4-H Volunteer of the Year Award Presented at annual Awards Banquet

At the November 3rd Emmet County 4-H Awards Night program, the “2018 4-H Volunteer of The Year ” award was presented to 4-H volunteer Mike Netzky.

Mike began his involvement in 4-H over 3 years ago when he inquired about becoming a leader.  The county leader’s council was excited to have a new club start up, and were very interested in having something so new become a part of the program - a 4-H Racing Pigeon Club.

Mike really enjoys working with young people, providing educational opportunities, teaching about every aspect of pigeon raising, while promoting the mission of 4-H.   He especially enjoys getting the word out about the club and the cool things they are doing.

Since the club was formed, there have been six articles in the local newspaper, a multi-page story in a national pigeon publication featuring every member of the club, and most recently a video presentation on TV 9 & 10's segment on northern living.

Mike encourages his members to participate in county events and to volunteer for jobs at various county programs.  For the past two year’s, he has coordinated a club tent outside of the small animal booth during fairweek.  He had informational handouts, colorful brochures and even pigeons.  They had timed races each day to see who’s pigeons arrived home the fastest.  During this past year’s fairweek, the pigeon releases occurred with a new twist.  For a donation to the club, fair visitors could write out a note that was then carried by the pigeon back to the members’ home.   The 4-H’er took the note and mailed it back to the author with a personal note as to when the note arrived and a hand-written thank you from the club member.  All day, every day - there was a line up at the club tent.  The club members were all great ambassadors for their project and for 4-H.

Whether it’s in club meeting, a competitive event or a club outing, Mike stresses education, safety, personal responsibility and continuous learning, all while having fun and making memories.

Mike is always working in the community spreading the good news of 4-H, interacting with the youth and supporting their efforts and accomplishments.  He is a flag waver for 4-H and is well-deserving of this recognition.

Diane M. Brazier

Emmet County 4-H Program Coordinator

P.S. by Mike: This could not be done without the wonderful parents, kids and 4-H programs.

Taking The Pigeons To School

Amber Posey spent the day at school promoting the sport and educating the kids on the great sport and birds.

"I was asked by Mrs. Case the science teacher at our local elementary school if I would come in and talk to all the 3rd grade science classes about raising and racing pigeons and their traits. I had the pleasure of talking to these wonderful students and they really got into what I was telling them about pigeons and they asked questions and they were still talking about what they learned about pigeons with other teachers and students throughout the school day. 

I told them about showing the pigeons and my daughter proudly got to show off some of her ribbons to the other children that she won at the pigeon show last summer. I talked to them about the life cycle of pigeons and how they were used in the war and how we bred them for certain colors and how they knew where home was.

We also talked about the loft being the pigeons home and the main predators of pigeons. They learned about the AU and our local club, the High Velocity Racing Pigeon Club (HVRP). 

Those children WOW'd me! They are such wonderful, bright minded, young ladies and gentlemen. I had such a great time talking with these guys! I'm so honored that Mrs. Case, who is a wonderful, compassionate and caring teacher, asked me to speak with her students and it was a fun filled day I wont forget!"

Shasta Racing Pigeon Club (SRP)

Veterans Day Parade

AU members do a wonderful job promoting the hobby, so we list the activity information in our quarterly Update newsletter.  But sometimes there is just not enough room to get all the information in the paper publication.  Hence, this post to show off the Shasta Club's work!

The Shasta Racing Pigeon Club (SRP) participated in the 25th annual Veterans Day Parade in the small town of City of Shasta Lake, CA on November 4, 2017.  The club entry was its race release trailer decorated with banners and bunting.   Along the parade route members Scott Hepburn and Ron Schmidt released race birds to the excitement of the crowd.  Also, member Lex Winkler carried a racing pigeon during the parade so the spectators could see one of the birds up close.  In addition, the club had an information table at the post parade lunch held at the Veterans Hall which was staffed by Loli Martino, Shari and Tim Skalland. 

To promote the local interest in racing pigeons, the club recently published a tri-fold handout that was given out during the parade.  It is available at senior centers, veteran organizations and other community organizations.    To make it easy for interested parties to contact us we established an email address (shasta.racing.pigeon.club@gmail.com) and a dedicated club phone number (530- 962-0341). In addition, the SRP Club established a Facebook page that highlights our other activities and member lofts.

During the summer months SRP members Scott Hepburn and Ron Schmidt were guests on several local morning radio shows where they spoke on the hobby of racing pigeons.  The pair also spoke at a local summer camp where a mother and son became interested in racing pigeons.  Since that time Scott has helped the pair with modifying their chicken coop to house racing pigeons and supplied 12 young birds to start.  The club recently donated funds for this young man to continue his efforts to place American flags on the graves of veterans in Northern Ca.

So, you see why we have to show them off?  That's a fantastic effort club members put forth in connecting with their community.  Great work!

Dwight Morgan shares his love of the sport ~

The art of pigeon racing: one man's love of an unusual sport.

online news story

Dan is the President of the Greater Atlanta Racing Pigeon Club.

al sport

AU's Thunderbirds, Skypilots & Juniors Attend Annual Fly-In

by AU Youth Ambassador, Thomas Strand

This is the 3rd year that the Thunderbird 4-H Club has hosted the annual Fly-In event.  Thanks to bird donors Herb Cartmell, Rick Arrisola, Lori Malone, Terry Dry, Karl Wohlmacher, Matt Hazen and Vicki & Thomas Strand, the junior members could proceed with their fair style Fit & Show. Exhibitors displayed their birds and their knowledge.  Once the judge completed questioning, the audience was invited to ask questions of their own.

It was an amazing event.  Here is a slideshow of the day . . . 

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NORTHWEST JUNIOR FLYERS FUNDRAISER AUCTION

YOUNGBIRD AND BREEDER AUCTION

SPONSORED BY

NORTHWEST JUNIOR FLYERS

Can the kids count on you?  This auction is our main fund raiser; the auction supports our Loaner Loft Program. We currently have 29 lofts in use and we have 5 in major need of repair. We use the money from this auction for free race shipping and free medication for when the kids need it. We use some of this money to make repairs to our building at the Cummington fair and some of our races ship from here as well. This also funds our annual pigeon show in august that is welcome to all kids. Our auction will be held on Saturday April 11^th 2015; both young and old birds can be shipped. Your generosity will be what carries this next generation of pigeon flyers along.

The loaner loft program was started 9 years ago to help junior flyers that could not afford or have the skill to build a coop on their own. If you ever hear someone say that this sport is dying or going away they’re certainly wrong. Please come to the auction and see the love and devotion our kids still have for this sport.

The address for this event is, Burgy Bullets Snowmobile club 12 Laurel Rd, Haydenville Ma. For more information contact Tim Tessier- Home: (413) 296-4359 Work: (413) 586- 6611 or email: (Florenceprecision@verizon.net)

When mailing birds (NOT BEFORE MARCH 31^st, 2015)

SEND TO: Tim Tessier                           George LeClerc                   Moe Litchfield

                   PO Box 325                        18 Rockrimmon St.              PO Box 444

                   Chesterfield, Ma. 01012      Belchertown, Ma. 01007     Hinsdale, Ma 01235

                                                             (413) 323-7183                   (413) 446-7939

We need to know if you are donating pigeons to the auction by March 21^st 2015, please call or email Tim by this date!! A huge thanks to Ron Seinbrenner from Triple Crown in California and CL gage from Texas Shootout who will be donating birds for the auction!

P.S. The Kids will help out the National Pigeon show which is held January of 2016 21^st-23^rd

Thank you to everyone that donated last year, and hopefully there will be more people this year that help support this youth program!

TRIBUTE TO A LONG-TIME FANCIER

As a serious pigeon fancier, Jim Richesin has flown pigeons in competition for many years, long before computer records of his wins.

As a child, he flew in the later 40’s with the Central California Homing Club.  After serving 11 years with the U.S. Navy in the Korean War, he could not wait to come back to the sport in the late 60’s.

His first club competition was with the San Diego Club; then San Diego Invitational in the mid 70’s.  That’s when he joined the AU.

After moving to Central California, he joined the Modesto RPC. Later, with four other members, he founded the Golden State Flyers.  They had eleven flyers to compete before they had their first race.

Within the following year, he helped establish the Mid Valley Combine with Ed Jorgensen, Dan Severns, Mickey Hickman and Mike Gonigan.  They had fundraisers in the early years by having bird auctions from birds donated from as far away as the New Bedford Club in Massachusetts.  That helped them finance their own club/combine truck.  In the club and combine, he held about every office available and took part in writing the club and combine constitution and race rules.

Several years ago, he was asked to join the AU board of directors as a replacement for the late Matt Bourguignon as the Competition Standards Chairman.  It was an honor and a privilege to serve in a position that he enjoyed so much.  He took part in making decisions that had to be made – sometimes with short notice. 

He also had the pleasure of serving as the President of the California State Racing Pigeon Organization for two years.  He served briefly on the World of Wings board of directors.  He has devoted much of his life working for the sport that has given him tremendous enjoyment.  That is work and experience he treasures.

It would not be a surprise to other pigeon fanciers to know that Jim still gets pleasure from visiting his pigeons every morning to do what is necessary for the day, from banding babies to racing. 

He received the AU HALL OF FAME BIRD IN 2002.  His “Smokin Joe” AU GSF 2497 BBC was his single biggest accomplishment.  And he still has the plaque to admire every day.

Jim turns 82 this year.  He will not have missed a year flying with the Golden State Flyers Club and the Mid-Valley Combine since they began in the 70’s.  A few years ago, he kept close to 250 birds at the peak of the year.  Now, with age, he keeps 110 birds at the peak of the year and as few as 50 in the winter.  As with many seniors, cutbacks are sometimes in order.  Trimming costs where possible, he intends to fly until he dies.

2014 AU Convention, Omaha, NE

These are just a few of the pictures.  We will have more soon.

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FOURTH ANNUAL WESTERN OPEN PUTS ON QUITE A SHOW

By Steve Lawler

Backstage

Several firsts were accomplished in this, the fourth year of the Western Open races. Mother Nature gave us a day from Winnemucca when nearly the entire western US was under clear skies…FINALLY! Of course, with clear skies comes the heat and the southern lofts experienced temperatures running in the low to upper 90’s, depending on the locale. Some of the Northwest coastal lofts (Seattle and Portland) faced a late arriving wet front which pushed some arrivals to 2nd day.

However, as has been mentioned many times, a 360 degree release means varying conditions for the wide variety/locations of competing lofts. Tailwinds one direction are headwinds in the opposite; clear and cool in one locale often means clear and hot in another; happy faces in one club usually results in grumpy pigeon men in another. So it is, so it is.

The type and depth of organizational entries for 2014 (from Winnemucca, especially) was so extensive and diverse that an honest effort is being made this year to recognize “regional” winners, along with the traditional mileage category winners. Figuring out actual names of fanciers flying under loft names, did prove challenging.  But with numerous website searches and some assistance from area flyers, that task is completed!

As has been the norm over the last few years, two races were scheduled: May 25^thfrom Winnemucca, “Na-VAD-a” and from Carson City, Nevada on June 14^th. A three week spacing has proven to be just about the right amount of time of rest between the races and also allows for natural flyers to get their prized, long distance pairs back down on 10-day eggs after the Winnemucca race.

The Show

Act I - Winnemucca

So, here we go! Sunday, May 25^th dawned clear with a slight (6 E/NE) breeze in Winnemucca, NV. As is always the case in Winnemucca on Memorial Day weekend, the motorcycle extravaganza “Run-a-mucca” has been in full swing for a couple of days and VERY few revelers were to be seen at this hour of the predawn as several trucks gathered at the ball field complex parking lot overlooking the cemetery.

Randy Bean at the Carson City release.

The 395 Concourse truck was there with Brian Crossen and site liberator, Leonard Lee. Jon Hans and the central California truck carried the Camellia City Combine birds along with the northern California entries. Dr. Randy Bean was there with the southern Idaho champs. Gene Yoes hauled the Montana delegation all the way from Emigrant! And, Bart Fouts was there with the Eastern Washington/Oregon concourse birds on the Spokane RPC truck. In addition, there were birds from flyers in the Evergreen Concourse (western WA) and the Oregon Trail Combine (greater Portland area) on the Spokane truck joining the fray.

Bart Fouts at the Carson City release.

For the first time, there were entrants from eastern and western Washington, and from eastern and western Oregon, and from northern, southern, and central California, and northern and southern Idaho, and from western Montana. (Don’t see your area recognized? Try joining us in 2015.)

All totaled, 124 lofts shipped 1313 birds as reported on the official AU race sheet. The birds went up at 6am under the direction of the AU’s National Race Secretary, John Hundrup, and the race was on.

In the 100-199 MILE category, which was made up exclusively from the Boise and the western suburbs, 15 lofts and 268 birds competed. This group has been staunch supporters of the Western Opens over the four years and has done very well in the process. Taking the blue ribbon in 2014 was a repeat winner, Doc’s Loft (Dr. Randy Bean) with AU 10 IDA 765 BBC at 1458ypm from 186 miles.

In the 200-299 MILE category, 33 lofts and 446 birds competed. This grouping was comprised of handlers from central Oregon (CORP), a few from the longer eastern Boise (IDA) lofts, northern California (Shasta RPC – Redding & the Siskiyou RPC – Yreka), and central California (Sacramento/Auburn, etc.) That’s pretty much three of the four compass points and indicative of the fierce competition going on in the skies as those 1300+ birds try to tug each other in their respective homeward direction.

It takes a true champion to compete on this stage. (Followers need not apply!) This is where your future breeding stock should come. Constantly buying sprint pigeons and then wondering what went wrong when the wind simply blows in the wrong direction or a hawk chases them around won't work.  Those sprint birds are genetically enhanced to fly in big groups, all heading in the same general direction, with best loft location dictating the “champion.” Really???? Someone has been sold a bill of goods…Get serious about what you’re breeding from for next year’s team. You’ll never look back!

Topping this prestigious division was longtime supporter and pigeonworkaholic, Don Chapin from Redmond, OR with AU 11 CORP 2237 BCC at 292 miles and a speed of 1365 ypm.

In the 300-399 MILE category, 21 lofts sent 190 pigeons. This grouping was comprised of lofts from the Columbia Basin Combine of eastern Washington, from the Camas Prairie club in the Lewiston-Clarkston area of extreme SE WA/NW ID, from the Idaho Falls area, and from a longer loft in central Oregon. These are some of the toughest competitors in the NW. They take no prisoners.

The top dog in this section was top-notch flyer, Paul Meyer from Kennewick, WA and the Tri-Cities club with AU 09 TCW 9850 BCH at 369 miles and a speed of 1374 ypm.

In the 400-499 MILE category, 45 lofts sent 362 birds. This was by far the largest section and flyers came from every direction and always bring an attitude! The Spokane RPC, the Bridger Mountain RPC (western Montana), the northern areas of the Columbia Basin Combine (central eastern WA), the northern sections of the 395 Combine (southern, inland CA) and the boys from the “Washington westside” - the Evergreen Concourse. What collection of kickbutt competitors!

Snagging the prize in this prominent category was the 54-year veteran flyer Ed Ulbright, the perennial Spokane RPC Treasurer. Ed clocked AU 11 SPO 1310 BCwfC at 1366 ypm from 473 miles.

********************

OK boys and girls, anyone see a pattern here?

Let’s review:

100-199m, a 2010 pigeon; 200-299m, a 2011 pigeon; 300-399m, a 2009 pigeon; 400-499m, a 2011 pigeon.

How many 3, 4, and 5-year-old birds can you find on your race sheets? Where did they go? How come they aren’t capable of competing for extended careers?

What traits do these Western Open winners have in common that aren’t shared by most pigeons year after year?

********************

In the final category from 500 MILES & UP, 10 brave lofts sent 47 warriors to the biggest challenge on the West Coast. This grouping consists of an incredibly diverse make-up. Northern lofts from the Evergreen Concourse (Everett area) joined the southernmost lofts from the 395 combine (San Diego area) in this section. Talk about a contrast!

These two areas, at the ultimate ends of the spectrum, have such different climates:  warmth in California and the N/Westerners have a more mild climate.  Go figure! Two extremes, in two opposite locations.  Yet, racing against each other in the same division. How cool is that!

Snagging the top spot was Alan Tawfique sporting the Lulu’s Loft colors. Alan clocked AU 13 JEDD 36910 BCC at 11:05am the next day for a speed of 823 ypm from 567 miles.

Overall Observations

The overall results show that the Western Idaho Invitational boys had a field day taking the top 24 of 28 positions. George Lukasik of the IDAHO RPC (same area) took the other four spots in the top 28. Five different lofts (Randy Bean, John Lonkey, Dick Ensley, Todd Williams, and George Lukasik – Pigeon Village) each clocked a bird while taking the first five spots.

Directly following that WII / IDAHO drop, three of the next four sectional winners quickly claimed their prizes. Paul Meyer of Kennewick, WA was 28^th winning the 300-399 category; Ed Ulbright of Green Bluff (SPO), WA took the 400-499 division in 31^st; and Don Chapin of Redmond, OR took the 200-299 section in 32^nd position.

Features on the Mileage category winners will follow over the next several months.

As was promised in the introduction, here’s a rundown of those regional champs who managed to beat the local/area competition:

• In the Camellia City Combine –Sacramento, CA (13 lofts & 124 birds) Joe Neves of Neves Family loft took the blue ribbon with AU 13 FSC 1048 BBC from 249 miles at 1315 ypm.
• In the 395 Concourse – Apple Valley, CA down through San Diego, CA (20 lofts & 132 birds) Sonny Cangiarella of Fly Sonny loft was the winner with AU 13 IEIC 3324 hen at 1178 ypm from 478 miles.
• In the Shasta RPC – Redding, CA (5 lofts & 44 birds) Dan Welch of Royal Oaks Loft took the top prize with AU 11 RO 360 RCC from 238 miles at 1177 ypm.
• In the Siskiyou RPC – Yreka, CA (4 lofts & 48 birds) Tom Larson recorded the best time at 1302 ypm from 258 miles.
• In the Evergreen Combine –Seattle, WA up through, Everett, WA (10 lofts & 44 birds) George Dobre of the Blue Danube Loft was the winner through the rain on the second day at 594 ypm from 496 miles.
• In the Idaho RPC – Boise, Id area (11 lofts & 160 birds) George Lukasik of Pigeon Village was local winner at 1431 ypm from 198 miles.
• In the EWOC – eastern WA & eastern Oregon (39 lofts & 422 birds) Paul Meyer took 1^stoverall with AU 09 TCW 9850 BCH from 369 miles at 1373 ypm.
• In the Western Idaho Inv. RPC – Parma, ID (6 lofts & 152 birds) Randy Bean of DOC’s Loft took home the bacon with AU 10 IDA 0765 BBC at 1459 ypm from 185 miles.
• In the Bridger Mountain RPC –Bozeman, MT (7 lofts & 84 birds) the Smetana family captured the flag with AU 12 BMT 3082 BBC at 1273 ypm from 464 miles.
• In the Snake River Valley RPC –Idaho Falls, ID (3 lofts & 46 birds) Bruce Nykamp was the only one to clock birds and won with AU 12 NYKA 2212 BBH at 1348 ypm from 351 miles.
• In the Oregon Trail Combine –Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area - 7 lofts did ship 53 birds. Returns were scattered into wet weather. Adrian Buturoaga of A&B Loft had the first bird home from 386 miles.

Act II – Carson City

The second release from Carson City, NV, three weeks later on June 14^th, was a less diverse affair and all but the Northern Tier lofts having been chased from the playing fields by the summer heat. Nine clubs from four northern states Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon) shipped 521 birds from 46 lofts to Carson City, NV for the second leg of the 2014 Western Open doubleheader.

Solo clubs from western Montana (Bridger Mountain RPC), southern Idaho (Western Idaho Invitational, [Boise] Idaho RPC, and Snake River Valley [Idaho Falls] RPC) joined the large and expansive Eastern Washington / Oregon Concourse (Columbia Basin Combine – Yakima RPC, Columbia Basin Flyers RPC [Wenatchee/Moses Lake], and Tri-Cities RPC [Pasco/Richland/Kennewick, WA]; Stateline Combine (Camas Prairie RPC & Spokane RPC); and the Central Oregon Racing Pigeon club (CORP) for this longest race of the season. Many lofts were over 500 miles and a substantial number were over the 600 mile marker.

The birds went up at 6am under clear conditions and 46 degrees with light SE breeze at 3mph. As has been the case from Carson City, no one has taken up the offer/challenge to compete in the 100-199 or 200-299 categories. (Where are all those championship level lofts sitting at 100-299 miles from Carson City in mid-June?)

In the 300-399 MILE category, Dick Ensley from Marsing, ID and the Western Idaho Invitational RPC took top honors with AU 11 WII 1425 BCH from 339 miles at 1380 ypm. This mileage division included the WII club along with the CORP club in central eastern Oregon and they sent 241 birds from 11 lofts.

In the 400-499 MILE category, Paul Meyer of Kennewick, WA and the Tri-Cities RPC took the prize with AU 09 TCW 9850 BCH from 486 miles at 1310 ypm. If you have been paying attention, this the same little hen that took the blue ribbon in the big Eastern WA/OR Combine and the entire 300-399 mile category from Winnemucca three weeks prior! This mileage division shipped 60 birds from 9 lofts coming almost exclusively from the southern section of the Columbia Basin Combine.

In the 500-599 MILE category, Bruce Nykamp of Idaho Falls, ID of the Snake River Valley club clocked AU 12 NYKA 2289 BCH from 510 miles at 1488 ypm. This mileage division additionally included the longer sections of the Columbia Basin Combine (Yakima, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, WA), the southern sections of the Stateline Combine (Lewiston, ID/Clarkston, WA), and a couple of lofts from the Bridger Mountain RPC in western Montana. They shipped 120 birds from 16 lofts.

In the 600 & UP category, the Smetana Loft from Bozeman, MT had two on a drop at 7:23pm from 627 miles!

And just to cap it off, they had another day bird at 7:44pm. They had three more the next morning before 10am.

That performance is from 8 birds shipped. (WHAT? Yup, guessing these birds might even breed some pretty good ones one day soon. Imagine they might even help some of those sprint breeders to produce YB’s that can last a season or two.) This section of serious flyers made-up from the Spokane RPC and longer Bridger Mountain RPC shipped 100 gladiators from 10 top notch lofts.

Features on these little champs and their handlers will be forthcoming.

Curtain call

In the final analysis, the Western Opens continue to grow and organizers continue to invite any and all flyers anywhere from 100-700 miles of Winnemucca & Carson City, Nevada to take up the challenge and simply schedule a combined release on Memorial Weekend Sunday at 6am from Winnemucca and three weeks later from Carson City…. This is the best show in the West. Get involved! We’d love to have you join us.