Scenes from the Masters Cup

[Mike Gilbert]

APA president John Monaco of California judging on the left and Emcee Ronnie Lopes of Bermuda on the right.   Nobody else is allowed in the arena during judging, but stadium type seating is available for exhibitors and visitors. 

[Mike Gilbert]

View of the seating and the 4-H Club food concession behind.  It was cold outside, but very nice inside. 

[Mike Gilbert]

The 1940 Dodge delivery truck that McMurray Hatchery owner Bud Woods had restored.  Bud did much of the work himself.

[Mike Gilbert]

Yep, that would be yours truly behind the wheel.   I only took it for a spin for about 25 miles (just kidding - it never left the building).

[Mike Gilbert]

Bud did all this wood work for the ceiling of the delivery van on his own.    He is a very talented and gracious individual - his degree is actually in landscape design.   We attended the employee party for the 150th year in business celebration, and there were about 200 employees and guests.   Maybe more - who could count?

[Mike Gilbert]

 
And finally, this is the country/western band that played at the McMurray receptions both Friday and Saturday nights.   Don't judge by appearances - they were very talented.   Our formal Saturday night banquet and awards presentation was held at a Country Club, but afterward most of us went back to the McMurray party.   Ronnie Lopes sang a few numbers with the band as well, but he's not in this photo.

[Russ Blair]

Looks like a very enjoyable time, so who were the big winners?

[Mike Gilbert]

Britt and Fuller just keep on rolling.   They had top bird of show with a White Call old female, and 2nd best with a LF White Rock pullet.   Bob Vaughn's son Richard had 3rd best bird with a Mille Fleur D'Uccle hen.   It's nice to see the parti-colored birds win once in a while.  They did not judge 4th through 10th this year.    I had the only Ameraucana there with a white bantam cockerel and a white bantam pullet.   The pullet was my best shot, but I could not get a manure stain completely out of her back, and that probably ended her chances.  Birds have to be darn near perfect to win at this show.   There were five different poultry judges competing plus at least one ABA director and one APA director.   Max Stawn was not there, but did I ever tell you he had a top ten bird on his first try in 2014?

[Russ Blair]

Wow that’s an accomplishment, thanks for the report Mike. Glad you had safe travels and a great time.