Attendees at the Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge. 

Unique 80^th Anniversary Cake from Elk County Foods.

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Jack Hackley, Bird Dog Leader at the Rolfe Beagle Club, announces the winners of the FifthAnnual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge on Saturday, 9/19, at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.  “Phil would have been happy… cool weather for running dogs, enough sunshine to make it pleasant, good help, and a well-run event,” said Jack.

Phil Fitch was a dedicated member of the Rolfe Beagle Club and never missed a bird dog event at the club. 

In addition to honoring Phil’s memory, the club celebrated its 80^th anniversary of being a club for dogs here in NC PA.  Awards were given out, lunch was served, prizes were won, and a beautiful cake with both a beagle and a bird dog as decoration was furnished by Elk County Foods out of Ridgway. 

The winners in the pointing dog category were:

1. Rocky, a German Short-haired Pointer, cared for by Chris McDevitt of Akron, OH;
2. Stella, a German Short-haired Pointer, cared for by Jason Ketchel of Rochester; and
3. Mike, an English Pointer, cared for by Ron Guidas of Shelocta.

The winners in the flushing dog category were:

1. Maizie, a Golden Retriever, cared for by Rich Frantz from Uniontown;
2. Millie, a Golden Retriever, cared for by Rich Frantz; and
3. Bo, a Labrador Retriever, cared for by Rich Frantz.

First through third places in the flusher and pointer categories were cigar boxes with ribbons, dog head figurines, keychains, and dog treats created by Jack Hackley and his daughter.  

The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) Upland Bird Hunt Chapter offered a special raffle for a unique 1923 20-gauge Parker, fully restored, side-by-side shotgun.

Judges and Stagers were Jack Hackley, Tom McPherson, Jed Hamberger, Bethany Ford, and Trey Murphy.

Bird men were Garrett Balon and Zaiden Straneva.

Mix’s Game Birds supplied the chukars.

An excellent lunch was donated by the following folks:  Birddoggers of the Rolfe Beagle Club – hoagies; Mary Hosmer – coleslaw and chips. 

The 80^th Anniversary Cake came from Elk County Foods’ Deli Dept.

Prizes were supplied by Rolfe Birddoggers and Jack Hackley.

ATV was donated by Garrett Balon.

Liz Erich took registrations and Ron Guidas answered handler questions.

Vince Assetta, Dick Bodenhorn and Johnna Winters donated special prizes for the 80^th Anniversary Celebration – Thank you.  And the winners were:

• X-large metal dog crate – Larry Horning
• Bathouse – JoAnn Schiafone
• Mud River insulated cooler bag – Nathan Ford
• Lion Country Supply metal bird crate – Rich Frantz
• Pet Safe truck seat – Bill Kokla
• Smith & Wesson scrimshaw Wolf knife – Brian Wade.

We thank all the people that came to honor Phil Fitch’s memory and for participating in the Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge, and to help the club celebrate its 80^th Anniversary.  Phil would be proud!