May 11 • Tuesday at The Ridges Sanctuary 9:30 AM – Noon. Meet at the Upper Rangelight. We will pull invasive forget-me-nots. Burgers hot off the grill afterward.

May 11, 19, 25 • Tuesdays in May  at Peninsula State Park from 1 PM – 2 PM. Call Invasive species Coordinator Paula Olig at 920.854.5976 for more information.

May 14  • Friday at Whitefish Dunes State Park 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM Meet at the Nature Center. Water, gloves and snack provided. (Volunteers receive a complimentary daily vehicle sticker)

May 21 • Friday at Whitefish Dunes State Park •  1:30 PM Meet at the Nature Center. Water, gloves and snack provided. (Volunteers receive a complimentary daily vehicle sticker)

May 22 • Saturday at Potawatomi State Park •  9 AM and 2 PM  Meet at the Picnic shelter at Parking lot 2.  Suitable tasks for everyone. Rain or shine. For information: Peter Sigmann (920) 824-5193. (Volunteers receive a complimentary daily vehicle sticker). The friends of Potawatomi State Park are attempting to remove invasive Eurasian Honeysuckle along the shoreline to allow recovery of native vegetation and restore the view of the bay.

May 25 • Tuesday at Sawyer Elementary School. From 8 AM – 10 AM. Help the second graders pull garlic mustard at Woodside Park in Sturgeon Bay.

May 25 • Tuesday at Baileys Harbor Town Hall. Presentation and field trip • 2-3 PM A Success Story: Phragmites in Moonlight Bay. Field trip to Moonlight Bay will follow presentation. Carpool to field site. Waterproof boots recommended.

May 28 • Friday at Whitefish Dunes State Park 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM Meet at the Nature Center. Water, gloves and snack provided. (Volunteers receive a complimentary daily vehicle sticker)

June 1, 15, 22, 29 • Tuesdays in June at Peninsula State Park from 1 PM – 2 PM. Call Invasive species Coordinator Paula Olig at (920) 854-5976 for more information.

June 4, 5, & 6 • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at The Rushes on Logerquist road in Jacksonport. Tackling barberry. Call Marne Kaeske for more information marne@ridgessanctuary.org or 920.839.2802.

Reminders & Notes

Log your Hours! Whether at home or out with a crew, your volunteer time controlling invasives is valuable. Please try to send these signed hard copies in to The Ridges each month. (The state requires hard copies – but we are working on an electronic version – maybe next year) The Ridges Sanctuary • PO Box 152 • Baileys Harbor WI 54202.

Landowner Visits! Staff and volunteers are available for landowner visits to provide a brief survey of vegetation and suggestions of options for noxious weed control.  Call to schedule a visit: marne@ridgessanctuary.org or 920.839.2802.

Project RED! Coming June 14. Learn to identify 15 aquatic invasive species while doing what you love – paddling! Grab your friends and paddles. Laura MacFarland of the River Alliance of Wisconsin will present on opportunistic monitoring for exotic species of concern while enjoying your local waters. Cal: 920.839.2802 or email: marne@ridgessanctuary.org.

Let’s do this together! Please let us know about interest in invasive education development, growing threats and work parties in you neighborhood!

If you wish to receive emails from The Ridges and DCIST regarding upcoming opportunities, please call The Ridges at 920.839.2802 or email carol@RidgesSanctuary.org and they will add you to the list.

Only Muzzleloaders may be used to hunt deer during the November 21 – 29, 2009 firearm season. Please see the 2009 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for muzzleloader restrictions. Each firearm must be unloaded and enclosed within a carrying case when in or on a motor vehicle or within a closed area of the park.

The goal of Peninsula’s hunt is to protect the Park’s vegetation from the effects of a sizable deer herd. Hunters’ efforts to harvest antlerless deer are an integral part of this resource management effort.

Some areas of the park are posted as closed areas (see map). Hunters may not pursue wounded deer into closed areas or drive deer from closed areas. Park employees must be informed by the hunter of the location of any wounded animal within the closed area. They may then assist the hunter in recovering the deer.

Most roads within and surrounding the Hunting Zones will be barricaded and closed to motor vehicles. Hunters shall
use parking areas as posted on the map. In no instance shall motor vehicles be operated off of paved roadways.
All rules pertaining to road hunting apply. Hunters shall use special caution and avoid hunting near roads or
trails used by non-hunters, as noted on deer hunting map.

Note: A muzzleloader is considered unloaded if the cap is removed from a cap lock muzzleloader, or the flash pan is cleaned on a flint-lock muzzleloader. The ball and powder may remain in the barrel, except that the powder and projectile must be removed from the barrel of an electronic ignition muzzleloader.

The DNR says Peninsula State Park’s cross country ski trails are in “very good to excellent condition. The sledding hill and snowmobile trails are also open.”

But, I am struggling with a different problem. Cleaning closets and getting rid of stuff is another winter time activity that sets in when you are more inclined to spend time indoors. I was making steady progress yesterday when I discovered a pair of tan corduroy knickers that instantly brought back memories of the smell of hot pine tar and wood skiis. I tried them on and they fit perfectly, like they were custom-tailored!

As I walked around and moved in them I remembered why we used to ski in knickers – for freedom of motion and flexibility. But, now there’s one missing ingredient… knickersox, ones that are made of wool and go up over and above the knees. I called Ecology Sports, thinking back to when Marty Drury and I became two of the first certified Nordic ski instructors in the Midwest, wearing knickers and training with Sven Wiik at the Wolf River Lodge.

Alicia

I talked with Alicia in Sister Bay who could remember them, but hasn’t seen a pair of above-the-knee knickersox in years.

Even Google is clueless asking me, “Did you mean: knickerbox“

Maybe ebay?

“0 results found for knicker sox”

There’s really no way I will give up on this now. You will find me searching Goodwill Stores, Bargains Unlimited, Craig’s List… I might even continue my gender-bending demands for men’s equal rights and take up that other winter sport… knitting!

Maybe a personal… “SWM looking for SWF with knitting needles, know-how and a passion for skiing, saunas, popcorn, wine and classical music.”