Rick Phillips presented an entertaining program to the Bristol Bird Club's annual banquet held Friday night. A turnout of 30 persons was on hand to hear and see him trace how he has developed a hobby of taking beautiful digital bird photos "on the cheap." A biology teacher on the faculty of East Tennessee State University and teaching at the Kingsport campus, Rick traced the years during the last decade or more to show how he learned to use very inexpensive cameras, lenses made from old binoculars and pieces of plumbing hardware to build telephoto systems . The many beautiful color photos of birds were enthusiastically appreciated. President Dave Worley began the evening introducing details of a fund-raising calendar using photos submitted by the Elizabethton Bird Club Herndon chapter members. The Elizabethton club is raising funds for their club by producing and selling the calendars during October. A list was sent around the banquet tables asking BBC members to pitch in and help the Elizabethton club. Those attending the banquet placed orders for 17 calendars which will result in approximately $220 raised by BBC folks for that project. The club will place a single order with a club check and eventually distribute the calendars at Bristol meetings. Janice Martin distributed an array of marketing materials used to promote the upcoming joint TOS/VSO state bird club meeting which will be sponsored in the area by the Bristol Bird Club. The items includes t-shirts, note cards, magnetic calendars, business cards, mouse pads and many more. A committee of 14 BBC members has been working almost daily and has given the 2012 spring meeting an enormous jumpstart. Some of the most challenging and difficult parts of the planning, decision making, risk taking and footwork are completed and the meeting is 18 months away. The City of Kingsport, with the advice and suggestions of the Bristol Bird Club, have developed the "Kingsport Birding Trail" as part of the city's development program and mitigation efforts along the Kingsport Greenway. Working with the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, the city was able to contact a vendor the chamber had been using and came up with beautiful decals, using concepts and art provided by members of the BBC. The club has taken an active role in trying to help the city focus on the outstanding opportunities for birding in the city as well as a successful mitigation program for bird habitat. Rack Cross distributed a handful of the first decals to be shown publically and those attending the banquet got a sneak preview. The city has drafted a letter to BBC to express appreciation for the efforts made by club members. Those attending the banquet included: Ruth Clark, Mary Clark, Lois Cox, Wilma Boy, Dave Worley, Diana Worley, Joann Detta, Marty Huber, Mary Jane Erwin, Judy Roach, Neal Henson, Jean Henson, Fred Martin, Janice Martin, Rick Knight, Jacki Hinshaw, Roy Knispel, Faye Wagers, Ed Burke, Julie Burke, the Burke's son, Wallace Coffey, Carolyn Coffey, Rack Cross, Tracy Slagle, Bert Hale, Loraine Hale, Rick Phillips, Michele Sparks and Lloyd Jones. The excellent dinner and good care was provided by the ladies of the Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Lloyd Jones is the minister. He was an active member of BBC and served as vice-president and then treasure of the club from March 1993 to July 1997, just before entering school to study for the ministry. Rev. Jones (left) with current BBC treasurer Janice Martin at the banquet held at his church. It marked the club's third year holding its banquet at that location.