2004's - An Evening in Parrotdise...

An Evening in Parrotdise was held October 17th, 2004 at the Northport Yacht Club on Long Island, NY. It was the first official fund-raiser for the future Parrot Museum, Shelter and Learning Center, and it far exceeded everyone's expectations!

The day began early for committee members who were at the yacht club before noon, helping set up the silent auctions and tending to seating details. Ray Pietras and Ed Moeckel (of Bird Mitzvah fame; Bird Talk, March 2000) arrived from New Jersey with their African grey parrots, Fric and Frac, and transformed the room into a magical 'parrotdise'. These generous guys truly made the evening s glittering event! They brought armloads of silver tablecloths and chair covers. Their truck overflowed with stunning floral arrangements for each table. Tiny birdhouses accented the flowers on the cocktail tables. The pieces de resistance, however, were the glorious Prevue Featherstone Heights cages that rose high above each table. Prevue Pet Products donated 15 of these captivating cages, and Ed and Ray styled each one with a special theme…there were Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve and springtime cages! There was even a peacock theme cage; some had tiny chandeliers inside…they were too beautiful to imagine, overflowing with flowers and seasonal details. All were sold at the silent auction.

Members of the world famous Peter Duchin Orchestra arrived and began setting up. Guests began to arrive. Macaws, Ally and Bentley were on their good behavior, and Ratchet the conure prepared for her debut with the band. Little lovebird, Nick, was not ignored…he visited quite a few guests throughout the event, and visiting African greys, Fric and Frac made lots of new friends too!

Hors d'oeuvre were passed, refreshments poured and the music began. Mr. Duchin (profiled in August '97 Bird Talk) arrived, took his place at the piano, and truly put the "society" in "Long Island Parrot Society"! Lead vocalist and guitarist, Roberta Fabiano, who is also a LIPS member, delighted everyone by slipping references about parrots into many of her songs. "I love parrots in the springtime…"

Dinner was fabulous, the music and dancing sublime (parrots joined their human escorts on the dance floor!), and the view of Northport Harbor breathtaking.  The silent auction featured jewelry, Swarovski crystal, tropical togs, great 'parrotphernalia', a gorgeous decoupage room screen set covered with parrots, and other fabulous offerings. Guests crowded the area, bidding on their favorite items and raising several thousand dollars for the Museum/Shelter project.

"Thank you" sounds so lame when you realize all the work, talent and generosity that went into this event. Peter Duchin and Roberta Fabiano donated their services. Ray Pietras and Ed Moeckel of Livingston Flower Fair spent days working on the Featherstone Heights cage decorations and the floral arrangements. They donated all the flowers and supplied the table linens and chair covers. The event committee worked for months to pull everything together.  Everyone took on multiple tasks as plans progressed. Attendees included LIPS members and friends, Staten Island Bird Club officers, Oasis board members and avian veterinarians The best 'thank you' of all will be when LIPS makes its vision a reality.

Memories...