[Killietalk] Cactus Killie Cook-Out Summary

["Allan Semeit" <azkillie at quixnet_net>]

The Arizona Rivulin Keeper's sixth annual Cactus Killie Cook-Out was a
delightful event.  We wish to thank our gracious hosts - Bill and Kate
Edwards.  They opened their house and made everyone feel welcome.

The Cook-Out started informally Saturday afternoon with several people,
notably Lynn Wahl, Tara Launders, Allan Semeit, Peter Tirbak, and Will
White, arriving to help Bill Edwards set-up the tables, chairs, raffle
table, audio-video equipment, and to relax and socialize.  We admired Bill's
heavily planted 55 (?) gallon aquarium populated with American (Florida)
Flag Fish.  You don't realize how attractive this fish can be until you see
it in a set-up like this.  We also enjoyed Bill's fishroom with his
collection of Nothobranchius.

The festivities really began about 5 PM.  All of a sudden, lots of people
started arriving.  Bill Gallagher and Jim Clark came from the San Francisco
Bay Area.  Sandy Binder and Jim Rae represented the Southern California
Killi Club, and Alberto Restrepo waved the banner for the San Diego Killie
Club. We want to express our appreciation for their participation as well as
the impressive selection of killies they brought.

As people arrived, the food they brought went onto a large table in the
kitchen.  The barbecue was fired up with John Kukowski presiding over the
grill.  The hot dogs, brats,  chili, assorted salads, and desserts were
enjoyed.

As dinner was being prepared, Gary Kukowski set up the club store and began
selling raffle tickets.  We had an impressive selection of raffle items,
thanks to SpectraPure, Marineland Labs, Kent Marine, Aquarium
Pharmaceuticals, and Novalek/Kordon.  After dinner, Allan Semeit and Derek
Tang conducted the raffle.  The first item selected was the deluxe Reverse
Osmosis unit provided by SpectraPure. I think the second was the 5-gallon
hex aquarium with built-in filter donated by Marineland Labs. I'm not sure
what went in what order after that, but there were filters, T-shirts, fish
foods, chemicals, and a host of items.  Many people commented on the
wonderful selection of products.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation by Peter Tirbak.  He
talked about the many Aphyosemions found in the People's Republic of the
Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), and Gabon.  We were
treated to colorful pictures of these killies as well as information about
their relationships and habitats.  I think all would agree that it was an
excellent program!

After the program, Peter Tirbak put on his "AKA Chairman of the Board" hat
and conducted an informal discussion of issues facing the American Killifish
Association.  He received comments on a wide range of topics.

The final event was a huge auction.  There was an incredible selection of
killifish; other fish, particularly livebearers; aquatic plants; and live
food cultures.  Sandy Binder and Allan Semeit directed and expedited the
bidding.  They were able to clear the mountain of bags on the table in a
little over a half hour.  Even more amazing, Gary Kukowski was able to keep
track of the transactions with an occasional pause to verify the buyer,
seller, or price.

Any who attended the Cactus Killie Cook-Out can attest to the good time we
all experienced.  And this was just a taste of what you will experience at
West Coast Weekend (in Portland, OR) and the American Killifish Convention
(in Breckenridge, CO).  Those events will each have a line-up of excellent
speakers, not just one.  And, the killifish there will blow your minds.  In
other words, mark those weekends and really try to attend.

Check out the website for the Arizona Rivulin Keepers at: http://ark.aka.org



To join the AKA see http://www.aka.org/pages/join.html
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