History of the Connecticut River Working Group Association

Way back in June of 1992... the idea of a Working Dog Group Club was launched as an inspiration of Tony and Sheila DiNardo who shared it with Jean Fournier during a return flight back from joint judging assignments out in Ohio. As the ideas began to merge into possible realities, a meeting time was discussed to ask their Working Dog friends to join who lived in the area and who might share their enthusiasm and interest. Of course their busy schedules had to be considered and adjusted, but just six week later on July 28th, 1992, thirteen original charter members whose impressive and accumulated years with responsible association and leadership in the dog world, met at the DiNardo's West Hartford home. Thus, the first organizational meeting of the Connecticut River Working Group Assc. took place in history. By the evening's end, officers and directors were chosen and a descriptive club name considered (the Connecticut River runs through Massachusetts and Connecticut). Indeed, this collective group shared a passion to make "our baby club" the best in the nation.. and an entire new venture was born!

The thirteen original charter members in attendance were Dr. Anthony DiNardo, Mrs. Sheila DiNardo, Mrs. Jean Fournier, Dr. Thomas Davies, Mrs. Roberta Davies, Ms Angela Porpora, Mrs. Madge Fish, Mr. Norman Kenney, Mrs. Lynda Kenney, Dr. Kenneth Doeg, Mr. Lester Mapes, Mrs. Carol Mapes and Mr. Fred Ferris.