August 2008

Dear Birds, Humans and Elephants,

The summer is fast approaching that time that I remember as being very depressing because I had to go back to school is fast approaching. The freedom of the carefree, bright summer would draw to an end and the call of the textbook and the need to be in the classroom everyday would take its place. Now, it means that the crowded stores and roads will be going away and a more normal paced existence will be reinstalled. Actually, as I write this and I think about all the changes that are taking place here in our county as well as in all the counties surrounding us I become sad. I have a strong feeling of nostalgia for the days with green pastures alive with cattle instead of housing developments, beautiful pristine woods instead of noisy smelly car race tracks and small stores with friendly people who knew you instead of Walmart.

One of my greatest fears, as a child, was that the country would turn into the city when I was ready to move there, and so it is. Perhaps it is not the city yet, but it is on its way. I love the sound of roosters crowing, the feeling of grass and earth under my feet and the quiet, slow paced existence that comes with living in the country. I see that whole lifestyle fast disappearing as money brings in more and more "progress"......I hate it. The attitude that there is plenty of land left so it doesn't matter how much we cut down and develop never takes into consideration all the destruction it brings. I will never forget my disdain at a friend of mine who moved up here about the time that I did. He bought a house next to some people who had a flock of chickens and went to the town board to complain about the rooster crowing. He was told then, what I would tell him now, "Go back to the city." I wish he and all those like him who would like to urbanize our community, would do that.

Enough of my lamentations. Our anniversary dinner was very nice and our speaker Mike Janis, along with his wife and owl, was wonderful. We were invited to go to the Broom County Zoo in Binghamton to see their bird collection. We were also invited to go to Central Park Zoo to see their bird collection as well. In both cases we will be given a behind the scenes tour through our guest speakers who had invited us. Please let me know if there is any interest to develop these outings into club trips. I would enjoy it very much. We can do these on two Saturdays.

The club picnic, which I could not attend due to the change of date, was also very nice thanks to the efforts of Laurie Rothberg. I understand that the picnic was lovely, though poorly attended. There seems to be a feeling of apathy in our club about the projects we do. It would be nice if our club members would come up with ways to make things more interesting and compelling, therefore ensuring a greater sense of participation. I had a family commitment that Sunday, but Laurie had conveyed to me that there was a dearth of interest in the picnic altogether. I don't understand this as many people had asked about doing it.

I mentioned Laurie taking charge of the picnic. I want to extend my gratitude to her as well as to Judy Singer Braun for organizing the silent auction at our anniversary dinner. Judy did a great job there and the silent auction went very well. The dinner could also have been better attended. I had gotten several calls the day of the dinner where people cancelled, some due to health issues. All in all, though, our anniversary meeting was quite successful.

The Chiger birds are doing well. Aristophanes is his own belligerent self, Emma is curious as ever and Zeke is just a sweetie. The chickens are enjoying life; if anyone wants to adopt one or more beautiful young roosters, please let me know. I am looking to place mostly Minorcas and Dorkings. Fritha, the elephant, is enjoying the halcyon days of summer. I took my delicious grandsons, Matthew and Elijah, to play with her and feed her lunch. Check out our pictures. Unlike most children, my grandsons see lunching with an elephant as a usual part of life.

Tonight we have Reid Bauer from the Frost Valley Raptor Rehabilitation Center as our guest speaker. Next month Dr. Laurie Hess, board certified Avian Veterinarian, will talk to us and October brings us a representative from the Sullivan Country Coalition against smoking to educate us on the dangers of second hand smoke to pet birds and other living things.

Our next great pet bird show is the Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend. Please volunteer your services for this event. Matt, the show chairperson, will let everyone know what is needed. This is our sixteenth show and it is one more thing of which we can be really proud. Our show is different than most bird shows as it deals mainly with education. Juan Romero, of the Bronx and Central Park Zoo, promises to be there in two capacities this year. He will be our judge and he will also do a bird training demonstration.

Take care of yourselves, love your birds and send articles for the newsletter about them. Our 501C3 is in the offing now that Little Matthew B. has the time to finish it; he is such a good boy.

Love,

Richie