The scent of spring

Staff writer

As sure a sign of spring as any, skunks - and their odor - will become more prevalent across Northeast Michigan as the days warm and spring nears.

One of the surest signs of spring comes by way of your nose when it picks up the un-mistakable odor of  ‘Eau de Skunk”. Yup, it is at that moment that you know for certain that spring is just around the corner. The little black and white woods kitty is out and about searching for early insects and rodents.

Usually one smells the presence of the skunk long before they ever actually see the critter. For that matter, it’s quite rare to encounter one. More likely your family dog will come home and let you know in no uncertain terms that it’s that time of year. There are five different species of skunks in North America, (all members of the Mepitidae family), with the Stripped Skunk being the most wide-spread. Additional representatives of the skunk relations also occur through out Central America and well into South America. Close relatives known as stink badgers reside in several of the Pacific Islands like Palawan, Java and Borneo. Over the years skunks have been called many names – civet cats, pole cats and black martins just to name a few. The original English name came from the Algonquian Indians who named the little animal seganku, or one who squirts.

Skunks are adaptable as to where they take up residence; they find comfort in everything from scrub land, near streams in woodlands and even under houses and in culverts in residential neighborhoods. Skunks breed from September through April with up to 10 young being born in May or June. Gestation averages from 60 to 75 days. Depending on the land a skunk may need from under 20 acres to over 200 acres to meet its needs.

River-in-a-box teaching tool aids Huron Pines

Anyone who lives here is familiar with Michigan’s unique water ways and the ecosystems they connect with. Since 1973, Huron Pines has been a leader in protecting the lands and waterways in Northeast Michigan.

Huron Pines is a non-profit corporation working to protect those lands and watersheds in eleven counties in Northeastern Michigan. The conservation-minded organization works primarily through partnerships with political and private agencies that are stakeholders in the 6,700-square-mile area. Last fall we told you about the Woody Debris river stabilization program that Huron Pines uses periodically to stabilize river banks and improve fish habitat in the AuSable River and Manistee river basins. The activity is pretty hard to miss if you’re in the area. Whole trees, roots and all will be seen floating through the skies beneath a very large helicopter. These trees are placed at strategic positions throughout the river systems to control erosion and create fish habitat from natural vegetation much as happened by natural processes before man came on the scene.

One of Huron Pines’ most effective tools is education. To that end the organization is an active participant in numerous outdoor shows around Michigan, offering in-school presentations and workshops that are open to the general public. Last autumn, Huron Pines Restoration Project Manager Patrick Ertel attended a Streams Restoration Workshop in Columbus, Ohio where he discovered a portable river system model that simulates river processes such as erosion, flooding, meandering and other characteristics, all in compressed time.

You are about to commit a distraction infraction

Commentary

BY JULIUS MULLER
Staff writer

From the Iosco County News Herald this week: “East Tawas passes ‘distracted driving’ ordinance.”

The short version of the article: If you commit a moving violation and it is determined that you did so while being distracted, you face additional charges and fines. “Distracted” in this case is a euphemism. What it means is that the cops decide whether or not your coffee drinking ritual caused you to roll a stop sign.

Could the “Powers That Be” pile any more crap on top of the misery that is life at the moment? Seriously, as depression follows its usual chain of events, the last thing you need when you’re pulled over or involved in a fender bender is an additional fine on top of your deductible and ticket.

Kirtland fans to vote on top 10 Firebird names

ROSCOMMON – And then there were just 10. That’s the number of suggested names still in the running in Kirtland Community College’s “Name The New Firebird” contest, as college officials look to find a name for the college’s new athletic logo/mascot.

From Jan. 15 to March 1, the college’s Marketing Department and Logo Committee received more than 130 suggested names through its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kirtlandcc as part of the ongoing contest.

“We had a group of seven judges whittle down the names to this top 10, which will advance and be listed in a poll on the college’s Facebook page,” said Dennis Mansfield, director of public relations at Kirtland. “It was a fun process to be a part of and to see what names made the cut.

“But the final name, the winning suggestion, will be decided by our fans, as it should be,” he added. “We look forward to their decision and hope as many people as possible take part in making history here at Kirtland.”

The college’s Facebook fans will be able to vote in the “Name The New Firebird” poll starting 8 a.m. on Monday, March 8, to determine the final winner of then contest. Voting will end at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 12.

Winter Wonderland 2010 Photography Contest

 from Info Northeast and Nordic Sports of East Tawas

 Click the image for more contest and prize details.

Click read more for the contest rules.