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SUPPORTING BREED EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

THROUGH PHILANTHROPY

Epagneul Breton Foundation honors Norman Pope

llaThe Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc. has received a number of financial donations in honor of former Foundation Trustee Norman Pope for his generous contributions to the Foundation, to the CEB-US, and the greater Epagneul Breton community. Mr. Pope will be listed in perpetuity as a distinguished honoree on the Wall of Honor found on the Foundation Web Site. Norman and Judy Pope joined the CEB-US in the late 1990’s when Norman served for a brief time as club treasurer. He was still working full time as a senior partner in the accounting firm he established. After eventually retiring from his work as a Certified Public Accountant and exiting his accounting firm in the Denver, CO area, they moved to a farm in Armour, South Dakota purchased with the objective of developing habitat for pheasants, white tail deer and other wildlife. Norman put to use his considerable carpentry and other skills to restore an historic home from the area, which was moved to the farm premises. He decided to get more involved in the Epagneul Breton world and acquired a couple of young EB’s getting more involved in trialing and hunting, as well as breeding several litters on a small scale. Eventually he ended up on the CEB-US Board of Directors serving ably in an officer capacity as club Treasurer and also as a board member. He employed his professional skills as an accountant to modernize and update the club’s bookkeeping. After joining the Board of the Epagneul Breton Foundation as a Trustee he likewise assisted the organization with modernizing financial statements and accounting, as well as preparing the annual Foundation 501(c)(3) tax return required by the IRS. Norman also gave generously of his time and other resources in helping to form the Great Plains Epagneul Breton Gun Dog Club, which hosted several regional field trials, a CEB-US National Conclave, and a number of training and social club gatherings for EB owners.  The wild bird trials hosted by Norman and Judy were outstanding events. After many years of South Dakota winters, Norman and Judy made the pragmatic decision to downsize, and changed their residence to live the lake life in Southwest Missouri, where they now reside with EBs Buddy and Ich, enjoying fishing offered on the lake, and enjoying their children, grandchildren and friends who visit. Norman has always enjoyed music, among his many pursuits other than the outdoors. He is an accomplished singer, who often had a pivotal role in the annual Christmas Musical Presentation sponsored by their local church in Armour, South Dakota. Via the WALL OF HONOR RECOGNITION, the EB Foundation acknowledges and appropriately recognizes Norman’s many generous contributions to the CEB-US, the Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc. and the greater Epagneul Breton Community. Congratulations Norman!

The Epagneul Breton Foundation launches Facebook Page

The Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc. has launched a new Facebook page to enhance communication with EB fanciers and further the educational and charitable endeavors of the organizations. Facebook followers will receive notices of the foundation's activities and will be directed to the web site for detailed information. Please visit and follow us on Facebook!

Virginia "Ginny" Barge

(April 13, 1944 - October 30, 2022)

Ginny Barge, a native of South Carolina and longtime resident of Lumpkin, Georgia, passed away October 30, 2022. Ginny and her spouse John have been members of CEB-US for many years and helped host the 1999 and 2012 National Conclaves, as well as traveling to Kansas in 2008. Ginny and John helped start the Georgia Epagneul Breton Gun Dog Club as early members and have hosted many local club events including the annual Presidents Cup Fun Hunt. Ginny was not a hunter, but enjoyed the dogs as companions and especially enjoyed raising the litters of pups produced by John. Survivors include her husband John, three daughters Bonnie King (Richard), Linda Stephens (Jamie) and (Amy Pittman) and five grandchildren.

Ginny had many friends in the Epagneul Breton community, among them, Jim and Fatmi Anders who said, "We met Ginny and John Barge when we visited Fred Overby in Georgia after we had gotten our first French Brittany about 14 years ago. While Fred graciously hosted us and gave us a crash course in everything EB, Ginny and John also warmly welcomed us into their home. Because of them, we were excited to join the Georgia and National clubs and meet other EB lovers at field trials. Over the years, one of the highlights of our journeys south to field trials was another chance to see Ginny. Her warmth, generosity of heart, and kind and calm persona were always a welcome haven in what often was a very competitive environment. Ginny had a quiet sense of humor, lending an appreciated and profound perspective to many conversations. While Ginny didn’t actively participate in the field trials as such, I know her patience and gentleness were an important help to John’s raising of their EBs. The sense of loss that we feel cannot come close to that of John and their family, but as many who had the fortune to have known Ginny, we will miss her deeply." 

In Memory

Ed Smith honored by Epagneul Breton Foundation

The EB Foundation has recently received a number of charitable donations in honor and recognition of W. Edward Smith’s many contributions to the CEB-US, The Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc., and to the greater EB community in the United States. In consideration of those donations, and in honor and recognition of Ed’s many generous contributions, he has been given Wall Of Honor Recognition by the Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc.

Ed Smith of Galveston, Indiana, is a twenty-five (25) year Charter Member of the CEB-US, and is the only presently active club member who was in personal attendance at the club’s organizational meeting which took place in Liberty, Missouri in August of 1997. He is also the only present living CEB-US club member with perfect attendance at every CEB-US National Conclave held over the last 25 years.

Read article about Ed's contributions to the breed, including his breeding operation, his involvement and leadership with the CEB-US, and his charitable works.