Save Ottumwa Post October 05, 2022

On The Trail

Over the years, we have developed quite a trail system around the farm. The first trails were made to enable getting into the timber to get firewood. These are wide enough to drive a pick-up or trac tor in to get to dead trees and others that needed to be thinned out. As time went by, we connected some of these paths and extended others so we could ride the Ranger around for entertainment and wildlife viewing. More recently, our grand son has extended the trail system to ride his motorcycle. This year’s long project has yielded some interest ing consequences. With the canopy of trees opened up and the brush killed back,

grass rapidly covers the opened areas.

Once established, it is easy to maintain and groom the paths with a couple of passes each year with the brush cutter to keep the grass short and the rose bushes from encroaching.

Though we have enjoyed the op portunities of being able to ride in places that were inacces sible other than by foot, wildlife use the trails more than we do. Deer and turkeys use these paths to get from one location to another, especially when the grass and brush is wet from dew or rain. Appar ently, they do not like getting wet and cold any more than we do. Deer move from one location to another using the trails, even if it not the shortest distance between two points. They graze the mowed grass and browse the brush along the way. Tur keys use the trails also to keep dry and feed. Grasshoppers

and assorted other bugs are attracted to the groomed areas which makes a feed ing bonanza for the hens to take their young chicks to eat without having to struggle through un dergrowth. Hickory nuts and acorns are much easier to find in the fall in these open areas. When the leaves have fallen from the trees, it is interesting to see the leaves raked into piles where deer and tur key have cleared the area looking for nuts. A junction of two or more of these cleared paths is a perfect place to set up a trail camera. I have found one area that acts like the junction of two interstate highways. It is not unusual to get two hundred or more wildlife photos in one week.

We have only found one dis advan tage to our trail system. All the wildlife in the area have

decided the trails are theirs. They may or may not get out of the way when people are driving through. It is not a large problem when my wife and I are making a leisurely trip through the woods as we are not moving fast enough to hit any thing. Deer are polite enough to move a few feet off to the side to let us go by. If we do not stop, they will wait until we pass and move back into the trail. If we stop to take a picture, they are spooked and take off. Zane, our grandson, is usually moving at a

faster pace. I am con cerned that one day, a deer will be standing just around a curve and thinking some body should not be on its path, will stand its ground. This probably would not end well for either Zane or the deer. A turkey to the helmet would also cre ate problems.

I am willing to share the use of our trails. We all just must watch for animals that are sharing. Since they feel safe and comfortable on the trails, they may not be watching for us.

Moving

Trick or Treat Hours Set

The Ottumwa Police Department has an nounced that Trick or Treat Night is set for 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Oc tober 31, 2022. If a Trick-or-Treater and/or Homeowner is feeling ill please do not par ticipate.

Parents are encour aged to dress their children in reflective clothing and consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks, which can limit or block eyesight.

Parents should also plan and review with their children the route and neighborhoods to go to and agree on a specific time when children must return home. A parent or responsible adult should always accom pany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

Homeowners should take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on their porch and walkway. Rather than utilizing candles or other real flames, homeowners should consider using battery powered jack o’lantern lights. If a person

chooses to use real candles, then pump kins should be placed well away from trickor-treaters and the person should make sure paper or cloth decorations won’t be blown into the flame.

Trick-or-treaters are reminded that they should never eat any treats until they are thoroughly checked by an adult. Addi tionally, they should be sure their parents

know where they are going, only go to homes with a porch light on, remain on well-lit streets, always use the sidewalk, and obey all traffic and pedestrian regula tions. Trick-or-treaters should never assume the right of way on streets as motorists may have trouble seeing them. Motor ists are asked to drive slow and watch close ly for children running in the street.

Warrant Wednesday

Wapello County has over 500 active warrants. War rant Wednesday’s are designed to help law enforce ment locate wanted persons, with the public’s help. Do NOT attempt to apprehend these individuals. Instead, call the Ottumwa Police Department at (641) 683-0661 or Wapello County Sheriff’s Depart ment at (641) 684-4350 if you have any information on their whereabouts. Your tips can be made anony mously.

Name:

DOB:

Warrant Issued: 09/28/2022

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My Ship

The moon was not up yet, and the road was dark. I drove along highway 61, coming home from Duluth. The road runs parallel to the shore of Lake Superior. Broken yel low lines dashed by in my left peripheral vi sion as I drove along. I kept looking toward the dark waters of the lake. I was hoping to see a ship at night.

To avoid the stronger, seasonal winds, big iron ore and freight ships may travel closer to shore. Headwinds are not their friend; traveling closer to the shore allows the natu ral terrain to work as a wind block. So, there it was. The ship I was hoping to see.

Lights from the crew’s sleeping rooms, the workrooms, and other areas glow at night. The bridge sits on top of the other rooms. The pilot house is lit up like a small town five or six stories tall. Lights line the deck from bow to stern marking the walk ways looking like light strings of Christmas lights. Soon, I spotted another boat, and then a third.

During the one-hour drive between Duluth and Silver Bay, I saw five ships in all. The vessels travel quietly under a black sky lit tered with stars too nu merous to count. It was truly a beautiful sight, one that could easily go unnoticed.

The boats could have been fifteen or twen ty miles out at sea through most of the shipping season. A distance where most people would not see

them because of the earth’s curva ture. But whether I see them or not, the ships are there, silently doing their work.

They are there moving tons and tons of iron ore. Ore will be turned into steel, eventually becoming products we use daily. Items gener ally taken for granted, never giving thought to the ship hands that labored to bring us the steal.

Most of us relate to a higher power in our own ways. So, I began to correlate the ships to my faith. There are times when my faith is close. It is easy to see, close enough to grasp when I need it. Yet, other times, I am guilty of taking for granted all the goodness that comes to me through my faith.

Sometimes I fail to give credit where credit is due. I foolishly believe the good I produce is from my own hands, of my own making. As a result, I find false sat isfaction, thinking I am in control when there is always a greater power behind me. A force that guides me, steering the ship on which I am traveling.

It was good to see the ships tonight. They offered more than just a pleasing, tranquil sight; they gave me a much-needed nudge. A reminder that I need to recognize the source of my blessing. I need to acknowledge that my good deeds result from the guidance that comes from above.

My evil deeds result from turning away from the word and the voice, thinking I can handle things on my own.

Jesus is my higher power, my source of strength. He is the light in my day. Even when I fail to see Him, he is still there protect ing me. He is the ship that travels quietly on

INSPIRED BY expert care.

course through the night, whether I see it or not.

I am grateful for His presence in my life. I am blessed to be shown the way and to have accepted Him. I wish I were always mindful of Him, but sometimes I fail.

I love how He shows up in the most unex pected places when He needs to correct my course; set me straight. Times when He will touch my shoul der, saying, “Come this way. Follow me.” He keeps me on the intended line where I am meant to be, and brings me back should the winds blow me off course.

Late fall is a fantastic time to drive the shore line of Lake Superior. Seeing five ships in one night was not a coincidence. I look for ward to seeing where I will find the vessel tomorrow. I pray that you, too, will see the beauty of a ship when it is close by and know in your heart that it is there even when you cannot see it.

OCTOBER 05, 2022 SAVE OTTUMWA POST •OTTUMWAPOST.COM PAGE 7 Peace, my friend. May the wind always be at your back. I wish you smooth sailing today in calm waters.

Stephanie Pothoven, DO, FACOS Urology Center of Iowa

Richard Glowacki, MD Urology Center of Iowa

Trevor Wild, MD Urology Center of Iowa

Ryan Dornbier, MD Urology Center of Iowa

Introducing

Russell Bandstra, MD Pella Regional Urology