BOAF Bulletin Express

January of 1998 brought great sadness both to BOAF and to me personally. It took with it a devoted member and a dear friend. Carl Cantin succumbed to cancer.

To describe Carl is easy. He was the type of friend we wish we were - or had. He was there when needed, ready to roll up his sleeves and pitch in. He was kind; a tall, gentleperson with a keen sense of humor.

My real first encounter with Carl was at the 1994 National Cage Bird Show. He took it upon himself to coordinate the set up and tear down of the show. He worked late into the evening setting up the show benches, chairs and tables. From there on, Carl was at all club events, setting up and tearing down - always in good spirits. When his wife Marie was not working, she too would be there helping out. We could always count on Carl - without a doubt.

It was apparent that we were not the only recipients of Carl's good will. The church was filled with friends - many friends, bidding their fond farewell to a man who left before his time, yet made a hole that cannot be filled.

Carl will be remembered for the good things he did for others - and those who knew him are luckier and richer. The world has lost a special person. Take care Carl, we'll miss you guy.

Sincerely,
Denise Bourgault

Would You Kiss That Bird? by Ray Schwartz

By now most members know Prism, my green wing macaw, by his big threatening beak! Well, it is really only threatening if he tries to bite you with it. Ouch! Actually, Prism is quite the "snuggle bug".

Each year I bring Prism to our company Christmas party. He gets along well with most kids, especially when he is bigger than they are. At this year’s party I was holding Prism near some youngsters when he leaned over and gave me a kiss. Not just any kiss! It was a juicy French kiss.

One girl, who was five or six years old, asked how I could let him kiss me like that.

I explained that I’ve had Prism since he was three months old. I continued with the fact that I was top bird, the leader of his flock and that we trusted each other. (I heard that thought about me being a bird brain.) I told her he always takes my lip in his beak and hasn’t bitten me yet.

After a moment’s pause she said she wasn’t thinking of his beak. It was his large tongue which bothered her. It was all black. 

Secretary’s Report: Meeting of January 12, 1998

Presentation: Fire in the Home with Pets
& 1998 Calendar of Events

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 pm by Denise Bourgault. The first order of business was a presentation about smoke detectors and monitored fire protection by Karen Meyer of ADT. She indicated that by the time someone sees flames in your home it is too late for your pets. ADT uses sensors that are photoelectric rather than ionized like most home smoke detectors. This minimizes false alarms. In the ADT system, a monitoring station is alerted when smoke or fire is detected and your local fire department is notified.

A special offer of $24.95/month with free installation of two sensors was made to members who set up an appointment with Karen at the meeting. Those not at the meeting can reach Karen in Manchester NH at (800) 888-1141 ext. 5936. I don’t know if the special offer will still be available to you but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

A tentative calendar of events was assembled based upon suggestions of the membership.

A couple of meeting topics which didn’t fit our schedule were hand feeding and a summer picnic. These will be used if the tentative agenda can not be confirmed.

After another great raffle and the 50-50 drawing, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm. 

Classified ads for the March Bulletin must be received by Allen no later than February 25, 1998

Publishing the bulletin is becoming routine. I make lots of calls and eventually get some input. I did get an article from one of the members for this months bulletin. Thank you Cindy. Perhaps other members will follow your example.

Ginny is working feverishly on a library update for the March issue. Lisa also plans to submit an article for March assuming she gets her e-mail working. Would anyone else like to contribute? Although most of the information for the bulletin arrives by e-mail, it doesn’t have to. The U.S. Postal system still delivers mail.

I’d really like to include articles from more members. Give me them at a meeting or mail them to:

Ray Schwartz
19 Olde Common Drive
Atkinson, NH 03810-2177

or e-mail them to Prismsdad@aol.com

or call me at (603) 362-6106

Second Reminder!!

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to renew your membership for 1998!

Riddle: What did the duck say when he fell in love with the parrot?

Answer: Quacker want a polly.

If you have any bird jokes, send them in. I’ll share them with all the members.

Feature Article:

Budgies by Cindy McQueary

Prism

Report on Directors Meeting January 19, 1998.

Denise Bourgault called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm. The calendar of events was reviewed and accepted as put together at the January meeting. Events through May have already been confirmed.

Possible locations for the fall bird show were discussed at length. We concluded that the St. Francis gym may be too small for our annual show and bird mart. Steve Tanner will attemp to book the Manchester High School gym and cafeteria for this event.

Ginny Gallien has volunteered to chair the sunshine committee for 1998. Her offer was unanimously accepted. It was also decided that a new auction chairperson should be considered for 1998. A request for a volunteer to fill this important position will be made at the February meeting.

The topic of affiliations was tabled until the next directors meeting.

The discussion then turned to fundraisers. Allen has suggested we accept commercial advertising for our web site. Although generally agreeing with the concept, we have to refine it somewhat and establish a fee schedule. This was put off until the next meeting.

It was decided to put announcements for other clubs in the bulletin and on the web site provided the other club will reciprocate and publish BOAF announcements.

Tentative rules for the summer bird mart were suggested. To simplify the bookkeeping it was proposed that we charge $25/table which includes admission for the purchaser and one assistant. All other people entering the hall must pay a $3 entrance fee. BOAF will not get involved in any other financial transactions — they will be between buyer and seller. Member comments would be appreciated.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Next Directors Meeting

Date: February 16, 1998
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Steve Tanner’s Home

Agenda: This meeting of the Board of Directors will be to finalize the 1998 events calendar as well as details for the March auction. It is open to all members. Please let Steve know in advance if you plan to attend so he will put out enough chairs.