Roeselare, Belgium, 8th September 2002. Time flies like an arrow. It has been six months since we visited the World Deer Farming Congress III in Austin, Texas. Our memories, however, are still very vivid and we often recall those beautiful days we have spent there. The people of NADEFA had bent over backwards to guarantee the success of this congress. They wonderfully achieved their aim and it can be said that we were all pampered from dawn till dark. For hours speakers from all over the world knew how to capture our attention. There was also some entertainment, such as the "public auction" and the "Grand Ole Texas Party". We are sincerely grateful to all the people of NADEFA, the sponsors, and everyone who contributed his mite. [ From left to right: Ludovic, Patrick (France), Nadine and Paul (FEDFA president) At The Final Roundup: "A Grand Ole Texas Party" ] We were pleasantly surprised when our taking part in the photo competition was met with 2 prizes: 1st place in the BUCK/STAG category (photo Ludovic) 2nd place in the DOE/HIND category (photo Nadine) [ Our "trophies" ] Another pleasant surprise was that the winning photograph in the buck/stag category was later published on the cover of the "North American Deer Farmer" - Spring 2002. We are already looking forward to the World Congress IV in Melbourne/Australia in May 2006. With a bit of luck, on to "The Land Down Under", the "Land of the Kangaroo-kid"! [ Caesar and Odin: Lazy summer days at Stedemanshof... ] IN MEMORIAM There were not all that many, there in Austin, who had set off for the long journey starting from the Benelux. Jeannette and Hartrijk Wiggelinkhuijsen, however, were there with us and we spent some wonderful moments talking over a pint. On 20 July 2002, like a bolt from the blue we received word that Hartrijk had passed away. He was only 40 years of age. Hartrijk was a talented and honest businessman. Through his stimulation deer farming in the Netherlands took an enormous move forward. He was an esteemed member of the Board of ABEC (The Benelux Deer Farmers Association). Hartrijk was a man who knew that "there was no need to reinvent the wheel", but that you could improve its formula, though. Hartrijk was, moreover, a very kind man. We would like to express our most sincere condolences to his wife Jeannette and his children, to his family and the numerous friends Hartrijk undoubtedly had. We would like to conclude with a few words, taken from the Commemoration Service, prior to his burial: To be a man on earth is to be painfully blessed and seeking without satisfaction is resting in the earth when all is done