Sunday, March 23, 1997

Bobwhite Brigade is way to deal with summer blues

iSpring is here, so summer can't be far away. Nothing to do this summer? Merkel High student Diana Rogge says there's always plenty to do at the Bobwhite Brigade camp. Here's her account.

The dog days of summer are coming soon and with them comes the boredom of nothing to do.

Bobwhite Brigade offers the perfect opportunity to brighten your life and get out of the house and away from your parents - and to meet some really fine guys and girls.

The Brigade is five fun-filled days of wildlife activities and learning.

And when I say filled, I mean filled. (You "might" get a total of 15 hours of sleep the whole week!).

Your first mission is a necropsy on your own quail.

Plant identification, radio telemetry, leadership training, quail embryology, ranch planning, crop analysis, shot gunning, a bird walk, habitat management and other techniques are just a few of the many projects you will complete during the week.

In between each project, you will have the opportunity to play quail trivia, learn wildlife art, take many great pictures - and enjoy a dip in the exquisite river at the Hendrick Ranch.

All week long, you and your "covey" - a group of six people - will compete against other coveys and also individually.

At the end of the week, prizes are awarded to everyone, including an entire wall full of door prizes. The covey with the most points gets first pick.

The camp is for anyone interested in wildlife in general, wildlife art, photography, leadership, or for those who simply have a love of the great outdoors.

The camp offers six scholarships to returing cadets who serve as assistant covey leaders: four scholarships of $500; one of $750; and one $1,000 scholarship. The scholarships are based on points earned throughout the year.

To be eligible for camp, you must be at least a sophomore in high school, and fill out an application. I will be glad to help anyone wanting more information or who would like to fill out an application.

Footnote: Diana Rogge can be reached through calling the Taylor County Extension Office at the Old Courthouse at (915) 674-1321.

Gardening in the Big Country

The Big Country Master Gardener Class has recently published a book entitled Gardening in the Big Country.

This 97-page horticultural reference book covers topics such as general gardening, "how to" tips, general pest and disease information - which includes organic pest control. Of special interest is a section on specific questions and answers from telephone logs at the Taylor County Extension Office.

Copies are for sale at the Taylor County Extension Office on the third floor of the Old County Courthouse in Abilene for $10, with all proceeds going to the Big Country Master Gardeners Association.

Gov. Bush honors Cattle Raisers

Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Fort Worth mayor Kenneth Barr have honored the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for its 120 years of service to the cattle industry.

"TSCRA gained worldwide respect through the vigilance of its inspectors who remain the backbone of TSCRA," Bush said in an official referendum.

Meanwhile, Barr proclaimed March 24 as Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers 120th Anniversary Day in the City of Fort Worth.

Wishing Watt a speedy recovery

Speaking of ranchers - cattlemen from Montana to Texas got a big scare when they heard that Albany rancher Watt Matthews was a passenger in a one-vehicle rollover on the historic ranch Thursday morning.

Barbara Ledbetter was taking Mr. Matthews to an Abilene appointment with an eye doctor when the accident occurred on the eastern edge of the Lambshead Ranch.

The 98-year-old rancher is to be honored as one of the first 13 to get a start on the "Trail of Fame" in Fort Worth in May. And the Fort Griffin Fandangle is drawing near. So Watt has plenty of things to do - and we all wish him a speedy recovery, plenty of wildflowers, ample rain and sunny days.