12 th Annual Koi Show 2003
 June 21 & 22 AT Masterson's Garden Center

Presidential Ponderings
Greg Young

As I write this article, I am finally kicking back after the hectic activities of last weekend, when we hosted our annual Koi show at Masterson's Garden Showplace/Aquatic Nursery.
Loren Prucnal did a lion's share of work, in arranging and heading up this annual event. On behalf of all of us, thanks Loren.
Many, many thanks go out to the numerous volunteers from the club who helped with this event. We even had brand new members helping our usual crew with takedown this year!
Thanks go out again this year to Charlotte Pearson, for all of her efforts in coordinating the arts and crafts, junk to gems, and photography exhibits. Everything went smoothly.
A very special thanks goes out to Sally Cunningham, who once again got "roped-in", as judge of the container garden entries. They were quite imaginative this year!
We could certainly not have succeeded without the help of Mike Masterson and his crew, as they cleared their facilities for us to "move in" with 6 show tanks, one club information tent, our gallery of arts, crafts and pictures, and finally our 20 x 20 foot seminar/party tent! Then, after we left, they had to restore the nursery to normal, which was no small job.
Once again, both Mike and Joanne Masterson served as judges for a number of events. Joanne was responsible for those great deserts (especially the filled strawberries), which the setup staff enjoyed Friday night, thanks Joanne! Mike was, as usual, generous in giving of both his energies in helping make this weekend a success, as well as providing additional donations to our auction. We are all very appreciative of his continuing support!
Once again the annual auction, run by Ray (Kingfish) Lucas, was held to benefit our club's financial integrity. This year it was supplemented by the raffle of the bow tank aquarium, won by our own Carol Filipski! The income from the auction and raffle helped out our club treasury for another year! Thanks to Ray, Denise, and their family, for their continuing commitment to the NFKPC, allowing us to able to continue to share of love of ponding with the general community!
David and Debby Hess were our judges from the AKCA this year and proved to be two of the nicest, most knowledgeable, fish folk you would ever want to meet. If you didn't catch their tank-side lectures, you really missed out! They commented on the nice range of Koi they had to judge this year. We did pretty well this year! We had 6 stocked show tanks, from a club of 140 or so members, which compares nicely with many other shows.
There are so many club members who helped out in preparing for a show of this magnitude, that I could not begin to list them in this article. Thanks to each of you, each who helped by entering fish, a container garden, arts and crafts, or pictures. Thanks to those who setup the exhibit, staffed the show, and/or took-down the exhibit. You know who you are! Of course, thanks also to the club members who took the time to come out and support their club, by visiting the exhibit, and/or by taking part in the auction.

Niagara Frontier Koi & Pond Club
2003 SHOW WINNERS

Photos

Arts & Crafts

Junk to Gems

AWARD SPONSORS

We would like to thank The following businesses for donating merchandise to the giant auction held on the last day of the show:

Koi Show 2003 Summary

I would like to thank the following people who entered fish and plants in this years show; Mike & Louise Metlak, Bonita Wulf, Ed Shelp Jr., Phil Grefrath, Tracy Prucnal, Greg & Diane Young and John & Marlene Hyden. In all we had 24 fish entrees and 3 container gardens.

Thanks also to the people who helped in the set-up and tear down. I owe the following people great big thanks; Roy Seiders, Ed McKee, John & Marlene Hyden, Greg & Diane Young, Lorri & John Porter, Phil Grefrath, Nancy Wojnowski, Bonita Wulf, Tim Moeller, Ed Shelp Jr. and Sr.

And thanks to the following people who staffed our club table which was underwater most of Saturday, Greg Gordon & Jan Evert, Krissy Sokolik, Elaine Sitarek, Carol Filipski, Don Butterworth, Mary O'Connor, Louise & Mike Metlak, Art & Barb Weber.

Our raffle was very successful; the 46-gallon Bow Front aquarium was won by our very own Carol Filipski. Congratulations Carol.

Our Koi Show Judges, David and Debby Hester were great; they are the nicest couple you could ever meet. They spent over an hour Saturday morning judging in front of everyone, giving advice and teaching us about great Koi, this was fantastic for those of us that where there, we all learned a great deal. Greg Young gave two water-gardening seminars in the afternoon, which were just great. Saturday evening saw our awards banquet for those who had entrees, and awards were given out. Sunday concluded with our raffle drawing and our auction. If I forgot to mention anyone, I am very sorry, but thanks for the help.

 Thank-you to Edwin Shelp Jr. for providing a room again this year for our Judges

Show Chairman
Loren Prucnal

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