T
F.Y.I. on the KTA

KTA Newsletter
February 18, 2008


Presidents Message:

Hello everyone, I hope everything is well since we last saw
everyone back in March. First of all I would like to start out saying,
GET GEARED UP FOR THE CONVENTION! This one will be one
to remember. I hope everyone has an idea for a piece to bring to
the show. The Convention will be held in Louisville at Holiday Inn
Airport South on Fern Valley Road. There are many kid things to do
in Louisville that are close to the hotel. Its also the biggest
Holidome in the state with and indoor pool, whirlpool, ping pong,
foosball, and an arcade. There is Kentucky Kingdom, the Zoo, a
Science Center, Louisville Slugger among other museums, and
many other things to do in and around Louisville.

I hope to see everyone at convention.

President,
Erick Greenwell
FOR SALE
Wade Calvert of
Georgetown, Ky has
some old copies of
Breakthrough and
Taxidermy Today
Magazines for sale.
If interested in these
please contact Wade
at 502-867-9997

Behind on your bird
work? Damon Kustes
can help. Call Damon
at 502-493-7787 or
502-295-2812 or
contact him by email at
damonkus@yahoo.com

Vice Presidents Message:

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come to the last
meeting. I am going to discuss what is currently going on in the
KTA.
Terry Vest is in charge of vendors, awards, and auction donations.
He has informed me he has sent 70 letters to supply companies
and many phone calls have been made. As of now, Terry has the
Breakthrough Award, Wasco Award, Woody Award, and a Vandyke’
s Award. He also started receiving auction items to bring to the
show, too many to mention in this letter. Terry mentioned Archie
Phillips contacted him about participating in our convention. He is
interested in doing a seminar on fish and also a business seminar.
Archie Phillips is known nationally for these seminars. He will also
talk with the membership about the benefits of joining the National
Taxidermy Association (NTA).  
There were some really great guys at the show last year selling
mounting stands. These were not just "the run of the mill" mounting
stands. The stands that Ken Benegar fabricates will allow you to
mount any critter that you may be working on. Ken has stands for:
fish, birds, lifesize mammals, and game heads. He also has stands
that allow you to mount several pieces while also allowing you to
spin them around and paint them all at once. He has large stands
and small stands, about anything you can think of and more. Ken
will take special orders and deliver them to you at the convention. If
you have something special you want him to make or just want to
order a stand you can reach Ken at (937) 323-4490 Ken Benegar
1445 West Sparrow Rd. Springfield, OH 44502
I talked to Harry Whitehead recently and he will be Judging birds
and fish. For those who don’t know Harry, we are glad to have him
in our State Association. Harry is a National and World Champion,
and there is no doubt you will improve your work while being in his
presence. Harry is currently looking for a great judge for mammals
and game heads.
There will be a post card sent to all licensed taxidermists in the
state as a reminder of our upcoming convention in August. We
send them out every year. There are 400 licensed taxidermists in
our great state. It's time that we start coming together to support
our state association. Don't let another year go by without coming
to a convention. You really don't know what you are missing! To
find out more about The KTA check out our website at kytaxidermy.
com and read the "about us" page. Browse around the site. You
will get a taste of what you have been missing. Good friends, good
times, and a lot of memories!
Vice-President:
Tony Johnson
Meeting Highlights

We had a great meeting on Saturday March 3rd. Here are some of
the things we discussed.
Our KTA Convention will be held at Holiday Inn Airport SOUTH not
East as previously stated. The motel is on Fern Valley Road.
Terry Vest will be working on the awards and auction donations for
the convention.
There are going to be two full day seminars again this year. One
will be a complete fish by Gerry Wethington. He will be skinning,
fleshing, mounting and painting a fish. It should be a great seminar
and well worth the cost of $100. It will be Monday, May the 9th .
The other $100 seminar will be a complete bird by Shawn
Whitehead. Shawn did very well at the NWTF Competition. It will
be held on June 9th and will also be a great seminar.
If you are a member of the KTA and have not received your
election ballot by June 1st please email Erick Greenwell at
jegreenwell@bardstowncable.net,. He will be sending out the
ballots which need to be mailed back to him as soon as possible.
Please take the time to vote. It is important to the KTA.
We voted on putting a page on the website to recognize the current
members. If you go to the website and your dues are current and
your name isn’t on the website, email Karen at  
ktaxidermy101@yahoo.com,.
Another great idea was to see if Kentucky Afield would attend our
Convention and maybe do an article in their magazine on the
Kentucky Taxidermist Association. We are also going to be in
contact with Tim Farmer and see if he may be interested in doing a
segment about us on the Kentucky Afield TV show. This will be
great publicity for the KTA. Denny Lecompt and Harry Whitehead
will be contacting Kentucky Afield. Prices for advertising in the
Kentucky Hunting Guide was looked at. The price for advertising
was just too expensive for the KTA at this time.  
Certification was also a subject discussed. We are using the same
certification process we have always used. We have a record of
points for the last few conventions but do not have a record in the
late 90’s. If you can produce a score sheet, your points will be
awarded. A full set of certification rules will be available at the
convention. If you need any information before hand email Erick at
the previously mentioned email address.
The subject of NTA Affiliation was brought up. It is being looked
into. If you need any information you may email me at
Rhino223@aol.com and I can send you the information Jessica
sent out. This will be discussed at the meeting in August.
We voted on a decal for the KTA. We agreed to order 75 decals
and give each member one decal. You may buy as many as you
want. We will also be taking orders for KTA licenses plates. We will
have one made up at the convention so you can see what they will
look like.
Melinda has been working hard on the convention.  She has sent
out 200 letters to different companies for sponsors with more to go.
She is waiting  until the convention gets closer but hopefully we will
have a fully sponsored show.     

NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS

President: Tony Johnson,  Wade Calvert

Vice President: Denny Lecompt, Tony Johnson, Wade Calvert,
Terry Vest

Secretary: Denny Lecompt, Ben Maddox

Treasurer: Karen Wethington

Ballots will be mailed out by Erick Greenwell.  Please vote and get
your ballot back to Erick as soon as possible