Views from the Mews
April Newsletter from the Black Hills Raptor Center
Dear Friends and Supporters,
 
April means rain showers, or blizzards, if you live in South Dakota. The property had dried out amazingly well after the March bombogenesis, only to be smacked by a second blizzard April 10-12. Once we get dryness in the subsoil, the foundations for the first building will be poured. This building is three interconnected structures that will be temporary housing for our education birds, and be rehabilitation housing for the long term.

April means paying taxes. It is a tough subject to be thrilled about, but this first year of paying the property taxes on our own land, bought free and clear with YOUR DONATIONS, feels mighty good.

April means our second annual spaghetti feed fundraiser, complete with silent auction, bake sale, and this year, a raffle. PLUS we celebrate a remarkable milestone. Elise the red-tailed hawk turns 30 years old this month! In the wild, a red-tailed lives 12-14 years. This amazing life span deserves a huge party, and we want you to be part of it.

Read on to learn more about the celebration and how you can win a Traeger pellet grill!

Maggie Engler and John Halverson
Co-Founders
2 nd annual Spaghetti Feed, Silent Auction, Raffle & Bird-Day party!
Saturday April 27 is THE DAY!

Join the birds and the volunteers as we celebrate the 30th bird-day of the grand dame of the BHRC. Elise, the now very famous red-tailed hawk, was hatched 30 years ago this month in Arizona. Imprinted on the humans that stole her from her nest, she was rescued by Arizona Game & Fish staff, and rehabilitated. However, the imprinting meant she could not be returned to the wild.

She has educated people about the importance of raptors for 29 years. Now mostly retired, she makes appearances for special events. And THIS appearance is to celebrate her!
We are hosting our second annual spaghetti feed and silent auction as a part of the celebration. Bring the family and join us at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, 3500 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City from 4-7pm.

For $7 a plate, or $25 for a family of four or more, you get spaghetti & meatballs, salad, bread, and beverage. We are serving bird-day cake at the end of the birds of prey program.

We have more than 40 silent auction items donated to us from all over the region. Check out some of the highlights on our website, www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org
Several volunteers are making amazing baked goods for you to buy and eat on site or take home to enjoy later. Think pies. Cakes. Cookies. Special treats you can’t get from most kitchens.

And the raffle? See the article below for more info and how to get tickets.

ALL proceeds benefit the building of the state of the art raptor education and rehabilitation facility located 4.5 miles east of the airport on SD Hwy 44.

The goal this year is to raise $125,000 and get our operation moved to the site permanently.
Raffle to benefit the new facility!
A Traeger pellet grill, valued at $700, is the prize. We will draw the winner's name at the Spaghetti feed/bird-day bash on Saturday April 27, at about 7:15pm.

You do NOT need to be present to win! Tickets are being sold on our website  www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org , by volunteers, and the night of the event.
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Just think about the great grilling you will have for years to come!
Special thanks to Climate Control Systems & Service,
located at 801 Deadwood Avenue, Rapid City,  http://climatecontrolsd.com/  
and an anonymous donor for buying the grill for us!
(PLEASE share the link to this newsletter on Social Media to get the word out!)
  Items for Sale: Neck Coolers
Get ready for the summer heat! Show the world your love of raptors while you stay cool. Get one of our gel neck coolers for only $10. (SD state tax is included). All you do is soak the neck cooler in cold water for a few hours or overnight. Once wrapped around your neck, you get great cooling all day. When the heat has left us and the autumn temps are here, simply hang your cooler to dry. Store it in a zip-lock bag for the winter, and reuse it next year.
 
We have two gorgeous designs – a bald eagle and a snowy owl. Shop our store here https://www.blackhillsraptorcenter.org/store/ and order one today!

  Upcoming Events:

We've been invited to give our Educational Program to a number of schools this spring

April 22 School programs and Cub Scout Pack program
April 24 High School programs (all day)
May 3 School programs
May 6 School program
May 8 Women in Science presentations (in Spearfish)
May 10 School programs
May 14 Preschool program
May 15 Three programs in Sundance WY
May 16 School program
May 19 Custer State Park open house program**
May 20 School program
May 22 School program
June 6 Camp programs – Custer area
Jane 12 Camp program – Deadwood History Inc.
June 22 Conference program
July 13 Farmer’s Daughter meet and greet in Hill City**

Our Raptors look forward to seeing you there!
Public Programs & Meet 'n Greets
  • **Public Programs are a great opportunity to experience the avian ambassadors of the Black Hills Raptor Center. Grab a few friends and family and join us!
  • Meet 'n Greets are an open house with the birds. Stop by any time during the posted hours to catch a few photos and fun conversation.
These particular events are all free. All family fun.


Please forward this on! AND PLEASE share this on social media, simply click icon below so all your friends and family learn more about our lovely birds. Thanks!