We had a great time at the photo contest last month. Several folks entered more than one photo. We had ribbons down to 4th place and prizes down to 2nd place in three of the four categories. Unfortunately, once again we had no entries under the age of 18.

David once again was a superb judge and even got to choose his favorite photo and a prize was awarded. For People’s Choice this year we had a 1st and 2nd place prize.

See Pages 6 and 7 of the winners of the photo contest. Next year we should try gathering prizes for entries down to at least third place in each division.

Our fund raising table did the best it has done in a long time. Thanks to Susanne K for her volunteering to take over this aspect of our meetings. We will also be having a $5.00 fund raising table with items from an estate that were graciously donated by the family. Once these items are gone we hope to be able to continue having a $5.00 table to go along with our $1.00 table to continue raising funds for the club so we can continue offering goodies and beverages at the monthly meetings.

This month we are doing Toy Making. Bring in your scissors, hole punches, tongue depressors, popsicle sticks, basket remnants, fabric, thread, jute, blocks, giant puzzle pieces or anything else you may have to make toys with. I am sincerely hoping we can have a great time learning how to make simple and inexpensive toys for our birds.

We are in the beginning steps of talking of holding bird club meetings several times a year in Wasilla or Palmer. This would mean that that approximately every three months we would hold our monthly meetings, instead of a Tuesday evening to a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Let us know your thoughts on this.

Also this month is a Spaghetti Sauce cooking contest. The club will provide noodles, plates, napkins, flatware and beverages. We need several people to volunteer to bring garlic bread or dinner rolls and butter. Please contact Marta or myself with information on if you are interested in bringing bread or a fruit tray. This is a change from our Chili cooking contest and we are hoping everyone enjoys it. We are also hoping that Dr. Scott Ford stopping in to visit with us and perhaps sharing some stories with us. We are holding the event the 18th of this month from 6pm—8pm. We do need assistance in cooking the noodles and setting things up, so if you have a couple large pots for cooking noodles please let me know.

Also, we need ideas of what you want to see presented at meetings, upcoming training we can hold.

-- Kathleen O'Keefe, President