Purebred Pigeon SepOct 2024

16 – Purebred PIGEON stated, “I will supply the roof on the building (the side portions) if the Directors approve of a larger building!” Of course, this was certainly acceptable to the Board. However, Ed Pointer (the contractor) would need to adjust the work schedule, costs, etc. Ed agreed to the changes; then he and Don worked together on that part of the building construction. Ed Pointer has done more for the pigeon hobby than anyone else I know. Thanks Ed for all you do for the pigeon world. This is the reader’s museum, owned by all in the pigeon sport. We owe a debt of gratitude to so many in the past, espe- cially Ed Pointer and later Don Barker. In the racing community and in more recent years, those that have been involved have included Bob Carley, Doug Jones of Georgia, Tom Nettis of New Jersey, CL. Gage from Texas, Jim Gabler of Illinois, etc. Then there is Butch Shoop of Texas, Alberto Gandara of Oklahoma, Jerry Black from Missouri, Des Moines Feed, Johnny Blaine, the Hollander Family and I have been a part as well. F inances : I am very pleased to report that the Museum is financially sound with revenue coming from a myriad of sources: the lease of the pigeon auction site (Pigeon Auctions.com) the museum carrying the mortgage of the sale of the old house on the proper- ty, visitors donations, (the museum entry is free). Ironically, the sale of items in the gift shop, primarily T-shirts, is amazing. It is common that 300 T-shirts are sold in a short time. People have actually been seen at airports and even a winery that were wear- ing the Pigeon Museum T-shirt. Additionally, yearly donations are made, not only to support the museum but they are welcome tax write offs. Finally, the National Pigeon Association donates yearly ap- proximately $10,000 due to band sales. They have increased the cost of the band $0.02 and with this increase a donation is made to the museum. Thus, all fancy pigeon fanciers support the mu- seum. If 50 bands are purchased, $1.00 goes to the museum. The NPA Board merely increased the band prices by the minuscule amount and all participate without infringing on NPA income. We are financially very sound and will continue to do so. The final results?... Yes, over 32,000 will have visited the museum by the end of the year. This includes those from at least 40 states and 9 countries. For those that don’t know, I am primarily a show pigeon fancier, Racing Homers are a sideline. Thus, when judging internationally (including Norway, England, Germany, So Africa, Australia, Canada) and many show events in the States, people ask about the museum. The museum is interna- tionally known and a wonderful accomplishment that many have been involved in. The National Pigeon Association Grand National show will be held in OKC in January with a large number of visitors, most of which will go see the Museum. Make plans to visit the muse- um while at the National!•