JULY 2009

HI KIDS – Although I haven’t been able to witness most of this past month’s events personally (I still have to stay fairly close to my easy chair), we sure have had a bunch of excitement.  One of our regular barrel racers had her horse fall-out from under her, coming out of the chute.  Although it was a little scary for a few minutes (the horse just laid there for a few minutes), the horse did finally get up and seems to be OK We also had one of our ropers come off his horse prematurely and have a close encounter with the arena fence – he cracked a few ribs and did a bunch of other “damage”, but, apparently he’ll be OK.  Someone suggested that we need to hire a witch doctor to remove the curse that seems to be plaguing us lately.  Even with these “wrecks”, we have had a great month – great attendance.  Be sure to come take an active part in all your Club activities.

 Our June UCSC Business Meeting was, probably, the best attended meeting we ever had – standing room only!  The Director of the Union County Recreation Department gave us an informative presentation about the future plans for our arena.  First and foremost, he stressed that our arena will be covered.  Not immediately, but in the foreseeable future.  We can also look forward to many more related improvements.  As he said, it won’t happen immediately and it will cost a whole bunch of money, but the plans ARE being formulated.  Larry also pointed out a very important fact to all of us at this meeting – good things will happen with the kind of participation he sees here at the UCSC.  He noted that he had just come from a Union County meeting where 5 people showed up!  Standing room only is better.  He also noted the need for an A/C for our meeting room – he will get that process started instantly.  You all need to try to attend these regular meetings (the 3^rd Thursday of every month @ 7:00PM sharp).  We need your help.

The first UCSC Trail Ride held in years, came off really well on Saturday, May 23^rd. and our “Trail Boss” has scheduled the second on the 27^th and a third some time in October.  Try to participate in these events..

As you may have heard, our President contracted a rather nasty case of the “punnies” – he was a really sick puppy for a few days there, but he seems to be doing OK now.  Hang in there, Gerald!

Just so you know how much your Club is growing, here’s a few numbers; We now have 131 paid-up memberships (both family and individual):  Only 35 of last year’s memberships have not yet renewed: and we have 318 actual card-carrying members.  That’s pretty darned good and the numbers seem to be growing with every event.  Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of our upcoming events:

-- June 27^th – UCSC Trail Ride, meet at Saddle Club @ 10:00A
-- July 16^th – UCSC Business meeting @ 7:00P sharp.
-- July 18^th – UCSC Open Horse Show – sign-up @ 11:00A with start @ 12:00 Noon
-- July 25^th – Gilmer County Saddle Club (an Association show)

As usual, I invite you all to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512 - or - E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

JUNE 2009

HI KIDS – This season is really moving along in high gear!  I hope you all are taking an active part in all our activities and enjoying yourselves.  Our membership is up and so is our schedule of fun things to do.  This is the way it’s supposed to work!

Unfortunately, both the Copper Basin Saddle Club Open Horse Show on May 9^th  (their first Association Show) and our May 16th Open Horse Show had to be cancelled due to the rain/mud.  They will be rescheduled and announced ASAP.

Our May UCSC Business Meeting was well attended with a couple of interesting guest speaker/subjects.  You all need to try to attend these regular meetings (the 3^rd Thursday of every month @ 7:00PM sharp).  You never know what you might learn.  Your regular attendance, and participation, makes the Club work.

The first UCSC Trail Ride held in years, came off really well on Saturday, May 23^rd.  Our “Trail Boss” showed everyone a great 3 hour ride around the Bill Bowers Cove area (that’s Donna Carpenter’s Great Grand Daddy).  The ride was well attended (approx. 18 riders) and almost everyone stayed aboard for the whole ride.  Don’t miss the next ride on Saturday,.June 27^th.

 Carol Mascali’s Parade Of Breeds, held on Sunday, June 24^th was “kicked-off” with a rather unfortunate event – some turkey (it was me) got himself bucked off of his “Super Horse”, destroying his left wrist and landing on his face -- making quite a mess of himself.  Later tests, after I checked myself back in the hospital, showed that I also had broken my Sacrum – a rather serious no-no – one that may take quite a while to heal (but, thankfully, the horse is doing just fine).  In spite of this rather auspicious beginning, I’m told that the show itself went-off very, very well, was very well attended and was greatly appreciated by all.  Carol tells me she has been approached to do a similar show at another nearby arena – a great job, Carol!  I know it took a lot of hard work but I’m sure it was VERY rewarding!  I wish I could have been there to enjoy it with you all – hopefully, I’ll be able to make the next one.

Nicki McCollum’s Hippotherapy Benefit Show, held on June 30^{th  --} came-off without a hitch and was also very well attended and well received by all.  Lots of stuff to see and some great barrel racing and roping!  I sure wish I could have been there to enjoy that one too.  I promise I will make the next show.  I understand that the show realized a $2,200.00 profit for Hippotherapy. – a great job Nicki!

Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of our upcoming events:
-- June 6^th – Association Show at Murray County Saddle Club, sign-up @ 3:30 P, start @ 5:00P
-- June 18^th – UCSC Business Meeting @ 7:00P Sharp
-- June 20^th – UCSC Open Horse (Association) Show, sign-up @ 11:00A, start @ 12:00Noon
-- June 27^th – UCSC Trail Ride, meet at Saddle Club @ 10:00A

As usual, I invite you all to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:
Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

MAY 2009

HI KIDS – Happy May (almost).  Are you ready for this new season?  It promises to be a bigger and better year than we’ve ever seen before!  It has sure started out great!

Hopefully you were able to attend our April 18^th Show – if you did, you already know we had a record turnout!  We started the day by having a great time with our Special Invitation friends – riding horse after horse and then on Bill’s beautiful horse-drawn carriage – followed by lunch and awards – a great time was had by all.  Then we launched our first UCSC Open Horse Show of the season and the first Blue Ridge Mountain Horse Exhibitors Association Show.  It too was a roaring success – thanks to everyone who attended and helped out!  Although the show continued into the wee-hours, who cares when that many folks are having such a good time!

Unfortunately, this terrific day was marred, at the very end, by a terrible accident.  A horse and rider fell while rounding the second barrel – the horse got up, panicked and crashed through the fence – landing on top of one of our long-time members (Connie Miller) -- fence and all!  She had to be airlifted to the hospital but happily, after proper treatment and extensive tests, she checked out OK.  She’s very sore, bruised from head to foot, terribly swollen (as you can imagine) and they needed eight staples to close the severe cut she received across her forehead but she seems to be recouping very well – at least as well as can be expected.  Our prayers and good wishes are with you Connie – get better soon!  This was a very unfortunate accident (nothing like this has never happened at our arena before) and “preventive measures” have already been taken to hopefully assure that it doesn’t happen again.

Now for some good news – I can’t say enough about the “groceries” that our concessionaires prepared for us for this show – what a menu – and, everyone I talked to was raving about how good everything was.  I can’t wait for the next show – if, for no other reason, to dig into the “eats” again.  A GREAT JOB KIDS!

Gary Jones (AKA Trail Boss) our new Trail Ride Chairman has scheduled our first UCSC Trail Ride for Saturday, 23MAY09 – start from the Saddle Club @ 10:00A – about 3 & ½ hours.  This will be a beautiful ride, not too demanding or steep.  We hope to see a bunch of you there!  The second ride will be 27JUN09.

 Our upcoming schedule is a busy one – May events are listed below:
-- May 9^th – Association Show at Copper Basin: sign-up @ 12:00Noon, start @ 2:00P
-- May 16^th – UCSC Open Horse Show: sign-up @ 11:00A, start @ Noon
-- May 23^rd – UCSC Trail Ride – start from Saddle Club @ 10:00A (approx. 3 & ½ hour ride)
-- May 24^th – Equine Parade of Breeds: (Sunday) start @ Noon
-- May 21^st – UCSC Business Meeting: @ 7:00P
-- May 30^th – Hippotherapy Benefit Show: $1,000.00 added 4D barrel race & round robin roping                       (Demo. @ 10:00A, Warm-up @ Noon, Show start @ 2:00P, Roping start @ 5:00P)

As usual, I invite you all to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:
Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512 - or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

APRIL/MAY 2009

HI KIDS – It’s Newsletter time again – the busiest time of the year is coming – get ready!

Our APRIL MEETING was another productive one – good attendance and quite a bit got accomplished.  Hopefully, you can be there at the next meeting(s) to help-out – try it, you’ll like it!  As you already know (if you were there) we had a great BENEFIT SHOW – good attendance, good help from our friends, good donations from more friends and a good time was had by all.  Our concession folks did themselves proud (even Art’s chilly was a big hit).  We were honored to have Lamar Paris (our County Commissioner) come by to add his support to this charitable cause and to our Club.  When the final count came in, we did pretty well – with the profit made by the concessions ($637.00), the auction ($402.00), the barrel race entries ($$486.00), the roping entries ($125.00) plus a couple private donations, we raised $1,835.00 for the Cook benefit.  We thank everyone who helped-out and took part – it was a great day!

The new Show Sheet, Show Schedule, Association (Blue Ridge Horse Exhibitors Association) Schedule and much, much more, is available on our WEBSITE <unioncountysaddleclub.org> – visit it regularly!

We now have a TRAIL RIDE CHAIRMAN – look for news in the near future for our next UCSC sponsored trail ride (the first in quite a while) – I’m sure we’ll have a “blast”!

We also have a new CONCESSION COMMITTEE – look for a great season from this committee and from the newly remodeled kitchen.  We also have a new refrigerator and stove, donated by our friends at SEARS.  Be sure to stop by and thank them for their support of the UCSC.

The upcoming schedule is a busy one – a few are listed below:
April 16^th – UCSC Business Meeting: @ 7:00P
April 18^th – Special Invitation Show: @ 10:00A / Association Show: sign-up @ Noon, start @ 1:00P
May 9^th – Association Show at Copper Basin:
May 16^th – UCSC Open Horse Show: sign-up @ 11:00A, start @ Noon
May 24^th – Equine Parade of Breeds: (Sunday) start @ Noon
May 21^st – UCSC Business Meeting: @ 7:00P
May 30^th – Hippotherapy Benefit Show: $1,000.00 added 4D barrel race & round robin roping  (Demo. @ 10:00A, Warm-up @ Noon, Show start @ 2:00P, Roping start @ 5:00P)

Be sure to look for one of our new Union County Saddle Club windshield stickers – wear it proudly!

One last mention of DUES – if you haven’t paid them by the end of our April 18^th show, you will probably no longer receive these memorable newsletters – we can’t afford to keep sending them into thin air!

As usual, I invite you to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

March 25, 2008

 
Andrew Burks
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
440 Sears Way
Blairsville, Georgia 30512

Dear Andy:

On behalf of the entire Saddle Club membership, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your generous donation of the refrigerator and stove.  As you may be aware, we are a non profit organization and any help we can receive is much appreciated.  We are re-modeling the kitchen at the show grounds and with the addition of these appliances it will enhance our efforts to provide quality meals during events.  Check out the show calendar on our website at www.UnionCountySaddleClub.org and come out and join us for a day of fun.

 Again, thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Art Miller, 2009 Show Chairman

APRIL 2009

 HI KIDS – It’s Newsletter time again – this year seems to be flying by?
Once again, we had another great meeting on the 19^th – we had a pretty busy evening – got lots of help from our friends.  Come on out, every chance you get!

 Our “Work Day” turned out to be a little “weatherly challenged” – so the crew worked indoors.  The old beat-up kitchen cabinets are gone and the place is all cleaned up.  Ole’ Bill Jones (the one man crew) decided to replace all the broken boards in the fence around the arena.  I had to leave in the midst of the work session (to sell a horse) and when I returned, I was told that because I had “finked-out”, I had to clean the sign-up booth and announcer’s stand all by myself – so I did!  If we call another workday, be sure to show up (and stay) or you might be given “special duty.”  We “established” a new committee at the last meeting to deal with the Concession Stand activities for the 2009 year.  If they call on you for help, please give it.  We also have a new “Trail Ride” Chairman, so look for trail rides on our future UCSC schedule

 The new Blue Ridge Mountains Horse Exhibitors Association (Union County, Murray County, Copper Basin & Gilmer County) is up and running – the schedule for the year has been set and you can read all about it on our website.  The Union County Saddle Club will host the first BRMHEA Show on Saturday,  the 18^th of April, so be sure to come out in force to show everyone what UCSC is made of.  We do have a busy schedule ahead of us for 2009 so shine-up your tack (and horses) and hone your skills (be sure to check-out the new show sheet on the website).  A few of the up-coming UCSC events are:

-- April 4^th -- Benefit Show, sign-up @ Noon, start @1:00P, roping will start between 3:00P & 4:00P
-- April 16^th – Business Meeting @ 7:00P
-- April 18^th – Special Invitation Show @ 10:00A, Association Show, sign-up @ Noon, start @ 1:00P
-- May 9^th – Association Show at Copper Basin
-- May 16^th – Open Horse Show @ 11:00A, start @ Noon
-- May 21^st – Business Meeting @ 7:00P
-- May 30^th – Hippotherapy Benefit: $1,000.00 added 4D barrel race & round robin roping

One more mention of dues – over 50 of you (who were members last year) have not (yet) renewed -- 76 of you have.  What are you waiting for?  The “Stimulus Package” will; not pay your dues for you!  Come on kids, loosen-up you pocket books and get it over with.  Our dues are so small you won’t even miss it.  One more reminder – if you have an E-mail address, please make sure I have it so I can use it!

 As usual, I invite you to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to t off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

February/March 2009

 HI KIDS – Another month has come and gone – where does the time go???  We had another great meeting on the 19^th – got a lot accomplished!  Good things happen when our members participate.  It’s truly encouraging to see the way things seem to be moving along this year!

 As I said, we got a lot done – we dealt with a bunch of “Old Business” items:

-- I’m still waiting for a whole lot of dues renewals – it sure is moving slowly;
-- We decided to join-up with the Blue Ridge Mountain Association (an association of local Saddle Clubs
   from Murray County, Copper Basin, Gilmer County & Union County).  Each Club will sponsor two
   shows each year and points will be award at year-end.  Still a few details to be worked-out, but it should
   be a fun association – visiting other Club events;
-- We discussed the possibility of charging an “Arena Fee” (like other Clubs do) and/or increasing our
   entry fees – we need to do something to be able to pay our bills?;
-- We will have a “Work Day” scheduled for the 14^th of March to get the arena/area ready for this season;
-- It was suggested that year-end point totals be published on our web-site during the show season –
    this should be no problem, assuming Art gets the point-standings from Jody & Dawn in a timely manner;
-- The new rewrite of our Constitution, By-Laws, Rules & Regulations was approved and will be
    available on our web-site as soon as I can get it to Art;

 Quite a f few “New Business” items came up:
-- Art Miller was late because he just has a new baby (Llama, that is) – congratulation, Art (do we
    need to watch out for a new class at our future shows?);
-- We had a good discussion about the Concession Stand operation for 2009 – hopefully it will all work
    out to our mutual benefit;
-- Our President, and a couple associates, will contact the Union County Recreation Department –
    requesting that they install new light(s), speaker(s) and warm-up area in the back forty – more later;
-- Carol Mascali presented her new “Hoof Print-Directory” venture.  She would like to hold a “Parade
    of Breeds” on the 24^th of May at the UCSC arena. The event will also include a Drill Team
    competition, a Demonstration by the “County Mounties” plus a Training demonstration.  She will
    make all of the arrangements, provide event insurance, etc. – all we have to do is help with parking,
    etc.  It was voted to approve this date/event.

I simply can’t help myself – I have to, once again, talk to you about dues.  More than half of you have NOT renewed!  This is not a very good percentage!  I guess a bunch of you are waiting for the first show.  I sure wish you would do it before then!  You may have noticed, I decided to send this newsletter by snail-mail (with only a reminder by E-mail) – so that I could include a “very polite note” to all those who have not renewed.  My plan is to send out 2009 Membership cards with next month’s mailing so you’ll have them in plenty of time for our first show.  If you don’t get your card in that mailing, you aren’t a member -- and you know what that means!  Come on folks – loosen the pocket book and send in your pittance – it won’t hurt a bit and it sure will make my job a whole lot easier.

One more reminder – if you have an E-mail address, please make sure I have it so I can use it!

Be sure to keep visiting our web site for upcoming events (and other pertinent poop) – the 2009 schedule is listed (although it may still be a little “flexible” in spots).  Also, be sure to give a look at the new photos, new Sponsors, The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules & Regulation, etc. The next few dates to remember are:

* February 19^th – UCSC meeting @ 7PM at the club house
* March 14^th – UCSC Work Day @ 9AM (getting the arena/area in shape for the season)
* March 19^th – UCSC meeting @ 7PM at the club house
* April 4^th – Benefit Speed Event Show – Sign-up @ Noon, Start @ 1PM (roping between 3 and 4)
* April 16^th – UCSC meeting @ 7PM at the club house
* April 18^th – UCSC Special Invitation Show @ 10AM
* April 18^th – UCSC Open Horse Show – Sign-up @ Noon, Start @ 1PM (Association Show)
* May 16^th – UCSC Open Horse Show – Sign-up @ 11AM, Start @ Noon
* May 21^st – UCSC meeting @ 7PM
* May 24^th – Parade of Breeds (for more info, contact Carol Mascali @ 828-361-1271)

 We hope to see you-all at all of these upcoming events – bring your family and friends and others, if appropriate!   As usual, I invite you to send comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

                                                      FEBRUARY 2009

 HI KIDS – We’re off & running with our new UCSC year – we had a great meeting on the 15^th to get the new year underway – one of the best attended meetings I can remember.  Another encouraging fact – those who did attend spoke-up – that’s how it’s supposed to work.  Hopefully, this sort of attendance and participation will continue for months and years to come.

We covered a bunch of topics, such as: dues, show schedule, show contents, web-site, new Constitution/By Laws/Rules & Regulations re-write, a proposed new association of saddle clubs in the area, a new “Youth Day” event, more volunteers at events, arena improvements, start-times for shows in hot months and more.  Try your best to make the next meeting(s) and take an active part in the management of your club.

A few more items of interest came up:  it was announced that all future shows/events WILL START ON TIME (if you snooze – you loose); If you haven’t paid your dues, you won’t be able to take a truly active part in your club (this is clearly written in the “book”); We have a volunteer who will build new obstacles for the trail class; Our web site is being updated continually – be sure to access it regularly.

As you know, Mother Nature forced us to cancel our Benefit Show once again – it has now been rescheduled for April 4^th – hopefully it will finally happen – PLEASE try to support this worthwhile cause!   I can’t help myself – I simply have to again mention dues.  Please pay them soon – they’re cheap (even in these “hard times”) -- I would sure like to get your 2009 cards issued early this year.

As mentioned above, a brand new version of our Constitution & By Laws plus a new section of Rules & Regulations was submitted at last Thursday’s meeting.  If you were there, you got a copy for review.  If you weren’t there and want a copy, contact me very soon.  It is our plan to have the review (with needed corrections) completed BEFORE the February 19^th meeting -- so it can (hopefully) be approved (by vote) at this meeting.  Remember, if you haven’t paid you dues, you aren’t eligible to vote.

 Be sure to keep your eyes on the web site for upcoming events – the 2009 schedule is there (although it may be a little “flexible” in spots).  The next couple dates to remember are:

* February 19^th – UCSC meeting at 7:00 PM at the club house
* March 14^th – UCSC Work Day at 9:00 AM (getting the arena/area in shape for the season)
* March 19^th – UCSC meeting at 7:00 PM at the club house

 We wish the best for our new President (Gerald Patterson) and pledge our support to help him make this club even bigger and better than before.  You all NEED your help too!

 Send all comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to

 Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
             - or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

JANUARY 2009

 HI KIDS -- HAPPY NEW YEAR! – I hope you all had a great 2008.  We certainly had a busy and eventful year and next year promises to be better yet!  Our heart-felt thanks goes out to Lonny Marcus, our outgoing President, for everything that he has done for our Club during his many years of dedicated service!  We’re also looking forward to helping our new President, Gerald Patterson, to carry-on the forward movement our Club has enjoyed these past few years.  It’s up to all of us to support Gerald in every way we can to make this happen.  As he told us all at the Christmas Dinner, his main focus will be (just as Lonny’s was) to get the kids involved – after all, that’s our Club’s primary reason for existence.

Those of us that attended Christmas Dinner meeting enjoyed a whole lot of great food and good fellowship.  We also thank our Union County Commissioner, Lamar Parish, for showing and voicing his active support of the Union County Saddle Club.  We also collected two very large bags of toys for the kids.

Don’t forget to attend our January 10^th Benefit Show – we’ll have all sorts of speed and roping events PLUS lots of prizes, a horse-raffle and much, much more.  Sign-ups will start at 12 Noon and the show will start at 1:00PM.  We also have our first business meeting of 2009 on Thursday the 15^th.  I expect to have copies of the new (proposed) re-write of our Constitution, By Laws, Rules & Regulations for all to review – hoping that it can be formally adopted at our February meeting.

As you can probably guess, it’s time for me to start my campaign for 2009 Membership Dues.  A few of us have already taken care of this, but most of you have not!  Our Club membership runs from January 1 to December 31 - that’s fast approaching, in case you hadn’t realized.  Our Club By Laws state that each of our current/active Officers, Board members, Committee Chairpersons and members must have their dues paid before March 31^st – and – they also state that any member that wishes to vote for or against anything, must have paid their dues 60 days prior to the vote.  So, if you want to take an active part in our Club, you need to pay your dues.  PLEASE don’t “wait for the next show” or any of the other words I’ve heard, simply put a check in the mail to the address below.  It’s really easy and totally painless!

One more of my favorite campaigns:  if you have a current E-mail address, PLEASE let me know what it is so I can keep you up-to-the-minute with a simple touch of my mouse rather than my tongue. If you are, or have been, getting newsletters by the U S mail, I don’t have a good e E-mail address for you.

 One last item:  If any of you know Dianne Bailey, please ask her to give me a call – she gave me money for her dues at the Christmas Dinner but nothing more…I need her “vitals” so I can send her stuff.

 As usual, send all comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com

                                        NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2008

Hi kids – I hope you were able to attend the Racking Show on Saturday, 01NOV08 – we had absolutely beautiful weather for the show and a good time was had by all!  The attendance was a little smaller than we would have liked (probably due to the short notice/cancellation of the show the week before) but those of us who were there really enjoyed watching the rackers do their thing!

If you haven’t already heard, Jody, Dawn and Jessica Cook lost their home to a disastrous fire on Thursday, 27OCT08 – the house and everything in it is gone – but, thanks to the grace of God, they are all OK.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Note: Jody, Dawn and Jessica asked me to add a note to this newsletter “thanking everyone with the Saddle Club who came by, called, prayed, helped the night of the fire, given in some form or fashion and for the Racking Horse show for taking up a collection.  We sincerely thank each and every person and are grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.”

 Our last event for the year – the UCSC Christmas Party (20DEC08) – from 1-4 PM @ the Civic Center.  We hope you all will be able to make it – it’s always a good time – bring a dish and an un-wrapped toy.   Unfortunately, there will be no year-end point awards – all of the records were lost in the fire!

Our November meeting (the best attended meeting since I’ve been involved) produced the following official results for our 2009 Officers:

Board of Directors (two new members)                           Betty Bridges and Jean Harkins (unopposed)
President                                                                              Gerald Patterson (29/10&1 non-vote)

Vice President                                                                     Bill Jones (unopposed)
Secretary                                                                              Jim Holzinger (unopposed)
Treasurer                                                                             Mary Marcus (unopposed)
Show Chairman                                                                  Art Miller (24/16)
Publicity & Historian Chairperson                                  Donna Sticher (unopposed)
Show Committee Members                                              Robert Bridges, Larry Chambers, Jessica
                                                                                             Cook, Jody Cook, Kristy Martin, Katrina Ware and
                                                                                             Bobby Wheeler (all unopposed)

One last note – it’s time to be thinking about your 2009 dues – they’re due anytime between now and the 31^st of January 2009.  Please fill-out the attached/included form (PLEASE include your E-mail address) and mail it to me or bring it to our next meeting!

As usual, send all comments, suggestions, complaints, criticisms and anything else you need to get off your chest to:

Union County Saddle Club, Inc.
c/o Jim Holzinger / 1050 Brumby Run
Blairsville, GA 30512
- or -
E-mail to: keyholz@aol.com