Kerri Johnson and her daughter, Morgan. (Photo contributed by Kerri)
Early Years - the Great Lakes Breyer Registry
The Great Lakes Breyer Registry began as a club for photo showing with horses receiving registration numbers that were used to tabulate points for their placings at live and photo shows (all recorded faithfully by Kerri). Year end awards were given out for the horses earning the highest number of points each show season.
Through some ads in Breyer’s magazine, Just About Horses, Kerri came to the attention of Marney Walerius. Marney enjoyed mentoring new hobbyists, and took Kerri under her wing. As a result, a strong friendship grew up between the two. They corresponded through phone calls and mail, and even visited one another. Marney allowed a very young Kerri to judge at Model Horse Congress, and Kerri remembers that Marney took some heat over that from some of the showers who were in attendance that year. Marney, though, stood by her decision to allow Kerri to judge and as a result, Great Lakes Congress’s youth mentoring programs are an acknowledgment by Kerri to her dear friend.
In 1987, Marney helped Kerri and her best friend, Tawney Denn (Tricia Steinmetz), plan the very first GLBR live show. The show was a success and Kerri began holding it annually, first at her church in St. Charles, and then, from 1991 to 1995, in Dekalb, Illinois on the campus of Northern Illinois University which Kerri was attending as a student.
The Great Lakes Breyer Registry began as a club for photo showing with horses receiving registration numbers that were used to tabulate points for their placings at live and photo shows (all recorded faithfully by Kerri). Year end awards were given out for the horses earning the highest number of points each show season.
Through some ads in Breyer’s magazine, Just About Horses, Kerri came to the attention of Marney Walerius. Marney enjoyed mentoring new hobbyists, and took Kerri under her wing. As a result, a strong friendship grew up between the two. They corresponded through phone calls and mail, and even visited one another. Marney allowed a very young Kerri to judge at Model Horse Congress, and Kerri remembers that Marney took some heat over that from some of the showers who were in attendance that year. Marney, though, stood by her decision to allow Kerri to judge and as a result, Great Lakes Congress’s youth mentoring programs are an acknowledgment by Kerri to her dear friend.
In 1987, Marney helped Kerri and her best friend, Tawney Denn (Tricia Steinmetz), plan the very first GLBR live show. The show was a success and Kerri began holding it annually, first at her church in St. Charles, and then, from 1991 to 1995, in Dekalb, Illinois on the campus of Northern Illinois University which Kerri was attending as a student.
Early GLBRA (above) and GLC ribbons (below.)
In addition to the location change, it was sometime during the mid 1990s that Kerri changed the name of the club to Great Lakes Congress. This allowed the new Stone horses to be included in the club’s activities and the word “Congress” was another nod from Kerri to Marney in recognition of her earlier guidance.
Upon graduation from college, the shows were moved back to Kerri’s church in St. Charles, and then, as the number of entrants grew, to the school where Kerri was teaching. The show soon outgrew the school, too, so in 2000 GLC was moved to the Bolingbrook Holiday Inn. It also became a two day show to handle the multitude of classes offered.
2003 brought some changes to the nearly twenty year old show. Due to rising interest in the club and attendance at the show, Liz Cory found another venue: the Marriott in Hoffman Estates. By this time, people were coming from beyond the Chicago metro area and the surrounding states, with some traveling all the way from Texas, Canada, and California!
Upon graduation from college, the shows were moved back to Kerri’s church in St. Charles, and then, as the number of entrants grew, to the school where Kerri was teaching. The show soon outgrew the school, too, so in 2000 GLC was moved to the Bolingbrook Holiday Inn. It also became a two day show to handle the multitude of classes offered.
2003 brought some changes to the nearly twenty year old show. Due to rising interest in the club and attendance at the show, Liz Cory found another venue: the Marriott in Hoffman Estates. By this time, people were coming from beyond the Chicago metro area and the surrounding states, with some traveling all the way from Texas, Canada, and California!
Lisa Esping and Melanie Nelson in 1988. (Photo by Great Lakes Congress.)
The show’s format was changed yet again in 2004 when GLC became a three day show. Sande Schneider recalls that the two and three day shows “...were exhausting, but the fellowship at those shows was phenomenal.” At this point, the GLC show was on the same scale and scope of NAN, but run by far fewer people. “There were hundreds of classes and many divisions, run by a handful of people,” commented Kerri.
Later Years - Great Lakes Congress
The club just kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally, the decision was made to incorporate, so in 2004 and with the help of Liz Isham Cory, a strong supporter of Great Lakes Congress for many years, the club was incorporated. Liz says about that time,
“We incorporated to create an educational not-for-profit that was designed to bring kids into the hobby by teaching kids about horses and horsemanship using model horses. We incorporated to reduce our personal and tax liability as a board, and to create a separate, legal entity that would outlast any one individual and hopefully continue for many, many years. To my knowledge, NAMHSA and GLC are the only two such organizations within the hobby.”
In 2006, GLC held a Breyer Bonanza show in Huntley, the current location of GLC shows, and one final Great Lakes Congress live show was held on April 6, 2008 at Kerri’s school. Since then, the shows have been located at the Huntley location and follow the No Frills format.
The No Frills Series
The club just kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally, the decision was made to incorporate, so in 2004 and with the help of Liz Isham Cory, a strong supporter of Great Lakes Congress for many years, the club was incorporated. Liz says about that time,
“We incorporated to create an educational not-for-profit that was designed to bring kids into the hobby by teaching kids about horses and horsemanship using model horses. We incorporated to reduce our personal and tax liability as a board, and to create a separate, legal entity that would outlast any one individual and hopefully continue for many, many years. To my knowledge, NAMHSA and GLC are the only two such organizations within the hobby.”
In 2006, GLC held a Breyer Bonanza show in Huntley, the current location of GLC shows, and one final Great Lakes Congress live show was held on April 6, 2008 at Kerri’s school. Since then, the shows have been located at the Huntley location and follow the No Frills format.
An undated photo of GLBR. (Contributed by Liz Cory.)
The No Frills Series
After the 2005 GLC show, the club was left with an unexpected hotel bill of $1200. The board had to raise membership fees and then decided to make the No Frills shows, shows that had been held a couple of times a year by the club, their official, regularly scheduled show series. Held six times a year or so, the No Frills shows not only raised enough money to pay off that hotel bill, but they were also extremely popular.
Much easier to plan and execute, these smaller shows were more manageable for volunteers with the added bonus of providing hobbyists more frequent opportunities to gather together with each other. And, as Liz Cory points out, GLC is not just about the shows. There are vendors at the shows, swap meets, educational seminars, and other get togethers, too.
2001 GLC Show, Bolingbrook, IL. Standing left to right: Mary Anselmo, unknown, Melanie Nelson, Cindy Ellis, Heather McCurdy, Carolyn Bailey, Sande Schneider. Seated: Tawny Koziol, Eileen Hayman, Nanci Pulver Thompson, Lisa Esping (kneeling), Chris Wallbruch, unknown, and Kerri Johnson. (Photo courtesy Sande Schneider.)
Having said that, there was some experimentation as GLC worked to follow its mission of education about horses via the model horse hobby. Sande Schneider remembers shows
Much easier to plan and execute, these smaller shows were more manageable for volunteers with the added bonus of providing hobbyists more frequent opportunities to gather together with each other. And, as Liz Cory points out, GLC is not just about the shows. There are vendors at the shows, swap meets, educational seminars, and other get togethers, too.
Having said that, there was some experimentation as GLC worked to follow its mission of education about horses via the model horse hobby. Sande Schneider remembers shows
hosted by Sandy Bloom in 2007 and 2008 in the Peoria area, with those shows having ties to GLC. Jamie Rott shared, “These shows were loosely affiliated with GLC... the club did not do any of the planning nor did we receive any of the proceeds. It was a marketing experiment to increase our outreach... I don’t remember them being called GLC shows. They were held in Tremont and were always in November.”
Now incorporated and with a longstanding reputation as an excellent show, GLC had become a hobby staple. Its shows were on many hobbyists’ annual calendars when they planned out their show seasons, and had become must-attend shows for many people.
But it was getting to be too much for Kerri, now married, and with two children and a full time teaching position. In Kerri’s opinion, it was time to hand the reins of GLC to someone else. Kerri said, “I had a Hamilton moment. In the musical, George Washington realizes that he could have been president repeatedly, but he knew that he needed to help the nation move on so that it could continue and outlive him.”
And so it was for Kerri. She felt badly stepping aside, but she also felt that it was for the good of the club itself. She pointed out that, when she left, people stepped up with new ideas, ideas that would keep the club running for many more years. Her beloved club continued on.
Jamie Rott, Kerri Johnson, Chris Walbruch, and Lisa Esping at a GLC show in Huntley, IL. (Photo contributed by Kerri Johnson)
Kerri was correct in thinking that people would step up and run the club without her. “GLBR/GLC has been fortunate in that it has had willing volunteers to staff it over the years. Some volunteers have faded away but others stepped up to take their places,”
Now incorporated and with a longstanding reputation as an excellent show, GLC had become a hobby staple. Its shows were on many hobbyists’ annual calendars when they planned out their show seasons, and had become must-attend shows for many people.
But it was getting to be too much for Kerri, now married, and with two children and a full time teaching position. In Kerri’s opinion, it was time to hand the reins of GLC to someone else. Kerri said, “I had a Hamilton moment. In the musical, George Washington realizes that he could have been president repeatedly, but he knew that he needed to help the nation move on so that it could continue and outlive him.”
And so it was for Kerri. She felt badly stepping aside, but she also felt that it was for the good of the club itself. She pointed out that, when she left, people stepped up with new ideas, ideas that would keep the club running for many more years. Her beloved club continued on.
Kerri was correct in thinking that people would step up and run the club without her. “GLBR/GLC has been fortunate in that it has had willing volunteers to staff it over the years. Some volunteers have faded away but others stepped up to take their places,”
recalls Sande Schneider. Volunteers such as Lisa Esping edited and published a regional newsletter for the club, while people of the caliber of Heather McCurdy, Chris Walbruch, Stefanie Bodamer, Liz LaRose, and Tiffany Purdy became frequent judges at the No Frills shows. Behind the scenes, Yvonne Rott and Sam Cory came to every No Fills show, working at the show table recording results and doing set up/take down. And these folks were just the tip of the volunteer iceberg!
“I started going to BreyerFest, where I used my video background to help anchor and create videos of the event, and locally, I started visiting the GLC annual shows as an observer. I became very involved with Bentley Sales as an assistant at their vendor shows, and I eventually started vending the Bentley product at the GLC shows. Kerri wooed me into the fold by encouraging me to join the board. I’ve been with the organization ever since, and it has truly become a part of me.”
Liz and her husband, Sam Cory, set up and tear down all the No Frills shows. She is always looking for ways to improve the club as well as the mentoring of new and young showers.
Jamie Rott
Despite a busy life as a civil engineer with a husband and daughter at home, Jamie is a dedicated leader of the club. After occasionally showing at the GLBR/GLC shows, she was introduced to the club by Ellen Vogel. She attended one meeting and that began her official involvement as a volunteer.
Others Who Have Helped GLBR and GLC Flourish
Liz Isham Cory
Liz has played a pivotal leadership role in keeping the club robust and the continued growth of its shows. A former editor for Breyer’s Just About Horses, she started collecting in 1962 and joined the fledgling hobby in 1967. A participant as well as a committee member for Marney’s Congress, Liz brought that experience with her to Great Lakes Congress and has been invaluable to the club. In fact, Kerri Johnson calls Liz “the pillar of GLC.”
Liz was invited to share how she came to become such an integral part of GLC. She responded, “I was brought in as treasurer in 2003. I have been treasurer and a member of the board since. I became the Registered Agent several years ago.
“I left the hobby to build my career in television and radio news in the 1980s. I married in 1986, and, after the illness and death of my first husband, I returned to the hobby in 1991. There was so much emptiness in so many parts of my life at that time, and I remember feeling so happy to experience that familiar, fond feeling, of being a part of something fun and positive again.
Liz Isham Cory
Liz has played a pivotal leadership role in keeping the club robust and the continued growth of its shows. A former editor for Breyer’s Just About Horses, she started collecting in 1962 and joined the fledgling hobby in 1967. A participant as well as a committee member for Marney’s Congress, Liz brought that experience with her to Great Lakes Congress and has been invaluable to the club. In fact, Kerri Johnson calls Liz “the pillar of GLC.”
(Photo contributed by Liz Cory.)
“I left the hobby to build my career in television and radio news in the 1980s. I married in 1986, and, after the illness and death of my first husband, I returned to the hobby in 1991. There was so much emptiness in so many parts of my life at that time, and I remember feeling so happy to experience that familiar, fond feeling, of being a part of something fun and positive again.
“I started going to BreyerFest, where I used my video background to help anchor and create videos of the event, and locally, I started visiting the GLC annual shows as an observer. I became very involved with Bentley Sales as an assistant at their vendor shows, and I eventually started vending the Bentley product at the GLC shows. Kerri wooed me into the fold by encouraging me to join the board. I’ve been with the organization ever since, and it has truly become a part of me.”
Liz and her husband, Sam Cory, set up and tear down all the No Frills shows. She is always looking for ways to improve the club as well as the mentoring of new and young showers.
Jamie Rott
Despite a busy life as a civil engineer with a husband and daughter at home, Jamie is a dedicated leader of the club. After occasionally showing at the GLBR/GLC shows, she was introduced to the club by Ellen Vogel. She attended one meeting and that began her official involvement as a volunteer.
Jamie Rott and her mother, Yvonne Rott (Photo courtesy of Jamie Rott.)
In 2006 Jamie became the secretary of Great Lakes Congress and then in 2007, president, a position she still holds twelve years later! Jamie deflects any accolades about her contributions to the club, instead giving credit to other volunteers, but she, too, is a pivotal leader.
Two of Jamie’s focuses are the educational/mentoring aspect of GLC and then making sure that the No Frills shows are friendly and welcoming. Liz Cory says of her, “Jamie also works very hard with the class list, creating specialty shows, and introducing pot lucks and other fun ways to bring people together.”
Jamie says, “Our shows are constantly changing and upgrading which is a product of the board members and their dedication to making the GLC series the best in the area! I don’t think many people realize how special our show series truly is. There is no other organization or group that has the longevity that GLC has and it’s difficult to find another region that offers so many shows per year! Every person that has volunteered has brought something special to the club and has played a role in keeping GLC living.”
Jamie is almost always accompanied to No Frills shows by her mother, Yvonne Rott. Like Liz and Jamie, she sits behind the show table and helps things run smoothly. A collector herself, Yvonne leaves her models at home so that she can pitch in and help out. The two are a sort of “dynamic duo” and provide support not only for the club at large, but for the showers as well.
Stu and Arlene Bentley
Stu and Arlene Bentley, owners of Bentley Sales Company, were a major distributor of Breyer model horses, especially in the early days of the hobby. Stu’s father (Stu Sr.) had worked with Sam Stone, Peter Stone’s father and owner of the Breyer Molding Company. Stu Sr. founded Bentley Sales, and when he retired, passed the company on to his son Stu Jr. and Stu’s wife, Arlene. For many, many years, their company was the go-to source when buying model horses. The Bentleys were easy to work with, fast, and had a wide variety of not only regular run model horses, but special runs, as well.
Both Kerri and Liz were adamant that the support that Stu and Arlene Bentley provided GLC was very important to the club. According to Kerri, “The Bentleys were huge supporters and have always been so. In every stage of the club, Stu and Arlene were very supportive, donating boxes of stuff for raffles and auctions or giveaways. They always came to the show and GLC might not have gotten as far as it did without their support. They were always asking, ‘What do you need? What can we do for you?’”
Two of Jamie’s focuses are the educational/mentoring aspect of GLC and then making sure that the No Frills shows are friendly and welcoming. Liz Cory says of her, “Jamie also works very hard with the class list, creating specialty shows, and introducing pot lucks and other fun ways to bring people together.”
Jamie says, “Our shows are constantly changing and upgrading which is a product of the board members and their dedication to making the GLC series the best in the area! I don’t think many people realize how special our show series truly is. There is no other organization or group that has the longevity that GLC has and it’s difficult to find another region that offers so many shows per year! Every person that has volunteered has brought something special to the club and has played a role in keeping GLC living.”
Jamie is almost always accompanied to No Frills shows by her mother, Yvonne Rott. Like Liz and Jamie, she sits behind the show table and helps things run smoothly. A collector herself, Yvonne leaves her models at home so that she can pitch in and help out. The two are a sort of “dynamic duo” and provide support not only for the club at large, but for the showers as well.
Stu and Arlene Bentley
Stu and Arlene Bentley, owners of Bentley Sales Company, were a major distributor of Breyer model horses, especially in the early days of the hobby. Stu’s father (Stu Sr.) had worked with Sam Stone, Peter Stone’s father and owner of the Breyer Molding Company. Stu Sr. founded Bentley Sales, and when he retired, passed the company on to his son Stu Jr. and Stu’s wife, Arlene. For many, many years, their company was the go-to source when buying model horses. The Bentleys were easy to work with, fast, and had a wide variety of not only regular run model horses, but special runs, as well.
(Photo of Stu and Arlene Bentley courtesy of Sande Schneider.)
Liz Cory and other club members agree that the Bentleys’ strong support helped the club in all aspects of its focus. Sadly, Arlene Bentley passed away in the fall of 2018.
Why Great Lakes Congress Works
Many model clubs and shows have come and gone since the hobby first began to formalize in the late 1960s. But why is Great Lakes Congress still in existence today? What has contributed to its longevity? Club leaders, past and present say that it is twofold - first, the club’s purpose, and second, what people experience through club activities.
The Education Focus
When the club was incorporated, it was as an educational not-for-profit organization. Board members deliberately focused on bringing kids and youth into the hobby, using model horses to teach them about horses and horsemanship. Kerri remarked, “GLC is different from other hobby organizations in that it actively tries to help the hobby grow by education and other means and encouraging young people to come join the hobby through fun events.”
The fun events that Kerri mentions include youth divisions at the No Frills shows, fun classes such as Anything Goes where carpet herd horses can be shown and even win a ribbon, older hobbyists who agree to teach seminars to the younger crowd, and a warm welcome when the youth come to the shows. There is an openness to the kids and youth that is refreshing and differs from many other live shows.
Often Liz Cory is approached by the mothers of the youth who are participating in GLC. She shares, “As more than one mother has told me, ‘Thank you for creating such a positive atmosphere for kids.’ GLC was created to model and share the values of good sportsmanship, goal-setting, and education. We like one another and we enjoy being together. We are welcoming of all who come to our shows, and we enjoy meeting and visiting with new people. Personally, I am so pleased to see children, who may have special needs, enjoying our shows with us. In our community, we all are the same, and we all share the same love of horses.”
Many model clubs and shows have come and gone since the hobby first began to formalize in the late 1960s. But why is Great Lakes Congress still in existence today? What has contributed to its longevity? Club leaders, past and present say that it is twofold - first, the club’s purpose, and second, what people experience through club activities.
The Education Focus
When the club was incorporated, it was as an educational not-for-profit organization. Board members deliberately focused on bringing kids and youth into the hobby, using model horses to teach them about horses and horsemanship. Kerri remarked, “GLC is different from other hobby organizations in that it actively tries to help the hobby grow by education and other means and encouraging young people to come join the hobby through fun events.”
The fun events that Kerri mentions include youth divisions at the No Frills shows, fun classes such as Anything Goes where carpet herd horses can be shown and even win a ribbon, older hobbyists who agree to teach seminars to the younger crowd, and a warm welcome when the youth come to the shows. There is an openness to the kids and youth that is refreshing and differs from many other live shows.
Often Liz Cory is approached by the mothers of the youth who are participating in GLC. She shares, “As more than one mother has told me, ‘Thank you for creating such a positive atmosphere for kids.’ GLC was created to model and share the values of good sportsmanship, goal-setting, and education. We like one another and we enjoy being together. We are welcoming of all who come to our shows, and we enjoy meeting and visiting with new people. Personally, I am so pleased to see children, who may have special needs, enjoying our shows with us. In our community, we all are the same, and we all share the same love of horses.”
(Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Congress.)
This welcoming aspect goes hand in hand with the focus on education. Kerri continues, “We want to share what we know. If you don’t teach the children and have new people coming in, you don’t continue. The end in mind is to bring new people into the hobby.”
Heather McCurdy added some more information as to how the club’s mission to educate has been implemented and changed over time. “GLC had three divisions at one time, and you had to pass one to get to the next. They were Youth, Junior, and Adult or Open at first, and then it became two divisions - 18 and under, and 18 and over. Once a shower won a championship, they had to move on to the next division. GLC still has a youth division to this day.”
Including all who want to come and then providing activities designed to teach about horses and horsemanship has directly contributed to the success of the club.
Heather McCurdy added some more information as to how the club’s mission to educate has been implemented and changed over time. “GLC had three divisions at one time, and you had to pass one to get to the next. They were Youth, Junior, and Adult or Open at first, and then it became two divisions - 18 and under, and 18 and over. Once a shower won a championship, they had to move on to the next division. GLC still has a youth division to this day.”
Including all who want to come and then providing activities designed to teach about horses and horsemanship has directly contributed to the success of the club.
The Experience at Great Lakes Congress Events
Who wouldn’t want to attend a show or event that is fun, chock full of friendly, welcoming people, is well run, and always ends on time? That describes GLC activities to a T.
Jamie Rott was able to articulate her thoughts quite succinctly about the GLC experience, getting to the very heart of the its purpose. “Another great aspect of our shows is that our members are family. We support each other!” If you have been to a Great Lakes Congress show, then you have seen this in action.
GLC hit a bump in late 2018 that brought out the best of club members. Liz Cory explains, “On November 30, 2018, our venue surprised us by levying a 75% increase in room rent at the last minute. Again, our members are rallying and supporting GLC, despite the increased cost to attend our shows (which cover our room rent). It was so painful and scary to have to share that news at our December 1, 2018 Holiday Party show, but as soon as we announced the rate increase, people started signing up for the shows. It truly was a George Bailey (It’s a Wonderful Life) moment!
Who wouldn’t want to attend a show or event that is fun, chock full of friendly, welcoming people, is well run, and always ends on time? That describes GLC activities to a T.
Jamie Rott was able to articulate her thoughts quite succinctly about the GLC experience, getting to the very heart of the its purpose. “Another great aspect of our shows is that our members are family. We support each other!” If you have been to a Great Lakes Congress show, then you have seen this in action.
Ardith Hillyer, Nancy Falzone, and Donna Conners (Photo by Great Lakes Congress.)
“Personally, I like our shows. I like the feeling of welcoming old friends and making new friends. I like seeing the horses, and I enjoy learning new things about them. I like creating an atmosphere where we all can come together and enjoy each other. To me, a show is so much more than competition. It’s always fun to win, but it’s even more fun to see your friends and enjoy the day.”
Liz LaRose, Chris Walbruch, Tiffany Purdy, and Marilou Mol (Photo by Great Lakes Congress.)
These recurring themes of friendship, education, mentoring, and fun have become hallmarks of Great Lakes Congress and without doubt, are a huge part of its success and longevity.
The annual holiday show, one of Jamie Rott’s ideas, is a standout memory for many members. Not only are you showing with your friends and having fun, but everyone brings a pot luck dish to share for lunch! As Jamie says, “The holiday show that we have is especially remarkable! It is a fun time of year and everyone is in great spirits.”
A more recent memory was made at the October, 2018 No Frills show. Liz Cory explains, “I think one of our most remarkable shows was last October, when we lost power due to a storm, and our judges soldiered on, using lanterns provided by the park district and their own cell phone flashlights. It was “GLC in the Dark” and perfect for Halloween!!”
Sande Schneider has many fond memories of Great Lakes Congress activities. And she should; she has attended 72 GLBR/GLC shows! She went to her first show as an observer in June, 1989 and then came back to compete in June, 1991. Sande also judged the show between 2003 and 2009, and served as secretary when the club was first incorporated.
These recurring themes of friendship, education, mentoring, and fun have become hallmarks of Great Lakes Congress and without doubt, are a huge part of its success and longevity.
Memories
When asked what some of the most memorable Great Lakes Congress shows and events were, a Pandora’s box was opened. The two most often mentioned were GLC’s appearance on the TV show, Wild Chicago, and the tornado warning that cleared the show hall.
When asked what some of the most memorable Great Lakes Congress shows and events were, a Pandora’s box was opened. The two most often mentioned were GLC’s appearance on the TV show, Wild Chicago, and the tornado warning that cleared the show hall.
First, Wild Chicago. A weekly PBS television show, Wild Chicago highlighted the quirkier aspects of life in Chicago, going to unusual events and interviewing attendees and filming the action. Great Lakes Congress made the quirkiness cut! During the mid 1990s, producers for the show dropped by a GLC show and filmed a segment to be aired on television. Kerri Johnson and others were interviewed, and the show was later broadcast to all the Chicago metro area. Later, a Wild Chicago book was produced and it included a chapter on GLC. (An archive of Wild Chicago episodes can be found at this link with Great Lakes Congress listed under “Groups.” https://www.spudart.org/blog/ wild-chicago-archives/#groups)
(Photo from GLC Archives.)
Several people remember the tornado warning that occurred during the Dekalb years when the show was held at Northern Illinois University. Heather McCurdy recalls that the show came to a halt when the sirens began blaring and all the participants had to go downstairs to take shelter in a bowling alley that was in the basement of the building! How difficult it must have been to go, knowing that you were leaving your beloved (and valuable) models behind while a tornado was approaching!
Heather also proudly shared that a GLC show was her very first live show ever. No doubt she is joined by many for whom GLC was their first show experience.
The annual holiday show, one of Jamie Rott’s ideas, is a standout memory for many members. Not only are you showing with your friends and having fun, but everyone brings a pot luck dish to share for lunch! As Jamie says, “The holiday show that we have is especially remarkable! It is a fun time of year and everyone is in great spirits.”
The 2018 Holiday Show (Photo by Great Lakes Congress)
Sande Schneider has many fond memories of Great Lakes Congress activities. And she should; she has attended 72 GLBR/GLC shows! She went to her first show as an observer in June, 1989 and then came back to compete in June, 1991. Sande also judged the show between 2003 and 2009, and served as secretary when the club was first incorporated.
She also remembers that GLC was able to arrange exclusive special run models from Stone Horses and other companies, with those models also being used for a special performance challenge class.
What Lies Ahead for Great Lakes Congress?
During the years since Great Lakes Congress’s inception, many things have changed in the model horse hobby. The internet has helped to streamline and facilitate hobby activities and hobbyists are closer and more in touch than ever, despite our varying geographical locations.
Great Lakes Congress has changed over time, too, and will certainly continue to do so. But despite the passage of thirty-five years, and with the help of dedicated volunteers, the club has remained true to its focus to educate and to have fun in a welcoming, accepting manner. As Kerri put it, “GLC celebrates what hobbyists do well, what their contribution is, and what they want to collect or do.”
And that, folks, is why Great Lakes Congress is the longest lasting model horse club and show series in the world. Congratulations on such a milestone, and happy thirty-fifth anniversary, Great Lakes Congress!
Many thanks to Kerri Johnson, Liz Cory, Jamie Rott, Sande Schneider, Heather McCurdy, and Lisa Esping for answering my questions and sharing their memories, photos, and knowledge about the Great Lakes Breyer Registry/Great Lakes Congress. Thank you, too, to Vanessa Isenbarger of Pearl Photo and Design for designing the 35th anniversary logo. Finally, much appreciation goes to Cristine Holt for proofreading the document.
What Lies Ahead for Great Lakes Congress?
During the years since Great Lakes Congress’s inception, many things have changed in the model horse hobby. The internet has helped to streamline and facilitate hobby activities and hobbyists are closer and more in touch than ever, despite our varying geographical locations.
Great Lakes Congress has changed over time, too, and will certainly continue to do so. But despite the passage of thirty-five years, and with the help of dedicated volunteers, the club has remained true to its focus to educate and to have fun in a welcoming, accepting manner. As Kerri put it, “GLC celebrates what hobbyists do well, what their contribution is, and what they want to collect or do.”
And that, folks, is why Great Lakes Congress is the longest lasting model horse club and show series in the world. Congratulations on such a milestone, and happy thirty-fifth anniversary, Great Lakes Congress!
~ Lynn Isenbarger
February, 2019
