Some Birds Never Retire

As a result of one AU member leaving promotion brochures everywhere he goes, people in the Chicago area will be more aware of pigeons this year. 

Dan McComb generated public interest in Homing Pigeons by leaving these brochures at his doctor's office. After this experience, Dan requested additional handouts from the AU to distribute as he traveled around town running errands and keeping appointments. He left them all over the place: in the veterinarian's office, PetSmart, Petco and other locations. 

It wasn't long afterward that the Fairmont Care Centré retirement community contacted the Nemecek Flying Club about building a loft for the residents at the facility. They wanted to raise and train the pigeons to carry messages back and forth to separate loft locations. Director, Cheryl Morris, said she got the idea from the residents' enjoyment of feeding the pigeons outside. A good percentage of the residents are Korean and recognize the hobby as a natural way of life from their country.

Members of the Greater Chicago Combine made an educational presentation to the residents before they began their new project. Bill Mitiu and fellow combine members purchased videos from the AU and labeled them with contact information.

The AU also provided information packets and other promotion materials that would help the residents understand the care and training of the homing pigeons they would keep. These materials will be placed in the facility's library for easy and continuous reference.

The loft is now painted and they received 6 birds to begin, which they have already named. They have planted flowers around the loft for added attractiveness. There are quite a few residents participating. Even the Maintenance Manager has taken to the project and feeds the birds each day.

The Fairmont is one of several facilities that make up the Lancaster Health Group. It is the intention of the residents to visit other group facilities for lunchtime outings, release the birds at the facility they visit and time the birds' return.

"This is a unique program. AU members involved are to be commended. Hopefully others will use this as a model and approach retirement centers to start a similar project," said Bill Lightell, AU Plains Zone Director.

As a convention year for Chicago, this is favorable timing for this type of activity to take place. Having unique and positive publicity about Homing Pigeons is great for increasing public awareness, whether for racing competition or simply raising pigeons as a fun pastime. It helps people understand the desirability of keeping pigeons and the birds become better understood. When the hobby is viewed as more commonplace and acceptable, ordinance issues will become a thing of the past.

There are many ways to introduce raising and racing Homing Pigeons to more people. If public libraries or private facilities do not have Homing Pigeon information available, consider donating a book or video. It is always helpful to include contact information as well, as inquiries will usually result.

Another side to the story is the pleasure you can bring in presenting your sport. One female Fairmont resident was particularly jubilant during the educational presentation. She chatted excitedly to her translator. A few minutes later, the translator couldn't help but giggle. It seems the lady was sharing with the translator that she found one of the combine members very cute and wanted him to come back again.