The ‘Calls’ that Bring the Gobbler

By ZZ Troutski

The hugely popular line of Game Sleds are synonymous with the company, Hunting’s a Drag, Inc.; however, these state-of-the-art ‘gurneys’ are not the only products this company sells. The innovative minds that created Game Sleds offered THE product that has become essential for the hunter to transport large game (400+) out of the woods on a gurney that weighs only six pounds. Not only was the first Game Sled extraordinary because it helped the hunter’s back and muscles by cutting down transportation time by hours, but it was also THE product made to help keep the habitat damage-free when hauling the animal out of the woods.

These same innovative minds also created a line of turkey calls for the avid gobbler hunter that are as state-of-the-art as the Game Sled. The masters at Hunting’s a Drag, Inc., not only provide the perfect calls, but they also take the time to explain the variety of calls that can be purchased. The hunter needs the right information in order to take that turkey from the woods to the dinner table!

There are a variety of turkey calls to sort through; from box to friction, wingbone to diaphragm, the turkey hunter should know facts ahead of time in order to select the best call for his/her needs.

For a little more information before you shop: Box calls make the sound of a gobbler by the  friction created when sliding the lid across the surface of the box. Convenient, these are the calls that experts have stated produce a higher volume than any other.

When it comes to the most commonly used call,  the friction call takes the stage because the lifelike turkey sounds are created easily. The call surfaces can come in slate, aluminum, glass or a variety of other materials.

Push-pull turkey calls create the turkey sounds by pushing or pulling a button on the end of the call. Extremely simple.

The tube call offers variety; the hunter can create almost any sound in a turkey’s vocabulary, from yelps to purrs to the well-known gobbles.

Wingbone calls were aptly named because they were once made from a turkey’s wingbones. The sounds created are forceful, exuding a hollow sounding yelp.

Diaphragm calls are definitely the most difficult, seeing as that they are inserted into the hunter’s mouth and require a great deal of practice in order to learn how to use the device right.

Each and every call requires maintenance and the correct storage to keep them ‘gobbling’ for seasons to come. And when looking to Hunting’s a Drag, Inc., the turkey calls offered are of the highest-quality and last a good, long time.

The Bloodwood Slate Call from this company dominates the turkey woods with new frequency yelps that gobblers can not seem to ignore.

The Roost’em Composites (offered in slate, aluminum or glass) are extremely affordable, and have been reviewed by industry pros as being: “The best in the country” Powerful hen clucks and yelps, as well as some of the finest feeding content purrs available are what the hunter receives.
Roost’em Glass is the top pick when it comes to glass calls. With plenty of rasp, the very stable marking on the glass is all ready and set to go as you embark on your turkey hunting journey. No deep scratching on this call, just take it out annually to clean it before heading out into the woods (Finish Options: Black Walnut, Cherry, Oak)

Purpleheart/Black Walnut Box is the deadly box call that gets it done! From high to raspy, this is the call that’s the most realistic on the market.

Creating the most essential item for hunter’s when it comes to the Game Sled as a huge feat. Now, this ever-expanding company makes sure that the avid turkey hunter is also covered!

www.GameSled.com

Source:  Sportsmans Life / Baret News Wire

The East Beach of Georgia’s Saint Simon’s Island greets the Atlantic with a 5-mile long, wide strip of clean packed sand custom made for a family stroll, or a bike excursion, or an introspective look at the evening stars. The ocean is either calm and flat, or swirling with the changes of the tides. There are shallows and sandbars, and deep blue channels.

Views of water are everywhere, ready to refresh the minds and spirits of weary travelers.

Even on holidays, the beach bustles with walkers and runners, children and adults tracing sand patterns with recumbent bikes, frisbee players and kite flyers. There is always a spot for quiet reflection. A place to watch the changing sea and sand.

The tides on Saint Simon’s Island range from 8 to 10 feet, the largest tidal range on the East Coast excluding Maine. Sandbars exposed at the lowest tide teem with sea birds, little crabs and creatures…and vacationers who frequently make their way across the small, deeper channels to land there, latter day explorers on a voyage of discovery.

Right in front of the fabled King and Prince Resort, which has elegantly stood guard over the beach for 78 years, one can see several of these new worlds. Some sandbars are bare sand; some are just barely awash with warm, ankle deep water. They enclose an inland sea of flat, sun heated water that’s just right for kayaks and the beach rented catamaran sailboats that glide almost silently by.

Farther out, too far to walk or wade, but visible from the restaurant’s tall, arched windows, small fishing boats congregate around what the local folk call “Whiting Hole,” a deep indentation in the bottom that is the seasonal home of its namesake. Whiting is a fish that’s deliciously mild and easy to prepare, but just feisty enough not to be too easy to catch on light tackle. Chances are, the pod of dolphins that work the length of East Beach will show up to observe, nature’s oversight on the circle of life that is the sea.

The sea is everywhere. After all, it’s an island. The ship channel between Saint Simon’s and historic Jekyll Island carries some of the world’s largest ships; most of America’s east coast automobiles land at Brunswick, GA. These and other enormous cargo carriers pass right by the Saint Simon’s Village pier, almost close enough to touch. As they leave, they angle slightly northward, easily viewed in their majesty from the poolside veranda of the King and Prince.

On the island’s west side there are beautiful bays and miles and miles of breathtaking marshes that are the breeding grounds for all the creatures that populate these coastal waters, including the renowned Wild Georgia Shrimp. They say these shrimp are unique in all the world because they are bred in a sea grasses that don’t exist anywhere but in the broad marshes of the Georgia coast. Try a dish of local shrimp & grits for yourself and prepare to be amazed!

Frederica River winds in from the inlet past the historic sites of Gascoigne Bluff and historic Fort Frederica into an expansive bay that was the harbor for slavers and ships of commerce since before America’s independence. There isn’t a place on the island that doesn’t somehow look to the sea. Sightseeing abounds; take a bike to the fort, to ChristChurch or to the archeological digs at FortFrederica (or a great trolley tour!). The sea, or its stories, are a constant presence.

Not far north along the beach from the King & Prince, there is a low spit of sand that extends way out into the ocean. At low tide, you can walk its length, and a moment just before the tide begins to roll back in. There’s a moment, a single, memorable snapshot in time where you’re totally surrounded by water. Where there is nothing but you and the sea and the sky and the salt-scented breeze. Where you are humbled, and small, and joyous in the realization that there is so much grace and beauty so much larger than yourself.

Find out more about the beaches and sea at Saint Simon’s Island. Go to www.kingandprince.com

Source: King and Prince / Baret News Wire

By Trish Elliott

Zach McKenna, the owner and operator of St. Augustine Ecotours.com, strives to both support and expand the natural experience of witnessing nature.

Zach grew up in the marshes of Hilton Head, South Carolina, and worked as a naturalist and guide as a young man, which fueled his passion for marine life. He graduated from Flager College in St. Augustine with a business degree and after spending some time in Colorado, put down his roots in St. Augustine in 2003, beginning his ecotourism business. Zach and his educated staff strive to create adventurous yet respectful experiences for all ages.

One of the favorite tours Zach offers is on the Bottlenose dolphin, a species about which Zach is an expert, and fights to protect.

Below are some interesting facts on the Bottlenose Dolphin:

How do dolphins sleep?

Dolphins have to be conscious to breathe . This means that they cannot go into a full deep sleep, because then they would suffocate. Dolphins have “solved” that by letting one half of their brain sleep at a time. This has been determined by doing EEG studies on dolphins. Dolphins sleep about 8 hours day in this fashion. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, usually associated with dreaming has been recorded only very rarely. Some scientists claim dolphins do not have REM sleep at all.

A dolphin’s behavior when sleeping/resting depends on the circumstances and possibly on individual preferences. They can either swim slowly and surface every now and then for a breath, rest at the surface with their blowhole exposed, or rest on the bottom (in shallow water) and rise to the surface every now and then to breathe.

How intelligent are dolphins?

The short answer is that we are not sure. There is no reliable method to measure intelligence in humans across cultures, so it is not surprising that comparing humans, dolphins, apes, dogs, etc. is very difficult Dolphins are deemed bright because they are fast learners and can generalize. They can also learn complicated, language-like commands.

How do dolphins communicate?

Dolphins communicate primarily thru a series of sounds. Their extensive repertoire not only includes whistles, but also pulsed sounds, which are often described as squawks, barks, and rasps. Dolphins also use breaching (jumping and falling back into the water with a loud splash) and pectoral fin (or flipper) and tail (or fluke) slaps (hitting the flipper or fluke on the water surface). Body posturing and jaw popping also have a role in communication.

We are not sure if dolphins have a language, but several studies have demonstrated that dolphins can understand a structured language, and they certainly communicate among themselves

How does dolphin sonar work?

Dolphins can produce high- pitched clicks. When these clicks hit an object, some of the sound will echo back to the “sender”. By listening to the echo and interpreting the time it took before the echo came back, the dolphin estimates the distance of the object.. Depending on the material of the object, part of the sound may penetrate into the object and reflect off internal structure. If the object is a fish, sound will reflect off the skin on the dolphin’s side,and off the bones, internal organs and the skin on the opposite side. One click, therefore, can result in a number of weaker echoes. This gives the dolphin information about the structure and size of the fish. By moving its head, a dolphin can also get more information on other parts of the fish.

Take Zach’s ecotour when you visit St. Augustine, and learn more fascinating facts about the dolphin, as you witness them in the wild.

Click today to make your reservation: St Augustine Eco Tours
Source: Baret News Wire

In my sub adult years, I search out great eating establishments and those who craft great beer and spirits.

Head Frame Spirits is one such place, in the historic district of Butte on Montana Ave.

One of my favorite distilled beverages is the “Orphan Girl”, it’s one of, if not the best Irish Crème we’ve tried to date. They make a drink with it called a “Dirty Girl”, which is a jigger of Orphan Girl with 6oz of root beer. This will be one of the best root beer floats you have ever drunk.

They also distill premium vodka “High Ore” and it makes one of my favorite drinks a Moscow Mule. It comes in a copper mug over the rocks. Now this drink is made with ginger beer. I high recommend using Cock and Bull for the best drink, I have tried over 8 different ginger beers.

On your next voyage across Montana take a side trip to uptown Butte to the Head Frame Spirits.

What  Last day of The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning is Sunday, June 16, 2013 

When  Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 12:15–7 p.m. Sunday.

Where   The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston The Caroline Wiess Law Building 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005

Admission  General admission to the museum provides entrance to The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning. MFAH Members receive free general admission. For the general public, general admission tickets are $13 for adults; $8 for senior adults (65 and older); $6 for students with valid ID and youth ages 6 to 18. General admission is free for everyone on Thursdays in accordance with the Free Thursday program sponsored by Shell. Audio guides are available at the rate of $3.

About the Exhibition The Cyrus Cylinder is among the most famous objects to have survived from the ancient world. The Cylinder was inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform (cuneiform is the earliest form of writing) on the orders of the Persian King Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC) after he captured Babylon in 539 BC. It is often referred to as the first bill of human rights since it appears to encourage freedom of worship throughout the Persian Empire and to allow deported people to return to their homelands. It was first found in Babylon, which is now in modern Iraq, in 1879 during a British Museum excavation, and has been on display at the British Museum ever since. The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning contains the Cylinder as well as 16 additional objects that are testimony to the innovations initiated by Persian rule in the Ancient near East (550-331 BC).

Additional Information  The exhibition debuted at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, in Washington, DC before opening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston on May 3. After the exhibition closes, the exhibition will continue the tour to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; and The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Organization  The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning is organized by the British Museum in partnership with the Iran Heritage Foundation and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, and is hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Lead underwriting is provided by:

Ansary Foundation

Additional generous support is provided by:

Morteza Baharloo

Mr. and Mrs. Alan B. Chaveleh

Farideh and Jafar Davoody

Suzanne and Ali Ebrahimi

Shoaleh and Asghar Nosrati

Sherry and Ardeshir Tajvari

CyrusOne Data Centers

John S. Beeson

Shari and Tofigh Shirazi

Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH)

Afsaneh and Mostafa Alavi

Jennifer and Matt Esfahani

Iranian Cultural Foundation-Houston (ICF)

Manigeh and Yousef Panahpour

Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA)

Mona and Shahin Shadfar

Sima and Mehdi Sharifian

The Society of Iranian-American Women for Education (SIAWE)

Media Contacts The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Mary Haus, Marketing and Communications Director, mhaus@mfah.org

Amy Lowman, Publicist, alowman@mfah.org

713.639.7554

Image Credit  Achaemenid, Cyrus Cylinder, 539–538 BC, clay, British Museum. © Trustees of the British Museum

An Innovative Line that Outdoes the Competition

When it comes to mosquito and pest repellents the list of manufacturers and products is long. However, when it comes to their ability to actually repel mosquitoes, it’s almost impossible to find a repellent that lives up to its claims. In addition, a majority of repellents are sticky lotions, have extremely heavy scents, or come in the form of aerosol sprays that literally kill the atmosphere around you. However, there is one company that has changed all that.

Perhaps you’re the family sitting on the patio, deck, boat, or campsite hoping to eat and relax without having to constantly deal with flies and pests. Or, perhaps you are the hunter who truly needs insect repellent that not only works, but is also virtually odorless so the game being pursued will not be forewarned, get spooked and simply race away.

No matter who you are or what your needs may be, when looking for a mosquito repellent that actually works, the ThermaCELL line of products are scientifically researched, proven and definitely work.

Protecting a 15 x 15 foot area, ThermaCELL needs no candle or open flame to work. Simple, silent and easy-to-use, ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent products are created with no smelly lotions, oils or sprays. Compact and portable, these products do not need to be applied to the skin and are completely safe for both humans and animals. Best part? They work!

EPA registered, ThermaCELL products are utilized by the military because of their ability to outdo all the other products in the marketplace. They offer extreme benefits to a family backyard, a military bunker, a campsite in the woods, or for that avid hunter. Because of the fact that ThermaCELL offers a built-in hunting cover scent, it is literally the best way to keep small, biting prey away so you can concentrate on bringing down the big game.

The repellent is the key factor when it comes to the outstanding ability of ThermaCELL, seeing as that it’s a copy of the natural repellent created by chrysanthemum flowers.

Powered by a single butane cartridge that provides the cordless, portable heat activating the ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Lanterns and Appliances, the innovative design allows a small mat that’s saturated with repellent to be heated. Vaporized by the heat created, the repellent rises in the air and makes those mosquitoes and black flies head far away. Within minutes after turning on the Lantern/Appliance, the repellent creates that 15 x 15 foot area of pure bliss, allowing the individual to have a relaxing, entertaining evening instead of having to run indoors to get away from the bothersome pests.

Moneysaving and easy-to-use, all ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent products utilize the same refills, which contain both repellent mats and butane cartridges.

When it comes to proof, seeing as that some repellents on the market have not lived up to their claims, people should know that scientific testing has been done on the ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent unit for effectiveness against mosquitoes and other biting insects. The results were beyond impressive, as ThermaCELL products were found to be extremely effective at protecting people from mosquitoes, sand flies and more.

It will take only minutes for the consumer to see that ThermaCELL lives up to its clams and fantastic reputation by offering not only ‘good’ protection but maximum protection. Certified wildlife biologists can also attest to the fact that this is THE mosquito repellent for the hunter; the best of the best, with product reviews being found on some of the biggest outdoor sites, such as Cabela’s and Bass Pro.

“The ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellents line hits on all cylinders and provides a variety of products, including a handheld devices and lanterns that provide light, and are an absolute necessity when heading into the great outdoors.”

Any outdoor activity can now be fun and worry-free. From fishing to camping to hunting to backyard activities, ThermaCELL has finally proven there is a way to repel pests and enjoy life! 

www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent

The movie series begins this Tuesday, June 11th, with the showing of “The Philadelphia Story” (1940), starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart. 

Movie Summary: When a rich woman’s ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.

Prior to the movie, Lillie’s Café will serve coffee in the venue concession area. The doors to the concert hall will open at 6:30 pm.

The movie will start at 7:30 pm and a $5 admission fee will be collected at the door. Any dollar contributed over the requested $5 will be matched by an anonymous donor to WJCT and will be used to support 89.9 WJCT.

Movies in the series will include:

“The Philadelphia Story” – June 11

“Play It Again, Sam” – June 18

“Rear Window”—June 25

“The Big Lebowski”—July 2

Media contact:  Natacha McLeod, Marketing and Community Relations Manager, nmcleod@sjcfl.us, (904) 209-3751

These workshops are designed by the Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants, presented by the Garden Circles, and sponsored by the Garden Club of St. Augustine and each library’s Friends of the Library organization.

Proclamation delivered by the Mayor’s office during MFAH program with therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer and MFAH director Gary Tinterow

HOUSTON—June 5, 2013—Last night, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) welcomed the reading of a proclamation from Mayor Annise Parker’s office that declared June 4 as “Dr. Ruth Westheimer Day” in Houston and renamed for the day Farm to Market Road 1093 “Westheimer,” after the internationally known authority on human sociology and sexuality. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, author of the book The Art of Arousal: A Celebration of Erotic Art throughout History, was on stage Tuesday evening in the Museum’s Brown Auditorium with MFAH director Gary Tinterow for Conversations with the Director, a new public program at the MFAH that brings an eclectic mix of cultural figures to the Museum. June 4 was Dr. Ruth’s 85th birthday.

Presented by City Council Member Melissa Noriega, an excerpt from Mayor Parker’s statement reads, “Her writings, lectures and quick wittedness have informed and inspired several generations. Her boldness on topics once considered taboo have helped advance attitudes about sexuality, health and relationships. Dr. Westheimer’s great sense of humor helps us all believe that life should be exciting and as fun as we make it.”

Following the program, Dr. Ruth joined guests at a reception where she received a birthday cake and signed books.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Ruth’s 85th birthday and commemorate her achievements,” said Gary Tinterow, MFAH director. “As a longtime friend and colleague, I am pleased to welcome her to Houston from New York. Her appearance at the Museum and the mayor’s proclamation was a delight for all.”

About Conversations with the Director

On April 23, the Conversations with the Director series launched with a conversation between MFAH director Gary Tinterow and artist Jeff Koons. Additional guests for the series will be announced later in the year. The series is presented by Louis Vuitton.

About Louis Vuitton

Conversations with the Director is presented by Louis Vuitton. A symbol of elegance and style throughout the world, Louis Vuitton has cultivated a close relationship with the world of art since its founding in 1854. Consistent with the creativity and craftsmanship that have inspired the brand, Louis Vuitton is dedicated to sharing its creative passion in each community it serves.

Media Contacts

MFAH Communications Department

Mary Haus, Amy Lowman and Vanessa Ramirez-Sparrow

vramirez-sparrow@mfah.org / 713.639.7554