Judge Jody Garrison awarding Best Silver Kitten SimbaKui Denali

It was yet another memorable Dixieland Silver and Golden Fanciers’ Show this year! I think everyone had a good time and I know our Judges had a tough time making their selections as we enjoyed a good number of quality entries again this year. Overall, we had fewer exhibiting this year as many moved heaven and earth to come last year, but I hope everyone is making plans to attend next year. It is so much fun seeing a huge number of Silvers and Goldens and Exotics filling and re-filling cage after cage.

After a fairly unremarkable flight into Charlotte, I arrived to learn that everyone in town was panicking as a big ice storm was predicted to hit the greater Charlotte area. Visions of the huge ice storm which hit a few years back paralyzing Charlotte for an entire week floated through my mind. I cursed myself as I had not bothered to check the weather report. Oh well, I just hoped for the best and prayed that it would not hit. Thank goodness it only affected the western counties outside of Charlotte, however that was not good for many travelers heading for Charlotte. I understand Blanche and Barbara virtually slid down ice on their mountain road, but arrived safe and sound! Whew! We dodged the bullet called Mother Nature in wintertime.

Barbara Whitman holding Best Silver Cat in Championship (and Second Best Cat in Show) GC Dalee Special Edition of Wyndcreste

After a $35 cab ride to the hotel I got the bright idea to rent a car, doh! So I called Barbara Whitman of Dalee and she too agreed so I went ahead and made reservations for her to pick up the rental at the airport. The rate for a full sized rental for the weekend was only $77! Not bad and so convenient as one is not dependent on finding space in an overloaded car for one’s body, stuff and cat!!

I ran into Cheryl and Dave Riley of Cheerybirdie in the Hotel lobby and later Gail Persinger (Kittikamir) and Betty Minotti of Stardazl arrived, tired and hungry from a long flight. We all called it an early night. The following day, I ran into Linda Zebrowski of Nottinghill unloading her car and after we got her settled went on to the show hotel to help out.

Friday:

Cheryl Riley holding Best Silver Cat in Premiership GC, GP Cheerybirdie Doll E. Darling

The Show service was in the midst of setting up as they got a late start. Vicki, Gail and I took off for a bit to pick up a few things. Needless to say, we got lost, but did manage to find Wendy’s and grabbed a few burgers and fries and headed back to the show hall. The show service had finally finished setting up so we got to work helping decorated the rings and hanging rosettes and adding an entire row—that was a group endeavor: carving out an extra row! Linda Zebrowski was in charge of ribbons and decorations and did a smashing job as everything looked brilliant and absolutely fabulous.

Barbara Whitman of Dalee finally arrived and had fun meeting everyone and checking out the scene that is Dixieland. We were soon finished setting everything up so we headed back to the show hotel to grab a quick dinner before we hit the Dessert Social festivities at the hotel. Barbara and I made the mistake of eating a big Mexican dinner before we hit the Social, but did manage to find room for a piece of cake or a cookie.

Linda Zebrowski of Nottinghill our Master Ring Designer

A huge banquet of delectable desserts ranging from Pecan Pie to Lemon bars and little fruit Tarts tempted the palates of all—it was simply delicious. Traditionally, the Dessert Social had been held at Andrew and Bill’s home, but it is quite a drive to get there and folks are arriving from long flights and drives and so we felt it would be more convenient to hold it in the hotel. No, it does not have the ambience of Andrew’s home, but more could more easily attend and meet and greet and still have time to go back and bathe their babies.

Andrew Ringer is the King of Dixieland! He is simply amazing and did so much before, after and during the show to make the show the success it is. Andrew is Dixieland and is just a fabulous and wonderful person! We love you Andrew!!

Andrew Ringer, our Master of Cermonies and Tracy's boyfriend James

Donna and Roger Hoots of Catchurheart are the Prince and Princess of Dixieland as they are both a huge help before, during and after the show. Donna did a great job managing hospitality and pitching in wherever she could. Roger was there every minute for Andrew doing what ever needed to be done. The Hoots’ are always major heroes of Dixieland.

Saturday:

Judge Jody Garrison, Andrew Ringer and Pat Atwell and CH Catwell's Remington Steele

The morning of the show arrived and nervous and excited exhibitors flowed into the show hall. The weather was about 20 degrees colder than the past, but the rain had cleared away and the sun did its best to shine through. Dixieland is a long rather narrow hall, but is spacious, allowing for eight ample sized rings along one side and rows and rows of benching areas all brightly colored with everyone’s sparkling cage curtains. The rings are all divided with lovely off white fabric dividers, giving every ring a polished look. Again, Linda Zebrowski out did her self and created lovely toppers for all of the rings.

Pam martin and Castlepaws Minuette

Pam Martin of Castlepaws generously made darling cat nip toys for all of the Silver and Golden exhibitors—my cats just love it—thank you! Also, Gail handed out lovely peuter cat ornaments with centers for pictures as favors from the Club—they are darling and look great on the Christmas tree.

Best of all, we were honored with a large number of attendees and exhibitors from Europe. Henk and Trix Talle of Dieulhonneur from the Netherlands, Ute and Dieter Kunkele of Stellecadente,from Germany and Elisabeth of Lej'haim cattery from Spain and Joycelyn Chaplais of Ainulindale from France.

Ute Kunkele,Joycelyn Chaplais, Henk and Trix Talle, Richard Moss with girlfriend

Everyone hurried to ready their kitties for that first ring call and before we knew, the day was done. I think everyone had a great time visiting and admiring each others beautiful Silvers and Goldens and Exotics. This is the first year Silver and Golden Exotics were included in the awards. Woohoo! This year we only had one entrant, but hope we have full classes next year!! Before we knew it the last final of the day had been called.

At the close of the show on Saturday, Barbara and I trudged out of the show hall loaded with kitties and gear into the parking lot to where we thought we parked our car and stood expectantly by a silver car that looked like our car and I proceed to hit the “unlock” on the key fob not once but several times all to no avail. Perplexed, I looked up and noticed that another car about 15 feet away lit up every time I hit the clicker, sheesh, wrong car, so over we trundled to the right car, loaded up and off we went. Yes, this was truly a harbinger of what the evening held for us.

Roger Hoots holding Best Silver Exotic in Show CH Catchurheart Dream Weaver

We quickly got the cats settled and got changed and ready to go, directions in hand and off we went once again. Initially we were behind Vicki and Gail, but I saw they missed the freeway onramp so got on the freeway. We drove on and on made this turn and that and yes, got hopelessly lost. I spied a couple hunky firemen standing outside of a fire station and pulled in and helplessly described our predicament. They were sooo cute! I had so much fun flirting and they gave me wonderful directions, but Barbara was getting a little impatient honked wondering what was taking so long, sheesh I was just having a little fun!

Oh well, on we went and at one point I had reached the restaurant by cell. They asked me where I was, and of course I had no clue, but said that I was on a street that had angels with wings on the light posts and they knew exactly where I was and told me I just needed to make a left at the next light. Barbara thought had I truly lost it when I told the woman about the angels on the light posts!

Karol Cummins holding GC Dalee Special Edition of Wyndcreste

We finally found the restaurant. Yes, most everyone was about to start on dessert, but oh well we made it, and learned a good deal about the geography of greater Charlotte! All in all it was a good time and everyone had fun. It was soon time to call it a night. We followed Vicki and Gail and were back at the hotel in just ten minutes—we could not believe how lost we had been!

Sunday:

Barbara and Blanche Nichols of Bennic Silver and Golden Persians holding CH, PR Wyndcreste Imari

Back to the show hall we went ready and raring to go for day two. As always the second day everyone is more relaxed and there seems to be more time for visiting. I was really running in the afternoon, but did manage to pull out my camera at some point and we did get a group photo which is a tradition.

Blanche and Barbara Nichols of Bennic put together a huge Silent Auction to tempt all exhibitors. They had table after table laden with darling things. A huge crowd had gathered for the count down to the final close of the Auction! Well done!!

Martha Collier glowing after making her first of many finals yet to come with CH Joyvyn Golden Lovely of Sole E Luna.

The highlight of the day for Barbara Whitman and I came when Judge Olin Wilford awarded GC Dalee Special Edition of Wyndcreste Best Cat in Championship in his ring. Barbara and I were thrilled and when we came up to thank Judge Wilford he had tears in his eyes. He leaned toward us and said Special is the Best Silver Persian he had ever had the pleasure of handling. Of course, Barbara and I burst into tears too, and hugs and more tears flowed. We were so thrilled and so proud of Special and so honored by Judge Wilford’s compliment.

Judge Jody Garrison presented all of the winners and awarded gorgeous rosettes and beautiful sashes donated by Sue Fitzgerald’s Australian silver club. We celebrated the Granding of two cats: GC Kittikamir Deuteronomy and GC Peerage Luminaire. Several other CHs and PRs picked up a good number of Grand points at the show and need only a few more to finish—Congratulations!

And the winners are:

Best Silvers in Championship:

Best: GC Dalee Special Edition of Wyndcreste

2nd Best: ________________.

3rd Best: ______________;

Best Goldens in Championship:

Best Golden: Simbakui All that Glitters;

2nd Best: Stardazl Honeysuckle Rose

Exotic:

Best Silver Exotic in Championship:

CH Catchurheart Dream Weaver;

Kittens:

Best Kitten: Simbakui Denali

2nd Best kitten: Simbakui Lance Pawstrong

3rd Best kitten: Simbakui Okeanas

Premiership:

Best Cat in Premiership: Cheerybirdie Doll E. Darling

2nd Best: GC Peerage Luminaire

3rd Best: CH, PR Wyndcreste Imari

After the show hall was put back to rights we headed back to the hotel to change and ready ourselves for a wonderful and relaxing barbeque at Andrew and Bill’s home. We enjoyed great hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad and many other delicious side dishes including Andrew’s own lime-cured pickles, which were scrumptious! As I mentioned earlier, Andrew is the most fabulous person. He goes above and beyond in all he does; this extra evening was a delight and so relaxing. We were sad when it was time to leave to go back and pack for our early morning flights, but back we went, and packed we did.

We had a great time and I hope everyone that attended had as much fun as I did. I hope everyone will make plans to attend next year!!