The Brownsville States-Graphic, Thursday, January 26, 2012 — Page 12
2012 “Important” University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension dates for Row Crop Farmers
"Catch the Last and Best of Squirrel Season" With it leap year, and February just six days away, you have an extra day to pursue one of the smartest and elusive game animals around – the mysterious Mr. Squirrel. The season ends on February 29th. Scientists say that squirrels are very smart animals, even smarter than our average dogs, except mine, of course. Have you ever tried to keep them out of your bird feeders? I’ll bet in most cases, you just gave up. The squirrel you hunt in the woods, however, is an entirely different animal than what is chewing on the cedar planks around your deck and scampering happily in the attic. I’ll get to those later. In the wild, squirrels have a very keen sense of danger and higher avoidance skills; that’s what makes them so much fun to hunt. The extra long seasons help too. In the wild they are just as cautious of man as they are of owls and other predators. They aren’t as easy to bag as many non-hunter
suburbanites think, especially those that regard them as pests who unceremoniously shoot them as such in and around their yards with vigor. Here’s a lesson to be learned for you city dwellers who find it necessary to blast the domesticated roof rats to squirrel heaven instead practice a much more effective and humane method – USE A TRAP! The most successful venture I am aware of was concluded by my dear friend, Wally, a retired school teacher in Hattiesburg, MS. Wally moved into a neighborhood in 2009 overcome with squirrels whose diet consisted mainly of cedar from his house. The lot was 100’ x 150’, so blasting away in his quiet and beautiful neighborhood was not an option. So he got a trap designed just for this purpose from his local Co-Op. In the 2009 - 2010 season, he trapped and released 58 squirrels to the wild safely and happily (Wally, not the squirrels. They weren’t very pleased with
the whole situation and took it personally). For the 2010 -2011 season the count went down to 17 and so far this year, 2011-2012, NONE! No angry neighbors, no taking a chance on breaking local ordinances and a much effective and passive solution. A good mile or two of separation can do the trick. And to test it, just spray a little orange on the sides of the squirrels before release and see if any return. I’ll bet they won’t. You can call Pied Piper Traps, a company in Weatherford, TX at 1-800-287-2748.They made the model Wally used so successfully. And one last note, those of you real hunters and fishermen that value wildlife and the humane and fair taking of game, save those squirrel tails. MEPPS lures will swap those tails for Mepps lures or even cash. You can call 1-800-237-9877 and they will tell you how. I’ve done it many times to the satisfaction of both of us. Get Outside!
New Citizens’ Trooper Academy The Tennessee Highway Patrol is now accepting applications for the first session of its new Citizens’ Trooper Academy. The nine-week academy consists of approximately 30 hours of training. It is designed to give citizens a better understanding and awareness in the community of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and its parent agency, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Instructors will use a hands-on approach to educate citizens on the roles and responsibilities of state troopers. “We plan on giving citizens a firsthand look at what state troopers do on a daily basis. We believe the Citizens’ Trooper Academy will help us build a stronger relationship with those we protect and that relationship
will ultimately help us make Tennessee safer,” Colonel Tracy Trott said. The first session is scheduled to begin Monday, March 5, 2012 in Nashville. Sessions will be held each following Monday through April 30 from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. A graduation ceremony will be held on May 5, 2012. There are plans to expand the Citizens’ Trooper Academy to other parts of the state in the future. Participants must be at least 21 years old, physically able to meet training requirements, available to attend weekly threehour sessions, sign required waivers and agreements, and have no criminal history. There is one optional overnight stay at the department’s Training Center. Applications are avaiable on the depart-
King’s Handgun Training Academy $65 for the entire month Special for the month of Janurary only.
Leon King
(731) 780-0402
ment’s website at www. tn.gov/safety. Citizens may also request an application by sending an email message to email.safety@tn.gov The deadline for registration is February 3, 2012. Applications must be returned by that date for processing. For more information, contact Sergeant Stan Hollandsworth at 615251-5173 or Shannon Hall at 615-251-5170.
As we journey along through winter 2012, County row crop producers are getting ready for another productive cropping year. A major key to farming success is staying on the “cutting edge” of emerging production practices. Following are the dates of major row crop production education events: February 2, 2012 West Tennessee Grain Conference at Dyer County Fairgrounds — James Rice Road, Dyersburg February 7, 2012 8:30
a.m. Haywood County Crop Production Meeting at Back Yard Bar-Be-Que *Please call 772-2861 so that a count for the meal can be confirmed February 23, 2012 from 8:30 to 3 Irrigated Row Crops: Integrated Production Systems for Tennessee Producers Workshop at West Tennessee Research and Education Center 605 Airways Boulevard, Jackson *Please call 772-2861 so that a count for the meal can be confirmed July 26, 2012 No-Till
Field Day, at Milan Research and Education Center Hwy 79N We are also asking farmers to send their e-mail addresses to: walter.battle@utk.edu so that this office can get important crop production information to them through the UTCrops weekly newsletter. Also if farmers desire information throughout the cropping year they can go to UTcrops.com for production information.
Corner Katherine Horn
It’s almost February. Can you believe it? Wow, it just doesn’t seem real that the first month of the year 2012 is over. Well, my goodness, since it is almost February, we’d better tell you all that will be happening here at the library for the upcoming month. Toddler Time will be offered on the first and third Mondays of the month (Feb. 6, and Feb. 20) at 11 a.m. All toddlers and their caregivers are invited to come to the library, listen to stories, color and have a light snack. We love Toddler Time at the Library! Come and join us! Free Computer Classes for February include the following: IRS.gov on Feb. 7, Microsoft Power Point on Feb. 14, Microsoft Publisher on Feb. 21, and Microsoft Excel on Feb. 28. There are two class times offered each Tuesday – 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each class lasts
The following is a corrected copy of an ad that ran in error in last week’s edition. The States Graphic apologizes to the family and friends of Ms. Hines for the error
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for all the expressions of kindness and love shown to our family during the passing of our dear mother, Ola May Hines. Your presence, cards, flowers, calls and all acts of kindness and support will be treasured and will give us strength in the days ahead. Special thanks to Dr. Obi & First Care, CareAll, Intrepid, Star Center and Southwest agencies for the tender care given to our mom during her illness. We would also like to thank the Rawls Funeral Home for your patience and attention given to our needs during this difficult time. And last but certainly not least, we would also like to thank the St. John and Prospect church families for your love and support during this time. Your prayers and support helped us to make it through this journey and we know your continued prayers will give us the strength we need to continue on. With Love & Abundant Thanks, The Hines, Bell & Lofton Families
one hour and offers a Lab Day on each Friday also at 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Class size is limited, so please call or come in to register for FREE computer classes. Lunch and Learn for February will be on Wednesday, February 29 at noon in the Library Meeting Room. Our guest speaker is yet to be announced, so please stay tuned for details. The Friends of the Library is organizing the Annual Membership Meeting for late February. If you are interested in serving on the Friends Board, please contact Katherine at the library 772-9534. We could use your help. Several of the library staff will be receiving training in MidFebruary on the new circulation system that we will be getting shortly here at your
library. This new circulation system will be a great benefit to us, to help better serve all out patrons. It may take us (library staff) and you (lovely library patrons) just a little bit of time to get used to this new system, so we are asking for your patience and understanding as we learn this new software. Thanks. We have Tax Forms!! Tax Forms are located in the metal rack on the left as you enter the main room of the library headed towards the circulation desk. Please take only what you need as our supplies are limited. We have not received all the forms that we requested. If you do not see the form that you are looking for, please ask at the circulation desk. Happy Reading!
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL of JACKSON Open House for Prospective Families PreK* – 5th Grade: 2-5 p.m. Sunday, January 29 Lower School • 240 McClellan Rd.
West Tennessee’s College Preparatory School
Say goodbye to check-cashing fees. Say hello to the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®. *Jr. Cubs mus t be by Sept. 30, 20 2 12
Computer Basics including Introduction to the Internet
Brownsville Office • 8 South Court • Brownsville, TN 38012 Phone: 731-772-1040 • Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm The H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard is issued by H&R Block Bank, a Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. Fees may apply. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Emerald Card is a trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc. This product may not be available at some locations. ©2011 HRB Tax Group, Inc. *Provided by H&R Block Bank, a federal savings bank, member FDIC. Fees and additional terms and conditions apply. You must meet legal requirements for opening a bank account. A Refund Anticipation Check (RAC) is a bank-deposit product, not a loan, and is limited to the size of your income tax refund less applicable fees. Normal receipt time is 7-14 days. You can electronically file your return and receive your refund without a RAC, a loan, or extra fees. At participating offices. H&R Block Maine License Number: FRA2 ©2011 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
USJ is accept ing students for th e 2012-2013 sc hool year
For more information, contact Kay Shearin, Admissions Director, at kshearin@usjbruins.org or 731-660-1692
www.usjbruins.org