Page 120 - ShowSight - June 2020

LINES FROM LINDA
SAN DIEGO COLLIE CLUB
70TH ANNIVERSARY 1950-2020
BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR
“It never rains in Southern California but girl, don’t they warn you it
Ipours, man, it pours!” —Albert Hammond
n the past 70 years the San Diego Collie Club’s Specialty Show has been briefly interrupted by light sprinkling rain only three times. Otherwise, the sun has shined on this great club and its wonderful outdoor locations. Collie lovers flock there for the glorious February weather and warm hospitality of
the club members.
SDCC shows have been held outdoors at McGee Park, located in the historic
part of Carlsbad, for 35 years. The two-acre plus site, just one block from the beach, features a rose garden, a gazebo, historic buildings and picnic spots. It is a popular spot for weddings and events and draws a great crowd for the dog shows. McGee Park is the perfect site for this annual occasion.
Show Chair and Club Secretary Janine Walker-Keith shared with me how it all began. “The San Diego Collie Club came into existence in 1942 when Milt Walker gave his wife, LaVerne, a Collie puppy for her birthday,” she reports. “The puppy was lonesome, so they got him a female Collie friend. They were lucky enough to win AKC points at their very first dog show with a puppy from their first litter and they became hooked on The Sport of Dogs.”
The San Diego Collie Club was founded in 1948 and AKC sanctioned in the Fall of 1949. The first club meetings were held at the Walker’s home in Pt. Loma over-
Celebrating San Diego Collie Club’s “Cheers to 70 Years“ theme with (left to right) Ring Steward: Connie Grosky; Sweepstakes Judge: Lynda Powers; Regular Class Judge: Bob Futh from Connecticut; and Show Chair/Sec’y/club member since 1969, Janine Walker- Keith, Incandescent Collies. Photo by show photographer, Randy Smith.
Three former Collie Club of America Presidents (left to right) Svend Jensen, Sally Futh and Bob Futh at the 2012 SDCC. Bob and Sally Futh judged at the recent 2020 SDCC shows.
118 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2020