Recent Articles
Local Dog “Chopper” Inducted into the Hall of Fame
submitted by The Bird Dog Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Tonya Brotherton
BIRD DOG NEWS
February 7, 2015 was a “red-letter” day at the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee! We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day for the annual Bird Dog Hall of Fame Inductions. Inductees included dog owners and dogs from several breeds including English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Retrievers, German Shorthair Pointers, BrsSettanys, Red Setters, and the Pointer and Setter Breeds.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is a great honor and the event was well attended by inductees, their families, and friends. Inductees hailed from all parts of the country—from Alaska to North Carolina and all parts in between! Approximately 300 people were in attendance and all enjoyed the comradery of fellow sporting dog enthusiasts and the stories that only they can tell. The event began at 9:00 A.M. on the 7th and concluded at 4:00 P.M. A luncheon was provided by Purina at the Museum and a reception following the afternoon ceremonies was sponsored by the American Field magazine.
Among those honored was Clubmead’s Road Warrior (Chopper) owned by Frank and Christine Kashevarof of Seldovia, Alaska. Pictured here are Mr.& Mrs. Frank Kashevarof with their dog Chopper. Also a picture of Chopper. Chopper was a good duck hunter who enjoyed swimming in Kachemak Bay and hiking trails with Frank. He was the winner of many hearts, if you pet him you were a friend for life.
A little history on The Field Trial Hall of Fame –
taken by the Bird Dog Foundation – dogfoundation.com
The specific interest in honoring the dogs and people who excelled in the field trial sport began in the late 1930’s. Those involved knew that time and careful consideration would be needed in formulating the rules and regulations needed to bestow an honor of excellence on dogs and their owners, trainers and handlers.
In 1953, William F. (Bill) Brown, editor of The American Field, compiled the necessary rules and regulations governing elections of the field trial dogs and their owners and trainers to a proposed Field Trial Hall of Fame. The list was published in Brown’s Field Trials: History, Management and Judging Standards in the anticipation that hall of fame would be established.
In the June 19,1954 issue of The American Field, Brown announced that the Field Trial Hall of Fame had become a reality and nominations were taken.
Dogs were eligible based in their entire careers. People were nominated based in their service and the length of time devoted to the field trial sport. Nominations could be made in two categories.
1. Distinguished Bird Dogs deceased
2. Prominent Persons living or deceased
The first year to vote for inductees was 1954, and the election committee considered a popular vote of ten dogs and ten persons from the nomination ballot. Bird Dog enthusiasts elected five dogs and five people into the Field Trial Hall of Fame that year. In 1955, two dogs and two people were elected and inducted. This marked the beginning of a tradition that continues at the annual Field Trial Hall of Fame.
Seldovia Station – One Man Shop!
Taken from the State of Alaska DOT publication, “Plane Talk”
George Oliveira says: “This job has been a good career choice – it is both challenging and rewarding. I love serving the public and all the things I get to do for the DOT & PF.”
Seldovia is one of the oldest communities on the Kenai Peninsula. And, as is the case with many towns in Alaska, it’s off the road system, relying on air service, passenger ferries, and the Alaska Marine Highway for access. The Alaska DOT&PF has 79 maintenance facilities across the state responsible for all maintenance and operation activities to keep our highways, bridges, airports, buildings, and harbors in good condition and safe for the traveling public. Only one of these facilities is a year-round one man shop and that’s the Seldovia Station.
This station has been managed solely by George Oliveira for the last 24 years. George is responsible for both the airport and state maintained roads in the Seldovia area. Some of his duties include blading, snowplowing, brush cutting, sign repair, dust control, inspect, clean, and replace culverts, clean ditches, springtime sweeping of the paved streets in town, screening gravel for both road/airport resurfacing projects and winter sand, and maintaining and issuing appropriate NOTAM’s for the airport. Along with that he is also responsible for the everyday maintenance of the shop and equipment, including all necessary safety inspections and training. George is the first responder to all work related emergency situations such as storms, fallen trees, mud and landslides, and roadway/airport flooding.
Kevin Jones, Homer Airport Manager says, “George does it all! Over the years he has been a pleasure to work with and in my opinion his service to the Seldovia community has been outstanding. With him being the only employee stationed there, any time day or night, weekend or holiday, when an emergency arises or the weather doesn’t cooperate, George is there assessing the problem, planning a solution, and putting it into action.”
Kerry Long, FAA Alaska Administrator, visited Seldovia last summer. He said, “It’s amazing to find someone like George who is able to run the Seldovia Airport maintenance operations single handedly. In listening to him explain everything he does, from mining and crushing rock for the runway surfaces to maintaining, repairing, and operating the heavy equipment, one quickly realizes that the extensive skills, experience, and responsibilities George has, are few and far between. The City of Seldovia and surrounding communities are very lucky to have him keeping their limited road system and airport lifeline operational and in top condition year round.”
Seldovia Time
