Long Island Song Canary Club
Chapter 1
Hauppauge, New York
26 November 2011
A young bird bred by Aji and Dodi Sunjaya took top honors at Chapter 1's annual song contest under Judge Tom Yang of Redford, MI.  Second best in show went to an old bird from Laura and John Schwanof and Judge Yang presented the third position to a young bird bred by Tad Rykojc.   Not surprisingly, each of the three ASC medal winning birds had benched at previous shows this year.  Aji and Dodi, Laura and John and Tad went on to place birds in five of the remaining top ten choices with Aji and Dodi impressively taking 4 of the top ten spots.  Ronnie DeMuro claimed the 8th place (old bird) and Jeanne Pieper the tenth (young bird.)  The contest featured 128 entries (90 young, 38 old) in this final ASC show of 2011 in the Northeast

Laura Schwanof expertly organized 20 classes and staged them efficiently.  She had help in that regard from her husband John and from San Can who served as lead stewards -- a function usually reserved for Jeff Lingenfelter.  Jeff was recently hospitalized and was unable to participate as he had in past years.  However he was well enough to visit us and all were happpy to see him.   Laura was also assisted through the day in various show activities by Chapter 1 newcomers, David, Sahne, Ed Waldman and John Klump.   The members of Chapter 1 also provided a filling lunch of pizzas and an incredibly well-stocked  raffle table for the enjoyment of the contestants.  Highlights of the raffle, in addition to numerous bird supplies, were many canary-related books, a well-pedigreed 2011 hen bred by Laura and John Schwanof (won by Mark Bange,) and an afghan crocheted by the ever busy Kathy Steckler (won by Jeanne Pieper.)

As if the above excitement was not enough, the show even featured a fire drill.  After a piercing alarm, the unmistakable presence of smoke wafting through the hotel's corridors, and a visit from the Hauppauge Fire Department, order was restored.  The pyrotechnic culprit was a forgotten toaster in the hotel break room.  Yet, the birds never missed a beat, and the show resumed when all the contestants and Judge Yang returned to the show hall after their brief evacuation to the parking lot. 

Chapter 1's contest concluded a spirited 2011 show season for ASC members in the Northeast.  From Buffalo in September to Long Island in November with stops in MD, OH, NJ, CT and MI along the way, 2011 provided multiple opportunities for ASC members to exhibit their birds.  Our thanks go to the show organizers, stewards, secretaries and judges who labored for hours each weekend at these events, and of course to all who readied their birds for competition and traveled to various show venues.  The hobby exists due to the dedication of these good people.  Congratulations to all involved. We look forward to seeing you in 2012.   

The final standings, subject to ASC approval, along with photos of the day, follow below. 


The Top Bench  -- With birds bred by Aji and Dodi Sunjaya, Laura and John Schwnof and Tad Rykojc finishing first second and third respectively.   Ronnie DeMuro and William Bradford and Jeanne Pieper also placed birds on the winning table.
Dodi likes what he sees on score board.
A busy show hall.
Jeanne refuses to trade her flamingoes for
Tom's urn. 
Tom wins low cost funeral alternative in raffle.
Kathy and Judge Yang review  scores.
The gallery awaits the decisions.
All American Singer shows have bells and whistles...don't they?
(Thanks to Victor Steckler for remaining ever-vigilant at his fire drill post to capture this photo. )
The Top Bench
1.  Aji and Dodi Sunjaya, 94.0 pts.
2.  Laura and John Schwanof, 92.5 pts.
3.  Tad Rykojc, 92.2 pts.
4.  Aji and Dodi Sunjaya 92 pts.
5.  Laura and John Schwanof, 91.7 pts.
6.  Tad Rkojc, 91.6 pts.
7.  Aji and Dodi Sunjaya, 91.3 pts.
8.  Ronnie DeMuro and William Bradford, 91.2 pts.
9.  Laura and John Schwanof, 91.0 pts.
10. Jeanne Pieper, 90.9 pts.

Novice
Ed Waldman