Hello Clam Lake!
Considering what the rest of the country has been experiencing with record high temps, floods and the like we, here in the Northland, have been blessed with pleasant summer days. Maybe a bit of rain rain here and there but, overall just about perfect nights for sleeping with lovely days. May it continue!
MEETING REMINDER: The Clam Lake Community Club will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday August 11the beginning at 5:00 pm. The short meeting will be followed by a Pot Luck and some Clam Lake Style Bingo led by Master Bingo Caller Ace Griffaw. Hope to see you there!!
ST. GEORGE’S CHAPEL: Mass is celebrated every Saturday, during the summer months, at our historic “Chapel in the Woods”. Services begin at 6:00 pm. Take a step back in time to a simpler era in our log cabin chapel made from the forest that surrounds it. Come pray with us!
ON THAT NOTE: WELCOME GOD’S CREATURES AND COME UNTO ME – During last week’s well attended Mass we welcomed a couple of parishioners from the animal kingdom – one wild, one domesticated and performing service. Both were very well behaved and listened attentively as prayers were read. In our forest chapel all are blessed and welcome.
CONGRATS: Congratulations go out to Zac and Nancy Ransom as they celebrate their fourth year in business! In honor of the occasion they held an Anniversary Party on Saturday the 30th. This celebration was in keeping with the tradition Deb Straetz began with having a Customer Appreciation Party the last weekend of July when Ransoms was known as the Y-Go-By. With gorgeous weather on tap people came from near and far to enjoy the festivities. As they say, “the joint was a jumpin!” Clam was the place to be!!! Congrats and many more!!!! (As a side note: This event also included a Chinese Raffle for the Snowmobile Club and ATV Club along with a fundraiser for Tim and Terri Steffen. Thanks to all that participated!)
TOWN UPDATES: As one drives through Clam Lake you’ll notice changes that have been made. Bud Rubeck and crew have replaced the section of retaining wall at the Park that had begun to cave in so that is looking fresh and new. Also the Chippewa has been undergoing some updates with it’s new roof and sidewalk. Nice to see Clam Lake’s one and only sidewalk back in place. The sign and the area surrounding it at St. George is also in the process of getting a make-over. Things are looking pretty good around the village!
HUMMINGBIRDS FAQs: I think we’ve all noticed an uptick in the feeding going on at the hummingbird feeders. Lately, it seems like my days revolve around either filling feeders or making more nectar. One wonders what and why. As we all know, when the hummers first come back they are exhausted from their journey and go on a feeding frenzy as they begin to refuel for mating season and the raising of young. Once their young have hatched, we notice a decline in feeding. This is due to them switching over to a nectar /insect diet to give protein to their young. And now? The juveniles have matured and left the nest (fledged) so are following Mom and Dad to the feeders – hence a crowd. How does one tell a juvenile Hummingbird? Adult males, as we know, have the ruby throats but, do juvenile males? No. Juvenile males have a white throat like a female that is often streaked with black or green. They won’t get their ruby throat until their first winter. So, in the juvenile stage males and females look alike for the most part. Adult males have a more forked tail with pointed outer feathers that are solid black. Females and juvenile males have a blunt rounded tail that is mostly black with white tips. How long do hummers live? On the average about 3 to 5 years. In late winter, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird will return to breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. One wonders, why not just stay south and have your young there? The Northward migration offers an escape from the tropics, where competition for food can be intense. They head north where summer food supplies are abundant. And how do humers make it through our summer storms? They hunker down as tightly as they can in the most sheltered place they can find. Their feet are very strong and can hold onto a twig very tightly when the wind blows. We are talkin’ one tough little bird that definitely has attitude!
Until next week…..
Pictured are hummingbirds at the feeder.
