The Hampton Roads Bird Club was founded in 1951 - we're 56 years old!

The purposes of the Club are to:

• Promote scientific study and the recording of bird habitat
• Promote development, protection and conservation of bird life and other natural resources
• Cooperate with national, state, and local organizations toward the conservation and education in the fields of natural resources and ornithology
• Provide financial grants to individuals and organizations to assist in their ornithological education ($500 scholarship was awarded to HRBC member Nicholas Flanders for 2007-08. See his thank-you note below.)

2007-08 Officers and Board Members President - Meredith Bell Vice President - Mary Copeland Secretary - Gail Claydon Treasurer - Nan LaRue Board Member (2005-08) - Jane Frigo Board Member (2006-09) - Ben Copeland Board Member (2007-10) - Tom Claydon Newsletter Editors - Alison and Meredith Bell Field Trip Coordinator - Jane Frigo
	Mary, Jane, Nan, Ben, Meredith, Tom, Gail

Thank you note from Nicholas Flanders, our 2007-08 scholarship recipient. Nick has been an active member of the Club for the past two years and began his college career at ODU this fall, with a focus on biology:

Dear Hampton Roads Bird Club,

You have my deepest gratitude for the generous gift you gave me. The scholarship with which I was awarded was met with feelings of excitement and awe. What I found within the envelope was indeed one of the best surprises I have ever had. The $500 was extremely generous, and I really appreciate it. The college world which I am about to enter will be very exciting and hopefully fulfilling, but it is also expensive. Your gift will certainly help to ease the financial burden of my education.

I know that the gift I have received from the HRBC goes even further. The people, activities, and atmosphere of the Club have fostered a deep love of bird-watching within me which will continue for the rest of my life. The passion which I have for the field of biology has also been strengthened by the Club and its members. I look forward to many more inspirational years of involvement with the Club, and to the great birds we will find as my relationship with all of you develops. Thanks again, and good birding!

Nick Flanders