20th year anniversary of the Garden State Taxidermy Association of New Jersey

I"m still re couperating from the long weekend that seemed to last 5 minutes. Many people To thank, our judges, Rich Christoforo, Mike Briganti and Ray Fontana, the officers and board for all the help throughout the year and the fast set up and take down. Rich Bauman for getting a home and delivering /returning the backboards there. We are also in need of a trailer for them to make storage and transport easier and less costly. Big thanks to Butch Bragg from the N.E.A.T. association for donating one of his mounting stands for our auction (which I won). All monies goes to our trailer fund and Butch said will donate another one. His stands are bullet proof, nothing is to big for this stand to hold, thanks again Butch. John Bollman for all you do at convention time, thank you. To all of the people and companies that sponsored awards and donated supplies, thanks. We will have everone who helped make this show a success on our web sight as soon as my wife has a chance to sit down and go through a hundreds of pics and all the names we have to list.
Our awards banquet had the most attending in as many years as I have been a member. The hotel did everthing a association could ask for and the awards dinner was exceptional. John Janelli made a nice reading from Henry Wichers Inchumuk and a presentation of a bronze bust of a cat Henry made, a mounting stand used by Henry and a serving tray made from an Elephants foot which I was served a drink from by John. The last person served a drink from that tray was Teddy Roosevelt, thanks John, it was an honor from this little association President.
To all the awards winners, great job. All the hard work that you show has paid off. I hope the seminars that you attended over the years has helped in some way to achieve the top honors you so deserve, congratulations to all. Also I have to give props to Brian Bolmann. This guy ran around all weekend helping with bringing in mounts. settin up, getting anything the board needed and was our very own pack mule LOL, and he also won a bunch of awards, thanks Brian.
Artie Mags, Fred Barilla and Gary King has joined our board, so I see nothing but the best for this state show. Date for next year is going to be the last weekend in July or the first weekend in Aug. We will post on our web when its finalized.
I have been on the board since 2002, served as Vice President and the last 2 years as President. I always say its just to much work trying to work a full time day job, a full time taxidermy night and weekend job, doing all the family things that make life worth something and have time to keep the GSTA in my life somewere. But who am I kidding, when its in your blood, your not going anywere, Congratulations Garden State Taxidermist Association on your 20 year anniversary and show,
Paul Bacskoczky

 

Next years show is now set for July 25-27 2013. I see this show getting bigger and better next year, hopefully we will have enough room.