By Samantha Calderone, Staff Writer
March 3 and 4, 1979:
Cat lovers got their first look at feral-domestic hybrid cats at the second regional cat show held at Pittston Convention Hall and sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
View of the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
The cats, which resemble silver and black miniature leopards, are created by crossing smaller wild cats, such as bobcats and lynx, with a domestic cat. Owners of the feral-hybrid cats were seeking recognition with the association. They claimed the cats were “loving in disposition” and did not show their “feral parentage.”
Darcy’s Most Happy Lassie, owned by Gail Norman and Art Kaster of Eaton’s Neck, New York at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
La Petitie’s Mewsette in repose at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
Meriellen Dunston of Scranton, Cat Fanciers’ Association judge and show manager, also spoke about the need for spaying and neutering of cats to prevent over-population.
Catch A Penny Magic captured many ribbons for her owner, Barbara Pilchard of Hebron, Maryland at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
Over the two days of the competition, the association judged 425 cats from 84 clubs spanning from Canada to Maryland. On the first day of the competition, longhair breeds were judged, with shorthair breeds judged the following day.
Walter Hutzler, New York City, has an attentive audience as he checks out an entry at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
Donna Jean Thompson, Manassas, Va, was one of the five judges at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
Twenty-five local, non-pedigree cats entered to compete for the best household pet award. Taking home the Morris Award was Callie of Hatboro, whose owners were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Evans of Wilkes-Barre. Also receiving awards in the household pet division were Andy, owned by Michelle Kirchner of Wyoming; Princess, owned by Thomas Susz of Tunkhannock; and Billy, owned by Valerie Hunsicker of Laceyville.
Showing this red male Himalayan entry, Jo-Le’s Jet Set, owned by Joseph A Giannozzi of Syracuse, New York, is Cynthia M Litherland, also of Syracuse at the second annual regional cat show at the Pittston Convention Center on March 3-4, 1979. The show was sponsored by the North Atlantic Region of the Cat Fanciers Association. Times-Shamrock Archives
The competition ended with a parade of participants.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association will host a competition starting Saturday, Oct. 5, in the Old Main Building at the York Expo Center.
Contact the writer: scalderone@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9217
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
