Coon club thanks area supporters (10/27/05)

To the editor:

The Limberlost Coon Hunters Club was the recent host club for the United Kennel Club’s World Coon Hound Championship Finals that was held at the Jay County Fairgrounds on Sept. 22, 23, and 24.

A big thank you goes out to the city of Portland for the support and assistance in welcoming the hunters from all over the United States and to the officials from the UKC headquarters in Kalamazoo, Mich. A special thanks goes to Gyneth Augsburger from the Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau for assisting with the publicity and help in organizing the event and also to the special guest speakers that were present during the opening ceremony: State Rep. Bill Davis; Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier; and Jim Waechter from the Museum of the Soldier for arranging the flag ceremony.

We’d also like to thank Rob Weaver and Jeff Overholser of WPGW radio for the broadcast spots informing the community of the hunters and hounds coming into town; Ric Rutledge of the Muncie Star Press and the late Barb Wilkinson of The Commercial Review for the newspaper articles on the hunt; and to the businesses of Portland, we extend thanks for the welcoming postings on your bill boards and banners around town.

The UKC officials and several participants were very complimentary of our facility at the Jay County Fairgrounds. Thanks to the Jay County fair board and the Jay County 4-H Council for maintaining the beautiful facility that we have here in Portland.

This hunt was a big success for both our Coon Hunters Club and also for the community of Portland. When an event like this comes to town it’s a winning combination for everyone involved. From the hotels that are booked full every night, to the restaurants, gas stations and stores that our visitors frequent while in town, everyone benefits.

An event of this size cannot be a success without outside assistance from many helping hands. The Loblolly Days Committee of Bryant, and several family members and friends were gracious enough to assist us in the kitchen throughout the weekend. Thanks to club member, Randy Davidson, from Bearcreek Crossing for the donation for the pop.

Unfortunately, there was an accident involving a trapped dog in a field tile on Thursday night in the pouring rain, but several members of the club, with shovels in hand, were able to rescue the 10-year-old Bluetick Hound from the tile unharmed. Relieved and somewhat astonished, the owner, Steve Burkholder from northern Indiana, personally thanked each club member involved in the rescue of his beloved hound, “Droop Jr.” It was uncertain if shovels and Mr. Burkholder’s tracking device was going to be able to locate the dog, so a call was placed to Tressler Excavating late Thursday evening for assistance with a backhoe. Thankfully the backhoe assistance was not needed, but not before Guy Tressler was already on his way with his equipment. Guy, we thank you for getting up in the middle of the night in the rain and loading up your equipment. Hopefully, we won’t need your assistance in the future, but it’s good to know that we can count on you if the situation arises again.

Finally, our condolences go out to the family of Barb Wilkinson. Barb covered our past coon hound events at the fairgrounds and, as expected, done an outstanding job. From the interviews prior to the events and the photo coverage during the events, Barb worked very hard for the Limberlost Coon Hunters Club and for the community of Portland. We have lost a good friend and a strong supporter and she will be deeply missed.

Janet L. Butcher, secretary, for the members of the Limberlost CHC[[In-content Ad]]