I.F. INTERVIEW REPORT FOR CHAMPION FLYERS
By CHARLES BARBIERE
Paul Simonik
1st IF Hall of Fame 5-25 Lofts
2010 Old Birds
IF-09-SCR-4216 "Haven"
14th Champion loft Old Birds
2010 5-25 lofts
The beginning:
It all started in 1976 with Simonik
brothers Paul, John and Bob. That year, the family of Paul Simonik
who resided in the small Northeastern Pennsylvania community of
Peckville, decided to keep racing pigeons. Back then the Scranton
Pigeon Club still had something like 30-40 active members. Winning
in this club was really an exceptional feat which he only
accomplished one time during his initial start into racing his
birds. It is a fact that almost the whole neighborhood and most of
his relatives and friends were racing pigeons with Paul on a race
day by merely joining him at the loft. After all, that was in a time
when there were no computers and other electronic devices to speak
of.
Paul, who was 28 at the time, started
racing pigeons (like so many fanciers before and after him) that
were given to him from an older fancier in the neighborhood. Then,
after a short time in the sport Paul had a work related injury which
disabled him so he moved to Florida for the next 30 years where he
kept a few pigeons for his enjoyment but did not compete.
In 2006, Paul then moved back to Pennsylvania and returned to the
pigeon sport after abandoning it as a young man. He was hooked on
the fascinating hobby and sport of racing pigeons and was determined
to learn as much about modern racing pigeons as possible in order to
start his own successful loft. His return to the sport, met with
some ups and downs, but mostly disappointments. Paul understood that
in t
he pigeon sport it is dedication, and
doing everything for the pigeons 365 days a year! He knows that
whoever wants to win in the old bird or young bird series or to stay
at the top of the race sheet has to sacrifice his time to give
proper care for the birds every day.
Paul decided to rebuild the loft in his
yard. The loft soon increased to a larger loft with two sections for
young birds, two sections for widowhood cocks, two sections for the
breeders and a feed room/office. He shares this loft with his
brother Bobby, who races his own family of birds in a different club
and different combine.
In 2007, Paul obtained a few choice
youngsters and breeders from his good friend of 30 years, Paul Walsh
of NC and formerly from his club in Pennsylvania. He had the vision
of competing in the convention races and one loft races, which Paul
feels is the top of the premier races in our sport. Paul went to NC
to stay with the Walsh’s to learn the proper day to day care and
handling of his team, learned all the new modern racing systems that
were not available in the 70’s and was introduced to Tony from
www.PigeonPlus.CA for his medication needs.
This old friendship proved the advantage
Paul needed. Immediately, he had success with a small team of
pigeons. He began to enjoy weekly racing accomplishments by winning
many club races and a few combine races. His victories in out of
town races were also a success. He bred equal first place winner in
the October 19, 2008 Black Eyed Susan Futurity Race in Baltimore Md.
One of his birds won a club race for Dr. Dave's loft of Braintree
Ma. Paul entered two birds in the 2010 Flamingo One Loft Race in
which ¾ of the birds were lost but Paul’s two entries were still
remaining in the 250 mile race. In that November 19, 2010 race, his
bird clocked equal first at the
flamingoic.com race in which the bird was a little slow
running into the trap. Paul bred the 4th place bird in
the 2010 MAO Race in New Jersey.
IF-09-SCR-4216, Paul’s IF Hall Of Fame
Champion Bird, is related to the above birds which were bred from
his Walsh breeders. He named this champion "Haven" in honor of his
former fishing boat that he had in Key Largo. As a young bird he
flew 1,223 miles taking many 2nd and 3rd club
position but no firsts. As a yearling "Haven" started out racing on
the natural system in which his first race he flew home to eggs and
took a first club position. After three races of flying natural to
the nest "Haven" was put on the widowhood team. He flew a total of
2000+ miles and 7 of the 11 concourse races.
He was 6th LLC 150 miles, 1st LLC at 410 miles
and, 13th 320 miles 2nd 410 mile equal 1st
LLC, 24th LLC at 270 miles.. "Haven" is truly a
champion and the best bird he had ever owned. For the 2011 breeding
season, he will mate him to his full sister, and hopefully his young
will be flying machines just like their Dad.
Paul would like to thank the IF membership
and officers for these 2010 awards. Undoubtedly, many hours of
effort have been spent to compile the IF Awards on a national basis.
Thank you to the IF for the opportunity to participate in the awards
and special thanks to Charlie Barbiere for putting this article
together. I hope the IF keeps getting bigger and stronger.
Yours in the sport,
Paul Simonik
570-561-9555
Paul Simonik and Paul Walsh at Simonik loft
2008.
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