November 24, 2008

The awards banquet on 11/15/08 was a success. There was good food, music, and good time had by those attending.

The elections were held. A new 2nd foreman was elected (Joanne Bielawa); three 2 year directors were elected (Laurie Scanlon, Samantha Smith, and James Ganoung). Pam Boyce was elected to finish out the 1 year left on Joanne Bielawa term. The other 2007 officers were elected for a term in 2008 in their same positions.

 I would like to thank the general membership for their support of the club during the past year. All of the shows during the year were a success.

 I also want to thank Jody Caufield, Jennifer Harris, and John Dillenbeck for their support and service on the board of directors for the last two years. Also I want to thank Pam Boyce for her support in the position of 2nd foreman. I want to thank the rest of the board for their support and help during the past year.

 I want to extend a big welcome to Samantha Smith and James Ganoung who are joining the board as 2 year directors. I also want to welcome Laurie Scanlon who is going from a 1 year term last year to a 2 year term this year. I also want to congratulate Joanne Bielawa who is going from a director to 2nd foreman.

 The awards, highlight of the night, were given out to all those who attended. Door prizes were donated by Foster Hill Feed & Tack, Clearbrook Tack, Endicott Feed and Tack, Lisa Sprague, and Lallapaloosa Acres. Also given out were three $500.00 scholarships. Those receiving the scholarships were Hilary Huttleston, Lacey Ganoung, and Kayla Todd. Congratulations!!

 I am looking forward to another successful year for the club. There will be an annual meeting in February to discuss the up coming year and events. Date and time will be announced later.

 I want to wish each of our members a happy and healthy holiday season and will be seeing you all in February.

Bill McGowan
First Foreperson
 

September 17, 2008

With summer show season coming rapidly to a close, I hope that each and every one of you has had a successful season. The club has just one show left for the year and that is the Silver Gymkhana show on September 28th. Let’s hope that the weather will cooperate and give us a nice week before the show and the day of the show, so there won’t be any mud. The show committee will still need some help in running this show. If you are looking for a good time and enjoyable company come on down to the fairgrounds the 28th and help with the show.

The shows that the club has held this year have been quite successful. There have been a good number of entries in all the divisions except driving. The Silver Performance show is the only one that has had any drivers entered. The NBHA show had a large number of entries in the open division and the youth and seniors were also well represented.

The year end banquet is going to be held on Nov 15th at the Legion (same place as last year). Those of you that will be getting year end awards will be contacted about them in the near future. Let’s All come to the banquet and have a good time. A lot of us won’t be seeing each other till spring, so let’s have a party.

See you at the Silver Gymkhana show or the banquet.

 Bill McGowan
First Foreperson

February 2008 - OPEN MEMBERSHIP MEETING

On February 10, 2008, despite a severe snow squall that started about 12:45pm and lasted for about one hour, the Membership Meeting was held at the American Legion in Maine, NY. About 25 brave souls came out to express their opinions.

Cindy Brace started the meeting out with the minutes of the last open meeting and they were approved. Dianne gave the treasurer's report and stated that the reason for the checking account being down was that we have purchased All the ribbons needed for the year, club as well as Silver Shows. She also reported that the scholarship fund is in good shape at this time.

The year end banquet is set for 11/15/2008 at the same location.

With the fair board raising our rent by $400.00 this year due to the water testing and sewer hook-up, different ways were discussed on how to offset this expense without causing hardship on families showing. Different suggestions were:
1. Raise class entry fees by $1.00
2. Install an office fee of $1 or $2 for each rider/horse combination
3. To have one fee for the day regardless of how many classes were ridden, no dollar amounts were suggested.
Many present were in favor of an office fee.

The work day has been changed from 4/26 to 5/4 at 1pm due to the auction.

When Performance and Gymkhana shows are on the same day, the starting times have been set as Performance at 8:30am and Gymkhana not before 4pm, but as soon as possible after that.

On the subject of extending the chute, it was suggested to make the extensions flexible. One way would be to hang the gat3es on the end post, then swing them out of the way when not needed and swing back and drive an iron stake into the ground at end when needed. Another suggestion was to make the extensions free standing, then move them into place when needed.

As for the different classes that were started last year, majority of opinions were to keep them as they are disciplined rail, beginners, and showmanship. The showmanship discussion centered on making the age division the same as the riding ones. The points would be kept separate from the riding points.

Classes for minis were discussed and the opinion was that, with the present numbers that are showing, a separate class isn't warranted. They can enter the halter, showmanship, driving, and lead line classes at present.

A suggestion was brought up to install a motorized pump on the water wagon to get better coverage. The board will look into this matter.

The new drag was explained and said that the order has been placed to save extra freight cost. Also explained that as of 2/10 the 4-H hasn't decided on whether or not to purchase 1/2 the drag, like they did the last one. (Since that day, 4-H had decided to buy into 1/2 the rake) It was suggested to keep the only drag around and not sell it until the new drag is working as expected.

A question was raised about Horse Council, as to whether we would offer it again this year. It was stated that we would if they have a program this year.

Rusty Hoskins questioned why there is only one NBHA show this year. Laurie Scanlon explained that Aimee Albrechta (the new NBHA district director) wants only $1,000 added money, if possible and she also isn't in favor of a two-day run in September, as they already have several. Due to scheduling conflicts with the fair board and the NBHA itself, it is going to be very hard to schedule a second run this year. Laurie said that she would talk to Aimee again to see if changes can be made.

Pam Boyce won the free one year membership drawing.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:45pm

If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like to express an opinon, please feel free to contact anoyone ont he board.

I now have an email address: gemaacres@netzero.com if anyone would like to contact me.

I thought that due to the bad weather on 2/10/08, several members didn't make it to the meeting who wanted to, that the above info would be of interest to them.

Bill McGowan
First Foreperson