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Avalon hosts second national event Hats off to those who make season possible Todd Spurrell
Andy Sklepowicz
Avalon Ranch
Behind the Glass
Avalon Ranch hosted its second National Dock Dogs event Sept. 14 to 16. Autumn Fest on The Ranch kicked off on a rainy Friday afternoon but that didnʼt stop these diehard dock diving athletes from catching some Big Air. Competitors huddled underneath a coverall with the rain streaming down all around them, anxiously waiting for their dogʼs name to be called over the loud speaker. Laughing and cheering each other on, the dogs all jumped one by one to retrieve their favourite toys. Saturday morning started off a little cool and the campers at Avalon Ranch were up on deck first thing. The weather cleared off as they went into the Extreme Vertical rounds. This is where the dogs must use only half the length of the dock to gather enough speed to jump vertically and grab a bumper attached by magnets suspended from a crane eight feet out from the end of the dock over the water. The bumper is raised in two-inch increments after each successful attempt until there is only one dog remaining. The highest EV jump of the day was seven feet, two inches by a five-year-old Black Labrador Retriever named Taz, owned by Mike Chiasson from Shannon, Que. Taz also took the lead in speed retrieve, winning the Sonic division in 5.65 seconds. In the final rounds of Big Air, Christel Klocke of Brockville and her two-year-old black lab Jonker took first place in the pro standings. Christina Lentz, who trains at Avalon Ranch with her one year old German Shorthaired Pointer Ashby took first place in semi pro standings, and our very own Mary Spurrell with her four-year-old Border Collie Rev, took first place in amateur standings.
The opening of the club and the start of a new curling season is almost upon us, so it is important to thank a few of the many people who have made it possible. Our dying, and dead, icemaking equipment has now successfully been replaced, thanks to the summer-long work of Jim Berg, ably assisted by David Anderson and ice tech Rick Allan, and their helpers. Jim not only supervised the installation of the new equipment but also found and repaired the 14 (and counting) leaks in the brine pipes. This, and the signing of Rick to a new two-year contract should
TODD SPURRELL
Avalon Ranch on Lochwinnoch Road is holding a dock dogs fun day Saturday. The afternoon session is booked up. However, slots from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. are still open. Call Mary Spurrell of Avalon Ranch at 613-432-4344 to register. “Come try out this new sport with your dog. There is no experience necessary,” Spurrell said. As Sunday warmed up, the spectators started rolling in to watch these magnificent dogs perform at their best. By the afternoon, when the dogs were jumping their way into speed retrieve.It was so warm that the water the dogs splashed onto the on-looking crowd was nice and refreshing. Steve and Ruth from Millʼs Music in Renfrew provided a huge stage structure that ran down one side of the pool where the spectators could watch the dogs in comfort. Mill Music also provided all the sound used to power this event. This event was sponsored by Ezydog U.S.A., Gun Dog Supply U.S.A., Canadian Tire Renfrew, Wal-Mart Renfrew and M&R Feeds Renfrew. We thank Christina
Lentz for the gift basket, Scott McGuire water services and Nesbitt Aggregates for landscaping supplies. Alex Spurrell and Russ Rider from Dock Dogs USA brought the weekend to an end by doing an amazing job with the Canadian and American national anthems at the closing ceremonies. Avalon Ranch (www.avalonranch.ca) is looking forward to a big turnout next spring as more and more people come to watch the exciting sport of Dock Dogs. Avalon Ranch is sponsoring the Canadian Dock Dogs team that has been training right here in Renfrew to go to the televised world competition at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa Nov. 15 to 18, 2012.
Kickers, No Stars win DACA ball tourney The Hass Kickers were the stars of the day at the DACA Centreʼs annual ball tournament Aug. 25. The team was the ʻAʼ winner in the volleyball tournament and ʻAʼ runners-up in the softball competition. Hass Kickers player Sara Wilson was named top female volleyball player.
10% off Season’s Pass with the purchase of a multi-day Snow School Program
The three-pitch ʻAʼ division softball title went to the No Stars, led by top male volleyball player Reuben Stone. The ʻBʼ winner was Colterman Sluggers with Marieʼs Honey runners-up. In volleyball, the Douglas Leprechauns were second to the Hass Kickers in the ʻAʼ division.
Coulterman w/a ʻUʼ won the ʻBʼ crown, while the Scotch Bush Sluggers were runners-up. Jayson Kilby from the Coultermanʼs w/a ʻUʼ was named top male ball player, while Fallon Darling from the Colterman Sluggers was top female.
ensure that our ice will be great this year. Also a huge thanks to Bill Neff who spent countless hours arranging the financing for this major deal. His patience and attention to detail ensured a successful Trillium grant application. Thanks also to Barb Westgarth who has once again taken on the lead role of bringing a major curling event to our club. After a very successful first Tim Hortons Masters Provincial Championship two years ago, this prestigious event has once again been awarded to Renfrew. The best women and men curlers in the province, 60 and over, take to the ice in January. As far as the club opening, the ice is being made and
should be ready for the start of October. Introductory clinics will be held Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 2 and 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. This is open to all our new curlers or those that require basic instruction. It is also open to the community at large. If you want to try the sport and see if it is for you, you are more than welcome to attend. All equipment will be provided and there is no cost. There will also be clinics the same days 1 to 3 p.m. with basic and ongoing instruction for new curlers and those looking to practise their skills. Club curling begins Oct. 9, so itʼs time to shake off the spider webs from my gear and start beating the old body back into some form of curling shape. Ah, the pain!
Mount Pakenham Season Pass Hot Rates Sale Ends Oct 12 Season’s Passes starting at $155
Mount Pakenham Ski Swap Nov. 10 & 11 The Region’s Largest Equipment Sale New and Used Equipment Sale-Buy*Sell*Save Nov 10 9am-5pm & Nov 11 10am-5pm To sell equipment, please bring it to the Main Lodge between November 3rd and November 11th. Visit: www.mountpakenham.com for more information. Mount Pakenham Job Fair –We’re Hiring Nov 11th @ 3pm in the lodge. Need a flexible job? Get paid to play! 577 Ski Hill Rd. Pakenham, ON 613-624-5290 ski@mountpakenham.com Apply online: www.mountpakenham.com R0011639033
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The Renfrew Mercury EMC - Thursday, September 27, 2012 31