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Ed Januario Loft Wins 2006 Cliff Lemoine Sr. Memorial, Auction & Pledge Race
By Beverly Brezinski

The Cliff Lemoine Sr Memorial Auction and Pledge Race was held on Sept 30, 2006 from Austinburg, Ohio, our 300 mile station. Fourteen lofts participated in this event with 100 birds competing. At the station it was reported as overcast with a south east wind, while here at home it was cloudy with a southeast wind.

Ed Januario entered ten and at 15-28-38 his blue check cock banded AU-06-545 hit the board flying a distance of 314.339 for a speed recorded at 1155.868-YPM. Ed also clocked 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 20th.

Ed was born on March 26, 1967 in Portugal. He is a baker and his hobbies include pigeons and carpentry. He resides in Herkimer, N.Y and is a member of the Mid-State Sportsmen Inv. Racing Pigeon Club and is very proud to have won this memorial race. He is a member of the AU for only two years and he won the 300-Mile Band race in his first year of racing. During this race season his birds placed in the top 20 of which he is very proud of.

As a teenager he kept a small loft for about five years. They have very much influenced his life as he enjoys the time he spends with them. He feels that he achieved the two biggest goals in his life winning the MSB Race and the Cliff Lemoine Memorial Auction and Pledge Race competing with top flyers in both events.

His youngest son also enjoys the time he spends with the birds, Ed hopes he will continue to do so. He believes in keeping the birds in top condition year round. And hopes he will be remembered as not only a good breeder but a top flyer. He believes in getting people that he meets interested in the sport. He believes we need to acquaint young people into the sport.

He likes a sharp, alert and nice to hold in the hand type of pigeon. As far as rating himself he is a new flyer and he feels so far so good he does put a lot of effort, year round for results. Ed flies in competition with fifteen flyers on club level and about 40 on Concourse level.

When asked who is a top breeder he remarked Sam Lembo and Rich Dworek as a top flyer. He holds both these flyers as examples of the best in the sport. His favorite strain Stichelbaut. These birds excel at long distance and are an endurance pigeon. Ed uses the internet for articles on the care of pigeons. The magazines are also a good source of information on all aspects of pigeon care.

If he had to a partner with anyone in the sport he would chose Rich Dworek he holds top flying records. He feels that both the man and the bird working together make a good loft. Consistent care, clean loft, most important no overcrowding quality over quantity.

When he stocks a bird he checks the flying record, breeding record and performance. He has an 8x8 loft that holds 15-maximum 20 pairs. He believes in vitamins garlic oil, minerals and brewer's yeast. He has much success with curing sick birds. For material in his nest bowls he uses pine needles of straw. He raises two or three rounds. He pairs up before the season, open box in early spring.

He trains his young birds when they are a month old flying around the loft in a group. Ed believes if you put effort, concentrate on quality, consistent maintenance schedule you will see results, take good of your birds and you will see the results. And yes if he had to do it over again he would.

Congratulations Ed and the best for many more years in the sport!