February Meeting 2025 Report
Hello All,
I was so happy that the meeting went on as planned and was a great success. I unfortunately had a health issue pop up the Wednesday afternoon before the meeting which pretty much disabled me for a few days. Nick, our treasurer, and my right-hand man said the meeting must go on, rallied the troops, and even got the wives involved to help. Nick and John came to my house and picked up all the stuff required for the meeting that I had stored to set everything up. So, a big thanks to Nick, John and everyone that stepped up!!!
I was supposed to present my second half of Fish Bio 101 but that was not going to happen. Nick called my friend Joe F. and asked him if he could step in. Joe and I have traded presentations back and forth between many of the clubs and he was more than happy to come out. I hope everyone liked the presentation on his fish room which truly does take up his whole basement including a museum of old fish tank items and memorabilia. I will continue Fish Bio at our next meeting.
It looked like our fish show and auction went well with Brian taking first place and winning a fish plaque and blue ribbon. Carla took second with her gold ram. The auction had quite a few items and I am sure members went home with some nice new fish. Keep bringing in fish for the auction and enter the fish show. It is our members that vote in the show so you never know you may win the nice first place fish plaque.
Our next meeting is Friday the 21st and as usual I should be there around 6:30 to start setting up and to hang out and catch up. We will try to start between 7:30 and 8. It will be as usual, with a presentation, refreshments, fish show and auction. Do not worry if you get there late, I know there is work and traffic.
Tom Keegan
President
Here’s a Google link to the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/R1mvrKVPFGJeYzDj7
January 2025 Meeting Report
Hello All!
It’s almost time for our next meeting on Friday the 21st. As usual I will be there around 6:30 to start to set up and get ready. The meeting will start between 7:30 and 8. I welcome anybody that wants to help and talk fish before the meeting. Hard to believe that our club in its infancy is the only meeting this month. Greater City is closed for their winter break, and unfortunately, Nassau County had to cancel their meeting due to weather. We may have some new faces from the other clubs at our meeting which we always welcome.
At our last meeting we were missing many key players, some at the last minute due to illness or previous engagements. We still pulled it off but there were no pictures which was my fault because I forgot to find someone to volunteer to take some. I will try to be more on top of the pictures in the future. We had many other members help so our shortage went unnoticed.
This meeting will be a usual meeting with a fish auction, raffle, and fish show. I hope our auction and show will be big considering the lack of other meetings this month. When you win first at the fish show you will not only receive a blue ribbon but also a wood fish plaque hand made by Nick. Of course there will also be refreshments. I will continue my fish bio presentation part two that puts part one all together and I think you will truly look at your fish in a different light.
In closing we do have another storm coming in for Wednesday and Thursday. If it just happens to get pushed back into Friday or we are still digging out Friday I will send out an email and also post it on Facebook. If you are still wondering if it is cancelled, you all have my number. Call or text me.
Tom Keegan
President
Here’s a Google link to the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/R1mvrKVPFGJeYzDj7
December 2024 Meeting Report
Hello All!
Wishing everyone a happy, safe and prosperous new year. Our club has been steadily growing and getting stronger with every meeting. As it grows, I also see the members getting closer as I witnessed at the holiday party, with many talking to each other at the fish auction, raffle table, and of course over the two six-foot heroes with all the fixings and dessert cakes. Speaking of the holiday party, it was amazing and the best we have had so far! I see a great future in our club, and I thank all the members who participate, and especially the ones who help me set up and take down the meeting.
Click here to see pictures from the meeting. The fish show champion of the year award went to Buzz who just so happens to also be our fish show chairman and is doing a great job. There were many show quality fish in our fish auction, which boasted over 125 items, one of our largest auctions ever. Our basket raffle had fifteen items that I had collected over the past few months on the internet, even a yellow submarine ornament that was won by one of our youngest members whose father and grandfather are also in the club. The holiday meetings’ center of attraction was two six-foot heroes, salads, and the desert pies. The pies were donated by one of our members and the heroes came from a fellow fish hobbyist I have known for many years who owns Nino’s deli in Smithtown, and he always does a good job for us.
The presenter I had lined up for the next meeting won’t be able to make it, so I am working on something else. There will be a fish show, and I want members to participate even more this year. Small wooden trophies will be awarded first place. Our regular raffle, fish auction and of course refreshments. If anyone has any questions or fish problems come to me before the meeting or ask questions when I open the floor before we start the presentation.
Tom Keegan
President
Here’s a Google link to the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/R1mvrKVPFGJeYzDj7
December Holiday Meeting
Yes, our holiday party is this Friday the 20th! Hard to believe that the new year is upon us in just a couple of weeks. We are going to have heroes, salads, and all the fixings as usual. There will be a dollar-a-bag fish auction where one dollar goes to the club and the rest of the money you get to keep. Bring fish, lots of fish! Make room in your tanks or set up another to make sure you’ll have space for all the great fish that will go in this auction. Many times, I have set up a five-gallon pail or two before an auction to put fish that I won into when I get home. The next couple days I will try to figure where I am going to put them which is most times difficult LOL.
There will be no fish show, but the winner of this year’s show will be announced. I thank all those who participated and the clock will be resent for the next meeting in January, so be ready and line up some fish for the year. As they say, you have to be in it to win it, plus it’s nice to see show fish during the meetings.
In my craziness and trying to do new things the raffle will be totally different this time. I ran my idea past Nick, and he agreed that we should give it a try. I will announce how it will run at the party. I think it will be fun, and you will be able to even win something for someone else and gift it to them.
If possible, try to arrive early so we can talk and have more time to put fish in the auction and set up. I will be there at 6:30 for those that want to help or talk. I would like to start around 7:30 instead of 8. If you cannot make it by then no problem. I know it’s a busy time of year, but this will be some relaxation before the last-minute shopping weekend. Sometimes it seems like there is not enough club time to mingle and talk and besides this is the holiday meeting!!
Here’s a Google link to the location:
https://goo.gl/maps/R1mvrKVPFGJeYzDj7
Meeting Location:
AMVETS Post 48
660 Hawkins Avenue
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779