New England American Singer Club ASC Chapter 3 Danbury, CT 29 October 2011

Mother nature had a surprise in store but she could not dampen the festive atmosphere of Chapter 3's inaugural show.  Thanks to the hard work of the members of the ASC's New England chapter, and especially to the organizational skills of Paul and Cheryl Ferguson, Chapter 3's show was a superb event.  While a nor'easter walloped the Danbury area with a foot or more of snow, show participants and their guests and visitors enjoyed the excellent accomodations at the Danbury Plaza Hotel and Conference Center and the boundless hospitality of Chapter 3's members.  The birds, all 181 of them, were oblivious to snow swirling outside and sang their best for Judge Judy Snider of Livonia, MI who assessed 23 classes before awarding the Best-in-Show to an old bird bred by Laura Schwanof of Long Island, NY.  The win was significant for Laura because it was her 10th career ASC victory and earned her the well-deserved title of ASC Master Breeder.  Our congratulations to Laura for reaching this major milestone! But what participants will remember foremost was a first class event in all ways.  Smooth registration procedures, excellent staging, plentiful refreshments, a generous raffle and most of all, the outstanding teamwork by Chapter 3, marked this event as a pinnacle ASC show.  The snow was a merely a footnote on an otherwise memorable day as the photos below will attest.  Congratulations to all who were fortunate enough to be there. Show results, subject to ASC approval, follow the photos below:

Cheryl and Paul -- Thank you for your vision and hard work.

A new ASC tradition!

Jeanne and Ellen find something interesting among the birds for sale.

Twenty-three classes ready to perform.

Judge Judy Snider -- Hard at work inside....

...while Tad plays in the snow outside.

Cheryl thanks Judge Snider for a masterful job.

Kathy assists Judge Snider as recording secretary.

...as do Rob and Mike...

Louise and Stan enjoy award ceremony...

Mark validates a band number to Judge Snider.

...and Richard.

The Top Bench 1.  Laura Schwanof, 95 pts. 2.  Mark Bange, 92.5 pts. 3. Laura Schwanof, 91.5 pts. 4.  Paul and Cheryl Ferguson, 91 pts. 5.  Saoud Rihan, 90.5 pts. 6.  Steve Baptiste, 90.8 pts. 7.  Ronnie DeMuro, 90.75 pts. 8.  Kathy Steckler, 90.5 pts. 9.  Mark Bange, 90.0 pts. 10. Tad Rykojc, 89.8 pts. Best Young 1. Mark Bange 2. Paul and Cheryl Ferguson 3. Mark Bange 4. Ronnie DeMuro 5. Laura Schwanof Best Old 1. Laura Schwanof 2. Laura Schwanof 3. Saoud Rihan 4. Steve Baptiste 5. Ronnie DeMuro Best Novices 1. Michael Tkacs 2. Federico Berruto 3. Richard Archambault