When opportunity knocks, go to the Door.
Door County Wisconsin that is!
June 20-21, 2015

It occurred to us, after returning from the Wisconsin Alpaca Fiber Festival in Wisconsin that far too many Alpaca breeders rely on something other than Herd improvement tools to advance in the industry.   Luck certainly plays a role - a very small role.  Budget plays a larger role for most of us, but how many breeders truly look at the scientific tools and herd evaluation techniques to improve their herds every year?  Guaranteed - the breeders that enjoy success at public auction, Halter and Fleece shows, with increased fiber quality and production, with less work in the breeding and birthing barn -  do!

*Congratulations to Applewood Lane Alpacas with their success under Amanda VandenBosch:
  • Judge's Choice & Champion Fawn Huacaya Male - Snowmass Hero of Time
  • Champion & 1st Place Light Huacaya Female - Applewood Lane Jayden
  • 1st Place Juvenile MB Huacaya Male - Chocolate Celebration of AWL
  • 1st Place Yearling White Huacaya Male - Applewood Lane Atlas
  • 2nd Place Juvenile Light Suri Male - Applewood lane Murphy 
Bluff Breeze Farm Alpacas enjoyed success as well:
  • Champion & 1st Place White Suri Female - BBFAI Drama Queen
  • Reserve Champion & 2nd Place Brown Suri Female - BBFAI Surprise Party
  • 1st Place Juvenile Fawn Suri Female - BBFAI River Rose
  • 2nd Place Breeder's Best Three - Drama Queen, Viva O'le, Surprise Party
  RSVP deadlines are fast approaching.  We are looking forward to seeing you at our inaugural Alpaca educational and fun-filled weekend event at The Lodge at Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin.

Classes are still open with Judge David and Brenda Barboza through their own company, ACE - Alpaca Continuing Education , which provides cutting edge education for the Alpaca breeder.

We have unlimited room for Unique Vendors for outdoor space and limited indoor spaces is available as well. 
 
If you are an Alpaca breeder or fiber enthusiast, this is perfect for you.  It's a vacation and education all rolled up in one!  Bring the family and enjoy Father's Day and the beginning of Summer at "the Door".
 

The Lodge at Leathem Smith

1640 Memorial Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

920.743.5555

 www.thelodgeatls.com 

Standard Rooms:  Main Lodge $150/night, Fisherman's Village $100/night.   

Suites and special rooms are also available for an up-charge.

 

Rooms are blocked until May 15th.  Reference "Opportunity at the Door" Alpaca Event for the best rates. Make reservations early, they promise to fill up quickly.

David's Class   $95

"Building a successful Alpaca Breeding program using Herd Assessment and Evaluation"                                                   

Spend a full-day with AOBA Certified Alpaca Judge David. In this course breeders will learn how to develop and use an assessment program to score and catalog their herd. Hands-on practice will refine the skills needed to successfully evaluate Alpacas (whether Suri or Huacaya) and score them using a proven system that provides quantifiable results. Herd goals will be discussed to refine the direction and scope of your breeding program. Innovative techniques such as EPDs will be incorporated into the course so breeders are prepared to use all tools available today. Lunch included.   

Brenda's Class    $95
"Wet Felting hands-on NuNo Felted Silk Scarf Project"                 

Brenda is the instructor of this fun and exciting hands-on fiber arts class.  In this full-day class, you will acquire skills to complete a beautiful and unique silk/chiffon scarf using "wet felting" techniques.  Previous felting experience is not required.  But, expect some physical work in rolling the scarves.  So, rest up your arms!  Due to work space requirements, class size is limited to ~10 on a first come, first served basis.  If the Saturday class fills, Brenda will hold an overflow class again on Sunday.  All necessary materials are included in the class fee.  You will choose your luxurious quality scarf from an array of gorgeous colors and have access to roving and tools needed in the felting  process.  At the end of the day, you will take home a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art for yourself or a special friend.  Lunch included.

Please fill out completely & mail checks to:
Bluff Breeze Farm 
6842 - 338th Street Way, Cannon Falls, MN 55009
(we accept most credit cards via Square)
Schedule is subject to change.  After all it IS a vacation too!

FUN THINGS TO DO AT THE DOOR  

 

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY and spend a few extra days, before and after our event, enjoying the plethora of activities that Door County offers. Make a "real" vacation out of it with unsurpassed fishing, shopping, dining, swimming, hiking and biking Peninsula parks, visiting vineyards and wineries, golfing and mini-golfing - for those less brave, outdoor plays or a movie, as well as endless sand beaches and water activities. The whole peninsula is super pet-friendly, including Leathem Smith with prearrangement.
KIDS STUFF The Boys and Girls Club of Door County will be providing  entertainment for the kids.  Alpacas, games, face-painting and more.  Kids, bring your Dads to "Father's Day" at The Lode at Leathem Smith.  
SHOP Craftsmen and Artisans will be on-site for the entire weekend for a very unique shopping experience. Vendors are located outside on the grounds and inside the air-conditioned Ballroom for your shopping pleasure. We have invited some very talented folks that have available Alpaca and other Fiber Products, Artwork, Jewelry, Candles, Soaps, and Crafts in a wide variety of medium. There will be many surprises as well.
TASTE Nueske's Meats and the Chefs at Leathem Smith have teamed up to present an interesting array of savory foods prepared especially for this weekend.  They will have a bunch of different booths, each featuring some of the most flavorful and unusual treats imaginable.  Can you say, until now, that you have actually had chocolate covered bacon?  It was so popular at the Minnesota State Fair that the Vendor sold out!
DINE in quaint towns up and down the Peninsula.  On Saturday night, we have a special treat for dinner.  Leathem Smith's restaurants will be open for business as usual, but you are welcome to join us at their Mahalo Beach Club Tiki Bar for a mouth-watering menu by Nueske's Meats and Leathem Smith.  $25/person  If we get lucky, our salmon charters will bring us fresh fish to add to the menu as well!   
FISHING Fishing Lake Michigan is like being on an unsalted ocean with NO sharks!  Call Rick 612-308-6374 to arrange salmon fishing with one of his Charter Captain friends.  Morning and afternoon trips are available.  We are counting on you to bring us salmon for the Saturday night feast!

10% of the Vendor Space proceeds will be donated to local charities.  We chose The Boys and Girls Club of Door County and Leathem Smith's special annual project Wounded Hero Fishing Excursion.

We all look forward to seeing you starting Friday evening June 19th at the Meet 'n' Greet, Classes, Shopping and Dinner on Saturday June 20th, and getting to know more about Alpacas before we wind up on Sunday June 21st.
  
           Connie & Rick Bodeker                           Darlene & Justin Nueske
                              
 www.bluffbreezefarm.com                    www.applewoodlanealpacas.com