Tom and I attended theWTA District 5  trapping meeting in Independence, WI two weeks ago. It was held at East End Bar on the corner of Main Street. We arrived and immediately in the dining area, friends were inquiring about our sheep and relaying fond memories about raising sheep and bottle lambs. Then we moved to the back room of the bar and the assembly were seated around tables.

 The double doors were slammed shut to block out the bar noise, clinking glasses and the wafts of smoke that formed a cloudy haze. It was entertaining to be in the presence of the crew assembled for the meeting. I had never been present @ a meeting before. We said the pledge of alllegiance with our patriotic enthusiasm. Trapping hats were politely removed and then we arose and I smiled as I heard a manly voice mention the flag was around the corner-in the next room. A helpful trapper brought the flag out and we felt the spirit of patriotism arise in all of us. A transfer of leadership took place after the election. Jim Gordon is now the new District 5 director.  Thoughts were shared and the request for volunteers went out. Many generous people raised their hand and offered their talents. The group is interested in passing on their knowledge especially to kids. A special thanks to the people that made me feel extra welcome and invited me to attend more of the events.

The Whitetails Deer Classic for Buffalo and Trempealeau County, was held @ Valu Implement in Arcadia over March 20th.  The attendance was high all day. Tom was part of the  mid-afternoon crew of volunteers that ran the trapping booth @ the Whitetails Classic. Once again the fur pelts were a big draw for observers to get up close and personal with handling processed fur. Tom came home and parked the  Red Chevy Cavalier in front of the Trap Shack Showroom. Hawken and I were cultivating furrows with the rake, playing basketball and had a dirt hole dug to hold 3 wooly bear caterpillars and 2 worms. Tom pops the Cavalier trunk and asks me to carry  a stuffed otter in the Showroom. It’s Gene Prudlick’s otter looking real with whisps of green artificial grass @ it’s paws.

The next evening I’m wandering outside with tall winter boots, blue long johns and a light blue coat. I’m out to lock up the hens and pull the door shut to the Trap Shack. I double check I didn’t lock the chickens up with a critter in the coop. I then pull the door shut in the darkness of the Shack. I step away two paces. Then I backtrack and fumble with the light switch and aim to make sure we don’t have a live critter locked in the Showroom. Last year my brother  and his wife had a coon find it’s way in their garage and it did thousands of dollars of damage. Nope, I better double check that there’s nothing lurking in the Shack. I flip the light on and gasp-then I’m giggling and just look @ my goofy attire and how momentarily petrified I was of an erect otter all stuffed peering up @ the Showroom heater.

I’m a woman, I love change and we went right home after the meeting!

Sue Roskos