June 2011
Dear Humans, Elephants and Birds,
The big day is fast approaching......twenty five years..... and what a wonderful anniversary dinner it will be with the new Curator of Ornithology, Nancy Clum, as our guest speaker. Please call or email or send a carrier pigeon to Matt or me to let us know you will be there because, as always, we have to give the restaurant a count. Also, please bring some really good things for us to offer on our silent auction table. The restaurant is Mr. Willys, on Rte 42, about 2 miles south of Monticello. We will have our own room, 3 entree choices and the $30 covers the meal and gratuities.
I had lunch with Fritha last Thursday and took a really sweet video of her as she played in her big, spacious field while she ate 25 ears of corn among other good things. I always marvel when she takes an ear of corn, holds it stem side down and husks it with her trunk. She discards husk and puts only the corn on the cob into her mouth which she then chews thoroughly and swallows. Did you know that elephants get 6 sets of teeth in their mouths during their lifetime? When the 6th set is worn down the elephant literally starves because it can no longer chew its food properly. Granted, they are not parrots, but they are really fascinating and beautiful and brilliant and incredible and so therefore worthy of note in a newsletter devoted to birds.
I took Emma and Aristophanes to my grandsons' school in New Paltz, last week, where I did a parrot education program for both of their classes. This kind of thing has been on-going since our club began. It usually involves Matt, Debbie, Judy, Robin and others, including our dear friend Penny McLewin who passed away a couple of years ago. We bring our own pet birds and give the kids (or grown ups, depending on the audience) a lesson on parrot ecology and ethology. In this case the kids were very receptive and asked myriad questions about the birds. We bring an awareness, to these young people, of what is going on in the world to parrots and their ever changing environment due to the encroachment of humanity on their homes.
Also, it is so important for us, the people who really care, to inform our audiences what is really involved in owning a parrot. This is the kind of education they will not get from the pet shop or parrot breeding facility where they see sweet baby parrots running around on a table or perch. Somehow, the fact that these babies are going to grow up LOUD, demanding, very needy and causing lots of dirt to clean up, eludes the person who is selling this gentle, calm, wonderful, cuddly baby bird and he/she forgets to tell that to the prospective customer who is willing to pay lots of money. Of course, one cannot include every parrot seller here, but for the most part this is absolutely the case. You can see pictures of Emma and Aristophanes, as ambassadors for their kind, in the classrooms, in this newsletter issue.
By the way, we are doing another education program on Monday, June 13th, at the Cooke School in Monticello. I believe we will be speaking to the entire 4th grade. If you would like to become part of our entourage and go with us, we would be glad to have your aboard. Just let talk to Matt or Debbie or me.
We have a terrific program tonight. Donna Dwyer of the Connecticut Association for Aviculture will be here and do a talk on Bird Adoption. This is a major component of the work we do as well, of course, of the work she does as part of her bird club. So many birds lose their homes and need to be placed in loving and permanent situations. This is why I keep harping on the fact that people have to know what they are really getting into when they buy or adopt a pet parrot......Lots of work and lots of love and determination are so necessary to ensure that this bird has a life long HAPPY HOME.
I just want to announce, once again, that I need a count for the restaurant for our 25th anniversary dinner/meeting. Please either email or call Matt or me and let us know if you will be attending. The cost of the dinner and the whole evening is $30 for club members. If you know anyone outside the club who would enjoy the talk and the evening, silent auction etc, the cost is $35 for them. If they decide to join the club, the cost, of course, will be $30. Our yearly dues are due at that time too. Our yearly dues are still $24 single membership or $30 for a family. You can still have the newsletter mailed to you for an extra $18 for postage and handling. If you cannot pay your dues in July, then August is ok too.
Please let me know if there are any particular speakers or programs you want for our club. I am always open to suggestions. I you know them, I will call them. I have no shame!
Have a great month and I hope to celebrate with everyone in July.
With love...for birds and all animals,
RICHIE
The big day is fast approaching......twenty five years..... and what a wonderful anniversary dinner it will be with the new Curator of Ornithology, Nancy Clum, as our guest speaker. Please call or email or send a carrier pigeon to Matt or me to let us know you will be there because, as always, we have to give the restaurant a count. Also, please bring some really good things for us to offer on our silent auction table. The restaurant is Mr. Willys, on Rte 42, about 2 miles south of Monticello. We will have our own room, 3 entree choices and the $30 covers the meal and gratuities.
I had lunch with Fritha last Thursday and took a really sweet video of her as she played in her big, spacious field while she ate 25 ears of corn among other good things. I always marvel when she takes an ear of corn, holds it stem side down and husks it with her trunk. She discards husk and puts only the corn on the cob into her mouth which she then chews thoroughly and swallows. Did you know that elephants get 6 sets of teeth in their mouths during their lifetime? When the 6th set is worn down the elephant literally starves because it can no longer chew its food properly. Granted, they are not parrots, but they are really fascinating and beautiful and brilliant and incredible and so therefore worthy of note in a newsletter devoted to birds.
I took Emma and Aristophanes to my grandsons' school in New Paltz, last week, where I did a parrot education program for both of their classes. This kind of thing has been on-going since our club began. It usually involves Matt, Debbie, Judy, Robin and others, including our dear friend Penny McLewin who passed away a couple of years ago. We bring our own pet birds and give the kids (or grown ups, depending on the audience) a lesson on parrot ecology and ethology. In this case the kids were very receptive and asked myriad questions about the birds. We bring an awareness, to these young people, of what is going on in the world to parrots and their ever changing environment due to the encroachment of humanity on their homes.
Also, it is so important for us, the people who really care, to inform our audiences what is really involved in owning a parrot. This is the kind of education they will not get from the pet shop or parrot breeding facility where they see sweet baby parrots running around on a table or perch. Somehow, the fact that these babies are going to grow up LOUD, demanding, very needy and causing lots of dirt to clean up, eludes the person who is selling this gentle, calm, wonderful, cuddly baby bird and he/she forgets to tell that to the prospective customer who is willing to pay lots of money. Of course, one cannot include every parrot seller here, but for the most part this is absolutely the case. You can see pictures of Emma and Aristophanes, as ambassadors for their kind, in the classrooms, in this newsletter issue.
By the way, we are doing another education program on Monday, June 13th, at the Cooke School in Monticello. I believe we will be speaking to the entire 4th grade. If you would like to become part of our entourage and go with us, we would be glad to have your aboard. Just let talk to Matt or Debbie or me.
We have a terrific program tonight. Donna Dwyer of the Connecticut Association for Aviculture will be here and do a talk on Bird Adoption. This is a major component of the work we do as well, of course, of the work she does as part of her bird club. So many birds lose their homes and need to be placed in loving and permanent situations. This is why I keep harping on the fact that people have to know what they are really getting into when they buy or adopt a pet parrot......Lots of work and lots of love and determination are so necessary to ensure that this bird has a life long HAPPY HOME.
I just want to announce, once again, that I need a count for the restaurant for our 25th anniversary dinner/meeting. Please either email or call Matt or me and let us know if you will be attending. The cost of the dinner and the whole evening is $30 for club members. If you know anyone outside the club who would enjoy the talk and the evening, silent auction etc, the cost is $35 for them. If they decide to join the club, the cost, of course, will be $30. Our yearly dues are due at that time too. Our yearly dues are still $24 single membership or $30 for a family. You can still have the newsletter mailed to you for an extra $18 for postage and handling. If you cannot pay your dues in July, then August is ok too.
Please let me know if there are any particular speakers or programs you want for our club. I am always open to suggestions. I you know them, I will call them. I have no shame!
Have a great month and I hope to celebrate with everyone in July.
With love...for birds and all animals,
RICHIE