MARC General Meeting

Dorothy Ruehman sang the National Anthem accompanied by a gorgeous black lab named Kate's Crown Jewel MH MNR THD. Since she was 16 weeks old, "Ruby" has worked at the Texas Medical Center in Occupational, Critical Care ICU and Psychiatric Departments. What a Good Girl!

Dorothy Ruehman accompanied by "Ruby" sings the National Anthem

Bob Swift, President of the MARC, introduced the Vice-Presidents and Directors for each of the regions:

Bob Montler – Vice President East Region
Frank Prendergast – Director East Region   
Dave Kress – Secretary / Treasurer
John Blackbird – Vice President Central Region
Ed Sullivan – Director Central Region   
Paul McGinnis – Vice President West Central Region
Dave Christianson – Director West Central Region   
Steve Elliott – Vice President West Region
Laura Judd – Director West Region

Bob Swift – President

He proceeded to thank the folks who were instrumental in putting the Training Grounds Book together. Frankie Prendergast for obtaining all the Training Grounds, Larry Blasbalg for selling all the advertising and Tina Styan of Retriever News for putting the book together for the MARC. He gave Tina an 2017 MAI Inaugural Training Guide signed by all the Board members in appreciation for her efforts.

Dave Kress submitted the financials of the club and explained the membership. He noted that this time last year there were just 13 members and what a long way the club has come.

Dave Kress – MARC Secretary/Tresurer

Bob Swift introduced Betsy Pohl, the Corporate Sponsor Liaison. She thanked Purina and Avery Sporting Dog and asked that Dean Reinke and David Carrington stand. In fact, it was the entire audience there who then stood and gave them both a standing ovation.

Betsy Pohl, Corporate Sponsor Liaison

She continued on showing the MARC's appreciation by calling out Missy Lemoi who represents Garmin as well as Dogtra and WetMutt.

Ed Sullivan was introduced and announced that hte dates for next year's Master Amateur Invitational would be May 20-26,  2018 at Bob Hayden's Wood Dale Farm in Sedalia, Missouri. He was looking forward to seeing you all there and stated that this year's event would be a "… hard act to follow."

Ed Sullivan

Doug Ljungren, the AKC VP of Sports & Events, introduced his colleagues, Caroline Murphy, Office Director of Performance Events and Jerry Mann, Field Director. He stated that few moments in time   structure our sport and set our traditions, but that this was one of those moments. The vision that is the Master Amateur Retriever Club will go on forever.

Doug Ljungren, AKC VP of Sporting Events

Next, Jace Tramontin was presented with a recognition gift by Bob Swift for being so influential in getting this club started and developed. John Stracka, a wintertime resident of south Georgia and President and Editor-in-Chief of Retriever News was given the President's Initiative Award for all his assistance with developing the club's tracking methods, website development, communication program and most recently, the Training Guide produced at Retriever News. This award was accepted on his behalf by Managing Editor and Vice-President, Tina Styan.

Bob Swift thanked the landowners and presented all three with gifts of the beautiful lead crystal plates created by Brenda Neil of Lucky Lab pins.
John and Mary Stracka – Tired Bottom Farm
Ken and Brenda Neil – Whoa Nellie Farm
Glen and Laurie Williams – Dog Pond Kennels

Bob Swift presented John Blackbird, Frankie Prendergast and Ed Sullivan with colorful sombreros and hot chili pepper boleros and deemed them "The Order of the Sombreros." With that, the meeting adjourned and the Handler's Banquet began.

Frankie, John and Ed show off their new sombreros (Photo by Mia DiBenedetto)