[Catherine Chandler]

I was going to post this tomorrow, April 9, but I had the time to tally the votes this afternoon, so here goes:

Results of the Bake-off voting:

First Place (39 points):
A Visit on All Saints Day by Gail White

Second Place (a tie with 35 points each):
Into His Hand by Kate Bernadette Benedict
Um Português by R. Nemo Hill

Third Place (24 points):
Navy Housing by Jehanne Dubrow

Congratulations !!!

The other finalists:

David Anthony, Wede Away
David Nelson Bradsher, Cardio
John Beaton, Bed-time Story
Timothy Murphy, Winter Wheat
John Whitworth, After She Left
Terese Coe, Café Noir
Wendy Sloan, Women's Work
Bruce McBirney, Waialeale Crater
Frank Osen, The Switches

To Mr. Cassity, our very distinguished guest, a world of gratitude. To Tim Murphy, who invited me to host the bake-off this year, thank you for the opportunity. And most of all, for all those who participated by submitting and critiquing, thank you so much for making this year’s bake-off a huge success.

As I hang up my apron, please know that, although there were thirteen finalists, there were many, many winners.

Long live the sonnet!


-- Catherine Chandler

[Gail White]

Catherine, thank you & Mr. Cassity for all your work on this.
Thanks to the Sphere for the votes and all the helpful comments. You are the greatest set of people on the Net. I enjoyed every sonnet and had no end of fun.

[Mary Meriam]

Congrats, y'all! And most of all Gail White!!

So that was by you, John Whitworth - it's a beauty!

Jehanne, I was probably too harsh - yours is a fascinating sonnet.

[Janice D. Soderling]

So much talent, so many master crafters, on one little screen.

My mind boggles.

Thanks Cathy, thanks all. Can't wait until next year.

[Kate Benedict]

This is the first time in all these years I've been among the Divine Dozen. It's been quite an experience and I'm honored to share a top spot with such other fine sonnets.

Thank you, Cathy, and thanks to all who commented. Those who were so expressive about your appreciation ... well, you sure touched me and made me feel that maybe I'm not wasting my life after all.

I invite you back to the "Into His Hand" thread where I've posted an alternate version in response to some of the comments, and spoken a little about the genesis of the piece, etc.

[Rose Kelleher]

Congrats to all the contributors, and thanks for letting us poke and prod your sonnets. And super-kudos to Cathy for doing such a great job.

[R. Nemo Hill]

Thanks all.
And Cathy.
And congrats Gail and Kate and Jehanne.
This was kind of fun.

By the way, feel free to pm me for an address to send those bouquets and chocolates to.
As well as my custom framed copy of the Official Michael Cantor Certificate of Runnerupdom.

Nemo

[Jehanne Dubrow]

Cathy, thank you so much for doing such a wonderful job on Bake-Off. I loved reading the explication de texte that you wrote for each sonnet. It was an honor to be included!

[Kevin Cutrer]

Congrats to the winners, and thanks to Cathy. This was my first bake-off, and I had a great time participating in and following the critiques. I found it very enlightening. So, thanks for that!

[Bruce McBirney]

Congrats to Gail, Kate, Nemo, Jehanne, and everyone else who took part. It was fun running with such a fast crowd this week!

Many thanks to Cathy for all her hard work and perceptive insights on all the poems; to Tim for founding and perpetuating this gala; and to Turner Cassity for being this year's seer.

Happy Passover to those observing the holiday!