Members of the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service, the BEARS, took part in the recent Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival by setting up and operating a special event station open to amateur radio operators throughout the United States. During their operation on Saturday, the BEARS recorded 101 radio contacts with ham operators representing 20 different states. Many operators from throughout the country asked about the festival, black bears in the St. Mary Parish area and wanted to know more about Bayou Teche. A QSL, which is a reply card, will be sent to each of those 101 stations with tourist literature describing the festival and St. Mary Parish in general. From back left are Jimmy Stinnett, KF5JKS; Rudy Duchan, WA5QNH; Paul Coats, AE5JU; Frank Price, N5LOD; Mel Simon, WD5CAE; Esther Simon, N5YOP; Jackie Price, KA5LMZ; Karen Marshall, KE5RPI; and Deborah Price, N5FMI.