The American Spaniel Club first inducted members into its Hall of Fame in 1995 when current members nominated candidates to the Hall of Fame in four different categories. In 1999, those categories were simplified to just two: Service to the Organization and Contribution to the Breed.
It is the purpose of the Hall of Fame to capture for succeeding generations the memory of the extraordinary and not the ordinary.
Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008: Wilma Parker and Gladys Taber
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Bill Gorodner, Wilma Parker and Lloyd Alton (Photo courtesy of John Ashby)
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Wilma Parker is the 2008 inductee into the ASC Hall of Fame for her Service to the Organization. While noted for her extraordinary leadership efforts to reclaim ASC and Cocker history, Wilma has also served on the ASC board and was a founding member of the ASC Foundation board. She has served as show chair for the ASC Cocker Spaniel National Specialty and has held numerous leadership positions in her local club. A most respected breeder judge, a can-do, selfless woman, who serves ASC, the membership, and the Cocker Spaniel breed, Wilma is a model and inspiration for all of us.
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 Gladys Taber (April 12, 1889- March 11, 1980) is the 2008 inductee into the ASC Hall of Fame for her Contribution to the Breed. She shared her Cockers with everyone through her stories written from the 1930’s throughout her life. As an author of more than 50 books and columnist for Ladies Home Journal and Family Circle, she wrote about everyday life on her historical Connecticut farm house with its “bevy” of Cocker Spaniels, an Irish Setter and a couple of cats. She promoted the breed to her readers around the world in her columns where the antics of the dogs flushed up and retrieved many hearts.
Although unable to attend the induction ceremony, her granddaughter sent a letter of acceptance:
To the ASC:
My family and I were so pleased to hear of the American Spaniel Club's decision to include my grandmother Gladys Taber in ASC's Hall of Fame. We are sorry that we couldn't attend the ceremony. Cocker spaniels were such a passion for my grandmother-- she would be honored to be recognized by ASC.
In a way, it was Gladys Taber's love of cockers that led to her finding and purchasing Stillmeadow Farm-- the 1700s farmstead in Connecticut that would open up a new chapter in her professional life as a writer: inspiring her to write over 30 popular books and columns celebrating life in the countryside of New England. Prior to finding Stillmeadow, my grandparents' small apartment in New York City was a tight fit for a growing family of human (my mother) and cocker youngsters-- all competing for time outdoors in the neighborhood park. Moving to Connecticut made it easier for Gladys to show the dogs… as well as easier to add to the happy, rollicking spaniel pack. Ultimately, Gladys and her cocker-loving friend Eleanor ("Jill" in the books) co-founded the Stillmeadow Kennel, working with some of the best breeders of the time. My grandmother also wrote several books and articles about her life with Cockers, hoping both to promote the breed and to encourage responsible care of these charming, but sometimes mischievous dogs.
Of course, the Stillmeadow Kennel project never survived financially-- since Gram refused to sell puppies to anyone she didn't like, and would deeply discount a sale to anyone she did! But the dogs remain a cherished part of the story of Stillmeadow and are still alive in our memories. Some day, when I can negotiate with my two wonderful but dog-hating cats, we would love to have cockers again at the farm.
In memory of my grandmother and on behalf of my family-- my mother Constance Taber Colby and my sister Alice-- I want to thank the American Spaniel Club for adding Gladys Taber to the Hall of Fame. And happy New Year to you all-- and to your spaniel friends as well!
Best regards- Anne Colby, granddaughter |
Hall Of Fame
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