This was a concept we have kicked around for a couple years but with the phone and internet bidding were never able to pull it off. Less those, this was the perfect opportunity to try. Our thoughts behind the pool auction were to keep potential buyers in the vicinity of the dealer rooms. By 9:30 the preview was open. The auction did not start until 1:00, as planned, but I think next year the auction could start at 11-11:30. This would help keep the excitement going, finish the auction and keep buyers moving through the rooms and also make more time to setup for the Swim and Sell Party, our next topic. For a first time run we feel the auction was a success and look forward to having Guyette and Schmidt back again next year. We hope they feel the same!

Right after the auction we held our first ever Swim and Sell Party. The idea here is to bring collectors and hunters together with carvers that still make decoys to hunt over. Set up was hurried due to the auction running a hair long/or a lack of planning on my part, however you want to look at it! There was some confusion as to the rules and this will be sorted out by next year. We had LOTS of birds in the water, lots of excitement, interest, participation and decoy sales. Since the show we have had many conversations and discussions on how to improve this event for next year, and we will. If you missed it this year………..make sure it’s on your “must attend” list for next.

Saturday morning found us registering birds for the Vintage Decoy Contest, arguably the finest Vintage contest of its kind in the country. Again, we had good numbers of entries in all the categories. Best of Show went to Tim Sieger and his Elliston green wing teal drake. A beautiful bird, our congratulations go out to Tim. People’s Choice went to Dave Fannon and his Peterson perch. Again, congratulations Dave. You can see pictures of all the winners in the upcoming issue of Decoy Magazine, the sponsor of our contest.

By Saturday night were starting to wind down. Many of us attended the club auction in the hopes of finding one more deal or one more drink. After dinner the rooms were still open but by Sunday morning only a few of us were left open and most were on their way home by midday. Tired but already thinking about next year, we want to thank all those who attended and encourage those who did not to make it a priority for next year. You might not find a bird, but I can guarantee you’ll have a great time. We know you’ll be glad you did!

Ken Cole & Jon Deeter

Greetings,

For several years the ODCCA’s show committee has searched for innovative ways to integrate the collectors and carvers activities so that each could share in its version of the art of the decoy.

The first gathering of both disciplines began on Thursday evening with an awesome presentation by Michael Hall - artist, sculpture and waterfowl decoy expert. Michael’s presentation covered the evolution of the decoy and its similarities to forms of art as they passed through the ages. There was an excitement in the air that night which carried over throughout the entire weekend. We appreciate the efforts of Jon Deeter in arranging this seminar.

Pat Godin presented an outstanding seminar which used every seat in the audio visual room and on Saturday afternoon Pat signed copies of his new pattern book, Volume 4.. Our thanks go to Pat and Bruce DiVararco for chairing this event.

The Guyette and Schmidt Auction at pool side was a success. Auctioneer Bob Kasper worked from the second floor balcony to the audience that was seated at pool side. Following the auction the Swim and Sell event took place where decoy makers were invited to put their decoys on display and then into the pool then bidder’s names were put into a hat and drawn. All who attended were impressed and are looking forward to next year. Thanks to Jon Deeter and Ken Cole for bringing the auction and the swim and sell event to the Friday program. Thank you too, Guyette and Schmidt for an outstanding auction and we hope to see you next year. Thanks also to Ky Kraus for an outstanding job in leading the swim and sell event.

This year was no exception with a large group of young painters who created black ducks at the Friday night seminar. Our thanks go to Jimmie Wilson, Charlie Hall and Jane Boone for teaching this youngsters.

There were many glowing comments concerning the first fishing lure contest that was held at our show. it certainly was a great success and we look forward to this event next year, thanks to the efforts of Scott Morrison.

The Vintage Contest, Rest of Marsh, Floating Decoy, IWCA Decoy, Shorebird, Flat Art Contests, Decoy Painting and Head Whittling were held on Saturday. Thanks for an outstanding job by chair people, Ken Cole, Curt and Lori Johns, Brad Falkinburg, Matt Falkinburg, Steve and Vicki Secord, Gary Joe Bryan, Mark Costilow ,Gary and Deb Luman, Jim and Johanna Moore.

Thank you for another great Saturday night Auction and Cocktail party Ky Kaus, Curt Johns, Bob and Bonnie Kasper, Bud and Carol Shell. Our thanks go to the to the fifteen cocktail bird carvers, you helped defray the costs of this of the cocktail party.

Our thanks go to by Cliff and Audrey Kastl for another outstanding job with Wildfowler events. Wait until you see what happens next year as big changes are in the works.

The first IWCA Championship for Shorebirds was held on Sunday and our thanks go to Gary Joe Bryan, Bryn and JoAnne Watson and Bobbie Sutton for hosting the IWCA championship.

Thank you, Dave Forest and the carvers of the Sunday Shore Bird, Carving and Painting Contest. Del Herbert again provided many of the attendees with carving and painting techniques as well as his comments, Dell went on to be the best of show winner with the Western Sandpiper. Great bird Del!

Thank you, to the War of the Chips contestants, Paul Foytack, Ramsey Scharder, Chad Hauser, Paul Busick, Adam Kastl and Brad Falkinburg. Paul carved and painted his drake Pintail with no help from anyone. Great job and thanks to all of the carvers for participation. Many visitors enjoyed watching these masters at work.

Thank you for your hard work with the ball room vendors Wayne and Kathy Baldwin. Thank you, Todd Baldwin for framing the art work for the Flat Art Contest. Ken Cole thank you for handling the collectors rooms on the first and second floor.

Thanks Carol Riordan for putting up advertising in the Westlake area. Your help is truly appreciated in getting the word out in the Westlake area.

Thank you, Rebecca Hinkle for another outstanding Junior Duck Stamp competition. We could not be more pleased with our winner this year, Lilly Spang, Toledo, OH. Lilly has attended our show for the past four years and her hard work has paid off. Lilly is only 15 years old. Keep following the foot steps of Adam Grimm. Eli Spang, Lilly’s younger brother took second place. Lilly placed in the top 10 in the National contest.

Thank you, Duane Ganser and Carole and Richard Kmetz for your year round work in making this show an outstanding event by providing information, arranging for awards, finances, and direction to the hotel, show chairs and attendees.

Handling the many volunteers at the entrances of our show was done by Charlie Hall. We truly appreciate his efforts and the many other volunteers who worked the front and side doors of the hotel.

Thank you, Jimmie Wilson for handling another great raffle. Thank you for all efforts. Thank you to Carolyn Wodrich, Rob Leslie and Ted Mysinger. Thank you, Adam Grebeck for carving and painting the great Black Duck. Without all of your help there would be no raffle.

I hope all you who attended saw our history displayed on the Third Floor. Thank you, Tom Whitlock for displaying and preserving our organization’s history.

Our thanks go to Barb Juhauze, our membership chair, who saw the largest amount of new members join our organization at the show this year. Barb also works year round handling membership that has seen our life members grow this year. Welcome to the new members. Let us know your comments and how we can improve for next years events. We are always looking for volunteers. Email me your comments WoodCountyDecoy@msn.com. The 2009 show will be here before we know it.

Thank you, Tom Johnson, Al Jordan and Jo Moore for taking the many photos of the show and preserving the events for our history. We hope to see many the photos published in Wildfowl Carving Magazine, thanks to Tom Huntington who did an outstanding job in the last issue, featuring our show in 12 pages of the Competition issue.

Our thanks go the other volunteers and there are many who help make this event a very special event. One of the comments heard was maybe next year we can start on Monday and end on Monday or the other comment was, it ended to fast!

We hope you were able to shop for your tee shirt or vest at the entrance to the ball room. Thank you Nial and Betty for another outstanding job in handling this important fund raiser.

Our thanks go to Tom Whitlock and Betty Odine for providing the purchase awards for the shorebird and the bird in the nest contests. Thank you, Joe Engers, of Decoy Magazine for providing us with your support in the Vintage contest, advertising and finally for the great article in the last issue of Decoy Magazine.

My thanks go to those who I may have missed. Without you and the many people I have thanked this show would not be possible. This is the strongest team of hard working people I have ever had the privilege of working with. Thank you, you have made my job very easy.

Comments such as: “wow, the show should be longer,” “best ever,” and “can’t wait until next year,” were heard over and over throughout the four day event. Make it a point to attend the next ODCCA Show which is held annually on the third weekend in March to witness events you will not see anywhere else in the decoy world; where all forces are moving as one to produce many great events for your enjoyment! Additional information on this years show along with information on next years show can be found on the Club’s Website – www.ODCCA.net

Good luck in collecting and carving the unique decoy for next year’s event.

All the Best,

Bob Lund

The judges for this year's contest were: George Kruth of Moon, Pennsylvania, has been creating wildlife art for over 24 years. He has won numerous "Best in Show", Awards, "People’s Choice" awards and has been designated Master Wildfowl Artist by The Ward Foundation. Tommy Stewart of Massapequa, New York, started carving ducks over 20 years ago and now mostly concentrates on carving shorebirds. Tommy has won best of show honors at our show (ODCCA) as well as the California Open, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Michigan shows. Bob Berry of El Cajon, California, is a 3-time World Champion carver. While most people know Bob for his fish, he has also won many awards for his shorebirds and ducks. We thank the judges for the impartial job they did judging all the decoys.

Seven (7) carvers entered eleven (11) birds in the Intermediate division. Duane Jordan of Carthage, Illinois, won Best of Show with his drake pintail. Maybe the acrylics are here to stay! Every year, the name of the Best of Show winner in the intermediate Division is engraved on the Robert Franta Memorial plaque and displayed at our show. Duane’s name has been added to the long list of accomplished carvers for a second time, he won Best of Show in 2005 as well. Merle Lemmen of Holland, MI won second Best of Show with his carving of a drake bluebill. Tom Brunsman of Cincinnati, OH took third Best of Show with his drake harlequin.

The Novice division had ten (10) carvers enter fifteen (15) carvings. Congratulations to Glenn Alexander of Miamisburg, OH who won Best of Show in the novice division with his common loon. Second Best Of Show went to Michael Mielens of Bay City, MI with his hen common goldeneye. The novice carvers should all be

proud of their fine work, keep it up. Due to a disqualification, there was no Third Best Of Show in the Novice division this year.

I would like to thank Steve Secord and Matt Falkinburg for helping run this event. Also, we couldn’t have done it without the help of the volunteers who aided with the registration of the decoys, both Friday night and Saturday morning (Vicki Secord and Paul Tremblay). Vicki did an outstanding job recording the winning birds as they were pulled out of the judging tank. Johnny Augustine, Jeff Thomas, and Allen Lea, helped us set up all three judging tanks and/or take them down on Sunday, while Paul helped with bird handling and announcing the winners during the contest. Thanks again everyone, hope to have your help again next year.

The lifetime membership award was presented to Curt and Lorrie Johns for their outstanding contributions to the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association. Curt serves as the Vice President of Carving, Publisher of the Newsletter and conducts the Rest of the Marsh Contest at the Annual Show. Lorrie serves as the Secretary of ODCCA and also the Rest of Marsh Contest.

Please join me in congratulating this couple for their talent and contributions to our organization.

The best Dealer Table was selected by the Board of Directors and it was won by Fred J. Kinne, Fly Fishing Creations, Midland, MI.
 

Paul and Pam Foytack won the Bed and Breakfast for two at Holiday Inn, Westlake, OH. Michael Crouch, Willowick, OH won the Dinner for Two, Suzanne Kristoff, Oberun, OH won the Sunday Brunch for Two and Decoy by Tom Hunberstone was won by Dave Moreno, Fort Wayne, IN.

Thank you for your support of annual raffle.

This year’s Peoples’ Choice Award, sponsored by the Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association, was won by Al Jordan of Rochester, NY for his life like carving of a barn owl on stump carved out of willow burl, nice job!

Every year, the winner of the Open Division Floating Decorative Best of Show is given a wooden decoy blank of the ‘show bird’ for the next year and asked to paint the head of a decoy and block in the body to be used as the following year’s signature bird. Jeff Duxberry of Dux’ Dekes is generous enough to donate the wooden bird each year (Thank you again). Since Pat Godin won Best of Show honors last year (2007), he had to paint the signature bird for this year’s show. Every year, all of the carvers who enter a floating decorative decoy sign the bird, preferably when they sign in so they don’t forget. Then on Sunday around noon, all the carvers’ names are entered into a drawing for this collectable carving and a name is drawn. Ironically, Glenn McMurdo of Cobourg, Ontario was drawn as the winner of the black duck signature bird. Since Glenn was also this year's best of show winner with his hen redhead, he will be painting the head and blocking in the rest of the body of a great blue heron (the 2009 show bird) for the signature bird at next year’s show.