A long-time fixture in the farrier industry, Beth Garner, passed away in late January. One of the owners of G.E. Forge & Tool in Grover Beach, Calif. She was 93.
Garner grew up in rural Ohio, attended business college and moved to California in 1942 where she worked for the National Concert and Artist’s Corp. in Hollywood.
She had three children, Ann, Susan and Robert, the current owner of G.E. Forge & Tool. In addition, she served as a “second mom” to several neighborhood children, was active with the League of Women Voters and was a strong advocate for minorities, disadvantaged and others who were discriminated against.
After purchasing G.E. Tool & Forge, the family moved to Grover Beach, where she played an active role in the business and served as a visionary in the farrier industry for many years. She also helped form the Farrier Industry Association and was instrumental in promoting hoof-care education and research.
After retirement, she traveled throughout the world with her trusted friend John DuBose. As family members recalled, “She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many adventures and people along the way. She will be remembered for her easy laugh and her ‘glass half-full’ approach to life.”
OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS...
? Veteran farrier Bob McCarthy of Medfield, Mass., passed away in mid-February. “He learned the trade from his father, Jack McCarthy, and was one of the best tradesmen I know and unselfishly passed on his knowledge to others,” says Myron McLane of Somerset, Mass. “He served as president of the Mickey Mouse Horseshoers Association, a group he started to bring all of his former apprentices together each year.”
? More than two-dozen International Hoof-Care Summit attendees were honored with awards and valuable prizes during the eighth annual event held in early February in Cincinnati.
? Robert Lanners of Carol Stream, Ill., had his name drawn to spend a day with farrier Eddie Williams of Harrodsburg, Ky, compliments of Farrier Product Distribution.
? Mark Franks of West Harrison, Ind., had his name drawn to spend a day with veteran farrier Blake Brown of Penryn, Calif. This was sponsored by the Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center.
? Michael McNutt of New Concord, Ohio, had his name drawn to spend a day with veteran farrier Tab Pigg of Azle, Texas, compliments of Vettec.
? Courtney Caron of Woonsocket, R.I., will spend a day with Alabama farrier and tool expert Dan Bradley. G.E. Forge & Tool sponsored this.
? Six attendees will receive front- and hind-limb models from Walter Varcoe Equine Services of Port Jervis, N.Y. They include Kelly Connor of Parksburg, Pa.; Chuck Gibson of Belle Center, Ohio; Scott Booten of Erie, Colo.; Ron Vogel of Adamstown, Md.; Mike Stine of Marshville, N.C.; and Toby Rinaldo of Cherry Valley, Ill.
? Nathaniel Crumley of Wooster, Ohio, received an “AFJ Kitchen Sink” package that includes over 3,400 pages of valuable hoof-care information.
? Three attendees had their names drawn from among attendees to receive free 2012 Summit registrations. They include Maurice Bowling of Belleville, Mich.; J.K. Kutyba of Hayward, Wis.; and Brandon Ogg of Logan, Ohio.
? Details on the 11 individuals inducted into the two Halls Of Fame, the three Rising Shoeing Star award winners and the Summit Achievement Award winner are found on other pages in this issue.
? Peter Ayranto of Ferguson, Ontario, won free Summit registration and hotel expenses from System Fencing Limited in Rockwood, Ontario, as the result of a drawing among the firm’s customers who purchased $500 or more of supplies between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15. Company farrier consultant Bob Ward says one shoer had a half-dozen ballots in the drawing as the result of spending over $3,000 with the shop.
? Jim Huffman of Greencastle, Ind., was the winner of a 10-inch tool holder in a Summit raffle conducted by PurdyBilt By UPSCO of Moravia, N.Y
