Baltimore Bird Fanciers ASC Chapter 16 Baltimore,MD 17 October 2009

"It was a dark and stormy night..." No, this is not a mystery novel, because the ending of this story has become quite predictable.  Saoud Rihan of the Bronx, NY once again topped the competition and won his second straight ASC contest. The winning bird, D231-09, beat over 220 singers last week at Chapter 32's show in Sandusky, Ohio.  His performance in Baltimore today was no less impressive, winning in a field of  185 birds under judge Tom Yang of Redford, Michigan.  MASCOT was well represented with Jeanne Pieper reaching the top bench in the Young and Old categories and also taking 4th best in show.  Other MASCOT exhibitors at this event were Tad Rykojc, Andre Dight, Gino Salvi, Mark Bange, Luis Sorto, Akbar Karbasi, and Karl Kress, with assistance from new MASCOT member Mike Molinaro.   It was, in fact, a dark and stormy night that followed a rain-soaked couple of days.  That's why it's so impressive that our friends from the north braved the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 and the miserable weather to join us.  It was certainly worth the trip for Laura Schwanof , Tom and Celia Miller and Walter Larsen who each made the top bench.  It was also good to see Kathy and Victor Steckler and Ronnie DeMuro make their respective long trips and we thank them for joining us.  Tad Rykojc organized the BBF field into 16 Young and 7 Old classes and he kept the groups moving efficiently.  Mark Bange served as secretary and many lent their hands shuttling the birds in and out in front of Tom Yang, who did an outstanding job in his first judging assignment in the east.  Special mention is also due to MASCOT's Jeanne Pieper who took most of the photos below for this event while MASCOT's regular "photo-journalist," Mark, was busy juggling numbers and recording score sheet comments.  The final standings, subject to ASC approval, along with photos of the day follow below.

Walter, Nancy and Akbar

Ronnie and Walter

Tad, Mike and Gino await the next class.

Nancy and Jeanne...something interesting!

Judge Tom -- Well Done!

Laura and Kathy -- Disney Covergirls.

Mark -- Cornered all day and still smiling.

Tom and Celia -- Top Benchers.

"Darn it -- I thought this was going to be a dog show!"

BBF Main Hall -- A very nice show.

The Top Bench Best in Show 1.  Saoud Rihan, D231-09, 91.0 pts. 2.  Laura Schwanof, L203-06, 90.5 pts. 3.  Saoud Rihan, D279-09, 90.0 pts. 4.  Jeanne Pieper, C002-05, 88.9 pts. 5.  Saoud Rihan, F338-06, 88.8 pts. 6.  Saoud Rihan, D284-09, 88.5 pts. 7.  Tom and Celia Miller, T062-08, 88.4 pts. Best Young 1.  Saoud Rihan, D231-09, 91.0 pts. 2.  Saoud Rihan, D279-09, 90.0 pts. 3.  Saoud Rihan, D284-09, 88.5 pts. 4. Jeanne Pieper, P136-09, 87.4 pts. 5.  Walter Larsen, D017-09, 87.01 pts. Best Old 1.  Laura Schwanof, L203-06, 90.5 pts. 2.  Jeanne Pieper, C002-09, 88.9 pts. 3.  Saoud Rihan, F338-06, 88.8 pts 4.  Tom and Celia Miller, T062-08, 88.4 5.  Saoud Rihan, R462-08, 88.3 pts.