THE BEACON Swissy Club of New England Newsletter 4th Quarter 2011 A message from the President In this Issue Presidents Letter 1-2 Upcoming Events..2-3 Fun Day.4-5 Carting Clinic..6 Halloween Swissies...6-7 Lisa s Swissy Day..8-9 National Specialty...10-11 Treasurer s Report 12 Board Information 12 Newsletter Info. 12 Member App for 2011.. 13 Don t forget to renew your membership for SCONE and the GSMDCA by the beginning of the year Our Colorado Members Enjoying Fall! As weather wise we come to the end of a roller coaster summer and fall, the Swissies are gearing up for the snow. After all, winter is most favorite season of the year for them, where they can hike and run in the snow and then relax next to a warm fire place to chill out. We had few a busy months: two Back Pack hikes at Country Hill Farm and one in Connecticut, competing at the Nationals and some other dog shows. Not to forget the Fun Day, this was a blast. The popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs throughout the country has dramatically increased. Especially in the North East, thanks to a number of great breeders in this area. Picture this, in November 2007 I visited the Fitchburg dog show to see a life Greater Swiss Mountain Dog before I went to Switzerland to get my own Swissy, (Seamus). Guess what, there was one entry but the dog never showed up. Today, four years later November 13, 2011 there were 19 Swissies entered at the very same show. Furthermore to brag about the popularity, the SCONE club membership has grown in to an impressive number of 82 members. 1
President s Message Continued I organized a draft clinic on October 29, 2011 to continue my pledge to help you working with you and your dog to compete in this event. Well, there were a lot interests for entering this event but sadly most people canceled. After all I would like to thank Kathy Plowucha with 2 dogs Tina and Misty and Dorianne Alman with Arvo, a Rotty for showing up. It was very enjoyable to work with the dogs and everybody benefited from this experience. On a good note, we had two couples showing up with great interest in acquiring Swissies. Thanks to Kelly Nevin for including two dogs, Fender and Raven to show the positive side of our Swissy breed. I wish you and all your Swissies a bright and cheerful Holiday Season. Peter Ziegler SCONE Upcoming Events Pine Barrens Long Island Pack Hike Sat and Sun_, December 3rd and 4th, 2011 Manorville & Ridge, NY Contact: Laurie Carmody (LcarmodyR@aol.com) Sat Meet at 10:30 a.m. (Pine Barrens Visitors Center, Long Island Expressway exit 70, Manorville, NY) Hike starts at 11:00 a.m. Sun Meet at 8:30 a.m. (Parking area at intersection of County Road 25 and Pine Bark Way, Ridge, NY) Hike starts at 9:00 a.m. $20 for dogs packing for legs ($5 off for SCONE members), free for those along for the walk M&M and RFT Trails Back to Back Pack Hike December 10th and 11th, 2011 Pelham and Amherst, MA_ contact: Kelly Nevin (kelly@prismgsmd.com) Sat. M&M Trail Sat Meet at 10:30AM (Cadwell Forest Parking Area, packardville, Rd., Pelham, MA) Hike starts at 11AM (same trail as last year) Sun. Robert Frost Trail Sun Meet at 8:30AM (Amethyst Brook Parking Area, Pelham Rd., Amherst, MA where the Saturday hike ends) Hike starts at 9AM (same trail as last year 800 ft of elevation gain over Mt. Orient Both days are A-B hikes with require shutting of Cars $20 for dogs packing for legs ($5 off for SCONE members), free for those along for the walk 2 2012 Specialty April 21st, 2012 Eastern States Exposition, Springfield, MA In Conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club Show Conformation, Sweepstakes, all-breed Rally and Obedience
More Upcoming Events More 2012 Specialty For Trophy Sponsorship or more information about the Specialty see the website or contact Cheryl (Alastairgsmd@comcast.net) SCONE Winter Fun Day (Agawam, MA) and 4 th Annual Show Pack Hike (Pelham, MA) to be scheduled Shortly. Other Regional Events Cheasapeake and Potomac Greater Swiss Weight Pull, Knoxville, MD January 7 th and 8 th, 2012 Contact Jenna; jennasstarr@hotmail.com for more information Draft Test, Mt Airy, MD April 14 th and 15 th, 2012, see http://www.cpgreaterswiss.com/ or contact MaryJo; mjrasmus@gmail.com for more information IWPA Weight Pulls See http://www.iwpa.net/files/39993863.html For more information 2nd Annual Canine Snowfest Pull January 14th - 15th, 2012 Lake Placid, New York 6th Annual Adirondack Snow Pull January 28th - 29th, 2012 Lake Placid, New York Tug Hill Challenge Snow Pull February 11th - 12th, 2012 Lorraine, New York 7th Annual Lake Placid Snow Pull February 25-26, 2012 Lake Placid, New York 3
Fun Day Report By Peter Ziegler On September 17, SCONE hosted our 6 th annual Fun Day at my homestead. The weather was just perfect and we had a record turnout of 38 dogs and 48 people showing up, including a few people interested of becoming a Swissy owner. Some signed up for the Rally clinic which was held in the morning. The main event of the Fun Day was in the afternoon and everybody had a great time socializing and meeting new people and dogs. Like every year we had quite an array of food and drinks and I would like to thank all for contributing to this true Smorgasbord. Lori St. Laurent baked a beautiful cake which was decorated with a beautiful Swissy face. Quite a few people played the corn hole game. The raffle contest was also a big success thanks to all the wonderful donated prizes. Overall everybody had a good showing up time and all are looking forward to the next year s event. Fun Day Photos 4
More Fun Day Photos 5
Carting Seminar We always seem to have lots on interest and then small turn out for this event. But I don t think that Peter and I mind an excuse to get together. -Kelly Halloween Swissies Watch Out Seamus! mermaid princess - Misty 5
More Halloween Swissies Scary Spider Tino Swissy Wannabe, Butterfly Bodie 7
Photos from Member Lisa Chamberlain s Swissy Gathering 8
9
SCONE Swissies at the National Specialty Tino in the To 20 Competition Owned by: Ken & Kathy Plowucha "Misty" aka K2's GV Misty Mountain Hop won the 6-9 month puppy bitch sweepstakes classowned by: Ken & Kathy Plowucha and Valerie McGraw Brace First: (left) GCH. Palisades Wished On The Moon "Arrow (right) CH. Palisades Polka Dots and Moonbeams Geo Owned by: Lynne and Josephine Kenney AOM: CH. Palisades Polka Dots and Moonbeams "Geo Owned by: Lynne and Josephine Kenney Best Bred By Exhibitor: Palisades White Lightning "Jelly Roll Owned by: Lynne & Josephine Kenney Brood Bitch Fourth: (left) Dam : Ch. Palisades Lady Day "Moonie" (middle) CH. Palisades Polka Dots and Moonbeams "Geo" (right) GCH. Palisades Wished On The Moon "Arrow Owned by: Lynne and Josephine Kenney
More National Specialty Best Puppy Berkley Swiss Run s Cold Beer and a Fishing Pole Owned by: Deanna & Ben Never New RN title Aare GCH Swiss Run s SD Denali, CGC, NWPD, HCT, Owned by: Deanna & Ben Never New RN title Halo Ch Whispering Palm's Heaven Can Wait CGC, JHD, NWPD, CD, VGS, ROM, PT Owned by: Laurie Carmody Grand Futurity Winner Molson Matterhorn s Mr. Goodbar, Owned By: Chris Powell and Laurie Carmody Molson, Comet, Helios, Yuri and Lester on the National Specialty Pack Hike C&P draft test New NDD and DD titles Halo Ch Whispering Palm's Heaven Can Wait CGC, JHD, NWPD, CD, VGS, ROM, PT, RN 11 Owned by: Laurie Carmody
12 Treasurer Report On 11/15 the treasury contained $6157.33 The 2011-2012 Board of Directors President Peter Ziegler (aziegler3606@charter.net) Vice President Cheryl Gerzabek (alastairgsmd@comcast.net) Treasurer Laurie Carmody (LcarmodyR@aol.com) Secretary and Membership Kelly Nevin (kelly@prismgsmd.com) Directors Diana Iannaccone (diana961@optonline.net) Lynn Kenney (BKenney1@optonline.net) Nicole Kerrigan (nicoleakerrigan@gmail.com) Deanna Never (deanna_never@comcast.net) Mike Warburton (mwarburton@csimail.org) Newsletter Info The SCONE Beacon is published quarterly. Next newsletter will be sent ~2/1, content due 1/15. Photos, articles, new title and new puppy announcements are welcomed. Share a story about the antics of your swissy. Membership is encouraged to contribute to the content of the Newsletter. Advertisements are $30 for a full page and $20 for a half page. Any content for the newsletter should be directed to the club secretary. WebPage The SCONE webpage is www.swissyclubofne.org.
SWISSY CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND Application for Membership Mission Statement We, the Swissy Club of New England, are committed to protecting and preserving the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog through ethical breeding practices, rescue intervention, and show & working events open to all purebred Swissies. Furthermore, we seek to promote camaraderie by providing information and education, encouraging responsible pet ownership, and offering regular social events for our dogs and for ourselves. Member Information Dog Information Please note that having a Swissy is not a requirement for membership Name Reg. Name Address Call Name City, State, ZIP Sex Male Female Phone Date of Birth email - please include others on back - Please denote the areas of interest in which you are or would like to be involved: am would like to am would like to am would like to Agility Conformation Drafting Herding Obedience Packing Therapy Tracking Weight Pulling Other (please specify) If currently involved, may we refer others to you for information and guidance? Yes No Please indicate the areas in which you would like to help SCONE, if applicable: Fundraising / PR Newsletter Website creation / maintenance NE Rescue Membership Other (please specify) Hold Office If so, which? Shows/Matches/Trials Comments / Feedback Type of Membership Please note that full membership is reserved for those who share or have shared their lives with one or more Swissies. Associate $15 non-voting membership Single $20 full membership for 1 member Family $30 full membership for 2 or more members per household signature date Please return completed form with payment (payable to SCONE) to: Kelly Nevin PO Box 883 Amherst, MA 01004-0883