Sunday, February 10, 2008

THTHE HURSTVILLE INTREPRETIVE CENTER IS THE NEW BUILDING LOCATED JUST NORTH OF MAQUOKETA, 3 STORIES TALL, WITH THE LONG BRIDGE-LIKE WALK-WAY TO THE FRONT ENTRANCE. THIS MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING, PAID WITH GRANTS AND GIFTS (NO TAX MONEY) IS A GEM FOR JACKSON COUNTY. IT IS THE WELCOME CENTER FOR MAQUOKETA AND IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE JACKSON COUNTY CONSERVATION STAFF. AND BUILT ON SPACIOUS NATURAL WILDLIFE GROUNDS, WITH TRAILS AND A POND. THE MAIN FLOOR INCLUDES MANY WILDLIFE DISPLAYS. TODAY, IT BECAME THE HOME FOR TWO MONTHS OF A SPECIAL EXHIBIT FROM CALIFORNIA, CALLED "A SALUTE TO SONGBIRDS". AND TODAY WAS THE GRAND OPENING. AT 3 P.M., DR. JAMES PEASE DISCUSSED NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS AND THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING. AS YOU ENTER THE LARGE ROOM, THIS IS THE ENTRY POINT TO THE EXHIBIT ON BIRDS. LOTS TO SEE, READ,
LISTEN-TO AND ENJOY ABOUT ALL KINDS OF BIRDS. PLAN AROUND AN HOUR FOR YOUR VISIT. THERE ARE MANY PERMANENT DISPLAYS TO SEE ALSO, AND A GIFT SHOP. DOWNSTAIRS, IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM, POP AND SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE.
AND THERE IS NO CHARGE TO VISIT THE INTREPETIVE CENTER. NEXT TIME YOU COME HOME TO MAQUOKETA, PLAN A VISIT....YOU'LL ENJOY. I'LL HAVE
A FEW MORE PHOTOS IN THE DAYS TO COME. ALSO LAST NIGHT, THE FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY CONSERVATION, FROM 5 UNTIL 7, HELD THEIR ANNUAL SOUP SUPPER, WHICH NANCY AND I (THEY HAD A FULLHOUSE TOO) TOOK IN. GREAT HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE AND POTATO SOUP, SALAD AND DESSERTS.
MORE MEMBERS ARE WELCOME FOR THE FRIENDS ORGANIZATION. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTER AND WHAT GOES ON THERE, GO TO
www.jacksonccb.com DARYL PARKER, DIRECTOR AND ANN BURNS, NATURALIST,
AND THEIR STAFF, WELCOME YOUR VISIT AND QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
DENNIS VOY

THERE WAS A NICE TURNOUT FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE "SALUTE TO SONGBIRDS' EXHIBIT, AS YOU CAN SEE HERE. AND THIS IS LOOKING AT JUST ONE SMALL SECTION OF THE EXHIBIT.
DENNIS VOY
THERE IS A NICE GIFT SHOP AT THE HURSTVILLE INTREPRETIVE CENTER. HERE, NANCY MOORE OF MAQUOKETA ,LEFT AND MARY NEVANS-PEDERSON OF BELLEVUE LOOK AT AN INSTRUMENT THAT HAS MANY BIRD CALLS ON IT. ONLY $35 AND A GREAT GIFT FOR ANY AGE. LOTS OF SHIRTS AND OTHER GIFT ITEMS.