The name "Bethel Pond": My wife and I moved to this location in 1967as a couple of happy newlyweds. The previous owner, Ross Truax, is still our neighbor. He comes over daily when the weather permits and brings in our mail and reads the newspaper and commiserates about the events of the day. He is a retired engineer and a veteran of WWII and a Gideon.... and a wonderful neighbor. He built the pond in 1950. It is about and acre in size. It is stocked with large mouth bass and blue gills. Once in a great while, a fishing friend will catch a catfish. I have no idea where they come from. The pond is in our 'back yard" and has provided many hours of contentment. I chose to name it Bethel Pond because it is the only pond on our road...yep, Bethel Road. I also like the Bethel Pond because its initials are BP. I was a Scoutmaster for 25 years and BP is significant in Scouting... Baden Powell the founder, and Be Prepared, the motto... and a good motto for living and flying pigeons!

Our Racing Pigeons: Our birds are primarily of the Janssen and Van Loon strains. I have birds from the Hapyco Loft and the loft of Alex Bieche. I have been focusing on the Schellekens of Mike Radkovic. His super breeding cock bird, "Lars" is the only 600 mile day bird in our club. I also have some excellent "Bobby Brown" birds that were raised by our club race secretary, Don Edmonds. Bobby has a great birds and in 2004 obtained the AU ( American Racing Pigeon Union) speed record at the 100-150 mile level... a fantastic speed of over 2900 ypm (that is over 98 mph...pigeons can regularly fly at speed of 50-60 mph and with a good tailwind...well, there you have it) Additionally, I have two cock birds from Don's Blind Sow Loft one of which is a son of a Mike Ganus bird and a Grandson of his Special One, a National Ace. The other is a Red Fox Janssen bird who goes back to De Marco, a son of Super 73 on the sires side and Vos 56 on the dam's side..

I am a member of the American Racing Pigeon Union and the International Federation of Racing Pigeons. This year, 2006, I am participating in the AU's "Help-A Beginner" program. One has to have flown for one year before they can participate in the program. My mentor is experienced flyer Ed Schmierer from California. I am looking forward to an exciting and enjoyable year of training and racing pigeons.

My goals for 2006 are to get my lofts in good shape, get my birds in good shape and be a threat on the racing page.

For Sale: I don't have any pigeons for sale...for two reasons. ..I don't have any I want to part with and two, I think they're good birds, but I don't know how good until the racing begins.... and as you experienced flyers know, it takes more than just good birds to win a race.

Me and my family: I am a retired high school teacher/webmaster and my wife is a retired elementary teacher. We have two children, Jed an EMT and ambulance driver and Meg, a college student. We have a nearly 3 year old grandson, Keegan who is a regular visitor and who loves to look at the "piggons." He will be my flyer!