Farewell my fellow Griffonniers,
I have been honored to serve this club during the past years. I hope you were happy with the direction the club had taken. We have enjoyed the blessings of increased membership, increased funds, highly successful specialties and many new initiatives to further our clubs mission. Please join me in recognizing some of the people involved with this success.
Cathie Jarnot has been a wonderful servant in her role as Secretary and co-editor of the Griffonnier prior to that, her countless hours of service should be appreciated by all Griffonniers. Susan Tarricone has served your club for the past decade in her work on the board and with rescue. Her selfless service has been a blessing to our club and to me personally. I could not have survived without her. Lonnie Carroll has done much for this club in his unassuming way. His work on the board and at our specialties should not go unappreciated.
Ann Allen has served her members well, and her work on the board and her eloquence on the pages of the Gazette should be recognized. Philippe Roca has been a wonderful liaison for NAVHDA. His work behind the scenes is as effective as the photos he takes are beautiful. Jay Hoth has taken the tough job of treasurer to heart. Jay was also part of the success of our 2006 specialty.
Carol Ptak has done an outstanding job as editor of the Griffonnier. She has gotten this publication out in an efficient manner, like this club has never seen before. Ad revenue is up and costs are down, bravo. Her work on this year’s specialty has been a privilege for me to witness. Linda Gagnon has been a wonderful judge’s education chair and given her time and energy in the face of vast criticism. I applaud her strength and want to personally thank her for her selfless work. Colleen Reiss has always served this club, her work as archivist and her help at every specialty is a model for volunteerism we can all learn from.
I had the privilege to associate with hardworking people like Pat Loomis, Guy Ray, Sondra Rice, Jeff Bleggi and others on the 2006 National Specialty, which was the best specialty this club has ever had, by any measure. Thank you all. Elizabeth Gannon has done an outstanding job in her role in recognizing the success you all have. Vicki Foster and her entire committee, your awards program has been an inspiration. I look forward to participating in it now. Pinkie Terry has brought a passion to her role in breeder referral that can not be understated. Angela Pellerin, Sophie Sprauge and Kelly Hayes have dedicated hours to the creation and maintenance of our web sites. Thanks to you three, for putting the public face on our club.
Dick Byrne and Colleen Porter have done a wonderful job with our meet the breed booth and their efforts are appreciated. Pam Smith and her education of us in the performance field is amazing. She is a knowledge source that is so valuable to all of us. Debbie Cutter does loads of work and research for the benefit of this breed, most will never know. Debbie, thank you. Homer Mobely is a God send, he has taken the role of rescue coordinator to new heights and does what, I believe to be, the toughest job in the club in a manner that is very humbling to see. He has a support team of Susan Tarricone, Jean Paul and Betty Reed, Dick Byrne and Corrina Bright. Cheers to you fine people.
I could go on thanking many people, but some stand out in my mind. Sheila Yoder and my pack of greta, gracie, murphy, sheriff, betsey and phoebe. I am thankful for you all. You allowed me to spend the time needed, forgave me for bringing strife and pain into our home and helped me further the mission of this club. I am all yours again and I love you.
It is time for your newly selected board to lead this club. I hope they have as much support as I have had. Good luck to all of you and good health to you and your dogs. May God Bless You,
Jon Pease
