Champs and leaders share the points in stunner at Mosset Park

A stunning game at Mosset Park saw the champions share the points with the side that is currently posting the greatest threat to their crown.

Forres Mechanics twice came back from a goal down, showing once again just why this team have been so difficult to overcome on their own patch.

Buckie on the other hand put in a much-improved display and that alone will provide some encouragement for their supporters.

It was the home side who produced the early opportunities with Graeme Fraser getting to the ball at the back post and setting up brother Lee Fraser only for his header to fly over the bar.

Eight minutes into the game and Neil Whyte burst free in the area but his shot was well saved, with Mechanics coming close from the resulting corner when Nathan Sharp sent another header just over.

It was not all one-way traffic, however, with Davidson seeing a great effort blocked by Whyte before goalkeeper Knight smothered the loose ball. Duguid sent another effort over the bar for Mechanics, but it was the visitors who minutes later would break the deadlock.

Buckie broke quickly after winning the ball at a Forres thrown-in, catching the home defence napping Davidson drove down the flank before cutting the ball to Paul Napier who found the back of the net.

Right on half time the Jags might have doubled their advantage, Napier cutting in from the right flank before striking a great shot that came crashing back off the bar.

Early in the second half Buckie had another chance to extend their lead, Angus sending a shot inches wide. It was from the resulting goal-kick that the home side fashioned their equaliser, a route-one ball finding Neil Whyte who reacted quicker than the Buckie defence, sending an inch-perfect pass to Lee Fraser who delivered a shot from six yards into the net.

The game was end to end but it was Buckie yet again who prevailed and moved back into the lead with just over an hour gone. Zander Sutherland created the opening with a great cross to the back post where Craig MacMillan was judged to have been pushed by Sharp. The penalty was awarded and MacMillan himself drove the ball home from the spot.

This time the advantage would only last three minutes when Grant picking up the scraps from a corner on the halfway line and his delivery was clipped into the area by Duguid. Once again it was Lee Fraser who reacted faster than the Jags defence, beating Kevin Main from eight yards to level the match up again.

More chances arrived for both sides in the close 20 minutes plus a further five added time, but the most notable events were injuries to Buckie goalkeeper Kevin Main followed by extensive treatment being required to Darren Strong.

Source http://local.stv.tv/forres/sport/27372-champs-and-leaders-provide-a-stunner-to-share-the-points/

A good Friday in five different ways for Thistle

IT was all about the numbers at Firhill last night as Partick Thistle and Morton took a possible step into the future.

The success or failure of Friday night football will depend on the size of crowds that can be attracted and while the result of this match will be of paramount importance to the teams and their managers, the 3380 attendance figure will be the one that matters most for the Scottish Football League. The proximity of Greenock to Glasgow’s West End made the first division fixture between these two the ideal guinea pig for the unusual encounter.

Source http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/more-scottish-football/a-good-friday-in-five-different-ways-for-thistle-1.1127013

Openings in kids camps, programs at Ridges

Do you know a child who loves outdoor adventures? If so, there's still time to sign them up for one of the summer children's programs offered at The Ridges Sanctuary, near Baileys Harbor. There are still lots of openings in programs each week through mid-August.

When kids attend Ridges programs, they experience firsthand one of the most unique natural areas in Door County. Children can search for dragonfly larvae in a sedge meadow, examine animal tracks along the beach and learn about the appetites of insect-eating pitcher plants and sundews. They might become an animal in an active game of "predators and prey," build a tree model or even dress up as a bat. All programs are conducted by professional staff and volunteers from The Ridges.

The following camp sessions are scheduled:

» Foxes: for children entering grades 1-2; 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday; $20 per session for Ridges members, $25 nonmembers.

» Explorers: for children entering grades 3-6, 9 a.m. to noon July 27; $20 per session for Ridges members, $25 nonmembers.

» Camp Taiga I: for children entering grades 1-2; 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 through 4. Theme for this three-day program is "Home is a Habitat." $60 per session for Ridges members, $70 nonmembers.

» Camp Taiga II: for children entering grades 3-6; 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 9 through 11. Theme for this three-day program is "We Need Each Other." $60 per session for Ridges members, $70 nonmembers.

Registration is required for all Ridges youth programs. For more information or to register for a camp session, call The Ridges; information is also available on our website.

From the endangered Hines Emerald dragonfly to the rare ram's-head lady slipper orchid, the Ridges Sanctuary provides refuge for some of Door County's rarest treasures. Over five miles of trails are open year-round for self-guided hiking, and naturalist-guided hikes are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays. The Nature Store, featuring nature-related books, puppets, T-shirts and gift items, is open daily through mid-October.

The Ridges is at 8288 County Q, just east of Wisconsin 57, Baileys Harbor. For more information, call (920) 839-2802 or visit www.ridgessanctuary.org.

Source http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110720/ADV05/107200636/Openings-kids-camps-programs-Ridges

Ridges Sanctuary: Get up close with nature in family 'Discovery Night'

Have you ever been inside a giant soap bubble? Would you like to examine pond creatures under a microscope, or blow bubbles like a spittlebug?

Parents and kids can do all these things and more during Thursday's "Nature Discovery Night," sponsored by The Ridges Sanctuary. This program includes hands-on nature investigations and experiments for the entire family.

Nature Discovery Night is an opportunity for parents (or grandparents) and children to investigate and learn about nature. Some of the activities planned include pond critter identification, giant bubble blowing, fish printing, wildlife track stories, getting to know antlions and monarch caterpillars and simple nature crafts and snacks.

It will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 County F. This program is free, but donations are accepted.

From the endangered Hines emerald dragonfly to the rare ram's-head lady slipper orchid, the Ridges Sanctuary provides refuge for some of Door County's rarest treasures. More than five miles of trails are open year-round for self-guided hiking, and naturalist-guided hikes are offered at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. Saturdays. The Nature Store, featuring nature-related books, puppets, T-shirts and gift items, is open daily through mid-October.

The Ridges is located at 8288 County Q, just east of Wisconsin 57, Baileys Harbor. For more information, call (920) 839-2802 or visit www.ridgessanctuary.org.
July 2

» 6:30 a.m. — Discovery Bird Hike: Birders ranging from beginning to experienced are invited to explore various birding hotspots in the immediate area. Meet at the nature center.
July 5

» 9 to 11 a.m. — Barberry Pirates: This is a hearty crew of volunteers who work to control the exotic plants that threaten the Ridges, attacking the dreaded barberry, the pernicious crown vetch, swamp thistle and others. New pirates are always welcome. Snacks are provided after the raid.

» 9 a.m. to noon — Foxes Camp: Children entering first and second grades can learn more about the "Scaly and Slimy" residents of the Ridges through games, activities, crafts and a hike. Registration is required; call to sign up.
July 6

» 9 a.m. to noon — Explorers Camp: Children entering third through sixth grades can learn more about the "Scaly and Slimy" residents of the Ridges through games, activities, crafts and a hike. Registration is required; call to sign up.

Source http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110629/ADV05/107010343/Ridges-Sanctuary-Get-up-close-nature-family-Discovery-Night-

Clach loses second league and cup double player

A talented footballer in his day, Callum Nicolson died from a brain tumour after a long illness at the age of 61.

He is the second player from Clach's celebrated 1974/75 team, which won a league and cup double, to pass away this month.

Team-mate John Alison, nicknamed "Johnny Al", died after suffering a heart attack in his shop, Highland Carpets and Flooring, in Montague Row.

Fifty-seven-year-old Mr Allison, of Fairfield Road, was a full back in Clach's successful team and played for Ross County and courted by senior side St Johnstone.

Mr Nicolson's death last Thursday came as a £190,000 deal to sell the Clach social club to a Christian group saw it resume normal trading after more than a year of administration.

Mr Nicolson, of Cradlehall Park, Westhill, was described as a gentleman by brother-in-law and former Clach and Inverness Thistle manager Roshie Fraser, who said he had refused to let cancer take over his life after he was diagnosed 18 months ago.

"It is very sad," said Mr Fraser, describing Mr Nicolson as a family man. "It is just two weeks after John Allison and he was unable to go to the funeral because he was unwell."

During his football days Mr Nicolson, who originally played as a winger and later converted to left-back, turned out for Clach for five seasons, as well as Inverness Thistle, Ross County and Lossiemouth.

Mr Nicolson's family was originally from Farr and he had eight sisters and one brother, Iain, who was a goalkeeper for Thistle.

They moved to Inverness where his father worked as a gardener at Hedgefield House in the Crown.

The father-of-two won the Highland League and the Scottish Qualifying Cup with Clach. He later played for Inverness Thistle with whom he won the cup again in 1976, and Ross County and Lossiemouth.

After his football career ended, Mr Nicolson became a keen golfer and was a member of Inverness and Nairn golf clubs. He was the manager of BP and Shell's Inverness depot in the Longman until his retiral nine years ago after 32 years.

He still worked two days a week during his retirement to tackle any pension-related issues amongst the former and current workforce.

His widow Val Nicolson said her husband retained a keen interest in Clach and she attended matches in the 1970s having married her husband at the age of 18.

"I knew all the Clach songs then," she said. "He was a gentleman and always made sure everybody was okay first before himself."

He was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago but treatment appeared to combat it, until the condition returned 18 months ago.

Mr Nicolson's funeral will feature a montage of pictures taken during his football career and life and takes place at William T. Fraser & Son's funeral home in Culduthel on Friday.

He is also survived by children Paul and Sharon and four grandchildren.

Source http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/14644/Clach_loses_second_league_and_cup_double_player.html

Musk thistle control

Musk thistle has been a nuisance in Kansas for many years. It is on the noxious weed list and landowners with the weed on their property are obligated by law to get it under control. Musk thistle, which is also known as nodding thistle because of the way it moves in the wind, is usually a biennial or winter annual but can also occur as a summer annual. As a biennial, it produces a rosette the first year and then develops flowers and seeds the following year. Seedlings can emerge any time during he growing season, but the plants usually remain in the rosette for about 90% of their life cycle.

Musk thistle usually starts flowering in May and may remain blooming for several weeks. The flowers are usually deep rose to violet or purple. The leaves are coarsely lobed and dark green with a light green midrib. They can have a sliver-green leaf margin. The leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and are smooth and hairless on both sides. Each lobe has three to five lobes that ends in a whitish or yellowish spine. Seed development is very quick with seed dispersal beginning within seven to ten days after the head begins to bloom. Musk thistle seed is generally dispersed by the wind but can be spread by other methods as well.

Light infestations can be controlled fairly well with cultural practices. The plant can be removed by hand by digging below the crown of the rosette. Be sure to remove flowers and seed heads from the field and burn them. Nebraska research shows that mowing is most effective at full bloom but needs to be done repeatedly to destroy new stems and flowers that develop after the initial mowing. Remember that an escaped flower represents seed that is produced and distributed with the end result being more thistle plants.

Chemical control can be accomplished either in the fall or the spring. Ed Field, Crawford County noxious weed director indicates that in his experience that spring control can be accomplished with the use of 2,4-D alone while the plant is still in the rosette stage. The rosette stage is when the plant is growing in a circular pattern without any elongation or stem present. After the plant begins to bolt or elongate, Milestone should be mixed with the 2,4-D in order to get satisfactory control. After the plant begins to bloom Escort needs to be added to the mixture of 2,4-D and Milestone in order to prevent the flowers from producing seed. Applications over 4/10 oz. of Escort may temporarily reduce fescue production. Spraying should not be done unless the air temperature is over 50 degrees F.

If you have questions about this you can call me at 724-8233 or Ed Field can be reached at 724-4079.

Grape and Wine Workshop

Crawford County Extension and Highland Community College will host a workshop on growing grapes, making wine and the Kansas Grape and Wine Industry. The workshop is free to the public and will run from 6:00-8:00 pm, Monday, April 18th. It will be in the Extension meeting room at the Crawford County Extension office in Girard.

Dominic Martin, Viticulture and Enology Instructor from Highland Community will conduct the workshops. He will discuss how to get started in the grape/wine industry as well as other topics including disease control, what/when/how to plant vines, vineyard air pocket mitigation, irrigation systems, cover crops between rows, sprayer calibration, spray scheduling, wine making practices, and five things that must be done before planting a vineyard or opening a winery. Please RSVP to either the Crawford County Extension office or Scott Kohl at Highland Community College at 785-456-6006.

Source http://www.morningsun.net/lifestyles/columns/x675814697/Musk-thistle-control

A Brief History of My Weekend

For something as monumental and epic as my past weekend, the tale can only be told in picture form. Being a cartophile, I've busted out the maps for all to appreciate.

First up, the map showing all the states I have visited. You'll find that Delaware and Maryland are new additions, bringing the total to 25. That's half the states. Score.

Second up is my "beer map", where I record every new beer that I've tried...at least by state. I found some stuff from Flying Fish Brewery in New Jersey and was quick to quaff a couple the same day. Total states "sampled": 30. Score again.

Final map speaks for itself. It's a map of all the states that I've gotten good and tuned up drunk in. Georgia gets honorable mention because I got drunk off two barleywines there, but I wasn't tuned up enough to be classified as "faced".
For anyone truly interested, a trip to Delaware is well worth it. I just wish that I had had more than a day to spend there.

EDIT: If you've been reading the comments section, you'll see that I inadvertently left off Illinois. It popped into my mind that my buddy Will and I went to Second City with several of our theater friends and we proceeded to pretty much try to drink the city of Chicago dry. I remember passing out on the bus only to wake up at some point chanting "Huzzah" and then getting lectured by a rather keg-shaped woman on the origins of the word "huzzah" and how it relates to "hooray". Memories are so much better when they're fractured...