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#Post#: 9104--------------------------------------------------
Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: 2y4life
Date: September 28, 2011, 10:39 am
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Often times, especially on public places, all we see is people
getting at one another's throats; people putting each other
down, dragging others through the mud to make themselves feel
better and it's a real bad representation of the hobby. The
internet is often conducive to childish behaviors and manners
unbecoming of a man. I just wanted to post something a little
more positive out here. I have yet to post it on here and would
like to share it with all of you on RPDC.
Over the summer, I've had the flexibility to do a little
traveling and I've met many great men and just wanted to share
my thanks to them.
First off, I want to thank Abel Ibarra of Riverside California.
While I was in LA, Abel accommodated me so I could spend a few
hours with him talking and watching birds. I was able to see 4
kits fly as well as my first cooper hawk attack, which missed
one of Abel's rollers on his kitbox. Abel gave the, a total
stranger, the time of day to chit chat about rollers, show me
around his breeding lofts, his best flyers, and answered all my
questions. Not to mention Abel had probably the best quality
rollers I've seen yet. Every single kit, from 1-4, were just
fantastic in terms of velocity and style. And Abel explained his
thoughts to me, left nothing out, and gave me his opinions on
many things. I left Abel's place a much smarter roller man and
Abel even offered me a few birds if I ever needed them.
Honestly, I don't think it gets much better than that. Thank you
Abel.
In Las Vegas, I had the pleasure of meeting Don Macauley. Even
in the Vegas heat, Don let out three kits for me to see. I was
able to sit and talk with Don for about 2.5 hours about
everything from birds, to different fanciers, to his viewpoints
on the hobby among other things. It was a joy to be able to
spend a morning with a fancier like Don Macauley. Though I will
not make it to the NBRC Convention this year, meeting Don made
up for it. It was worth getting up at 6 am on less than 3 hours
of sleep. Thank you Don.
I spent 7 weeks in North Carolina but unfortunately I was only
able to have 4 free days altogether. I worked the 30+ days
without any free time at all. In those 4 days, I was able to
accomplish alot and I was able to squeeze a few minutes here and
there to visit the great rollermen of the the Carolinas.
The first guy I met was Clay Hoyle of Connelly Springs, NC. I
stayed about 10-12 air miles from Clay and wanted to visit him
more but was only able to find the time just once. In that
meeting, Clay flew 5 or 6 kits for me. I was able to see how
Clay took care of his birds, how he settled them, how he trained
them, as well as how he prepped birds for the Fall Fly/National
Championship Fly. Clay is such a knowledgeable fancier and it
shows when you talk with him. Everything he said was on point
and he is just so practical in the way he goes about everything.
He was very generous in giving advice and like everyone before
him, answered every question I had for him. For that, I say
Thank you Clay.
I then visited Joe Bob Stuka of Waxhaw, NC twice. The first time
I snuck out of work (selling flowers) to go and visit Joe Bob. I
was only there for about 1 hour but in that hour, I was able to
see his set up, see two kits fly, as well as see his breeders
and some of his game cocks. Joe Bob was not short on advice and
offered many many wise words which I eagerly took in. He also
talked about competition, prepping birds for a fly, as well as
feeding and pairing up birds. Before I left Joe Bob's place, he
offered me a pair of his breeders from his breeding loft...I
left without them and he said if I wanted them for me to call
him once I got back home. A few of the other roller men told me
I was an idiot for not asking for them on the spot so I called
Mr. Joe Bob back and spent a few minutes to visit him again and
take home a pair of breeders. I have to say, this guy is as good
as it gets. Thank you Joe Bob.
I was able to visit Jay Yandle for about 45mins. Jay gave me
some insight into how he built his kitboxes and breeding loft.
Although our visit was short and I did not get to see any birds
fly, I did learn alot from Jay and he gave me plenty of
advice...many of which I will use. Before I left, he offered to
give me some birds and if I had brought a box with me, I
would've taken him up on his offer but I didn't have a box. Like
Don and Abel before him, Jay was as kind as a man could be to
offer birds to a total stranger, someone he had never really met
or spoken to before. Thank you Jay.
The same day I went to visit Jay, I also went to visit Cliff
Ball of Oak Ridge, NC. Cliff is as good as they come. Although
we have had a few correspondence through email and spoke a few
times on the phone, Cliff treated me like a long time friend. He
let out a few kits of young birds for me and I got to say, the
depth and frequency of his youngs birds were just fantastic.
Before I left Cliff's place, he didn't let me go home empty
handed. He gave me two pairs of breeders, one directly out of
his breeding loft (which I believe were on eggs). Cliff left me
speechless and totally embarrassed. I had told Cliff I'd be
bringing him some flowers (in the most non-romantic way possible
:P ) as a way to say thanks and it totally slipped my mind. I'm
sorry for that on my part and thank you so much for you kindness
and generosity. Cliff is a true ambassador for our hobby and we
are all lucky to have someone like him.
I was able to meet Ty and Tiffany Coleman while on a visit to
South Carolina. The Coleman's were the definition of southern
hospitality. The way they spoke and their actions gave off such
a friendly vibe. Even though this was the first time I met the
Colemans, they gave me a pair of breeders and 4 young birds
without any hesitation. They brought these birds with them from
Georgia to give to me. I have the utmost respect for these two
and I thank them for all they have done for me.
Onto South Carolina I went and on this trip, Cliff Ball, Wendall
Carter, and I went to visit James Turner of Greenwood, South
Carolina. Ty and Tiffany Coleman also met up with us there as
well. James went out of his way to let out birds at 9:30 am on a
hot day and we saw two kits of his birds in action. For the
weather we had that day, the birds did their best and I was not
disappointed. I then got to see James' breeding loft as well his
some of his side projects that he kept in a different loft. He
went over all the different colors and modifiers with me
explaining the intricacies of colors and modifiers...most of
which went over my head. We then went inside for alittle history
lesson which we all enjoyed. James and I have been in constant
communication but when I went to visit him, he had a little
surprise for me. I had once asked him if he had any reading
material he no longer read (this was about 7 months ago) and he
remembered and gave me numerous journals and articles to take
him. Before we left, he also went into his breeding loft and
gave me a pair of breeders which left me speechless and almost
teary eyed. This guy, for all the things I've read and heard
about him good and bad, nothing beats meeting the guy. There's
nothing anyone can really say that will affect the way I see
James Turner. He is a top notch roller man and an even better
human being. There is not another person I respect and look up
to more in the roller hobby than James Turner. I hold James
Turner up in the highest regards, just below my parents, for all
the things he's done for me. I thank you for your time, your
kindness, words of advice and generosity. Thanks James.
In closing, I hope that some of us here will take a step back,
turn away from the little squabbles a little, and take time to
say thanks to those who've helped you along the way and enjoy
the hobby a little. I've met many great men along the way and
these lady and gentlemen are just a few of the great fanciers
I've had the pleasure of meeting...and I'm only a year into
rollers. I will leave this post with this:
Thank you to all of those who have helped me along the way from
the flyers here in WI to those in my neighboring state of
Minnesota and everywhere else. Thank you all so much for making
my first year in rollers a great success and for giving me all
the satisfaction that a new fancier could ever dream of. THANK
YOU ALL.
Yours in our hobby,
Tou
#Post#: 9106--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: joeb
Date: September 28, 2011, 10:58 am
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Great post Tou, my experience with the Carolina guys has always
been positive as well!
Keep em spinning :D
Joe B
#Post#: 9109--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: Johnnie Williams
Date: September 28, 2011, 11:54 am
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GREAT POST TOU-- So true three years ago Dr. Cliff Ball had
never heard of Johnnie Williams-- but so very GENEROUSLY sent me
17 birds to get me started back in rollers after 30 years away--
Wish that I could make that same trip to the Carolina's--to meet
in person Cliff and MR. TURNER it would be a Blessing-- Thanks
TOU for sharing GOD Bless!!!
#Post#: 9111--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: 2y4life
Date: September 28, 2011, 12:13 pm
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--- Quote from: Johnnie Williams link ---
>
> GREAT POST TOU-- So true three years ago Dr. Cliff Ball had
never heard of Johnnie Williams-- but so very GENEROUSLY sent me
17 birds to get me started back in rollers after 30 years away--
Wish that I could make that same trip to the Carolina's--to meet
in person Cliff and MR. TURNER it would be a Blessing-- Thanks
TOU for sharing GOD Bless!!!
>
--- End Quote ---
Good to hear Johnnie as someone has implied that Cliff is a
selfish person which, I know as fact, is not true. I know he has
helped many of people. Cliff is just an example of the many
great rollermen located ALL AROUND THE US.
#Post#: 9117--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: terry
Date: September 28, 2011, 7:25 pm
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Thank you for sharing Tou. It sounds like you had a great
summer.
I also would like to send out a big Thank You to Cliff. Not
only did he get me started back in rollers with his generosity,
but he has also been there to answer all my questions. Thanks
Cliff!
Terry
#Post#: 9121--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: J_Star
Date: September 28, 2011, 8:30 pm
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Thanks Tuo for sharing. I had the same experiance in NC and SC.
I would like to make this announcement:
Paul Fullorten is running for President of the NBRC.
Cliff Ball is running for Vice President of the NBRC.
Jay Alnimer is running for Secretary - Treasurer of the NBRC.
I would like to ask you if you so kind to support us and send
your ballots to Jay Yandle as soon as you can. Your support
would be greatly appreciated. The NBRC would take a new enhanced
and positive face left under our leadership. Thanks.
Jay Alnimer – Region 3B Director
#Post#: 9125--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: 2y4life
Date: September 28, 2011, 9:13 pm
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Thanks Jay.
I've already contacted Cliff and Paul and they both know where I
stand on this. I've gone through all of the old RPDC posts and I
absolutely love the openmindness, rationale, and logic that Paul
always brings so I think he'd make for a fine president.
Again to echo Jay's thoughts, please remember to send in your
votes. If you don't like the way things are going, take some
action instead. Send the ballots and your choices/votes to Jay
Yandle. They should be in the next bulletin. GL to all the
candidates.
#Post#: 9130--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanks, a simple word and gesture often forgotten
DIR By: Cliff Ball
Date: September 29, 2011, 8:20 am
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My thanks to all of you for your expressions of gratitude and
support. It is a good feeling to have the support of so many
colleagues in the sport. By the way, for the sake of clarity,
only the nominating forms have been printed in the NBRC Bulletin
and you do not need to send in additional nominations for those
of us who have already been nominated....and you cannot vote
your choices with that particular form. The official voting
ballots will be out in the next Bulletin, I believe, so that you
can cast your votes at that time. Jay, Paul and I would
certainly appreciate your votes!
Cliff
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