MASCOT ASC Chapter 28 Glen Burnie,MD 7 November 2009

A beautiful fall day gave rise to an equally impressive event as MASCOT's Annual Song Contest once again highlighted all that's good with the American Singer hobby -- people coming together to enjoy the company of each other in a festive atmosphere and to hear in the songs of a special breed of bird.  Nineteen contestants entered 217 birds in MASCOT's largest show in recent memory.   Judge Dorothea Ashbery skillfully persevered through 29 classes in 11 hours to select an old bird bred by Saoud Rihan as the Best in Show.  Tad Rykojc of MASCOT finished second while Laura Schwanof came in third in this very strong field populated with the entries of no less than four sanctioned ASC judges, and representatives from ASC Chapters in New Jersey, New York and Northern Ohio.   In the Tune Whistler competition, Paula Hatcher determined that a bird bred by Laura Schwanof deserved the title of Best Free Singer.  And while she discovered no true Tune Whistlers at this year's competiton she assessed that a bird bred by Mark Bange had some unique musical skills and deserved honorable mention as a Tune Whistler. A MASCOT show is always about more than birds.  The highlight of this year's event was the culinary talents of Sharen Virgin.  She planned an absolutely fantastic menu, organized the food donations from MASCOT's members, provided and cooked many of the items herself and together with help from her husband Rob and daughter Jennifer made a presentation that a professional caterer could not have topped.  Starting with breakfast, then leading to a fabulous luncheon of hot entres and tasty desserts and rounded out by fruits and other treats for the late afternoon, Sharen and her family made sure that participants and visitors to our Annual Song Contest did not leave hungry.  Another show highlight was the raffle. Again, fueled by the generosity of members and guests, this year's raffle featured some fantastic prizes.  Kathy Steckler crocheted and donated an afghan in appropriate shades of Baltimore Raven purple.   Priscilla Metcalfe crocheted two very nice baby blankets.  Linda Bange made a silk floral centerpiece in fall colors.  Laura Schwanof and Akbar Karbasi each donated birds.  Andre Dight brought some cuttings from his Epiphyllum collection.  And many others donated an array of items that provided winning opportunities for all who entered the raffle.  As in past years, Carl Kress and Gino Salvi ran the raffle, organizing the items and selling the tickets.  And then there's Tad Rykojc, the ultimate multi-tasker...pencil flying over the paper, organizing old and young groups,  moving birds from this class to that, adding late entries here, scratching entries there, setting the timer, and keeping the classes moving.  Never flustered, whether we have 100 birds or 200 birds, he keeps his army of stewards in tow.  We could not run the shows here in Maryland without him. Another special feature of a MASCOT show is a fine set of truly classy trophies.  For them we owe thanks to Paula Hatcher who knows just what to order from our long-time supplier Larry Grandy of Dan Kain Trophies. Lastly, there's Nancy Ward, MASCOT's vice president, whose life goal goal is to greet everyone she meets with a warm and genuine smile -- and a plea to join MASCOT and to buy a patch!   Seriously, she is a wonderful ambassador for Chapter 28 and the ASC and her energy is infectious.  We're quite fortunate to have her as member.  The photos below attest that a good time was had by all.

Great Job, Dorothea -- Thank You!

217 Singers -- Ready to Go!

Busy in here...

Not so busy out there...

Saoud awaits another victory.

Steve joins Saoud on Top Bench.

Master Chefs -- Sharen and Jennifer

Master cake eaters -- Victor and Tom

Oh my gosh, this was good!

We did allow Paul to stop and eat.

Chris and (mom-in-law) Linda.

Rob finds a ribbon winner on the chart.

Richard, Akbar and Rob enjoy the day.

Kathy finds a winnning raffle ticket.

Tad announces the winners.

Green "ribbons" courtesy of  Dorothea.

Ace reporter Mark caught in "action."

Paula presents "Free Singer" trophy.

Our happy Novice winners.

The Top Bench (Pending ASC Approval) Best in Show 1.  Saoud Rihan, F338-06, 95.0 pts. 2.  Tad Rykojc, R-672-xx, 94.0 pts. 3.  Laura Schwanof, L203-06, 93.0 pts. 4.  Saoud Rihan, R456-08, 92.7 pts. 5.  Tad Rykojc, R673-xx, 92.3 pts. 6.  Steve Baptiste, S218-09, 92.2 pts. 7.  Saoud Rihan, R462-08, 92.1 pts. Best Young 1.  Steve Baptiste, S218-09, 92.2 pts. 2.  Saoud Rihan, D231-09, 91.9 pts. 3.  Steve Baptiste, S209-09, 91.8 pts. 4. Tad Rykojc, R216-09, 91.5 pts. 5.  Kathy Steckler, K037-09, 90.6 pts Best Old 1.  Saoud Rihan, F338-06, 95.0 pts. 2.  Tad Rykojc, R-672-xx, 94 pts. 3.  Laura Schwanof, L203-06, 93.0 pts. 4.  Saoud Rihan, R456-08, 92.7 pts. 5.  Tad Rykojc, R673-08, 92.3 pts. Special Awards Lee/Simon Trophy -- Tad Rykojc Novice 1.  Akbar Karbasis (Show cage and Ribbon) 2.  Priscilla Metcalfe (Ribbon) 3.  Nancy Ward (Ribbon) Free Singer -- Laura Schwanof Tune Whistler Honorable Mention -- Mark Bange

Well...someone had to get rid of all that bird seed!