|
|
 |
Cleanup Day Our annual Cleanup Day was held on May 15th. A lot was accomplished and it was a lot of fun. Many thanks (again!) to Ralph and Janet Hanna for starting us off with coffee and orange juice and providing trash bags and "pickup" sticks. LaMar's Donuts were provided by the Social Committee. About 40 folks walked all over our neighborhood cleaning up weeds and trash, planting new flowers and plants, and trimming back dead branches on trees and shrubs. With all that help, all the chores were accomplished well before lunch, but we gathered together at 11:30 for a delicious lunch provided by Jean Roup and the Social Committee. It was great fun to sit with our neighbors and catch up on what's been happening over the winter. We might have lingered longer but a spring shower sent everyone scattering! We owe a big thank you to Andy Tysler for providing beer for lunch, and for several of our "strong" men in setting up and taking down our tents. American Indian Pow Wow The next event hosted by your Social Committee will be on Friday, October 8, 2004 starting at 5:30pm - an American Indian Pow Wow. Enjoy Buffalo Wings and Buffalo Burgers and many more "authentic" treats, plus beer and tasty desserts. Genuine American Indian music will accompany your dining pleasure; dancing is optional (just no rain dances please!) This party is free to all our Sanctuary residents and we're sure looking forward to your being there! Please bring your own table and chairs to the area across from 6147 S. Carson St. and plan on having heap big fun! Don't Forget…..! If you are interested in playing Bunco (ladies) we have a super time the 2nd Thursday of each month sharing fellowship, dessert, and a fast-paced game. For information about the next Bunco get-together, call Anne Jeffries, 303-699-0159. If you enjoy reading, the Off Jordan Book Club meets the second Monday of each month. You're welcome to join us, call Carol Race at 303-400-3451 for details. |
It's Hummingbird Time! Although we've seen hummingbirds on and off at our feeder all during the summer, it's generally only about 4 months of the year that we see them in any number at this altitude. April/May and August/September. This is due to their natural migration. Feeding them affords a unique opportunity to observe this most interesting bird. Hummingbirds get the energy they need to maintain their astonishing metabolism primarily from flower nectar and the sugar water they find at feeders. For protein and other nutrients they eat soft-bodied insects and spiders. You can think of them as miniature flycatchers. Sugar is just the fuel for getting their real nourishment. There are a variety of feeders commercially available from bird stores, pet stores and garden shops. Most are made of plastic or glass. Any feeder can attract hummers, so perhaps the most important feature to look for is ease of assembly and cleaning. The basin-style feeder is much better than the inverted bottle type, which has a tendency to leak. Since hummers live on the edges of their energy envelopes and perching saves a lot of calories, give them a break and provide perches. The sugar water you fill your feeder with is only a supplement to the bird's natural diet. It is not necessary to buy commercial "nectar" mix. All they want from us is the quick energy they get from ordinary white cane sugar mix. If you can't seem to attract hummers and are using white sugar that is not specifically labeled as cane, try changing to a brand that is. There is some anecdotal evidence that hummers can taste the difference between, say, beet sugar and cane. Do not put honey, Jell-O, brown sugar, fruit or red food coloring in your feeder. Honey ferments rapidly and can kill hummers The proper mix is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water if you wish but it is not necessary. This mixture best approximates the average sucrose content (21%) of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds without being so sweet it attracts insects. Clean your feeder with hot water. Do not use soap. When the outside temperature is over 80 degrees, clean and refill every 3 or 4 days. If the solution turns cloudy, it is spoiled and needs refilling. Contributed by Jim Murlin, Resident Birdman
|