President’s Message – May 2016

Dear Aquarist,

May was a great month for us at BAS, good weather, and a great auction. We were packed to the maximum capacity allowed. The donation tables and aquatic supplies were bustling with excitement. Also, several established vendors displayed their wares at various tables.

Discounted shirts, hats and patches kept the crowds looking for more. The aquatic supply and equipment tables held many hobbyists’ interest. The auction had almost 250 bags of livestock and that was not counting aquariums, lighting and aquatic stands. It was a late night, but our members are worth it.

In June we have Rit Forcier coming up from Florida. Rit’s topic for the evening will be “Goodeid Livebearers.” As always, there will be free parking and refreshments. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Entry is free to all active members, non-members are asked to donate $5.00 at the door to help offset expenses; however, their donation that night is good towards the cost of annual membership. Members receive discounts in most of our sponsoring stores and free entry to all our auctions.

Anyone wishing to donate any healthy livestock (fish, plants or live corals) or dry goods can bring them to any general meeting. Donations are always welcome and appreciated – it’s what keeps your club healthy!

I must ask for our members’ help – Our Treasurer Denise and Board member Stu Hershkowitz are moving to Florida. We need a Treasurer and Board member. Please, if you have experience in accounting, we need your help.

Also if you want to see different speakers and learn about different aquatic systems, fish, plants and marine life, please let me know. The elected officials of the Brooklyn Aquarium Society are here to serve YOU! So please let us know what you want and why because 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, or visit our modern website at WWW.BROOKLYNAQUARIUMSOCIETY.ORG.

On a more personal note – any member who wants to attend a Board meeting, which are held at Education Hall of the New York Aquarium on the 1st Friday of the month, September through June, please notify me at (347) 277-4793 by the Tuesday before the meeting.

Steven Matassa
President