I
PAGE 10 -- The Perldu Journal Thursday, February 23, 1984
The Natural Way
Dr. Jeff Black
Professor of Biology
Oklahoma Baptist University
t
IIII I I
Groundhog
it is always exciting to
meet a television star and
last week in Tulsa I got to
meet Kojak. He was get-
ting ready for a series of
guest television appear-
ances on February 2 so I
wasn't able to obtain a
lengthy ' interview. His
personal physician had
also paid him a visit and
the possibility of surgery
was the chief topic of con-
versation among his fans.
But I was able to visit
with his spokeswoman,
Gwen Gallan(x Gwen is a
very nice white-haired
lady and a special friend
Kojak's physician, the
zoo veterinarian, is con-
sidering some surgery
that will remove the cause
of Kojak's spring-time
embarrassing behavior.
Until Kojak's hormone
level decreases, his be-
havior improves, or sur-
gery is performed; he is
restricted to his quarters,
except for February 2.
Large squirrels like Ko-
jak are called groundhogs,
marmots or woodchucks.
Woodchuck is the name
preferred by mammalo-
gists (people who study
mammals) and comes
from the Latin words
of the Black family. Thus meaning 'Ynouse of the
I was able to get a frank mountain." The common
and truthful interview
about Kojak.
As is true with many
stars, the truth about Ko-
j ak dispelled several
rumors and stories. I had
name "groundhog" is ob-
vious after watching one
of these squat, waddling
squirrels that live in the
ground. Woodchucks are
found throughout the
always wondered where northern part of the Unit-
Kojak got his nan Gwen ed States and range west-
said that as a baby his ward to northeastern
back was bald and Oklahom& Kojak came
smooth and he was ira- from the Catoosa area.
mediately called Kojak af- Woodchucks are large and
ter the bald television heavy bodied, squirrels
star. This was in the with a short, furry tail
spring of 1983 and Kojak and powerful legs. Their
had been dug out of the hair is thick, coarse and
ground by a construction yellowish gray to dark
crew. Now, you know that brown above and lighter
I got to meet Kojak the below.
Groundhogat the Tulsa Woodchucks are usually
Zoo. found along the edge of
Kojak has one big day forests, in brushy fen-
every year when he is in cerows and on rocky ra-
demand by every pho- vines and creek banks. I
tographer, newspaper and have seen several along
television station. Febru- limestone ledges where
ary 2 or "Groundhog's they had dug dens
Day" is Kojak Day! Sor- beneath the rocks. They
ry, but Kojak doens't construct extensive un-
come out of the ground on derground burrow sys-
February 2 to look for his tems that may be 40 feet
shadow and predict how long and 4 or 5 feet deep.
Kojak--the gr. oundhog.
pounds daily, make up the down. and the heart beats
diet of woodchucks. They very slowly. They can be
can also enjoy garden dug out of their nests
crops and apples, much to during hibernation and
the displeasure of the hu- handled withoug waking
man gardener. Less than them up. Hibernation
1% of their diet is made probably starts in Novem-
up of insects, snails and ber and lasts until Fehru-
other small animals. Bird ary in Oklahom&
eggs are occasionallyIt is always exciting to
eaten, be walking near the
Breeding starts as soon woods in the Oklahoma
as woodchucks comes out
of hibernation in the
spring. This is probably
from late January to
March in northwestern
Oklahoma. Cold weather
such as we*experienced
this year, can delay the
start of breeding. Most
woodchucks do not breed
until they are two years
old. There is only one lit-
ter per female each year
and the 2 to 6 naked and
blind young are born from
February to April. The
gestation period lasts for
31 to 33 days. The young
are weaned when about 4
weeks old and can live for
5 to 6 years in the wild.
Woodchucks prepare for
hibernation in the late
summer by accumulating
a large amount of body fat
which will serve as energy
while they are hibernat-
ing. Woodchucks are
mammals that truly
hibernate. Their body
Ozarks and hear the loud
shrill alarm or warning
whistle of a woodchuck.
This alarm whistle also
alerts other animals that
an enemy or stranger is in
the are&
Bobcats, foxes, coyotes,
weasels, raccoons, hawks,
owls and snakes eat wood-
chucks. It is usually the
younger woodchucks that
are eaten, while the older
individuals become very
smart and wary. The same
animals that eat wood-
chucks, also use wood-
chuck burrows as
own dens. Some
like rabbits and opos-
sums, use them while the
woodchucks are still liv-
ing ther
At one time, wood-
chucks were trapped for
their fur which was used
in cheap fur coats. Their
hide was also used for
patching leather, to cover
many weeks of winter still There am always 'eral temperature drops, the
ii' m i'KoJak eomts t entrances toa breathing rat ,, stows
of his hole looking for tern, several of which are
LOVE! In fact, Kojak was well-hidden and serve as
so involved with this escape holes to jump into
search that he was locked if they are pursued by
behind bars when I visit- some predator. Entrances
ed him. It seems that he can be over a foot wide
was biting and grabbing and have a mound of dirt
anything that might several feet across in front
vaguely resemble a female of them. These dirt
groundhog. And since he mounds serve as places
has only been around hu- where the woodchuck can
mann; legs, feet and arms sun, watch for enemies
looked like groundhogs and use as a latrin There
and were latched onto by is usually a nest used for
this hormonally ira- young, sleeping or hiber-
balanced rodent. I was nation in the burrow eye-
glad that I was wearing tem. Nests are lined with
my cowboy boots, dry leaves and grass.
Gwen had taken Kojak Woodchucks are active
to visit the juvenile treat- during the day, especially
ment center two weeks early in the morning and
ago and Kojak treated his late in the afternoon. Pod-
audience to an X-rated pie studying woodchucks
love affair with Gwen in Arkansas have disco-
arm. One person in the an- vered that they are more
dience remarked that active at night, especially
there might be a lot of cra- during the mating season
zy, ' vhitehaired" baby in February and March.
woodchucks running Grasses and other
GYMNASTICS K-5
The Perkins-2i-yon Com-
munity Education Pro-
gram will be offering
classes in gymnastics for
grades K-5. The first ses-
sion of classes will begin
March 13 and end April 5.
The second session of
classes will begin April 24
and end May 17. Classes
will run from 4:00 to 5:00
p.m. every Tuesday and
Thursday. Classes will
meet in the Perkins-Tryon
Middle School gym. The
fee for this class will be
$15.00 per child.
The instructor will be
Edee Bell. Edee was a
gymnastic state champi-
on for two years. Most re-
cently she has been a
gyumastics instructor for
Tumble Town in Yale
Edee and her assistants
balls, and in making
catcher's mitts.
.....
The Oklahoma Wildlife
Federation's "Wildlife
Chef" cookbook has
recipes for "Woodchuck
Patties," "Sunday Wood-
chuck," "Woodchuck
'Kabobs," and "Gaylord-
style Groundhog." They
describe woodchuck meat
as fine-grained, dark and
tasting like beaver. Young
woodchucks have very
tender meat, while older
ones can be tough.
Kojak better clean up
his act or he might be
turned into "Gaylord-
style Groundhog." See
you all next week!
MI Club Meets in Evans Home
The Mutual Improve-
ment Club met Thursday
evening, Feb. 16, in the
home of Yvonne Evans.
President, Pat Niles,
presided over the busi-
ness meeting. The
progress report of the
placing of the picture of
Nina Wilhite in the
library wss given by Flor-
ence Holbrook and Carol
Acuff. The project is com-
ing along nicely. Billee
Fisher proudly reported
that she and Bill will be
celebrating their 50th
wedding anniversary in
July and that invitations
will be extended.
Florence introduced her
cousin, era Lee McCall,
who resides in Las Vegas,
Nev. era Lee, who is a na-
tive of Perkins and has
hosts of friends and rela-
tives in this area, has been
visiting in the home of
Fern Chrystal for the past
four months.
Yvonne then in-
troduced her guest,
Marge Monet, a very in-
teresting and knowledge-
able person, who has
become deeply involved in
spinning and weaving
only this past year. She
had previously knitted
and crocheted, so her ta-
lents are impressive.
Marge passed around
USED CARS
1981 Escort, 2 door. a,r & morel 35 MPG
est SEE THIS! ......... $4500
1980 Chevy Citation, 2 door. auto..
power, air ............. $3250
1980 Olds Delta 88 Royale, 4 door. one
owner, auto.. Dower, air, ONLY $5950
instructor. Pro-enrollment
should be taken care of
prior to classes beginning
so we can have an idea of 1981 Fairmont Station Wagon,
the number of instructors auto., power, air, cruise, tilt,
that will be needed. AM/FM, real nice, one owner!
For enrollment, please ONLY ................ $6500
contact Joe Hrencher,
Community Education 1978 Mustang, 2 door. auto. power, am
AM/FM Sharpone! . . $3950
Director, at 547-2255 or 1978 T-Bird, auto. power, air.
743-0010. NOW .......... $3500
many types of fleece and
silk, some of which were
wool boucle' imported
from New Zealand, hand
spun silk and cotton, raw
linen and cotton, hand-
spun corridale wool from
Jack Crider's flock at
Hillsdale, OK., suffolk
wool from the Moffat
sheep and mohair from
angora goat. She also dis-
played a hand knitted 100
per cent wool sweater.
Marge bought the fleece
for this sweater from
Martha Clark's flock at
Guthrie and handspun
the wool. She explained
the steps she takes to
realize the finished gar-
ment, first spinning the
the handspun
ported silks,
flax. Her shop,
Moser
her home where s
loom, two
wheels and a
various hands
along with
wooden kni!
made by her
Jim. She gave
demonstration
spinning wheel
had imported
Zealand. She is
specialized
field and the
thoro.ughly
Yvonne
cious turtle
cranberry-
fleece to fill the bobbins punch and
on her spinning wheel,guests, era
putting the skeins on the Marge Moser,
18" niddy-noddy and Florence H
leaving them there for 24 Fisher, Edna
hours, then she washesElla B.
the wool. It is then hung Acuff, Eloise
up and stretched, withPat Niles,
weights, until dry, after-
which it is wrapped to
measure to a yard length.
She then knits the sweat-
er, making her own pat-
tern. When it is
completed, she sizes it on
a flat surface. The entire
process takes three weeks
or longer.
Marge makes aighans,
sweaters and various
other items by order from
son, Fern
ita Holsingsr
Barnes.
The next
be held on
the home
Chelney.
"O-
1981 Fiat Spider 2000
ble, one owner with 21
tual redes! NICEST ONE
TIVITY! NOW ONLY...
INTRODUCTION TO
THE BASIC
MICROCOMPUTER
The Perkins-Tryon Com-
munity Education Pro-
gram will be offering
evening classes in "In-
troduction to the Basic SPEClAL PRICE
Micro-Computer." DOWN PAYMENT
The class will be taught BALANCE
by Mr. Joe Ford. The
classes will meet every
Monday and Wednesday
1978 T-Bird, V8, auto., air,
cruise, tilt, stereo, bucket seats.
low miles, EXTRA NICE!.. $3500
1977 LTD II, 4
power, a~r. extra
ONLY
1978 Mustang T-Top, 6
power, a~r
1977 LTD Country Squire
color clean, ONLY
1977 LTD Country Squire
one! ....
1977 Buick Skylark, 2
clean!
1973 Vega Wagon ........
1967 Olds 98, 4 door
1968 Ford Galaxie 500,
door, almost new car!
$5895
150
$5745
1984 ESCORT
For Only
160,s
• per too.
48 Men. at 15.25 APR
1984 TEMPO
For Only
1984 MUS
For Onl
19438
DOWN PAYMENT 150
BALANCE $69~18 48 Men. at 15.21
' THRU PREFERREDi:INANCII
YOU CAN DRIVE A NEW LUXUI
will keep the class ratio evening from 7:00 to 9:00 CROWN VICTORIA!
around in a few weeks, plants, sometimes 1V= down to six students per p.m. beginning February SPECIAL PRICE $7150=1 84 For
20 and ending March 21. DOWN PAYMENT 150 per too. Only
~"" ' ' The cost will be $40.00 per BALANCE $7000 48 Mos at 15 25APR
person. This will include a 48 Mos at 12% APR
Old Fashioned text and necessary USEn lr~l~'lJ~ ,,, t , . -~ [1981F7002V2ton8.~d,ese
=....,...t we r,x cars rot Keeps II .... ' : ' "5
materials. The class is , • [ [ peeo ,anoem drag a×,e..,
~ VIEAT limited to 10-20 students. :pgeSe2d Ch::Yr C:r0 poS:°t, tSwdal~ow:8 !o: bvv~dYLSuCr~Sl~°:ml:'ln h:eSld:::rc~'!
ARKET , more advanced re,lee. ONLY $7600 .,L.=... ~ ' I ..... "i
course in Programming in 1980 Chevy C20, 4 door. Crew Cab Let us repoir your car toddy, ] ] s~oeS.new $35.000MIcneltnONLybres 30.00U..,
224 N. Main • 547-2266 BASIC Micros will begin aulo. power a r. ONLY $3500 and wdll even guorontee the work I ..... ' -
i April 3 and run through 1980 Chevy C30, 1 ton w*th flatbed. 1ool , ............. nt,-,d.,~ n~xt ce,',',,r,,x. I ]~/a Pord Fe00 2 ton, 389. I1
.... Lean.... boxes, extra fuel tanks NOW ONLY$5950 co~i,N~o, ru.;.E.r~A,tsI engme. 100 gal. fuel. 16 a
April 26 for those par- 1980 Chevy C20 auto power a~r one ........................... wdhdramond plate floor. 2spe~
~r~ ~ ~r~ E;~I=~B~ ticipants of this introduc-owner $4950 ..... :~ .^ !e average rubber excellent f
_ -_ : ___ _ ~- ...... 1980 P250 V4 Ton, v~ auto power a~r In excephonal cond~bon
i tory course or for anyone l I _'i _ 35 tandem axle heavy duty fl(
who has had some ex- See this one~ $5500 ,"
' I .~i I 1979 F350. 1 Ion w,nch truck brakes fii.es are 40 to 60O/o~
, perience with the micro-[. .... " I ?LEAN ......... $6250 ready to work . =;,,
computer. /, ~ I /~rff r/::)u qbU V~ auto. power I ...... # ~llqPd~lll=l~[
: -:, For further enrollment i ..... ,- 'I a,r $4400 III,,U)/uI1flll/,
' I i; ' " I 1978 Ford Courier, one owner 46000 I VAM¢
:; ~l~J ~ ''~, ~r'~l~~-- Joeinf°rmati°n'HrencherC°ntaCtat 547-2255Mr" ~ ~ aaua, m,les' ONLY $3500 , . __ ~;'.
i or 743-0100.o. . ........ 1981 Ford F2.50Super Cab, L w=MCAMV u INIITV IINU I TI IIV I ~~V~l~
too" vvB, Lanat, aulo., power,
air, loaded, 33,000 miles 8= TRAILERS
LB. NOW ............... $7950 [1982 Ford""F700, sleeper, fifth wheel,
i~ (Reg. $1.69) ['--~ 132000 local, actual r'n,les ready to go to
/ ............... [ [work M,chehn t,res 5 speed tiansI
' --- - / lll:Vlgll '14 I 000 mJck new Spec,al th,SI
, - , .. .... _...... ,.i , Lwoe 15,5oo
=u
('@(IWId vit'Ir'irll~lAe I '41; Lo-~oy tandem axle tra,er. ,de-ador 1982 Bronco XLT4x4,
i • Cabbage Plants / ~"'" "''' ""~ ..v=.sms~ I backhoe hght dozer and other s, mdar power air captainS:
"~ operations Th,s week-end only $4000 cruise ' tilt 22 000 act0
! I LOGRI 4 FOF~,ID SEETLtIS(ONI Y ..... ".;
, n Beef Gold Spot 4 x 4 $
! ~" L~I b] : ,-- .... , 1982 Chevy C10 Silvera~
" Try UI BIOW,.. You'll Like k krvl¢el auto., power, air. ONLY ..... il
1980 Ford F150 4x4,
For Your Convenience! 1024 N. Ltttle -- I speed ................... i
I """" °'"'"°""..._...F,.,osotI..' 8 o.m.-8.4...o m . ~18/225-2131~''''"'lI~t'"'L"'M or i)!~'~i~ .... ~m !l t 1977 International Scout 4X"W 1984 F150 4x4 XLg° anywhere......... Flares,de,;'
[ LB. I GALLON ......... ' '
405/372 1442 I
CA/./. I )RtAll'lll APPOINTMENTS I " " auto, power, a)r, oaded,
{ Tel Free in OkJs. 8001722.5902. $16,050 ..............
