Saturday, January 17, 2004

Good-bye to an old friend I just got home from an exhausting but very worthwhile day at the Kiel, Wis. Sportsmen's Dinner and Seminars. Each of 18 speakers gave three seminars, then Charlie Alsheimer gave the keynote talk after dinner, highlighted by his amazing whitetail photos. One of the speakers was dog trainer Lisa Sommers, daughter of an old friend, Ray Sommers, probably best known for his dog acts that entertained crowds during the tank show at the old Milwaukee Sentinel Sports Show, back when it was held at the MECCA complex in Milwaukee. Lisa told me Ray passed away on Thursday after a bout with cancer. He will be sorely missed by many friends who knew and worked with him over the years. We featured Ray and his dogs several times on Outdoor Wisconsin. One of my favorite events was the Sommers Game Fair that Ray and his family and staff used to put on back in the 1980s at his former kennel and training club in Random Lake, Wis. Lisa told me Ray knew she was scheduled to speak at Kiel today and one of the last things he said to her was "You go and do that on Saturday." Old trouper that he was, Ray wanted his daughter to carry on, and she did. Lisa also told me she has a well-started year-old male yellow Lab for sale, so if you are looking for a good dog from a reputable trainer, give her a call at SommerLee Kennels, in Greenleaf, Wis.: 920-864-7313, or 920-362-1351. Back to the Wisconsin Boat Show tomorrow, so stop by and say hello if you happen to be going there tomorrow or next weekend. Later... 10:45:12 PM    comment []