AU's Help-A-Beginner Program

With young birds flying around the loft, AU Help-A-Beginner Program participants, LJ, Ned & Jack Meyers take a moment to reflect on their experience thus far.

The new family hobby was sparked when they caught a bird from the Blue Ridge Challenge Race in North Carolina. They telephoned the number on the leg band, which coincidentally belong to Linda Joneli, the Help-A-Beginner Coordinator. 

Soon afterward, Jim Schwartz was assigned as mentor to the Meyers in the program. Jim started flying in Chicago in 1977 and has since moved to northern California. He and the Meyers have not met in person, but communicate by phone and email. 

Jim had been appointed as liquidator of birds left behind after the death of his close friend and mentor in the sport. The flock consisted of imports from top lofts around the country and included champions. The Help-A-Beginner participants were some of the lucky recipients.

"I am so happy that the Meyers family is doing so well. It is great to be able to help someone out like this," states Jim about the program.

One of the first experiences for the family was a bird's dramatic escape from a hawk. Son Jack witnessed the chase and exclaimed, "what a hawk dodger!" From then on, the bird was called 'hawkdodger.'

The family has had a fortunate racing experience so far. Their first place bird was an unlikely winner. Though it had a missing flight feather, it was the first one back

The Help-A-Beginner coordinator, Linda Joneli, beams with pride when she hears their race results. "My sincere hope is that when flyers read about the success of the Meyers Family, it will give them the encouragement to join the AU Help a Beginner Program as a Beginner needing help to tread the right path or indeed as a Mentor, who is willing to give their time to help the Beginners establish themselves in this wonderful hobby of ours," says Linda.

The Meyers have already won 1, 6 and 9 in their club's first Old Bird, 200 mile A race and 5, 14 and 19 in the B race. Their winner was 47 minutes ahead of second place. 

The following week, they won 6, 16 and 18 in the 250-mile A race and 1, 2 and 3 in the B race. The B race birds also won the combine with about 450 entries from 35 lofts. 

In a hard 300-mile race with the wind in their face, the birds did it again with first and third in the A race and second in the B race (3 firsts in 3 weeks).

Out of 98 birds in the fourth race, the 200 mile A race yielded 1st, 2nd and 5th places for them. In the 200 mile B race, they placed 4th, 9th and 11th and are in contention for Club Champion Loft.

They are entered in the AU National Youth Race in Chicago with their second round of youngsters coming out of the nest.

The Meyers agree, "…all committed newcomers should take advantage of the program. It will propel them to a level that would take years learning on their own . . . the true value is the people you get to know. I feel I have friends all over the country now, due to the program.

There were a variety of generous donors to the program. For example, the 2002 AU Convention Race in Denver donated birds. They also received 16 of the young birds Donald Lowe Jr. of Champlin, Minnesota donated. 

"He gave us advice, encouragement and friendship. I consider Mr. Lowe my mentor and friend. We email each week and compare our races," says LJ.

Is it worth it? Coordinator, mentor, donor and participants all say, "Yes!"

The Meyers, from left to right: Jack, Mary Ann, Ned and LJ