WAY TO GO, EIGHTH GRADE MARCHING BAND!

WELCOME BACK EVERYBODY!   HERE'S TO A GREAT 25/26 

SCHOOL YEAR!

"THE FINAL FOURTH " HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!

 NINE WEEKS REMAIN UNTIL 23-24 REACHES THE END!

Voice of Hubbard Press

25 MARCH '25

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  THE FINAL NINE WEEK QUARTER IN THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR IS HERE!

CLASSES ANXIOUSLY AWAIT THE END OF THIS CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR!  BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!

BEFORE SUMMER ARRIVES, THERE IS MUCH LEFT TO FINISH.  THE AIR TEST IS YET TO BE TAKEN, AND AT THE WRITING OF THIS NEWS BRIEF THERE IS BUT 15 DAYS UNTIL THE START OF THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF THE ANNUAL FORAY INTO THIS STATEWIDE TEST ASSESSING ALL THINGS ELA!  REST ASSURED, WE ARE PRODUCTIVELY PREPARING FOR IT!

FOLLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE TEST, CLASSES WILL BEGIN THEIR FINAL APPROACH TO SUMMER ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING LITERARY ITEMS...

The Seventh Grade classes WILL ANALYZE ALL THINGS MATERIAL AND PROPAGANDA LADEN IN JANET TASHJIAN'S NOVEL "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LARRY" 

HERE IS A WEBSITE TRAILER:

Josh Swensen is not your average 17-year-old. At the age of two, he was figuring out algebraic equations with colored magnetic numbers. He is a prodigy who only wants to make the world a better place. Josh’s wish comes true when his virtual alter ego, Larry, becomes a huge media sensation. Larry has his own Web site where he posts sermons on anti-consumerism and has a large following of adults and teens. Meanwhile, Larry’s identity is a mystery to everyone. While it seems as if the whole world is trying to figure out Larry’s true identity, Josh feels trapped inside his own creation. What will happen to the world, and to Larry, if he is exposed?  (AMAZON)

The Eighth Grade classes WILL BEGIN A WILD ROMP INTO SHAKEPERIAN LITERATURE AND LIFESTYLE AS THEY TAKE PART IN THE BARD'S CLASSIC ROMANTIC COMEDY, "THE TAMING OF THE SHREW"!

HERE IS ANOTHER WEBSITE TRAILER:

Love and marriage are the concerns of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio’s marriage to Bianca is prompted by his idealized love of an apparently ideal woman. Petruchio’s wooing of Katherine, however, is free of idealism. Petruchio takes money from Bianca’s suitors to woo her, since Katherine must marry before her sister by her father’s decree; he also arranges the dowry with her father. Petruchio is then ready to marry Katherine, even against her will.

Katherine, the shrew of the play’s title, certainly acts much changed. But have she and Petruchio learned to love each other? Or is the marriage based on terror and deception?   (AMAZON)

"A+ aSCENDENCY " WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2ND NINE WEEK QUARTER; BRAVO FOLKS!

Voice of Hubbard Press

17 JANUARY '24

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  THE SECOND HALF OF THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN!  HAS IT COME TO THIS POINT SO QUICKLY?  WITH THE ADVENT OF THIS OCCURENCE, THERE IS SOME EXCITING NEWS!

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS IN MY CLASSES REALLY WORKED HARD THIS PAST NINE WEEKS!  I CANNOT RECALL A GROUP IN RECENT MEMORY THAT WORKED SO HARD TO DO SO WELL IN WHAT I ANNUALLY CALL THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME OF THE YEAR (DUE TO THE DISTRACTION AND ALLURE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON - DON'T DRINK THE EGGNOG!)

THE YEAR DID START A BIT ROUGH, BUT MANY REBOUNDED QUITE NICELY BY THE END OF THIS PAST NINE WEEKS.  IN AVERAGING THE GRADES FOR THIS QUARTER, I WAS HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW STUDENTS WHO MADE EXCEPTIONAL GAINS AND IMPROVEMENT FROM WHERE THEY STOOD AT THE END OF THE FIRST NINE WEEKS.  

IMPROVEMENT FOR THE GROUP THAT FOLLOWS RANGED FROM 10% ALL THE WAY UP TO 29%!  IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT I THOUGHT IT APPROPTIATE TO SALUTE THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR THEIR EFFORTS WITH EAGLE SCRATCHER TICKETS.  THE HIGH SCORERS IN EACH CLASS ALSO RECEIVED AN EAGLE BLUE BANNER!  CONGRATULATIONS GROUP!

Grade.Class Period - Names

7.1 - Dylan D., Jonathan H., and Nick K.

7.2 - Lucy B., Maddie C., Mallorie C., Adam D., Aiden S.

8.4 - Connor G., Christian M., Shawn M.

8.5 - Mason D., Payson V.

7.7 - Emma E., Johnny B., Alanna T.

It should also announced that Julia P. in the Seventh Grade and Bailey O. in the Eighth Grade scored back to back Perfect Percentages (100%) in the First and Second Nine Weeks!

Fantastic results for the first half of the year!  Try for more of the same in the upcoming semester!

MR. LUTHER'S SIX WORD MEMOIR!

WELCOME BACK EVERYBODY!   

IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN!  

GO EAGLES!

Happy Readings! - HMS Junior High English Festival Team Takes in 45th Annual YSU English Festival!

The 45th annual YSU English Festival took place on April 20, 2022. Accompanied by HMS teachers Mr. Brian Luther and Mrs. Angela Yohman, the nine members of the HMS team participated in activities which were based upon their reading of this year's novels and nonfiction readings in day-long sessions within Kilcawley Center.

Reading, Writing, and making new memories and new friends were achieved as the team worked with other students from other surrounding schools from near and far. Freshmen Aubrey H. and Gabi G., and Eighth Graders Kenna E., Maddie F., Lauren G., Emma L., Ashlyn M., Kayla O. and Sofia S. took part in sessions which included Impromptu, LIMERICKS, Insights, Not So Trivial Pursuit, Poetry Workshop, Prose Workshop, Blues, Literature Into Art, Writing Games, Music from Literature, and attended meetings with authors Chris Crutcher  and Eliot Schrefer.

At the afternoon awards assembly, two HMS Team members earned awards for their work: a Second Place finish WAS won by Eighth Grader Ashlynn M. in Not So Trivial Pursuit, while Sofia S. captured a Third Place award in Limericks.

Congratulations to this year's Junior High Team, who are looking forward to next year's English Festival, which  will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2023!

"BLUE BANNER " WINNERS COLLECT THEIR WINNINGS FOR the SECOND nine weeks!

Voice of Hubbard Press

18 JANUARY '23

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  Winter is here but the race for the "BLUE BANNER" is heating up!  The following HMS students accumulated the most Eagle Tickets in their class period during the second nine weeks and now proudly possess their "BLUE BANNER" for their awesome accomplishments!  Congratulations Ladies and Gentlemen for your excellent and enthusiastic example to your peers!

NAME  Grade.Class Period 

Savannah K. 7.1 - 7 tickets

Kayla O. & Patchio M. 8.2 - 19 tickets

Bryce S. 8.4 - 8 tickets

Kamryn J. 8.5 - 11 tickets

Tristan H. 7.7 - 18 tickets

The race for the  "BLUE BANNER" continues into the third nine weeks! Stay Tuned for updates and results!

MMXXIII

INTERIMS ARE WITH US ONCE AGAIN!

Hello Parents!  It is that time once again... 

INTERIMS!  UGH!!!  These reports on your student's progress are to be released TODAY, 2 December!  

I am allowing late work to be submitted to me through  16 December until the end of school for half credit.  If your student has missing assignments, I will be informing him/her of this situation in class and in writing.  After 16 December, no credit will be issued for any assignments not submitted up to that point in the nine weeks.

I thank you for your support in these and all other class related matters!  Have a great weekend and GO EAGLES!

Happy Veteran's Day to All Veterans!

"BLUE BANNER " WINNERS COLLECT THEIR WINNINGS FOR the first nine weeks!

Voice of Hubbard Press

28 OCTOBER '22

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  As we Fall back towards Winter our first group of "BLUE BANNER" winners has emerged!  These students accumulated the most Eagle Tickets in their class period during the first nine weeks and now proudly display their "BLUE BANNER" for jobs well done!  Congratulations ladies and gentlemen for your excellent and enthusiastic example for others !

NAME  Grade.Class Period 

Jaida J. 7.1 - 11 tickets

Logan B. 8.2 - 18 tickets

Landon W. 8.4 - 12 tickets

Ilias M. 8.5 - 14 tickets

Gavin G. 7.7 - 11 tickets

The race for the  "BLUE BANNER" continues into the second nine weeks! Stay Tuned for updates and results!

As the fall leaves turn to hues of red, orange, and brown, and as football season slows to its inevitable conclusion, we find ourselves entering into...

Well... click the link below to find out... or it will remain a little secret for the rest of us!

Our media specialist, Mrs. Megan Phiel recently shared information on helpful and available digital resources!  Please check them out!

INTERIMS ARE WITH US ONCE AGAIN!

Hello Parents!  It is that time once again... 

INTERIMS!  UGH!!!  These reports on your student's progress are to be released tomorrow!  

I am allowing late work to be submitted to me today, 22 September, until the end of school today for half credit.  If your student has missing assignments, I informed him/her of this situation today, in class and in writing.  After today. no credit will be issued for any assignments not submitted up to this point in the nine weeks.

I thank you for your support in these and all other class related matters!  Have a great weekend and GO EAGLES!

"BLUE BANNER " returns for 2022-23 TO HELP "build the nest" at hms !

Voice of Hubbard Press

19 September, '22

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  The questions have been posed quite a bit since school started.

"When is it starting?", and "Are you going to make the announcement?", and "I have some Eagle Tickets...When can I get my... BLUE BANNER?!"

The "BLUE BANNER" program, which awards students in Mr. Luther's classes based upon their successes within the "Build The Nest" Program and incentives in English class, is making a much anticipated return to Hubbard Middle School this year  

The plan allows for students to take part in the "Build The Nest" program, accumulating  "Build The Nest" reward tickets for positive contributions and behaviors within the Hubbard Middle School community.  Beginning this week, and continuing through the rest of this year, the total number of tickets for each student will be tabulated with winners determined in each of Mr. Luther's English classes.  The winners will be awarded a "BLUE BANNER" (suitable for sporting events, pep rallies, and other Hubbard celebrations) for that nine week period and will have their name displayed in the "BLUE BANNER" place of prominence, the stately "BLUE BANNER MANOR" a place of distinction and honorary section of wall space within Mr. Luther's classroom for all to see.

Mr. Luther would like to once again thank Miss Mary Ginnis for her donation of "BLUE BANNERS", helping to make this program possible!

And so, the race is on for "THE BLUE BANNER"!  BUILD THE NEST AND GET YOURS AT THE END OF EACH GRADING PERIOD!

HUBBARD AND HOWLAND UNITE IN CAGE BENEFIT;

HOOPS FOR HOPE HELPS HONORED BENEFICIARIES!

Come on out to the Hubbard High School Gymnasium Hubbard this Saturday night as Hubbard and Howland Schools will play in the "Hoops for Hope" Charity basketball game up to raise money as they team up on the court to face-off against the Army recruiters.

Doors open at 5:00, and the game will start at 6:00 with concessions, a 50/50 drawing, and a basket raffle.  The Hubbard and Howland pep bands will be performing together and the two school Pep Clubs are meeting before the game for a combined tailgate with cornhole, Kan Jam, Spike Ball, and more!

The theme for Saturday night's special event is BLACKOUT

Please come out to support these teams in benefitting your Hubbard Youth Coalition and Howland teacher Gina Vacha and Howland High School secretary Ann Churman in their fight against cancer.

Hope to see you there!

Many Happy Returns! - HMS English Festival Team Garners Experience and Awards in First Visit to YSU Since 2019!

The 44th annual YSU English Festival welcomed back the HMS English Festival Team for the first time since 2019 on April 7, 2022.  Accompanied by HMS teachers Mr. Brian Luther and Mrs. Angela Yohman, the eight members of the HMS team took part in a wide array of activities which were based upon their reading of this year's novels and nonfiction readings in their first ever trip together to Kilcawley Center.

Writing, literature, and making memories were the order of the day as the team gathered with other schools from the tri county area, as well as a few from Western Pennsylvania and Northern Ohio, too.  Freshmen Audrey B., Emma H.,Caleb S., Eighth Graders Gabi G. and Aubrey H., and Seventh Graders Kenna E., Maddie F. and Lauren G. took part in sessions which included Impromptu, LIMERICKS, Insights, Not So Trivial Pursuit, Poetry Workshop, Literature Into Art, Writing Games, Music from Literature, and attended meetings with authors Jo Knowles and Candace Fleming. 

At the afternoon awards assembly, three HMS Team members earned awards for their work: First Place finishes were won by Eighth Graders Aubrey H. in Not So Trivial Pursuit, and Lauren G. in Limericks, with an Honorable Mention in Writing Games being awarded to Freshmen Emma H. 

This year's successes were fantastic and offer much promise for next year's English Festival, which for HMS will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, with young adult authors Chris Crutcher and Eliott Shrefer scheduled to appear.

Mr. Luther and Mrs. Yohman wish to congratulate this year's team members on a great year, and they hope to see them back for more fun in Year 45 of the annual YSU English Festival!

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY SITE!  PLEASE READ ON!

"BLUE BANNER " WINNERS COLLECT THEIR WINNINGS FOR 3RD QUARTER!

Voice of Hubbard Press

1 APRIL '22

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  Spring has arrived, and so has another group of "BLUE BANNER" winners!  These students accumulated the most Eagle Tickets in their class period during the third nine weeks and now proudly display their "BLUE BANNER" for jobs well done!  Congratulations ladies and gentlemen for your excellent and enthusiastic example for others !

NAME  Grade.ClassPeriod 

Madison A. 7.1 - 10 tickets

Antonio M. 7.2 - 8 tickets

Dylan W. 7.5 - 8 tickets

Addison S. 8.4 - 6 tickets

Michael H. 8.6 - 6 tickets

The race for the  "BLUE BANNER" continues into the fourth and final set of nine weeks! Stay Tuned for updates and results!

the end is near (the third nine weeks, that is... WAS?).... 23 March, '22

Good Morning Parents and Guardians,

Two days from now, the third nine weeks will be a part of history.  

What more needs to be said than that?

As this current nine weeks comes to a close, it should be noted that we have only 25% of the school year left; NOT MUCH TIME REMAINS.  If things have not gone as you would have liked for your student, PLEASE make necessary adjustments beginning next week in order to avoid THE RISK OF FAILURE IN ENGLISH CLASS THIS YEAR. There is much that you can do in order to eliminate the possibility of repeated future failure.  

Make excellent use of resources available to you. PROGRESS BOOK IS A GREAT SITE TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON YOUR STUDENT'S GRADE.  Knowing your student's progress is a wonderful way of ensuring success for them.  Also, this website contains a wealth of information in regards to plans and assignments.  Being "in the loop" will help you to make certain that you will know what your student needs to be prepared and ready for in class.

And remember... I am always available, via phone or email to help out in any way that I can. Feel free to contact me at 330.534.1921, ext. 3119, from 9:15 through 10 AM Monday through Friday, or at lutherb@hubbard.k12.oh.us. 

It is that time of the Nine Weeks Again.... 11 March, '22

Good Morning Parents and Guardians,

In a mere two weeks from today, the 2021-22 school year will be three quarters of the way complete.  It will be a time to reflect on what has been achieved this year as well as looking forward to the statewide AIR assessment testing, which will be administered on April 5th.

It is with great concern that I would like to address a problematic topic, one that always pains me to have to discuss; failing grades in the third nine weeks.  PLEASE check Progress Book to determine the current grade status of your student.  A most regrettable turn of events (a failing grade for the third nine weeks) can possibly be avoided by doing so.

As directed by the administration, I will be placing phone calls in the coming week to notify parents and guardians of students in this current situation.  If you are a parent or guardian who is the recipient of one of these calls, please do all that you can to assist your student in doing all possible to correct the course of this problem.  I appreciate your assistance in this matter, and your continued support over the rest of this year.  Thank you.   

HELLO PARENTS!

AS WE BEGIN THE 6TH WEEK OF THE THIRD NINE WEEKS, PLEASE REMIND YOUR STUDENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF TURNING IN ALL WORK, FULLY COMPLETED.  WE RECENTLY HAVE EXPERIENCED A RUN OF WORK THAT IS NOT BEING TURNED IN, AS WELL AS MATERIAL THAT IS NOT FULLY WORKED INTO CORRECT RESPONSES.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS COMPLETE ALL WORK THAT IS TURNED IN.  

STUDENTS ALSO NEED TO SUBMIT WORK WITHIN ANNOUNCED DEADLINES.  LATE WORK IS SIMPLY THAT, TURNED IN LATE.  FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE OUT WITH EXCUSED ABSENCES OR ILLNESSES, UPON THE RETURN TO SCHOOL A DUE DATE CAN BE ADJUSTED TO ALLOW FOR COMPLETION OF WORK THAT IS MISSED.  HOWEVER, WORK THAT IS TURNED IN BEYOND THE AGREED UPON DUE DATE IS, ONCE AGAIN, LATE WORK.

WORK THAT IS TURNED IN LATE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REDUCTION IN GRADE.  TO AVOID THIS SITUATION, PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOUR STUDENT IS COMPLETING ALL WORK AND TURNING IT IN ON TIME!

"BLUE BANNER " WINNERS!

Voice of Hubbard Press

21 January '22

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  After a wild week weather-wise, "BLUE BANNER" winners have been announced.  These winners accumulated the most Eagle Tickets in their class period during the nine week session and as a result earned a "BLUE BANNER" for their hard work and good deeds!  Congratulations ladies and gentlemen for your commitment to the cause!

Demi D. 7.1 - 18 tickets

Sammie A. 7.1 9 tickets (Sammie earned a Blue Banner because her second place finish topped amounts in the other 2 seventh grade classes)

Landon W. 7.2 - 6 tickets

Ava A. 7.5 - 8 tickets

Aubrey P. 7.5 - 8 tickets

Fotini P. 8.4 - 10 tickets

Max S. 8.4 - 10 tickets

Aubrey H. 8.6 - 4 tickets

Sam N. 8.6 - 4 tickets

The race for  continues into the third nine weeks! "BLUE BANNER" Check back for updates and results!

"BLUE BANNER " PROGRAM ENDS! WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Voice of Hubbard Press

8 January '22

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  The new program aligned with the middle school's "Build The Nest" PBIS initiative is about to award Seventh and Eighth Grade students for work well done, both in the classroom and throughout the halls of Hubbard Middle School!

Mr. Luther, Junior High English teacher, will be awarding the Hubbard "BLUE BANNERS " to students in his English classes based upon their successes within the "Build The Nest" Program, and says the results have been enlightening, as well as encouraging.

"The students have embraced the "BLUE BANNER " initiative wholeheartedly.  A former student of mine, Mary Ginnis, generously donated a tub of blue Hubbard sports towels to me not long before "Build The Nest" was announced.  As I was thinking about ideas of how to use them, our guidance counselor, Mrs. Haidaris, came up with the "Build The Nest" concept and announced it at a staff meeting.  Problem solved!  A lot of what I have done with the "BLUE BANNER " movement is directly attributable to the efforts of these two ladies, and I cannot thank them enough!"

  Accumulating  "Build The Nest" reward tickets for positive contributions and behaviors within the Hubbard Middle School community during the second nine weeks, totals are to be tabulated with winners determined in each of Mr. Luther's English classes.  The winners will be awarded a "BLUE BANNER " (suitable for sporting events, pep rallies, and other Hubbard celebrations) and will be named a "DENIZEN OF THE BLUE BANNER MANOR" having their name and photo with their "BLUE BANNER " displayed in an honorary section of wall space within Mr. Luther's classroom.

"BLUE BANNER " winners will be announced following the award ceremonies to be held in Mr. Luther's classes on Friday, January 14th as a part of celebratory observations of the midway point of the 2021-2022 school year.

Mr. Luther has announced that "THE BLUE BANNER"!  will return for the third nine weeks as the HMS Nest continues to be built.  So the clarion call goes out to all Hubbard Middle Schoolers in Mr. Luther's English classes.... keep earning Eagle tickets to get your very own "BLUE BANNER"! 

 Good Morning Parents!

First off I would like to thank each and every one of you for a most successful start to this school year.  We have made it to Thanksgiving Break with little to no disruptions and hopefully we can continue the trend!  Please enjoy this time with family and take in the wonderful time of togetherness over the next five days.

In Seventh grade we are working towards the close of "Bronx Masquerade".  PLEASE make certain that your student is fully completing the character analysis handouts, prediction guides, literary terms handouts, and character lists that were distributed at the beginning of the reading of this novel, as they were expected to complete this assignment as we were working through the novel.  There are close to 300 points aligned with these assignments and they can really help boosting your students overall average in class.  An announcement of these items and their point values, as well as their being due at the completion of this unit, was made weeks ago when this unit began.

Eighth grade is also completing a novel, "The Outsiders" by SE Hinton.  At the moment we are discussing the final two chapters, 11 and 12, before heading into a viewing of Francis Ford Coppola's movie based on the novel  after Thanksgiving break.

Again, I thank you for your support, understanding, and trust during what is quite possibly and undeniably the most challenging of years in our school's history.  Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!

 Mr. Luther - 23 November '21

Attention English Festival Team, Grades Seven to Nine,

I hope this message finds you all very fine,

Our next meeting will be here real soon,

TO BE EXACT. MONDAY NOVEMBER 22ND IN THE AFTERNOON

AT 2:30 IN HMS 119 WE WILL MEET TO DISCUSS

“THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM” ,WITH LITTLE FANFARE OR FUSS

SO READ CANDACE FLEMING’S BOOK WITH PURPOSE AND CARE,

AGAIN, MONDAY THE 22ND AT 2:30…

   HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

English Festival Students this announcement is for you,

It's time to meet and discuss those things you'll do,

In preparation for this year's English Festival gig,

Let's see what you think about what you have read, 

can you dig?

"Amelia Lost" is our current book,

We'll share ideas and views, give it a look,

Room 119 in the middle school at 2:30 on Monday 

is our meeting time,

Be there please, and so ends this rhyme!

Mr. Luther starts Exciting New Program! "BLUE BANNER " TO HELP "build the nest" !

Voice of Hubbard Press

13 October, '21

HUBBARD MIDDLE SCHOOL -  A new program aligned with the middle school's soon to be instituted "Build The Nest" PBIS initiative is about to be underway, and it promises to be rewarding as well as a boost to school spirit!

Mr. Luther, Junior High English teacher, will soon be offering Hubbard "BLUE BANNERS" to students in his classes based upon their successes within the "Build The Nest" Program.  

The plan allows for students to take part in the "Build The Nest" program, accumulating  "Build The Nest" reward tickets for positive contributions and behaviors within the Hubbard Middle School community.  Beginning at the start of the second nine weeks, and concluding at the end, the total number of tickets for each student will be tabulated with winners determined in each of Mr. Luther's English classes.  The winners will be awarded a "BLUE BANNER" (suitable for sporting events, pep rallies, and other Hubbard celebrations) for that nine week period and will have their name displayed in the "Place of Prominence", an honorary section of wall space within Mr. Luther's classroom.

Mr. Luther would like to thank Miss Mary Ginnis for her donation of "BLUE BANNERS", helping to make this program possible!

And so, the race is on for "THE BLUE BANNER"!  BUILD THE NEST AND GET YOURS IN JANUARY!