As president, it seems like many of my reports are filled with gratitude to all of you who help to make the club what it is. It’s an enviable position to be in really, since there is much gratitude to share.
I want to thank all who participated as donors, bidders, and buyers in our various ventures at convention this year - the GFA, the Trio Raffle, the Youth-Only portion of the GFA, and the Silent Auction. We have amazingly generous donations, and fervent participation by bidders and buyers to support those initiatives.
I’d like to give my personal thanks to the outgoing board members: Lori Robasciotti, Michael Wolfe, Kirsten Taylor, Connie Forward, Doug Brown, and Julie Aversa. Every year there are changes that occur on the board, and this year, there have been quite a few! These dedicated individuals have either served many terms, or served the board amid very busy personal and professional lives. They have served us well by carefully considering every question put before the board with you, the membership, in mind. I cannot thank all of them enough.
Equally, I have gratitude for our incoming board members: Angela Holbrook, Bailey Ledesma, Abi Evans, Laurie Wood, Daniel Kuyoth, and Gail More, all new to the board. I am so excited for what all of these new faces and fresh perspectives will bring to the club! Alex Williams has moved from Secretary to Vice President, with more changes to come. I think we look forward to an exciting future for the club.
As you know, I was unable to attend Convention. I am so thankful to those who made the extra effort to step in and make sure all club events occurred as required, and moreover, made them memorable. Alex stood in my stead - in the absence of the President, this is the VP’s biggest job, and Alex worked hard to make sure events were staffed and on schedule. Julie Aversa and Cassie Olson were on the job as well, making sure that so many details were attended to. Julie spent months before convention preparing the booth décor and lining up hospitality items, and hours setting up booth itself. It’s not a coincidence that the two years that our club has won one of three booth decoration awards, it has been Julie who planned and presented our booth. Thank you Julie! I can’t understate how much Julie, Alex, and Cassie did to assure that this convention went smoothly. Please, join me in expressing gratitude to them for a smooth convention!
Article continued on page 4.
President’s report continued. . .
All of you who took a role in this convention: I thank you! Our runners, clerks, secretaries, show supers, banquet planners, auction planners, all of you deserve far more thanks than I can give here in this short article.
Now, to the “more to come” that I alluded to earlier. I will be stepping down shortly from my duties as President. It’s become clear to me over the past several months that I don’t have the time I feel is necessary for that job. I’ve been involved in the board for many years, and in many roles, as a district rep, CBL committee chair, newsletter managing editor, Vice President, and President. For a lot of reasons, it’s time for me to step down. The job of President requires a minimum amount of time daily, and just like everyone, as our parents age - and we start down that road as well - my time is stretched far too thin. Since May 1st, I’ve single-handedly prepared my previous house for sale, packed it up and moved my kids to one house, myself to another, and my mother in with me at my new house. Well, it’s been a trip! As my mom’s caregiver, and as a support to others in my family, I must give that my priority. As such, I can’t do justice to the club, and so I hand over the job to Alex Williams, who will appoint a new Vice President, and will, I know, be a good leader to this club.
My final gratitude is to all of you for allowing me to serve. It has been my pleasure to do so.
December 1
February 15
March 1
April 1
April 12, 2025
April 11, 2026
Reminder! Breed for potential GFA donation animals!
Fluff submissions deadline for spring edition
Bids due for 2027 National Jersey Wooly Show
NJWRC Scholarship Applications Due
Jersey Wooly Nationals
Hutchinson KS
Jersey Wooly Nationals
Canton OH
Vice President Alex Williams zcharmed@msn.com
Hello everyone!
Convention has come and gone and some of us are still recovering from the high of it. This year not only had a record number of entries in our breed but many others as well. This year’s Convention was truly a team effort. There are so many people that deserve a thank you and I hope to name them all. First, I want to thank the outgoing board members: Lori Robasciotti from D2, Michael Wolfe from D4, Kirsten Taylor from D6, Connie Forward from D7, and Julie Aversa from D8. Each of these members dedicated countless hours and served the club to the best of their abilities. Next, I would like to say thank you to our incoming board members: Angela Holbrook from D2, Bailey Ledesma Perez from D4, Abigail Evans from D6, Daniel Kuyoth from D7, Laurie Wood from D8, and last but not least, Gail More our new Secretary. Please be sure to give them a warm welcome. They each have taken on a task that is not always an easy one.
Now, for those who helped ensure that this year’s convention was a successful one: Laurie Wood for organizing the booth volunteers; Julie Aversa for decorating the booth so beautifully and for transcribing the control sheets as well as tallying up the Best of Display points; Cassie Olson for ensuring that the judges were always provided with something to drink and providing help with any last minute tasks that needed to be done and handling all sponsorships; Abi Evans for ensuring that the silent auction items were delivered to the banquet and ramrodding the youth table; Michelle Landis for writing on the day of the show, soliciting the GFA rabbits, and for the adorable hats on the day of showing; Becky Boarts for writing; Kevin Ayers for ramrodding; Lindsay Aversa for writing on the day of the show and for setting up the rabbits so beautifully at the GFA; Cody Landis for drawing the rabbits at the GFA; Dave Arnold for being our auctioneer for the GFA; Steven Buell for “shaking his money maker” at the banquet and literally selling us out of trio tickets; Grace Anderson for organizing the banquet; Christy Wallock for arranging the Sweepstake Awards; Amber Henderson for once again taking pictures and for arranging the demonstrations as well as doing a demonstration on assessments of JRs; and Brenda Reilly for her informative demonstration on cage repairs. A big thank to our volunteers at the booth this year is also in order: Tricia Love, Shannon Wallace, Gail Moore, April Sefcik, Bill Meado, Lori Robasciotti, Danica Pavlic Stout, Kaia Stout, Bailey Ledesma Perez, Ava-Lynn Ledesma, Becky Hammond, Kevin and Laura Ayers, Teri Sterner, Allison Lesniack, Billie Harper, Abi Evans, Robin Olson, Christopher Byers, Cody and Michelle Landis, Laurie Wood, and Julie Aversa.
I also want to thank our Convention judges Chase Austin, Kyle A Yacobucci and Kathi Groves. I do not envy them for the job that was put in front of them. They went over every rabbit that was placed before them with a fine tooth comb. They were a joy to have as our judges this year.
Last, but definitely not least, to everyone who ran rabbits. Without you, the members, none of this would have been possible. Thank you everyone!
With that being said, this year’s convention has brought many changes and there are still more to come. Soon the holidays will be over and the year as well. In addition, we are going to see the sun set on the service of a very special person on the board. Our dear friend Cheryl Loesch has decided to step down as our NJWRC President. I can only hope that my words will express what an honor it has been to work with Cheryl on the board. She has exemplified honesty and integrity, and she has handled every aspect of the club with thoughtful consideration for our club as a whole, often sacrificing countless hours for the club’s well being. It is with genuine sadness I watch her step down. Cheryl, I thank you for everything you have done for the breed as well as the hobby. I am so very glad to call you a friend.
Vice President’s report continued. . .
With endings there are inevitably beginnings, and I will be attempting to fill the gap that Cheryl’s departure will leave. I hope you will join me in looking forward to the New Year. 2025 will be an exciting year as we prepare for Nationals in Missouri. It is sure to be a fun-filled one, and from what I’ve heard, the show grounds are wonderful. The banquet is to be held at the Cosmosphere and will be an event that everyone will enjoy!
I look forward to seeing everyone there.
NJWRCGailSecretary More
Hello Everyone!
For those that may not know me, I am Gail More from District 8 and more specifically NE Ohio. I have the honor of being your current NJWRC Club Secretary. I was preceded by Alex Williams who did an amazing job of being Secretary and has moved on to bigger and better things as our club VP! Congratulations to her and all of the new and returning board members. I am looking forward to serving all of you during my term. There is definitely a learning curve and a lot of information to keep track of, so bear with me as I navigate this new position.
I will be working on updating our membership roster and sending out reminders when it is time to renew your membership. Keep an eye out on the NJWRC Member’s Facebook page as I will send notifications to there first, and then to the email address you have on record. If you are a current member and are on Facebook, be sure to join our Member’s page as it is a great way to stay connected. This is a private page, so you may need to ask permission to be added. Be sure to check out the club’s website as well, as it is also full of great information. Under the MORE tab, you will find the link to the membership page with information on how to join the club. Feel free to contact me to update your information if you have moved, changed email or phone numbers, need to add/ remove family members, or just want to verify your membership expiration date. You may not receive important information regarding voting or receive your sweeps points if your membership information is not current and up to date!
Finally, I hope those who attended Convention have recuperated from the “Convention Crud” and or the exhaustion that goes along with attending the largest convention ever! It was a great turnout for all breeds and especially for our beloved Jersey Woolies! Congratulations to all of those who attended and placed well. There was definitely some stiff competition and even placing in the top 10 was a great accomplishment! My best placing was 2nd place Self Senior Doe, so I was pretty excited about that! I am definitely looking forward to having another Convention so close to home in Indiana for 2025!
The 2025 Nationals this year is a bit of a drive for me as it is in Kansas, but I am excited to make the trip and visit someplace new. I am dragging my husband along with me so we will see how he survives a 15 hour trip with bunnies! We hope to see you there!
Hello District 1 Members!
District One
Bethany Robertson
bethanyrobertsongm@gmail.com
Representing: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Yukon Territory, and Japan
My article for this edition will be short and sweet as I wanted to allow our members a chance to shine. They graciously submitted some great articles to share with you all!
These past few months have been full of excitement with so many breeders making the trip to ARBA Convention. I was not able to attend this year, but I loved seeing all of the photos and achievements shared by those who did. It was wonderful to see how supportive members are within our breed and I truly believe it has put the Jersey Wooly in a positive light. I’ve had a few emails/messages from folks that were able to attend and wanted to know more about the breed. How exciting is that?!
I look forward to seeing familiar faces at upcoming local shows. To stay connected with our district members and local shows, please check out our Facebook group ‘District 1- Jersey Wooly’ where you can see who will be at local shows, which shows are sanctioned, and more!
Bethany Robertson and Meadow Sultan took home two BOB wins and a BOSB win with Wild Meadows Mary Jane at the McMinnville, OR Veterans show.
District 1 Winners!
Open class show at the Evergreen State Fair. Mara won RIS with her home bred buck, Cassius, under
Washington State Fair 4-H show where Mara won BIS with her home bred buck, Grell, under judge George Germaine.
Mara was the District 1 winner for Senior Achievement and National 5th place Senior Achievement. She won 4th place Senior Breed ID and was 2nd runner up Queen at
Carolynn Olmstead won RIS at the youth show in Kennewick with Royalty Rabbitry's Dumpling (R4) at the Tri-Cities Rabbit Ass’n.
Getting to the Point!
Crystal Clack, District 1
Rabbits have owned me since I was ten years old. Following my parent’s divorce, my mom gifted me a black Dutch rabbit that I named Rosie. At 15, I had the good fortune of meeting Jann Hall, a breeder of Himalayans, Polish, and Champagne d’Argents. My very first pedigreed rabbit was a Himalayan buck from Jann. One could argue she started me on points when I was a teen!
In the 1990s, I fell head over heels for the Jersey Wooly. Although I never owned one of these delightful little fluff balls, they were on my wish list, the “one of these days I will have them” breed. It wasn’t until my fourth decade in life that my dreams would come to fruition. Much to my husband’s surprise, my rabbit escapades reached a new level!
I attended my inaugural ARBA convention in 2014 in Fort Worth, TX. We were a mile from home when my husband (aware of my rabbit obsession but didn’t know how bad it was until then) asked how many rabbits I planned to bring home from the convention. When I responded with the number 24, he promptly asked me to pull the truck over and walked home. He couldn't fathom what I would do with 24 rabbits, including Jersey Woolies, Flemish Giants, and Velveteen Lops. I explained I intended to breed, show, and sell them. Although he still didn't fully grasp the magnitude of my rabbit mania, he patiently supported my passion, especially when he saw the joy it brought me.
Fast forward to the present day. As I reflect on the past ten years, I find myself shaking my head. At one point, I had nearly 200 rabbits without a clear direction for my herd. At that point, I finally listened to my husband and drastically pared down to a “reasonable” number! Fortunately, I narrowed my focus and decided to get to the “point” and exclusively breed Pointed White Jersey Woolies.
Over the last decade, I have painstakingly bred PW to PW and PW to Siamese sable and self-black, meticulously eliminating any REWs. I have also culled for lighter markings, undesirable traits, aggressiveness, and illnesses – adhering to the breed standard. Despite COVID-19, RHDV-2, and life challenges, I have steadily progressed.
Line breeding can reveal both the best and worst of genetics. This past year I reached the end of the line with my current breeding stock, as bad teeth and stillbirths signaled the need for new blood. Determined to continue with Pointed Whites, I knew I needed to bring in outside blood. I contacted friends nationwide who raised the variety. In March, On Point’s Opus and Blue Willow’s Grace joined my rabbitry, providing the fresh start my herd needed.
New rabbits are currently in quarantine post-convention, and I hope they will further enhance my pointed white lines. I am particularly excited about a young buck from Treble Maker Rabbitry, sired by a buck Lori got me in February. I hope Mr. Martin, Jr. will pass on those gorgeous nose markings and type to future generations at McKenzie River Rabbitry!
As I sit at the Crazy 8s show today, in between classes, I am grateful for the friends I have made in this hobby, both near and far, and the lessons I continue to learn. Wild Meadows, Bethany, and Meadow have helped me decipher the pieces, and I value their experiences and feedback with my lines. My show string of six-pointed whites may have flaws, but I know I am close to breeding to the Standard of Perfection. One of these days, I’ll achieve Best in Show!
My little superstar, McK’s Pip, needs just one more leg to earn his grand champion title. I hope he can achieve it today despite the stiff competition. Until then, he has earned a beautiful rosette for show A! Update! Pip won BOB Show C! He’s a Grand Champion now!
Transition Feed
Meadow Sultan, District 1
Every year, after National Convention, I see a lot of discussion regarding switching feed and a lot of fret and worry because they were unable to get transition feed. I saw one post this year of a rabbit that passed a couple days after purchase and the thought behind it was the new owner was unable to obtain the rabbit’s normal feed and upon getting new feed it bloated and died. I thought I would share how we handle this issue at Wild Meadows Rabbitry.
We, too, worried excessively about slowly transitioning any newly purchased rabbits over to our feed. We watched them like a hawk, slowly upping the amount of our food we added over the course of a week or so, until they were completely on our feed. The main thing I noticed was the rabbits would dig at the feed to get “their” feed when given the choice. This often led to the rabbit losing weight and condition during that week because they were actually getting less and less of their feed. Once completely onto our feed, there were 2 possible outcomes. First, they ate our feed just fine but had to recover and gain weight, or second, they became very picky and had “learned” to dig their feed or they refused to eat and died. Between learning from necessity, when we could not get transition feed, and learning out of the frustrations of trying to transition feed, we started our current regime. It is actually quite simple. We just withhold all pelleted feed for 24 hours and give the rabbit all the hay (timothy, orchard, grass, oat that is up to you as a breeder) they can eat. After the first 24 hours, we give a half ration of pellets and free choice hay. 48 hours after, the new rabbits are on full feed ration (respective to breed). Up to this point we have been very successful integrating new rabbits to our feed with no major issues.
The thought behind withholding the feed for 24 hours is that we want to purge the rabbit’s gastrointestinal system as much as possible of their old feed and do a sort of “reset” with the hay. We do not offer wet foods (fruits or veggies), processed foods (cheerios or bread), or sugary foods (dried papaya), etc. We only offer hay because we want that massive fiber/roughage push to clean out the gut. One thing we might do is add some electrolytes (Pedialyte) to the water, or even just offer water in both a bowl and a water bottle as sometimes we do not know what they were used to drinking from. We always want to encourage water intake during this transition time as well. The whole point is to move that gut!
I know this is a very small part in the large picture of raising rabbits, but it is one we have found takes away so much stress and worry when bringing new rabbits home.
Meadow Sultan Wild Meadows Rabbity
Hello NJWRC and Fluff readers!
District Two
Angela Holbrook
rattissia@hotmail.com
Representing: Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Nevada, Utah, and Mexico
We had a great convention with a total of 21 rabbits from our district placing in the top 10 of the class results. In alphabetical order: Amber Henderson got 3rd Sr Broken buck; Angela Holbrook got 2nd Jr Tan buck and 6th Jr Agouti buck; Michaeline McConnell got 7th Sr Agouti buck, 1st Jr Self buck, and 10th Jr Self doe; and Lori Robasciotti got 2nd Sr Agouti doe, 5th Sr AOV buck, 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 10th Sr AOV doe, 6th, 7th, and 8th Jr AOV buck, 1st and 9th Jr AOV doe, 10th Sr Self buck, 7th Sr Shaded buck and 6th Jr Shaded doe. Way to go all!
Michaeline McConnell's 1st place Jr Self buck, Bartholomew, is the product of 9 generations of her breeding. Look at how handsome this guy is! Congratulations again, Michaeline, and thank you for reaching out with his photo.
Look at Lori Robasciotti's gorgeous 1st place Sr AOV doe and thank you Lori for sending in her photo.
I was silly and didn't get a posed picture of my 2nd place Jr Tan buck, and he went to live with Becky Hammond in Alaska. So, she was gracious and sent me this super cute photo of the handsome guy. Thank you, Becky!!
For those of you who don't know me, I live in Utah and am the appointed representative for District 2. My darling daughter, Maddy Doling, got her first rabbit, a broken black otter doe without any nose markings, as a pet back in January 2020. Kandance Bredding sold my daughter a buck and told us about showing. I never thought I'd show any animal let alone rabbits. When my daughter first asked for a rabbit, I said no. I had no idea that rabbits would win my heart, calm my stress, and be willing to catch my tears. These gentle creatures have also been a pathway to meeting so many great people and gave me an excuse to travel. I love them. I love my wooly people!
Thank you for trusting me for this position. If you have any comments/concerns about JW/ the NJWRC/showing in general I will do my best to be your representative. Please, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Best Regards, Angela Holbrook
Angela Holbrook’s 2nd Place Tan Junior Buck
Michaeline McConnell's Bartholomew
Lori Robasciotti's BOSG AOV TM'S Heartless Sr doe
District Three
Izzy Bukovich
izzybuk18@gmail.com
Representing: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Hi friends! I hope everyone has been having a wonderful fall! I don't have much to report in this issue, but I did want to highlight some show wins from those in our district!
First, I want to give a massive congratulations to Stephanie Bushman on her Open BOSB win at Convention with her Tan Pattern Senior Doe, EB's Tahlula, and to Hannah Jacobson with her youth BOB win with her Self Senior Doe, Furry Treasure's Rumchata. It's so incredibly exciting to see the quality of rabbits from our district and I couldn't be more proud or happy for my fellow district members!
On a regional level, Id like to give another big congratulations to Bill Medo on his two BOB wins in Marshfield, Wisconsin November 9th!
I absolutely love seeing show wins and want to share more in reports. So, if you have any show wins you want included, please feel free to shoot me a message on Facebook or email me at izzybuk18@gmail.com!
On that note, I am signing off! Stay warm and I'll see you in the next issue!
District Four
Bailey Ledesma
bailey.ledesma@gmail.com
Representing: Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
By the time this is released, convention has ended and the dust has settled. We can now reflect on why we all prepared so long and hard all year for the big stage and start setting new goals for Indianapolis 2025.
District 4 came in with a bang and had a great representation in both Open and Youth with many exhibitors placing in the top end of very competitive classes! Shout out to our very own District 4 member and longtime wooly breeder, Chase Austin, for being the 101st ARBA Convention Youth Jersey Wooly judge! He did an amazing job judging with huge youth numbers and had the hardest job of all, picking the winners out of such a stunning line up! Congratulations to all the Open and Youth convention winners! Thank you to the host club who did a wonderful job with the wool breed area, allowing all wool breed exhibitors more than enough room for grooming with plenty of outlets for all the blowers, not to mention a fantastic location. Coops were close to the judging tables making running a breeze. Thank you to all the volunteers, BOD members, and exhibitors who helped with writing, running, at the breed booth, putting together great informational classes, and making judging such a smooth process! It truly takes a village to make all these things possible, and the NJWRC is the best of the best!
Now we can start to think about the upcoming show season and Nationals! We have had many great wins all over our district and continue to spark interest in woolies with exhibitors bringing such stunning animals to the show tables!
Congratulations to all on your placings throughout the season! I hope to see you at Nationals and thank you for welcoming me with such open arms while allowing me the opportunity to represent our district and all of you!
Bailey Ledesma
District 4 Big Wins
Convention Wins
- John Harris Anderson
Youth Best Display and BOSG - AOV
AOV, Sr Buck, CF’s Howdy
Owned by John Harris Anderson & Bred by Rose-Marie Turley
Youth Judge Chase Austin
- Carlie Boling
Youth BOSV Agouti Sr Doe BB77
Youth BOSV Tan pattern Jr. Doe BUSTER
Youth Judge Chase Austin
Hello District 5!
District Five
Brenda Kneir
mobunniesrabbitry@yahoo.com
Representing: Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri
It was good to see many of you at the 101st ARBA Convention in Louisville, Ky. We had great participation from our youth! Colson Enfield, Eleanor Lefebvre, Carson Reker, Kainen Reker, Daphne Rider, Freya Barnes, and Jordan Tucker attended or sent entries with friends and family. All of them were competitive, and they had a really good time. Jordan Tucker had BOG AOV with TF’s Shasta. Daphne Rider submitted a project about Jersey Wooly groups and received a blue ribbon in the intermediate division. In other news, Jordan Tucker won RIS in Stillwater OK with TF’s DJ and RIS in Fayetteville AR with JoBre’s Bruno.
District 5 is excited to be hosting the 2025 Jersey Wooly Nationals. We look forward to seeing everyone in Hutchinson, Kansas April 12th, 2025.
Remember, if you have any winning photos submit them to me at mobunniesrabbitry@yahoo.com.
Colson Enfield
Jordan Tucker RIS Fayetteville AR
Jordan Tucker, RIS Stillwater OK
Eleanor Lefebvre BOB Sedalia Quad Show
District 5 Winners!
WLOT Specialty Winners from Rabbit Posse of Oklahoma Veterans Day Triple Show
Judge Melissa Magee
Youth
BOB - Jordan Tucker (District 5) - Broken Sr Buck
BOSB - Colson Enfield (District 5) - Broken Sr Doe
Best Wool - Amber Henderson (District 2) - Colored Wool
District Six Abi Evans
sweaterweatherrabbitry@gmail.com
Representing: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico
Hello Everyone!
This is my first Fluff article as your District 6 Director. I am so excited to be a part of the board for this amazing breed. I hope everyone had a great time at convention and has recovered well!
I am so proud of how all of District 6 has done at the shows the last few months. We also had some amazing placings at Convention. Here are some recent local D6 placings as well as some D6 placings at Convention.
- Georgia State Show in Perry, GA I had double BOB with Fuzzy Butts’ Habanero
- ARBA Convention Bram Coontz had 5th place Agouti senior doe
- ARBA Convention Savannah Porter had 1st place Tan junior buck as well as 5th place Tan senior doe
- ARBA Convention I had 4th place Agouti senior buck with Sweater Butts’ Cletus T Judd, 4th place Broken junior buck with Sweater Butts’ Peach Crisp, and 5th place Agouti senior doe with Furs Class’s JH36
- Decatur RBA show in November I had BOSB all three shows, show A with RW’s Twatise, show B with Sweater Weather’s Nigel, and show C with Sweater Weather’s Dutton
I hope everyone is getting ready for the NJWRC National Show in April. I hope to see you all there. I am sending baby dust everyone’s way.
Abi Evans
Hi everyone:
District Seven
Daniel Kuyoth
kuyothdan@yahoo.com
Representing: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont
First and foremost I want to begin this report by thanking Connie Forward for dedicating her time to serve and represent the membership of District 7. Thank you so, so much! I also want to thank Connie and Alex Williams for encouraging me to take up the D7 Director position and for the board who appointed me. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Unfortunately, I don't get to as many shows as I'd like to so I am depending on the members of D7 to send me pictures and news of all the exciting things you've all been doing and achieving at the shows. Please keep me updated. I love to see what's going on and I want to be able to share it with everyone.
On another note, I was able to attend convention in Louisville, Kentucky and was happy to see many familiar faces from our district. Those that were able to attend Convention, I hope your rabbits did everything that you had hoped and that your travels to and from the convention were uneventful. Congratulations to all of the Open and Youth exhibitors on a beautiful entry and also a huge congratulations to our breed club for making convention so enjoyable and organized for our members. All around a great event!
There was more I wanted to write, but I will finish by saying thank you yet again for the opportunity to represent D7.
See you all at the shows!
Daniel
Daniel Kuyoth BOG AOV
Sr Buck ARBA convention
District Eight Laurie Wood
swoodylaurie@msn.com
Representing: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Manitoba, and Ontario
Wow, it is hard to believe it is November already! First and foremost, I want to say thank you to Julie Aversa for being an amazing district representative and passing the torch to me.I hope I don't drop it!
Many of you know me as Carlie's Mom, but my name is Laurie or Hey You! I am located in Northeast Ohio and have the honor of competing against some amazing rabbits. Convention came in, and just as fast as it blew in, it was over! A huge thank you to the host club. It was very well done.
District 8 did amazing in representing the breed in Open and Youth! Congratulations to all, but especially to Lindsey and Julie Aversa with Allstars’ I Call Shotgun! They were mentors to Carlie and me when we were starting out. It was very moving to see them get a Convention BOB.
One thing I love about our breed is that we work together to promote the breed and support each other, as well as getting youth into the breed! I would love to challenge our breeders to continue this upward trend regarding supporting the youth and keep paying it forward to newer breeders.
Congratulations to District 8 Convention winners:
- Lindsey & Julie Aversa won BOSG Tan with Allstars’ Blackjack
- Grace Burgess Anderson BOG Open Agouti with B&B's Pina Colada
- Addalyn, Lydia, & Garret Lesniak-Harper for their Best Opposite Breed Youth at Convention as well as their other group win
- Max/Jocelyn Byers won Best Colored Wool Youth
- Carlie Wood won Best Overall Wool Youth
At other shows, 3Roses won BIS Youth show B at the Premier Rabbit & Cavy Club's Labor Day show with 3Roses' St. Stephens Day. 3Roses' Pansy won Best in Show Youth show A and Reserve in Show C at the Springfield Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association Foliage and Fun show. 3 Roses' Ollivander won Best in Show at show B at the Foliage and Fun show as well.
If you would like to see something presented or discussed in the District 8 newsletter, please feel free to message me. I would love to hear from you. Also, if you ever would like to volunteer or help out and are not sure how to get involved, message me. I would love to share your big wins. Due to lovely technology difficulties, I am having issues pulling the photos from Messenger and FB. Please email any big wins to me at swoodylaurie@msn.com. Show season is upon us! Have a blast!
District 8 Winners!
Julie Aversa/Lindsay Aversa Best of Breed ARBA Convention
Max/Jocelyn Byers Youth Colored Wool
Carlie Wood Youth Overall Wool
B&B’s Pina Colada - Grace Burgess Anderson BOG Open Agouti
District 8 Winners!
3Roses’ Ollivander
3Roses’ Pansy
3Roses’ St. Stephen’s Day
District Nine
Michelle Landis
roughnecksm@verizon.net
Representing: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, and all other foreign regions
It was wonderful seeing everyone at Convention this year! Congratulations again to all of the winners!!
Fall show season is under way and I have seen many pictures of beautiful Jersey Woolies winning big all over the country! It shows how far our amazing breed has progressed in the past few years. Congrats to all of our hard working breeders.
I have included a few pictures from shows in our D9 district. Christy Przybylowski won Open Best in Show with 3Bears’ She's All That (Allie) in West Friendship, MD on 11/16.
District 9 Winners!
ARBA Convention Open Best of Breed Jersey Wooly “I
Call Shotgun” Lindsay and Julie Aversa
“It’s been twelve years, twelve years, twelve years,” is all I could say after the judges announced Best of Breed was going to the Self senior buck. A goal every breeder works so hard for, my mother Julie and I had finally accomplished after twelve years. It was a great honor to win at a show with the largest entry in Jersey Woolies at an ARBA Convention. I could sit here and thank all of those who helped me along the way, but my biggest thank you goes out to my mother who takes care of the rabbits while I am away from home for college, work, and trips. Raising rabbits as a hobby is not always easy. It is a lot of hours and hard work, but reaching goals you have created when you started is very rewarding.
Let’s rewind to the year of 2013. I was 15 years old and attending my first ARBA Convention in Pennsylvania. Everyone talked about Convention being the biggest show of the year and it holding a great honor to win Best of Breed. Me being 15 years old, being a breeder for one year and attending my first convention, I had no idea what to expect. It was certainly an experience, a big building holding a plethora of rabbits, and every single breed represented. Then came show day. You are told to run rabbits and I swear my mom and I ran 100 rabbits each between Open and Youth. But we were having so much fun doing it; it wasn’t about the results at that moment. It was about soaking up the moment and learning how things were run. Then it came to the breed judging. I had a Black senior doe that happened to win group. And when they announced that she took Best of Opposite Sex of Breed, everyone cheered and some came up to congratulate me. I was completely clueless. My 15-year-old brain was saying, “It’s just one show.” My mom and I still laugh about it to this day, because we see the work that breeders put into their herds, the work the board put into preparing for the event, and the work that has to be done by the host club to get the building set up for that many rabbits. Now, my mom and I are writing behind the judges table each year and have served terms on the board.
Fast forward to today, 2024, and I have won Best of Breed at the 101st ARBA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. I knew exactly what happened and as those tears rolled down my cheeks, I remembered all the highs and lows of my journey through the hobby. I Call Shotgun, a rabbit my mother always reminds me I almost got rid of because he chewed. I am very thankful she did not let me because he crushed one of my goals I had created since I attended my first ARBA Convention back in 2013. I Call Shotgun is out of Gunner, a Smoke Pearl senior buck that was Best of Opposite Sex Group at the 2021 ARBA Convention, and a REW doe from Cheryl Loesch (Pi’s Rabbity) that was actually the sister to the REW doe that won 2022 ARBA Convention in Reno, NV. I Call Shotgun certainly has the bloodline behind him but did not have the odds in his favor for my barn. But I am blessed that my mom talked me out of getting rid of him because not only has he matured into a beautiful rabbit, but he also has the best personality. If many of you knew Tiki, one of my prized REW bucks with the airplane ears, I Call Shotgun certainly has secured a spot right behind Tiki. I Call Shotgun is a great reminder for me to slow down, remember how your breed/line matures, and to keep pushing for greatness.
To wrap things up, this is your friendly reminder to ask questions, evaluate rabbits, ask how you can help your host clubs and your breed board, and always remember to have fun. This is a hobby most of us use to escape reality and we enjoy showing bunnies that we have worked so hard to raise. Revisit why you got into the hobby and the memories that keep you in it. One day you will crush the goals you have created for yourself and your rabbitry. Breed rabbits you are proud of. Try not to always focus on how they do on the table because, with time, you will create a herd you are proud of and the results on the table will improve. Good luck. Reach for your goals and enjoy the hobby!
ARBA Convention Open Best Opposite Sex of Breed Jersey Wooly “EB’s Tahlula” Stephanie Bushman
The last ARBA Convention I attended was in 2006 - almost 20 years ago! That Convention, held in Fort Worth TX, was one of many fond experiences from my time as a Youth Jersey Wooly breeder and exhibitor. I remember riding down and bunking with Emi Vara, spending hours talking about rabbits, teenage girl things, and everything in between. Fast forward to 2024, and I found myself returning to the ARBA Convention in Louisville, KY, this time as an Open exhibitor and once again sharing the journey with Emi Vara, making it feel like a full-circle moment.
This Convention was filled with nostalgia and joy, but what made it truly unforgettable was winning Best Opposite Sex of Breed with my senior Black Otter doe, EB’s Tahlula. The competition was fierce, with so many beautiful and deserving rabbits, and I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by the recognition. The shock and thrill of this win still hasn't worn off!
Tahlula was bred by Erin Bynkoski of EB Rabbitry, and I owe so much of this honorable win to her. When I decided to re-enter the rabbit hobby, Erin was preparing to sell out of rabbits. We connected over a shared vision for her herd and my goals, and I was honored to acquire them as the foundation of my new breeding program. Tahlula embodies the look and type Erin worked so hard to establish - this award is truly as much hers as it is mine.
While I didn’t breed Tahlula myself, this win still feels deeply personal. The countless hours of research and care I’ve poured into my woolies over the past year has been a labor of love. As any rabbit breeder knows, preparing these animals to be competitive on the show table takes commitment and passion - it’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Because of this, moments like these feel all the more rewarding and remind me why I fell in love with the hobby in the first place.
Overall, this first convention back was every bit as magical as those I attended as a youth. It was a pleasure to meet so many kind and supportive fellow Jersey Wooly breeders and to rekindle a sense of community in this wonderful hobby. I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone and their stunning rabbits in Indianapolis next year.
2024
OpenBOSB
EB’s Tahlula
ARBA Convention Youth Best of Breed Jersey Wooly “Rumchata” Hannah Jacobson
Hi, my name is Hannah Jacobson. I am 10 years old, from Wisconsin, and a third-generation member of the National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club. I started showing Jersey Woolies with my grandma at the age of 3 to help with my speech; autism is my superpower.
I was proud to win Best of Breed Youth JerseyWooly at the 101st ARBA Convention with my Self sr. doe "Rumchata." Thank you to Chase Austin for excellent judging.
This doe is special to me because I won her in the youth scholarship raffle in 2023. She was bred and donated by DeAnn Calomeni-Boulier.
My favorite thing about JerseyWoolies is how fluffyand sweet theyare to me. I currently raise Agouti, Self, Broken, and Shaded groups. My goal for the upcoming year is to produce a lot of babies in my new barn.
ARBA Convention
Youth Best Opposite Sex of Breed Jersey Wooly “Maple City’s George”
Addalyn, Lydia and Garrett Lesniak-Harper
What a Convention!! This is Addalyn, Lydia, and Garrett's second year entering the ARBA Convention and they are so excited to win BOSB. Addalyn and Lydia put in the hard work while Garrett is a good bunny holder. He is starting to see the grooming and hard work his big sisters put into their hobby. Meanwhile, mom (me) is teaching what bunnies should or should not be bred together in hopes of creating the next generation of cuties.
Let us introduce you to Maple City's George. He is from their first litter born with us. He is out of a handsome Opal Buck from April Sefcik and a pretty chestnut doe from Becky Boarts. He is just about 1.5 years old. He is a love bug who gets handled a lot by Garrett.
2024 Youth BOSB
City’s
ARBA Convention Fun
Fabulous Fluff!!
BOSG Open
Tan Senior Buck
Lindsay/Julie Aversa
Maple City’s George BOSB Maple City’s Pluto Jr Bk BOG
BOSG AOV Open
TM'S Heartless Senior Doe
Bred and shown by Lori Robasciotti
Moonlight’s Oreo Sr Doe BOSG
BOSG Open
Self Senior Doe
Lindsay/Julie Aversa
Youth AOV Group winners
John Harris Anderson
BOSG - AOV
AOV, Sr Buck, CF’s Howdy
Owned by John Harris Anderson & Bred by Rose
BOG AOV Sr Buck
ARBA convention
Jordan Tucker BOG AOV
ARBA convention
Blue ribbon display by Daphne Rider
Daniel Kuyoth
Youth 2024 ARBA Convention BOSG Broken Moonlight's Oreo
2024 ARBA Convention Open Top 5 All Classes
BOB Lindsay & Julie Aversa I Call Shotgun
BOS Stephanie Bushman TA
Agouti 69 shown by 24 exh
BOG Grace Anderson PC
BOSG Robert & Paula Grady FT48
Sr Bucks 22 Shown/16 exh
Sr Does 23 Shown/15 exh
1.Robert & Paula Grady FT48 1.Grace Anderson PC
2. Robin Olson FB57 2. Lori Robasciotti CA
3. April & Kaitlyn Sefcik HTX 3. Brenda/Carson/Kainen CSN
4. Abigal Evans SB1
5. Mallory Pienta A1
Jr Bucks 12shown/8 exh
4. Lindsay & Julie Aversa YP
5. Abigal Evans JH36
Jr Does12 shown/7 exh
1. Emily Vara 16V 1. Shannon Wallace TF
2. Shannon Wallace FF1 2. Shannon Wallace MP2
3. C. Austin/B. Pinkston SUBLIME 3. Emily Vara 20V
4. Diedre Edder WHAT 4. S. Buell/C. Forward W316
5. Robert & Paula Grady FT90 5. Robert/Paula Grady FT91
AOV 48 shown by 11 exhibitors
BOG Daniel Kuyoth TT316
BOSG Lori Robasciotti FD
SR Bucks 18 Shown/9 exh
Sr Does 12 shown/7 exh
1.Daniel Kuyoth TT316 1. Lori Robasciotti FD
2. Lindsay & Julie Aversa PAN 2. Jacob Knisley OP20
2.Carolynn Olmstead R4 2.John Harris Anderson JBR36
3.John Harris Anderson KEN 3.Makayla Wallock W23
4.Eleanor Lefebvre AC1 4.Alexander Wisecup CHACHA
5.Eleanor Lefebvre JFC2 5.Clayton Coontz FB57
Jr Buck 6 shown/5 exh
Jr Doe 8 shown/5 exh
1.John Harris Anderson JBRE68 1.Carlie Wood YAN
2.Makayla Wallock W2 2.John Harris Anderson JBR57
3.Carlie Wood AMON 3.William Ashton ER11
4.John Harris Anderson AES01 4.William Ashton MC1
5.Bethanee Vickery MAL 5.Carlie Wood MEG
AOV 16 shown by 15 exh
BOG Jordan Tucker JSHA
BOSG John Harris Anderson AHD
Sr Buck 5 shown/4 exh
1.John Harris Anderson
Sr Doe 4 shown/4 exh
AHD 1.Joedan Tucker JSHA
2.Makala Wallock W28
2.Lauren Brown LHB
3.Nikola Kalinin 1CRP 3.Carlie Wood DUVET
4.Nikola Kalinin 1TWN
Jr Buck 2 shown/2 exh
4.Nikola Kalinin NB01
Jr Doe 5 shown/5 exh
1.Keely Floyd K4SNAPE 1.Makayla Wallock W32
2.Makayla Wallock W30
2.Keely Floyd K4MOLLY
3.Carlie Wood EVEE
4.Briley Courtright HHL
5.Daphne Rider ESP
Broken 50 shown by 40 exh
BOG Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper MC12
BOSG Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper 2DS
Sr Buck 22 shown/15 exh
1.Max/Jocelyn Byers
2.Cody Landis
B30
Sr Doe 19 shown/16 exh
1.Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper
AF387 2DS
3.Cody Landis AF68
4.Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper 1DS
5.Carlie Boling BB302
Jr Buck 5 shown/5 exh
1.Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper MC12
2.Max/Jocelyn Byers B64
3.Makayla Wallock W31
4.Ava-Lynn Ledesma MUN
5.William Ashton ER12
Self 49 shown by 41 exh
BOG Hannah Jacobson RD
BOSG Hannah Jacobson CD
Sr Buck 18 shown/16 exh
2.Hannah Jacobson GW4
3.Darwin Early BB373
4.John Harris Anderson CUTE
5.Amelia Bloomer 3RPS
Jr Doe 4 shown/4 exh
1.Carlie Boling DORTHY
2.Briley Courtright TTX
3.Baelynn Nash B47
4.William Ashton FS
Sr Doe 17 shown/14 exh
1.Carlie Boling BB320 1.Hannah Jacobson RD
2.Colson Enfield K
3.Max/Jocelyn Byers
B48
4.Carolynn Olmstead INK
2.Carlie Wood SBSC
3.Leif Summers TBLC1
4.Cody Landis AF687
5.Amelia Bloomer 3RSD 5.Max/Jocelyn Byers B11
Youth Top 5 continued. . .
Self continued. . .
Jr Buck 6 shown/4 exh
1.Hannah Jacobson
Jr Doe 8 shown/7 exh
CD 1.Addalyn/Lydia/Garrett Lesniak-Harper
2.John Harris Anderson JBR56 MC13
3.Bethanee Vickery SENSE 2.Carlie Boling GHOST
4.John Harris Anderson JBR62 3.Makayla Wallock DIOR
5.John Harris Anderson JBR64 4.Briley Courtright BB14
5.Kaia Stout PVBINF
Shaded 18 shown/16 exhibitors
BOG Hannah Jacobson AF644
BOSG Makayla Wallock WPYR
Sr Buck 9 shown/8 exh
Sr Doe 9 shown/8 exh
1.Makayla Wallock WPYR 1.Hannah Jacobson AF644
2.Cody Landis AF578 2.John Harris Anderson GWEN
3.Baelynn Nash T 3.Carlie Wood CAFE
4.Amelia Bloomer 3RBS 4.Briley Courtright BB101
5.Cody Landis AF685 5.Max/Jocelyn Byers B54
Tan 21 shown by 20 exh
BOG Pason Fox JJ
BOSG Carlie Boling BUSTER
Sr Buck 10 shown/9 exh
Sr Doe 6 shown/6 exh
1.Pason Fox JJ 1.Kylie Estrella HEDOLLY
2.Pason Fox DLB3 2.John Harris Anderson JBR37
3.John Harris Anderson HTB 3.Jordan Tucker JOY
4.Roberto/Oliver Casares MARLN 4.Megsie Keck JAZ
5.Carlie Boling 007 5.Savannah Porter TANGO
Jr Buck 1 shown/1exh
Jr Doe 4 shown/4exh
1.Savannah Porter CAW 1.Carlie Boling BUSTER
2.Freya Barnes FAE
3.Keely Floyd AE14
Golden Fleece Auction
Thank you to all of the generous breeders who donated to our Golden Fleece Auction. It was apparent by the enthusiastic response that those who purchased animals agree you all dug deep and donated quality animals of which you were proud. We can’t thank you enough for giving fellow breeders the chance to bid on excellent stock from all over the country.
Thank you also to all who bid in the auction. It (almost) goes without saying that the GFA would not be nearly so successful without you. Those of you who bid, and those of you who won animals were not only excited to take home wonderful new stock, you were also most generous in your bids.
A huge thank you to those who donated animals with 100% of the proceeds to the youth scholarship, and to those who donated animals for the youth-only auction, as well as those who donated to our annual Trio raffle. These excellent animals were donated by some exceptionally generous folk with no financial return to them. We are grateful to you for your dedication to the Youth Scholarships and the Youth Committee, where those dollars are allocated.
Thank you to those who purchased Trio tickets, a very hot item this year for those excellent animals! The Trio brought in $2,499.00 to the Youth Scholarship Fund.
More thanks go out to those who donated goods, and those who bid on our silent auction baskets! The silent auction garnered $800.00 in profit, which we hope will partially seed educational efforts for the club.
Cheryl Loesch
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NJWRC open Rabbit of the Year!
1. Madelyn DeSelm B9 Broken Sr Buck
2. DaveArnold WP Broken Buck
3. Christy Boston Przybylowski 53B Broken Sr Doe
4. Deidre Edder TT237 AOV Buck
5. Connie Forward W244 Broken Sr Doe and Stephen Buell
6. Lori Robasciotti C1 Shaded Sr Doe
7. Jacob Knisley 116B Self Sr Buck
8. GraceAnderson HD Broken Buck
9. Lindsay and JulieAversa SA Self Sr Doe
10. Karen Mezyk CS1 Self Doe
Dave Arnold - WP
Deidre Edder - TT237
Jacob Knisley - 116B
Christy Boston Przybylowski - 53B
Grace Burgess Anderson - HD
Karen Mezyk - CS1
Lindsay and Julie Aversa - SA
Connie Forward
Stephen Buell - W244
Madelyn DeSelm - B9
NJWRC youth Rabbit of the Year!
1. Cody Landis AF387 Broken Sr Buck
2. Makayla Wallock NAl AOV Doe
3. Carlie Boiling BB338 Shaded Doe
4. Carson and Kainen Reker DO Broken Buck
5. Eleanor Lefebvre JFC2 Agouti Buck
6. John Harris Anderson HAG Agouti Buck
7. Carlie Boiling BB229 Shaded Doe
8. John HarrisAnderson 2RD Broken Doe
Corbin Ray VIN Broken Buck
9. John Harris Anderson KEN Agouti Buck
Eleanor Lefebvre - JFC2
Makayla Wallock - NAI
Carson and Kainen Reker - DO
Cody Landis - AF 387
Corbin Ray - VIN
John Harris Anderson - HAG
John Harris Anderson - 2RD
John Harris Anderson - KEN
Record of Vote
August 2024-November 2024
Ballot initiative to confirm Alex Williams to Appointment as Vice President for the remainder of Doug Brown’s term.
Motion passed with 9 yes votes, one no vote, and one abstention.
Ballot initiative to induct Brian Hartzell and Rose-Marie “Bunny” Turley to the NJWRC Hall of Fame
Motion passed with 11 yes votes, and one absent vote.
Ballot initiative to purchase coop cups to have water for BOG/BOSG animals in Convention show holding coops.
Motion passed with 7 yes votes and 2 No votes
Ballot initiative to purchase risers for BOG/BOSG animals in Convention show holding coops. Motion failed with 6 yes votes, 3 no votes, and 2 absent votes.
Ballot initiative to appoint Angela Holbrook as D2 Director as no nominee was named in the election, and Daniel Kuyoth as D7 Director to fill the remainder of Connie Forward’s term. Motion passed with 11 yes votes.
What does it mean when there is an “absent” vote, and how is it different from abstaining from a vote?
A board member can vote yes or no on a ballot or can abstain from voting. A board member usually declares they are abstaining from a vote when there is a real or perceived conflict of interest for that board member on the item in question. This is different from an “absent” vote, in which a board member does not declare that they are abstaining but does not vote. Ballots are given with a oneweek timeline for response. Reasons for not voting usually have to do with a board member forgetting to vote or having a busy schedule at that time.
Meeting called to order at 5:07 pm.
NJWRC Board Meeting Minutes Saturday, October 26, 2024
Roll Call of board members present: Alex Williams, Vice President; Cassie Olson, Treasurer.
District Representatives: Julie Aversa, Brenda Kneir, Michelle Landis, Gail More, Abi Evans, Baily Ledesma, Izzy Bukovich. A Quorum of 9 board members was present, allowing votes to go forward.
Reports
Election results:
Officers and Directors
District 4 – Baily Ledesma (Total of 19 ballots sent back for 3 candidates)
Vice President – Alex Williams
Secretary – Gail More
District 6 – Abi Evans
District 8 – Laurie Wood
District 2 – To be Determined.
Ballot on CBL Change item for District Representation:
Total of 78 votes cast. Option 1 won by 37 votes.
Option 1 will be implemented following a special election that will take place for all District Director positions in June 2025. Even numbered District Directors will have a 1-year term, and all odd numbered District Directors will have a 2-year term. The staggered terms will keep board continuity. Regular elections will resume with the August 2026 elections for even numbered Director positions, and President, and the election in August 2027 for odd numbered District positions, Vice President, and Secretary.
President’s Report – No report
Secretary’s Report – The Three-Year Renewal and New memberships has been successful. Treasurer’s Report – No financials provided. Information received is still being organized and compiled.
Old Business:
• Risers and cups were discussed for holding coops for Best of Group and Best of Opposite Group. Cups have already been approved for purchase. Brenda Knier moved to approve the purchase of risers; Julie Aversa seconded. Motion carried.
New Business:
• An increase of $2.00 in sanction costs was discussed. Brenda Knier moved to approve the increase in sanction costs for both Open and Youth from $10 to $12; Izzy Bukovich seconded. Motion carried.
• Changing the Secretary stiped from a per-membership stiped to a flat rate of $450 per year was discussed. Michelle Landis moved to change the Secretary stipend to a flat rate of $450 per year; Brenda Knier seconded. Motion carried.
• There was discussion on whether to reinstate purchase of enameled Sweepstakes Pins. Item was tabled to a later date.
• There was discussion on ideas for funding the Youth Scholarship other than the GFA and Trio Raffle. Item was tabled to a later date.
• There was discussion on whether to raise the number of signatures needed for a petition to change the CBL. Item was tabled to a later date.
Meeting adjourned at 5:52 pm.
National Jersey Wooly Show
Hello NJWRC Members!
Nicole Schmitt njwrcsweeps@gmail.com
Well, I think it’s safe to say, the hobby is BACK! Wow, what a Convention!
I’d like to address two main things in this article: names & tattoos! Your name on the NJWRC membership roll needs to match your entry name at shows. Most times I can feel safe in assuming it’s the same person – but if your membership cannot be absolutely confirmed due to a discrepancy in name, I can’t count your points. I’m not talking about Andy vs Andrew – common nicknames are easy to assume. But if your name isn’t commonly shortened, but your entries are, I can’t confirm that. So, if you’re a member & you don’t appear in these points, there’s a reason! Please email me at njwrcsweeps@gmail.com to find out why!
Tattoos! Please be sure you’re checking your show reports to be sure tattoos are correct. I will absolutely adjust ones & I’s, zeros and ohs, etc. But I’ve got some that I’m quite sure have letters transposed, and those I cannot fix without a new report or email from the show secretary. The easiest way to identify this issue would be to go the sweeps website (www.njwrcsweeps.com) and check the points that are sorted by exhibitor – all your ear #’s will be right in a row. Please do this routinely (as well as watching your personal show reports) so there’s not a lot of scrambling later to get corrections made. Not only do I not want to scramble at the end of the season, show secretaries don’t love an email 9 months after a show that a correction needs to be completed.
Lastly on this topic – Occasionally, partnerships will end up being reported to me only under one name. PLEASE WATCH YOUR PERSONAL SHOW REPORTS you receive from the host club. The way it’s reported to you is the way it’s reported to me! This is also easy to check by looking at the points on the website that are sorted by exhibitor.
Now, on to points! This packed issue of The Fluff has points for all shows dated 7/2024 through 10/2024 for which reports were received in good order *prior* to 11/22/2024. As always, please be sure you check the included shows listing as well, which can be found on the sweepstakes website. I had hoped to include Convention is this batch, but I just got the reports the evening of 11/22morning of 11/23. If you’re not aware, Convention report points have to be calculated manually and it takes a significant amount of time – and there just wasn’t time. Next points update will be website only & likely sometime in mid-to-late December.
Until next time!
-Nicole
www.njwrcsweeps.com Some of the Sweeps Reports may be truncated due to space constraints in The Fluff. The full Sweeps Reports can be viewed on the NJWRC Sweeps website: www.njwrcsweeps.com.
Open - Overall Sweeps
Open - Overall Sweeps
Open - District Sweeps
Open - District Sweeps
Open - District Sweeps
Open -Award of Excellence
Open - Rabbit of the Year
Open - Rabbit of the Year
Open - Herdsman
Open - White Wool
Open - Colored Wool
Youth - Overall Sweeps
Youth - District Sweeps
Youth - District Sweeps
Youth -Award of Excellence
Youth - Rabbit of the Year
Youth - Rabbit of the Year
Youth - Herdsman
Youth - White Wool
Youth - Colored Wool
National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club Inductees
Brian Hartzell. His name evokes many memories. I truly can believe it took this long for him to be inducted into the Jersey Wooly Hall of Fame! For those of you that didn’t have the chance to get to know Brian, let me try to introduce you to him in a few words.
Bold.
Reliable, resilient, and rebellious. Innovative.
Always smiling and educating. Nonpareil.
It has been 15 years since we all have been graced with his presence, rabbits, humor, and expertise. This should hit true and hard for everyone that knew him. He bred for type and pattern to quickly pass our Broken Group. This took a lot of dedication. For at least 5 years I would spend a few days a month at the Hartzell Farm. That time was invaluable to me and my rabbit education. I traveled the 3 hours to pick up the freshest feed, learn lots about life on the farm, and have the opportunity to put my hands on literally hundreds of rabbits. I have to say they are my favorite variety (of almost any breed). When my girls wanted their first bunny, they saw a Fuzzy Lop at a fair. I felt they inherited my “wool gene,” except I wouldn’t let them get one. They couldn that type of grooming. I showed them a Jersey Wooly and it was love at second sight. Brian loved helping the youth and that is how many of us Wooly people started this rabbit habit. In 30 years of having Jersey Woolies, I have seen many people get in and out, and eventually back into the hobby. Please keep educating the youth and keep it fun.
Keep your nestboxes full and be a kind person,
Allison Lesniak
President’s Note: Like Allison, many of us can’t believe that Brian wasn’t previously inducted into the Hall of Fame! HOF nominations and successful inductions hinge on the nominee contributing meaningfully to the club and the breed. Brian was nominated specifically for his consistent mentoring of the JW Youth and for his work as a stellar breeder on the Broken COD. Brian was known for his infectious smile and his welcoming attitude toward all.
Rose-Marie “Bunny” Turley. Many of you were present at the banquet at Convention and saw Brian Hartzell’s parents accept his induction into our Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Bunny was not there to get her accolades in person, but we will make that up to you, Bunny! During the Membership Meeting at Convention, the inductions of Brian and Bunny were announced again, and Allison Lesniak offered comments about Brian, while Diedre Edder and Julie and Lindsay Aversa made comments and shared stories about Bunny. One of the stories shared was that Bunny bred the Jersey Wooly that, for several years, held the record of World’s Oldest Rabbit. Bunny later confirmed that the rabbit was likely of her breeding, having been purchased from a pet shop in her area where she sometimes sold pet quality rabbits. That rabbit, Do, lived to be 17 years of age.
Bunny was nominated to the Hall of Fame because of her long-time service to the club, the membership, and the breed. It was a unanimous vote to give her this honor. Bunny has served on the NJWRC’s board, first as its President from 1995-1996, and then as Vice President from 1998 - 2002. Since her tenure on the board, Bunny has been asked, and willingly served, in other capacities for the club. She took on the job of Newsletter Editor for almost 2 years, and has agreed to short term volunteer commitments, and currently is appointed to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. Bunny pays attention to all things that affect the club, making sure to ask incisive questions about any upcoming decisions put to the membership. So many of us appreciate Bunny’s thoughtful observations and questions, and we are cognizant of her care and focus in the points she brings to the conversation.
Bunny’s contributions to the Jersey Wooly breed are perhaps most apparent in her years spent developing the Orange variety. In recent years, her COD was carefully planned and her breeding steadily improved the variety in both color and conformation. This resulted in a successful acceptance of the variety to our AOV group at the Convention in 2022. For those who were there and I mean everyone in the building it was known by our enthusiastic shouts and applause exactly when the variety passed!
We also thought it fitting that we induct Brian Hartzell and Rose-Marie “Bunny” Turley at the same time to our HOF, as the only two COD holders who have been successful thus far in the history of our breed. Welcome Bunny, to the Hall of Fame!
National Jersey Wooly Rabbit Club Memorial Scholarship Youth Scholarship Application
Up to two Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,000. Applications are due by April 1st. Please answer all the questions completely. Applications need to be typed in a separate document with questions answered in a narrative format. Send application by email to NJWRC Secretary at njwrcsecretary@gmail.com. You will receive confirmation that the application was received.
Scholarship Recipients:
• Must be a member of the NJWRC for a minimum of the last two (2) years.
• Must be completing high school in the same year as applying for the scholarship.
• Must be planning on attending a college, trade school, or other type of post-secondary education in the same year, and plan to use the funds for school expenses.
• May only be awarded the NJWRC memorial scholarship one time.
• Submit a completed application to the committee no later than April 1st of the year that the scholarship is to be awarded.
• Include two (2) letters of reference. The letters can be from a school official (teachers), 4H or FFA advisors, etc. Please include in the letter how this person knows you. These letters can be submitted separately to the NJWRC secretary at njwrcsecretary@gmail.com. In the email subject line, type scholarship application.
Please answer all the following questions:
• Name
• Address
• Home phone
• Cell phone
• E-Mail address
Academic information:
• High school attended
• Graduation date
• Grade point average
• What are your top two (2) subjects (favorite) in school?
• What college/trade school do you plan on attending?
• Have you selected a major or course of study?
• What are your educational goals? Please write a paragraph or more on your goals and how you decided on this choice.
Other information to include:
• In what ways has raising rabbits made a difference in your life, or helped you with your educational goals?
• How long have you been raising rabbits?
• What successes have you had in raising and showing rabbits?
• Are you in 4H or FFA?
• Do you raise any other animals? If Yes what species?
• Do you have any other hobbies, participate in sports, or belong to any other clubs?
• Tell us anything else about yourself that you think we might be interested in.
