I’ve never been one to beat around the bush, so I need to tell you that The American Beagler is under new ownership as of April 1, 2006. Mike and Janie Ridenhour of Belle, Missouri purchased the magazine and are looking forward to being your new publisher as a family operation. They have graciously kept me on as your editor, so you will still see me at events, read my write-ups, and I will still visit with you each month from this page. Please note their new contact and mailing information in this May issue. I have retained ownership of the Stud Book, and I will be devoting more time to making that bigger and better for you.
I promised you all that I would “fix things”, and improve the magazine by bringing you the type of articles you want to see, and this will allow me to do so. I cannot fix the postal situation in Indianapolis; I can’t make them hire their people back, so with the magazine mailing from Missouri (probably St. Louis hub) I expect you will see your magazine much earlier in the month. The Ridenhours are the owners of Top-Notch Kennels, and they are certainly top-notch folks. I hope you give them the same courtesy you’ve always given me. This is a win-win for us all.
I started The American Beagler from scratch almost 5 years ago with the September 2001 issue. It was only suppose to be a newsletter, but it quickly evolved into an 80-page publication before the first copy ever went to print. I started with 243 subscribers that issue and within 5 months, the subscribership had surpassed 2 of the other beagle magazines at the time. Considering The American Beagler now mails to 46 of the 50 States, 8 of the 10 Canadian Provinces, and Puerto Rico, I feel it is the best beagling magazine in circulation today. It will continue to be so. It’s been a labor of love, but doing 100% of the layout, building ads, answering the phones, mailing out samples and replacements, attending events, recruiting advertisers, dealing with the post office and printers, moderating 2 websites... basically the entire operation, is just too much for one individual. I’m wondering how I did it for so long. Your kind letters to me over the years must have been the fuel. That, and God's loving hand.
It’s time I give myself a break and contribute in a more effective manner - by bringing you some beagling news and articles in a photo-journalist capacity. I may even get to run my own dogs again! I want to thank each and every one of you for being loyal readers and contributors, and for the love and patience you’ve shown me as a publisher since 2001. You are the salt of the earth, the most big-hearted people on the planet, and I have been proud - so proud to serve you in this sport, in whatever way I could. I will continue to serve you the best way I can in my new position with The American Beagler.
Until next month, God bless and keep ‘em runnin’! - Bev
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I will also still be moderating and maintaining the message boards.
. maybe now you can enjoy your time (and dogs) more and wont have people whining about the mail system 
. i bet you feel like the weight of the world is off your shoulders.
It makes me wonder what TAB will be without you, Bev! As you have said, you have put your heart and soul into this publication. Tab has always been Bev Saunders and that says enough in itself. The accomplishments you have made to the world of beagling and providing an outstanding magazine for beaglers cannot be measured. 
