By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current
Geneseo Ike’s Youth Fishing Derby
This big and very popular event will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The hours are from 8 a.m. to Noon. It is all free including lunch. Glen Anderson, “Birdman of Henry County,” and Lorna Dauw will do the registration that begins at 7:30 a.m. Kids from ages 2 to 16 are eligible. There will be a lot of neat prizes. It all takes place at the Ikes Park, 1 mile north of Geneseo. Look for signs. Free bait and if you need a fishing pole, it will be provided free.
Look, but don’t touch
Unfortunately, the other day I was mowing our lawn and I ran over a rabbit’s nest. With all the woods and cover by our house, “Mom Rabbit” has to build her birthing place in a wide-open space.
It reminds me, if you find a nest with babies inside, it’s okay to look,but leave them alone. I have read two different things on touching baby rabbits or some other wild youngsters. I was always the understanding that the mother will reject her babies if she detects human scent.
I read the other day that is not true and that mom rabbit will not reject her young if she smells human scent. Whatever, I think it’s best to take a quick look, but leave them alone.
Humor
Ask not what your country can do for you, but how close the restrooms are located.
Among Hollywood celebrities, a marriage is considered a success if it makes it through the commercial.
This fits for today. “Have you heard about the new Politician’s Diet? You only eat your words.”
Color of Eyes
Rock bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass have red eyes, but some others have brown. It’s like us humans, having blue, green, or brown eyes. Some think the red pigment helps the fish see better in the dark.
Friend Tony Petreikis, retired game warden, does fish taxidermy as a hobby. Over the years, he has noticed differences in fish eyes. In a taxidermy supply catalog it always gives “suggested” eye sizes for a fish form. When doing “Illinois” fish, the eyes size is typically “right on.”
However, when doing Canadian fish, he found the eyes are always too small. He believes this is because fish eyes never quit growing. It takes a Canadian walleye more years to reach ten pounds. He believes their eyes are bigger than a ten pound “Illinois” walleye.
It is just a theory, but interesting. It may be one way to identify fish that have “stunned growth,” big eyes on a smaller fish.
Armored Tank of the Animal World
Our son, Lance, lives in St. Louis and occasionally he sees an armadillo He thinks more of these “armored creatures” are moving into Missouri. The nine-banded armadillo almost always gives birth to four babies, no more, no less! The babies are either all males or all females.
Speaking of the Olympics
Well, sort of. What was the first American city to host the Summer Olympic Games? Nope, ‘yer wrong! It was St. Louis.
Mask Banded
We are not big fans of raccoons as they make messes on our decks and with some success, get at our bird feeders. They do what they have to do and they were here long before we came on heir turf, but we still find them annoying.
Last night it really did a number on our oriole feeder. Geeez, do I have to move it so high not even we can reach it???
Memorial Day
It originated during the Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. It used to be called,
Decoration Day. It became a national holiday in 1971. Through the years a lot of men and women gave their lives for old Glory. For those who set fire to our flag in protest, well, they should be so lucky they live under democracy.
God bless those souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Quote of the Week
“Bullies are always to be found where there are cowards.”
Mahatma Gandhi