1938
-- History -- 2009
The first 36 years.
Here is a little background on our dog club. Each year, someone
asks us how we began, so I thought I would supply it all for you. These highlights
were taken from our first fifty years of the dog club.
Northwestern Connecticut Dog Club was formed in 1938 by Mr.and Mrs. Lloyd
Case, Mr. and Mrs. John Brooks, Katherine Connley, Earl Coe, Blake
Fuessenich, Abbie Gilbert, Frank Lyons, and Dr. Charles Turkington.
The first match show was held on June 29, 1939 on the lawn of the
Litchfield Hills Inn. There was an entry of 172 dogs in 30 breeds. A group of boys
in silk orange and yellow jockey caps parked the cars.
January 24, 1940 a match was held at the Warner Theater in
Torrington. 50 dogs were entered. A special "best In show" rosette'
ribbon, together with a silver trophy and lead and collar would be awarded. An
imported lead and collar was awarded to the dog owner coming the longest distance
was won by F.M. Smith from Alston, Massachusetts who showed his Irish Terrier. Best in
Show was awarded to a Doberman Pinscher owned by Mr. and Mrs. John H. Brooks of
Litchfield. Before the dog show a short film, "Man's Best Friend" was
shown. At the conclusion of the dog show the movie "Off the Record"
starring Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell was shown followed by "The Young in
Heart" starring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
The First Show was held on the Athletic Field of the Taft School in Watertown.
There were 537 dogs entered. Lloyd Case was President, and Mrs. J. F. Kilgus, Jr.
was Show Chairman.
In the minutes of a meeting held in 1941 there was a report of a discussion
about the Show Committee and especially someone to handle the money. The following
is a quote from the minutes: "If we are to aspire to an A. K.C. point show we want
someone on the committee who can pay the check if we lose money on it."
May, 1942 . It was voted to recess meetings until fall and to cancel plans for
the show in September. It was voted to have four meetings a year.
October 2, 1942 - A match was held with Harwinton Fair. There were 44 dogs
entered in 16 breeds. The club made $21.17.
April 11, 1946 - After a presentation by Attorney O'Donnell on the needs and
benefits of incorporation, the club voted to appropriate sufficient funds to do
this.
1946 minutes - "Some discussion in regard to increasing membership in the
club with special stress on obtaining member who are sincerely interested in dog
activities. The need of publicity was also stressed. "
May 18, 1947 - Match held at Litchfield Playhouse- $50 profit.
August 28, 1948 Show held at White Foundation in Litchfield. The final report
shows a substantial deficit which cannot be covered by the present club treasury unless it
Is possible to raise money by various projects during the year. The deficit is $900,
the treasury has $200.
The Club finally issued $10.00 bonds. Mr. Foley, Supt., reduced the amount owed
to them from $694.68 to $500.00. At some point, the club had apparently built some privies
at White Memorial. After considerable negotiation N.C.D.C. was able to convince White
Memorial to accept ownership of the privies to settle the club's account.
1949 - Show showed a loss of $354.00.
1950 - The Club voted to apply for AKC. Membership.
The club planned to have a dog show in Waterbury. -They were informed of
the sudden enforcement of an old statute that to obtain a license to hold the show,
it would be necessary to certify that no admission would be charged. After much discussion
Mr. Foley suggested that the entry fee be increased from $4.00 to $5.00,
Sunday, September 23, 1951 - Benched Show held at Fuessenich Park in
Torrington. September 13, 1951 - Northwestern Connecticut Dog Club became a member
club of the American Kennel Club. Mr. Thomas O'Donnell was chosen Delegate. The Board
voted to pay for transportation, meal, and hotel if necessary - but not to exceed $15.00.
March, 1952 - The club voted to have three matches. One in Winsted, One at
Lloyd Case's home, and one at the Goshen Fairgrounds.
August, 1952 - No one would accept the position of Show Chairman for 1953. Vote
was put to the membership if they wanted to continue to have shows. Mr. Frank
Parker was finally appointed Show Chairman. Several members suggested that he would be a
good choice since he is new to the club and has never held office.
At the match at Lloyd Case's home there was considerable plumbing expense to
which the match may have been a contributing factor. The Club would look into this matter.
The Annual Dinner for 1952 was held at the Riverton Inn. The menu was: Baked
Stuffed Pork Chop $2.85 Fried Deep Sea Scallops $2.75; Roast native turkey $2.95;
Lobster Newburg $3.25; Filet Mignon $5.00. In the Treasurer's report there was $5.00
listed for Riverton Inn - tips for annual dinner.
1953 - Show held at Fuessenich Park. The final report stated that there was a
shortage of men at the gate. People came in the north gate without paying. They discussed
having Pinkerton men at the gate. They paid $51.00 for police, fire department, and a
ladies room attendant.
The minutes Indicate poor meeting attendance.
1954 -The club voted to sell beer at the show. This show had a profit of
$104.71.
The March 1955 match was cancelled because the chairman could not obtain
judges.
1955 - A.K.C. approved the Goshen Fairgrounds for one year.
The 1955 show showed a loss of $514.29.
1956 - The Torrington Lions Club helped to sponsor the show. This was the last
benched show. The entry was 566 dogs. The club gets 15% of the profit.
1958 show - 591 dogs.
1960 Show -There was an exhibition of the Litchfield County Foxhound Pack in.
action under the direction of Mr. Sherman P. Haight, Jr., Master. Also the Sandanona
Beagle Hound Club exhibited their pack under the direction of Mr. MoT-gan Wing,Jr.,
Master.
1967 - The Board discussed the possibility of using prisoners from Litchfield
Jail to prepare and clean up the show site.
The Board wanted to review the expenses for judges for the 1968 show in view
of the possibility of losing the sponsorship of the Lions Club if the expenses were
too high.
1973 - The Club wanted to negotiate with the Lions Club to see if the club
could get 30% of the profits instead of 15%.
Henry Mosle, A.K.C. Delegate, reported that at the last Delegates Meeting the
possibility of allowing women to be delegates was discussed. N.C.D.C. was in
favor of this.
1974 - A contest was held.for the designing of a club logo. Virginia
Wooster (Flynn) was the winner. Her design Is the logo that we still use today.
Susan Fenn, Historian
Joyce Fenn
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