 Prairie Folklore
Wayne Pauly
Sharing Stories
I love it when these articles stimulate someone to share a reminiscence. Recently, a fellow shared the fun he and his brother had with squirt guns made from either angelica or cow parsnip. He explained that the large stalks are chambered like bamboo, so he and his brother took two foot sections, poked a hole in the membrane at one end, filled it with water from the cattle trough, and squirted it with a plunger made from a stick wrapped with a bit of fabric. From opposite sides of the cattle trough, they battled with their limited-range squirt guns until both were soaked and probably weak with laughter.
Another man remembered using walnuts to capture earth worms. They’d lay an old window screen on the lawn, cover it with walnut hulls, pour a couple buckets of water over the hulls, and when they lifted the screen the worms were popping out and wiggling on the grass. Worms must really hate the taste of walnut hulls.
Acquisitions & Property Management News
Doug Haag
Several important legislative issues will play out at the state and federal levels this year that could impact Dane County’s ability to develop public outdoor recreational opportunities and preserve natural and cultural resources. At the federal level there is strong interest in reviving the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The source of revenues for this program is off-shore oil and gas leases that bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the federal government each year. The premise for the creation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund was that the depletion of one natural resource would support the preservation of others. Few of us even know of the existence of this program; however it has been the primary federal funding vehicle for parks, outdoor recreation and natural resource preservation since approximately 1966. Historically the Land and Water Conservation Fund provided financial assistance to state and local governments in the form of 50% matching grants. Total funding to Wisconsin from the program exceeds 60 million dollars. However, during the 90’s state and local governments have received little or no funding from this program. Now, as the federal government begins work on its year 2000 fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 1999, there appears to be strong support for renewing funding for state and local governments.
At the state level, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is up for renewal and Governor Thompson has been working on a budget initiative to continue and to expand this important program. Recently a task force appointed by the Governor provided its recommendations for the new program and the Governor has followed with his budget directives. Now funding for the program will play out at the legislative level as elected officials work on the difficult task of creating and approving a budget bill that will guide the state’s spending during the next fiscal year and beyond.
Any of us can become involved in these issues by expressing our opinions (whatever they may be) to our elected officials.
A WORD FROM THE PARKS DIRECTOR
Ken LePine
We lost a friend recently with the passing of Russell McCarthy. In 1974 Russell, a former County Board supervisor, farmer and lifelong resident of Dane County and his first wife Ella, who preceded him in death, donated 180 acres of land to Dane County for McCarthy Youth Conservation Park. Their long standing support and involvement with youth through the 4-H programs inspired the donation. The McCarthys had life estate for certain uses of the property; this is one of the reasons the park has not yet been developed. A few years ago Russ and his wife Tess McCarthy deeded over the remaining rights to the property. This action has allowed the County to begin budgeting for the implementation of a master development plan for the park. Russ and Tess participated in the master planning effort in 1994. The plan has been approved by the Dane County Park Commission and was made possible through a donation from the Glacial Drumlin Horse Trail Association and work donated by Schrieber/Anderson Landscape Architects and Associates.
It is my hope that a coalition of youth organizations can be formed into a Friends group that will adopt the park and assist the County with implementing the park plan. Louise Goldstein will be working on this effort. Some basic facilities such as parking and an access road would be established within the next few years. There is presently a land rental agreement through the fall of 1999. If you are interested in helping form a youth group coalition or Friends organization please contact Louise or myself. There may also be some tree planting and other projects that could begin as early as the fall of 1999. It is the generosity of people like the McCarthys that has built a strong foundation for Dane County Parks. I’d like to thank Tess and others who have recently made donations in Russell’s memory toward development of the park. We appreciate your help.
Take A Stake In The Lakes 1999
June 12: Lakes Monona and Waubesa, 9:00-1:00. Visit us at the MSCR Outdoor Recreation Fair at Olbrich Park on Atwood Ave.
June 19: Lakes Mendota and Kegonsa, 9:00-1:00. You’ll find us at the Jazz in the Park Lake Wingra Cleanup at Knickerbocker Park off Monroe St.
Take a Stake in the Lakes is the annual lakes cleanup, sponsored by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, that promotes awareness of the public’s role in the health of the Yahara lakes. It is a great way for neighborhood associations, professional associations, recreational and environmental groups and others to take your stake in the lakes that make Madison and Dane County such a special place. How can you participate?
- “Adopt” a shoreline, beach or boat launch area to clean up.
- Be a sponsor and donate prizes, equipment, cash or services.
- Publicize the event in your organization newsletter.
For information about Take a Stake in the Lakes, contact Louise Goldstein at 246-5366. |
NEWS & NOTES
- Winners of the Dane County Parks door prizes at the Garden Expo are Phil & Lisa Otis of Madison (pet permit), Bonnie Norman of Madison (trail pass) and Michelle Root of Lake Mills (native wildflower seeds).
- Wayne Pauly recommends “Managing Habitat for Grassland Birds, a Guide for Wisconsin,” by David W. Sample and Michael J. Mossman. The spiral-bound book, published by the DNR in 1997, is a concise, well laid-out “how-to” with beautiful drawings and informative photos.
- Old Halfway Prairie schoolhouse opens from 1:00-4:30 on Sundays beginning Memorial weekend. The schoolhouse is on Hwy 19 at the intersection with Hwy F, near Mazomanie.
|
|
