Dear Elephants, Birds and Humans,
WOW, what a great show this turned out to be. We have not had this many people in attendance in many years. I don't know if it was the venue or the weather, or the tremendous amount of publicity that we got in the newspaper, but it really worked out great for us. I personally think it was all the big news articles that were published in the Record and the Democrat, including being chosen as one of the three best bets for the weekend.
I have to send a tremendous "Thank You" to Gloria Waslyn who judged in such a different fashion. Her judging had to do with the acquisition of each bird, usually its rescue, and its relationship to its owner, rather than the condition of the bird itself. It was an unorthodox way of judging, but the people (bird parents) seem to really enjoy it and spoke very comfortably and from the heart. Gloria brought a very different dimension to the bird judging part of our show. Her Parrots for Peace were there and always add something special to the understanding of what birds are all about and how much beauty and love they add to the world.
I want to thank everyone else who worked so hard to make our show a tremendous success. I will try to remember everyone, but I am old and I forget. Of course I begin with Matt Frumess and Pat Bennett, who did a yeoman's job putting the show all together. Pat's husband, Kevin Bennett, was there for set up, break down and all day taking care of everything that needed to be done. He suggested removing the big wooden boxes in front of the birds, when they were being sequestered so they could be seen more easily. Jackie Chiger manned the kitchen, with Francine Garber's help, and really cleaned up, despite that this kitchen had several problems like a stove that was quite uncooperative. Debbie Napolitano-Lovett was in her usual place as the show secretary, aided by our wonderful stewards, Isabel and Edwin Morales. Mark Spina was the Education Man as he set up and took care of the education table. Mark and I were reminiscing, at the end of the show, about many of the charts and signs he had that we had made together, about 30 years ago, in my classroom. Mark takes really good care of things. A tremendous "Thank you" to Dr. Jairo Jarramillo, our show veterinarian, who was there checking the birds from early in the morning, making sure that nobody brought in any sick birds that could spread any disease. Barry Cohen was back in his place at the door, checking in birds and people. It was Barry who reported that there were 197 adults and 38 children at the show this year. Thanks to Renee and Rosy Crespo for working the raffle table and to anyone else whose name I missed that helped make us a tremendously successful 25th Pet Bird and Education Show.
My birds, at home, are doing well. Aristophanes, my not so friendly, all the time, scarlet macaw, almost came with me, but he had a sinus allergy attack and that would not lend itself well for him to be in the show. Emma, my yellow naped Amazon, said, "NO" or he could have come too. Zeke was there in all his glory as an adorable cockatiel.
Our speaker tonight is Dr. Justin Nowowiejski, an avian veterinarian from the Brewster Animal Hospital in Newburgh. I can't wait to meet him and learn what he has to teach us about the health and well being of our birds that we love so much.
Next month, November, will bring back Annie Mardiney, a wildlife bird rehabber, who will bring many rescued birds with her, including a raven. Then in December, we have our traditional covered dish holiday party and penny social.
Be well and happy everyone, love your birds and be kind to every other animal.
Love,
Richie
WOW, what a great show this turned out to be. We have not had this many people in attendance in many years. I don't know if it was the venue or the weather, or the tremendous amount of publicity that we got in the newspaper, but it really worked out great for us. I personally think it was all the big news articles that were published in the Record and the Democrat, including being chosen as one of the three best bets for the weekend.
I have to send a tremendous "Thank You" to Gloria Waslyn who judged in such a different fashion. Her judging had to do with the acquisition of each bird, usually its rescue, and its relationship to its owner, rather than the condition of the bird itself. It was an unorthodox way of judging, but the people (bird parents) seem to really enjoy it and spoke very comfortably and from the heart. Gloria brought a very different dimension to the bird judging part of our show. Her Parrots for Peace were there and always add something special to the understanding of what birds are all about and how much beauty and love they add to the world.
I want to thank everyone else who worked so hard to make our show a tremendous success. I will try to remember everyone, but I am old and I forget. Of course I begin with Matt Frumess and Pat Bennett, who did a yeoman's job putting the show all together. Pat's husband, Kevin Bennett, was there for set up, break down and all day taking care of everything that needed to be done. He suggested removing the big wooden boxes in front of the birds, when they were being sequestered so they could be seen more easily. Jackie Chiger manned the kitchen, with Francine Garber's help, and really cleaned up, despite that this kitchen had several problems like a stove that was quite uncooperative. Debbie Napolitano-Lovett was in her usual place as the show secretary, aided by our wonderful stewards, Isabel and Edwin Morales. Mark Spina was the Education Man as he set up and took care of the education table. Mark and I were reminiscing, at the end of the show, about many of the charts and signs he had that we had made together, about 30 years ago, in my classroom. Mark takes really good care of things. A tremendous "Thank you" to Dr. Jairo Jarramillo, our show veterinarian, who was there checking the birds from early in the morning, making sure that nobody brought in any sick birds that could spread any disease. Barry Cohen was back in his place at the door, checking in birds and people. It was Barry who reported that there were 197 adults and 38 children at the show this year. Thanks to Renee and Rosy Crespo for working the raffle table and to anyone else whose name I missed that helped make us a tremendously successful 25th Pet Bird and Education Show.
My birds, at home, are doing well. Aristophanes, my not so friendly, all the time, scarlet macaw, almost came with me, but he had a sinus allergy attack and that would not lend itself well for him to be in the show. Emma, my yellow naped Amazon, said, "NO" or he could have come too. Zeke was there in all his glory as an adorable cockatiel.
Our speaker tonight is Dr. Justin Nowowiejski, an avian veterinarian from the Brewster Animal Hospital in Newburgh. I can't wait to meet him and learn what he has to teach us about the health and well being of our birds that we love so much.
Next month, November, will bring back Annie Mardiney, a wildlife bird rehabber, who will bring many rescued birds with her, including a raven. Then in December, we have our traditional covered dish holiday party and penny social.
Be well and happy everyone, love your birds and be kind to every other animal.
Love,
Richie