Meet the Show Chairs: Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez

Meet the Show Chairs: Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez

1. What is the name of your show/cluster?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: Our shows are the Sierra-Tuolumne Kennel Club’s Barktoberfest.

2. Where are your show(s)/cluster held? When?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: This year, they will be held in Sonora, California, on October 11 & 12, 2025.

3. How long have you been Show/Cluster Chair?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: I (Lynda Tusoni) am the Assistant Show Chair this year, training a newer club member (Glen Sanchez) the ropes. My history is two years with this club, and nine years for a Samoyed Regional Specialty.

4. Can you please provide a brief history of your club?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: Founded in 1973, STKC began holding fun matches in 1978 and training classes in 1980. The first all-breed show was held in 1993. The club has held Agility trials, tattoo clinics, eye clinics, and Obedience, Agility, Rally, and Conformation classes.

5. How are the following accommodated at your show(s)/cluster: Parking; Grooming; Bathing, Hospitality; Vendors; Public Education?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: We have “day of” show parking (two days for $15), a free grooming building, an on-site food vendor and show vendors, and local bathing facilities are listed and close by.

6. Does your show/cluster offer the National Owner-Handled Series?Junior Showmanship? 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy? Best Bred-By? Specialties? Supported Entries?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: NOHS, Junior Showmanship, and 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition are offered.

7. What about Companion and Performance Events? Obedience? Rally? Agility? Fast CAT? Dock Diving? Other?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: We also have Obedience, Rally, Barn Hunt, ATT testing, CGC testing, and Trick Dog testing.

8. How are judging panels determined?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: We solicit for Judges’ names, and check for availability and how the panel fits together using Permit Judges when we can.

9. Who stewards at your show(s)/cluster?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: Our Stewards are both professional stewards and volunteers.

10. Does your club have an active membership? How are you seeking new members?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: STKC has approximately 25 members. We recruit, educate, and encourage people who are taking our classes to join us.

11. How are your show(s)/cluster promoted? TV? Radio? Print? Social Media?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: For promotion, we utilize social media, our website, the local newspaper and radio, and we install a banner across our main street in town before the show.

12. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as Show/Cluster Chair? What are your greatest successes?

Lynda Tusoni & Glen Sanchez: The pandemic, economy, and lower entries have been big challenges. Having a successful show after the pandemic, with a venue change, then a year hiatus in 2022, made the success of 2023 very nice for our club! However, our 2024 show had a small loss. We have been told lower entries always happen in an election year and that most clubs suffer a loss at least once every 10 years. Our hope is that 2025 has good entries again and we are profitable.