I.F. HALL OF FAME2013 YOUNG Bird Awards

Pos Band Number Name Points

Young Birds - 151 to 300 Lofts1. IF 13 ERP 975 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 595.982. IF 13 LCM 2023 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 563.58 3. IF 13 SVN 911 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 555.70 4. IF 13 ERP 963 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 545.25 5. IF 13 SVN 909 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 542.916. IF 13 NHF 1152 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 534.507. IF 13 NWJ 10 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 517.248. IF 13 LCM 2229 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 509.959. IF 13 LCM 2241 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 484.41

10. IF 13 NWJ 380 Ismael Vilahomat/Nicolay Loft, Asbury NJ. 483.7011. IF 13 PAOF 3090 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 462.6612. IF 13 NHF 1126 John A Kasharian/J Kash Roofing, Hackettstown NJ. 462.06 13. IF 13 SVN 907 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 443.9014. IF 13 PAT 259 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 443.2215. IF 13 LCM 2267 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 429.7916. IF 13 LCM 2240 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 428.9517. IF 13 ERP 995 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 419.8718. IF 13 NWJ 391 Ismael Vilahomat/Nicolay Loft, Asbury NJ. 408.6319. IF 13 PAOF 3255 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 376.3320. IF 13 QCP 676 John A Kasharian/J Kash Roofing, Hackettstown NJ. 367.3221. IF 13 LCM 2270 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 338.4622. IF 13 PAOF 3253 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 209.28

Young Birds - 76 to 150 Lofts1. IF 13 AMOC 1315 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 382.552. IF 13 LCM 2274 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 317.04 3. IF 13 LCM 2278 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 297.084. IF 13 LBRA 998 Walter Cichon/ Walter Cichon & Son, West Islip NY. 277.10 5. IF 13 E 84416 Wiktor Gontowicz/ Wiktor Gontowicz, Brooklyn NY. 243.21 6. IF 13 NWJ 244 Enzos Loft, Long Valley NJ. 211.48 7. IF 13 ISL 1403 Walter Cichon/ Walter Cichon & Son, West Islip NY. 170.02

Young Birds - 26 to 75 Lofts1 IF 13 E 85968 Michal Zuber/Zuber Loft, New Britain CT. 261.89 2 IF 13 E 85984 Michal Zuber/Zuber Loft, New Britain CT. 255.353. IF 13 TRI 34 Wiktor Gontowicz/ Wiktor Gontowicz, Brooklyn NY. 234.524. AU 13 ABL 117 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 221.075. AU 13 ABL 119 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 210.03

Young Bird Results Compiled and Submitted by: Walter Cichon

I.F. Hall of Fame YOUNG Birds (Continued) Pos Pos Band Number Name Points

6. AU 13 ABL 105 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 185.337. IF 13 WTCM 293 Wiktor Gontowicz/ Wiktor Gontowicz, Brooklyn NY. 170.068. AU 13 ABL 115 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 154.419. AU 13 ABL 183 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 145.21

10. IF 13 TRI 77 Wiktor Gontowicz/ Wiktor Gontowicz, Brooklyn NY. 102.44

Young Birds - 5 to 25 Lofts1. IF 13 LCM 2023 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 182.09 2. AU 13 HVR 510 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 180.223. IF 13 MH 2332 Roy Ritter/Roy Ritter, New Tripoli PA. 173.464. IF 13 E 4026 Don Hart/Don Hart, Spring Hill FL. 171.535. IF 13 E 85968 Michal Zuber/Zuber Loft, New Britain CT. 169.656. IF 13 E 85984 Michal Zuber/Zuber Loft, New Britain CT. 168.527. IF 13 FJT 1302 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 167.968. AU 13 CCIF 496 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 167.169. AU 13 CCIF 470 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 166.39

10. AU 13 CIRC 91 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 165.5811. IF 13 LCM 2229 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 165.5012. AU 13 UTK 115 Steve Mulino/S&J Mulino, Troy NY. 164.0813. IF 13 SCH 1252 Henry Szady/Szady, Altamont NY. 163.9214. IF 13 SVN 875 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 163.6115. IF 13 TRC 227 Benja T. Burr/Benja T. Burr, Rockingham NC. 162.95 16. IF 13 SVN 911 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 162.44 17. IF 13 NHF 1152 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 162.3618. AU 13 CCIF 475 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 161.9519. IF 13 ERP 975 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 161.6420. IF 13 NHF 885 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 160.5221. IF 13 SVN 876 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 160.3222. AU 13 CCIF 469 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 159.9623. IF 13 SVN 909 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 159.3624. IF 13 NWJ 10 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 158.8525. IF 13 FJT 1316 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 157.0326. IF 13 LBRA 998 Walter Cichon/ Walter Cichon & Son, West Islip NY. 155.9027. AU 13 CIRC 99 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 149.8528. IF 13 SCH 1398 Henry Szady/Szady, Altamont NY. 148.9229. IF 13 LCM 2241 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 148.4930. AU 13 CCIF 130 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 145.3131. AU 13 ABL 117 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 143.2532. IF 13 AMOC 1315 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 134.8233. AU 13 NEPLS 1571 Shokri Enbawe/Sho-Time Loft, Albany NY. 132.5634. IF 13 SCH 1365 Henry Szady/Szady, Altamont NY. 103.23

I.F. HALL OF FAME2013 OLD Bird Awards

Pos Band Number Name Points

151-5001. IF 12 ERP 7371 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 608.022. IF 11 WTCM 1752 John Minnuies/Minnuies Family, Port Monmouth NJ. 552.233. IF 12 LHC 1203 Michael Romano/Romano’s Loft, Fords NJ. 545.684. IF 12 NWJ 474 Alex Murzyn/Alex Loft, Hampton NJ. 538.515. IF 12 NWJ 496 Alex Murzyn/Alex Loft, Hampton NJ. 525.396. IF 12 PA 7358 Michael Romano/Romano’s Loft, Fords NJ. 521.74 7. IF 10 VIOC 2710 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 507.538. IF 11 LCM 1971 Michael Romano/Romano’s Loft, Fords NJ. 488.38 9. AU 11 A 11456 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 463.34

10. IF 12 NWJ 498 Alex Murzyn/Alex Loft, Hampton NJ. 440.1811. IF 12 SVN 2390 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 403.81 12. IF 11 QCM 629 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 369.3013. IF 12 VIO 1696 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 349.8814. IF 10 PAT 4142 Alex Murzyn/Alex Loft, Hampton NJ. 315.5715. IF 11 VIOC 2262 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 314.5016. IF 12 VIO 1653 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 309.6117. IF 10 VIOC 2733 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 296.2018. AU 11 A 11098 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 291.8919. IF 10 VIOC 2704 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 280.3020. IF 12 VIO 1667 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 234.7321. IF 12 VIO 1615 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 202.55 22. IF 10 VIO 2783 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft, Colonia NJ. 173.40

26-751. IF 11 CCC 213 Robert Bankard, Sykesville MD. 295.892. IF 11 CCC 137 Robert Bankard, Sykesville MD. 284.733. IF 09 HHC 786 Harvey R. Moore Jr./Moore Loft, Tower City PA. 284.114. AU 11 AA 24516 Bill Larkin/Larkin Loft, Oakdale NY. 281.775. IF 10 LCM 1350 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 277.886. AU 12 HRPC 1166 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 273.827. AU 11 BIG5 155 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 270.928. AU 11 HRPC 1179 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 269.519. AU 12 HRPC 1282 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 267.95

10. AU 12 ARPU 74638 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 212.8311. AU 12 ARPU 74640 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 207.9212. AU 12 HRPC 1162 Reinaldo Rodriguez/Twin Loft Hialeah FL. 189.78

5-251. IF 11 WTCM 1752 John Minnuies/Minnuies Family, Port Monmouth NJ. 184.112. AU 11 TOP GUN 188 Richard Clark, Leland NC. 178.513. IF 12 ERP 7371 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 175.444. IF 11 NWJ 38 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 174.31 5. IF 12 RTA 2706 Mickey Holland, Erwin NC. 172.996. IF 11 LM 1415 Khalid Yahya, Dewitt MI. 172.657. IF 11 LM 940 Khalid Yahya, Dewitt MI. 168.048. IF 10 LCM 1350 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 167.09 9. IF 07 INX 227 Darryl Glover, Erwin NC. 166.15

10. AU 11 TOP GUN 114 Richard Clark, Leland NC. 165.5811. IF 12 RTA 2788 Mickey Holland, Erwin NC. 165.1612. IF 11 TRIBORO 122 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 164.96 13. IF 12 RTA 2787 Mickey Holland, Erwin NC. 162.0414. IF 12 VIOC 2405 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 161.60 15. IF 12 VIOC 860 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 160.51 16. IF 12 CLASSIC 273 Bob Carney, South Windsor CT. 160.40

I.F. CHAMPION LOFT Results OLD BIRDS

2013

Old Birds - 26 to 75 Lofts

Old Birds - 151 to 500 Lofts

Old Birds - 5 to 25 LoftsJohn Minnuies/Minnuies Family Bayshore Pigeon Club .9744Skubal-Zak Viola Club .9739Robert Sterner/Sterner Loft Turbotville Area RPC .9730Jim Effting/Jasper Ridge Loft Mingo HPC .9728Lou Palinkas Mingo West .9721Bill Larkin Lindenhurst HPC .9712 Roy Ritter Mingo HPC .9615 Roy Ritter Mingo West .9503Andy & Lou Esposito/Ivy Loft Islip Club .9460 Walter Cichon/Walter Cichon & Son Lindenhurst HPC .9252

Harvey R. Moore Jr./Moore Loft Anthracite Concourse Ass. .9826 Robert Bankard United Pigeon Combine .9825Kevin L Williams/Never Happen & Tim Greater Boston Concourse .9780 Bill Larkin Long Island Combine .9618 Roy Ritter Suburban Combine .9462 Walter Cichon/Walter Cichon & Son Long Island Combine .9202

Michael Romano/Romano’s Loft Central Jersey Combine .9777 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft Central Jersey Combine/OLC .9721 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft Central Jersey Combine .9613 John Minnuies/Minnuies Family Central Jersey Combine .9582 Michael Mantagas/Brothers Loft Central Jersey Combine/GE .9575

Old Bird Results Compiled and Submitted by: Walter Cichon

I.F. Hall of Fame OLD Birds (Continued) Pos Pos Band Number Name Points17. IF 12 VIOC 2447 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 159.90 18. IF 09 LIN 1009 Bill Larkin/Larkin Loft, Oakdale NY. 159.65 19. IF 12 SVN 2429 Frank Taranto Jr. & Sr./Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 158.1720. IF 09 VIOC 2031 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 157.85 21. AU 11 AA 24516 Bill Larkin/Larkin Loft, Oakdale NY. 156.6022. IF 10 LCM 1342 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 156.11 23. IF 09 TAR 8749 Robert B. Sterner/Sterner Loft, Sunbury PA. 155.5324. IF 10 TAR 157 Robert B. Sterner/Sterner Loft, Sunbury PA. 154.3625. IF 09 CME 1110 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 150.92 26. IF 10 CME 1523 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 149.02 27. IF 11 LBRA 237 Walter Cichon/Walter Cichon & Son 148.9928. IF 12 LCM 846 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 145.91 29. IF 11 VIOC 28 Skubal/Zak, Brooklyn NY. 141.26 30. AU 11 TOR 11113 Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft, Blairstown NJ. 86.33

I.F. CHAMPION LOFT Results YOUNG BIRDS

2013

Young Birds - 26 to 75 Lofts

Young Birds - 151 to 300 Lofts

Young Birds - 76 to 150 Lofts

Young Birds - 5 to 25 LoftsArvel Freydenfelt/Freydenfelt Loft Greater Harrisburg Pigeon Club .9758Steve Mayr Bison RPC .9753Frank Taranto JR & SR/Taranto Loft II Westside Homing Club .9744Don Hart Unit Ten RPC .9733Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft North West Jersey HPC .9716Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft North Florida Combine .9583Frank Taranto JR & SR/Taranto Loft II Paterson Homing Club .9345Walter Cichon/Walter Cichon & Son Lindenhurst HPC .9325Arthur B. Barnes JR./Artie Barnes Loft Braintree RPC .9289

Wiktor Gontowicz/Wiktor Loft Interstate Concourse .9486Arthur B. Barnes JR./Artie Barnes Loft Greater Boston Concourse .9344

Walter Cichon/Walter Cichon & Son Long Island Combine .9299

John A. Kasharian/J. Kash Roofing Central Jersey Combine .9626Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft Central Jersey Combine .9601Tim Kasharian/Shiloh Loft Central Jersey Combine .9571

Young Bird Results Compiled and Submitted by: Walter Cichon

I.F. Hall of Fame YOUNG Birds (Continued) PosPos Band Number Name Points17. IF 13 NHF 1152 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 162.3618. AU 13 CCIF 475 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 161.9519. IF 13 ERP 975 Hans Steiner/Washington Loft, Port Murray NJ. 161.6420. IF 13 NHF 885 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 160.5221. IF 13 SVN 876 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 160.3222. AU 13 CCIF 469 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 159.9623. IF 13 SVN 909 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 159.3624. IF 13 NWJ 10 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 158.8525. IF 13 FJT 1316 Frank Taranto Jr & Sr/Taranto Loft II, Fairfield NJ. 157.0326. IF 13 LBRA 998 Walter Cichon/ Walter Cichon & Son, West Islip NY. 155.9027. AU 13 CIRC 99 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 149.8528. IF 13 SCH 1398 Henry Szady/Szady, Altamont NY. 148.9229. IF 13 LCM 2241 John C. Kasharian/Kash Farm, Hackettstown NJ. 148.4930. AU 13 CCIF 130 Danny Buonagurio/M&S Loft, Ocala FL. 145.3131. AU 13 ABL 117 Arthur B. Barnes Jr./Artie Barnes, Hanover MA. 143.2532. IF 13 AMOC 1315 Al Kasharian/Whitehall Loft, Andover NJ. 134.8233. AU 13 NEPLS 1571 Shokri Enbawe/Sho-Time Loft, Albany NY. 132.5634. IF 13 SCH 1365 Henry Szady/Szady, Altamont NY. 103.23

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 THE IF WEBSITE.*NOTE AS OF December 1, 2013 (Dead Line-Post Mark date) All records to date!

I.F. SPEED RECORDSYoung & Old Birds

2013 IF SPEED RECORDS (as of 12/1/13)

2013Distance Speed-YPM City Date Flyer

YOUNG BIRDS50-100 1664.910 Bethlehem, Pa 9/05/10 Lou Palinkas100-150 1729.853 New Tripoli, Pa 10/17/10 Tony Schlacter150-200 1802.597 Port Murray, NJ 10/17/10 Hans Steiner200-250 2040.403 Norfolk, Virginia 11/5/04 Steve Jenkins250-300 2395.390 Staten Island 10/29/06 Richard D’Antonio300-350 2201.809 Sand Springs, Ok 11/10/12 Tony Smith350-400 1749.117 Richlands, NC 11/8/03 Thomas Baldwin Jr.400-450 No Entry 450-500 No Entry 550-Plus No Entry

OLD BIRDS50-100 2030.946 Clinton, MO 5/8/04 Harold Baugh100-150 2240.052 Mocksville, NC 3/29/09 Warren Werbeck150-200 2156.414 Kimberly, ID 4/12/03 Rick Post200-250 2142.249 Martinsville, VA 3/28/09 Renee Kennedy 250-300 2385.126 Bay Shore, NY 5/08/10 Joe McAllister. 300-350 1864.522 Swansea, Ma. 5/22/06 John Doyle350-400 2117.554 Emmaus, Pa.. 6/2/12 Roy Ritter400-450 2121.359 Oklahoma City, OK 4/27/02 Burt Steward450-500 1894.234 Leland, NC 4/24/05 Richard Clark500-550 1941.378 Sand Springs, Ok 5/25/10 Tony Smith550-600 1504.980 Landenberg, Pa 6/20/09 Tom Swan600-650 1746.491 Sand Springs, OK 6/12/10 Tony Smith650-700 972.679 Leland, NC 5/8/11 Richard Clark 700-750 No Entry 750-800 No Entry 800-850 No Entry 850-900 No Entry 900-950 No Entry 950-1000 No Entry 1050-1100 No Entry -Plus No Entry

Speed Records Results Compiled and Submitted by: Beverly Gottlieb

Registered Champions Results

1999–2013 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 Smith1999-003 IF 92 RPC0658 BB/C John Stauffer1999-004 AU 93FVC6330 BC/C John Stauffer1999-005 AU 88SAV946 BB/H Savannah Ron & Bev Liszcz1999-006 IF 97SCHE2509 BB/H #2509 David Reynaldo1999-007 AU 96TFCF1077 BB/H #1077 Mike Bennetch1999-008 AU 97TFCF0968 BB/C #0968 Mike Bennetch2001-001 IF 2000GIC886 BB/H Blue Supreme Jose & Reinaldo2002-001 IF 00GIC194 Perfect Lady2002-002 IF 94NWJ923 Home Alone Alex Cornella2003-002 IF 003026 Laura J. Famularo2003-003 IF 03COPC127 BC/H Tom Baldwin2004-001 IF 00HRP1081 Jack Steve Jenkins2005-001 IF 02MRPC2413 BB/H Skydancer Everett & Renee Kennedy2005-002 IF 98RPR113 BB/C George Kriegbaaum2006-001 AU 00GNCC0242 BC/H Patrick Motley2006-002 IF 02DRP104 DC/H Patrick Motley2006-003 IF LKY 858 BB/H Simeon Parker2006-004 IF 02ACA556 BWF/C Harvey R. Moore2006-005 IF 02DIL045 BB/H Marshall Davis2007-001 I.F.-01-WBC-1070 BB/C George Kriegbaum2007-002 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.Rodriguez2008-002 IF-07-Purgrain 1280 BC/C Art Jenkins2008-003 IF-04-ECC-1723 BB/H Patrick Motley2008-004 AU-06-GHC-1251 BB/H Miss Consistent Allan Frampton2008-005 IF-04-CCC-1796 Blue Ridge Blue Robert Bankard2009-001 AU-06-RI-6661 BC/C Bob Kell2009-002 IF-06-Scholar-1606 DC/C Zoltan Paul Walsh2009-003 IF-06-Scholar-100 BB/C #100 Paul Walsh2009-004 IF-06-ACC-6143 BB/C Cash Dollar Paul Walsh2010-001 AU-06-TOR-6070 BB/C Orgasm Ray Torres2010-002 AU-07-TOR-7003 BB/C Lamariposa Ray Torres2010-003 IF-07-I-17520 Gtodziua Bernie Gutowski2010-004 IF-06-CCC-2079 DCWF/C Alfred Robert Bankard2010-005 IF-06-JMP-1518 BB/C Hercules Mike Mantagas2010-006 IF-06-WTCM-1994 BB/C Tarbaby Ray Torres2010-007 IF-03-CCC-1580 BB/C Robert Bankard2012-001 IF 08-CCC-2464 BB/C Robert Bankard2012-002 IF-09-TAR- 8775 BB/H Misty Blue Robert Sterner2012-003 IF-10-SOJ-4276 BB/C Johnny Boy John Glemser2013-001 IF-03-CCC-158 BB/C Robert Bankard2013-002 IF-JMP-05-1705 BB/C #1705 Mike Mantaga2013-003 AU-04-PBID-0184 BC/C #0184 Mike Mantaga2013-004 IF-11-WTM-1752 BBWF/H Jewel John Minnuie2013-005 IF-09-TAR-8726 DCWF/H Little One Robert Sterner

Results Compiled and Submitted by: James Walker

2014 I. F. SCHOLARSHIPSkyTalk

2014

32 – SkyTalk 2014

The Birds Did That Bird! Bird! Those two words bring back many wonderful memories for me as I grew up as a child. My father and grandfather have flown pigeons all my life. I would look forward to those Sunday mornings and afternoons when Pepere and Memere would come to the house and wait with us for the birds returning from the race, a family time. The birds brought us together. It was a time when the day was planned around the race, a day when we would all get together as a family and enjoy time together. Barbeques outside (so we’d be ready for the racers with the dropper!), and the thrill of seeing a bird fall out of the sky returning home from a place far away we had never seen. It always brought a sense of wonder and awe that a bird, without GPS, could be released from a truck, find its bearings, fly for hours and return home to a ordinary perch he or she called home. It was a time when I would just listen to Dad and Pepere talk about what bird they thought was “ready” that week. I listened as they discussed the preparation they had put into the birds the week before. It was the stories of races from days gone by. Their big champions and the smash races where they’d lost everything. The adrenaline rush when we’d see that shadow of a bird returning home! It was always a champion to us! I would then always laugh as doubt would sink in about how well we had really done. “I wonder if Don McCue has on already?” “Mr. Morin had them ready this week, his birds looked perfect!” It was a time when we sat and enjoyed the company of family. Dad and Pepere are competitive. They liked to see good results, but is seemed that they always put everything in perspective. We were together, our family, and Pepere really loved that the most. The birds did that.

In this busy world we live in, our birds brought us together. They allowed us to slice a time out of our day to day lives, sit and wait together as a family, and enjoy each other’s company. I remember that. The birds did that. When I look at the dysfunction there is in some American families these days, I wonder and worry about the nuclear family as it once was in our country. I know that I am a living example of how cherished “family” is for me, for my brother, my mom and dad, my uncles, and for Pepere and Memere. We were always close and always will be, but the birds offered an occasion to once again be together talking, discussing, listening, appreciating, and conversing. The birds did that.

The birds don’t owe us anything, we owe them. We owe them for the times they brought us together to share moments I will never forget. They brought a certain perspective to my life. I will never forget that we were together as a family because of the birds. As I begin this new venture in my life called college, I will always treasure and appreciate the lessons I learned from my family. One huge aspect of our family was always our birds. They brought us together. What a gift! I hope I can offer the same gift to my family some day. The birds did that.

1st Place Winner$1,000

Eric L’HeureuxMeriden, NH

SkyTalk 2014 — 33

SkyTalk20142014 I. F. SCHOLARSHIP

2nd Place Winner - $750Gianna Stella - Marlboro, NJ

Lessons from a Pigeon Racer A beaming six year old child finally has the honor to hold the egg of a pigeon. The idea that a little baby bird is growing inside the egg is absolutely unfathomable. An older voice says, “If you hold the egg up to the light you can even see the silhouette of a soon-to-be racing pigeon”. The six year old lifts the egg up curiously and, “crack!” the egg helplessly falls to the ground.

That child was me. For a while I lived with my Poppy Eric and his pigeons and first hand observed the life of a pigeon racer. My mom always told me pigeon racing keeps you out of trouble, and I believe it too. What she did not mention is that pigeon racing is also an incredible outlet that can bring you so much happiness. While I have never raised my own pigeon or even managed holding an egg, I witnessed the genuine joy pigeon racing brought to my poppy. He constantly had something constructive to fill his days and he even let me help out. I’d bring some feed to the coop or maybe count how many wooden eggs he would need. Eventually my love for my grandfather and for the pigeons became synonymous. Their bright gleaming necks would remind me of his starry hazel eyes. Even the familiar smell of bird poop brought comforting thoughts of my grandfather to mind.

My poppy’s love for animals spread throughout my entire family. We all learned the infectious joy brought on by being around animals. In fact, the unconditional love and trust animals give inspired me to go to school to study bioinformatics. This topic is simply a combination of computer science and biology. The field of bioinformatics involves genome, evolution, and gene expression studies which can all be related back to animals. With a bachelor’s of science degree, I hope to go onto veterinary school and apply all of my knowledge of bioinformatics to help find cures for animal diseases. I recently stumbled on my poppy’s top secret notebook of home remedies for pigeons and their behavioral patterns. Inside I discovered that my poppy was wholly dedicated to his birds. He spent the majority of his life finding ways to improve their health, produce the best young, and ensure a successful racer. I hope to carry on his legacy and find ways to help animals in my lifetime.

Pigeons are interlaced with my memories of my poppy. If I’m walking down the street and see a pigeon, I instantly feel my poppy’s presence. My sister feels the same way. Recently she took a trip to Italy and while visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a pigeon flew right towards her and smacked her in the face. She laughed unbelievably hard and considered it a grand hello from our poppy. Growing up with pigeon racing present in the household taught me to love animals and work for those things I love. Furthermore, after dropping the egg, my poppy explained to me that all living things need to be dealt with carefully. This is a lesson I keep in mind every day and I promise you I haven’t dropped an egg since.

SkyTalk2014

34 – SkyTalk 2014

2014 I. F. SCHOLARSHIP3rd Place Winner - $500

Simon Cornella - Blairstown, NJ Family Bonding Through Pigeon Sport My father developed a love for homing pigeons as a boy that he has passed along to me and my siblings. Some 50 years later pigeons are still a big part of his daily routine and have become a family legacy.

When I was barely able to walk I was introduced to these elegant creatures. One of our favorite family stories involves our move from Indiana to New Jersey, along with our horses, dogs and pigeons. Dad had not yet established quarters for his birds on our new property so he housed his breeders in the basement of our house. To hear my mother tell it, this situation caused her more than a little grief as she had barely begun to get organized in a new home and she had to deal with birds making a mess on her floors.

So there we were, my father, mother, brother, sister, and me along with our horses, dogs, the family flock cooing in the basement, and Mom growing more impatient with each passing day. In short order Dad built a breeding loft—much to Mom’s relief—where he housed his prized Janssen and Fabry bloodlines.

A flying loft soon followed that was split into two sections; one for young birds and a second for widowhood cocks. I recall seeing the cocks flying around the yard, and the hens in their holding pens, and asking Dad why he did this. He tried to explain as best he could, but I did not fully grasp the lesson about the magnetic power of love of your nest and longing for your mate until many years later when I established my own “nest.” The system seemed to work well judging by the trophies and diplomas he won.

Around the age of 12 Dad gave my sister, Lia, and me some choice birds to start our own team. The Cornella Kids racing team was launched and competed against Dad’s team of widowers with our team flying to the perch. Lia and I trained our birds with my father in the evening after he returned from work. Dad told silly jokes Lia and I groaned at while we drove to the release points. We trained and fed our team under Dad’s tutelage and he always insisted that we take responsibility for feeding, watering and cleaning up after our birds or it would not get done.

We raced out of a club 20 miles north of our loft, which meant we were constantly giving up time to other club members. Yet, we were still scoring well and even beat Dad’s widowhood cocks in seven out of ten races, which gave rise to a lot of good natured teasing from Lia and me at the dinner table, and leaving Dad to wonder what he was doing wrong.

We had a strong grizzle cock that was the first back to the landing board nine times out of ten. My sister and I entered our birds into a 300-mile race, the grizzle cock included. And sure enough he was the first one on the landing board and won first in the club despite the overfly. I was proud of this bird and I could tell Dad was enormously proud of his kids.

The next weekend we loaded up the birds to ship and hand picked 12 birds to send. I was skeptical of sending my strong grizzle two weeks in a row. I thought he would benefit from a weeks rest. But my father and sister disagreed, so against my better judgment I sent the grizzle off. As I feared, he did not return from this race. The loss of the mighty grizzle cock was the subject of somber dinner table discussion. I was bitter over the loss of my champ and my father was feeling a bit guilty for giving me bad advice.

By the time I got my driver’s license I became distracted from the birds by motorcycles, girls and other misadventures, not nessecarily in that order. I did not realize it at the time that my father, sister and I had grown much closer because of our pigeons and developed a strong bond that can never be broken. I will return to the sport some day when I finish my education, since the love and respect I have for these beautiful creatures will always be with me.. I am forever thankful for the lessons I learned and the camaraderie racing pigeons provided.