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The 2007 WNAF was again
a resounding success. Beautiful weather, a super crowd, great
cattle, and an abundance of enthusiasm. Like every year, the
success of this event has much to do with the hours of assistance
we as the management team get from the hard working volunteers.
Deanna and Earl Ratcliff, from the state of Idaho, must again be
thanked and commended on the super job they always do in turning
our show ring into a happy, beautiful surrounding to display the
entries. Their floral and decoration efforts add tremendously to
the atmosphere and the success of the show each year. Assisting
the Ratfliffs in 2007 was a long time WNAF friend and supporter in
Dennis Boelhke also from Idaho.
Next on the list is the
entire crew from the state of Idaho who step up each and every
year in the preparation of a long time WNAF tradition in the
popular CAB hotdog BBQ that is enjoyed and looked forward to by
not only the many juniors from across the land, but by the parents
and spectators as well. A super thanks to the Idaho Angus
Association for keeping up this important element of the Junior
show.
Next comes the Western
Regional Junior Show – yes, its 34th year in a row being held with
the Futurity. With this came juniors from fifteen states across
the land. To keep a fresh look and exciting events for the
juniors, it takes a special person to handle that role. Again in
2007, Carla Malson from Idaho filled the shoes. Carla along with
the WSA Auxiliary blend their efforts in supporting the young, not
only at the junior party each year, but with their super
scholarship programs and other youth projects. Our hats are off to
Carla and all the Auxiliary for their support. Also a sincere
thanks goes to the members of the National Junior Board and James
Fisher, who jumped right in with the Western Regional to help
assure it goes off without a hitch, plus they also do anything
asked of them in helping make the WNAF run like clock work.
The futurity would not function without the loyal support of
breeders and firms throughout the land who participate in its
major fundraiser, The Big Draw. A super thanks goes to each who
purchased tickets and to those who step up each and every year to
make sure the tickets are sold. A special thanks goes to Dennis
Lopez and his daughter Libby who themselves sold over 25% of all
this year’s tickets.
Also deserving a big
thanks is the Powell Scale Company in Oregon. For the past five
years Steve Orr and Jerry Ford have graciously supported the
futurity by furnishing a digital scale to weigh the entries. This
gracious support certainly does not go unnoticed. Ray Nyswonger
and Michelle Purdy of Reno help each year in the show preparation
along with storing many of the WNAF items from year to year. A big
thanks to them.
To our two judges for
this year’s event, goes a big thanks for taking time out of their
busy schedules to share with us their knowledge and experience in
placing the 195 head in the open show by Bill Rishel from Nebraska
and the 125 head in the Junior Show by Jake Parnell from
California. Indeed a job well done. Certainly one of the biggest
thanks of the entire event must go to the many herds from 18
states who traveled to Reno, Nevada to participate in the 55th
WNAF. Without their dedication, the show would not exist. To the
owners, fitters and showman, a heartfelt thanks for the time and
effort each and everyone puts forth to make this event one of the
most talked about shows in the land.
Last but not least, a
gigantic thanks goes to Darwin Schwelitzer and Sheila Stamnas.
Darwin for keeping his finger on each and every element of the
facility, show ring and tie outs. He’s everywhere all the time.
Solving problems to make the entire event more enjoyable both for
the spectators and exhibitors. Sheila, from the JDA staff, keeps
all the paperwork, entries, class sponsorships, draw down, entry
numbers, and the list goes on completely organized and in order.
Our hats are off to both Darwin and Sheila for the long hours and
dedicated service they put forth to make the Futurity a super
success.
As 2007 closes, and
plans begin for 2008, I ask each and every Angus breeder across
the land to get involved. Support any way you possibly can. Events
like this are becoming a dying breed. Let’s all put forth that
extra effort to assure that the West’s greatest Angus event does
not become an endangered species. With a little help by all, we
can assure on healthy, prosperous events for years down the road
that focus on our Western States.
James A. and Sherry
Danekas
WNAF Show Managers
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