It is about time that we elected Bo as our Club Official Chef and let him forever more be the guy who roasts the turkey and makes the stuffing. The party was fun; Bo’s turkey and stuffing, again this year, were superb. Thank you Bo and Doug for once again hosting the holiday party and for welcoming all of us into your home.

Jan, Rusty and I wandered the Puyallup Fairgrounds last week with a few of the PVDF members, working out the last of the details for our January show. There will be 16 rings in the main building with the vendors arranged around the perimeter. The Centennial Building (the one that looks like a tent) will have 2 rings plus grooming for the dogs showing in those rings. Obedience and Rally will be in the Pavilion on the second floor (I know, I said the first floor in the last Barker), as usual, and reserved grooming will be on the first floor of the Pavilion. Grooming has never previously been allowed in the Pavilion, so this is a major change. Hopefully, it will not rain, snow or be icy and all of the perfectly groomed dogs can make it across the way and into the main building with no mishaps. The only question left to answer as we were leaving the grounds was where to put day grooming. Going to be interesting to see the answer.

Please do not forget the Judge’s Dinner on 13 January at the Best Western in Puyallup. This is always a very enjoyable evening, in a comfortable setting, with delicious food and stimulating conversation with our judges. Most of the judges have traveled a long distance to be with us and it is always a pleasure to greet them in a relaxed manner the evening before our show.

If anyone would like to volunteer to help with the show, and has not already done so, please contact Jan, Pat, Rusty or me. We are still looking for a few more ring stewards as some of our members are showing at Eukanuba this year.

As we wrap up 2005 and get ready to start 2006, I wonder where the last year went so quickly and how many Obedience and Agility Trials can I enter in the New Year. Dante is very close to finishing 3 different titles and I am anxious to get started again! Have and warm and Merry Christmas and a safe start to the New Year!

Respectfully,
Dee Carlson
President – Sammamish Kennel Club