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Let's make up for last year's weather and support this beautiful project
Our October meeting will be a workshop to make the decorations for our
Hospice Tree. Bobbie Ready and Lois Jean O'Keefe are our chairpersons.
ANN HITCH
OCEAN BEACH PATROL
I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all of the volun
teers that assisted this past summer in displaying the safety equipment,
cleaning walkways, refuse collection and all the other efforts that helped
make our "sittum" an enjoyable place to visit. Our helpful volunteers in
cluded Art Miller, Bill VonThaden, Bob Ruggiero, Ken Brendstrup, Paul Troup,
Frank Herbst, John Hobart, Dick Wiker, Bill Mann, Bob Erath, Ken Doremus,
Jack Millis, George Balog, John Paulson and Charles Romine.
From our many town residents and guests who use our beaches, thanks for
your efforts.
Anyone interested in participating in the Beach Patrol Program for next
summer, please contact Bob Ruggiero 247-7208.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
After enduring another season of battling the ever present pesky mos
quito, one of our residents, Charles Romine, forwarded an interesting article
that addressed an alternative method of mosquito control that could be added
to the town mosquito spraying program.
The Gambusia Minnow or mosquitofish is the most widely used fish in the
world for mosquito control. These fish have been known to consume over 200
mosquito larvae an hour. They also feed on a variety of prey ranging from
aquatic insects to plankton and algae. These versatile fish could be stocked
in the many ponds in the area that are breeding places for mosquitoes. Any
program that controls the area mosquito population should be considered so
that our residents might enjoy outdoor activities without the nuisance of
numerous mosquito bites.
OWLS' PATIENT OF THE MONTH: MINK
The Tamberellis [former PKS residents and OWLS volunteers] were spending
a few days near Beaufort on their boat, and called to say they had rescued
a baby otter. It was swimming feebly in the Intracoastal Waterway, so
exhausted that when Mary put out a net, it swam right into it and hung on
for dear life. Upon its arrival at the shelter, we took one look and realized
it was a baby mink — the white patch on the chin is a dead giveaway! Her
natural curiosity and playfulness had probably gotten her lost - too far out
to find her family. She was exhausted and very hungry, but otherwise
healthy. We held her overnight and let her eat her fill of mice.
Minks den along rivers and bays, digging burrows in the banks. If we
could find some tell-tale holes along the shore, we stood a good chance of
returning the young mink to her mother. Using a volunteer's small boat, we
slowly cruised along for an hour or so.. and then had a stroke of incredible
luc k. There, playing close to shore, was an adult female and two young! !
Could it be?? Moving quietly, we released "our" baby over the side. She swam
straight to the others and began to nuzzle her mom. With a good warm feeling
inside, we left...having noticed that the minks' coats looked far better on
them than on people! !
OWL'S yard sale is Saturday, November 3 at Morehead Plaza [the old
Sports Corner building]. To donate items, call Patsy Canfield - 247-4835.