Old News - March 2007
Donnie Gilbertson Passes Away (27-Mar)
Donald J. Gilbertson, 81, of La Crosse, WI., died Thursday, Mach 22, 2007, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse, WI.
He was born March 14, 1926, in La Crosse to Clarence and Florence (Matuska) Gilbertson. Donald graduated from La Crosse Central High School. He Served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked at G. Heileman Brewing Co. for 47 years before retiring in 1991. Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and taking wildlife and harness horse photographs.
He is survived by one daughter, Michele (Gary) Bowden of Highland Ranch, Colo.; one son, Scott Gilbertson of La Crosse; a stepdaughter, Connie (Michael) Poss of La Crosse; a grandson, Tristan Bowden of Highland Ranch, Colo.; a step granddaughter, Nikki Poss of Las Vegas, Nev.; one brother, Richard (Joanne) Gilbertson of La Crosse; and four nephews
A memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, March 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2007, with military honors by Roy L. Vingers American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse.
Many of you probably remember Donnie coming to the fairs with Richard & Joanne in the past. One brother would take one side of the track, and the other the opposite, collaborating to get some of the best Wisconsin racing scene pictorials.
President's Note (26-March)
On Sunday, March 25th, the WHHA Board of Directors had their spring board meeting finalizing plans for the summer's festivities. We have two possible co-sponosored race meets in the works -- be sure to check back for updates on dates/locations. Condition books will have all the necessary information the beginning of May. The Board also approved their operating budget for 2007. We have had a great year so far and are very excited about the things planned with race meets, race day insurance, etc. The greatest thing of all is that we are able to do all these things and still stay within our budget for the year! If any WHHA member is interested in seeing the budget, please feel free to contact me via email at gabewand@yahoo.com or via phone (608) 574-5468. I will be happy to show what our plans are for the year and answer any questions you may have regarding the financial position of the WHHA.
Thanks & Happy Training!
- Gabe
In Training Reports Due (19-March)
Gabe Wand is collecting in training reports for the Mid-America Standardbred & Harness News (will also be printed in the May edition of the Wisconsin Harness News). If you have any horses in training, please email him the horse's name, sire and owner to gabewand@yahoo.com
Frinzi Elected HHI President (19-March)
We would like to congratulate WHHA member Dominic Frinzi of Milwaukee who was re-elected President of Harness Horsemen International at the organization's annual event on March 6.
Happy St Patricks Day! (17-March)
Good luck to all the horses racing on St Paddy's Day, including LB Mighty, Audience of One, Crafty Sailor and Tattler's Jet. May the luck of the Irish be on your side :-)
Roadhouse Rhonda on a Roll (14-March)
Roadhouse Rhonda, a four-year-old mare by Kingston, won her third race in a row (6th on the year) on March 11. Driven by Ryan Anderson in all three starts, the Steve Searle trainee won in 1:54.4. WHHA member Danny "Pooch" Clark, Mineral Point, and Helene Mindham, Montfort, own the mare. Roadhouse Rhonda won the previous two weeks in 1:54.3 and 1:56. She now has won 6 out of 11 starts in 2007, earning $16,122 in the process.
Webmaster Out of Commission (8-March)
The office of the site and newsletter will be closed March 9-13, while Jessica attends the HTA/TRA Joint Meeting & Standardbred Media & Marketing Association meeting in Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, FL. You can always call her at (608) 772-5600 with questions or concerns.
Newsletters Sent Out (8-March)
Newsletters were sent out to all 2006 WHHA members as well as those that are already 2007 members. If you do not renew your WHHA membership by May 1st, you will be taken off the next newsletter mailing list - and you DON'T want to miss this one! It has our condition book in it! So be sure to fill out a membership form and ensure that you will get the 2007 condition book with no delay. Your current membership year was written on the address label -- so if it says 2006, we have NOT received your 2007 membership as of February 25th. If there is a 2007 on your label, it means you're good to go!
