-Brighten up your winter with the colorful hobby of bird watching

Are you a winter weather enthusiasts or does the dark dreary days bring on cabin fever? Either way, a great way to pass winter days is to feed the area wildlife. Backyard bird feeding is very popular among all age groups. The activity at the feeders is very interesting and can be educational. You may be amazed with the variety of guests drawn to your property just by putting out some bird seed and or corn.

There are many types of bird feeders available. Price and style are usually the determining factor when purchasing a feeder. Some feeders will allow most any birds to feed while others limit the types of birds. Tube type feeders are designed for smaller birds, are inexpensive, and very popular. Suet and suet feeders are very popular as well. Most birds will eat suet and the energy from the suet will assist the birds and animals to survive the cold winter weather. Bird feeders can range from $5.00 to $100.00. Start simple and go from there. I have several customers who start with one feeder, and before they know it they have 5 feeders. Squirrels, deer, and raccoons are just a few animals other than birds seen at the feeders.

Some bird feed enthusiasts spend many hours and sleepless nights trying to figure out a way to stop the squirrels from raiding the feeder. There are several “squirrel proof” feeders available but the squirrels always figure out a way to get to the feed. Remember, squirrels are very acrobatic and have all day to figure a way to get around all your tricks. We all need to eat and this goes for animals also. Instead of stressing about the other animals raiding your feeders enjoy the variety of animals drawn to your feeders. I find it very entertaining to see the variety of wildlife drawn to the feeders. I have a grand daughter who loves feeding the birds. She and her dad have built a few of there own feeders which has her very involved and excited about the birds. She knows more varieties of birds by sight than most adults. Put a few feeders in your yard, pull up a chair, and enjoy the show!

Officers continue to do traffic patrol enforcing traffic laws in an effort to make our streets safe.  Officers were able to do extra patrols in and around the Bristol area, through Criminal Justice Grants.  Through these grants, more officers can be available for possible emergencies or other calls.  Vehicle crashes increased by 19 accidents from 2010 to 2011.  So far this winter has been mild.  The few days we have had inclement weather, vehicle crashes have increased.  As always, we remind everyone to slow down and drive defensively, especially watching for icing conditions on bridges and overpasses.  We would like to remind everyone to obey our state safety restraint laws by always wearing them properly.  It truly is a “law you can live with” as they save lives and reduce injuries.

Criminal cases as did traffic crashes have increased when comparing 2010 to 2011.  An additional 96 criminal cases were investigated.  A YTD Comparison Chart is available below.

Through donations and funds raised by our Reserves and our Posse, a Police K-9 was purchased.  K-9 Max came on board in June of this year.  He and handler Corey Mosher continue to train and have been doing an excellent job.  Their biggest arrest was through their efforts and assisted by the Indiana State Police, shutting down a local marijuana grower getting more than $150,000.00 of marijuana off the streets.  Max is trained in all drug recognition as well as building and person search.  He also has bonded very well with his handler which makes him extremely valuable at officer protection. In other enforcement news, officers took part in Defensive Tactics/Phase 2 EVO Trainings.

We also began a forty hour pre basic class the week of November 28th that concluded on 12/31/2011 with a written test. We welcome Isaiah Boyer, Travis Mast, and Michael Heckathorn who will be beginning the 6 month FTO program.  The three new Reserve officers were sworn in on December 30, 2011 by Town Clerk/Treasurer Mary Ryman.

Please view our website www.bristolpolice.org.  The following additions have been made:

• Town Ordinances are available
• Videos for internet safety are available to be viewed
• Lost and Found
• Special Event Assistance Request Form

Respectfully,

Michael L. Swallow, Marshal

Bristol Police Department

Activity summary for

December 2011

Calls for Service: 535

Traffic Enforcement-

• Traffic citations– 21
• Traffic warnings– 57
• Prop. damage accidents– 8
• Personal Injury– 1
• Fatal– 0

Junk & Abandoned Vehicles-

• Impounded– 5
• Tagged– 3
• Fixed or removed– 1

Criminal Enforcement-

• Cases Taken– 35
• Cases Closed By Arrest– 11

Hours worked-

• Full time officers: 892
• Reserve Officers: 184.75
• S.E. Patrol: 0
• Civilians: 160

-Dear Bristolites,

It is with very deep sadness that I write this article to you.  I am moving to Elkhart, not of my choice.  Sometimes other people make your choices for you.

First thank you to my constituents   who voted me on to the town council.  It has certainly been my pleasure to serve you.  I have made some pretty firm decisions that weren’t exactly popular or made to make friends and influence people, but were the right decisions in my heart.  I don’t dislike anyone, but do dislike situations, and believe the book should be followed.

It has been so rewarding to have the B&B here.  I have made so many friends and so many people came to Bristol for the first time.

It was such an honor to work with people that dedicated their time and effort to the Opera House fund raisers, and the  farmers market.  It was an honor to work on the Homecoming committee.

I can’t tell you the many times I have felt your support, even now as I am going through the lowest time of my life.  My goal was to make a positive difference in Bristol and I think in the 7 years I have been here the evidence of working on that goal is seen.

Thank you Bristol for letting me be me.  It has been so much fun and rewarding.  I am so  sorry I have to say good-bye.

Ann Andre

Bristol, IN

-In response to a December letter,

I must tell you that I have just read your Dec. 3rd “Public Viewpoints” written by Kathy Harbaugh. As a Senior Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for 18 years I really should be upset, maybe even angry, but to tell you the truth I can’t stop laughing!!! The more I read the more humorous the view point became!! The lines such as , “notorious hate group”, “calls for the deaths of homosexuals” and “extremely militant right wing evangelical religious groups”, WOW that’s FUNNY!!!!! Now I must tell we who support the AFA get called a lot of names but this takes the cake. I wonder where Ms.Harbaugh gets all her information?

The funny part to me is the statement  , “liberal desire to be inclusive and non-discriminatory”, Really??? The last time I checked Home Depot will not say Merry Christmas because a group of liberals got their way, people are selling Holiday Trees, not Christmas trees because a very small group of Liberals decided not to “include” Christian beliefs and Target does not allow the Salvation Army to ring bells. Why ? Yep all those ”inclusive and non-discriminatory” got their way, again!!!

So to sum all this up and make good since of it in my mind, our liberal friends will be ” inclusive and non-discriminatory” as long as you are willing to abort babies, hate the real reason for Christmas, and have no personal convictions on anything!!! Yep I fully understand it all now, Thanks Kathy for your great wisdom

Rev. Gray M. Sheets

Bristol, IN

-Harassment of Raw Milk Producers

As someone who for years drank raw milk from vaccinated healthy dairy goats I feel the biggest draw back if any from drinking raw milk is a much shorter shelf life which of course makes it nearly impossible for raw milk to be sold in conventional grocery stores with long and distant supply lines.

I do not feel raw milk is as much of a problem as the bureaucrats that wish to expand their powers want us to believe. Many of the pathogens that can be found in milk can be vaccinated against. Under the constitution the powers of the government should be governed by what the people want not what bureaucrats and politicians want.

If raw milk were to be labeled with a red warning label such as: raw milk product, use at your own risk, it should serve as sufficient consumer protection even if it needs to be repeated in Spanish. State Laws to this effect may need to be enacted and reduction in the abilities of bureaucrats to set their own rules may need to pass Congress.

It seems almost ridiculous for both state and federal laws to be needed to both protect farmers and the consumer’s right to purchase what they want but that does seem to be the way it is with bloated bureaucracies that waste the tax payers money.

If I had a dairy farm I might even ask for an annual inspection if it would help me improve my business through helpful suggestions but harassment is not the way.

David A Shepard,

Bristol , IN

-Downtown Decorations

In response to the letter in the December issue of the Bristol Bugle on the “Town’s Christmas Decorations”, I thought they looked beautiful. Especially driving through town at night when they were all lit up.  Stone Soup Emporium and Camille’s were decorated beautifully. And also at Fall and Halloween they were really nice.  I think the town does a very good job. Whoever was griping about the bows on the wreaths, they will be on sale after Christmas, maybe they could buy some and volunteer to put them on next year. Let’s remember the real reason for the season, “The birth of our Savior”.

A proud lifetime resident,

Marilyn Miller

-Dear Pantry Angels,

On behalf of my Heavenly Father and his Son, and through the Holy Spirit, Thank You All for all you have done this year to assure that families in Bristol have food on their tables, toiletry and soap to clean with, plus all the other extras you have provided.

We have seen a tremendous increase in Pantry usage.  In 2010, we averaged about 69 families a month, and our budget was about $26,000 – all of which was used to supplement the food drives.  In the last 6 months of 2011, we are averaging about 100 families per month and our budget is nearing $40,000 a year.  We were blessed with free turkeys for Thanksgiving (dropped in our laps so to speak), extensive help from the USDA – which will probably diminish in 2012, as well as terrific  community support.  Thank you Curves, Legion Riders, Exercise Group, Bristol School, Bristol Library, Mor for Less, Lions Club, Bay Ridge, Robert Weed Plywood, Fabric Services, Fire Department.   Thank you to all the churches, Corvette Club, Boy Scouts, Masonic Lodge, Santa’s Pantry, and everyone else who donated to the Pantry. Thank you to the families who faithfully drop off several bags of groceries and thank you to ones who drop off cash and checks.  It is all appreciated.

I especially want to thank all of our faithful volunteers, from the youngest and the oldest who helped with the Post Office Food Drive to the ones like Dave and Dick who help every week, to our newest young strong ones, Christy, Joelee, and Brittany who work circles around me. For the strong men (who probably don’t want their names mentioned) who help unload literally tons of food. Thank you to our Bread Angels and our Fresh Produce Angels this past summer.

Thank you Beth and Amy for coordinating the Adopt a Family.  Weren’t you blessed by the faces of the families as they received their gifts?

Thank you Harriet for all the Thank You Notes you’ve written.  Thank you Vicki for being my “nudger”. Thank you to all who pray for the Pantry and for me.

We all know that the economy is not improving to the extent everyone would like.  More and more families are finding themselves where they need to ask for help when they, in the past, were the ones giving it.  Every week we start out with overflowing shelves and end with nearly empty shelves.

Thank you for your continued support, and pray we are led to the right larger facility to move our tiny pantry.

Brenda H. Spence, Director, Bristol Community Food Pantry

Carol Willis is a freelance writer and editor. She specializes in written communications for businesses and nonprofits and other editorial projects. Carol also is the development director at Church Community Services.Sauntering into Summer

Fie on January. Let’s play.

Now that Christmas is behind us, it’s a long haul to spring. Play brightens dark days and can even actually help us solve problems. When you let loose and lighten up, there’s no telling what new ideas might emerge. Sometimes creativity goes to sleep under the weight requirements, and we have to prod it awake. Even professional creatives need to recharge sometimes. Hence play.

Creative play might involve paints, clay, or even rearranging the furniture. I moved a dresser and my sewing desk last week, and I played with fabric. Today, though, words are my medium. They don’t hurt my back, and they’re free.

There’s no right or wrong way to play this game. Let’s start with the alphabet–Come on, play along. Otherwise, please pass this page on to someone with a more accessible inner kid. Thank you.

First, write down one word for each letter: Animatronics, betony, chalcedon, dip, earthworm . . .You get the idea. You even have my permission to make some up.

Next, let the sounds of those words bring others to mind, and maybe ideas will begin to swirl. Some examples as the alphabet leads me on:

• fiscal/rascal – One side says we just need to raise taxes. The other side wants to just cut the budget. Both sound like fiscal rascals to me.
• gregarious/nefarious – Hmm, beware of smooth talkers.
• hippodrome/Zippo – The emperor signaled the chariot race to start by flicking his lighter—It’s a time-travel fantasy!
• locution/location/vocation/vacation –When Realtors take speech classes in the Virgin Islands, this is what they talk about.
• orchid/aphid/rapid/vapid – The aphid ate the orchid with rapid chomps of its bicuspids. . .How’s that for a vapid sentence? Blech.
• salivary/dromedary – Angry spitting camels. Why can’t they be nice?
• timid/livid – Potential for abuse, or a shy person finally reaching the breaking point?

Where does this goofing around get us, you may ask? I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but if I did, one of mine would be to find something fun to do every day.

Sometimes fun is turning on music and dancing. Sometimes it’s watching a movie. Because I’m a word nerd, sometimes it’s as simple as letting words bump up against each other–you never know what kind of meaning will emerge when that happens. Those sexy little words. . .

Greetings  Bristol!

Well, another year is upon us and I am excited for all the things that might happen for 2012. The idea for this month’s topic was given to me because many people seem to be suffering from them lately; kidney stones. They are extremely painful and sudden and seem to affect men more than women and Caucasians more than any other ethnicity.

Kidney stones form from many different causes, the most common being high calcium content in the kidneys. A kidney stone is a crystal form of calcium that settles out of the urine and blocks the passage of urine to the bladder. One interesting thing I discovered is that some foods high in calcium actually can PREVENT kidney stones but taking a calcium supplement or antacid (Tums, Rolaids, etc.) INCREASES the risk of stones.

If you suddenly develop low back pain and trouble or burning with urination, you may have a stone. If it comes with a fever and chills, this indicates an infection and you must seek immediate medical care. It is possible, with up to 2 gallons of extra fluids and pain medication, to pass smaller stones in the comfort of your own home. Then, when you pass the stone, the doctor can give you medication to prevent further stones by reducing the level of acid in your urine. However, there are some people who are prone to recurrent large stones who must have them broken up and removed. Speak with a specialist, called a urologist to determine the best way for this to be done for you. The two most common procedures can often be done in the doctor’s office and allow you to pass smaller fragments of the stones naturally.

This is a basic overview of this topic, most of which was derived from the following website: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults I recommend to return to this site for more detailed information. They say passing a kidney stone is similar to giving birth, so although I have never had a kidney stone, I have given birth and I certainly can empathize with strong pain. I hope you don’t have to deal with this condition; but if you do, maybe this article can be of some help. God bless you all in 2012!

The following misprints in church bulletins were found at: http://www.klenger.net/humor/misprints.html

• Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
• Thursday night – Potluck supper.  Prayer and medication to follow
• This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church.  Children will be baptized at both ends.
• Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet.  All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.

Katrina, Pharmacist, Mor for Less/Bristol Pharmacy 848-0660