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Once again the National Specialty was back in Kitchener at the Auditorium recreation complex, held in conjunction with the KW Kennel Club shows and the Terrier Breeders Association of Canada specialty show on Saturday. The date was the Victoria Day weekend in May, and this year there was no snow, just a bit of rain and considerable sunshine for the outdoor agility trials. The weekend started on Saturday with the all breed show, the Terrier Breeders Specialty and our Airedale Terrier Club of Canada’s Specialty Obedience Trial judged by Paul Oslach Hospitality was supplied and staffed by Terrier Breeders with a fine hospitality tent in the grooming area, making sure no handlers or breeders went hungry or thirsty. With the two shows on both Saturday and Sunday the Airedale handlers were kept busy most of the day with their preparations. On Saturday, quite a number were also able to find time to go ringside and support the ATCC Obedience Specialty trial entrants, which saw Valerie Adkinson and 8-year-old Sir JAM take the High in Trial Valdonaire trophy with a score of 188 and ½. As usual, the ATCC passion for good times carried onto the wine and cheese event which preceded the dinner at the nearby Holiday Inn. Debbie Adkinson kindly organized the wine and cheese and made sure plenty of goodies and refreshments were available. This helped all the new and long-time members renew acquaintances and make new friends. It was good to see our American friends Russ and Marie Hammond and ATCC Director for Quebec, Julie Trottier and husband Andre. In addition, Joanne Helm flew in from Calgary. Ontario members from the north and south gathered together to enjoy the evening. A special auction at the wine and cheese before dinner highlighted some very nice Airedale memorabilia items. The dinner was a delicious buffet style presentation with absolutely luscious deserts from which to choose. The auction after dinner was again capably handled by our Specialty chair Roy Aitchison, who did a wonderful job of enticing, coercing, and extracting bids for the numerous items. Additionally, the Chinese auction organized by Shelia Adkinson created a lot of interest, particularly when some of the tickets seemed to have disappeared. Sheila and sister Deb Adkinson kept the action hopping by digging into the ticket bags and presenting the lucky winners with their prizes. Sunday, we started the day with the judging of Sweepstakes and Veteran Sweepstakes, judged by our own Raymond Lariviere. This was followed by the Specialty, which was judged by Peggy Bissel. The ATCC Specialty show was held in a ring that was decorated with floral arrangements and Airedale images. The trophy table was laden with all the club’s silver trophies for everyone to admire. The trophies themselves tell a lot of history with many famous and easily recognized names adorning the little engraved winners’ plaques that are added each year. After the show itself, it was photo time when most of the winners arranged for their pictures with the judge and their trophy. It was great to see the enthusiastic assistance provided by some of the members’ offspring who were so willing to pitch in and move the tables and boxes as required. Thanks in particular should go to the Purvis gang and Michael Zemaitis. Meanwhile, the hospitality shelter in the grooming area was hosted on Sunday by our ATCC, under the direction of Sarah Kees with her gourmet expertise. Sarah, husband David and Young Purvis kept everyone well fed with toasted bagels (compliments of John and Ellie Voortman) and assorted delicacies. It gave all our handlers a great start to the day! The Specialty was followed by the Annual General Meeting of the ATCC. This is always an awkward meeting to plan between the regular KW shows and the Specialty, but despite this, a good representation of the membership was on hand to receive the reports and recommendations of the executive. Here again, delightful refreshments were available, also donated by John and Ellie Voortman. Belgian waffles were served by Marg Saltzman and Eva Murphy. It was another successful and enjoyable weekend for Airedales and their owners. Congratulations to all the winners!
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