Please join us Wednesday evening, November 18, 2026, at 7PM at the Riverside Sportsman's Association of Rhode Island (19 Mohawk Drive, Riverside RI) for this month's Tropical Fish Society of Rhode Island meeting. All are welcome and our meetings are free to join for children and adults alike.
Speaker: Richard J. Rego
Join us for our November meeting featuring longtime aquarist, educator, and wildlife biologist Richard J. Rego, presenting “A Look at Lost Zoos and Aquariums of New England.”
Rick will guide us through a nostalgic and visually rich tour of New England’s long‑gone roadside zoos and small local aquariums, revisiting the era when quirky animal attractions dotted the region’s highways and coastal routes. Through vintage postcards, old advertising, and historic news clippings, he’ll explore how these institutions emerged, thrived, and eventually disappeared as tourism shifted and regulations evolved. The program spans Maine to Connecticut and highlights a few modern facilities with deep historical roots. It’s a fun, memory‑sparking look at attractions that once shaped regional travel and local culture.
With over 40 years of experience keeping fish, Rick has led multiple aquarium organizations and maintained extensive collections of livebearers, killifish, and native species. Beyond the hobby, he works as a biologist specializing in endangered amphibians, turtles, and marine mammals across New England. He also teaches anatomy at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where he instructs DVM candidates and advises several wildlife‑focused student groups.
Meeting Activities
In addition to our speaker, we also have our regular monthly meeting activities, including:
🐟 Bring any fish or plants you'd like to submit for the BAP (Breeder Awards Program) or HAP (Horticultural Awards Program) for auction.
💵 Bring up to 3 lots for a "Buck-a-Bag" auction; if you're planning to bid on items, please be sure to bring cash!
📣 We plan to have refreshments, a raffle will review any upcoming events or other important announcements.
The address of our Wednesday evening meeting is:
19 Mohawk Drive
Riverside, Rhode Island.
Mohawk Drive is directly off of Rt 114, the Wampanoag Trail in Riverside. Route 114 is a divided road at the entrance to Mohawk Road. If you're coming from the North, you need to go past the Club to the next turnaround (on the left just past the "Welcome to Barrington" Sign). After you turn around, Mohawk Road will be on your right a short distance past the "Anchor Bay Assisted Living" sign. There's a blue and white sign at the entry of Mohawk Road for the Riverside Sportsman’s Association. The building is at the end of the very bumpy road—low riders take care!