June 2002 Newsletter
By Fred Thompson
Hi everyone. Well June is finally here. I sure hope it
is better than May. I'm sitting here typing and watching the ripples
moving across the lake that I once called my back yard. What a mess.
My poor horses haven't been out for way too long. Out side, in what I call
our mud pasture, they would literally be standing in water. At least in the barn
they are dry. I don't want to turn them out into the main pasture because
I know what a mess they make out there. Besides I can't believe that all
that wet grass can be good for them. Maybe I'm a little overprotective of
them.
I hate to be the one to " beat a dead horse" but I'm going to continue to talk about this miserable wet weather and our first drive of the season at the same time. Yes, Renee and Randy Walker threw in a very wet towel and called off their drive April 21st because of rain. I really hate to see this happen because these folks that host our drives go to a lot of trouble to put on a good drive. Then when the weather doesn't co-operate, it's a disappointment for them (and us). To Renee and Randy, thanks for trying. We all appreciate your effort.
Our next drive of the season had better results.
May 5th was our drive at Spencerville, Ind. This drive was once again
hosted by Doris and Harvey Fairchild. The weather was a lot more
favorable with plenty of sun to warm the spirits. There were twenty-two
members present to enjoy a wonderful potluck and the famous Doris Fairchild
finger lickin,
lip smackin, lets go back for seconds chicken. Like one member said,
" The chicken is worth the trip all by it's self."
While everyone was still gathered for the potluck, President Roger Higgins called a small business meeting. Earlier this year the Bell and the Gillfillan volunteered to search for a place for this year Annual Banquet and Meeting. Well, they succeeded in their quest. It was voted that this years BSDC Annual Banquet and Meeting would be held at the Schnipke Inn in Ottawa, Ohio. This will be on Saturday November 16th. There will be a three-meat buffet with a full Salad Bar served. We'll have more details later in the year. I would like to mention also that Anna Belle Bible just got out of the Hospital. We wish her a speedy recovery. The drive followed the potluck and meeting.
Now we are moving onto our up and coming drives
and events. The first event of June will be the Kentucky Horse Park
Carriage Roundup. This annual event was held May 31, June 1 and 2. By the
time you read this, the drive will be over, so I hope everyone that made it had
a great time. I wasn't there again this year so if anyone has
pictures
or stories to share, please let me know.
The first club drive this month will be
hosted by the Hohenbrinks. This drive will be in conjunction with the Henry
County Draft Horse Club fun show on June 16th. They have classes for draft
horses, draft ponies, and regular ponies under 49". They did
add two special classes for light horses. The Black Swamp Pleasure
Horse Cart Class (says cart but 4 - wheeled vehicle may be used). They
also added a Black Swamp Pleasure Horse Obstacle class. Both of
these classes are open to anyone, they don't have to be Black Swamp members.
We will still have a potluck and pleasure drive along the Maumee River that
afternoon. At least if somebody wants to show they have a chance at
winning back some
gas money since the classes have payback. The show bill will be on the
BSDC website if anyone wants to look at it.
For more information on the show itself contact Charleen Morrison 419-875-6665
or Cindy Casserly 419-758-3174
I got a call from Mary Elliott and there has been a change in plans
for her drive that was scheduled for June at Malabar Farm. She could not
make the same arrangements in June that she had last year. So she had to
make it for September 22. More on this later.
I think I will mention one more event. Gary and Connie Gillfillan will be hosting the drive for the Kenton 4th of July Parade. It will be held at the Hardin County Fairground in Kenton, Ohio. There will be a Carriage and Sleigh Display set up at 10:00 am. There will also be a Parade through down town at 1:00. Everyone will be able to hitch and drive on the fairground at will though out the day. Since there will be so many food concession on the fairground this year, no potluck will be planed. The fairground lies between State Route 31 South and State Route 68 South. Watch for the sign for the fairgrounds. Any questions call Gary and Connie Gillfillan at 419-675-3257.
I received this e-mail from Sue Murray the other
week and I would like to congratulate these three BSDC members.
News!!! At the CAA meeting in Hot Springs, VA last weekend, not one, but
two, Black Swamp members were elected to the Board of Directors! Roger Murray
and Pat Kimura were made Directors at Large, as announced at the dinner/dance on
Saturday, 4/20. They will serve one-year terms. Also, BSDC member,
Clifford Crabs, will be taking over the job of Membership Representative for CAA
that Roger held in the past. Next year's meeting will be held in
Lexington, KY on June 18 - 21. All three will be busy working to make that
conference a very special one for everyone.
Welcome New Member:
I would like to take this time to welcome Heather Bonifas and
family as new members of the BSDC. Heather is from Delphos, Ohio. Heather
was at our April Safety Clinic. Come on Heather and join the fun.
Birthdays
June 5 Roger Higgins Sr.
June 11 Nathan Strasbaugh
June 12 Sue Thompson
June 13 Pat Burghardt
June 18 Sean Crossman
July 6 Henry zum Felde
July 9 Connie Gillfillan
July 10 Gay Porter
July 12 Dave Kuhlman
July 12 Tom Shapler
July 14 Doris Fairchild
July 18 Darlene Higgins
July 21 Laura Yaney
July 25 Randy Scarbro
CALENDAR OF EVENT FOR 2002
*June 16 Drive hosted by the Hohenbrinks in conjunction with the
Henry County Draft Horse Club fun show
June 21 Carriage Auction at Topeka, Ind.
*July 4 4th of July parade at Kenton with the
Gillfillans
*July? Summer Picnic hosted by the Bells
*Aug 25 Drive hosted by the Young's
*Sept 15 Drive hosted by the
Murray's at Melmore
*Sept. 22 Drive hosted by Mary Elliott at Malabar Farm
Oct 4 Carriage Auction at Topeka, Ind.
*Oct 12 -13 Cornhuskers with the Hunters
*Oct 27 Drive hosted by the Newmans