Announcing
the
MAS
75^th Anniversary Year

      Though no current member was around then, and no one seems to remember any first-hand details, MAS has the tradition of being founded in 1931. Our formal incorporation came 25 years later, in 1956. Of those days and since, we have at least a few witnesses.
      Put the numbers together and you'll realize that MAS is rapidly approaching its 75^th year. The board of directors has agreed that we should make our 75^th year, the 2005- 2006 fishkeeping season, a year of celebration and a year to remember. At this time, we have several announcements to make regarding this historic year that we are approaching.

• We will be recognizing this year as running from September 2005 through June 2006.
• The board is working toward choosing some shirt or jacket design as an "official" 75^th anniversary garment. Details are being worked out, but the hope is that we'll come up with some style that will identify and unify our sense of "fraternity."
• For each of these months, our monthly meeting (centered around the first Thursday) will expand to a weekend of activities. (Read the details below.)

During this year, both BAP and HAP will sponsor 75^th anniversary programs. (Again, read the details below.)

Monthly Meetings expanded to Monthly Weekends

      MAS monthly meetings will remain the on the first Thursday of the Month at our regular location. But we will be holding a second meeting on the following (Friday) evening. But it doesn't stop there. We aim to fill that Saturday with varied activities such as open fishrooms, fish store trips, a trip to Milwaukee, a darter-collecting trip, and perhaps more. In short, the weekend of the first Thursday will be a full MAS weekend from September through June.
      To help keep each weekend special, the board has budgeted the programs chair to bring in out-of-town speakers for each weekend. We will be going for some of the best aquarium-related speakers and with topics to span the diver sity that we have in MAS.

BAP and HAP Blitzes

      Our Breeders and Horticulture awards programs wanted to add something special to this anniversary observance. Each person who BAP's 75 points during the 75^th year will receive a BAP Blitz award. Likewise, each member who HAP's 75 points during the 75^th year will receive a HAP Blitz award. Read carefully the rules.
      Each of these Blitz programs will allow you to breed or propagate species that you already registered under BAP or HAP. The idea is that we get our members out to breed and propagate at least 75 points - whether these are old species or some new challenge.
      Those successfully completing a "blitz" will be given the respective award: BAP Blitz 75 or HAP Blitz 75. One popular idea is that we will award a patch or some recognizable emblem to be added to one's 75^th shirt/jacket - that way your accomplishments will be recognizable when you wear these.

Blitz rules...

• The participant must be a member of MAS.
• One is successful in the Blitz program by submitting 75 points during the given schedules.
• The BAP Blitz and the HAP Blitz are separate pro grams, and members are encouraged to participate in each.
• The points and submission rules of BAP and HAP will apply, except that participants can use species that they have registered in the regular BAP and HAP pro grams.
• Submissions to the Blitz programs require a bag that is designated for the Blitz program. The participant can earn regular BAP/HAP points from the same spawn or propagation, but to do so he/she must submit separate bags for those.
• MAS will keep the money from any and all Blitz sub missions. This money will be used to purchase Blitz awards. Blitz points will not be earning Book Points.
• The months during which MAS members can submit Blitz bags are August 2005 through June 2006.
• Regarding BAP, spawns must occur during this sched ule: April 11, 2005 through April 10, 2006. The start date was chosen because it is the day after our 2005 annual show.
• A special Blitz awards ceremony will be added to the 2006 Show. (Those earning their awards after the show will still receive their awards.)

      The BAP and HAP chairs reserve the right to add/ modify these rules if a need occurs.
      For each program, 75-points is a quite do-able level. Let's get out the membership in a blitz of breeding our fishes and propagating plants. If you are a "retired" participant, current participant, or new to MAS, the Blitz 75 programs are calling for you.