Dear Members and Friends of the ESCA,

This weekend, as you all know, was our English Setter Club of America annual Lee Bird Event. It was started in 2016 on the idea to do something that brought club members of different interests together that love our bird dogs, honor the memory and contributions of Lee Bird and do some fundraising for the club. Saturday evening was the big dinner and social and it reset the height of the bar of a good event with, friends, food, band, activities, stake placements and raffles and auctions. I am so proud and fortunate to be surrounded by such an amazing group of members both old and new that embraced the vision of this club event and executed on it beyond what anyone could expect.

This special event served up another surprise, one that left me with a special memory. With my family in attendance, my friends, so many club members, field trialers from all over, and over 125 in attendance I was honored with a Bird Dog Foundation Life Patron Award. Words can’t express how I feel, to say overwhelmed is an understatement. I want to thank my friends and family who worked behind the scenes on this and the ESCA who embraced and supported this most special and prestigious honor. I am humbled, honored and proud for this very special award plaque to be displayed in my home, at the Bird Dog Foundation and most dearly at the English Setter Club.  

Joe Cincotta