History of Irish Setter Club of Georgia, Inc.
In 1962 a small group of Atlanta people with one thing in common – Irish Setters- got together and formed The Irish Setter Club of Georgia, Inc. Key people at the time were Bob and Audrey Bridell (Taradell), Julie and Beau Murphy (Beauhart), Norma and Harry Oaks (Oakeire), Jane Gavin (Gavingarth), Doris Rinn (Val o’Rinn) and Linton and Del Pound. Bob Bridell was elected first president of the club.
The club held a series of fun and sanctioned matches and, in 1965, hosted its first AKC independent Specialty. The late Lee Schoen judged. From then on, the club has been holding two Specialties each year – Spring and Fall.
By 1969 interest had developed in field. After hosting two fun field trials, the club was approved to host AKC field trials. It did so for a few consecutive years beginning in 1971 – again one in Spring and one in the Fall. A highlight of the club’s field trial days was the “crowning” of Diane Camp’s Dual Champion Cynthia Woodland Brook, the first Irish Setter Dual Champion in the South and, at that time, the 10th ever in the U.S. Unfortunately, a time was reached when, one by one, the local field people began disappearing. Hence, the club no longer holds field trials.
A peak in the club’s activity and enthusiasm was reached in 1975 when the Third National Specialty was held in Atlanta. No fewer than 50 members and friends of the club joined in the effort to put on a great National – the first in the South. It was held at the Lovett School’s Soccer field, a lovely setting, while the Headquarters hotel was the Royal Coach Inn Ed Treutel was show chairman while the various local committees were headed by Paul Karelson, assistant show chairman. Paul was later elected to the ISCA Board of Directors.
In 1987, a 25th anniversary show was held. Appropriately, first president Bob Bridell judged the Sweepstakes and ISCA President Doc Helferty judged the classes. A dinner following the show was held in celebration of the event.
The club’s presidents included: Bill Norman, Paul Karelson, Marion O’Neil, Pete Patrick, Rick Haney, Larry Bradbury, Bob Joyner, Norbert Dee, Richard and Carole Hutchinson, Charlene Kickbush, DVM, Pat Widener and Rudy Inman.
Among other active members and breeders over the years, not already mentioned, have been: Anne and Dick Smith (Harmony Lane, the late Laurie Conlon (Palomar) Nena Dee (Camelot), Patsy and Bill Brooks (Bayberry), Judy Hackett (Glengarry), Charlene Kickbush (Bramblebush), Donna Long (Chandar), Charlotte Watson and Bobbi Kilduff (Stonewall), Leslie Leland (Cameo), Jeanette Long (Merryborne), Sheila Smith (Heatherwood), Charlotte Ross (CharLar), Carolyn Dison (Rusticwood), Rick and Carla Haney (Carisett), Dr Lloyd & Karren Harrison (Shadowmere), Fran Jackson (Signature), Duane and Tammy Sasso (Parkwood), Walt and Helen Sanderson (McLauren), Jennifer Loge (Candlelight), Darla Ladkau, Donna and Paul Averill, DVM, Evelyn and Carrie Deslauriers, Kim Kazee, and others. Prominent in the club’s obedience activities has been Pat Hair, Michelle Johnson, and the late Virginia Spence.