President’s Message – Fall 2012
Outstanding!!! This is the best way I have to describe our centennial District Shows. I had the pleasure of attending all of them. The celebration of 100 years of Romneys in America began in Oregon. Our ARBA annual meeting and banquet was held at the Williamette Heritage Center, at The Mill. All of us enjoyed some Oregon wine and tasty cheeses, while catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Next we went on a very interesting tour of the working woolen mill. A wonderful lamb meal was served, followed by a brief meeting and successful silent auction. It was an evening to remember. The District 4 Show was held the next day at the Oregon State Fair, followed by the Junior Show on Saturday. What great sheep shows, large classes, beautiful Romneys, wonderful prizes, congratulations District 4.
The celebration then moved east to New Jersey. The District 2 show was held at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep and Wool Festival in Ringos. Wow! Romney sheep on display from all 5 district states. We saw 79 Romneys from 15 exhibitors. After the show we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch provided by member Sue Posbergh. Thank you Sue! After lunch the drawing was held for the Lotsa lamb raffle. Melissa Cunningham from Connecticut was the lucky winner. The 2012 Morris Culver Scholarship Award winner Chris Posbergh received his check and was roundly congratulated by all. It was just a great day all around.
The next week my wife and I found ourselves in the south, for our final District show. The District 6 show was held at the Mountain State Fair in Fletcher, North Carolina. The weekend started with an exhibitor’s potluck supper on Friday evening. The junior show was the main event on Saturday. ARBA junior members showed off their Romney sheep all day long. Sunday the District 6 Open Show was held. Again nice classes, beautiful Romneys and wonderful prizes.
I am honored to have had the chance to visit with ARBA members from coast to coast during the centennial district shows. Thank you to Scott Culver, Michele Reilly and Becky Petrick and all of you who worked so very hart to make our shows so very special.
Ron Andress
ARBA President