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ARTICLE INFORMATION:

Author: YATFS 
Title: Aquarium Fishkeeping - THE Hobby for the New Millennium
Summary: Does your club have a brochure/information leaflet? If not, here is a fine example that could be used as a template for a similar publication by your club.
Contact for editing purposes:
email: Cheryl Miller <casm@neo.rr.com>
Date first published:  2000
Publication: Informational leaflet: http://www.yatfs.com
Reprinted from Aquarticles:		 ARTICLE USE: 
Internet publication (club or non-profit web site):
1. Credit author, original publication, and Aquarticles.
2.  Link to http://www.aquarticles.com  and original website if applicable.
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Printed publication:
Mail two printed copies to:
Youngstown Area Tropical Fish Society
P.O. Box 5190,
Youngstown.
Ohio 44514-5190
USA
And one copy to:
Aquarticles.com
#373 - 5525 West Boulevard
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6M 3W6
Canada

Aquarium Fishkeeping - THE Hobby for the New Millennium

A publicity leaflet produced by the Youngstown Area Tropical Fish Society
Aquarticles


Do you have an aquarium or are you thinking about getting one? Do you have questions about your fish and don't know where to get answers? Do you have fond memories of an aquarium you kept as a youngster? Or are you afraid to try this hobby again because of past failures? If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, then you need to know about YATFS.

Youngstown Area Tropical Fish Society recently noted its 26th year in the Mahoning Valley. With a current membership of about 60, the club works hard to promote fish keeping as a fun, educational, lifelong family-oriented activity. They meet monthly on the 3rd Friday of each month at First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge, on St. Rte. 46. Doors open at 7:00 P.M. Meetings start at 7:30 P.M., with an average attendance of 20. Anyone is welcome to attend two meetings to check us out before making a decision on membership. Dues are: $10 a year for an individual and $15 for a family. It's easy to see that this basically covers the cost of printing and mailing the bi-monthly magazine.

YATFS holds three fund-raising functions a year. In the Spring and Fall, there are public auctions of fish, plants, food & equipment. These are held at the Administration Building in Lordstown on Salt Springs Rd., West of St. Rte. 45. In the late Summer, YATFS hosts their annual "Whale of a Show", accompanied by an auction of fish and plants only. This is held at the Union Hall on Salt Springs Rd. in Lordstown, East of St. Rte. 45. The public is invited to this event, too. This is a good way to buy items, typically at low prices, that one may never usually see at a pet store.

The "Whale of a Show" is sanctioned by national organizations such as FAAS (Federation of American Aquarium Societies), ACA (American Cichlid Assoc.) and ALA (American Livebearers Assoc.) to name a few.

But what's a fish show? Imagine a dog, cat or horse show -with a splash! People bring their best fish in little tanks and display them. Qualified judges come from other clubs and choose the winners. Lots of friendly competition and fun for all! The last show that YATFS hosted drew in over 300 entries in 62 different classes. Not only were there classes for different kinds of fish, but there were also classes for arts & crafts, photography, beautiful tank designs and a new popular class called "Novelty," which is for tanks designed around a theme. Awards were given to the winners, varying from trophies to plaques, certificates & cash.

In another area of friendly competition, the club offers members a chance to earn points in nationally recognized programs for spawning and raising fish and for propagating aquatic plants. It's fun to see who will bring in what kinds of fry and plants to each meeting.

Monthly meetings feature programs by Hobby Experts on some facet of the Hobby. One can expect to hear information about our ecological environment, trips to foreign countries to collect fish (often with slide shows), local fish-collecting, as well as fish health and spawning tips. There are raffles of manufacturer's donated items, a mini show of pre-scheduled classes and a mini auction of fish and plants which members have turned in for points that month. This is a fun way to see, learn about and buy hard-to-find fish and plants. Members exchange fishkeeping tips, tell many "fishy" tales and, in general, just enjoy one another's fellowship.

YATFS publishes a bi-monthly magazine, The Youngstown Aquarist, which has gained national recognition. In it, one will find more great fishkeeping information, tables of points earned by members and schedules of upcoming events in YATFS and other clubs.

Besides YATFS, there are other active aquarium clubs in Akron, Canton, Medina, Lorain, Perry, Ashtabula, Erie PA, Pittsburgh PA and Tri-County (Frisco, Pa). There are also very active specialty clubs in the Cleveland area for Cichlids, Bettas, Killifish, Guppies & Saltwater. With all of these clubs within driving distance, there is always something "fishy" to do. It's a great way to meet other hobbyists from Ohio and PA. A few others have come to auctions from as far away as Canada, England and Germany. Local members also receive a Presidential Newsletter on the months between the bi-monthly magazine publications.

YATFS Officers are: Pres. Robin Jendrian 330-270-9198, VP Bob Cappy 330-799-5349, Secretary Cheryl Miller 330-638-4839, and Treasurer Dave Ayres 330-270-9198. There is also a 5 member Board of Directors and several other Committee Chairpersons. One may call any of the above people for more information.

Aquariums and fish keeping is an internationally growing hobby today. As one cartoonist put it,
"It's not 'just guppies,' it's a return to the quieter, simpler values of my youth."

So, get your thumbs wet! Fill up the old fish tank. Come to a couple of meetings and enjoy a great hobby with other great people like yourself!