Sunday, January 24, 2010

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILDLIFE SIDE






Fellow Villagers:

Somebody go run and fetch us a big, ten-gallon,
white hat for Mr. Charles McDaniel and a sporty, more fashionable one for his beautiful wife Lana! Outstanding host and hostess for the Wildlife Conservation Committee of the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting, "Partners, Parcels and Persistence: Keys in Restoring Quail Habitat" on Saturday at their ranch, High Meadows, in Chappell Hill, a place that can only be described as heavenly.

Nice, large turn out, close to 100 good folks with one goal in mind, to regenerate the wildlife in Washington County, particulary the the Bobwhite quail. The Committee was formed to promote responsible land stewardship with regard to complimentary agricultural and conservation practices. A core Committee goal is the retention and reintroduction of native wildlife species including Bobwhite Quail, the Eastern Turkey and species of migratory waterfowl. The Committee hopes to bring together like minded people in a collaborative effort. This seminar was one of a series of seminars that will be hosted by the Committee during 2010. Attendees were asked at registration to express their interest in a number of potential seminar topics and the Committee is very pleased to see that there indeed is interest in a number of the Committee's proposed topics for 2010. The next Committee meeting will be held on February 16th at 6:30 PM at the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

The guest speakers did a fine job in their presentations, which included dissecting previously frozen quail with latex gloves and surgical scissors. Special mention to Dr. James C. Cathay, Biologist, Texas A&M, "Quail Biology & Management", Mr. Larry Pierce, Washington County Extension Agent, "Understanding Quail Inside and Out Necropsy,Mrs. Stephanie Damron, Texas Parks & Wildlife, "Working With Neighbors and Wildlife Associations".I admit I had to skip the necropsy part. Just bring me mine cooked, on a plate, with green beans and mashed potatoes and a large tea. I really don't need quite that level of intimate knowledge of a quail but there were plenty in the crowd who participated in the experience and now I know who to call if I ever need a quail cleaned and who not to give a pair of scissors to. For a brief moment, the place looked like a triage unit, each with their dead quail and scissoring away. In the corner, there was a cage with several live quail...they seemed kinda nervous.

Special thanks to Johnny and Carolyn Kopycinski, David and Geneva Smith, Chappell Hill Bank, Becky and Rodney Hanath, Lana and Charlie McDaniel, Barbara and Howard Schultz, Tom and Dixie Stevens and the Washington County Wildlife Association for their generous donations and sponsorship and all the volunteers for such a well organized, educational event. The Committee's one regret was the inability to trap a wild hog for "Chef Donna" to prepare for the seminar lunch. That shortcoming has been promised to be rectified for the next event! Long as we don't have to skin it!

Also a big thank-ya to Mr. David Chisholm of Rocking C Ranches for providing his out-of this-world, all natural beef from choice cuts of Black Angus; no hormones, no antibiotics, 100% native grass fed. As a former cheeseburger aficionado, I can tell you there IS a difference! Fast food burgers rapidly evaporated from my memory after one bite of Mr. Chisholms's all natural hamburger meat. What was I ever thinking, let alone putting in my body, from those drive-thru joints? Mr. Chisholm is readily available at www.RockingCRanches.com. Our own beloved Bever's Kitchenfeatures his top quality beef as well as other dining establishments. Our dear friend Alejandra Ray, head Chef and Owner of Bever's Kitchen, swears by Mr. Chisholm's beef and it is now featured in all her beef dishes. At the risk of dating myself, a while back there was a TV commercial featuring a cranky grandma complaining about a burger chain and her quote was "Where's the Beef"?

Well, to old granny and to everyone else, I can tell you exactlly where the beef is: David Chisholm's 100% natural black angus choice cuts, double ground. I urge you to contact him and place your order. Once you taste it, you will never think about beef the same way. In an attempt to lower cholesterol, my Dr. said, "Lay off the cheeseburgers!" But this beef has about as much cholesterol as chicken! I could even have one for breakfast, but I guess that's overboard.

It is so heartening to see neighbors and friends in a collective effort, and this is a really good one. That's one the best things about living in our Beautiful Village. We really can pull together for a good cause and I, for one, treasure the friends and neighbors I have out here. I strongly urge you to support this effort. You'll make some great friends and you won't be be disappointed.

Once again, big thanks to the McDaniels and the committee members and all the volunteers for a great event.

Oh, and by the way, that spectacular German Shepherd puppy at the McDaniel's....If her precious self should turn up missing; "I swear it wasn't me (bark, bark), "What dog?, Hush, puppy...(bark, bark).."oh, no, that's my parrot, he mimics German Shepherds. I'll sure keep an eye out for her, (wink, wink)". I guess I'll have to make do with the Glamour Shot I took of her! Just beautiful!

Thanks again to all involved.

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4 comments:

  1. Dear Mayor, I do not live in your village, but I stay at Lillian Farms every chance I get. I love your area and look forward to returning soon. I live in Jewett, Texas.

    Barbara

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  2. Hi Babs!
    Consider yourself right at home here, pull up a chair, pour some tea and we'll sit around and tell tall tales and laugh a bunch! The Villagers are good at such things.
    See you soon.
    D'Mayor

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  3. Well, I just stumbled on you. This is great..
    I grew up in Houston.. Where is Chappell Hill?? I know Chappll Hill in North Carolina. Have to say that is a funny Pig. Lived for 30 years in miami Beach, now coast of Maine. Nice Post..
    yvonne

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  4. COM' ON IN! CHAPPELL HILL, TX IS HALF-WAY BETWEEN HOUSTON AND AUSTIN OFF HWY 290. COME JOIN US AT OUR BLUEBONNET FESTIVAL IN A COUPLE WEEKS..GREAT FUN, FAMILY FRIENDLY, HOMEMADE LEMONADE AND THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DPT PUTS ON A GREAT SPREAD OF BBQ, BURGERS AND HOT-DOGS, COLE SLAW,PICKLES AND ALL THE FIXIN'S. GOOD MUSIC AND LOTS OF ARTISANS, FROM BLOWN GLASS TO HAND TURNED NATURAL WOOD BOWLS. YOU'LL HAVW A GREAT TIME AND WON'T WANT TO LEAVE! YOU WILL FEEL CHARMED.
    D'MAYOR

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