H H H H H H H
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AMERICAN HOMING PIGEON FANCIERS, INC. Pigeon Mini-Museum HELP NEEDED for my PIGEON MINI-MUSEUM. I collect anything to do with the history of pigeons. Old books, periodicals, stamps, artwork, figurines, trading cards, cigar bands, old timers, plates, cups, vases, medallions, trophies, diplomas, ribbons and my passion is collecting old bands. I welcome help with old AU, IF, USA and CU bands for my collection. I consider any band 2017 and older, no matter if plastic or aluminum. I really like the old aluminum bands from clubs that have the city embossed into them. Glad to save any part of pigeon history that you may consider discarding. Glad to send you postage money rather than throwing away old bands or other items. Thank you very much for helping.
John E Nelson (The Band Man) 5000 Scottdale Road • Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085 Cell Phone: (269) 208-1493 • email: [email protected]
Ad Design: www.DaybreakDesign.net SkyTalk Table of Contents 2018 2018 I.F. Officers ...... 4 H H H H H H H IF Kids Corner...... 6 President’s Message...... 12 Secretary’s Report...... 13 The Exclusive: I-Com Band...... 14 I.F. Database Update - By Sami Eljamali ...... 14 2019 Band Price List...... 15 Erik Milewski, Last Hurrah Loft - By Jonathan Spodnick...... 16 2018 I.F. Band Listing...... 23 2017 I.F. Hall of Fame - Old Bird Awards ...... 38 2017 Champion Loft Results - Old Birds...... 38 Publisher 2017 I.F. Hall of Fame - Young Bird Awards...... 39 International Federation of 2017 Champion Loft Results - Young Birds...... 39 American Homing Pigeon Fanciers, Inc. 1999-2017 Registered Champions Results...... 40 Editor: Susan Hurrell 2017 I.F. Speed Records Young & Old Birds...... 41 Young Bird Disease - By: Steve Weir, Veterinarian...... 42 Design & Layout: Are We Ignoring the Canary in the Coal Mine? - By: Clifford Bayon . . . 44 www.DaybreakDesign.net I.F. Help-A-Beginner Application...... 45 Scholarship Rules & Application...... 46 Registered Champion Certificate Rules & Application...... 48 Champion Loft Award Rules & Entry Form...... 50 Person of the Year Entry Form ...... 52 Individual Membership Application...... 53 Speed Records Award Entry Form...... 54 Rookie of the Year Entry Form...... 55 Hall of Fame Rules & Entry Form...... 56 What the I.F. Can Do for You ...... 58 2017 I. F. Scholarship Winners...... 59 2017 I.F. Convention Article - By: Mike Zuber...... 65 2017 I.F. 137th Convention Race Results...... 68 SkyTalk 2019 Advertising Rates...... 71 2018 Convention Information...... 72 Celebrating Cher Ami's 100th Anniversary...... 74 Advertiser’s Index...... 74
SkyTalk 2018 — 3 H H H H H H H
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AMERICAN HOMING PIGEON FANCIERS, INC.
President 3rd Vice President - Legal Adviser Richard Smith Lost Bird Coordinator Thomas R. Scanlon, Esq. 289 W. Valley Stream Blvd. Sal Lama 828 Hempstead Tpke., Suite 1 Valley Stream, NY. 11580 17820 Monteverde Dr. Franklin Square, NY 11010 Phone: (516) 812-9711 Spring Hill, FL, 34610 Phone (516) 280-8448 Ext. 301 Fax: (516) 485-2342 Phone: (727) 364-7554 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Database Administrator Secretary - Treasurer 4th Vice President - Sami Eljamali Val Matteucci Registered Champion 16 Moriches Middle Island Rd. P.O. Box 374 Chairman Shirley, NY 11967 Hicksville, NY 11802 James Walker (347) 834-7795 Phone: (516) 794-3612 309 Green Avenue [email protected] [email protected] Lyndhurst, NJ. 07071 Phone: (201) 939-3142 Director of Creative Services 1st Vice President - Susan Hurrell Help-A-Beginner Chairman Southern Representative John Gallagher 7890 Clark Mills Road Sam Pixley Whitesboro, NY 13492 34 Mills Hollow Drive 9363 Bradey St Springhill, FL. 34608 (315) 765-8136 Fredricksburg Va. 22406 [email protected] Phone: (540)752-9014 Phone: (352) 398-9996 [email protected] Scholarship Chairman 2nd Vice President - and Bylaw Chairman Youth Membership Scott Landry Kevin Williams 11 Evergreen Lane 150 Tremont St Industry, ME 04938 Braintree Ma, 02184 Phone: (207) 491-9041 Phone: (617) 281-6688 [email protected] [email protected] H H H H H H H
Managed by Active Pigeon Flyers since 1881. IFPigeon.com
www.DaybreakDesign.net
4 – SkyTalk 2018 For Healthier, Better Performing Birds, Specify… PrimaLac ® Microbials for Pigeons
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Field Tested. Field Proven. Since 1974, Star-Labs has been committed to improving avian health and performance with PrimaLac Microbial Cultures. Today, Star-Labs is the leader in Direct-Fed Microbials for pigeons. The unique blend of beneficial bacteria in PrimaLac can offer breeders of all A source of live types of pigeons an edge in raising better performing, (viable) healthier birds. naturally occuring microorganisms • Compatible with other medications.
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SkyTalk 2018 — 5 H H H H H H H Kids Corner The IF Kids Corner made it's debut in 2016. We have had some activity, but hope to have much more in 2018. This new page on the IF website features stories of our club's youth.
We are hoping to inspire all our young flyers to be involved in the sport of pigeon racing and have FUN. The International Federation takes pride in their youth members. Encouragimg our youth is the only way we can build our sport, and keep it flying.
This page is for members to share their "youthful" experiences with everyone. Whether a story or photo is of you, your child, or grandchild, we hope you will share it as inspiration.
Please email your stories/photos to [email protected] and we will publish them on the web for all to see.
Pictured is: Nicholas Johrden, grandson of Val Matteucci, showing off his favorite homing pigeon.
6 – SkyTalk 2018 THIRD ANNUAL CATSKILL MOUNTAIN RIP VAN WINKLE CLASSIC Sponsored by: Northern Catskill Pigeon Club, Inc. - Cairo, New York 11,000 POINTS IN TOTAL PRIZES* *BASED ON A MINIMUM OF 125 BIRD PAID ENTREES. Additional Prizes with Additional Participation.
NO SPLIT: 100% POINTS TO BREEDER! EIGHT PLUS HANDLERS TO CHOOSE FROM TO DATE. 300 MILE RACE, 09/22/18*** Westfield, New York ***DENOTES TENTATIVE RACE DATE. FOUR TRAINING RACES, TWO 100 MILE, ONE 150 MILE, AND ONE 200 MILE TRAINING RACES FOR POINTS ONLY TOWARD CHAMPION BIRD PRIZES 1st Place 5,000 points 2nd Place 2,500 points 3rd Place 1,500 points 4th Place 1,000 points Champion Bird 1,000 Points** 20 PRIZES TOTALING 15,350 POINTS AWARDED IN 2017 14 PRIZES, TOTALING 15,400. POINTS AWARDED IN 2016 **TO BE Eligible FOR CHAMPION BIRD prize, YOUR BIRD MUST BE CLOCKED IN ALL 5 RACES. $125.00 Per Bird… 3 Birds /$300.00… 5 Birds /$500.00… 10 birds / $800.00 5 birds entered 1 goes in rotation, 10 birds entered 2 go in rotation.
HANDLERS TEND TO FILL UP QUICKLY SO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
BIRDS ACCEPTED FROM Feb.1, 2018 to June 1, 2018, FREE replacements until June 15th 2018. Breeder pays all shipping charges. All birds will be inoculated upon arrival. Payment in full must accompany all entrees. Top 25 birds will be auctioned off; 33% of the proceeds go to the Breeder, 33% go to the Handler and 33% go to Northern Catskill Pigeon Club, Inc. all other birds become property of the Handler. Handlers CANNOT fly their own birds.
For more information go to: www.nccpigeonclub.com OR Call Joseph Costa: 845-758-3555 or Walter Sigda: 518-391-8537 Handlers to date: Joseph Costa: 845-758-3555 Walter Sigda: 518-391-8537 Frank Oringer: 518-821-3067 Charles Morgan: 845-876-4515 Tom Sit: 845-332-9987 Fred Fiechter: 518-678-5633 Philip Massaro: 518-822-1901 Tom Molle: 518-827-5121
Layout: www.DaybreakDesign.net SkyTalk 2018 — 7 2018 Long Island Challenge 300 Mile Auction Race $20 Entry Fee per bird. Use your own bands. PRIZES SPLIT 50% HANDLER / 50% BREEDER
Race Date: 10/28/2018 (Any date changes will be posted at www.pigeonring.com) Race results as well as YB races leading up to the big race to be posted at www.pigeonring.com. Birds are auctioned off to SLI club members as handlers. Birds become the property of the Handler. 2018 Auction Dates: FEB 4th, MARCH 4th, APRIL 15th & MAY 6th (ENTRY FORM can be obtained from www.pigeonring.com) Please have birds arrive 1-3 days before auction dates. Send $20 entry fee per bird along with birds. (Checks made out to “John Leggio – SLI Club”)
Congratulations to our 2017 WINNER Breeder: JANKE SR. Handler: Self
Butch Janke Sr., Breeder of 1st place 2017 race winner.
Contact someone from the list below to arrange shipping birds into the Race. Name Loft Name Phone 300mi. Distance Email Cliff LUDO/TDM prefers email 337.237 [email protected] Eljamali, Sami Samis Loft 347-834-7795 331.243 [email protected] Janke, Butch Janke JR. Loft 631-291-7810 332.253 [email protected] Leggio, John J.Leggio & Son 631-655-7167 331.586 [email protected]
Race Sponsors:
8 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 — 9 Each issue is packed with the information you need to improve your stock, loft, racing methods and understanding of health and nutrition.
The Digest has more pages in one month than our competitors do in six months!
Racing Pigeon Digest - The best value for your dollar!
$ $47/YR. miss an issuE anD You’ll 27/YR. 20 miss somEThing ExCiTing! 10 issuEs issuEs Call 337.474.1289
10– SkyTalk 2018 To subsCRibE now! Each issue is packed with the information you need to improve your stock, loft, racing methods and understanding of health and nutrition.
The Digest has more pages in one month than our competitors do in six months!
Racing Pigeon Digest - The best value for your dollar!
$ $47/YR. miss an issuE anD You’ll 27/YR. 20 miss somEThing ExCiTing! 10 issuEs issuEs Call 337.474.1289
To subsCRibE now! SkyTalk 2018 — 11 SkyTalk 2018 President’s H H H H H H H Message Richard Smith
Greetings! by some of our previous convention chairs. We would like to see I.F. members go to new areas of the country and visit new 2017 was another great year for the I.F. I am very proud of lofts in the upcoming years. Let me know if you and your club/ the accomplishments made during the year. I would like to combine are interested in hosting an I.F. Convention. bring everyone up-to-date with what is happening within our organization. The I.F. Database is working great for all the clubs that are using it. The database helps our members search and view race I am very pleased to say we had several I.F. Scholarship results for their clubs and lofts. I would encourage all clubs applicants this year. Congratulations to this year’s I.F. to start using the database so we can continue to build it and Scholarship Winners: 1st Place $1,000 – Delia Williams use it to calculate awards. Please see the update on page 14. of Braintree, MA. 2nd Place $750 – Thomas Yanneti, Thank you Sami Eljamali for your continued work on the I.F. South Hackensack, NJ. 3rd Place $500 – Sara Fagan, New Database feature. Haven, CT. 4th Place $500 – Brayden Skobjak, Wilson, NY. Our sport continues to be a great way to teach the youth The www.IFPigeon.com website will again be updated this responsibility, morals and have some fun doing it. You can year to have a page for our valued SkyTalk advertisers. Please read the winning essays starting on page 59. We need to help support our advertisers as they help support the I.F. and build our sport up with new junior flyers. Educate and share our sport. Once again, THANK YOU to all the SkyTalk your experiences with the kids and hopefully they will enjoy advertisers. It is greatly appreciated. The SkyTalk is the and make this great sport their own. membership’s publication. If you would like to write an article, create an advertisement to promote your loft, or announce a The 137th I.F. Convention in November was a successful one. club race, simply contact Susan Hurrell and she will make it Thank you to the Connecticut Classic Club in New Britain, happen. Show your support, spread the news and continue CT for hosting this year's event (Bob Carney (Chair), Michael with advertising in SkyTalk 2019. Zuber and Wilberto Aponte). We had another successful race, great auction of high quality birds, fun shipping night, The I.F. continues to stand behind drug testing. It is important race loft visiting, and banquet. The ladies had a wonderful and always will be important that as a collective group, we itinerary of their own with a casino/bus trip to Yankee Candle. promote clean, fair and transparent races where the best birds/ The weather cooperated again this year too. It was nice to flyers win. There is protocol in place for drug testing and I visit New England lofts and see old friends, and meet some encourage everyone to review it. You can find it on the I.F. new ones. Mike Zuber has a convention article on page 65 website under the club bi-laws, in the home rules (section followed by photographs and the 2017 convention race results. 21.0). I know more clubs and combines are practicing this now and their results are changing. Please feel free to contact me I am looking forward to this year’s 138th IF Convention in anytime, I would be happy to help anyway I can. New York on November 1st through November 3rd. Walter Wesolowski is the Committee Chair this year, with the help Last, but certainly not least, special thank you to Susan Hurrell of Robert Wesolowski, Walter Cichon, Joe Lorefice and Chris for all she does behind the scenes for the I.F. Ware, and hosted by The Lindenhurst HPC, Lindenhurst, NY. The details are on page 72 with the handler list following on Looking forward to seeing everyone in Lindenhurst, New York page 73. Additional information and updates will be posted this coming November! on our website www.IFPigeon.com and the host club website Yours in the sport, www.Lindenhursthpc.com. Please check those sites often for H H H H H H H new and additional information. Richard Smith I continue to encourage clubs and combines to host or co-host an I.F. convention. It’s a very good opportunity to gain club exposure, momentum, prestige, membership recruitment and fund raising. Questions and concerns can be answered
12– SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk Secretary’s 2018 Report H H H H H H H Val Matteucci
Best wishes to all of our members and their families for I hope we receive a lot of entries next year as well. It a very Happy New Year. In 2018, we look forward to was nice to be able to award a 4th Place this year. great success and prosperity for all our members and Usually there are three awards – 1st Place is $1,000, for our great country. 2nd Place is $750 and 3rd Place is $500. Members who have children or grandchildren that would be eligible We welcomed several new clubs to the IF in 2017: (scholarship requirement is continuous membership in - Jacksonville RPC, Jacksonville, FL the IF for five years) are urged to submit an entry. - Northern Tier Inv., Montoursville, PA - Phoenix Sportsman Club, Phoenix, AZ The 2018 Secretary Packet includes a copy of your 2017 - South Jersey Inv., Cedar Brook, NJ membership from our MMS program to be updated with any additions and deletions. IF membership dues The 2017 IF Convention was hosted by the Connecticut remain at $15.00 per adult, $10.00 per junior member Classic Club in New Britain. Kudos to Bob Carney, (under 17) and $25.00 for international members (out of Michael Zuber, Wilberto Aponte and their committee the USA). As usual, a listing of various costs associated for the great convention they put together. The with bands, diplomas, etc. is part of the packet. weather cooperated again this year. Quite a few wives and families enjoyed going to the casino and Yankee The price of stock bands are .50 per band. Complete Candle. The banquet Saturday night was superb, the pricing and postage for bands can be found on page 15. food and great conversation with friends made for a Again, thank you to our SKYTALK advertisers for their wonderful evening. support. We encourage our members to support these The 2018 IF Convention will be hosted by The advertisers. Lindenhurst HPC, Lindenhurst, NY. The dates are Sami ElJamali continues to spend many hours working November 1st through November 3rd. Further on the IF Database. The goal is to have a program that information and the handler list can be found on will be able to determine most of our awards in lieu of the IF website and the Lindenhurst HPC website, submitting paper forms to the IF. Secretaries, please www.Lindenhursthpc.com. read the update message from Sami in your club packet.
Congratulations to Delia Williams of Braintree, MA “Thank You” to all club secretaries for your continued who is the 2017 winner of the $1000 IF Scholarship! support and cooperation. Also, thank you to Susan Delia’s Dad is Kevin Williams, a member of the Hurrell, our hard-working SKYTALK editor. Braintree Club. Delia wrote a very nice article titled "Finding My Homing Instinct." Second place went to God Bless you and God Bless America. Thomas Yanneti of South Hackensack, NJ. He had a great submission titled "Discipline and Dedication." Val Matteucci Third place was Sara Fagan of New Haven, CT. Her Secretary/Treasurer submission was titled "Pigeons and Me." Forth place went to Brayden Skobjak of Wilson, NY and his essay H H H H H H H "Pigeons Never Forgotten." He writes how someday he will have his own loft and birds. That is what we all can hope for. Please take a few moments to read the entries starting on page 59. They will put a smile on your face.
SkyTalk 2018 — 13 THE EXCLUSIVE: I-COM BAND Available ONLY From The International Federation The I-Com band is used to band youngsters in the same manner as previous I.F. leg bands. The difference is, the separately purchased Electronic Race Chip then clips onto the I-Com band, leaving the other leg free for a second band, if desired. The e-chip may be installed at anytime.
The cost of the I-Com band is 50 cents each, the same price as regular stock bands. Stock bands and I-Com bands are sold in Units of 25 bands for $12.50 plus $5.00 shipping. The cost of 100 I-Com bands is $110.00, plus $8.00 shipping. All I-Com rings may be ordered as your regular club IF bands may be purchased by active I.F. members only. band. The I-Com rings are available from the I.F. now. The I.F. does not sell the chips for the I-Com rings at this Please order by contacting: time, you must contact your E-Clock dealer and check Val Matteucci, IF Secretary & Treasurer availability for your particular E-clock, and purchase the P.O.Box 374 chips from them. Hicksville, NY 11802 Tel: (516) 794-3612
H H H H H H H IF DATABASE Update!
Dear International Federation Members: We would like to update you on the next step of our database project. The database has been growing gradually. Numerous clubs continue to come on board and we welcome any feedback they may have. In the near future, we will discontinue the mail-in award entries. All the award winners will be extracted from the database. This means that if your club does not post its results in the database, you will not be considered for an award. As such, we are strongly encouraging more clubs to participate in entering their results. As previously stated in last year’s letter, this will benefit our members and our hobby in general by giving all qualifying members their well- deserved awards. Once the award formula is embedded into the database, we will post a newsflash into the IF website to let our members know when this new process will take effect. So please keep checking www.ifpigeon.com for the latest update on this development. Please send in your access forms by mail or e-mail to [email protected] and we will grant you access to post your club’s race results. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at the above e-mail. We are looking forward to another successful racing season! Sincerely, Sami Eljamali IF Database Administrator / [email protected]
14 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 2019 Band Price List H H H H H H H Regular Band Or I-COM BANDS
NOTE: DEADLINE FOR ORDERING 2019 BANDS IS MAY 1ST – NO EXCEPTIONS
1) CLUB/COMBINE/PERSONAL BANDS – REGULAR BANDS OR I-COM BANDS (Quantity in 100’s) – 2019 Color is Orange. Different color – add $25.00 per order. Other colors are White, Red, Yellow, Blue & Green.
QUANTITY PRICE POSTAGE TOTAL 1000 $300.00 $8.00 $308.00 900 288.00 8.00 296.00 800 280.00 8.00 288.00 700 275.00 8.00 283.00 600 270.00 8.00 278.00 500 250.00 8.00 258.00 400 200.00 8.00 208.00 300 165.00 8.00 173.00 200 140.00 8.00 148.00 100 110.00 8.00 118.00
NOTE: For Band Orders over 1000, following is a listing of the postage/handling fee to be added to each order. Please note when an order exceeds 1000 bands, the bands are .30 each (ex: 1100 x .30 = $330; 1500 x .30 = $450).
QUANTITY POSTAGE 1 - 1500 $10.00 1 - 2000 12.00 1 - 2500 14.00 1 - 3000 16.00 1 - 3500 18.00 1 - 4000 20.00 4000 & Over 25.00
2) STOCK BANDS – 2018 IF Stock Bands are available with the letter “E” or “Scholar” at .50 per band plus postage and handling. Minimum order is 25 bands. Additional orders are sold in increments of 25 bands.
3) I-COM BANDS – 2018 IF I-COM Bands, with the Letter “R”, are available at .50 per band plus postage and handling. Minimum order is 25 bands. Additional orders are sold in increments of 25 bands.
NOTE: DEADLINE FOR ORDERING 2019 BANDS IS MAY 1ST – NO EXCEPTIONS
4) BAND ORDER CARDS - Fill in all information and return with payment for bands. Mail band orders with check made payable to IF of AHPF, Inc., to: Val Matteucci Telephone: (516) 794-3612 P.O. Box 374 Hicksville, NY 11802 Email: [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 15 ERIK MILEWSKI – LAST HURRAH LOFT –
By: Jonathan Spodnik Eric and #415 - Winner of the 2016 Valley Red Band Race
When Erik Milewski started flying pigeons as a boy he He quietly had always thought about getting back into probably never dreamed he would have a last grand pigeons, and loved racing. He finally brought the idea performance in pigeon racing at age 90. Erik began up with his wife and as a compromise he offered to only his love of Racing Pigeons as a young boy in the fly Old Birds. This way he and his wife could travel and Westchester area of New York. He began racing as a enjoy the Summer. His wife knew how much Erik loved youngster and continued flying them up until the time he the racing pigeons so she agreed. Erik decided this entered the Navy and served our Country. While he was would be his “Last Hurrah” and so his Loft was named. away during his service, his father took care of his flock. 1996, Erik went to see Don Hart, who was a member When Erik was discharged in 1946, his father decided to of the New Haven Racing Pigeon Club. Erik joined the join him in racing and they flew together in Mamaroneck, Club and obtained some birds from Don. He did well NY. At that time his loft consisted of mostly Stassarts with those original birds but tried other strains such as and Sions and were good all around pigeons. Erik flew the Van Reets. In 2007, he joined the Valley Racing in the Greenwich Club, Mamaroneck Club and the New Pigeon Club and met Pete Gaudio. Pete was having Rochelle Racing Club. In 1956, he met the love of his life success with birds and Erik bought three children off and decided he had obligations raising his family so he Pete’s best flyer and began to have a lot more success. gave up pigeons and got serious about his career. Erik He then bought birds from John Koukidis of Norwalk, CT and his wife moved to Branford, CT and Erik worked in who had some very good birds. This cross clicked and finance at first with his father in law, then for a bank, and Erik began to really enjoy his retirement. Erik always then he was hired by Avco Lycoming in Stratford, CT as had a small loft and believed in quality over quantity. an Accountant. After a number of years, he was offered Many of us hope to achieve this, however, Erik actually a very good job with Boise Cascade in Stratford as their did! His loft usually only had 20-30 birds maximum. This Comptroller. He retired in 1991. That’s when things included his both his breeders and Old Bird team. Erik got interesting! believed that his birds stayed healthy because they had
16 – SkyTalk 2018 so much light, air and room. As a result he used almost no medicines or antibiotics.
When Electronic Clubs were introduced, Erik decided he liked the thrill of clocking the birds, so despite his challenge to pull the countermark and clock the birds against others who had Benzing units, he never changed from his manual clock! Erik was a good breeder too, he entered birds in out of area races and won a prominent race in Washington DC with a bird he sent to Billy Dismer. He also was 4th out of area and 38th overall in the Viola Race. Sadly in 2012, Erik’s wife passed away. Faced with an empty house and a lot of time on his hands Erik decided to try young bird racing.
Erik’s biggest thrill came at age 90. During the Summer of 2016, Erik worked hard with his young bird team and really concentrated on training. Despite his age, especially on shipping night. He is always ready to he crated them and drove them himself almost every shake your hand and congratulate you on winning a day. He wanted to get them just right for the Club’s race. He will participate in club discussions quietly and special band race. On October 23, 2016 the Valley Red never wants to see discord or arguments. He really loves Band Race was flown from Buffalo, NY. At 1:49 pm Erik our great sport and has shown by example how we all clocked a Silver young cock #415, which he had bred should participate and encourage one another. At our and entered in the Race. His bird flew 329 miles against last meeting Erik was unanimously voted an Honorary many tough lofts that day and ended up victorious ! Erik Member. Although his loft is empty he is not really won the prestigious Valley Red Band Race (and $4,000) retiring. He is already talking about a summer picnic by a minute and half despite having to use his manual and other events to help build cooperation and fraternity clock. Erik’s Last Hurrah loft was true to its name ! He among the local racing pigeon clubs. Thank you Erik and beat a lot of young “whipper snappers” that day. Erik Congratulations on your Last Hurrah! showed us all that age is just a number, and he is truly young at heart.
This year, Erik decided he would go out on top, and contacted the Club asking if we would hold an Auction to sell all his birds. Erik very generously decided he would donate all the proceeds of his loft sale to the Club. Although it was a sad day for Erik, many friends came to the Auction not only to buy Erik’s beautiful birds, but to say thank you to a true friend in the sport. Erik made sure he even did the Auction right. He handwrote a pedigree for all 27 of his birds and attached their race record and diplomas.
Erik is a true gentleman. He is always polite, and always has a smile on his face. He really respects his racing birds and is gentle in handling his birds
SkyTalk 2018 — 17 Official I.F. Embroidered Hats Only $12.50 per Hat (Shipping $5.00 per hat)
To order your I.F. Hat today, send your check or money order including cost of hat or hats, and shipping payable to the International Federation, and mail to:
Sam Pixley 34 Mills Hollow Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22406 (540) 752-9014 FMI: E-mail Sam at [email protected] www.IFPigeon.com
Homeward Bound for Pigeons DVD This DVD has excellent visuals and basic information on the aspects of history. The housing and training of race birds, as well as, breathtaking footage on European race releases.
This custom-made, exclusive DVD was produced with the assistance of world-renowned filmmaker Jim Jenner and former IF Vice President Paul Walsh, who is an expert on the sport.
This innovative promotional tool is perfect for introducing schools, scouts, 4-H clubs, senior citizen groups and “Homeward Bound other non-fanciers to the rewarding sport of pigeon racing. for Pigeons” It is also a great addition to every fancier’s video library. DVD Order a copy today for only $10 (+ $5 S&H) from the club Secretary/Treasurer: Val Matteucci P.O. Box 374 Hicksville, NY 11802 Telephone: (516) 794-3612
18 – SkyTalk 2018 PERTH AMBOY RACING PIGEON CLUB
SkyTalk 2018 — 19 20 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 — 21 22 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk H H H H H H H 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing H H H H H H H International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers, Inc.
3 ALL ABOVE B All Above 3 AMIGOS Jack Kurtz B 3 Amigos 5 Banner 3rd Terrace I.F. Stock Joseph Swint Brooklyn, NY 11235 Val Matteucci 985 Waring Ave., Apt. 4E (646) 772-2605 P. O. Box 374 Bronx, NY 10469 Hicksville, NY 11802 (347) 248-6099 ALL STAR (516) 794-3612 All Star Pigeon Sports [email protected] A Linda Maltman 6 Esker Rd., RR # 4 BAMBINO A Omemee, Ont, Canada K0L2W0 Bambino I. F. Stock (705) 341-1809 Vivencio Suga Val Matteucci 94-125 Pahu St. #1 P. O. Box 374 ARIZONA CHARLIE Waipahu, HI 96797 Hicksville, NY 11802 Arizona Charlie (808) 393-1855 (516) 794-3612 Charles Cienega [email protected] 1185 Kelli Ln. BANA LOFT Cottonwood, AZ 86326 Bana Loft ACA 928-300-2411 Tomasz Banasiak Anthracite Concourse Assoc. [email protected] 208 Wilmont Ave. Harvey Moore, Jr. Barrington, NJ 08007 333 Clarks Valley Rd. ASH (856) 649-4169 Tower City, PA 17980 Ashland Flying Club (717) 647-4739 Frank Monberger BARRERA [email protected] 309 Tanner St. Barrera Ringtown, PA 17967 Narciso Barrera ACS (570) 889-0997 2018 McKinney St. Atlantic City Seashore Club Burlington, NC 27217 Slawomir Baginski ATB (336) 684-1030 504 6th St. American Trenton Breeders Galloway, NJ 08205 Jerry Johnson BB (609) 703-8967 07316 Lake Rd. Bound Brook Club Hicksville, OH 43526 Ronald Kostecki AIR (419) 439-6930 172 Fairview Dr. AIR [email protected] Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 Joe Femminella (908) 391-9093 16 Gaymore Rd. ATHENS, GA [email protected] Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 Athens Area Racing Pigeon Club (631) 474-5112 Rance Wright [email protected] 171 Martin Pl. Arnoldsville, GA 30619 (706)742-8712
SkyTalk 2018 — 23 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued BBF BQC BXC Bound Brook Homing Pigeon Club Brooklyn Queens Club Bronx Homing Pigeon Club Ronald Kostecki Joseph Swint Clarence Griffin 172 Fairview Dr. 985 Waring Ave., Apt. 4E 51 Minturn Rd. Neshanic Station, NJ 08853 Bronx, NY 10469 Warwick, NY 10990 (908) 391-9093 (347) 248-6099 (917) 807-6985 [email protected] [email protected] BRA BCPA Braintree Racing Pigeon Club C Broad Channel R.P.A. Dr. Dave Urnek Robert Steiner, Sr. 808 Commercial St. C 404 N. Samsula Dr. Braintree, MA 02184 I. F. Stock New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 (671) 823-0575 Val Matteucci (386)428-3423 [email protected] P. O. Box 374 Hicksville, NY 11802 BHS BRA-NWD (516) 794-3612 Bristol Club Dr. Dave Urnek [email protected] Robert McCafferty 808 Commercial St. 2442 Ogden Ave. Braintree, MA 02184 CAPITOL CITY Bensalem, PA 19020 (671) 823-0575 Capitol City Club (215) 638-2980 [email protected] Ed Stanislawczyk 390 Spotswood Gravel Hill Rd. BOB BSC Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 Bob’s Loft Bay Shore Club (732) 521-3100 Bob Brown Charles Barbiere [email protected] 30602 State Hwy. 77 3 Houston St. Townville, PA 16360 Red Bank, NJ 07701 CBS (814) 566-8453 (732) 530-7395 CBS [email protected] Cliff Stratulat BONANZA 1049 Normandy Dr. CT Classic Club BUFFALO Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Bob Carney Buffalo R.P.C. Canada S6H3G8 2042 John Fitch Blvd. George Huber (306) 692-8208 S. Windsor, CT 06074 66 W. Hazeltine Ave. (860) 967-6789 Kenmore, NY 14217 CC (716) 875-0355 CT Classic Club BOW INV Bob Carney Bowmanville Invitational RPC BWI 2042 John Fitch Blvd. Pat Woolner Baltimore Washington International S. Windsor, CT 06074 41 Fourth St. Andy Phillips (860) 967-6789 Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada 308 Church St. L1C2G5 Baltimore, MD 21225 CCC (905) 623-7417 (443) 226-5845 Carroll County Club [email protected] Wayne Lowe BPRC 12001 Clyde Young Rd. Baileyton Pigeon Racing Club Woodsboro, MD 21798 Tina Evans (301) 845-6715 1304 Davis St. [email protected] Morristown, TN 37814 423-839-6476
24 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued CCF CMC CVR Coastal Carolina Flyers Central Mass. Club Cumberland Valley R. P. C. Jerome Hickman Ray Cliche Bob Moschel 129 Tiff Lane 190 Bardwell St. 18104 Nolman Dr. Elizabeth City, NC 27909 Belchertown, MA 01007 Fair Play, MD 21740 (757) 576-7157 (413) 543-5750 (240) 818-4652 [email protected] [email protected] CCM Club Colombofilo Metropolitano CMP D Jorge Compas Central Maine Pigeon Flyers Urb Bairod Calle 25 BD-2 Lee Gallant DBS Cajuas, PR 00725 530 Knox St. Jacksonville Club (787) 373-2557 Rumford, ME 04276 Nick Matarese (207) 357-7929 423 Fawlor Manning Rd. CFL [email protected] Richlands, NC 28574 CFL (910) 330-2624 Joe Colondona COPC [email protected] 61 Inlet View Path Carteret, Onslow Pigeon Club E. Moriches, NY 11940 Rex Straughan DCUI 631-960-3696 347 Hogans Rd. Dutchess County Ulster Invitational Hubert, NC 28539 Ray Pereira CHEN LOFT (910) 330-2578 5 Farmview Rd. Chen Loft [email protected] Wappinger Falls, NY 12590 Dave Chen (914) 760-5642 126 Red Oak Ln. COURT LOFT Bangor, PA 18013 Court Loft DEA (484) 542-6888 Sal Bennici Dennis Aycock 314 Union St. 5411 W. Monte Cristo CLASSIC Brooklyn, NY 11231 Glendale, AZ 85306 Connecticut Classic Club (646) 721-0019 (602) 938-4962 Bob Carney [email protected] 2042 John Fitch Blvd. CVHP S. Windsor, CT 06074 Central VA Homing Pigeon Club DENNIS TERRIZZI (860) 967-6789 Jason Floyd Dennis Terrizzi 42 Top Ridge Rd. 73 Park Lane Dr. CLAUSING Lynchburg, VA 24601 Albertson, NY 11507 Clausing (434) 942-1940 (516) 554-7812 David Clausing [email protected] [email protected] 6018 NW C.R. 661-A Arcadia, FL 34266 CVI DIAMOND (863) 444-0300 Connellsville R.P.C. Diamond [email protected] Robert Morris Jack Marzillano 1748 Grindstone Rd. 22 Hillberry Ln. Grindstone, PA 15442 Holbrook, NY 11741 (724) 677-0301 (516) 607-5030 [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 25 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued DIAZ & SON EMC FCC Diaz & Son East Meadow Club F. Colombofile Cuban Tony Diaz Val Matteucci Gustavo Garcia 602 Eldert Ln. P. O. Box 374 141 S. Park St. Brooklyn, NY 11208 Hicksville, NY 11802 Elizabeth, NJ 07206 (718) 683-1266 (516) 794-3612 (908) 358-2414 [email protected] [email protected] FCON DONOGHUE EMPIRE French Connection Loft Donoghue Empire Bob French Jesse Donoghue Tal Erglis 5014 W. Paradise Ln. P.O. Box 991 16 Gauthier Dr. Glendale, AZ 85306 Rimrock, AZ 86335 Clifton Park, NY 12065 (602) 938-9306 (631) 291-3723 (518) 371-7949 FFF DVC EMPIRE-CA Flying For Fun Delaware Valley Pigeon Club Empire-CA Robert Griffiths Joe Martino, Jr. Jim McInnes 630 Carolina Bay Dr. 2219-B New Hope St. 184 Hunt Rd. Apt. 314 Norristown, PA 19401 Brighton, Ontario, Canada K0K1H0 Wilmington, NC 28403 (610) 277-2997 (613) 475-6052 (910) 399-4445 [email protected] [email protected] ERIE,PA E Erie Racing Pigeon Club FFP Bob Brown Flying Frenzy Pigeon Club E 30602 State Hwy. 77 Jamie Murphy I. F. Stock Townville, PA 16360 103 New Hope Church Rd. Val Matteucci (814) 566-8453 Alma, GA 31510 P. O. Box 374 (912) 282-9142 Hicksville, NY 11802 ERP (516) 794-3612 Easton Racing Pigeon Club FJT [email protected] Gary Karcher, Jr. Taranto Loft II 375 Center St. Frank Taranto, Sr. E.F. PIGEON Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 49 Glen Ave. E.F. Pigeon (908) 319-4129 Fairfield, NJ 07004 Joe Campione [email protected] (973) 812-7938 148 Lamar St. W. Babylon, NY 11704 F FOYS (516) 640-6467 Foy's Pigeon Supplies F-16 LOFT Jerry Gagne ECC F-16 Loft 453 Constitution Blvd. Effingham County R.P.C. Slawomir Baginski New Brighton, PA 15066 John Carr 504 S. 6th Ave. (724) 843-6889 1758 Courthouse Rd. Galloway, NJ 08205 [email protected] Guyton, GA 31312 (609) 703-8967 (912) 659-9347 [email protected]
26 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued FVC GOD GVI Frank Viola HPC God Grand Valley Invitational Peter Viola Randall Jarrell Bob Keeling 557 17th St. 705 Sandford Rd. 3210 E ½ Rd. Brooklyn, NY 11215 Pittsboro, NC 27312 Clifton, CO 81520 (646) 773-6546 (919) 210-2500 (970) 640-4653 [email protected] [email protected] H G GOH Gopher Hill Club HALL GALT Ricky DuBois Hall Steve Wojteczko 2111 Parker Rd. Erik Hall 16 Monroe St. Sylvania, GA 30467 17534 Shadyside Circle Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 912-658-9424 Lutz, FL 33549 N1R2C5 (631) 774-8238 (519) 240-2650 GOLD WINGS [email protected] Gold Wings Loft GE Michelle Sonnie HBG Greater Elizabeth Club 1346 Chestnut St. Greater Harrisburg Pigeon Club William Daniele Douglassville, PA 19518 Arvel Freydenfelt 78 Oak St. (610) 582-1961 723 Wyndamere Rd. Carteret, NJ 07008 [email protected] Lewisberry, PA 17339 (732) 742-4982 (717) 938-6602 [email protected] GPC [email protected] Greater Philadelphia Club GEF Ray Dydak HC Greater Elizabeth Pigeon Club 4761 Garden St. Hampton County R.P.C. William Daniele Philadelphia, PA 19137 Melvin Drawdy 78 Oak St. (215) 288-7559 P.O. Box 9 Carteret, NJ 07008 Brunson, NC 29911 (732) 742-4982 GSB (803) 842-6733 [email protected] Lindenhurst HPC Walter Wesolowski HDL GENESIS 255 S. 14th St. High Dimension Loft Jerry Vincent, Jr. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 Raul Mejia 1 Autumn Ln. (631) 774-7788 816 Elbert St. Ewing, NJ 08638 Pharr, TX 78577 (609) 883-2886 GURNAY, USA (966) 429-1059 Gurnay Club [email protected] GIG John Welling Golden Isles Of Georgia 6045 Ely Rd. HENRYK&SON Bruce Lawson Wooster, OH 44691 Henryk Orzakiewicz 40 Pecan Rd. (330) 465-1059 261 Alden St., Apt. 264 Jesup, GA 31546 [email protected] Wallington, NJ 07057 (912) 221-0027 (201) 873-3535 [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 27 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued HERO HOMEWARD ANGELS IDF Hero Homeward Angels Ideal R.P.C. Sam Pirrone Leonard Meyers James Corso 4912 Comly St., Apt. B P.O. Box 338 1224 46th St. Philadelphia, PA 19135 Landrum, SC 29356-9450 N. Bergen, NJ 07047 (267) 538-2020 (864) 457-4676 (201) 867-2776 [email protected] Cell: (201) 450-4551 HFL HFL HPC IRISH SYND Salvador Hernandez High Point Racing Pigeon Club Irish Syndicate 10268 Kewan Ave. Kenneth Robbins Stephen Furlonge Pacoima, CA 91331 202 Back Creek Terrace 965 E. Desert Ln. (818) 480-1402 Asheboro, NC 27205 Gilbert, AZ 85234 (336) 465-0858 (480) 215-4255 HHC [email protected] Hanover Homing Club HPL Lou Becker High Point Loft IRPC 115 Old Waynesboro Bill Bonevelly Interstate R.P. Combine Fairfield, PA 17320 27 Joan St. James Gretz (717) 989-6346 Wayne, NJ 07470 141 Flowers Rd. [email protected] (201) 538-6803 New Alexandria, PA 15670-3054 (724) 668-7616 HIP HRP [email protected] Hi-plane Hampton Roads RPC Kevin Washington Donny Ward ISL 8829 Pams Ave. 12 Hudson Cir. Islip Homing Club Richmond, VA 23237 Newport News, VA 23605 Doug Franz (804) 275-7372 (757) 599-5944 141 Brook St. [email protected] Bay Shore, NY 11706 HOB (516) 527-0748 New Hudson County Club HYLAN Vincent Torre Hylan J 1647 Ratzer Rd. Nelson Ramos Wayne, NJ 07470 309 Dongan Hills Ave. JAX (201) 522-8599 Staten Island, NY 10305 Jacksonville RPC (917) 215-3000 Liz Gallardo HOM [email protected] 7117 Oakney Rd. Heart Of Michigan Pigeon Club Jacksonville, FL 32211 Shirley Ashley I (904) 674-4636 6196 Five Pt. Hwy. Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 IV ACRES LOFT J & D LOFT (517) 663-1305 IV Acres Loft J & D LOFT [email protected] Dominick Aldelluzzi Don Giunta 1118 Seanton Ln. 22 Ketchum Rd. West Point, VA 23181 Hicksville, NY 11801 (760) 310-4525 (516) 987-1598
28 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued JERZY Jerzy K LBRA Mike Bride Lindenhurst Club 407 Sharon School Rd. KING LOU RACE Walter Wesolowski Statesville, NC 28677 King Lou Race 255 S. 14th St. (908) 303-0992 Robert Waters Lindenhurst, NY 11757 [email protected] 326 King Ave. (631) 774-7788 Bronx, NY 10464 JKMA (718) 885-1143 LCC Suburban Combine, Inc. Connecticut Classic Pigeon Club Gary Moore KOLV Bob Carney 730 Sandra Ln. Kolvenbag & Son 2042 John Fitch Blvd. Phoenixville, PA 19460-2322 Geert Kolvenbag S. Windsor, CT 06074 (610) 933-6654 293 Hickory Dr. (860) 967-6789 [email protected] Kennett Square, PA 19348-1551 (610) 347-0908 LCM JM [email protected] Lyndhurst H.P.C. John Munsham Nick Palladino 9190 Yager L 950 Westside Ave. Wales Twsp., MI 48027 Jersey City, NJ 07306 (586) 322-6428 LA LOMA (201) 435-3990 La Loma JOE & FRAN POLITI Americo Ramos LGL Joe & Fran Politi HC 03 Box 33477 Lion Gate Lofts 172 Ballad Circle Hatillo, PR 00659 Neil Migliore Holbrook, NY 11741 (787) 380-4328 163-165 Bridge Rd. (631) 981-8915 [email protected] Islandia, NY 11788 (631) 582-5566 JNC LAT [email protected] Jacksonville Club Latrobe R.P.C. Nick Matarese James Gretz LHC 423 Fawlor Manning Rd. 141 Flowers Rd. Lyndhurst H.P.C. Richlands, NC 28574 New Alexandria, PA 15670-3054 Nick Palladino (910) 330-2624 (724) 668-7616 950 Westside Ave. [email protected] [email protected] Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 435-3990 JSC LAURETTI Jersey Shore RPC Lauretti LHR Kurt Deyback John Lauretti Lindenhurst H.P.C. 1674 Harvard Ave. 2566 Harvard Ln. Walter Wesolowski Brick, NJ 08724 Seaford, NY 11783 255 S. 14th St. (908) 433-6451 (516) 587-4156 Lindenhurst, NY 11757 [email protected] (631) 774-7788 LBR JUTRAS Lindenhurst Homing LIN Jutras Walter Wesolowski Lindenhurst H.P.C Jerry Jutras 255 S. 14th St. Walter Wesolowski 102 Plains View Rd. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 255 S. 14th St. Williamsburg, VA 23188 (631) 774-7788 Lindenhurst, NY 11757 (757) 876-4600 (631) 774-7788 [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 29 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued LLF LOREFICE FAMILY LYN Lakeland Flyers Lorefice Family Lyndhurst H.P.C. Kenny Peer Cowboy Lorefice Nick Palladino 10 White Oak Rd. 12220 N. Kalama Circle 950 Westside Ave. Parsippany, NJ 07054 Marana, AZ 85653 Jersey City, NJ 07306 (978) 417-8085 (520) 237-8086 (201) 435-3990 Nos. 6201 - 6500 LM M Lansing R P C LPC Ted Wade Lennox Park Club MAIER Maier 8651 Beardslee Rd.. George Watson Bryan Maier Perry, MI 48872 2533 Green St. 925 Chatfield Rd. (517) 655-2372 Chester, PA 19013 Warrington, PA 18976 (610) 220-9185 (215) 343-0403 LMA [email protected] Mingo Homing Club LPM Lennox Park Club T.C. Ward George Watson MAN 6574 Knoll Ct. 2533 Green St. Man New Tripoli, PA 18066 Chester, PA 19013 Ionel Man (610) 298-8303 (610) 220-9185 1209 E. Chula St. [email protected] Phoenix, AZ 85020 LU (480) 252-0468 LMC Lu Mingo Homing Club Nick Lu MAX SPEED T.C. Ward 39 Wolf St. Max Speed 6574 Knoll Ct. Philadelphia, PA 19148 Plotr Ksiazek New Tripoli, PA 18066 (215) 275-9161 P.O. Box 556 (610) 298-8303 Sugar Loaf, NY 10961 [email protected] LUDO (845) 978-0253 Ludo LOPRESTI Clifford Baynon MCF Charles LoPresti 6278 Route 25A, Suite 6 Morris County Flyers 136 Hawthorne Rd. Wading River, NY 11792 Tim Kasharian Braintree, MA 02184 (631) 495-0734 P.O. Box 335 (781) 844-7596 [email protected] Vienna, NJ 07880 (908) 625-2183 LOREFICE FAMILY LVC [email protected] Lorefice Family Lykens Valley Club Joe Lorefice Harvey Moore, Jr. MDL 855 Greenbelt Pkwy. 333 Clarks Valley Rd. MDL Holbrook, NY 11741 Tower City, PA 17980 Michael Cautillo (631) 868-0662 (717) 647-4739 94 Centre St. Nos. 6001 - 6200 [email protected] Bronx, NY 10464 (646) 261-3087 LWH Washington Combine Flyers Aundre Harris 12320 Crain Hwy. Brandywine, MD 20613 (240) 375-9717
30 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued MET N NHCF North Hudson Club Metchun Pigeon Club James Corso John Panek NAF 1224 46th St. 16 Deerhill Rd. Suburban Combine, Inc. N. Bergen, NJ 07047 Somerville, NJ 08876 Gary Moore (201) 867-2776 (908) 581-7202 730 Sandra La. Cell: (201) 450-4551 [email protected] Phoenixville, PA 19460-2322 (610) 933-6654 NHF MH [email protected] North Hudson Club Mingo Homing Club James Corso T. C. Ward NCC 1224 46th St. 6574 Knoll Ct. Northern Catskill Club, Inc. N. Bergen, NJ 07047 New Tripoli, PA 18066 Joe Costa (201) 867-2776 (610) 298-8303 15 Feller New Mark Rd. Cell: (201) 450-4551 [email protected] Red Hook, NY 12571 (845) 758-3555 NJF MRC [email protected] Northwest Junior Flyers Middlesex R.P.C. Tim Tessier Mary Bajer NEIL P.O. Box 325 51 Davidson Mill Rd. Neil Chesterfield, MA 01012 N. Brunswick, NJ 08902 Neil George (413) 296-4359 (732) 422-8589 200-10 46 Ave. [email protected] [email protected] Bayside, NY 11361 (718) 570-6305 NKC MRP Washington Combine Flyers Mohawk RPC NET Aundre Harris Harold Southerland North-East Tennessee RPC 12320 Crain Hwy. 2014 Phillipi Rd. Ron Wilcox Brandywine, MD 20613 Mohawk, TN 37810 1141 Ryder Church Rd. (240) 375-9719 (423) 552-6572 Bluff City, TN 37618 [email protected] (423) 575-2032 NLI Northern Long Island MTFL NEVER HAPPEN Tom Newman MTFL Never Happen 20 Oak Tree Dr. Meletios Tsarouthsis Kevin Williams Smithtown, NY 11787 2686 Winona Rd. 150 Tremont St. (631) 724-2431 Baldwin, NY 11510 Braintree, MA 02184 [email protected] (516) 643-4424 (617) 281-6688 [email protected] NPC MVRC North Penn Homing Mid Valley Racing Club NEW Terry Nogradi Raymond Rodriguez Newark HPC 115 Park Dr. 147 New Unionville Rd. Jim Lister Doylestown, PA 18901 Wallkill, NY 12589 2 Stockton Dr. (215) 345-8250 (732) 406-9031 New Castle, DE 19720 [email protected] (302) 545-0140 [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 31 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued NPR O PENA Northampton Pigeon Racing Club Pena Al Guzara OLC Jason Pena 2356 Main St. Original Linden Club 20 Yorkshire Ln. Northhampton, PA 18067 William Daniele Avon, CT 06001 (610) 262-4666 78 Oak St. (860)924-0028 Carteret, NJ 07008 NR (732) 742-4982 PERTH AMBOY New Rochelle Club [email protected] Perth Amboy Club Robert Waters Stanley Krawiec 326 King Ave. ONE OF A KIND 4 Villanova Dr. Bronx, NY 10464 One of a Kind Manalapan, NJ 07726 (718) 885-1143 Alexander Mercado (732) 446-4842 3519 Malta St. [email protected] NSBR Philadelphia, PA 19134 Nassau Suffolk Band Race (267) 231-1093 PFL Doug Franz Polisi Family Loft 141 Brook St. P Ed Polisi Bay Shore, NY 11706 87 Cherubina Ln. 516-527-0748 PAF N. Babylon, NY 11703 Perth Amboy R P C (631) 274-5534 NTC Stanley Krawiec Northern Tier Club 4 Villanova Dr. PGC Denny McFadden Manalapan, NJ 07726 Pine Grove Pigeon Club 88 Kehrer Hill Rd. (732) 446-4842 Wayne Lehman Montoursville, PA 17754 [email protected] P.O. Box 112 (570) 433-3690 Pine Grove, PA 17963 PAOF (570) 449-0682 NWC Northwest Club Perth Amboy R.P.C. Igor Kravchuk Stanley Krawiec PHX 34 Little River Rd. 4 Villanova Dr. Phoenixville Western Westfield, MA 01085 Manalapan, NJ 07726 Gary Moore (413) 562-2312 (732) 446-4842 730 Sandra Ln. [email protected] [email protected] Phoenixville, PA 19460 (610) 933-6654 NWJ PAT North West Jersey Paterson Homing Pigeon Club PJ LOFT Tim Kasharian Ray Torres PJ Loft P.O. Box 335 50 Center Ave. Peter Meca, Jr. Vienna, NJ 07880 Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 1410 Cambiun Ct. (908) 625-2183 (973) 785-2222 Hanover, MD 21076 [email protected] [email protected] (410) 279-6844
NWK PEER POLIDORO Newark Homing R.P.C. Peer Polidoro Julio Nunes Kenny Peer Joe Polidoro 213 W. Munsell Ave. 10 White Oak Rd. 6 Justin Dr. Linden, NJ 07036 Parsippany, NJ 07054 Medford, NY 11763 (908) 494-7137 (978) 417-8085 (631) 445-2274 [email protected] [email protected]
32 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued POWER STROKE Q RED RIVER T Power Stroke Red River T Loft Jerred Jerdee QCM Frank Taranto, Jr. 80822 220th St. Queen City Club 176 Pine Brook Rd. Hayward, MN 56043 Steve Balog Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 (507) 256-7685 1120 Hanover St. (201) 953-0540 [email protected] Piscataway, NJ 08854 [email protected] (732) 752-2066 PRAIRIE RFR Prairie QCP Richmond Concourse Richard E. Colson Queen City Pigeon Club Ed Gale Box 6 Site 4 RR3, High River Steve Balog 11887 River Rd. Alberta, Canada TIVIN3, 1120 Hanover St. Chesterfield, VA 23838 (403) 938-9449 Piscataway, NJ 08854 (804) 432-5026 [email protected] (732) 752-2066 [email protected]
PRASHKOV QUO VADIS RI Hasan Prashkov Quo Vadis Rhode Island Pigeon Club 401 Prospect St. Gregory Tyrone Dave Wood Norwell, MA 02061 40315 US Highway 1, S 16 Greystone Ave. 617-504-2213 Pine Bluff, NC 28373 N. Providence, RI 02911 (910) 977-2170 (401) 231-7518 PROTEGE [email protected] Protege R Ken Rhodes RICH 150 Mink Hollow Rd., R Rich E. Fallowfield, PA 19320 I.F. Stock Rich Boelhower (610) 486-6588 Val Matteucci 131 Summit Ave. [email protected] P. O. Box 374 Fords, NJ 08863 Hicksville, NY 11802 (732) 738-7916 PSC (516) 794-3612 [email protected] Phoenix Sportsman Club [email protected] Bob French RICH FOX 5014 W. Paradise Ln. RBC Rich Fox Glendale, AZ 85306 Richmond Boro Club Box 136 (602) 938-9306 Anthony Montelli Summit Station, PA 17979 21 Comstock Ave. (570) 621-8923 PVI Staten Island, NY 10314 Pascack Valley Inv. (917) 972-3655 RICHMOND,VA Vincent DeStaso Richmond Homing Pigeon Club 50 Old Middleton Rd. RED DRAGON Ed Gale New City, NY 10956 Red Dragon 11887 River Rd. (845) 204-6688 Terrance Chen Chesterfield, VA 23838 6 Chute Rd. (804) 432-5026 Dedham, MA 02062 [email protected] (617) 816-6622
SkyTalk 2018 — 33 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued RITTER S.CHENG3025885797 SERGIO GONZALEZ Roy Ritter S.Cheng302-588-5797 Sergio Gonzalez 5463 Ridge Ct. Steven Cheng 5857 McMillian St. New Tripoli, PA 18066 2 Morris Ln. Detroit, MI 48209 (610) 960-5286 Newark, DE 19713 (313) 820-9303 (302) 588-5797 [email protected] RLPC Red Lion Pigeon Club SCH SFA Ron Price Schenectady Homing Pigeon Club Sportsmen Flying Assoc. 531 Crestwood Dr. Thomas Molle Bob Olszewski Red Lion, PA 17356 1123 Flat Creek Rd. 825 Johnson St. (717) 855-8537 Gilboa, NY 12076 Maumee, OH 43537 (518) 827-5121 (419) 704-8838 ROMAN EMPIRE Roman Empire SCHOLAR SFL James Corso I F Stock Sampogna Family Loft 1224 46th St. Val Matteucci Tony Sampogna N. Bergen, NJ 07047 P. O. Box 374 2269 Pettit Rd. (201) 450-4551 Hicksville, NY 11802 Fort Erie, Ontario, (516) 794-3612 Canada L2A 5M4 ROXBURY LOFTS [email protected] (888) 374-4366 Roxbury Lofts [email protected] Rafael Bachier SCM 188 Warren Rd. Southern Central Michigan SGF Roxbury, MA 02119 Walter Treichel South Georgia Flyers (617) 594-5759 9100 Dew Rd. Kevin Williamson Horton, MI 49246 13422 Old Post Rd. RPC (517) 524-6429 Hortense, GA 31543 Reading Pigeon Club [email protected] (912) 571-2706 Scott Fisher [email protected] 763 Hill Church Rd. SCO Boyertown, PA 19512 Sullivan County SHAMROCK (717) 371-9125 Joe Perrello Shamrock [email protected] P.O. Box 536 Kevin Malley Fallsburg, NY 12733 8 Sunrise Dr. S (845) 434-4693 Stony Point, NY 10980 [email protected] (845) 942-0810 S Central Massachusetts Club SEA SHC Ray Cliche Seaport Fliers Scotts Hill Club 190 Bardwell St. Vincent Rooney Gena Fredrickson Belchertown, MA 01007 3124 Benefit Rd. 8053 Sidbury Rd. (413) 543-5750 Chesapeake, VA 23322 Wilmington, NC 28411-7945 [email protected] (757) 421-7214 (910) 686-9834 [email protected] [email protected]
34 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued SHSC SQC SVC Spring Hill Sportsman Club South Queens Club Susquehanna Valley Club John Gallagher James Rodgers Ronald Fulkroad 16605 Diplomat Dr. 2051 Strauss St. 244 Landfill Rd. Spring Hill, FL 34608 Brooklyn, NY 11212 Millersburg, PA 17061 (727) 378-7103 (347) 600-6423 (717) 692-4394 [email protected] SILVERADO SRPC Silverado Sandhills RPC SVN Mickey Holland, Jr. Benja Burr Sullivan County 7850 James Austin Rd. 109 Pinedale Dr. Joe Perrello Willow Springs, NC 27592 Rockingham, NC 28379 P.O. Box 536 (910) 489-2947 (910) 995-8199 Fallsburg, NY 12733 [email protected] [email protected] (845) 434-4693 [email protected] SJI SSF South Jersey Invitational South Shore Pigeon Flyers T Rohan Fyffe John Haggerty 412 Larch Ct. 139 Hingham St. T Williamstown, NJ 08094 Rockland, MA 02370 Torrington RPC (856) 332-1126 (508) 405-5984 Andrzej Burdyl 50 Maria Rd. SKY STRAIT LINE FLY Plainview, CT 06062 Skylands R. P. C. Strait Line Flyer (860) 518-6516 Carlos DaSilva Blair Cooper [email protected] 380 W. Dewey Ave. 2653 State Rte. 55 Roxbury, NJ 07885 White Lake, NY 12786 TAF (201) 755-5017 (845) 807-2158 Thumb Area Flyers [email protected] Amhold Ludwig SLI 4315 Mayer Rd. Southeastern Long Island STY China, MI 48054 John Leggio Steinway HPC (586) 601-8328 370 Auborn Ave. Albert Sima Shirley, NY 11967 7315 Grand Ave. TAO (631) 281-9473 Maspeth, NY 11378 TAO (917) 612-0322 Qi Tao Guo SLP 1168 Albury Ave. Washington Combine Flyers SUNBURST Spring Hill, FL 34606 Aundre Harris Sunburst Racing Pigeon Club (646) 639-2898 12320 Crain Hwy. Dennis Aycock Brandywine, MD 20613 5411 W. Monte Cristo TAPIA LOFTS (240) 375-9717 Glendale, AZ 85306 Tapia Lofts (602) 938-4962 Anthony Tapia SOJ [email protected] 23 Olive Rd. South Jersey H. P. F., Inc. Sandia Park, NM 87047 Rich Underwood (505) 730-8590 520 Jefferson Ave. Gloucester, NJ 08030-1211 (856) 456-9130 [email protected]
SkyTalk 20182017 — 3547 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued TAR TYSON CORNER USA Turbotville Area Racing Club Tyson Corner USA Libby Laubach James Corso Ken Rhodes 2496 Number Ten Rd. 1224 46th St. 150 Mink Hollow Rd. New Columbia, PA 17856 N. Bergen, NJ 07047 E. Fallowfield, PA 19320 (570) 768-1238 (201) 867-2776 (610) 486-6588 [email protected] Cell: (201) 450-4551 [email protected]
TCR U V Tommy Rushing 750 Ridge Rd. USMC VGWF Monroe, NC 28110 USMC Vance,Granville,Warren,Franklin (704) 634-5169 Mike Sherwood Vinny Moreschi 19 Vernal St. 1248 Julie McKnight Rd. TDM Wareham, MA 02571 Kittrell, NC 27544 Tom De Martino (508) 627-2748 (919) 810-5257 Tom DeMartino [email protected] 402 Sleepy Hollow Dr. U-TEN Shirley, NY 11967 Unit Ten R.P.C. VIOC (631) 399-5555 Bob Frank Frank Viola H.P.C. [email protected] 17840 Littlewood Dr. Peter Viola Spring Hill, FL 34610 557 17th St. TORR (727) 378-3863 Brooklyn, NY 11215 Torrington Racing Pigeon Club [email protected] (646) 773-6546 Andrzej Burdyl [email protected] 50 Maria Rd. U-TEN BRX Plainview, CT 06062 Unit Ten R.P.C. VLP (860) 518-6516 Bob Frank New Rochelle Club [email protected] 17840 Littlewood Dr. Robert Waters Spring Hill, FL 34610 326 King Ave. TRC (727) 378-3863 Bronx, NY 10464 Tarheel R.P.C. [email protected] 718-885-1143 Richard Smith, Jr. 1753 Old Wesley Chapel Rd. UCPR VP Linwood, NC 27299 Union Colonbofila Puertoriguena Valley Pigeon Club (336) 853-6432 Luis J. Sosa Ed Petroski [email protected] 1135 Ave General Ramey 63 Petroski Ln. San Antonio, PR 00690 Wapwallopen, PA 18660 TRUNNELL (787) 975-8039 (570) 868-5866 Trunnell [email protected] David Trunnell UPC 200 Old Kents Hill Rd. United Pigeon Combine VPC Readfield, ME 04355 Obed Conde Valley Pigeon Club (207) 446-4165 1275 Main St. Juan Cintron Oberlin, PA 17113 70 Lincoln Ave. (717) 514-6292 Bridgeport, CT 06606 [email protected] (203) 690-2636
36 – SkyTalk 2018 2018 I.F. Band Listing Continued VPCA WER WW Valley Pigeon Club Washington Combine Flyers Waterloo-Wellington RPC Juan Cintron Aundre Harris Ken George 70 Lincoln Ave. 12320 Crain Hwy. 1480 Roseville Rd. Bridgeport, CT 06606 Brandywine, MD 20613 Ontario, Canada N1R5S3 (203) 690-2636 (240) 375-9719 (519) 623-1449
W WESOLOWSKI Y Wesolowski Loft WANG Wang Walter Wesolowski YUK Jason Wang 255 S. 14th St. Yukon Invitational H. P. C. 10411 Viridian Dr. Lindenhurst, NY 11757 Mike Belardia Port Richey, FL 34668 (631) 774-7788 1715 Raccoon Run Rd. (917) 669-6699 Monongahela, PA 15063 [email protected] WHC (412) 979-5124 Westside HPC [email protected] WC Frank Taranto, Jr. West Chester 176 Pine Brook Rd. Z Nick Lebresco Lincoln Park, NJ 07035 634 Meadow Dr. (201) 953-0540 ZHENGLOFT West Chester, PA 19380 [email protected] De Nan Zheng (610) 692-6617 2424 Sandy Ln. [email protected] WOODLAND Orlando, FL 32818 Woodland Loft (407) 257-9399 WCF Robert Longid West Chester 14 Ash Ln. ZLINE Nick Lebresco Valley Stream, NY 11581 Z Line 634 Meadow Dr. (516) 547-5122 Charles Zerafa West Chester, PA 19380 7 Fielek Ter. (610) 692-6617 WTCM Parlin, NJ 08859 [email protected] World Trade Center Memorial (732) 727-6455 Clarence Griffin [email protected] WCM 51 Minturn Rd. Washington Combine Flyers Warwick, NY 10990 Aundre Harris (845) 651-1127 12320 Crain Hwy. [email protected] Brandywine, MD 20613 (240) 375-9719 WVC Wayne Valley Club WELLWOOD Ted Iwan Wellwood Pigeon 668 Ratzer Rd. Wellwood Pigeon Wayne, NJ 07470 920 N. Wellwood Ave. (973) 262-3562 Lindenhurst, NY 11757 [email protected] (631) 991-7711 H H H H H H H
SkyTalk 2018 — 37 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H
I.F. HALL OF FAME 2017 OLD Bird Awards Pos Band Number Name Points 5-25 Lofts 1. IF 15 NPC 731 Harvey Moore Jr. - Moore Loft - Tower City, PA 189.86 2. IF 15 NCC 128 Charles Morgan - Mountain View - Rhinebeck, NY 182.34 3. IF 16 BWI 60203 John Hoffman - Twin Loft - Baltimore, MD 172.41 4. IF 13 HAM 2145 John Hoffman - Twin Loft - Baltimore, MD 169.80 5. IF 14 BWI 40293 John Hoffman - Twin Loft - Baltimore, MD 168.94 6. IF 16 FOYS 8612 John Hoffman - Twin Loft - Baltimore, MD 167.40 7. IF 16 EMC 2422 Pawel Grabowski - Pawels Loft - Franklin Square, NY 161.54 8. IF 16 EMC 2228 Pawel Grabowski - Pawels Loft - Franklin Square, NY 154.44 9. IF 16 SLI 49 Sami Eljamali - Samis Loft - Shirley, NY 151.07 10. IF 14 TAR 4945 Robert Sterner - Sterner Loft - Sunbury, PA 95.72
I.F. CHAMPION LOFT 2017 OLD Bird Awards Name / Loft Club/Combine Points 5-25 Lofts 1. Harvey Moore Jr. Anthracite Concourse Association .9812 2. John Hoffman Baltimore Pigeon Fanciers Social Club .9794 3. John Glemser/Rich Underwood Greater Western Combine .9770 4. Charles Morgan Northern Catskill Racing Pigeon Club .9636 5. Robert Sterner Turbotville Area RPC .9569 26-75 Lofts 1. Robert Bankard United Pigeon Combine .9727
2016 Old Bird Awards and Old Bird Champion Loft Results Compiled and Submitted by: Walter Cichon
38 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H
I.F. HALL OF FAME 2017 YOUNG Bird Awards Pos Band Number Name Points 5-25 Lofts 1. IF 17 SLI 328 Butch Janke Jr. - Janke Junior Loft - Shirley, NY 169.50 2. IF 17 WTCM 627 Wiktor Gontowicz - Wiktor Loft - Brooklyn, NY 149.73 3. IF 17 LHR 1720 Wiktor Gontowicz - Wiktor Loft - Brooklyn, NY 104.23 26-75 Lofts 1. IF 17 LHR 1720 Wiktor Gontowicz - Wiktor Loft - Brooklyn, NY 196.69
I.F. CHAMPION LOFT 2017 YOUNG Bird Awards Name / Loft Club/Combine Points 5-25 Lofts Cliff Baynon Southeastern Long Island Club .9720 John Leggio Southeastern Long Island Club .9692 Butch Janke Jr. Southeastern Long Island Club .9598 Wiktor Gontowicz Viola Racing Pigeon Club .9207
2017 Young Bird Awards and Young Bird Champion Loft Results Compiled and Submitted by: Walter Cichon
SkyTalk 2018 — 39 SkyTalk 2018 Registered Champions Results H H H H H H H 1999–2017
Reg# Band# CLR/Sex Name Owner
1999-001 IF 97NHF3310 BC/C Hooker Lou Bernadone 1999-002 IF 95SMR0787 B.Pen/C The Terror Al Smith 1999-003 IF 92 RPC0658 BB/C John Stauffer 1999-004 AU 93FVC6330 BC/C John Stauffer 1999-005 AU 88SAV946 BB/H Savannah Ron & Bev Liszcz 1999-006 IF 97SCHE2509 BB/H #2509 David Reynaldo 1999-007 AU 96TFCF1077 BB/H #1077 Mike Bennetch 1999-008 AU 97TFCF0968 BB/C #0968 Mike Bennetch 2001-001 IF 2000GIC886 BB/H Blue Supreme Jose & Reinaldo 2002-001 IF 00GIC194 Perfect Lady 2002-002 IF 94NWJ923 Home Alone Alex Cornella 2003-002 IF 003026 Laura J. Famularo 2003-003 IF 03COPC127 BC/H Tom Baldwin 2004-001 IF 00HRP1081 Jack Steve Jenkins 2005-001 IF 02MRPC2413 BB/H Skydancer Everett & Renee Kennedy 2005-002 IF 98RPR113 BB/C George Kriegbaaum 2006-001 AU 00GNCC0242 BC/H Patrick Motley 2006-002 IF 02DRP104 DC/H Patrick Motley 2006-003 IF LKY 858 BB/H Simeon Parker 2006-004 IF 02ACA556 BWF/C Harvey R. Moore 2006-005 IF 02DIL045 BB/H Marshall Davis 2007-001 I.F.-01-WBC-1070 BB/C George Kriegbaum 2007-002 I.F. -05-PAF-5538 BB/C Andiamo Mike Romano 2007-003 AU-02-AMR-2191 BB/H Wesley Prelewicz 2008-001 AU-07-TL-20 BC/C SUPER 20 R.Rodriguez 2008-002 IF-07-Purgrain 1280 BC/C Art Jenkins 2008-003 IF-04-ECC-1723 BB/H Patrick Motley 2008-004 AU-06-GHC-1251 BB/H Miss Consistent Allan Frampton 2008-005 IF-04-CCC-1796 Blue Ridge Blue Robert Bankard 2009-001 AU-06-RI-6661 BC/C Bob Kell 2009-002 IF-06-Scholar-1606 DC/C Zoltan Paul Walsh 2009-003 IF-06-Scholar-100 BB/C #100 Paul Walsh 2009-004 IF-06-ACC-6143 BB/C Cash Dollar Paul Walsh 2010-001 AU-06-TOR-6070 BB/C Orgasm Ray Torres 2010-002 AU-07-TOR-7003 BB/C Lamariposa Ray Torres 2010-003 IF-07-I-17520 Gtodziua Bernie Gutowski 2010-004 IF-06-CCC-2079 DCWF/C Alfred Robert Bankard 2010-005 IF-06-JMP-1518 BB/C Hercules Mike Mantagas 2010-006 IF-06-WTCM-1994 BB/C Tarbaby Ray Torres 2010-007 IF-03-CCC-1580 BB/C Robert Bankard
40 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk Registered Champions Results 1999-2017 (Continued) 2018
Reg# Band# CLR/Sex Name Owner 2012-001 IF 08-CCC-2464 BB/C Robert Bankard 2012-002 IF-09-TAR- 8775 BB/H Misty Blue Robert Sterner Reg# Band# CLR/Sex Name Owner 2012-003 IF-10-SOJ-4276 BB/C Johnny Boy John Glemser 2013-001 AU-10-BLG-41 BB/H Simeon Parker 2013-002 IF-JMP-05-1705 BB/C #1705 Mike Mantaga 2013-003 AU-04-PigeonBid-0184 BC/C #0184 Mike Mantaga 2013-004 IF-11-WTCM-1752 BBWF/H Jewel John Minnuie 2013-005 IF-09-TAR-8726 DCWF/H Little One Robert Sterner 2014-001 IF-10-VIOC-2710 BB/C Mickey Mike Mantaga 2014-002 IF-12-PA-7410 BB/H Gloria Mike Mantaga 2014-003 IF-09-TAR-8744 RC/H Little Miss Annie Robert Sterner 2014-004 IF-11-CM-1532 RC/C Red Magic Khalid Yahya 2015-001 IF-10-GE-76 BCSP/H Shakira Joco Ricoca 2015-002 IF-12-TAR-2044 RCSP/H Sissy Robert Sterner 2015-003 IF-11-TAR-1366 BC/C Paycheck Robert Sterner 2015-004 IF-11-CCC-218 Robert Bankard 2016-001 IF-15-NR-797 BBWF/H Bronx Pharoah Louis & Tom Bernardone 2016-002 IF-TAR-4944 BBSP Flash Robert Sterner 2016-003 IF-12-CCC-510 BB/C Sheriff Robert Bankard 2016-004 IF-11-CCC-213 BB/C Zeus Robert Bankard 2017-001 AU 09 SURE-797 BB/H Al's Sure Bet Al Kasharian 2017-002 IF-13 TAR-3922 BB/C Power Blue Robert Sterner 2017-003 IF-12 CC-72 BB/C Robert Bankard 2017-004 IF-12 UPC-703 BB/C Red Band Cock Robert Bankard
Results Compiled and Submitted by: James Walker
2017 I.F. SPEED RECORDS Young & Old Birds No Entries Received for 2017 2017 IF SPEED RECORDS (as of 12/1/17) Speed Records Results Compiled and Submitted by: Beverly Gottlieb
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AMERICAN HOMING PIGEON FANCIERS, INC. SPEED RECORDS — YOU MUST BE A MEMBER AND SUBMIT IN WRITING THE SPEED, ALONG WITH VERIFICATION, TO THE SPEED RECORDS CHAIRMAN. SPEED RECORDS FORMS ARE ON PAGE 62 AND THE IF WEBSITE.
SkyTalk 2018 — 41
Young Disease Bird By: Dr. Steve Weir, DVM
Every pigeon flyer – if they have been flying very long – has dealt with what many fanciers call “young bird disease” or “young bird sickness.” During training or race season youngsters will start feeling bad, often they lose their 5) Overcrowding is common in young birds. Everyone appetites, some will have diarrhea or vomiting, and in wants to try a few more matings or some pigeons general do very poorly. Some fanciers even have various from their friends – but crowded birds are stressed levels of losses from death – or excessive losses during birds, which leads to disease. training. Since I am one of the few veterinarians that races 6) Overmedication is a common problem you most pigeons I am inundated with calls during the young bird pigeon flyers. At the first hint of any problem many season. I often receive birds or droppings in the mail daily. fanciers treat everyone with baytril. If that doesn’t My technicians never know what they might find in an work they move on to other various antibiotics. envelope or box! In any event, every fancier would love Eventually, when they have had several die and none to have healthy young birds and never have to deal with of their drugs worked they start getting worried and young bird sickness. call. Remember, indiscriminate use of antibiotics As fanciers you need to recognize several factors that can really cause problems. They kill the natural flora contribute to young bird health problems. There are many (normal bacteria in the gut) and really add stress to things that lead to stress in our youngsters which in turn our birds. makes them very susceptible to disease. In short – if you add all of this up and you have a great 1) Young birds are growing fast! It takes a lot of energy recipe for sick pigeons. for them to mature which produces some degree of So what causes young bird disease or sickness? Well, as stress for them. I have evaluated virtually hundreds of lofts with “young 2) Molting is another major stress. As they are trying bird sickness” over the years I can tell you unequivocally to make feathers and grow at the same time – more that there is not one cause of this problem. There are a stress is induced. group of disease issues that often add up to trouble in a loft, but each loft is different. The following are common 3) Training is a major stress as race season nears. Many things I see: fanciers train almost daily during the week which works good to get them in shape but again causes 1) Parasite issues: It amazes me how many youngsters stress. I evaluate because they are sick and those youngsters are absolutely loaded with canker, coccidia, and 4) The way we trade around birds today. With the post worms. These parasites really pull down your office making shipping easy and all of the futurities youngsters and predispose them to other viral and that are available, many fanciers are importing a lot bacterial diseases. of bugs into their loft from other fanciers that they didn’t have before. This includes viruses, bacteria, 2) Viral issues: I commonly find Circovirus which and various parasites. When you bring in a lot of affects young bird teams. It typically affects 10 – bugs that your birds aren’t immune to – disease is a 15% of the birds and they will go light and die no possibility – in fact a probability. matter what you do. That virus effectively kills the
42 – SkyTalk 2018 immune system and youngsters just cannot fight 2) Good husbandry – a clean and dry loft that is not off any infection. Fortunately, this virus usually overcrowded goes a long way in helping. This seems shows up for one year only in a given loft and is simplistic but you guys don’t do it! not a recurrent problem. Adenovirus is commonly incriminated by pigeon fanciers as causing problems 3) Vaccinate for the bugs you can vaccinate for – and in their youngsters. I rarely find it. It is out there don’t use LaSota for PMV! but not common at all. When present it causes 4) Control parasites – have throat swabs and fecals an inflammation of the liver and gut. Youngsters checked for parasites and treat when they are will have diarrhea and some vomiting. In a loft of present. Don’t just treat – especially for canker – youngsters, all of them will have loose droppings, and assume you are home free – I see drug resistant 10% will act sick, and only 5% will die. If you are canker that you can’t kill with the usual drugs at any losing more birds than that you have something else dose! I tested a new product from Europe called on board. Paramyxovirus shows up occasionally Berimax that Ed at Siegel is supposed to be getting in in lofts who choose not to vaccinate or use LaSota the country soon – it works great. Be sure and use it vaccine. Very watery droppings (puddles of water at the proper dose for 5 days. on the perches) are common and some birds develop neurological signs. Herpes virus is a bug that 5) BE CAREFUL about bringing in birds from all typically causes respiratory disease in youngsters. A over the country – YOU WILL IMPORT EVERY small percentage, however, will develop liver and GI DISEASE. If you do that – like a futurity loft – you tract disease and die. must vaccinate for everything, treat for parasites, and watch for sick birds like a hawk. 3) Bacterial issues: This is a common part of the young bird sickness problem. A bacteria called E. coli is 6) When you get a sick pigeon(s) try and get some help often a complicating organism secondary to stress, in diagnosing the real problem before you shotgun parasites, or viruses, and on occasion can cause treat them with every drug in the book. You are disease all by itself. In youngsters the primary sign wasting drugs, money, and in some cases are making is intestinal. Youngsters will vomit grain that you things worse. will find on the perches, have diarrhea, and develop very slow crop emptying (A youngster’s crop should Hopefully this article will give you a little insight on how be empty in the morning before eating – if your to deal with “young bird sickness complex.” It can be youngsters have crops with some food in them in handled and proper husbandry techniques can go a long the morning you have an intestinal problem slowing way in preventing the problem. Good flying. things down). We treat this with an appropriate antibiotic based on culture and sensitivity. In some Dr. Steve Weir, 1901 N. Highway 66, Catoosa, OK 74015 cases we even have to make a vaccine for certain lofts to control the problem.
As you can see – young bird sickness would better be called “young bird sickness complex” since so many factors play into the problem. Each cause of “young bird sickness complex” must be treated differently if you are going to be successful in solving the problem.
So, what can you do to try and not have a problem? The following are important:
1) Raise early youngsters and get them through the molt before you start training hard before the races. If you can reduce the stresses of molting and growing by raising early youngsters you will be ahead of the game. This is also helpful in motivating your youngster – they will be sexually mature – and we all know that sex is a great motivator!
SkyTalk 2018 — 43 Are We Ignoring the Canary In the Coal Mine?
By Clifford Baynon - LUDO Loft
Although there is not one single reason for poor race returns or smash amounts than humans. And for this reason, as responsible handlers races, perhaps we often overlook one of the potential contributors. of birds, we should be taking extra measures to ensure that we are not inadvertently poisoning our birds prior to liberation. I recently went to my local post office to ship a couple of pigeons to a friend. While standing in line in the lobby I detected a strong gas • Some of the dangerous substances found in diesel exhaust include odor that began to bring on a headache after only a few minutes of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, breathing it. When it was my turn at the counter I asked if they were volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous gases. running some kind of gas heater in the back. I was told that the odor • Short term exposure to diesel fume emissions can cause headache, was the Postal Express truck behind the building which arrives and disorientation, dizziness, and irritation of the eye, nose and throat. idles as it loads/unloads for about 5 minutes. The plume of diesel fumes created even in this short time was finding its way into the • Prolonged diesel fume emissions exposure can increase the risk of building. Although I personally would be out of there within a few long term heart and lung disease as well as lung cancer. minutes, I felt obligated to mention to the clerk how unhealthy it was (source: www.osha.gov) for them to be continually inhaling those fumes. The clerk casually Carbon monoxide poisoning is a potentially fatal condition caused responded that he was aware and that they are constantly reminding by inhalation of carbon monoxide gas which competes with the driver not to leave the truck idling while loading/unloading. oxygen for binding with hemoglobin and thus interferes with the Within a short period of breathing low levels of the diesel exhaust transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide by the blood (also fumes I was noticing the negative effects in my well being. Due to called carboxyhemoglobinemia). In other words, when we breathe body weight and other physiology, humans are often more tolerant carbon monoxide into our lungs, it binds to our red blood cells that of gas fumes (particularly carbon monoxide) than birds are. This normally carry oxygen and in turn prevents oxygen from ever again brought my thinking to what our birds may be being exposed binding to that blood cell. The carbon monoxide bonds so tightly to in the course of getting them to a race liberation. There have with the red blood cell that it renders them useless for future oxygen been reports of race liberations where all the birds just circle for transport in your body. It can take days or even weeks for your body long periods unable to orient. There have also been reports where to re-manufacture/replace these disabled red blood cells for use to race birds are liberated with groups of seemingly confused birds carry oxygen again. immediately landing on a nearby structure instead of flying away. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? When racing pigeons are trucked or trailered for hundreds of Until we have electric vehicles for routine use available, here are miles, what is the flow of the truck exhaust fumes with regard to its some suggestions to assist in protecting our valuable bird cargo from penetration around and into the ventilation vents of where our birds exhaust fume toxicity. are stored? Perhaps worse yet, when a truck sits idle on a morning 1) Route exhaust pipes to the extreme rear of the vehicle or trailer with heavy air and minimal wind movement, are we creating a that contains the birds. surrounding plume of toxic poison fumes that our birds are sitting in prior to their release? 2) Do not sit and idle the vehicle within the vicinity of where the birds are stored. When the race transport vehicle arrives at the liberation point hours before the birds are to be released on a cold morning, it is 3) If going to sit idle with the truck engine running, then understandable that the driver would want to keep the vehicle engine/ disconnect the trailer and re-position truck at a good distance heater running, perhaps unaware of this creating a large invisible away downwind from the birds. plume of toxic exhaust fumes around and behind the vehicle. 4) Pay attention to wind direction and always keep the stored birds upwind of fumes. We are familiar with the caged canary birds that miners would carry down into the tunnels with them. If dangerous gases such as 5) Most importantly, communicate this to the race liberators carbon monoxide collected in the mine, the gases would kill the and truck drivers whom we are entrusting our race birds canary before killing the miners, thus providing a warning to exit the with, so that they are aware of this toxic fume danger to both tunnels immediately. The gas fumes affect the birds at much lower themselves and the birds.
44 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk I.F. Help-A-Beginner 2018 Application H H H H H H H RETURN THIS APPLICATION AND TWO STAMPED ENVELOPES Mr. Sam L. Pixley, 34 Mills Hollow Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22406 Phone: (540) 752-9014 - Email: [email protected]
Beginner’s Name: Dear Beginner: Welcome to the Help-A-Beginner program! The Street Address: program is kicking into gear and this letter is to inform you of the expected time frame of events City, State, Zip: that will occur. Save this letter and use it as a guideline for the year. January-February Home Telephone: ( ) Some of America’s best flyers/breeders are being asked Work: ( ) if they will volunteer to be part of the Help-A-Beginner Email Address: program and how many beginners they would be willing Years in the sport of racing pigeons: to help. Do you belong to an I.F. Affiliated Club? ❏Yes ❏No Late February-March Were you an IF member last year? ❏Yes ❏No A letter will be sent to all beginners and breeders/mentors Have you flown one YB or OB season? ❏Yes ❏No assigning beginners to mentors. The beginners will first Member of which Racing Pigeon Club: call or write their assigned mentors to work out all the details, this will entail sending $60.00 to the mentor to Name of Club President: cover the cost of shipping birds. This cost will include, President’s Phone number:( ) but is not limited to the purchase of proper shipping Name of Club Race Secretary: containers. It is important to remember that you will be working around the mentor’s schedule and not the Secretary’s Phone number: ( ) other way around. The mentor should receive your I am seeking help with: utmost respect. ❏ YB ❏ Breeders ❏ General Information March-July I feel I qualify and warrant help from this program Beginners will begin receiving birds from their mentors. because: It is important that you follow-up with your mentor letting him know that you received the birds and how you like them, and how you plan on settling them. Be sure to mention if you plan on flying them on your young bird team, etc. Remember your mentor will be sending you good birds and wants to know that the birds arrived safely. This is also the time to ask questions pertaining to your breeding and old bird season. May-June I will be checking with all the beginners and mentors to see how everything is progressing. I certify that I meet all the qualifications for the Help-A- June Beginner program and I agree to accept the responsibility You should be in continued communication with your of the expense for shipping any birds to me. I also agree mentor and keep him updated on your progress. I can’t to keep the breeder updated of all successes obtained emphasize enough the importance of keeping the lines of as a result of his/her help as well as sending final results communication open with your mentor. in to the IF HAB Chairman at the end of the season. Late July-August Signature of Beginner: Most everyone is beginning to train his or her young birds. Now is a good time to get some tips on how to We certify that the above named applicant is a member of handle the training to prevent losses. Be sure to ask about our club in good standing and has flown at least one race medication, feeding, etc. season, but not more than one young or old bird season. The applicant has a loft, which is not detrimental to the September-November image of the sport and maintains the loft in a clean and Young bird race season will probably be in full healthy fashion. swing and a regular call to your mentor will help avoid Signature of Club President: mistakes and help improve your results. Signature of Club Secretary:
SkyTalk 2018 — 45 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Scholarship Rules $1,000 Awarded to First Place
1. This contest is open to all students who are 4. The essay shall be typed double-spaced on white members, sons and daughters of members or grand bond paper using a computer, a word processor, children of International Federation members. or a typewriter. Graphics are not permitted. Membership must be continuous for a five-year The original copy of the essay should be submitted period. Students must be attending an accredited including a file in MS Word, MS Works or a two or four-year college or university and not have text file. already graduated. Only one entry per student is permitted. One-year scholarships are awarded 5. The essay will be judged on the following criteria: annually and are limited to undergraduate studies A. Historical accuracy at accredited educational/technical institutions. B. Clarity of thought Scholarships are not automatically renewable. The C. Organization student must take 12 credits. Current scholarship D. Grammar and Spelling recipients must re-apply each year and are limited E. Creativity to a total of two scholarship awards. Essay must F. Documentation be accompanied with official transcript from high school or college. 6. The International Federation establishes the closing date for this contest will be October 1st 2. The contest is for an original essay written in of each year. English. It must have a minimum of 500 words and not exceed 750 words excluding title page and 7. Awards: First, Second and Third Places. bibliography. One or two letter words such as I, to, and we are not counted. When counting words 8. The winning essays of the contest will be submitted in a date, a numerical date (2012) or a date spelled for publication in The Skytalk magazine. out (Seventeen seventy six) shall be counted as one word. The topic of the essay shall deal with how 9. Participants in this contest agree that the pigeons touched and affected the student’s family interpretation of rules and the decisions of the life. Also the topic of the essay, can deal with an International Federation and its judges are final. event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the Racing Pigeons. Clear, well expressed, original essays are sought.
3. The Essay document shall have two parts: a) title SUBMIT ENTRY TO: page, b) essay. The title page shall include the essay title, the contestant’s name, address, and telephone Scott Landry number. In addition, the title page shall include the name, grade, address, and telephone number 11 Evergreen Lane of the high school or college the contestant is Industry, ME 04938 attending. The name and address of the person Phone: (207) 491-9041 who is a International Federation member, [email protected] through relationship to said member, and the club to which they belong.
46 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Scholarship Application
International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers
Name:______Date of Birth:______
Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______
Phone Number (_____)______Email:______
(If under 21): Name of Parent or Guardian______
Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______
Phone Number: (____)______
Name of Pigeon Flyer that inspired you:______
Relationship to above individual:______
Most Recent School Attended: ______Year Graduate HS:______
School Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______
Name of College You Plan On Attending:______
Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______
Date of Acceptance:______
Program that you will be enrolled in:______
Duration of program:______
SUBMIT ENTRY TO: Refer to Scholarship entry rules and Scott Landry attach your essay to the entry form. 11 Evergreen Lane • Industry, ME 04938 Phone: (207) 491-9041 [email protected]
SkyTalk 2018 — 47 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Registered Champion Certificate Rules
1. To qualify a bird must: 5. When a bird has achieved this award, each • W in five or more diplomas of 85 airline diploma performance will be listed on the survey miles and over. Champion Certificate showing position, distance, • Win one or more diplomas with an airline date, speed number of birds and lofts competing. survey of a full 290 miles or more to its loft. 6. Points will NOT be totaled on the certificate. (Exception for Hawaii: substitute from the Thus, later diploma performances by a champion longest possible race station where under may be entered on the certificate. Only one 290 miles.) champion certificate will ever be issued to an • Win diplomas in two or more separate years individual bird. (Champion bird diplomas issued of competition. prior to January 1999 which are non-registered • Score 125 or more points. may be returned by your club secretary to the Champion Pigeon Chairman for certification 2. A bird can only score points or get credit for a and issue of a Registered Champion Certificate diploma once for a single performance. This diploma. (There is no charge for this service) is to say that a bird cannot get credit for more than one diploma if competing in two or more 7. The bird must have won the diplomas within organizations at one time. (Owner decides which the last 10 years. If you feel your bird meets the club or combine diploma performance to use.) “Requirement” for the Registered Champion Certificate, contact your club secretary with 3. Points toward champion are allotted thusly: the diplomas the bird has won. The secretary • Winning bird receives a base of 20 points, will then check the requirements and figure regardless of the size of the organization in the points. If the secretary is satisfied that which it competed. the bird qualifies, he or she will complete • The second diploma winner gets one point less the record section. than the winner. • The third diploma winner gets three points less 8. Submit by Oct. 1. than the winner, etc. until diploma positions The club secretary will then forward this application are gone based one diploma position for every to the Champion Pigeon Chairman who will 5 lofts or fraction thereof. recheck the bird’s record and issue a Champion 4. Examples for points awarding: Registered Certificate signed by an I.F. official. • 211 birds, 20 lofts, and 391 miles–The winner DO NOT SEND DIPLOMA. The certificate will gets 20 points plus 2.11 plus 3.91 for 26.02 be sent to the club secretary for the signature of points. The second diploma gets one point less the club president and the club secretary. or 25.02. The third diploma gets 2 points less Certificates are issued at no charge. or 24.02. The fourth diploma gets 3 points less or 23.02. Registered Champion Certificate Chairperson • 2000 birds, 198 lofts, and 391 miles–The James Walker winner gets 20 points plus 20.00 (for birds) 309 Green Avenue plus 3.91 for 43.91, second diploma gets 1 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 point less or 42.91 and so on with 20th diploma (201) 939-3142 getting 23.91 points.
48 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 Registered Champion H H H H H H H Certificate Entry Form
Please type or BLOCK-LETTER the following spaces so that we will get your name, etc., correct. Forms also available on line at www.ifpigeon.com I, ______of ______Street, City of ______and State of ______Zip ______do hereby submit to my Club Secretary for verification and completion of this application for a REGISTERED CHAMPION BIRD AWARD.
Banded ______Name if any ______owned and flown by me. Date______Signed______Record of Diploma Performance______This Entry Form must be signed by the Officer of the Organization you are submitting your race results for! Combine results submitted; Combine officer’s signature required. Club results submitted; Club officer’ssignature required.
Signature of Club Secretary ______Name of Club ______Address______For official use only City, State Zip ______Register Number______Date of Issue ______Phone # ______
Club Secretary’s Calculation of Points
POSITION DISTANCE BIRD POSITION DISTANCE DATE SPEED BIRD LOFTS TOTAL 20 OR LESS 1% 1%
RETURN TO: Entry Forms Registered Champion Chairperson Also Available online at James Walker 309 Green Avenue www.ifpigeon.com Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 Phone: (201) 939-3142
SkyTalk 2018 — 49 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Champion Loft Award Rules You must be an I.F. member to qualify for this award. Race results and schedule must be submitted.
We understand that many clubs start out with a high turnout for Champion Loft Award Rules shipping and later in the season the number of loft’s shipping drops, therefore, the new rules allow consideration for our smaller clubs to CATEGORIES: compete for awards. Now, races with fewer than five lofts will qualify • 5-25- lofts • 76-150 lofts as long as there are three lofts at three different locations participating in the race. This rule change does not allow. • 26-75 lofts • 151 to 300 lofts Two lofts on the same property, in the same race, to be counted as the *Only Average Speed Races from one Club or Combine race series. 2nd or 3rd loft in the race, as part of the three loft requirement. All races must be flown during the calendar year submitted. *Your loft will only be entered once into a Category, “The largest Category.” An example is if you have 10 lofts in the club and 25 lofts All races submitted for each division application must be from the in the combine. You may only enter your best results once into the same organization. You may not mix results from different clubs or same category. If you combine is 50 lofts, then you may enter your include a combination of the club with combine results. No section loft results into that category as well. The exception will be if you fly results are permitted! It is necessary for combine results to have been in a second club and have results for this second club that puts your flown from the same club. loft in the same category twice results determined by formula/factors. Distances used are based on the individual’s loft survey, not the Applicant must be paid up IF member by April 1st to be eligible for designation of the race distance by the club, combine or other Old birds and September 1st for young birds. An application can competing organization. Your loft must fly the minimum distance (*51) be submitted by the flyer or breeder or by a club/combine official on at each distance to be eligible. All survey decimals will be rounded up. behalf of the bird or loft. Secretaries are urged to send in applications For example, 151 miles will be considered 200 miles and can be used for deserving members or their birds, so they can receive the credit at 100 miles. The same rule will apply on all loft distances right to the that they have earned and is due their accomplishments. 500. You must fly at least 451 miles to qualify for the 500 mile race. Legible copies of race results must be submitted with each application, You may use a longer average speed race in place of a shorter race. Old with each position highlighted or otherwise identified. Do not send Birds: only submit the best finish in a 100-200-300-400-500 mile Race. diplomas. Race results should show the name of the competing organization, the number of birds shipped by the organization, the Results for old bird entry for I.F. Champion loft is September 1. survey distances flown by individual birds and/or lofts, and all positions Young Birds: only submit the best finish in 2-100, 2-200 and 2-300 or won by birds in the race. If this information is not provided on the more mile races. Results for young bird entry must be submitted by race sheet, a certification of the information by the race secretary is December 31. permissible. Race schedule must accompany application. To cut down on paper work, we will accept win speed reports as an alternative of If flying “A” and “B” race on the same day, submit all “A” or all “B” race actual race reports, for your loft. You must send Race Winners report results. No mixing of A & B race. The exception to the use of mixing and the Single flyer report and fill out the award application in full. A & B race is only allowed race cancellation of a previous scheduled race occurs; a make up to race is rescheduled for release on the same Applications completed incorrectly or improperly, or received more day. The release,may be from the same station, or a shorter, or longer than two weeks after the deadline date, September 1st for Old birds, station will be allowed for release as long as they are considered for and December 31 for young birds, (though properly postmarked the Average Speed for that series of races. before the deadline) are subject to disqualification. Applications postmarked after the deadline date will be disqualified. One race per day, per Club, or Combine is allowed. If you fly two or more clubs in the same combine, your total entry of birds shipped to Faxed or Emailed results are not allowed! Applications are online, the common release point must be counted in your club or combine and forms are online. entry for the I.F. Champion loft award. This is to take into account for SUBMIT TO: any drag to your loft by the amount of birds, you shipped. No section Walter Cichon results are allowed. P.O. Box 436 The use of a race less than 250 miles in place of a second 300 mile West Islip, NY 11795 average speed young bird race is acceptable if your Club/Combine Email: does not fly two 300 mile Young bird races. Please make a note on your [email protected] application. The race must be at least 225 miles or over to qualify.
50 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 Champion Loft H H H H H H H Award Entry Form
Name ______
Address ______
Fly in Assn. with ______
Loft Name ______SUBMIT TO: Walter Cichon Pres. Signature ______P.O. Box 436 West Islip, NY 11795 Race Sec. Signature ______(631) 422-0446 Please enclose race results that go with these races. Email: [email protected]
Only Average Speed Races are permitted. Send Race Schedule. OB 100, 200, 300, 400, 500. YB (2) 100, (2) 200, (2) 300
This Entry Form must be signed by the Officer of the Organization you are submitting your race results for! Combine results submitted; Combine officer’s signature required. Club results submitted; Club officer’ssignature required.
TOTAL # TOTAL # # OF BIRDS YOUR DATE OF DISTANCE WINNER’S OF LOFTS OF BIRDS POSITION SENT BY BEST RACE OF RACE SPEED IN RACE IN RACE YOUR LOFT SPEED
Entry Forms Also Available online at www.ifpigeon.com
SkyTalk 2018 — 51 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Person of the Year Entry Form
This person does not have to be a pigeon fancier, but can by anyone you think has contributed to the pigeon hobby and sport. Please explain why you feel the person you have selected should receive this award. Attach any articles, etc. that you feel may be helpful to your choice. ______
PERSON OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE Name ______Name ______Address ______Address ______Phone______Phone______SUBMIT BY AUGUST 1ST TO: Pigeon Fancier ❏ Yes ❏ No Rich Smith 289 W. Valley Stream Blvd. Valley Stream, NY 11580
Entry Forms Also Available online at www.ifpigeon.com
52 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 Individual Membership H H H H H H H Application
Please print and then fill out the form below including a check for $15.00 made out to the “International Federation” and mail to the following address:
Val Matteucci P.O. Box 374 Hicksville, NY 11802
Name:______
Address:______
City/State/Zip Code:______
Phone:______
Email:______
Place an “x” next to Member or Renewal. ❏ $15.00 New Member Dues ❏ $15.00 Renewal Dues ❏ $25.00 For International Members ❏ $10.00 Junior Dues (17 years & under)
I hearby request formal admission to the International Federation of America homing Pigeon Fanciers Inc. and if accepted to membership, agree to be bound by its Articles, Bylaws, Regulations and Conditions as they may now exist or may be subsequently adopted.
Signature:______
Print Name:______
The International Federation would like to welcome you to the sport! Thank you for your membership.
SkyTalk 2018 — 53 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H Speed Records Award Entry Form This Form May Also Be Used For Young-Bird Entry
Check One: ❏ Old Bird ❏ Young Bird This report must be signed by: Distance ______Speed-Ypm ______Mph ______President ______Date ______Flyer______Organization______Name ______Address ______Telephone ______Check One: ❏ Club ❏ Co mbine ❏ Concourse ❏ Other Race Secretary ______Organization______Address ______Name Of Loft ______Telephone ______Owned By ______This Entry Form must be signed by the Officer of the Street Address______Organization you are submitting your race results for! ______Combine results submitted; Combine officer’s signature required. City, State, Zip______Club results submitted; Club officer’ssignature required.
Telephone______• If entry is either officer, please have someone else sign. Flying With ______• Use one entry form for each submission. All requested information must be included. For the young bird speed list best races from the following distances: • Have this form signed by the president and race 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, secretary of each organization at the level entered, 300-350, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500, 500-plus. (if on a club level, the club officers will sign; if on a combine level the combine officers must sign, etc.) For the speed list best races from • Only races flown from a single common point and the following distances: a common day at a common time will be considered. 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, 300-350, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500, 500-550, • There must be an entry of at least five (5) lofts in 550-600, 600-650, 650-700, 700-750, 750-800, every race. 800-850, 850-900, 900-950, 950-1000, 1050-1100, -plus. • List only the first position of your loft in any race. • You must be an if member in good standing dues You must submit in writing the speed along paid for the entry year! with verification to the Speed Records Chairman. • Submit copies of race results with this form. Deadline for submission is • All races flown within the last 5 years are eligible. December 1st of each year. SEND ENTRIES TO: This form can be used for all speed record entry, Beverly Gottlieb in which case the copies should be sent to the 7140 Race Rd. Speed Records Chairman. Hanover, MD 21076 [email protected]
54 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 Rookie of the Year H H H H H H H Entry Form
• Awarded to first-time flyers whether young or old birds series.
• Submit all races in which you participated for average speed at club or combine level.
• Form must be filled out properly. Submit results with application.
• Must be paid-up IF Member before you enter your first race. Deadline for submission: December 1st
Series OB/YB Band # Position Distance Lofts
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. MAIL TO: 7. Help-A-Beginner Chairman: Sam Pixley 8. 34 Mills Hollow Drive 9. Fredericksburg, VA 22406 10. (540) 752-9014 11. [email protected] 12.
This Entry Form must be signed by the Officer of the Organization you are submitting your race results for! Combine results submitted; Combine officer’s signature required. Club results submitted; Club officer’ssignature required. Do Not Use
Your Name: Address: City: State, Zip: Complete Phone Number: President Signature: Secretary Signature: Entry Forms Also Available online at www.ifpigeon.com
SkyTalk 2018 — 55 SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H HALL OF FAME RULES
does not allow two lofts on the same property, in the same race, to be counted as the 2nd or 3rd loft in the race, as part of the 3 loft requirement. Race schedule must accompany Application. Results Rules & Regulations determined by formula/factors. Applicant must be paid up IF member by April 1st to be eligible for Old bird’s awards, and September 1st for young birds. CATEGORIES: An application can be submitted by the flyer or breeder or by a • 5-25 lofts • 76-150 lofts club/combine official on behalf of the bird or loft. Secretaries • 26-75 lofts • 151 to 300 lofts are urged to send in applications for deserving members or their birds, so they can receive the credit that they have earned and is due their accomplishments. A H.O.F. pigeon must be clocked a minimum of three times Legible copies of race results must be submitted with each in the top 10 percent of the birds in three individual races. application, with each position highlighted or otherwise The more times you clock your bird in the top ten percent identified. Do not send diplomas. Race results should show the more points the bird will receive. Birds in competition the name of the competing organization, the number of birds with fewer than five lofts will qualify as long if there are shipped by the organization, the survey distances flown by a minimum of three lofts from three different locations individual birds and/or lofts, and all positions won by birds participating in the race. Winners will be determined by a in the race. If this information is not provided on the race formula which consists of a base points set up in each Hall sheet, a certification of the information by the race secretary is of Fame category, the number of Lofts in competition, the permissible. Race schedule must accompany Application. distance your bird flew and the amount of pigeons in the race. Plus the birds entered in the race by the applicant are all part To cut down on paper work we will accept win speed reports of the formula/program. as an alternative of actual race reports, for your H.O.F. application. You must send Race winners report and the Single There is no mixing Club, Combine, Concourse or Federation bird report for each bird you are submitting for H.O.F and results into one application for a given bird. All races must be fill out the H.O.F. application in full. Applications completed from the same level of completion. incorrectly or improperly, or received more than two weeks No section results are allowed at all, only overall results after the deadline date (though properly postmarked before accepted for your H.O.F bird. the deadline) are subject to disqualification. Applications postmarked after the deadline date will be disqualified. Your bird will only be entered once into a Category, “The largest Category”. An example is if you have 10 lofts in the club and 25 Faxed or Emailed results are not allowed! Applications lofts in the combine. You may only enter your best results once are on line, and forms are on line. into the same category. If you combine is 50 lofts then you may Winner in each category receives an engraved glass enter the same bird into that category as well. trophy plaque. If your bird fly’s a special race outside your competition level then you may use that special race or races within the level of Deadline for submission of Old Bird competition you are entering. You may use a special race one entries is September 1st and for time either at the club level or with the combine results. A special race is a race that is outside the scope of your regular Young Birds December 31st. scheduled club or combines races. A special race is not a derby that is flown as part of another race. We understand that many clubs start out with high turnout for SUBMIT TO: shipping and later in the season the number of lofts shipping Walter Cichon drops, therefore, the new rules allow consideration for our P.O. Box 436 smaller clubs to compete for awards. Now, races with fewer West Islip, NY 11795 than five lofts will qualify as long as there are three lofts at three different locations participating in the race. This rule change
56 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 HALL OF FAME H H H H H H H Award Entry Form
Owners Name:
Street Address:
Town, State, Zip:
Telephone:
For Performances in: ______Young Birds We hereby certify that the above data represents the true performance of the bird entered in this record ______Old Birds and we are a paid-up I.F. Member:
Club Affiliation: Owner:
Band No: Club Secretary:
Color & Sex: Club President: This Entry Form must be signed by the Officer of the Organization you are submitting your race results for! Combine results submitted; Combine officer’s signature required. Club results submitted; Club officer’ssignature required.
SUBMIT TO: Walter Cichon P.O. Box 436 West Islip, NY 11795 (631) 422-0446 Email: [email protected]
# OF BIRDS DATE OF TOTAL # TOTAL # YOUR YOUR WINNER’S DISTANCE YOU FLIGHT OF LOFTS OF BIRDS POSITION SPEED SPEED ENTERED
Entry Forms Also Available online at www.ifpigeon.com
SkyTalk 2018 — 57 H H H H H H H What The I.F. Can Do For You The International Federation is a Non-Profit Corporation Organized and Existing Under the Laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
1. Every November the International Federation has it’s 12. The International Federation has a HELP-A-BEGINNER own convention. Attended in large numbers. People COORDINATOR who will assist new people into the sport attend this convention that are not even members of of Racing. the International Federation because of the fellowship. There are seminars, loft visits, young bird races, awards 13. The IF has literature for promotional and beginner banquet, bird auctions, friendship renewals, as well as programs for our membership. The literature is also plenty of activities for the children and wives. available in Spanish. 2. The International Federation publishes a SkyTalk 14. The International Federation has a Junior membership magazine yearly for our members. This magazine is full available to any under the age of 18. of advertisements for supplies, and supporters of the 15. The International Federation believes in Home Rule and organization. A complete set of, Constitution and By- this give clubs local control of their guidelines for racing Laws, is available on the web page www.ifpigeon.com. in their clubs. The mission of this organization is to Complete Band listings as well as award applications, promote pigeon breeding, training, racing and exhibition, award winners, interviews of champion I.F. members, to Instruct and assist novices, organize districts or clubs articles from the leading Vets in the USA. and impart info. To promote the sport perfecting through 3. The International Federation supports a Scholarship organization a closer association of pigeon fanciers Fund. An awarded is given to the winners of a for their protection and For the development of good scholarship essay for first second and third place; fellowship throughout the globe among them.
The Scholarship is available to members or members’ Furthermore, this organization is dedicated to the families to assist them with their secondary education. humane treatment of the animals around which 4. The International Federation has legal defense funds we have formed a common bond. available for members used primarily for fighting zoning The primary objectives of the I.F. are: ordinances. 5. The International Federation has its own awards A) To plan and execute programs designed to advance the program. Trophies are presented at the convention IF and the sport. banquet. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding B) To maintain a policy of Home Rule. accomplishments in a national pigeon publication. C) To form local affiliates (Clubs, Combines, Concourses, 6. The International Federation has a web page that is Centers, etc.) through which the affairs of the IF and its updated regularly, the newsroom will give our members members will be transacted. information that is current and relates to our sport. D) To issue and sell an official, registered leg band. 7. The International Federation has Club and Individual bands available to the membership at close to cost plus E) To encourage national, state, and local legislation which shipping. may be beneficial to the sport, the IF, and its members, and to provide as much legal aid to its members as 8. The International Federation has its own legal staff, possible. as well as an attorney that is a member of the Board of Directors. F) To maintain a limited financial surplus sufficient to protect the IF against times of emergency and to assure 9. The International Federation employs its own secretary its continued operation and perpetuation. to assure business continuity. The International Federation has serviced its members 10. The International Federation provides its members easy since 1881. We urge all pigeon enthusiasts who race, access to its officers, awards and Constitution and By- show, or just enjoy the keeping of pigeons to join the Laws chairmen. International Federation and experience the fellowship of 11. The International Federation is closely associated with our organization. YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID! Bird Shippers of America whose primary purpose is to Additional resources including pigeon supply houses, protect the right to ship live birds, of various types, publications, videos and web sites can be found at: through the United States Postal Service and hire a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. who actively leads us through the complicated scheme of our country’s politics in trying to succeed in our mission to ship our pigeons. www.IFpigeon.com
58 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP 2018 H H H H H H H
1ST PLACE $1,000 WINNER Delia Williams Braintree, MA Attendants Saint Anselm College IF Member: Kevin Williams, Father Club: Braintree Pigeon Racing Club
Finding My Homing Instinct The Ancient Romans used them to carry messages to nobles in chariot races, Genghis Khan used them across Asia and Eastern Europe for relay posts, and even the great Charlemagne used them as a privilege reserved for only the most elite of nobles (Blume). Carrier pigeons have been continuously traced throughout time as an ally to humans. They have been consistently utilized for their strong homing instinct which allows them to find their way home from virtually anywhere they land. For these reasons, pigeons have been extensively used in war in order to carry military messages and have often times led to the victory of a battle. Not only have pigeons been utilized for their homing instinct, but also for their peaceful and intelligent nature which provides an outlook of happiness to help people coping with mental illness. Through my father I have witnessed their peaceful nature as they have also aided me in my times of need when making important decisions.
From the young age of ten my father was introduced to homing pigeons by his uncle Jasper and continued to raise pigeons for the remainder of his childhood years. It was not until his later years as an adult, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, that he would realize the positive impact that pigeons would have on the rest of his life. After returning home after two years spent serving his country in Vietnam, my father was scared, untrusting and tortured by the memories of his time overseas. He had no one that he could talk to about what he had experienced, or at least no one that he trusted enough to understand his troubles. Despite these dilemmas, my father was not entirely alone and he went back to his childhood hobby that he loved so much. The pigeons did not ask him questions, did not judge him, did not make him feel scared and most importantly did not remind him of his years spent across seas. They distracted him through the worst of times and helped him focus on something besides himself. When feeling upset, scared, confused or betrayed yet again by another person, the pigeons were an outlet of happiness for my father. Often times I have wondered if it were not for the pigeons, would my father grow to be the man I know today. (Continued)
SkyTalk 2018 — 59 SkyTalk 2018 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER (CONTINUED) H H H H H H H Delia Williams Braintree, MA
The pigeons have not only impacted my father’s life, but have also shaped me into the person I am today. After endless hours spent at the pigeon club on Saturday nights, long car rides on Sunday mornings and whole day's worth of waiting for them to return home from a race, I have come to realize the lasting impression the birds have had on my life. By simply sitting in my backyard next to my father, watching them circle the house, I have observed their simple and peaceful nature first hand. Their gentle nature has also enlightened me to look to them in my times of need. When deciding on which college to choose, it was not until I sat by myself in the company of the pigeons that I was able to make my decision. I watched them instinctively find their way home and realized that I too would have to follow my own instincts in order to find my way to my new home at college and through my life. At times when I felt confused on whether to follow my friends lead or to stick to my own, I always look towards the pigeons as a guide reminding me to follow my own instincts.
These birds may always be referred to as “disgusting city birds” by people that are too ignorant to see their true beauty, but to me they are much more than that. They are the animals I spent my whole life surrounded by. Whether it was waking up at an ungodly hour on a Sunday to train them or giving my friends tours of the coops, these birds have helped my father through his hardest of times and allowed for me to discover my own homing instinct. Works Cited Blume , Mary. “The Hallowed History of the Carrier Pigeon.” The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, 30 Jan. 2004 Congratulations Delia... Great Job!
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60 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP 2018 H H H H H H H
2ND PLACE $750 WINNER Thomas Yannetti South Hackensack, NJ Attendants Ramapo College of New Jersey IF Member: Henry Thomas Yannetti, Father Clubs: Lyndhurst Homing Pigeon Club North Hudson Racing Pigeon Club
“Discipline and Dedication” As someone who grew up in the United States in the late 1990s, there was a lot of change happening worldwide. Throughout the past two decades technology and social interactions have been rapidly changing. The one thing throughout my life that has not changed is the love my dad and I have for pigeons. At a young age my father introduced me to his love for pigeons. He taught me how he spent countless hours taking care of the pigeons. My favorite part was when I got to sit on his lap throwing the pigeon feed in the coop, it was something I looked forward to everyday. While we would feed the pigeons he started to explain to me about the racing process and how you can let them out miles away and they would always find their way home. I was always amazed with the process and remember always asking my father more questions wanting to know more.
One huge dilemma with my generation is the influence of technology has on a person. Many of my peers are focused more on phones, computers, and social media shaping an individual personality. As for me, after a long day of classes at school I would come home and open the door of the pigeon coop to sit and watch the majestic birds fly from one side of the coop to the other. There are many studies that show what a person does in their free time shapes the person who they become. I feel that without having been introduced to pigeons at a young age I would not be the person I am today. I am different from most my peers with what I like to do with my time but I do not regret it at all. One trait that I learned through my father while watching him train them was discipline of training. I apply that life lesson even to this day with my school work, if you are not willing to sit down and learn how will you ever become educated.
I cannot imagine anyone else that as devoted more time into his love for pigeons than my father. There was countless times when I would be waking up for high school around six in the morning and he was packing up the pigeons to take them down the road to train. After he came home he would go to work for the Department of Public Works for my town from eight in the morning until three in the afternoon. As you can probably guess when he came home for lunch his first step was not into the kitchen but into the pigeon coop to check if all the birds made it back safely from training. Then by five minutes past
SkyTalk 2018 — 61 SkyTalk 2018 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER (CONTINUED) H H H H H H H Thomas Yannetti South Hackensack, NJ
three he was back in the coop cleaning, feeding, or making some type of adjustment to the coop. My father’s dedication to what he loves has shown me what it takes to be as successful as him in life.
Having been blessed to been raised by a well-rounded father as mine has truly inspired me in every aspect of my life to this day. When I think of my dad the first thing that pops into my head is pigeons. To my father and I these pigeons are not just a meaningless hobby, we treat them like they are our own blood. My father has created a lifestyle around these pigeons, most importantly pigeons made him into the nurturing, and loving father he is. I cannot imagine anyone else that taught me how to ride a bike, throw a baseball, kick a soccer ball, catch a football, and most importantly help me with my school work.
Learning the life lessons that my father has instilled within me by his love for pigeons have made me excel in college. With the discipline and dedication I learned from my father last year at Ramapo College of New Jersey I finished with Dean's list both my fall and spring semester. Additionally, I was attending Bergen County Fire Academy while working 20 plus hours during the weekend for a catering hall. I am currently going into my sophomore year taking 20 credits and now officially a qualified firefighter for my town’s volunteer fire department. Looking back now I am so grateful my father shared his passion for racing pigeons with me. It not only gave us bonding time but showed me if you want to be great in anything in life you need to put the time, dedication, hard work, love and passion into everything you do to be successful.
Congratulations Thomas... Great Job!
2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
3RD PLACE $500 WINNER Sara Fagan New Haven, CT Attendants UC Berkeley IF Member: Carmen Thomas DeRosa Clubs: Valley Pigeon Club
62 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER (CONTINUED) 2018 H H H H H H H Sara Fagan - New Haven, CT
Pigeons and Me .When I think about my grandfather I think about pigeons. From the time I was born until the time I was able to drive, I spent a large amount of time with my maternal grandparents, Grandma and Poppy. Grandma watched me as an infant, and when I began going to preschool she or Poppy would pick me up every day and take me back to their house.
Their house is at the end of a long driveway almost a quarter mile long, with a huge front yard. To the left of the house there is a huge piece of land that is mostly tree covered. It was one of my favorite places to play. Past this small forest is a small pond filled with frogs and next to the frog pond are the pigeon coops. There are two coops; one for the breeders and one for the racers. In front of the coops, about 20 yards back is a bench where Poppy always sits staring at his pigeons. As a child, the pigeons were fascinating, I loved animals and having so many birds around was incredible. I loved holding or petting the pigeons and I especially loved seeing the babies. Not only did I enjoy sharing my grandparents’ yard with the pigeons, I also enjoyed plenty of car time with them. Grandma or Poppy would take my brother and me for a ride to train the pigeons. I definitely did not completely understand at the time, but I knew there would probably be a stop at McDonald’s along the way so I was happy to go along for the ride. I have countless memories of sitting in the backseat, listening to the pigeons coo as we drove through Connecticut. As I grew older and I spent less and less time at my grandparents, pigeons were still a part of my life. At the end of eighth grade, my grandparents invited me to a pigeon auction. I still remember it to this day. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, pigeons everywhere and old men eagerly bidding on bands. I was happy to help my grandparents as well as continue to learn about the pigeon world. I was a figure skater most of my life and in high school, I would train in New York after school. My grandmother would drive me, and we often brought pigeons along for the ride so they could train as well.
.Growing up pigeons were a common part of my life. I never thought much of it. Only recently have I realized how special it was that I was able to grow up learning about such a niche hobby. Not only did I get to learn about such a unique culture of pigeon racing through Poppy, but pigeon racing brought me closer to him. Going out to the coops to find him sitting waiting for the birds to fly home was a great way to catch up with him. I knew he’d be there waiting, content sitting alone, but open to company. Now when I walk to class and see pigeons around campus, pecking at the ground, I don’t just think of them of a nuisance. I think of the incredible things they are capable of. How amazing it is that they carried messages through wars. I think about how they can fly hundreds of miles and remember their homes. But mostly when I see these pigeons, even though I am thousands of miles away from home, I think of Poppy.
Congratulations Sara... Great Job!
SkyTalk 2018 — 63 2017 I.F. SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
4TH PLACE $500 WINNER Brayden Skobjak Wilson, NY Attendants Niagara County Community College IF Member: Todd Skobjak, Father Clubs: Buffalo, NY RPC Pigeons Never Forgotten Racing pigeons have been around my family for over 30 years. My dad started dabbling in pigeons when he was a teenager. His interest was piqued by a neighbor down the street from where he grew up, as the neighbor and his father were heavily involved in racing pigeons with the same club that my dad, ironically, now belongs to. Though he wavered from the sport for many years as he was raising his young family, my dad has been involved full force for the past 6 Young Bird Seasons, including becoming his club’s Race Secretary for the last 3 years and having me, his son, help with the many daily loft chores. I’ve been told the sport of pigeon racing is not what is use to be in our area of the country, as their were scores of local active fliers in years past, but I don’t look at it as a “dying” sport. On the contrary, though I don’t see as many fliers as one would like getting involved in the sport at a young age due to life getting in the way, the sport is essentially alive and well. In fact, though the club my dad belongs to is much smaller than it was a generation ago, when the club even hosted some national pigeon events, the amount of interest and dedication to the sport from the fanciers I often see is amazing. From birth to old age, there doesn’t seem to be one stage of the pigeon’s life that is not written down in a notebook, complete with dates, times, amounts, and other fancier observations. The attention to the most minute detail of “what’s going on in the loft” and the scheduled procedures that are methodically followed to get the young birds ready for their season and the old and breeding birds to the level they need to be at is enjoyed by all club members. This is not to mention the wealth of knowledge, tools, and manpower that is shared between members, particularly when a fancier is having a problem in his or her loft. For me, it is really encouraging to see that a sport that seems so strange to most can be so fascinating and bonding amongst people of all ages and from all walks of life. In addition, having homing pigeons has shown our own family how interesting and fascinating nature can be. In fact, it’s made our family much more aware of the delicate balance between man and nature and that sometimes nature is best off left alone. However, this is not to say that fanciers should not raise pigeons in a controlled environment, as these birds are living a much better life than the feral ones found under the bridge down the street from my house. Ultimately, pigeons have taught our family to respect nature, but also have made them admire it as everyone wants to know what pigeon clocked in first and at what time on race day! Having learned all that I have over the last 5 years as my dad’s pseudo “loft manager”, I suppose I will probably have my own set of racing pigeons someday to share with my own family. And I’m sure I’ll have stories of days gone by when the sport was different, but I’ll also have to look forward to what the sport of pigeon racing will morph in to. Who knows, maybe I’ll even pique the interest of some kid down the street so that they’ll eventually take part in the sport. If nothing else, hopefully my dad will live close enough to come by and clean out my loft once in awhile! Congratulations Brayden... Great Job!
64 – SkyTalk 2018 H H H H H H H 137th IF Convention - 2017 New Britain, CT
By: Mike Zuber
The 137th IF Convention was hosted by Connecticut Classic Club (www.ctclassicclub.com) located in New Britain, CT. All the events took place at the DoubleTree Hotel/Hilton in Windsor Locks, CT (November 2nd – November 4th, 2017). Planning for the Convention started back in 2016 but officially it all started in January 2017 when we had out startup auction. Startup auction was a success – thanks so much to all that donated! We started receiving first birds in beginning of March and by June 15th a total of 883 birds were received by Bob Carney – the Convention Chairman. All entries were posted online as well. The race was shipped on Thursday, November 2nd. Shipping night had a large crowd of pigeon fanciers and the room was filled with excitement as breeders were handling their birds for the first time since they left their breeding loft. 337 birds out of 32 lofts were shipped to the final event. The race was little tougher than we expected. Birds were released in Buffalo, NY at 9:00AM, conditions were not perfect but they weren’t terrible either – 45 degrees, NNW wind at 9mph and some rain reported along the course. People started gathering at the lofts in the afternoon expecting to see some birds around 4pm, but it wasn’t the case…. First bird was clocked at 6:03pm (which was 20 minutes after sunset) by Jonathan Spodnick (LORDSHIP LOFT), few minutes later Robert Cisiewicz (BLACK EAGLE LOFT) reported his first 2 birds. Jon got 3 more birds on the day and Hector Feliciano (THE ONE LOFT) clocked a bird at 11:27pm! - he ended up winning 2nd place due to the fact that he is few miles longer and the bird was clocked in the dead time. The winning bird flown by LORDSHIP LOFT was bred by CT Classic Club’s new vice-president – Joe Tolpa. It is worth noting that 8 out of 10 first birds were entered by local breeders. New England is a really tough region to fly pigeons. Congratulations to all that placed birds on the sheet. The seminars were canceled due to the fact that handlers were still waiting for their birds next morning. On Saturday afternoon we had an auction – 40 birds from two great pigeon guys – Alex Bieche from California and Jim McInnes from Canada. In the evening we closed the race and had an outstanding banquet! The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious! Top 20 birds form the race were auctioned off during the banquet. The committee: myself, Bob Carney and Wilberto Aponte would like to thank the International Federation (IF) for giving us the opportunity to host the Convention, we were honored to do so. We would also like to thank all the breeders and all who attended for the support! Thanks to the driver -Randy Rapoza and on site liberator – Jerry Gallagher as well! This years IF Convention is hosted by the Lindenhurst Homing Pigeon Club located in NY (www.lindenhursthpc.com). Hope to see you there! Let’s keep the old tradition of pigeon racing alive! I personally want to extend my thanks to Bob Carney and Wilberto Aponte not only for making this event a success but also for their overall commitment to the CT Classic Club!
SkyTalk 2018 — 65 SkyTalk th 2018 137 IF Convention - 2017 New Britain, CT
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66 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 — 67 SkyTalk 2018 I.F. 137th Convention 2017 300 Mile YB Race Results
68 – SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 — 69 Congratulations to All! Thank you for making the 2017 Convention a success. See you next year!
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SkyTalk 2018 — 71 72– SkyTalk 2018 SkyTalk 2018 — 73 Celebrating Cher Ami's 100th Anniversary this year in Washington DC
The AU's lobbyist in DC is working to involve many different entities to celebrate Cher Ami's 100th anniversary next October. We are hoping to work with entities such as the Dept of Interior, 77th Division, which is still active, several embassies, Smithsonian, etc. The Smithsonian has tentatively set aside the date of 10/3/18 as that is the actual anniversary. The AU would also like to have an impressive release on the Mall or possibly at the Arlington Cemetery. Press conference, reception, etc... All details still have to be worked out.
This may also have international outreach as a result of the various entities the AU partners with, which is great publicity for all of us in the sport. The I.F. would like to help out with this. Our 1st VP Sam Pixley in Washington, DC will try to gather birds from area flyers for a release. Please contact Sam Pixley if you are interested in helping with this special anniversary.
The AU will do the majority of the writing and distribution of press releases and media advisories. The main thing the AU would need is birds if we can get approval for a release. This is a good opportunity for all of us in the sport to join together regardless of organization affiliation.
Though it is 10-11 months away, we need to work on it now. If we don't have birds available for release(s), then we are hopeful the Smithsonian will still have an event and display their pigeon related memorabilia and we would still try to proceed with honoring Cher Ami and our veterans possibly though a press conference at the Smithsonian.
Again, nothing confirmed yet. We would need a pretty certain commitment on a good number of birds to pursue getting permits to have a release at either of those locations. Of course, the AU will get their members to be involved with birds, lets have the I.F. help participate with our birds for a great release at this exciting event.
For more information, please contact our 1st Vice President Sam Pixley at: Phone: (540)752-9014 Email: [email protected]
Let's Help Make This Event Great!
SkyTalk 2018 Thank You 2018 Advertisers! H H H H H H H Advertiser Index
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74– SkyTalk 2018
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