I am apparently in the minority, but I think the National IS a special show. I look forward to it all year. I don't want it to be just like the specialty down the road. I agree some things could be eliminated, but the Awards dinner and the Victory dinner are a part of the National tradition, and I, for one, say they should be kept. If you don't want to attend, then don't!! I don't want to eat barbecue on the grass after Specials! I want to get cleaned up, have a cocktail, and then have dinner. If I don't want to attend the dinners, then I go somewhere else to eat. I like it to be held indoors. I am more comfortable, and so are the dogs, I believe. If some want to have skyboxes, that's fine. I don't want one, so I don't get one. Nobody is being forced to do anything they don't want to do. I want our National to continue to be a special event, not just like every other dog show. Doris Estabrook ************************************************************** ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================