End of a Great Show Season

     The end of another show season has come and with it comes the start of the next breeding season. There were many highlights to the year, including a very strong showing by John DeCarlo Jr., the resurgence of the western U.S. shows, the election of two new officers (including a new President for the first time in 15 years, and the passing of the Master Breeder magic number of 150 by Winghaven Lofts.

What a Year for JDJ!

     John DeCarlo Jr. has really shown he can compete with anybody in the country after a very strong show season that saw him win Champion at two of the three most prestigious shows of the year – Oklahoma City in September and the NPA Grand National in January. He won both shows with Red young cock #657, a fine, well-balanced bird that was in tremendous condition. John also won Champion at both of our California shows this year. He took the Great Western in October with a Black Pied young hen and then won the Pageant of Pigeons in November with a Black old cock. His stud is starting to develop some nice depth to it and he is now breeding as many young birds per year as anyone in the country. Breeding a lot of young birds from good stock is the best way to win Championships year after year. Congratulations of a great year John!

Head West Young Man!

     The shows in the Western United States had been down for a number of years as the AOC had lost many of its’ breeders in the Western States. Now, thanks to the dedication of members like John DeCarlo Jr., Bonnie Kulungian, Ed Bills, Orrie Moore and Jess Quesada, the Western shows are very competitive again and have as many or more birds than any of the other regional shows. This past year we had held meets at the Great Western in October, and the Pageant of Pigeons and the Utah Pigeon Club Annual Show in November. All the meets were very competitive and had over 40 birds in attendance. We look for even greater things this year with the addition of more breeders taking up the challenge of raising African Owls.

The Changing of the Guard

     When our long-time President Ed Pointer resigned suddenly in October it changed the whole perspective of our elections. We now needed someone to step in and fill the huge shoes left by Ed. Only an Ed could do it. So Ed Bills stepped up and was elected to the Presidency. Ed Bills has been a strong supporter of the breed and brings a new enthusiasm to the office. The club has taken the position that change can be good in that it brings new ideas and energy that can move the club to an even higher level. For all the great things Ed Pointer accomplished in office, his greatest achievement may have been in positioning the club to attain even greater things after he left office. He has personally encouraged and developed new leaders to guide the club. That is the mark of a true leader. Our new Vice President is also new to the leadership of the AOC although he has plenty of experience in running pigeon clubs. Tony Delquaglio is now our new Vice President but he has also been serving as the President of his local pigeon club, the Nassau Suffolk Pigeon Club of Long Island, New York. In fact, his local club has more members than our national club does. Tony is a young guy with a lot of great ideas and enthusiasm for the job. We think the future of the American Owl Club is in great hands with the addition of two fine individuals like Ed and Tony at the helm.

150 for Winghaven

     Lastly, another breeder has passed the magic number of 150 points that is required to be named a Master Breeder of African Owls by the American Owl Club. Tim Heidrich of Winghaven Loft culminated a steady climb to pass the number this fall. He ended up the season at 165 points, which easily puts him past the mark. The Master Breeder requirements specify that you must attain 150 points in a minimum of 10 years in breeding African Owls. You must also have at least one Champion of a major meet. Major meets are defined as any meet having at least five AOC members competing. Winghaven has now been breeding African Owls for 11 years and has accumulated 165 points in that time, including 25 during this past season. In addition to a number of Reserve Champion, Best Opposite Sex and Color Class winners, Winghaven has had Champion African Owl at two major meets; Des Moines in 2003 and the Pageant of Pigeons in 2004. Congratulations to Winghaven Lofts on their accomplishment!