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Classy transportation: Anne Shepherd and her horse “Sprite” greeted Jack and Phyllis Heck after they arrived in their Rolls-Royce for the Camargo Hunt point-to-point steeplechase Sunday at the Fox and Hound Farm at Moscow Ohio. The Hecks are members of the Miami Valley Hunt Club.
Current: Diedre Koik, Top Ammy Huntsman Former Masters: Tracy Bieser, Mike Hax, Rosie Allen, Ruth Hax, Mike Uecker Whippers-In: Helen Sproat, Sally Cox, Allyson Louthan, Mike Hax Blessing of the Hounds: Whalen’s Farm, then McGinnis Farm, now Woodland Trails Boy Scout Camp Current Officers: Masters: Phyllis Heck, Carolyn Uecker, Diedre Koik, Jim Stainbrook Secry-Treas: C. Uecker Huntsman: D. Koik Bd. of Gov.: H.E. Whalen Whippers-In: Pam Grusz, Mike Uecker.
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MVH Hunting Anecdotes – through the years… Early one fall a septic tank hole was dug in the side yard of the Whalen’s second farm. Everyone in the ‘field’ knew it was there. Then came winter – rain – freezing – and snow covered the ground. In early January we were hunting through this area south and east of Penewit Road and hounds ran riot through this snow-covered house yard with Phyll Heck in hot pursuit – until…suddenly ‘Just Blue’ was swallowed-up in the horse sized septic tank hole up to his withers (and Phyll’s lap) in half frozen, oozing, stinking… Phyll stepped off and with several others ‘urging’ etc. ‘Just Blue’ lunged himself out of the hole and headed toward Jack Heck. “Catch my horse!” yelled Phyll. “Wouldn’t touch the slimmey thing!” answered Jack. Once caught ‘Blue’ was soo slippery ‘n slimmey that he was impossible to mount so…Phyll walked him back to the barn in twenty-some degree temperature and the cleaning, deodorizing, and dying of horse and rider began… Another very cold winter morning hounds were cast from the Penewit Kennels and the ‘field’ headed across the Bellbrook-Spring Valley Road toward Dr. John Boyles (Bonnie Geiger’s father) farm. Little Sugar Creek had to be forded and we headed for our usual crossing. Barney Mallady was Whipping on a horse he threateningly called ‘Alpo’. The ‘field’ and hounds crossed safely in water up to the stirrups – but Barney veered left to urge a reluctant hound. And, Barney disappeared from sight! He was ‘gone’! What seemed like minutes later a hunt cap appeared, then Barney’s face with his mustache dripping like sea-weed, and an exceedingly strong “Oh shit!” Barney and ‘Alpo’ headed back to the barn and the hunt went on. Several hours later we got back to the Kennels/Stables and found Barney in Florence Thornberry’s kitchen wrapped in a blanket while his boots, breeches, hunt coat etc. flapped around in the dryer. And another winter-weather-story. We were returning to the Kennels along a path that followed Little Sugar Creek. The Creek was frozen out about three feet from the bank. One of the hounds ventured out on the ice – and fell in. Tried as he might to get a foot up on the ice and get out of the water – he couldn’t make it and he was flagging fast in the freezing water. It was decided that…”Phyll, you’re the lightest…so you lie on the ice….we’ll hold your feet…and if you can get hold of the hound’s collar we’ll pull your feet and drag you both to shore!” So, lying on the ice you could hear and feel it snapping and water was soon covering the ice. The hound kept putting his paws on the ice. The ice would break. And the open water was getting closer to me. Finally with a lunge the collar was grabbed and the boot pulling began with Sally Cox and Jill Reeder Kendall – one on each leg. But we got that hound in. So being sodden and half frozen myself – it was worth it!
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1959-1960 MVH Founding Fathers Jack Reeder’s porch – Dayton Daily News photo: 1959 Helen Sproat, Ginny Whalen, Phyll Hull, Dave Striley, Catherine Hosea (Hilker). Herb Whalen.
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