NEIGHBORS
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 24, 2022
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Putting skills to the test Photos by David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer
The 20/30 Club Olympiad drew hundreds of men and women ready to test their athletic skills April 15 at Scottsdale Stadium to support two nonprofits. 1) Craig Cummings, Corey Adams, Corbin Overton, Hector Romero, Austin Pierce, Alex Przybysz shag balls and Kyla Phoenix holds the net as Kyrsi Bertram throws the football; 2)- Michael Vegas decided to putt around; 3)Tyler Bruggman makes a toss while playing cornhole; Mike Sturdivant takes aim with the football; 5) Teams fill the hoop shoot area
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they saw the actual rattlesnake rattles and they could hold them in their hands, shake them by their ears and hear the sound,” he said. “Now, they really look forward to when we get to the top, take a break and I display all the hands-on items like a rattlesnake rattle, skins and an actual head which they love having the ability to look at and touch.”
From there, Wojton began growing his collection of snake anatomy. On occasion offers a rattle as a prize to the pupils who remember the most facts he discloses during the hike. “As we’re hiking, I’ll stop and explain something about a cactus or a plant and then I’ll test them as we go along if we pass by another one,” Wojton said. “I also tell them if I have an extra rattlesnake rattle or if I have something extra that will be a reward for the person
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who can remember the most.” He also believes that these materials reiterate the dos and don’ts of snake interactions. “A lot of people have the misconception that the snakes will come after you, which is why kids sometimes have the idea that when you see a snake you should pick up a rock and throw it at it otherwise it’ll bite you,” Wojton said. “I always explain that a snake doesn’t have hands to push people away or legs
to run away so it will stand its ground and protect itself. If you look at it, admire it and wait a few minutes; it will go away.” Wojton advises people to remain calm. “If you come across a snake, the best thing to do is to back away from it,” he said. “If you back away and stand still, once the snake realizes you’re not a
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