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Jimemertonchatswithmiketaylor20-08.19

Mike Taylor MagazineJim Emerton - Updated Picture 08-11-2019                         

 

JIM EMERTON CHATS TO MIKE TAYLOR

 

Jim Emerton “What is the genesis of your fascination with the humble racing pigeon?”

Mike Taylor “I was introduced into the pigeon world when I was 13 years old. My best buddy; Larry Lewis found an injured red chequer hen, and we nursed this barney back to health. After it was successfully released, Larry’s Dad (Jack Lewis) asked if we wanted to see some REAL pigeons. It turned out that Jack Lewis flew pigeons with mates in Toronto many years prior. Larry’s uncle, Wilbert Hake had also flown with the same group. So, Jack introduced us to his friend, and one of the best breeder/fliers in the area, Mr. Sam Marshall.

Before you knew it, we had lofts full of Sam’s SIONS from John Mahaffey and Charles Heitzman. Charlie liked to put blues with reds, whites with non-whites, and chequers with barred pigeons. So, we had some awesome color in those early lofts. I’ve included a 1971 picture of the Borden Pigeon Racing Club. Unfortunately, only six in the picture survive today; Tony Paszterko, Robert Vieira, Mike Taylor, Joe Matys Jr, Lawrence Hawton and Larry Lewis.”

 

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Borden Pigeon Racing Club Award Dinner 1971

   Front (Left to Right) Tony Paszterko, John Marshall, Robert Vieira, Jack Lewis 

   Back (Left to Right) Cliff Reeves, John Pfeiffer Jr, Mike Taylor, Joe Matys Jr, Joe Matys Sr,

   Lawrence Hawton, Mike Simo, Larry Lewis, John West, Sam Marshall, Reg Flemming

Image result for book benefits to promoting nature to children

 

Jim Emerton “Are you in love with the natural world, of life itself?”

Mike Taylor “Generally, I love all of nature and it’s hidden world(s). However, my love has become a little selective after losing pigeons to weasels a few years ago. I wouldn’t be able to survive in the U.K. with its unwavering raptor protection laws and the resulting disregard for our racing pigeons. Jim Emerton writes of nature and life, and these are very good reads! However, at this moment I would like to promote another writer and child advocacy expert “Richard Louv” and his U.S.A. and Canadian best-selling book “Last Child in the Woods”. Richard’s book which is backed by research, shows us the infinite benefits of promoting nature and outdoor play to our children. Something we took for granted as kids. I’ve included a short Book Description. This is a must read. This book coupled with filmmaker Jim Jenner’s work can only reinforce the benefits of introducing children to pigeon keeping.”

 

"I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are," reports a fourth-grader. Never before in history have children been so plugged in-and so out of touch with the natural world. In this ground-breaking new work, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation-he calls it nature deficit-to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as rises in obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder (Add), and depression. Some startling facts: By the 1990s the radius around the home where children were allowed to roam on their own had shrunk to a ninth of what it had been in 1970. Today, average eight-year-olds are better able to identify cartoon characters than native species, such as beetles and oak trees, in their own community. The rate at which doctors prescribe antidepressants to children has doubled in the last five years, and recent studies show that too much computer use spells trouble for the developing mind. Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. There are solutions, though, and they're right in our own backyards. Last child in the Woods is the first book to bring together cutting-edge research showing that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development-physical, emotional, and spiritual. What's more, nature is a potent therapy for depression, obesity, and Add. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. Even creativity is stimulated by childhood experiences in nature.”

 

Jim Emerton “Do you perceive the spiritual and aesthetic beauty inherent in birds?”

Mike Taylor “Birds are creatures directly-linked to earths past dinosaurs and are of major significance in every known religion - summing up the worlds unknown fears and known loves. My earthly awareness of spiritual beauty is still limited in this part of my journey.”

 

Jim Emerton “Does this reinforce belief in yourself as a man?”

Mike Taylor “Wow, this is a great question that shouldn’t stand alone. Sorry, I can’t answer it at this time.”

 

Jim Emerton “As a computer genius how did you take to journalism and the global media?”

Mike Taylor “That’s the first time someone called me a computer genius. I get by. The good news is that anyone can surpass my limited computer expertise and fill the voids. Global media continues to evolve, and I wish I took journalism more seriously years ago. I wanted to somehow promote our sport inexpensively. Google searches for live/active web pages such as “Blogs” that are linked-to, by other multiple (third-party) web sites. I started by creating blog pages supported by a one-page web site. www.tccloft.com It was a way to promote my sport and at the same time include loft news. Most of the work on this site was done in 2010 and 2011. The site still generates 1000’s of hits each and every month. If I have time, I’ll go back and update this site. Perhaps I’ll write a few Blogs. I may want to use some of the past blog/articles in future CPI publications.”

Jim Emerton “What was the evolution of your friendship with Brad Foster?”

Mike Taylor “As the President of the Canadian Racing Pigeon Union, http://www.crpu.ca/ Brad was actively looking for new board members. He hounded me, until I agreed to sit as a director. Shortly after, I became Vice-President. We were a small board and were involved in everything union related. Our close friendship and evolving partnership have grown since. We live about 1 ½ hour drive apart, but usually talk 4-5 times a week on the phone and even more when we get close to the next publishing date. I have a great respect for my new friend! It’s too bad we didn’t meet years ago.”

 

Jim Emerton “How was the peerless Canadian International Pigeon Racing Magazine created?”

Mike Taylor “The CRPU was publishing a printed Quarterly report titled “The CRPU PIGEONPOST” and the board was split as to the future direction this publication should take. Brad and I wanted to expand beyond our membership and create an on-line magazine. The rest of the board was looking at cost-savings and wanted to go more towards a newsletter to support the existing membership. The PIGEONPOST was a major endeavor for the board, and its production consumed a lot of our time. Brad and I felt there would be a negative response from the membership if we downsized the magazine. Downsizing is like a whirlpool inside a funnel spiraling downward. The only way to change the flow is to turn the funnel over, which usually means losing something. It was clear that the board was at an impasse and needed new conciliatory leadership. And, we didn’t want any part of that. Brad and I are not passive leaders by nature, and we can’t sit around waiting for some time to happen. So, we both resigned as President and Vice President, and shortly after the Canadian Pigeon International magazine was created. I think, in the end, it worked out for all parties and their stakeholders”

 

Jim Emerton “What are the objectives of this sophisticated magazine?”

Mike Taylor “As we say in the bird business; we’re winging it! Thanks, Jim for using the word ‘sophisticated’. That means a lot coming from you!

We wanted to create a world-class news and informative platform dedicated to the sport of pigeon racing. And, we wanted to circulate it world-wide, but it needed to be affordable and sustainable. Content is continually evolving as we receive feedback from around the globe. News is not limited to one continent or another! We want to hear and support readers around the world.

We are so lucky to have so many high-calibre pigeon scribes invested in our magazine. The content is second to none and very diversified! We’ve now added a section titled “News bits from around the world” that promotes lesser-known flyers. We’ll anxiously watch for reader response.”

 

Jim Emerton “How will you expand the frontiers to the rest of the world?”

Mike Taylor “It’s all top-secret information that you can find on our website: https://www.thecanadianpigeoninternational.com/

We’ve positioned ourselves well, by partnering with www.3DIssue.com and will continue to provide our readers with new options and benefits as technologies move forward.

Our readers can currently translate two pages of text at a time to over 100 languages. However, the presentation we work so hard on is lost when translating. This problem is not seen by our English readers. However, we have a diverse following that requires easy-to-use translation tools. A picture is worth a thousand words, so we want to come up with a fix, and SOON.

The Asian market is beckoning, and it looks viable.”

 

Jim Emerton “Mike, tell us about your birds and your racing.”

Mike Taylor “There’s not much to tell about my racing career; I fly in the very competitive Up North Combine (Canada’s UNC) and when I fly, my birds usually show up in the top half of the result sheet. I’ve been lucky and won a few Club and Combine races. My birds are missing that year-to-year continual testing that every family of pigeons require for future success.

However, saying that, I’m very happy with the birds in my loft. Most of my breeders are from Tony Paszterko’s successful Sion and Hofken lines. Anyone interested, can view on the links attached to my website: www.tccloft.com There’s lots to read and see on this site.

 

Jim Emerton “Please describe the racing dimension in Canada.”

Mike Taylor “The racing sport in Canada is diminishing and showing of fancy birds is holding its own.  One-Loft-Racing is expanding in Canada as is happening all around the world. Perhaps our saving grace for the diminishing sport in Canada is the diversity of our population, which includes other cultures from around the world that encourage early introduction to poultry, pigeons and farm animals.

Promotion has to start at the local level. I would encourage our readers to review the article on page 21 of our September CPI issue titled ‘How a passion for pigeon racing is starting to take off in Nova Scotia’ written by seasoned CBC Reporter, David Burke

 

Dave Ottaway, a long time Champion in the Ontario based ‘Up North Combine’ before moving to Nova Scotia, has always done his best to promote the sport. Dave proves that the sport can be expanded ANYWHERE, and he’s there to support his adopted friends with birds, knowledge and advise. Dave is a true competitor that wants to race against the best. I hope these new flyers realize the value of his support and friendship! I was lucky enough, to have Dave’s support when I came back into the sport in the 90’s and I wish him continued and deserved success out east.

 

Jim Emerton “What is a good racing pigeon?”

Mike Taylor “Everyone loves a winner, so we’re start there. Not just a winner of one race, but multiple races over multiple distances, over multiple years. Better yet, a breeder of many multiple winners over multiple distances over multiple decades. Oh, sorry Jim, I’ve described a dynasty. Perhaps you should answer this question, you’re more than qualified.”

 

Jim Emerton “What are the qualities of pigeons, recognised by humanity?”

Mike Taylor “Religions and ancient cultures show images of pigeons/doves rising up and over the clouds. And were considered heavenly. Today, outside of the pigeon keeping community, humanity sees dirty street birds.

However, did you know; Pigeons have been found to pass the 'mirror test', the ability to recognise its own reflection in a mirror. The pigeon is one of only 6 species, and the only non-mammal, to have this ability. Pigeons are highly intelligent and can recognise all 26 letters of the alphabet as well as being able to conceptualise. Researchers have also found that wild, untrained pigeons can recognize individual people's faces and have the ability to differentiate between (the good and the bad) humans. AND, they are not fooled by a change of clothes. So, who’s smarter; the bird or the handler? AND, who is this guy ‘humanity’ that vaguely understands and is always judging?”

 

Jim Emerton “Does science have an impact on race conditioning?”

Mike Taylor “Science has a huge impact on all aspects of pigeon keeping, breeding and flying. I’m fortunate to own a very large library of pigeon books, magazines and videos that include up-to-date health, medical, and nutritional information. It’s surprising how some aspects of the sport have not changed since the 1950’s yet other aspects are fluid and continually change.

A question to myself is ‘How did my library come about, become so large and extensive, and what will it’s future hold?’ I’m a bit of an historian which naturally becomes a collector of things. My family of SION pigeons mainly originate from Chas. Heitzman of Kentucky U.S.A. Charlie owned a great library that was passed onto the American Racing Pigeon Museum, and I guess, I am somewhat following his path. I have a few articles about Charlie on my blog site. But if you’re interested in some Kentucky racing pigeon history, go to the No Sweat website.”

 

Jim Emerton “What are the personality traits of a top fancier?

(Jim, let me change the wording in this question to; “What are the personality traits of Top-Notch fanciers and flyers?”

Mike Taylor “Top-Notch fanciers and flyers love and promote competition. They welcome competition. They thrive on competition. They don’t close the doors to competition. They must win against the best. They don’t hold back on information. They share their knowledge and resources. And they’re true sportsman in everyway! At least that describes the Top-Notch Fanciers and Flyers I respect.”

Side note: I think that also describes Dave Ottaway in an earlier question.

 

Jim Emerton “How do you feel about the dichotomy between the purist and the money man?”

Mike Taylor “There can be a balance of both. There’s nothing wrong with a flyer earning back a little money from the sport he’s so passionate about. And, good business people value returning customers and always have something extra to offer. And, well, the unwavering money man usually gets his in the end.”

 

Jim Emerton “Should there be a code of conduct, morals and ethics, and sportsmanship for the fancy?”

Mike Taylor “Most would agree that there should be! However, it would take us 1,000 years to implement or an afternoon without politics.”

 

Jim Emerton “Can we reduce the negative impact of human jealousy?”

Mike Taylor “Sorry, that’s above my pay grade. But maybe we can take the human out of the equation. That’s easier than removing the jealousy from the equation”

 

Jim Emerton “Do you like pigeon politics?”

Mike Taylor “No, it uses up valuable energy that could be used elsewhere. But there’s people that live for it and can’t live without it.” Go figure?!?!

 

Jim Emerton “Mike, please articulate on any other aspect of the pigeon sport.”

Mike Taylor “Strive to enjoy your sport. Share and promote your sport. Help others enjoy your sport. And more importantly; maintain and support today’s sport and take ownership of tomorrows sport.

 

Thanks Mike, Jim Emerton.