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President’s Message September

Hi Everyone!

I hope you’re all having a great summer. It looks like we’ve all been cutting a lot of green grass with the rain we’ve had. The cooler mornings and evenings are telling us that Fall is very close. And here we go again, kids back to school and H&DAS starting back with its 23/24 season.

Our guest Speaker on Thursday September 14th will be Peter DeSouza giving us a full presentation on his travels in Cameroon. There will also be a Jar Show with Tetras and Corydoras as the Show Classes. Prizes are 1st – $30, 2nd – $20 and 3rd – $10 gift cards.

Pet Expo is September 16 and 17th at the Toronto International Center. I have some weekend passes available to anyone wanting to come out and volunteer for a few hours either day. I will need to know if you’d like a pass by September 1st. There will be many speakers including Chris Biggs, Joey Mullen, Jeff Cardwell, Jennifer Williams, Therese Neal and more. There is an Aquascape Contest, 4th Canadian Biotope Contest, Presidents Tank Challenge. Many aquatic vendors and CAOAC Tropical Fish Show, TransCanada Guppy Show and Auction, Betta Breeders Canada Show and Auction. If you’d like tickets go to the CAOAC website for discounted pricing.

The H&DAS Fall Auction will be on Saturday October 14th at the Waterdown Legion. We will also have an area for Vendors. The cost per table is $35. Please contact me if you’re interested.

Carla

By | August 28th, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message June

Hi Everyone,

I’d like to thank Jessica Bullock for her fascinating program “From the literature to the lab; adventures in cichlid research”. Our June speaker will be Randy Seufert. Randy’s program “The Little Catfish” looks at the 4 families of small catfish with hints of how to sex, breed, and raise them.
If you can’t attending our meeting in person please email us by 6pm on Thursday, June 8th at info@hdas.ca for a link to the zoom meeting.

Our Fall Auction will be on Saturday, October 14th at the Waterdown Legion. We will have room for 6 vendor’s tables. The cost will be $35 per table. Please let me know if you’re interested.

The Annual CAOAC Convention will be held with Pet Expo at the Toronto International Center, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga – Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17.
* Hotel Info – we have blocked off some rooms at a discounted rate at the Monte Carlo Inn, 45 Coventry Rd, Brampton. This is 10 minutes to the Pet Expo. Tickets can be purchased thru the CAOAC.ca for a discounted price.

*CAOAC Banquet on Sat night at the hotel. Dinner is $55

Pet Expo Attractions:
– Meet Chris “The Mad Aquarist” Biggs
– 4th Canadian Biotope Contest 2023 – we would like to welcome 10 participants to our competition. Each participant will receive a 10 gallon tank with light and hanging filter. This package is yours to keep from the organizers of Pet Expo. If you’d like to participate please send an email to – caoac1@gmail.com – attention Frank Aguirre
– Aquascaping Competition
– Trans Canada Guppy Group – show and auction
– Betta Breeders Canada – show and auction
– CAOAC show and auction
– speakers to be announced

*Presidents Tank Challenge*
We’ve asked each CAOAC club to participate in an aquascaping challenge. There’s nothing better than a little competition. There’s also nothing better than watching a group of people fascinated by a beautiful tank. So let’s get all the clubs involved. I’m thinking 20 gallon tanks. Prizes include bragging rights of course, trophy and more. Please let me know if your interested caoac1@gmail.com

Hope to see you at the meeting on Thurs!

Carla

By | June 6th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|

President’s Message May

Hi Everyone,

Looks like we might have Spring!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and those of us with ponds and outdoor fish style accessories are excited to get them up and going. I’m one of those people.

I’d like to send out a big thank you to our guest speaker last month Oscar Virgilio for his program on Brackish Aquaria. Our very own Jessica Bullock will be presenting this month. “From the literature to the lab; adventures in cichlid research. An aquarist’s perspective of how fish are studied and used in science.” I’m sure Jessica will have us all asking lots of questions. I can’t wait!

We are going to be presenting our program this month on Zoom for anyone that can’t make it to our meeting. If you would like the information to attend on Zoom please send your request to info@hdas.ca

Save the date:

Canadian Pet Expo – Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 at the International Center

It’s 4 expos under 1 roof: Canadian Pet Expo, Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo, Canadian Aquatic Expo, and Plant Expo.

Saturday October 14, 2023 – Hamilton & District Aquarium Society Fall Auction

We hope to see you at the meeting on Thursday, the meeting starts at 7:30 sharp.

Carla

By | May 8th, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message April

Hi Everyone!

How’s everyone doing after our amazing H&DAS auction and show. Wow! What a great turnout. It was great to see so many friends come out to support our club. Special thanks to everyone that came out to help and all our supporters for donations. We just can’t do this without you all. All dates for upcoming auctions are posted at CAOAC.ca/events

Another thank you Frank Aguirre for his presentation last month on Stingrays. I hope everyone enjoyed this program. Our presenter for Apr 13 is Oscar Virgilio. Oscar will be giving a talk on Brackish Aquaria.
Save the Date – CAOAC Full Convention at Pet Expo – Sat Sept 16 and Sun Sept 17.
Lots of information will be available very soon.
Hope to see you at the meeting this week. Please remember the meeting starts at 7:30.

Carla
H&DAS President
Auction Chairperson
CAOAC Rep

By | April 11th, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message March

Hi Everyone!
I can’t believe it’s March. It’s such an exciting month. It’s our Spring Show and Auction on Saturday March 25. We would love it if you could volunteer a few hours of your day to help share in a successful event. Just imagine, as a runner you can check out many bags of fish. If you have any questions please check out the hdas.ca site. Both Show and Auction sheets are available there.
I’d like to thank our previous executive – Mike, Steve, Rob, Patricia and Margaret for their hard work and additional years of commitment to our club. It’s not an easy task getting anything done during a pandemic but you helped by keeping our expertise and knowledge top level. Thank you all!
I always welcome Larry Johnson and his Lake Malawi program. We were thoroughly treated by your double program. I’m thankful you were able to return to your favourite place and in turn shared your trip with us.
Another favourite hobbyist will be entertaining us on Thursday March 9 – Frank Aquirre never disappoints with his programs.
The new executive – Tamera, James, Patricia, Margaret and myself look forward to hearing from you. Is there a program you’d like presented, or would you like to be a presenter? Please let us know.
Carla
H&DAS President
Auction Chairperson
CAOAC Rep
By | March 2nd, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message February

Happy February Everyone,

Well,I thought last month’s message was my last one as your President but I am still here for one more!
That’s right, one more!

I want to thank Larry Johnson for his first part of his talk on his recent trip Malawi. Larry will be continuing his talk this month on Thursday February 9th at 7:30pm.

In all my life being in Various Organization executive Committees I’ve been on , I have seen an election this close! We have a tie for President and 2nd Vice President.

I want to congratulate Tamera Peattie being elected 1st Vice. Tamera brings a lot of experience in the hobby and will be a key person on the executive.

So we have a re-election to see if this Tie will be broken.

We have the following Candidates tied up in there position running for and a vote will take place again at our next meeting on February 9th .

For President
Carla MacDonald
Quinn Purser

2nd Vice
Bobby
James Holland

During our past Executive Meeting we discussed and voted on this election.

In Order to Vote, You MUST be a paid member as of January 12th 20223.
There will be NO electronic Votes. You must be in person to Vote.
No proxy votes will be taken.
To all members who are eligible to Vote, They must confirm with our secretary that they are an up to date paid member..During this time you will get a ballot to vote.

Good Luck to all Candidates

Spring Show and Auction

Mark the date on your calender, March 25th 2023. Doors open at 8am. Follow this link to learn more!

Spring Show & Auction 

Just remember Volunteers are always needed. Please let us know!

Sponsors

Rainforest Pets and Reptiles
Big Als Hamilton
Tropical Fishroom
Finest Pets
Make sure you go visit and support them. Our Sponsors allow you to get a HDAS discount on your purchases with proof of a valid membership card.

Just a reminder the our Library is closing down and we have some books left over with a charitable donation you can own one. All money raised from the book sales will go to Neighbor-to-Neighbor .

For the Last Time I just want to thank everyone who supporting me while I was President. It means a lot to me. Please keep on Supporting this amazing club .Make it bigger and stronger.

Kindly Regards
Mike Majer
Future Past President

By | February 4th, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message January

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everyone had an amazing Holiday Season.

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out to our Christmas Party and helped us raise $1472 for Neighbor to Neighbor!

To Noel Nathaniel, a special thank you for organizing another fun game on Kahoot! It was nice to hear everyone laughing and enjoying themselves.

This month we have our own Larry Johnson speaking to us on Adventures in Malawi. Larry  was there recently and went diving for cichlids with his guests. Larry does take amazing underwater pictures that we will for sure see. The meeting is on Thursday January 12th at 7:30pm at the Church of Resurrection 435 Mohawk Rd W. In the basement in the hall room.

I just want to thank again our wonderful sponsors:

The Tropical Fishroom

Big Als Hamilton

Finest Pets

Planted Aquaria

Rainforest Pets and Reptiles.

Just make sure all members show your up-to-date membership cards to get your discounts.

This is my final Presidents Message. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported  me and H&DAS. To my fellow executives, thank you! I might not be president but I will still be around to help out when needed.

ELECTIONS

Hamilton and District Aquarium Society will be holding an Election For President, 1st Vice-President and 2nd Vice-President at the January Meeting.

The Nominees are..

For President:

Carla MacDonald

Quinn Purser

1st Vice:

Jessica Bullock

Tamera Peattie

2nd Vice:

Bobby

David Walpac

James Holland

 

Voters must be up-to-date paid members to be eligible to vote.

Everyone will receive an email in a few days with a list of all the Candidates and little information about them. If you can’t make it to the meeting to vote, you can vote by email. Voting ballots will be available at the meeting, too.

The Election will be monitored by the Steering Committee:

1st-Peter DeSouza

2nd-Margaret Dent

3rd-Mike Majer

I’d like to wish all the candidates good luck!

 

For the last time

President Mike Majer

Signing Off

By | January 5th, 2023|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message December

I hope everyone is well and getting ready for this Holiday Season.

I want to thank Brian Glazier for great presentation on Swordtails last month. And showing us how to  enter a fish towards Breeders Awards Program.

This month is our Holiday Party!

An email has been sent out to all paid members to get a confirmation if your coming and how many people. If you haven’t received an email, please email us at info@hdas.ca .

We have games very generously arranged by Noel, he always brings something fun for us.
Our raffle table will have amazing items, bring something to donate; items do not need to be aquarium-related. All money raised on our raffle table will go towards to Neighbour-to-Neighbour. H&DAS will match the money raised during the party and add to the donation.

Our Books are still for sale. Again, all Money raised on book will go towards N2N.

As you know our 1st VP Steve Fyfe has stepped down from his position. I also want to announce that our 2nd VP Rob Chatelain has stepped down from his position. I would like to thank them both for their dedication towards the club.

I would like to announce that I Mike Majer will not be running for President next term. As you all know that I am battling some health issues, in the upcoming new year I will be having procedures done that will need time to heal. Don’t worry. I will not be like the US past presidents and go into hiding. I will still be around in a way or form and be the pain as normal.

I would like to thank my executive and board members for all their hard work and dedication towards the club.

To all you Club members.
On behalf of Steve, Rob and Myself. Thank you for support of H&DAS. The club wouldn’t be around without your dedication towards the hobby.

Now saying this, We will be having an election in January. All nominations will close at this month’s meeting. If you would like to nominate someone or yourself please email me or at info@hdas.ca..

There will be more posted on the Elections soon.

Don’t forget to visit our sponsors this holiday season:
The Tropical Fishroom
Big Al’s Hamilton
Planted Aquaria
Finest Pets
Rainforest Pets and Reptiles
Please follow the guidelines on getting your club discount. You must have a valid membership to get your discount and please follow each of our sponsor’s rules.

Again I just want to thank everyone.

Mike Majer
President
president@hdas.ca

By | December 4th, 2022|Categories: President's Messages|

President’s Message November

Hi Everyone

I hope you all didn’t eat to much left over Halloween candy much as I did!

I’d like to thank Frank Aguirre for joining us last months meeting and presenting to us and amazing presentation on Synodontis Catfishes . It was much enjoyed by all who attend.

On Thursday Nov 10th, We have one of our longtime club member Brian Glazier speaking to us on Swordtails! This informative presentation on the Xiphophorus Family will be great!
Join us, You don’t need to be a paid member to come to a meeting.
Located: 435 Mohawk Rd W ( corner of Mohawk Rd and Garth. In the basement.
Time: Meeting Starts 7:30pm Doors open at 7:00pm

Auction

I would like to thank everyone who joined us on Oct 8th for our Fall Auction. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. The Auction was a huge success ! To my fellow executive, Thank you! We did an amazing Job! To all the volunteers who helped us out from runners to kitchen help, your time of help was much appreciated. Our auctioneers, Bob and Udo. You two where amazing and your services was also appreciated. Thank you.

Library

We are closing down our Library down. We will be raising money towards Neighbour to Neighbour Hamilton. A generous donation towards the books will defiantly help them out. There are amazing books up for grabs.

Elections

Our Elections are coming up next month. There are will be some positions opened. For myself I am still Not sure if I will go for another term as President. I will have my decision by next month.

If you would like to run for a position in our executive, please email us at info@hdas.ca or myself at president@hdas.ca.

Sponsors

Make sure you visit our Sponsors.

Big Als Hamilton
The Tropical Fishroom
Planted Aquaria

COMING SOON
Rainforest Pets and Reptiles
Finest Pets

All paid members must show there paid and up to-date membership card to receive there discount.
Please follow our sponsors guidelines when receiving a discount.
Membership Cards can not be shared with Friends.

Our Holiday Party is next month. Paid members will receive an email soon.

Thanks
Mike Majer
President
president@hdas.ca

By | November 5th, 2022|Categories: President's Messages, Uncategorized|

President’s Message October

Hi Everybody

I hope everyone is doing well!

I would like to thank Peter DeSouza for joining us last month as our guest speaker at our 1st in-person meeting since the Pandemic started. On October 13th at 7:30pm we have Frank Aguirre coming back to us. This time for an in-person meeting and not a zoom meeting!
Frank we be speaking to us about Synodontis Catfish. Our meeting is held at the Church of the Resurrection located near the corner of Mohawk Rd W and Garth St.

FINALLY IS AUCTION TIME!
We ALL have been waiting for this!

Saturday October 8th
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551
79 Hamilton St N
Waterdown, Ontario

Please follow this link for the rules

WANTED
We need some volunteers to help us. If you can help us at the auction please approach us to see what we need help with. Make sure you wear comfy shoes cause we all know what every club needs are runners.

SPONSORS
As a paid member with a valid membership card, you can get 10% Off at Big Als Hamilton and The Tropical Fishroom.
Now I would like to welcome our New Sponsor. Planted Aquaria in Oakville. Please visit there Website at www.plantedaquaria.ca.
COMING SOON – Rainforest Pets and Reptiles . As soon the store opens it will be advertised on our facebook page.
Please follow our sponsors rules at there locations.

ELECTIONS

Our Elections are coming up soon! If you would like to run for an executive position please email us at info@hdas.ca .
At this time I would like to Thank Steve Fyfe for his role as 1st vice President. Steven will be stepping down as 1st Vice and will not be running next elections. Thank you Steve for all your dedication to H&DAS.
Our Librarian Cheryl- Ann Miller has also stepped down from her position. Thank you Chery- Anne for your help with the Library and Organizing it. This Position will not be active this new election.
As for myself Mike Majer, I am undecided if I will running for President again this next elections.
Elections will be voted at our 1st meeting in January, nominations must be submitted by the start of the December meeting.

I hope to see a lot of you at our Auction!

Regards
Mike Majer
President of Hamilton & District Aquarium Society

By | October 2nd, 2022|Categories: President's Messages|