AKC LP Nationals - Page 2

The Michigan Large Pack beaglers were handsomely represented again this year. I may miss a few, but I saw Jeff Goff, Steve Mikkleson, Dave Miller, Scott Czerwonka (WI), Bert and Annabelle Yaunke, and Alberta Wrobleski. Club members Stanley and Ilene Shelmidine had assembled a fantastic display of old ribbons they had been given by old-time beagler Paul Akins. Paul Akins was a running pal of Jake DeVitto, and each were cottontail beaglers who converted to Large Pack beagling. They owned littermate 13-inch males, New Parrot Big John and New Parrot Big Sam. Coady McDonald of Ontario says, “those two cleaned up wherever they were trailed – on either side of the border.” Some of these ribbons dated back to 1934, and many were from Canada. There was a ribbon from the Vermont Beagle Club’s first spring trial in 1941, and one dated 1934 from TA-I-O Beagle Club in Quebec. Saturday evening after the classes, the Better Beagling Int’l Large Pack Hall of Fame inductions were given at the AKC Large Pack Nationals banquet. The Large Pack Hare Federation presented their own awards from 2005 & 2006 as well. Both Art White and John Otruba were presented with Lifetime Achievement awards. Following was the Hall of Fame Inductions. Inductees this year: Living Beaglers Art Beamer, NY Joe Corullo, MI Dominic Leitza, MI Tom Sharpe, NH Deceased Beaglers Ralph Bushey Annie Johnson Homer Larmay Ben Meunnink Deceased Hounds IFC Birch Haven Bruiser IFC Brad-Ju’s Bella Donna IFC Larmay Toastmaster FC Mountaineer King The new inductees that were present gave their thanks and posed for photos. Most of last year’s inductees were present also, so photos of both years’ inductees were taken together. One of the highlights of the evening was when last year’s inductee, Dan Kane, presented his good friend Art Beamer with his plaque… and a couple of gifts from him personally. Years ago when Dan was campaigning IFC Able’s East Coast Trimmer, Art told him “Now that you have this special dog, you must do whatever is necessary to protect it.” He gave Dan a leather dog collar with big metal spikes on it. Some 20+ years later, Dan presented the collar back to Art to put on his special dog, IFC Awful Bawlin Viagra. Dan also gave Art a handy, dual-purpose gadget for older beaglers. It can double as a walking stick, and the drop-down “trough” helps keep the top of his boots dry. (You can figure that one out yourselves, ha! ha!)

LP HOF Michiganer Bert Yaunke's Champion jacket.

A fantastic display of old ribbons.

Some of the 2005 & 2006 Int'l LP HOF members. Sitting, Barbara Bushey (accepting for Ralph). Sharon Cate, Bert Yaunke, Ralph DeWitt. Standing, Ben Meunnink's daughter Kathy, Tom Sharpe, Howard Cate, Anne Yaunke, Dan Kane, Art Beamer.

Dan Kane presents Art Beamer with his HOF plaque. Art is trying to be serious, but Dan is having too much fun! (Click on the picture to see the video. It's a 4-minute clip so give it plenty of time to download. Speakers on - It's worth the wait!)

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