Bird-meat donation ruffles feathers
March 11, 2007 -- Eric Heyl If you're a bird
lover, this tale might leave a bad taste in your mouth.
The night before Linda Dickerson was named the National Aviary's CEO last week,
the Homeless Children's Education Fund held its annual fundraiser at the Rivers
Club, Downtown.
Dickerson, 46, the nonprofit education fund's former board chairwoman, donated a
basket of items for the event's silent auction. The assortment included a
variety of Ostrim meat sticks and jerky.
A main ingredient of Ostrim is ostrich.
That's correct. Just hours prior to Dickerson's being named caretaker of the
nation's premier birdhouse, she was helping peddle the seasoned flesh of fleet,
flightless birds to the highest bidder.
It's doubtful the aviary's collection of white-crested laughing thrushes
chuckled much over the irony.
Dickerson's father, Logan Dickerson, 79, of Hempfield, Westmoreland County, owns
a farm that breeds ostriches. State Bureau of Corporations records also identify
him as president and treasurer of Protos Inc.
On its Web site, Protos advises that its beef-and-ostrich Ostrim sticks are
great on the grill, delicious in omelettes and can be a healthy, nutritious
snack when served with your favorite cheese on a tasty grain cracker.
They also come in pepper, barbecue and teriyaki flavors.
Given Dickerson's family ties, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
finds her appointment as aviary CEO difficult to digest.
"If indeed Ms. Dickerson does have ties to ostrich slaughterers, then it
certainly seems dangerous to place any birds under her wing," said Matt
Prescott, PETA manager of factory farming and vegan campaigns.
He added: "Whether a parrot, an ostrich or a chicken, all birds feel pain and
fear, and deserve to be protected from the types of abuses that those killed for
food endure."
Dickerson said on Friday she doesn't understand why anyone would be aghast over
her familial links to a company that sells ostrich meat.
"People can draw whatever conclusions they desire," she said, "but I have no
connection whatsoever with my parents' company."
Asked about the Ostrim auction basket, Dickerson said, "My parents made that
donation."
The Homeless Children's Education Fund Web site, however, identified Dickerson
as the donor of "a basket full of Ostrim Healthy Snack Products: Ostrim meat
sticks, Ostrim Jerkies, and other ostrich meat products. Value: $60"
Dispelling any notion that packages of Ostrim might tumble out if you opened her
kitchen cupboards, Dickerson contended she has never eaten the product.
"I am as unattached to it as you can get," she said.
According to the big birdhouse's own literature, "The National Aviary inspires
respect for nature through an appreciation of birds."
That appreciation can be gained in many ways.
Some acquire it by marveling over the black-bordered white crest of the hooded
merganser, others by gazing in fascination at the long, tipped tails of the
victoria crowned pigeon.
Still others obtain it, evidently, by consuming a big plate of teriyaki ostrich
jerky.
