Lynn Bolyard with their Best Opposite Sex in Breed Sandy 6/8 Doe
 and Kathy Bomia with their  Best Of Breed Sandy Senior Buck.

Fred Russell received the 2008 Master Breeder Award at the
Convention Banquet!  Congratulations Fred!

YOUR PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Robert Bomia

Fellow members and friends it has been a great spring season for our Federation with Flemish Giant Shows throughout the Country being held.   Just to remind everyone that this is election year for our Federation, and we will be voting for Vice President, and Three Directors.  Please take the time to fill out and vote for the candidates of your choice to represent you on the Executive Board of our Flemish Giant Federation.   The last time I heard we could have up to seven candidates running for Director, and this says that we have many wanting to work to make the Federation Strong well into the future.  On the Ballot will be a proposed amendment to our Constitution and By-Laws that is supported by your executive Board.  It will state, “Not More Than One Family Member should be allowed on the Executive Board at the Same Time”.   

The National Show held in conjunction with the Michigan All Flemish was held on May 16, and 17 in Reading, Michigan at Bob and Lynn Bolyard’s home.   It was an outstanding show with a great turnout from all of the U.S. States, and Canada.  We had 55 exhibiters from 16 States that showed 369 Flemish Giants.  Thanks to Bob and Lynn for allowing us to share their wonderful home.   Special thanks to Emily Carter for the Show Entry and Reports (and Herb who also took pictures), Barb Trone and Tammy Stover, from Pa. for the work in the Kitchen.  Also thanks to all those that worked on the raffle, wrote at the table and to Don Clouse for taking up the 50/50 drawing.  A big thank you for the Judges who sorted our rabbits, Bruce Ornsby (ARBA V.P.), Willie Davis (Hoping he is recovering well from the bite from a rabbit that required him to go to the hospital), and Doug Covert.

Wow, not to forget a big congratulations to all those that came and had fun at the show, and especially to the winners.   Best of Breed was a Sr. Light Gray Buck owned by Don, Karen and Brad Clouse of Ind., and Best opp. Of Breed went to Carlos Zappia, N.Y. with a Real nice 6/8 Sandy doe.  In the Youth Best of Breed with a 6/8 Steel Doe by Breanna Bueske from Syracuse, Ind., and Best Opp. Was won by Randy Nisffenegger, Waldo, Wis..  (35 Flemish Giants in the Youth).  Our V.P. Jack Langley had Best Display. (Jack has made every National Show)

The Michigan All Flemish Show on Sunday was won by Bobbie Melton, from Lincoln, Mo. With a Sr. Steel Doe (As nice as they come), and Best Opp. was won by Don, Brad, and Karen Clouse of Ind..   In the Youth a Steel Doe was Best of Breed shown by Breanna Bueske, Syracuse, Ind., and Best Opp. Breed was a Fawn Sr. Buck shown by Mckenna Mertens, from Thorp, Wi..   Best Display was won by Don, Karen, and Brad Clouse of Ind..  The Quality of the Flemish Giants overall was as good and competitive as I have ever seen.  The Fraternity and fun was experienced by all that attended, and the Sat. night Banquet at the Stampede Steak House was great with Doc. Dan Hall contributing $200 to our live Auction held by Pete Stephens our M.C..   A special Thank you from my heart goes to Gene and Kathy Gubala for the $400 donation to the Youth Specials.  (Outstanding people).  Again, Thanks to everyone that contributed to the Success of our Annual National Flemish Show….. You are great.

I want to take the time to thank Karen Clouse for all the hard work she has put into being our New Sec. Treasure, and I have the utmost confidence that she will be one of the best we ever had.   Yes our first newsletter was a little late, but it was due to unusual circumstances that we had to overcome.  Also it took a long time for us to get the Sanctions and the Sweepstakes points caught up, and I think we are now going to be ok….  Thank everyone for their patience in getting us thru these problems.  Also we are having great difficulty with our Website being frozen up on the Internet, and it could be a coding issue.  Cathy Caracciolo, is working with Specialist to get this problem corrected and we expect to have it back to normal in the near future.  If you have a browser other than Internet Explorer 8 you may be loading our program ok.  It works on Foxfire, and others just fine.  I want to also Thank Karen for the outstanding job she did with our Newsletter to dedicate it to our recently passed long time member John Coon, Ind..   His wife loved the newsletter, and wanted me to thank all the members for the nice cards, and calls she received.  She said, “The Rabbits were John’s life”.  John Coon was a personal friend and icon to our organization.  He was a member from 1928.

The Guide Book is being worked on by Bob Bolyard of Michigan and is projected to be finished by next year.  This is a Giant Task, and if you have any ideas please contact Bob Bolyard.  Also don’t let the chance to slip away from having your personal Ad in this Historical Guide Book.  Contact Bob and let him know so we can get your ad worked up.  Also we are bidding on the Front and back inside covers, two middle pages and the Back Cover.  It is our goal to pay for this book thru our Membership contributions.  This is everyone’s opportunity to help make this project a success.

The National Convention will be held in San Diego, California this fall.   Make sure you put in for your reservations, and get your convention books thru the ARBA.  Kathy Rynard, and Joanne Walker are the Superintendants of the Show, and Karen Clouse is our Show Secretary.   Congratulations to Kathy Rynard, Calif. On her recent appointment to Director by the Executive Board to fill a vacancy.  She is a wonderful person and will represent our Federation well on the West Coast.  Kathy and Joanne are planning a great time for all those that attend.  Doc Hall is working already as our Show Superintendant for Minn., and has rooms, banquet etc. being planned. (Thanks Doc).

To end my message I again would like to thank Karen Clouse our wonderful Sec/Trea for all her hard work getting us caught back up, and also all those that work so hard to put on shows thru out the Country for our members.  I look around to see who will be the ones to take our wonderful Flemish Giant Federation into the future.  Just watching our youth seem to grow stronger yearly, and many are very good prospects to step up latter in life and keep our organization strong.  Those that donate towards are guide book and give money to our organization in various ways are the backbone of the success of our organization. (Many Thanks).   In conclusion, may your nest boxes be full of Grand Champions and keep breeding……….God Bless All of you….  Hope to see all of you at the upcoming shows. 

A special personal thanks to Julie Brady for helping me tattoo my rabbits (The Brady Bunch), such nice members.  Also enjoyed talking with everyone at the show, it was like old times.

For the Membership:  Bob Bomia         bestbugs@chartermi.net         734-241-1960

NFFGRB Sweatshirts and T-shirts
Now available!

Sweatshirts: available in S, M, L, XL - $15.00  and 2X and 3X - $17.00

T-shirts: available in S, M, L, XL- $10.00
                                      2X-3X   -$12.00

Flemish Hats available for $10.00

Contact Karen Clouse.  All items can be shipped for a small additional fee.

Please give us YOUR opinion about
Showing and Our Club!

Check out the NEW Youth Survey on the Youth Page!

Also, check out the Guidelines for the Annual
Outstanding Flemish Youth Award!

Members can nominate a Youth
that demonstrates an active interest in promoting
the Flemish Giant breed.
(See rules and requirements on the Youth Page!)

Please don't forget to RENEW!
Support your National Flemish Club!

Attention Youth Breeders!
When you send in your Renewal's, Please include your birthday. 
It will help us tremendously!
Thanks very much!

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:

All members should be aware of their Membership status. 
Newsletter labels have expiration dates in the upper right corner.  Please check your memberships. Only members in good standing (with paid memberships) may be listed in the Breeders Directory.  Members will be given a grace period of 30 days after membership expiration, after which their Breeders listing will be removed.  Membership information is maintained by Karen Clouse, our Secretary/Treasurer.  Any questions, please contact her at clousesflemish@ligtel.com  

We welcome all our new members and hope you enjoy the camaraderie and shared love of our GIANTS!  Hope to meet you all at upcoming Shows!

If you are a member and wish to be listed on the Breeders Directory, please contact Cathy (the Webmaster) at sunnyoaksrabbits@yahoo.com

Ad Size

One Year

Per Issue

Full Page

$100.00

$40.00

Half Page

$50.00

$20.00

Quarter Page

$30.00

$10.00