It's time once again for the Oregon Ferret Association Ferret Fun Match! August 10, 1997 marks the eleventh annual Fun Match hosted by the Oregon Ferret Association. The event will be held in Oregon City at Clackamette Park beginning at 10am. Profits from the Fun Match help support the Oregon Ferret Shelter. The shelter uses this money to improve living conditions for the many inhabitants. Last year, 33 large new cages were purchased with the profits. This year we hope to raise enough money to buy stands for the cages and an accurate scale, among other items. For complete rules, to learn more about the events, or to register, please visit our web site at: http://www.teleport.com/~leonard/ofa/ofa.html. A highlight again this year will be Jeanne Carley, director of Californians for Ferret Legalization and nationally renowned photographer for "The Ferret Calendar". Jeanne will conduct a brief seminar on photography and bring us up to date on the California legalization effort. Jeanne will also be judging the Photo Contest and will have her 1998 Ferret Calendar, note cards, and T-shirts for sale. The world famous OFA quilt, hand-crafted by Sandy Streit and her elves, will be raffled at 3:30. You do not have to be present to buy tickets for the quilt. Our goal is to raise $1000 for the shelter from ticket sales for the quilt. Other events include the popular Health Care Booth where Portland area veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians, and volunteers conduct a brief exam on ferrets, clip nails, clean ears, and check for ear mites. The vets also refer owners to their vet if a problem is detected. Games include the Costume contest, Cup Tip Over, Heaviest and lightest ferrets, Photography Contest, Bag Bust Out, Best Trick, Leash Walk, Best Appointed Cage, Tug of War, Purse Pilfering, Tube Races, and Longest tail. There will be some impromptu games including Pin the tail on the Weasel for the kids, "What Color Am I?", "Photos by Me" (a prop is set up and people can take their own photos), a ferret wading pool to keep our fuzzies cool, and a maze for the ferrets to race through. Hundreds of great items donated by businesses and individuals from around the country will be raffled throughout the day. We've added a Silent Auction this year for items that may not appeal to all ferret owners or are unique. These items include a Seattle Seahawks team autographed football (value approximately $150.00), a coffee-table book "Football in America" autographed by Seattle Seahawk coach Dennis Erickson (value approximately $100.00), a six month Internet account with WorldAccess, and precious items from Stichen de Fret, the ferret club in the Netherlands. In addition, we will have a complete cage setup in the auction. The cage has a loft bedroom for the more private moments in a ferrets life. Note that pre-registration materials must be postmarked by July 21st to receive a packet at the Fun Match or you may register the day of the event. For ferrets to attend the Fun Match, they MUST be current on Canine Distemper vaccinations! Non-OFA members must be present to participate in the raffle. You must be present to participate in the silent auction. Registration fee is $5.00 per family and $0.50 per event per entrant. If you have questions, you may email me directly at [log in to unmask] or send mail through our web site. -Carla Almaraz Oregon Ferret Association Fun Match Coordinator [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2004]