The GHC and GHCLA of Spring Hill, FL Award Scholarships

By Kathy Hackemer

May 2014 marked a milestone for the Gulf Coast Homing Club and the Gulf Coast Ladies' Auxiliary of Spring Hill, FL.  The two organizations awarded a total of nine $1000.00 scholarships to seniors graduating from four local high schools.  This makes a total of $46,000 given to deserving area high school graduates since the year 2000.

The scholarships are funded by both organizations and administered by a committee of the Auxiliary.  Applicants are evaluated on financial need, life circumstances, an essay, recommendations, and career plans to give back to the community.  Applicants do not have to be connected to the pigeon sport; in fact, these scholarships have been a way to reach out positively and educate our neighbors.

The committee was challenged by a quote from one of our winners.  "What if the cure for cancer is trapped inside the mind of someone who can't afford an education?"  After the 2014 recipients were selected, GHC and GHCLA representatives attended each high school's awards ceremony to present the scholarships in person.

In addition, the Auxiliary hosted a luncheon at the GHC Club House for the winners, family, and school personnel.  This year Joan Blesedell served as emcee and conveyed greetings as president of the GHC.  Toni Young also welcomed the guests in her role as GHCLA president.

The class of 2014 is made up of nine outstanding young people who have faced serious challenges:  learning disabilities; death of parents; parents with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses; loss of jobs; and care of extended family members.  But these winners did not give up; they have many achievements to their credit during their high school years.  The GHC and GHCLA are proud to support them.

HOMING PIGEONS VISIT OU SOONER FLIGHT ACADEMY

Each year, AU member, Bill Jordan visits the OU Sooner Flight Academy to present homing pigeons to the kids.  Bill is a requested presenter each year.

The OU Sooner Flight Academy summer flight camps challenge students ages 6-18 to learn the principles of flight using science and mathematics. Campers engage in hands-on activities which demonstrate the science, technology, engineering and math of the exciting world of flight. 

The camp theme is Birds. Campers spend every day having fun and learning new things about the world around them. The airport provides opportunities to explore math, science, and technology from a very different perspective. In addition to learning things about all kinds of birds, campers enjoy rockets, kites, and, of course, OU's fleet of training aircraft to climb in and explore.

 

RACING YOUTH GROUPS

Two worthy groups are seeking participation in their local activities and fundraisers:

2014 Students vs Teacher Race

3 Bird Team $150

Multiple Teams Allowed

Teacher Loft                                

7th Grade Teacher

Bulldog Loft

Clarkdale School

J Bird Loft

5th Grade Student

Only Three Lofts = More Inventories, More Updates

Ship Birds to:  Clarkdale Middle School

                          7000 Hwy 145 S

                          Meridian, MS 39301    

                          601-938-6775

Birds accepted Feb – May

Do not send birds March 10-14

100 Mile Race    25 pts in 1 pt intervals for top 25           Prizes awarded for

150 Mile Race    50 pts in 2 pt intervals for top 25           top ten birds.

200 Mile Race    75 pts in 3 pt intervals for top 25           Prize awarded for

250 Mile Race    100 pts in 4 pt intervals for top 25         winner of each race.

Races start in early October and conclude Thanksgiving week.

Contact Ronnie Shumaker 
rshumaker@lauderdale.k12.ms.us

http://www.studentsvsteacherrace.com/
http://americanracingpigeonunion.blogspot.com/2010/04/school-fundraiser-races.html

_______________________________________________________________

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 24 lofts in use and we have 4 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 Sunday, April 6, 2014; 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 8 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 Rd, Haydenville Ma. For more information contact Tim Tessier- Home: (413) 296-4359 Work: (413) 586- 6611 or email: (Florenceprecision@verizon.net)

A portion of the auction sale will be donated to the Rick Mardis Legal defense Fund.

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

http://northwestjuniorflyers.webs.com/

 
 

SHARING THE HOBBY WITH SCHOOLS

Make your own picture slideshow

Washington Fly In

Watching the Sport Die? 

Change the Channel!

by Steve Lawler, AU Past President

Steve Lawler

The Grange Hall meeting room in extreme NW Washington was filled with parents, tweeners, and teenagers busily setting-up wire cages and filling them up, while others carried in box after box of drawing prizes and bags and boxes overflowing with brunch snacks and proper lunch fixin’s. Even though the sun shone brightly outside on this fine Spring morning, it was no match for the brilliant enthusiasm exhibited in that hall.

Quicker than you can say “Jack Robinson,” several youngsters, stationed at two tables, were being quizzed by two young judges and were providing detailed and impressive facts in response to some difficult questions. Parents sat up close and hung on every word that these bright young people expounded. Their poise and subject knowledge were impressive.

Immediately afterward, five of the older members made quality presentations accompanied by informative charts, sharp photos and precise powerpoints.

Who are these guys?

What is so exciting indoors to keep Northwesterners INSIDE on a SUNNY day?
  

They are the Thunderbirds and SkyPilots of greater Whatcom County and King and Snohomish counties in western Washington.…they like homing pigeons and they are our future. AND, they haven’t heard the Pigeon Little cry that “the sky is falling” from the older generation of pigeon flyers. These youngsters are NOT holding on for dear life to a dying sport…..dying shmying! That outlook is reserved for those unwilling to make positive changes and go forth to share the joy and excitement this hobby brings. They are PROOF POSITIVE that young people are indeed interested in animals, in general, and pigeons, in particular. They live in every town, city, county, and state of the country.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jerry and Evelyn Guilmette of Bellingham and Herb Cartmell of Woodinville, WA and their respective county agents, the 4-H / AU Junior Flyer program is growing so fast that bigger facilities and more and more babies are needed to fill the demand of these young flyers eager to compete with the locals at their own game.

Compare that exciting scenario to the status of decline in most pigeon clubs around the area, and in many areas of the country, and the logical conclusion is????

As soon as the presentations finished, we were off to a scrumdilicious lunch with all the trimmings (procured by Marty Sullivan) and some bad-boy cupcakes (from Mrs. Strand) for dessert. All part of the club fundraiser and included in the small price of admission and ably collected by Evelyn Guilmette and Marlene Cartmell at the front table. 

Up next was a very informative powerpoint presentation by Herb Cartmell on Loft Construction with some accompanying great pictures Herb’s taken over the years while serving on the national AU Board.

The absolute highlight of the event, however, was “blue ticket” drawing:  All day long the 20 or so young fanciers in attendance (please note that this was an all day Saturday event and many had to schedule around soccer matches, dance recitals, and baseball games, etc.) had been scoping-out the over 50 squeakers housed in the show cages. Everyone had their favorites and back-ups listed and were poised to spring into action as soon as their number was drawn. The drama was intense as first one baby, and then another found a spot in the dozen or so crates spread out behind the anxious juniors. The groans were audible as favorites were selected by “luckier” ticket-holders. Blacks and whites and grizzles and reds and splashes went first, leaving most of the checks and plain old blue bars for the final rounds. A check of the race sheets later this year will show the real value of those later rounds.

By the time the dust cleared, every junior in the room had 3-4 youngsters to take home for settling. Chances were that many of those babies would spend at least the first night in the bedroom!

A big thanks goes out to Dave and Samantha (Sam), Breann, and Cheyenne Long of Spirit Lake, ID and the L and L Breeding Station for supplying the biggest draft of 33 babies brought clear across the state for distribution to the members of the Thunderbirds and SkyPilots. The Long’s are interested in forming a junior club (with AU dues paying parents and AU dues paying mentors) in their north Idaho - Stateline, WA area. A big effort was made to travel all the way to Lynden, WA to see these two growing groups in action.

Sam made the trip over (father Dave and sisters, Breann and Cheyenne, were in New Orleans that weekend) escorting the babies and caring for them until they found their new homes. She also made a couple of donations to the junior club treasuries by buying the breeding pair donated by Thunderbird leader, Jerry Guilmette, and one of the pedigreed YB’s donated by Concourse President, Ski Grabanski. Sam hopes to raise winners out of this new stock.

Thanks also need to go to Ski and Eileen Grabanski, who made the trip from the Greater Seattle area, bringing a basketful of babies for the juniors. Ron Pate of the Pahrump Breeding Station also sent along a big Express Mail box of babies for distribution. Ron has been supporting this SkyPilot junior club program with babies from the very beginning. And, thanks to Thunderbird leader, Jerry Guilmette, for donating some youngsters.

The wonderful day ended with a “yellow ticket” drawing of donated items from pigeon supplies from Siegel’s, Jedd’s and Tradewinds Feed to jars of honey to a pair of pigeon bookends from the legend, Elwin Anderson’s collection.

Bottomline, of course, is that growth and renewed enthusiasm is contagious. Doing something positive is always better than whining and complaining about the status quo and condemning those who are willing to step out, re-invest in the sport and make a difference. If you find yourself on the wrong side of this equation, please get out of the way and allow good things to happen in your club and in the sport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                - Steve Lawler

                                                                                                                  

Another photo album by Smilebox

STUDENTS VS TEACHERS UPDATE

Ronnie Shumaker is the gracious and generous leader, creator, mentor, teacher behind the youth/school projects in Mississippi.  They have completed the 2011 racing year and are preparing for 2012.

Here is a note from Ronnie to update you on the latest:

I am pleased to announce the addition of two new flyers to our project.

 

All of the students and schools that raced this past year will continue to participate. We will have at least 9 lofts in the 2012 Race Series. 

 

With the additional lofts and need for new birds, it is time to start requesting donations again. 

 

I hope you will share this information at your next meeting and forward to any pigeon people you know.  I realize many clubs will be meeting soon to give out bands and set up their ob season.

 

Please call or email me if you have questions.

 

Answers to FAQ:

There is no charge for the extra bird other than the $10 perch fee and it does not have to be designated or activated.

 

Remaining birds stay in the handlers' lofts and flown in the ob season the following year.

 

We will return your bird(s) if you really want them back, but let me know so I can put them in the Teacher Loft.  Breeder pays for shipping.

 

Breeder may designate which lofts birds will be placed.  If not designated, birds are placed on rotation.

 

Important: If your bird did not make it to the first race, please include one free team with your paid team this year.  You will get two teams for the price of one!  (See Inventory Oct. 23 on Website)    www.studentsvsteacherrace.com

  

Below I have tried to list those who entered birds this year. If your name is missing, misspelled, or state is wrong, please let me know.

 

As always, thank you for your support.

Ronnie

 

 

John Alday	AL		John Gallagher	FL		Dan Miller	FL
Erio Alvarez	FL		Gary Gausaway	MS		Ed Minvielle	LA
Mandel Armour	LA		Jose Gomez	FL		Charlie Moore	MS
Steve Balsamo	TX		Aubray Grandison	FL		Joe Mosley	FL
John Bell	MS		Al Hassler	FL		Anthony Natalie	FL
George Benitez	FL		Neil Howell	TN		Laura Necaise	MS
Ronald Binion	AL		John Hundrup	WA		Ron Pairan	OH
Troy Bunn	MS		Steve & Linda Joneli	OR		Richard Parrino	FL
Mike Butler	MS		Buddy Ladner	MS		Carl & Tim Perry	CA
Marvin Carter	LA		Joey Ladner	MS		Bruce Peterson	MD
Tommy Cox	AL		Lattimer	FL		Steve Phillips	AL
Grant Crain	TX		Steve Lawler	WA		Larry Smith	MS
Ron Crain	MS		Phil Lincoln	AK		Bill Thornton	AL
Michael Duckworth	MS		Bob Lynch	GA		Fred Werner	LA
Elwin Eaton	CO		Jack Mallard	GA		Byron & Mo Williams	LA
Jim & Shila Gabler	IL		Modie Mascagni	LA		Pete Yachimske	FL

 

 

2012 Students Vs Teacher

5 Student Lofts, 2 School Lofts, 1 Teacher & A Clown

Three Birds $100 entry/ 1 Extra Bird @ No Charge (Optional)

$10 perch fee per bird

Four Races with prize money paid for each race winner.

100 mile race $100 winning bird….25 Points Top 25 birds…1 point increments

150 mile race $150 winning bird….50 Points Top 25 birds…2 point increments

200 mile race $200 winning bird….75 Points Top 25 birds…3 point increments

250 mile race $250 winning bird…100 Points Top 25 birds...4 point increments

1^st  High Point Bird -1000 pt                                   High Point Team

2^nd High Point Bird - 900 pt                                             $300

3^rd High Point Bird - 800 pt                             (Based on 3 Highest Birds)

4^th High Point Bird - 700 pt                                Multiple Teams Allowed

5^th High Point Bird - 600 pt              

All prizes based on 50 teams entered. 100% of entry fees go to payout.

Perch Fees from race will fund School Pigeon Projects:

Bulldog Loft, Clarkdale Middle School      Trojan Loft, Northeast Elementary

Lewis Loft 9^th Grade  Wilson Sisters 8^th & 5^th Grades   Grimes Loft 7^th Grade

Murphy Loft 9^th Grade Boles Brothers 8^th & 6^th Grades    Clown Loft     Teacher Loft 

Birds accepted March 1 – May 25   

Ship Birds to:

Clarkdale Middle School             email:    rshumaker@lauderdalek12.ms.us

7000 Hwy 145 S                                           newgroundfarms@yahoo.com        

Meridian, MS 39301                                   601-659-3133 Home

                                                                        601-938-6775 Cell                  

Congratulations to 2011 Winners

100 Mile Race Ricardo Echenique, MS                                  150 Mile Race Tommy Cox, AL

200 Mile Race Marvin Carter & Modie Mascagni, LA        250  Mile Race Carl & Tim Perry, CA

                                                                       

High Point Birds

1^st  631 AU 11 ALEX BB Carter & Mascagni, LA  4^th 693 AU 11 ALEX BB Echenique. MS

2^nd 1417 AU 11 GSF BB Perrys, CA                     5^th 1190 AU 11 BTL BC Howell & Thornton, TN

3^rd 1425 AU 11 GSF BC Perrys, CA                         6^th  1150 AU 11 CAMP BC Hundrup, WA

High Point Team – Hayloft Pigeon Loft, Carl & Tim Perry, CA

  

www.studentsvsteacherrace.com