Every August the staff at Tamarac Nat’l Wildlife Refuge put on a picnic to recognize and say thanks to all of the volunteers that willingly give of their time to support the refuge. Each year, it has a different theme to it, and this year’s theme was ‘Safari’.
Small awards for hours served are given out, and the dinner is catered. It’s a nice gathering and social time. The hours worked by volunteers here this past year amounted to five full time positions. That’s nothing to sneeze about.
I certainly enjoyed it, but find one aspect of it disappointing to me. For the past two years the menu has been Bar-B-Q’ed ribs and chicken with beans and coleslaw. So, what’s the matter with that? I’ll tell you. If this were happening down south, in say, Texas, I’d expect BBQ ribs and chicken or brisket. However, this is Minnesota! When I think of Minnesota cuisine, my mind doesn’t summon up visions of ribs and chicken covered with BBQ sauce. How about some walleye and hot dishes? Of course I’m not a big fan of BBQ anyway. I guess I should just be happy it isn’t Lutefisk! 
Turk’s-cap Lily Native Americans once gathered its bulb for food.
Other than some mowing, I’ve spent the last two days restocking the kiosks and looking for more purple loosestrife.
Purple loosestrife is an invasive that is just starting to get a foot hold in this area, so that’s why we’re out looking for it. I did find one plant today so it will be removed.
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Purple coneflower
For those of you that have been asking about the fate of the bison on the refuge, I can tell you the following. 24 animals in all came on the refuge. Of those, some left willingly and some did not. Two of those that did not leave came to an end in a collision with a van one night on county road 143. Several more were killed by the owner and transported to a locker plant to be processed for food. There may be one individual bison left on the refuge, but we haven’t had a sighting by anyone since Monday.
Tomorrow and Saturday, I work the VC. I hope something interesting happens.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Lutefish just doesn't get any respect
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on the buffalo. Glad they didn't all lose their lives probably because of poor fencing?? The recognition dinner is a wonderful thing to do given the amount of $$$$$ the volunteers save the Refuge. 5 full time positions is HUGE. But I agree local cuisine would be a lot better. How about wild rice, fish and hot dish? Did you suggest it?
ReplyDeleteLutefisk..now that would have gotten complaints! I suppose they asked for BBQ or maybe they didn't know a caterer that makes hotdishes. Thanks for the update on the buffalo:)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're on the purple loosestrife problem. It's all over the Pacific Northwest, and it's not being helped by nurseries that actually sell the stuff. If it's not ivy, it's this growing everywhere. Kudzu must be next.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the menu. I like BBQ occasionally, but the local specialties are what I prefer wherever I go. Never had lutefisk though.
ReplyDeleteBummer about the van accident- for both van and bison. BBQ fish is actually my favorite if it is done right.
ReplyDeleteI'll eat anything at a picnic...However, I do love brisket and chicken!
ReplyDeleteBeing a Texan I'm a huge fan of grilled meats done well. . .however meat slathered in BBQ Sauce is not my fave. . .
ReplyDeleteI swore I was gonna try Lutefisk while we were up here. . .but I just CANNOT talk myself into it. . .LOL!
The pic with the butterfly is gorgeous. ..and thanks for the update on the Bison. . .enjoy your last few days before you roll. . .
Not even having a clue what Lutefisk is, I'd be happy to settle for BBQ ribs and chicken or brisket - anytime! Even in Minnesota!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, five full time positions! Of course, volunteers don't do it for that reason. I'd bet with all the volunteer hours you've worked over the years, you've done at least five full time spots all by yourself!
ReplyDeleteThey could at least have had some sponge candy for desert. What a let down... ;c)
I hate to hear about any animal getting killed. I hope the people in the van were not hurt.
ReplyDeleteI too hope no one was hurt in the van vs buffalo crash. I can just imagine how scary it would be to hit a big animal like a buffalo. Will the owner be fined?
ReplyDeleteThe flower pictures are lovely, and I really enjoyed hearing about the bison!
ReplyDeleteWell, Rick, I know what Lutefisk is and she's very lucky they did't serve it!
ReplyDeleteI agree; the banquet should have been local specialties. Nobody does BBQ like Texans, so Minni-SOtans shouldn't even try! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of volunteer hours for all of you to do...thank you to everyone!
ReplyDeleteLove the lily -- nice shot as always.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of volunteer hours!
ReplyDelete