President Linda Grant called the meeting of the Sierra-Tuolumne Kennel Club to order at 6:10 pm. This months meeting was held at the home of Sydney Seiver in Columbia.

Members present were: Linda Grant, Cherie Gessford, Lindsay Stark, Fred & Pat Helmbold, Bruce Bertholf, Mary & Al Kennedy, Patti Martlew, Sydney Seiver, Nancy Wylie, Sharlene Craig, Ann Brown.

Guests Present: Jo Ann Gritz

PRESIDENT’S REPORT-Linda: Although the entries were down for the AKC Agility, this was a very successful trial. We were the first full weekend trial with the new preferred class and it went very smoothly. Our judge Ann McQuillen was wonderful and had some great suggestions on how to increase our entries for next year. We will be looking into the idea of having a handler’s seminar on Friday before the trial next year. We also need to refurbish some of our equipment before next year.

SECRETARY’S REPORT-Lindsay: Thanks to some insider information from Sharlene Craig, we learned that we should not purchase an AKC banner at this time. Apparently there is much discussion about this issue and the requirements may change.

Many letters of congratulations were read from competitors about our AKC trial. In my experience, we have never had this many people take the time to let us know that we did a good job.

TREASURER’S REPORT-Fred: No final breakdown yet on the trial, but it looks good.

OBEDIENCE, PUPPY-Lindsay: There are 5 students signed up for the additional winter puppy class. It is being well received and I think it will fill quickly once it gets in the paper.

AGILITY-Linda: New classes started 9/12. There are 5 in basic and 9 have continued on to the advanced class.

SUNSHINE-Holly: No report

PUBLICITY: Sydney did a fabulous job on publicity for the trial. We were in the weekender with her dog Tess on the cover and Cherie’s dog Moon in the article. There were several follow up articles as well.

Constitution/Bylaws-Lindsay: The Constitution has been sent to AKC for their approval, no word yet.

TROPHY-Holly: If you have not already paid for your trophy donations for the Big Show, please contact Holly ASAP.

BIG SHOW November-Linda: The premium is now available online at www.infodog.com Bruce is going to check with the Moose people to verify parking help. Ann is going to check with 4H about the sanitary crew (poop scoopers!) There are 5 vendors already signed up. All aspects were briefly discussed and seem to be covered. If you have not volunteered yet, please contact Linda Grant for an assignment. There is a possibility that Fred’s crew will not be available for set up on Friday, so please try to get to the fairgrounds and do whatever you can to help.

Sharlene Craig gave us an overview on Bench Hearings and what the rules are. These will be discussed further at a board meeting the first week of October. If you are interested, please plan on attending. Contact Linda or Lindsay for details.

NEW BUSINESS: Pat suggested purchasing a club flag/banner that can be passed to the host of the next months meeting so that we can find their house. It was M/S/P by Bruce, Cherie, Al that a flag be purchased from Gateway Press in Murphy’s as long as it is under $100.00. Lindsay will take care of the ordering.

Cheri suggested that Fun Runs be held on Tuesdays at 5:30pm at the STAR training field until the end of this season. All those interested in practicing who are actively competing or have gone through the intermediate class are welcome to attend.

Fred discussed getting some supported entries for the Big Show next year. A few clubs will be approached about that possibility later.

Fred and Maverick (Bernese MT. Dog) - Sir Francis Drake show: 2^nd in Puppy Class and regular class on Saturday, 1^st in Regular class on Sunday

Lindsay and Becca (Pembroke Welsh Corgi): 3- 1sts and 1- 3^rd in agility. Earned 2 legs towards her CD in Grass Valley, hoping to finish at the Nationals next week

Lindsay and Tobey (Pembroke Welsh Corgi): 1^st in JWW on Sat. She was the hit of the show on Sunday with her ‘Queen’s Wave’ from the table! She even had the judge laughing :~)

Linda and Dexi (Australian Shepherd): Conformation:

8/18 - Litter of 9 puppies born

8/18 - Santa Cruz KC, Winners Dog, Best of Winners - 1 point

9/2 - Delta Aussie Club, Winners Dog, Best of Winners - 5 point Major (ASCA) handled by Bruce (I had the work party)

9/14 - Sir Frances Drake, Winners Dog - 1 point

9/15 - Sir Frances Drake, Winners Dog - 1 point

Total points - 13, need 15 for AKC Championship

Agility:

Saturday - Open Standard 2nd place

Open JWW  4th place

Sunday - Open Standard - 1st place

Agility:

Saturdy Novice Preferred JWW 2nd place (She beat Moon!)

Cherie and Mori (Australian Shepherd): 1 double Q in MX & MXJ = MACH points

Cheri and Moon (Australian Shepherd): First time in the new preferred class she went 4 for 4. Earning 2 Firsts, 1 Second and 1 Fourth.

Sharlene Craig and Jack: Sir Francis Drake Show – BOB puppy and Group 2

Sydney and Tess (Australian Cattle Dog): 1^st in open standard to finish her title 1^st in JWW. Got a 1^st in STD just to be sure!

Sydney and Miles (Border Collie): 1^st in JWW

Al and Mary with Fella (Golden Retriever): on Saturday Mary and Fella took 2 Second places in STD and JWW. On Sunday Al and Fella took 1^st place in JWW.

Jo Ann and Sunshine (Australian Shepherd): 1^st place with a perfect score in STD, 3^rd place in JWW even with a slight handler problem (That hole just jumped right in front of Jo Ann!) On Sunday she got 1^st with a score of 95 in STD and 3^rd with a 100 in JWW.

Congratulations to all of the club members. What a great bunch of dogs we have! I would like to say a special congratulations to Al, Mary and Jo Ann on their first trial. What a way to get started !!

It was M/S/P by Pat/Nancy to adjourn at 8:15 pm.

October meeting is at Mary and Al Kennedy’s home. Out of respect for them, there will be no alcoholic beverages at this meeting.

November meeting: Can we get a volunteer?

Respectfully submitted,

Lindsay Stark