***Hobbyist Challenger Contest News***

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
I have some news that I want to share with everyone here regarding the Current Hobbyists Challenger Contest...

I've set the Contest End Date to be JUNE 1, 2010. Thats the date that the contest will officially end... and we will be judging the fish that week. I will post more details on the actual judging criteria in another thread... and will contact all contestants with the specific Requirements very soon. Contestants should decide soon which fish they will submit pics of for this contest.

Initially when we planned this contest we had been offered a generous Prize of 2 Zebra plecos by a hobbyist here with a breeding group..I passed that offer along to the board with the stipulation that we could not guarantee it would happen... as luck would have it...it won't. That hobbyist lost his entire breeding group during the contest.
So for that I apologize....But...

I have decided to go one better than that. For this years contest I am offering a Cash award of $300.00.. for 1st place . There will also be a Peoples Choice award of $100 where you, the forum members, will vote on an aspect of this contest. Now of course I am not made of money (I wish!)...so anyone that wants to contribute to this cash prize is welcome to and encouraged heartily! ....You can send funds by paypal to brewmaster15@netscape.com .. please make a note in the paypal that its for the "Hobbyist Contest Award" ....This paypal address is not the same as the one you would use for a general donation to the forum.

I am 100 % committed to providing these cash prizes even if it comes out of my pocket entirely.

I will also go one step farther and say now that I have decided that the next contest will have a cash award as well....details latter on that one.

Additionally....I would like to make an open call for assistance here... I have watched thru the year as our Contestants put their hearts and souls into raising these fish to the best of their abilities. They have posted this information and shared their experiences with everyone here for the forum's benefit......and I would like to recognize all of them in some fashion....If I can ask a favor of the forum membership and sponsors....If you have something that can donate as prize... please contact me...I think it would mean alot to the contestants though they went into this without knowing there would be a prize ....and It would show support for this yearly contest we hold here.

I will also be providing a trophy/award to the contest winner that will be engraved as follows..

The Annual Discus Hobbyist Challenger Award
Year 2009
" Winner's name"

This award recognizes a Discus Enthusiast's Dedication to the Hobby..
It is proudly given in honor of Barb Newell (1957-2007)

For those of you that are new here ...Barb Newell was a great part of forum's community for years and we honor her and remember her with this award.

So thats where we stand...I am still hammering out the details of the next contest.. it will be a bit different than the last 2 years....but should be a great one as well.

Thanks everyone,
al

[vera]

Cool !! so generous and encouraging Al , well done !!
can u post an adress or a link to donationes for this event plz, would be only fair to reward the winner
TC

[brewmaster15]

Hi Vera,
Thank you!

Donations to the cash awards can be by paypal to
brewmaster15@netscape.com

Please make a note in the paypal that its for the "Hobbyist Contest Award" ....This paypal address is not the same as the one you would use for a general donation to the forum.

For prizes that people want to donate...best to email me at that same address or Pm me thru the forum so we can discuss the offered prize.

Thanks again!

-al

[pinoysport]

This is very exciting... When is the next contest? lol..... I wish all luck who competed in the last contest..

[Chad Hughes]

Al,

Thanks for the update on the contest closing. Your offer is extremely generous. You are an incredibley special person my friend!

Anyway, the competition is going to be fierce! I can hardly take the pressure. LOL!

Best wishes!

[babakaty]

I'm in. (sent you a little something just now). I've gotten thousands of dollars worth of free advice from this forum, allowing me to have a beautiful tank full of healthy and disease-free young discus (knock on wood!). I can't contribute much in the way of knowledge or experience with discus in particular, but I can free up a few bucks now and then. Keep up the good work Al!

[JL15219]

Cant Wait to See Who Wins!

[acroken]

Al,
this is incredible. you never cease to amaze me.I have received so much from this site. The experience through out this challenge has proven to be invaluable to me. You and the other moderators make this the best discus site.
Thank you Al for working so hard and allowing us all to better our husbandry and fish keeping skills.

Kenny

[discusjoe27]

sweet sounds fun!

[dbfzurowski]

This is great.
now who to vote for, don't all the fish look great?

[tdiscusman]

Very exciting, can't wait
Tony

[John_Nicholson]

Great deal Al. If you get bored this weekend give me a call. I might be able to help on the trophy.

Also, since the contest will be officially over there is noting stopping the contestants from bringing these fish to the big NADA show. No better way to show off al of ya'll hard work then letting the world see the fish in person.

-john

[yim11]

Who is running the betting pool?!?! The odds have to be close for all the great contestants and fish!!!

[Wahter]

Al, that is a great prize idea for the contest!


Walter

[decula]

I'm proud to be a member of this group.