Message from the President
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November 2003 -- By Jill Gallagher

How did it get to be winter already? I just never can understand how the summer races by and all of a sudden it is gone. I don’t know about you, but one day it was over 100 degrees and the next day it was 26 degrees. One-day summer then the next day winter. The poor goats don’t know it they are to grow that fabulous fiber or shed it off. And I don’t know if I should shear or not. So for you new members to Pygoras, even us old timers are trying to figure out the best time to shear. I sheared most of them then a few I wanted to wait on, now, it is just to cold, so I watch their fiber on them like a hawk. “Stay out of the burr plants, don’t stand under the hay when I feed, don’t rub on the fence” I can get so bossy trying to keep those fleeces on those goats clean!

Well this is the end of the year report for me, and it has been another busy year for PBA. The By-laws are still being fine tuned before they are presented to the membership for a vote. And those working on them are trying to make them the best they can be, and yet there will always be something that as the times change, may need changing. But I think when you do see them, you will be happy with how they turned out.

We have a few people taking the Judges Training, of which was also finished this year. It is a wonderful teaching and learning tool, even if you don’t plan on being a judge, there is much to learn in that body of work, so you might want to get the book.

Our new Web master, Aaron Esterline, has been busy with updating the data on the web site and fine-tuning a few things. Please take a look and if you have ideas on ways the web site can better help you, the membership, and those learning about the Pygora for the first time, please send us a e-mail with your ideas.

More 4-H’ers are thinking about the Pygora as their 4-H project. If you need any help with your fairs providing a Pygora class, please contact our 4-H committee; they would love to help you out.

This is the last newsletter that Susan Prechtl and Jamie Land will be doing, and I would like you all to join me in saying a big thank you for their work. The newsletter is a very important part of the Pygora Association. It has the latest information on the Pygora and each issue should be kept. I have every one, and constantly and returning to back issues to find great advise or ideas on everything from hoof care to poison plants to fiber fulling. So thank you Susan and Jamie for your work.

Well I am going to end by saying that PBA is what you all help make it and we the board and offices are always interested in what you would like us to do or try. We are all in this together to make the Pygora a Goat for all. Thank you all for your help this year.

Stay warm and Happy Holidays!

Jill pbajill@hhollow.com