On a summer's day in 1987, Dr. Mel Levine of Rougemont, North
Carolina paid a visit to Don and William Butler's aviary in
Bladenboro, North Carolina to purchase a few birds. What started as
a leisurely visit, feathered into friendly conversation of the
possibilities of starting a bird club. Thus began what is now known
as The Carolinas/Virginia Pheasant and Waterfowl Society.
After contacting several friends, it was decided to hold the first
meeting at Dr. Mel Levine's on October 27, 1987. The membership was
established on this day with 30 members. An auction was held that
was fun for all and profitable for CVPWS. At this time, officers
were installed as well as 2 directors from each "mother" state. To
the best of everyone's memory these first officers and directors
were: President - William Butler, Vice-President - Don Butler,
Sec/Treas. - Tom Dickerman, North Carolina Directors - Mike Lubbock
and Mel Levine, South Carolina Directors - Walter McGee and Stewart
Kennedy, Virginia Directors Dr. Jack Griffin and Nash Archer. Mel
Levine became the first newsletter editor.
1988: A second meeting was held on March 26, 1988 at Sylvan Heights
Waterfowl hosted by Mike and Ali Lubbock which was located in Sylva,
North Carolina. With approximately 100 people in attendance, CVPWS
was off to a "flying" start! Don Butler was appointed as President
for 1988.
Beginning around mid-day, the tour began of the aviary which
included the incubation and young bird brooding facilities. A
business meeting took place. Present at this meeting was Al Cuming
from Watkinsville, Georgia, who at this time was President of APWS.
Al gave a presentation about progress with the U.S. Postal Service's
approval of suitable shipping crates for Express Mail Service. Al
also invited the membership to come and join APWS.
Following the business meeting, the evening was enjoyed by all. The
highlight being the evening banquet that was held at the Best
Western Catamount Motel near Sylva. A short business meeting was
called to order to discuss a few important issues. A draft of a
Constitution was presented to the membership and after a few minor
changes; a unanimous vote from the membership and the Constitution
of CVPWS was adopted.
On June 4, 1988 at the Society's third meeting, Wingtips was
accepted by the membership to become the name of the official
publication of CVPWS. Mel Levine started a newsletter and when
Wingtips was proposed, Tom Dickerman from Fayetteville, North
Carolina became editor. Mel Nunnally along with his wife, Jackie,
from Richmond, Virginia accepted this endeavor in December of 1988.
1989: Don Butler was appointed the position as President. On October
28, 1989, Bevy Williams from Virginia Beach, Virginia submitted a
prototype of a proposed society logo and patch. This logo was
published in Wingtips. This is different from the present one.
1990 and 1991:
The first Annual Directory was published in 1990 by Mel Nunnally and
has since been received by membership every spring. Don Butler was
appointed the position as President for 1990 and 1991. Ned Sibert
was presented a Certificate of Appreciation in 1991.
1992: Don Butler was appointed President. On April 1 and 2, 1992
CVPWS , APWS, The Federation, and Wildlife Conservation Society
played an important part at an Legislative Meeting in Washington D.
C. for the exemption of all gamebirds (bills H. R. 2540 and 25421) .
Those attending were Don Butler, Mike Lubbock, Mel Nunnally, Bruce
Bergbom, Don Meisner, George Allen III, and Don Bruning. This issue
still continues to be an ongoing endeavor. Many obstacles were
overcome and this was a huge accomplishment for all organizations.
With a lot of determination, it is hoped that these changes will
occur in the near future.
E. T. and I were introduced to be the new editors of Wingtips on
July 25, 1992. On this same date, funds were raised to purchase the
society's first copier. Over the years, Wingtips has become the
backbone of CVPWS. With a lot of hard work, dedication, and late
nights from many members this newsletter continues to become a
publication the society can be proud of . With the assistance of
Lorrie Bonestell from Holly Springs, North Carolina, we have been
able to cut cost and give this publication a "new" look. Since
Lorrie owns an advertising company, she has the means to computer
scan our pictures for the newsletter. This enables more pictures to
be printed at less cost.
At
a glance you will find that the newsletter contains many areas.
These include an upcoming meeting agenda, a President's Letter, New
Members, Minutes from both the Officers/Directors Meeting, Auction
and Raffle Info, Member Profile, Letter from Editors, Picture Pages,
Classifieds, Business Card Gallery, Club and Business Ads, along
with articles on bird related subjects both informative and
humorous. Each Wingtip includes an application for membership and
bird listing which is used in the Annual Directory.
CVPWS hosted the annual American Pheasant and Waterfowl Convention
which was held in Richmond, Virginia. Retired Editor Mel Nunnally
was presented with an award of a Mandarin Duck carving done by Bevy
Williams for all his hard work through the years as Editor. Don
Butler was presented the CVPWS hosting poster for his birthday at
the Fall Meeting following the Convention.
1993: Don Butler was appointed President. Two At Large Directors
were added to the Board of Directors. A magnet with the club logo
was introduced and sold to the membership. Lorrie Bonestell was
asked to design the cover of the Annual Directory with her excellent
technique of drawing. She also became the society Historian.
Phyllis Ammons of Shipman, Virginia was asked by the new Editors to
put together the Membership Directory. This Directory holds a most
important part that enables the membership access to each members
address, phone number, and bird listing.
This year CVPWS was saddened by the death of our beloved South
Carolina Director, Dan Boone. Dan had been a member since 1988 and
was loved by all.
1994: Wayne Hawkins was appointed President. On July 21, 1994,
members from CVPWS ( Ben Keys, Mel Nunnallly, Mint Schlief, E. T.
and Jan Trader), VA. Gamebird Association (Joe Casero), and Phillip
Clauer from the Extension Service met with VA Dept. of Game and
Inland Fisheries to discuss the proposed $50. License fee to
propagate and sale of birds. It was apparent that VDGIF was unaware
of what this proposed change would do too many members of the bird
world. We also were made aware of the concerns that VDGIF had. To
date, VDGIF is working on a more suitable application and fee
structure for the state of Virginia. Mel Nunnally stepped down as
CVPWS longtime Treasurer and decided not to put his name back on the
ballot.
1995: Wayne Hawkins was appointed President. ET Trader was appointed
as Treasurer. 230 People attended the January meeting hosted by Mike
and Ali Lubbbock, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl II . Microchips became
available to CVPWS members via Wayne P. Hawkins and Don Butler.
President, Wayne P. Hawkins established CVPWS studbook program. Club
Library was started. On December 16th, CVPWS became a Non-Profit
Organization. This was only accomplished by the hard work and
determination of President, Wayne P. Hawkins. Board of Directors
established the Outstanding Service Award. The 1994 Outstanding
Service Award was presented to Lorrie Bonestell on (7/15/95). This
was the first to be given.
1996: Wayne
Hawkins was appointed President. Wingtips are approved by post
office for non-profit mailing status. CVPWS granted Brad Hazelton,
Curator of Birds, Fort Worth Zoo $780 for the project of
establishing the masked duck in captivity. A donation to The
Wildfowl Trust of North America in the amount of $50. Was given in
the memory of member Larry Phipps for the continuance of education,
conservation, and research. On July 26th after two years have
passed, the same individuals went back to VDGIF to discuss the
changes that were requested for fee structure and paperwork for
Virginia permits. A draft was given to VDGIF and discussed. On
August 16th VDGIF presented a final draft of an application form and
fee structure. At this time, we are awaiting an upcoming VDGIF Board
of Directors Meeting to finalize this draft. (Now Pending for 1997)
. A donation of $100. Was made to the Patuxent Research Center in
Laurel, Maryland for their ongoing Whooping Crane Project. We're
moving up in the world. The society now has a fax machine! Phyllis
Ammons was presented the 1995 Outstanding Service award on 4/20/96.
As
1997 begins, Don Butler is appointed as President and CVPWS
continues to host 4 quarterly meetings per year. Hosted in the
societies "mother" states members continue to congregate to discuss
issues and interests of the bird world. Items discussed range from
methods that can be used to raise funds for operating expenses,
legislative matters both federal and state, to any business that may
be important to the improvement of CVPWS and aviculture. The society
continues to invite guest speakers who are familiar with the field
of aviculture. Jan Trader, Bevy Williams, Mint and Dean Schlief were
all presented the 1996 Outstanding Service Award on 4/19/97.
Membership agreed to submit a proposal to host the 1999 APWS
Convention with the date being held in conjunction with the annual
Easton Waterfowl Show. What an exciting adventure! With another bid
accepted it was decided that CVPWS host the 2000 APWS Convention
that will be held in Ocean City, Maryland.
A
contribution to the Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo was made
in the amount of $1000.00. It was specified that these funds be used
towards pheasant programs such as research and preservation. A
breeding loan program is in the works involving CVPWS members, Don
Bruning/Bronx Zoological Society, and the Malaysian Government. A
specified criteria to qualify for participation in this program has
been established for those who are interested in "adopting" birds.
The Board of Officers and Directors voted unanimously to give it's
very first scholarship and the receipt was Brent Lubbock of Scotland
Neck, NC who will be entering Wayne Community College this fall.
Congratulations Brent on a job well done!
Wayne Hawkins became the CVPWS Tax representative.
Longtime member J.C. Evans passed away not long after the July
meeting. A kind gentleman, he always attended the meetings with his
wife Josephine and always had a smile on his face.
After a lot of work and determination, the bird licensee fee
structure through VDGIF is now established at $12.50!! Thanks to all
those who diligently worked on this!
A lot of changes have taken place over the years since 1987. Even
though those changes are evident, the dedication and hard work of
many people still remains to hold strong.
With years to
follow, there are hopes that CVPWS will continue to be prosperous in
promoting the education of preserving and propagation all varieties
of birds as well as protecting the rights and interest of our
membership. For without the dedication of Officers, Directors, and
the Members, CVPWS would just "molt" away. E. T. and I are very
proud and honored to have become a part of this growth.
As I close this, I am very much looking forward to the 10th Birthday
of CVPWS. This celebration will take place at the founding location
on Sanctuary Farm owned by Mel and Bambi Levine. Looks like there
will be "whole lot of shakin' going on"!