To the Editor:

The town of Berne has a marvelous site for conventions at its Switzkill Farm, formerly the Center for Wisdom and Compassion on Game Farm Road. Here, the national organization United Blood Trackers held its annual get-together, “Trackfest,”  on April  28 to 30.

UBT is a conservation organization that represents handlers who use tracking dogs to recover wounded big game during hunting seasons. At this 11th annual Trackfest, there were 80 members and 22 tracking dogs present.These included members from all over the United States, Canada, and even one member from Europe.

Switzkill Farm has a beautiful lodge, with a big room suitable for meetings of up to a 100 people. The views of the rural Berne landscape around the lodge are awe-inspiring. The farm comprises about 350 acres of field and forest. This was ideal for testing tracking dogs, and it would be wonderful for family hikes and picnics.

United Blood Trackers owes the Board of Switzkill Farm thanks for renting us their facilities for a modest fee and for providing logistical support.

Fox Creek Market did a superb job of catering three lunches. The food was absolutely delicious, well prepared and fresh. Portions were extra generous, and service was very professional and friendly. Every day we had a different menu. We highly recommend Fox Creek Market for all your catering needs.

John and Jolanta Jeanneney

Berne

Editor’s note: Jolanta Jeanneney is chairwoman of the Board for United Blood Trackers and John Jeanneney of the UBT Board is the person who launched the use of leashed tracking dogs for finding wounded big game in New York State.