WELCOME PARTY

Tuesday, 
7 pm to 9 pm

The first official event of our Silver Anniversary National Specialty is the Welcome Party. Come catch up with all your friends, meet some new ones, and pick up your hospitality bags and preorders. We'll have some light food and a cash bar. Like all the non-show events, the Welcome Party will be in the hotel.

ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday, 7:00 pm

The ACA Representatives will be waiting to check in members for the annual meeting around 7:00 PM. This is your chance to meet the officers and directors of your club and to talk to them about your concerns and interests. The meeting will take place in the hotel, and the agenda will be posted in the Update that comes out before the National..  

SEMINARS

BEC Seminar

The Akita Club of America's Breeder Education Committee is pleased to announce that there will be a question and answer forum to discuss the fundamentals of establishing and maintaining a successful selective breeding program. Our panelists are: Lynn Morgan [BEC Chairperson], Francee Hamblet [BEC Committee member], Patricia Ellis [BEC Committee member], Bev Wilkinson, Priscilla McCune, Madeleine Smith and Nancy Fisk. The forum will last between 90 minutes and two hours and will be held in the hotel after the Sweepstakes judging in the Conference Center. The exact time will be announced at the show.
 
At this point, we would like you to send some of the questions you would like to have answered to Committee Chair Lynn Morgan, Midniteakita@aol.com , so that we can streamline the forum and avoid duplicate questions. There will also be a short period at the conclusion for follow-up questions from the floor. We appreciate your input in helping us make this presentation an informative and utilitarian portion of the National Specialty.

Advance orders can be made through Ways and Means at $5.00/members. $10 for non-members and for everyone at the door.

JEC SEMINAR

Friday, Sept 24, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. (depending on judging).

The JEC seminar will be held in the hotel and is open only to approved judges or prospective judges who meet the AKC requirements for application. For registration information, contact Sylvia Thomas, justsylviat@sbcglobal.net. The seminar includes both discussion of the Standard and hands-on examination of many Akitas as well as written material and a catalog.

A special seating area is reserved for attending judges throughout the show, and mentors will be available.

AUCTION

Friday, Sept. 24. Preview at 6:00 pm. Auction begins at 7:00 pm.

This year's auction is being headed up by Lori Rickard. It promises to be something very special, so don't miss your chance to bid on some of the unique Akita items. You can pick out your special choices during the Preview which begins at 6:00. Before you can bid, you'll need to check in with the tellers and get your own bidding paddle. You'll want to be ready when the bidding starts at 7.

ACA ANNUAL BANQUET & COCKTAIL HOUR

Saturday, Sept 25

Join us for coctails from the cash bar before the last event of our Silver Anniversary show begins. This year will feature a buffet dinner and tickets can be purchased from Ways & Means on this website or from the Information Flyer. The Banquet provide a last get-together for friends at the National. We'll hear from the judges, learn who has achieved the coveted ROM titles, and recognize the owners of the week's winners.

TOURIST INFORMATION

WEATHER: During September, the Gettysburg area averages temperatures between 53-80 F. and an average rainfall for the month of 4.25". We'll update the forecast as the National draws closer.

This year's national is being held in an area steeped in history and there are many ways for you to enjoy it. The battlegrounds offer many different types of tours. You can take a guided tour on a bus or join a park ranger on a walk. The Visitor Center has a lot of information on the web at http://www.gettysburg.com/visitor/viscent.htm.

TRANSPORTATION: Gettysburg has a trolley system which seems to cover most of the historic sites. You can park once and use the Freedom Transit to go from place to place. Information on rates and routes is available at http://www.ridethetrolley.com/

THINGS TO DO:

On the schedule the weekend before the national is a Murder Mystery Weekend at Lightner Farmhouse. 1-866-337-9508. http://www.lightnerfarmhouse.com

Or take a Ghost tour on Saturday the 18th, of the Jennie Wade House. 717-334-6296 Evenings 717-339-6914 http://gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/ghostly-images.php

Gettysburg is also host to the Eisenhower National Historic Site which has a living history weekend on Sunday, the 19th. This includes an authentic recreation of both Allied and German army camps, complete with original World War II vehicles. Over 100 living history enthusiasts will portray military personnel from the European Theater in 1944 and present programs on World War II. You can also just tour the facility which is a National Park. 717-338-9114

Also on Sunday, Sept 19, the Adams County Heritage Festival takes place in Gettysburg Area Recreation Park, 545 Long Lane. 717-334-8943.

Friday night on the 24th is another Ghost Tour, Midnight in the Orphanage.717-334-6296 http://gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/ghostly-images.php

MUSEUMS: The area has a number of museums on Baltimore Street.. You can visit the Jennie Wade House at 758 Baltimore St. Jennie was the only civilian casualty of the Battle and the house is authentically furnished from cellar to attic.

At 777 Baltimore is the Soldiers National Museum, a showcase of Civil War artifacts and memorabila. It also has material from other wars.

The Shriver House Museum is at 309 Baltimore. http://www.shriverhouse.org. It has been restored to its original 1860's appearance and provides the civilian perspective of the battle.

The Civil War Headquarters of Gen. Lee is a museum at 401 Buford Ave. http://www.civilwarheadquarters.com. It is open from 9-5.

The American Civil War Museum Complex includes a Wax Museum with dioramas dealing with the Battle of Gettysburg as well as the causes and consequences of the Civil War and the people who played important roles. It is located at 297 Steinwehr Ave in Gettysburg. It is open from 9-5

The National Civil War Museum is in Harrisburg, Pa. and open Sunday 12 -5. If you are flying in or out of Harrisburg, you might want to schedule a visit to it. http://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

You can visit the Historic Round Barn and Farm Market for free. It was built in 1914 and is a gift shop and store. It's 1/2 mile of US 30, 8 miles west of Gettysburg on Cashtown rd.

789 Baltimore houses the Hall of Presidents. The wax figures tell the story of America from their perspecive. Reproductions of the Smithsonian's First Ladies Inaugural Gowns are also featured here.

PUBLIC GOLF COURSES: Links at Gettysburg, 601 Mason Dixon Rd, Gettysburg, (717) 359-8000 http://www.thelinksatgettysburg.com

Mountain View Golf Club, 4099 Bullfrog Rd, Fairfield, Pa. (800) 548-8504 http://www.mtviewgc.com

Quail Valley Golf Club, 901 Teeter Rd, Littlestown, Pa (717) 359-8453. http://www.quailvalleygc.com

Carroll Valley Resort Golf Course, 121 Sanders Rd., Fairfield, Pa (800) 548-8504

Flatbush Golf Course, 940 Littlestown Rd, Littlestown, Pa (800) 359-7125, http://www.flatbushgolfcourse.com

FARTHER AFIELD: Gettysburg is located in what the state calls the Dutch Country. Harrisburg is the capitol of the state and nearby Hershey is the chocolate capitol of the world! East of Gettysburg is Amish country. The area hosts farmers markets, a myriad of antique shops, and many quaint villages. We'll be there when the fall foliage display begins. For more information about the area see: http://www.dutchcountryroads.com/index.aspx