Dear Aquarist,
Happy Halloween! I’m afraid we didn’t have any pumpkins at our Giant Auction, but we had plenty of fish, plants, corals, filters, lights and aquariums. There was plenty of haunting going around or maybe that was hawking our wonderful shirts, donated books and magazines and our donated items at our freshwater and marine items tables. We had a wonderful time and our members and guests came away with some spectacular items.
Our November event is on a marine topic. Renowned MASNA speaker John Coppolino is our guest lecturer and his topic will be either “Modern Fish Keeping In Reef Aquaria” or “SPS Success.” I think that either one will be a big hit. As always, doors open at 7:30 PM, and there is free parking and free refreshments.
Our photo contest is over. There were some technical problems with Yahoo Groups so our judges are still compiling the votes for the winners in each of the 17 categories. We will announce the winners at our November event and present them with their wonderful prizes at that event. The prices are at least $100.00 in value for each category. Our sponsor/donator/judges are – SeaChem, Hikari, and Central Aquatics (which owns Aqueon, Kent Marine and Coralife). The winners will be posted on our web site (www.BrooklynAquariumSociety.org).
I am happy to note that our Corresponding Secretary position has been filled by Dan Smith. Welcome aboard Dan. Mike Roman, our current Corresponding Secretary, will be posting the position’s data to Dan over the next few months. Mike, we will sorely miss you! You have been a tremendous asset to BAS and we want to wish you good luck and happy fish when you move to Wisconsin.
I am asking for your help and support. If you want to see different subjects offered, please let me know. As examples, some members asked when we were having another bus trip to the Long Island Aquarium & Exposition Center; another asked if we would be willing to do a bus trip to the Baltimore Aquarium, take in a ballgame at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, do an overnight and then hit several huge aquarium stores on the way home. I said sure, why not, IF you can get enough people to fill a bus. So, those who are interested, get back to me with what you want to do!
The elected officials of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society are here to serve YOU! Please let us know what you want and why. It would be helpful to everyone. It is important that you visit and patronize our sponsors. It goes full circle, by helping them, they are also helping you as hobbyists and everyone is helping the Brooklyn Aquarium Society, so help us, help you!
For more info, please call our BAS Hotline at (718) 837-4455.
On a more personal note – Any member who desires to attend a Board meeting, held at the Education Center of the New York Aquarium on the 1st Friday of the month, please notify me at (718) 238-1792 by the Tuesday previous to the meeting.
Joe Graffagnino
President