Deb

Hi, I use FlockFiler. The developer understands the business and he lets you "test drive" the software before purchasing it. The Lite version is very affordable ($49.95 US); provides health, breeding, and management capability; and it works on Windows and Mac's. You can read about it and download it here < http://www.flockfiler.com/ >. Deb

Lori, Pam just did the MD Beginner Course (17-18 MAR) and enjoyed it. (I'm considering getting her some counseling...) The March edition of The Shepherd and the Feb 06 Sheep Industry News list the schools. Here are the upcoming ones: MARCH 25 Maine Sheep Shearing School, Cumberland, ME. Contact (800) 287- 1471, rbrz@umext.maine.edu. 30-31 Colorado Sheep Shearing School, Delta County Fairgrounds, Hotchkiss, CO. Contact Steve LeValley, (970) 491-1321, steve.levalley@ colostate.edu. APRIL 1 Maryland and Delaware Sheep Shearing School (Advanced Course). Thompson Farm, Westminister, MD. David Greene (410) 329.6241 ? greelamb@bcpl.net. $25/person, 25 person limit, Deadline: march 25. 3-8 Washington State Sheep Producers Sheep Shearing School, Parker?s Sheep Ranch, Moses Lake, WA. Contact (509) 754-2011, smithsm@ wsu.edu. 5-6 Illinois Sheep Shearing School, Livestock Center, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL. Contact (217) 333-7351, arcobb@uiuc.edu. 8 Indiana Sheep Association Sheep Shearing School, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Greencastle, IN. Contact Harshbarger Shearing, 2005 E 200 N, Central Point, IN 47840. 21-22 Minnesota Sheep Shearing School, Hutchinson, MN. Contact Doug Rathke, (320) 587-6094. 29 Vermont Sheep Shearing School, Shelburne, VT. Contact (802) 524-6501 ext. 212, chester.parsons@uvm.edu.

Hey Jenny, Thanks again for the warm reception (high 60's!!!)in Alberta! I was sorry to miss Sam's trial (next year Sam!)- but not sorry to miss the cold weather! Wish I could say the trip back to the east coast was in warm weather the whole way. I hit the lake-effect snows once I crossed into Ohio and had snow the whole way to Central PA. The last day's planned 10 hour drive turned into 21 hours. Lucky for me, the Ohio and PA turnpikes have plenty of Starbuck's stops! Glad to hear Scott and crew made it home safely!

Colin, There are some northern handlers Steve helped along the way to open, too. I'm one of them - although relatively new to open and still really rough around the edges! His novice series started the first year I ran novice-novice and I learned a phenominal amount. Yup, I drove 16 hours round trip for two 3-minute runs over the weekend. (No one ever said I was bright!) I am so very glad I made those trips! My first time there was in March that year. Me being above the Mason-Dixon, I thought that just about anything in the south, like NC, was bound to be warmer then PA in March. I spent a very uncomfortable night in my old truck - with the temp hovering in the high 20's - wishing I had more then one dog to cuddle with. The education, friendliness, aand real care that cantankerous man showed all of us novices is something I will never forget or be able to repay.

Hi Becca, Thanks for posting the addresses. I owe Steve so much for looking out for novices like me. His novice series not only taught me a great deal, it let me develop some wonderful friendships.

Thanks!

Hey Steve! hang in there friend! Hope to meet up with you again at a handlers meeting this spring! Deb

Hey Sam! CONGRATS on the new place lady! I promise you a big plate of Pam's brownies as a housewarming present!

Hi All, Bel - You've not ben snookered. And, besides, SD is Tom Brokaw territory. Pack for three seasons - and be sure one of them is early winter. I'm off tomorrow morning to South Dakota to visit friends and catch the semi-finals and finals. I'm scribing Saturday, too. Can't wait! It was great last year and I expect no less this year. See ya' on the sidelines...

...yet...

Thanks Charlie. Now, about that picture...?

Hi threejays, Where are you located? If you are in the middle atlantic region of the US you might want to consider attending the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, May 1st & 2ed (Sat / Sun) at the Howard County Fairgrounds, near Columbia and Frederick Maryland. There are Shepherd's classes, including one for beginners I believe, breed displays and a show, health talks (TSE, BSE & prion disease talks seem to be a big thing this year - as you would expect with recent events) and lots of friendly folks who'd love to share with you the benefits of thier particular breed. You will note after a few discussions that there appear to be no disadvantages to any breed... There are also lots of other fun things to do, herding demonstrations, a herding workshop that Friday, etc. The url for their web site is: http://www.sheepandwoolfestival.org/ There you will find a complete list of events and times, what presentations are free, what have a small fee, the ones you must sign up for in advance, etc. You may also run into more then one of us from 'the boards'... Anyone else out there planning on attending?

Hey Sam! Any recomendations for hotels for next week? Deb

Well, guess I better weigh in here as I was the one to send the private post to Denise and "give her an example of a Big Hat who started out in AKC obedience" and who Denise does not view as such. Before reading all of your comments and observations I would have used Charlie's definition. After reading through your comments and observations I think Sam put it best. Of course, my personal definiton is "any one who knows more then I" - and that - also by definition, would be just about EVERYONE. Sam, Bracken is this very moment sleeping in my kitchen. I can't wait until I'm home during daylight and can work her for the first time!

Eileen, Your peach tree / flowering peach tree analogy is wonderful. It is, without doubt, the best way I've seen to describe the difference between the working border collie and the conformation border collie that I have heard or read anywhere. Happy Holidays!