demchak, Howard Postovit, Bernie Tuerler, Lori Clark, Greg Reyna, Mike Rutkas, Maryann Bisceglia. Guests: Cristi Ramos Call to Order: 8:38 pm EDT Next meeting: June 5, Report from Cristi Ramos National & Southern Regional Specialties (July 5-8, ) Trophy list is almost finalized. Bernie will ship out the medallions to Cristi and she will get them mounted. Finalizing the rosettes with the vendors. Kathleen Flanigan is working on the apparel options with a local vendor. Banquet is booked and the menu has been picked. Auction items are still coming in and Liz Lagmanson is organizing the donations. Hospitality suite is confirmed and booked through the cluster. Starting a list of volunteers to help throughout the weekend. Welcome bags are being handled by Pam Foster. Cristi has someone lined up to take candid photos throughout the weekend to be displayed on video monitor. Monetary donations are still coming in. There is a reserved giant grooming area that folks can opt in/out of. Stacy Reynolds has been making updates to the National website. The General Membership Meeting will be held on Friday following Best In Show. There will be a Meet the Breed booth on Saturday or Sunday during the cluster, and Cristi is arranging volunteers/giants to man the booth. Approval of Minutes: Mike made a motion to approve the April 10, board meeting minutes. Kim seconded. Motion passed unanimously. (58 Meeting minutes approval) Report from the Secretary: Lori read the board email votes which took place on the following dates: 1. April 12, : Whereas GSCA specialty shows raise funds solely for the GSCA; with any and all excess proceeds received by the specialty returned to GSCA, (the vast majority of which is raised during and at the end of the specialty); with no other organizations conducting fundraising at/in conjunction with the specialty; Bernie made a motion that the GSCA provide an additional $3,000.00 to the committee to assist them in acquiring the materials needed for this specialty. Maryann seconded. Motion passed unanimously. (412 Additional funds for National Specialty) 2. April 26, : Bernie made a motion to approve Clay Coady to judge the 2013 Midwest I Specialty on Fri May 10, 2013. Maryann seconded. Bernie yes; Maryann yes; Greg yes; Kim yes; Lori yes; Doug yes; Howard yes. (426 Midwest I Specialty judge approval) 3. April 26, : Bernie made a motion to approve Lydia Hutchinson to judge the 2013 Midwest II Specialty on Sun May 12, 2013. Maryann seconded. Bernie yes; Maryann yes; Greg no; Kim yes; Lori yes; Doug yes; Howard yes. (426 Midwest II Specialty judge approval) Report from the Treasurer: Treasurer s report for April Assets Balance as of 4.30.12 2010 National/Midwest 1,621.39 2011-12 Eastern Specialties 871.37 National Specialty 7,379.23 Western Specialty 1,150.00 Chase CD 5,866.85 MFS Stock 7,817.10 Pay Pal 978.55 Wells- Fargo Savings (Doris Redmann) 13,224.73 Wells- Fargo Checking (Operating account) 21,808.99 Wells- Fargo Checking (PayPal account) 1,255.02 Wells- Fargo Savings 51,003.98 Total Assets $112,977.21 page 6
Telephonic Board Meeting Minutes ~ May 8, (continued) Equity Opening Balance Equity 109,809.67 Retained Earnings - 668.10 Net Income 3,835.64 Total Equity $112,977.21 Howard has asked Jennifer Tennison from the National Committee to send a monthly update on their donations. Howard has paid for all the medallions and Bernie has them. Howard will pick them up from Bernie the next time he see s him. Howard met with the accountant this week and took him all the records for 2011. The accountant is planning to have the paperwork completed by next week. Lori will add the 2011 year end balance sheet in the May newsletter. Howard made a motion to pay the invoice from Marnie Lowe for the congratulatory pins in the amount of $489.93. Bernie seconded. Motion passed unanimously. (58.1 Congratulatory pin payment) Howard will start sending Lori the monthly title information he receives from Tami Stoller, to be published in the newsletter. Howard received a letter from the AKC Canine Health Fund notifying us that we have earned $293.08 through the Purina Parent Club Program, to be put towards a research program(s) that most benefits our breed. The board will take a look at the various research programs and pick the one(s) that we would like to allot funds towards. The Doris Redmann account can be used for educational purposes, except judges education. This could include literature, posters, and other educational materials. These funds cannot be used for rescue but can be used to promote rescue. Maybe some of these funds can be used toward the educational packets that are being developed. Report from the Committees: none Unfinished Business: 2011 Nominated Awards Lori will add to the nominated list of awards the additional nominations received and send to the board for voting. Website Update Lori and Mike have been meeting weekly with Thomas, our web designer. The website is in the final stages of development. The board will review the demo site in the next week or so and provide any changes/feedback to Lori. 2013 National Specialty We have the 3 judges. We still need to come up with Sweepstakes judges. The Mini s and Standards are doing Agility, Obedience, and Rally on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We need to see if the Giant performance members are interested in participating and committing to working at each event. Redistribution of Regions Currently the distribution of members is: East 102; Midwest 143; South 113; West 153 After reviewing the current boundaries of club regions, Howard made a motion that the boundaries remain the same. Kim seconded. Motion passed unanimously. (58.2 Region distribution) Election of New Members Kim made a motion to approve new member applicants Jeraldine Trabant & Keith Wallace (dual) and Sean & Diane Heathcote (dual). Maryann seconded. Motion passed unanimously. (58.3 Election of new members) page 7
Volume E6 June Giant Schnauzer Club of America Newsletter New Business: Telephonic Board Lure Coursing Titles to Versatility Award Program Meeting Minutes ~ A club member sent in a request for the GSCA to add the CAT's [Coursing Ability Titles] to the Versatility award program. The levels are: CA 3 qualifying runs; CAA 10 qualifying runs; CAX 25 May 8, qualifying runs. The AKC now awards lure coursing ability titles for breeds other than sighthounds. (continued) Lori will publish a notice in the next newsletter requesting membership feedback. Source Book & Educational Packet Kathy Than is interested in doing the next source book and will submit a proposal to the board for approval. She will also include in her proposal, the educational packet that she has been working on. This packet would include a tri- fold brochure, a CD of the Illustrated Standard, and a photo booklet. Kathy has also designed the new club logo, and a logo for next year s national. Adjournment: Maryann made a motion to adjourn. Howard seconded. Motion passed and meeting adjourned at 11:38pm EDT. (58.4 Meeting adjournment) Respectfully submitted, Lori Clark GSCA Secretary More Great Accomplishments Laura Feldt and Rico (CH Celestial Catch Me If You Can VCD2 RA NF), achieved the VCD2 title on June 2,. Way to go Laura and Rico! Stay tuned to their next giant adventure. Rico is owned by Laura Feldt and Brianna Higgins. Jennifer Tennison and her Giant Lola (Linch Pins Luscious Lola), earned their UDX title in April. Congratulations to you both! If you are headed to the National in Dallas, Texas next month, be sure and stop by the Obedience ring where you can see Lola and Jennifer in action. On the front cover, Hemi and Rebecca Letson are completing the AD (12.5 mile endurance bike) through United Schutzhund Clubs of America Schutzengel Working Dog Club Trial. Congratulations to both Rebecca and Hemi! Nice job! page 8
Photo acknowledgements: Hemi Hemi vom Engelskotten, photo by Rebecca Letson (cover page, top center) Tim Nyx and his mowing buddy, photo by Brenda Nyx (cover page, middle left) Enya BIS, BISS GCH Kenro's Fleeting Moment, photo by Robin Henderson (page 3) Giant Schnauzer Club of America, Inc. is a Member Club Sasha TC Galilee Ingebars Inspiration UD, RAE, HSAs, HXC, OAP, NJP, XF, NFP, photo by Bridgette & Bernie Tuerler (page 4) Lola Linch Pins Luscious Lola, photo by Jennifer Tennison (page 8, bottom left) Rico CH Celestial Catch Me If You Can VCD2 RA NF, photo by Laura Feldt (page 8, bottom right) Hemi Hemi vom Engelskotten, photo by Rebecca Letson (this page) Photos are always welcome! Please send them to Lori Clark at loriclark612@gmail.com. Giant Schnauzer Club of America, Inc. Lori Clark, GSCA Secretary 15465 NW Perimeter Drive Beaverton, OR 97006