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American Roadkill Book Event In St. Louis Benefits Missouri Animal Protection Group On Dec. 11

Novel Neighbor of Webster Groves is hosting a book signing from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 6, at its store.

A book event at Webster Groves Public Library at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, will feature “American Roadkill,” with sales to benefit Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL).

 

 

For More information:
Contact Author Don Corrigan at  314-968-2699; 314-827-9989
Corrigan@timesnewspapers.com

Local motorists have had plenty of road encounters with animals ranging from
tiny squirrels to large deer that can weigh up to 250 pounds. The results are not
pretty for man or beast.

Armadillos are the latest species to take it on the chin in a big way in roadkill
accidents in Missouri. The hard-shelled tourists, originally from Texas, litter rural highways and interstates.

In his new book, “American Roadkill,” author Don Corrigan documents the million animals killed daily on American roadways. Among the casualties are man’s best friends, canines and felines, amounting to 5.4 million of the annual roadkill tally.

Is there anybody looking out for the critters that have taken such a beating in the
automobile age which began a century ago?

Corrigan documents many positive developments, among them: (read more about American Roadkill and the upcoming events below.)

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Posted on December 3, 2021 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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“Notch” The California Celebrity Squirrel

In the land of fruit and nuts, California, squirrels are front page news. Dan Burkhardt of Magnificent Missouri found this out when visiting his children recently. He was in the state that “The Arnold” from Total Recall affectionately refers to as “Caleeefornya.”
 
The squirrel in the California newspaper, known as The Acorn, is named Notch. He gets his name from a peculiar ear that he sports. The little varmint enjoys peanuts hand-fed to him by sympathetic humans.
Notch will get some ink in the second edition of “Nuts About Squirrels,” which is the definitive book on the species by St. Louis author Don Corrigan.

Patrons who buy the “Nuts About Squirrels” book at Novel Neighbor or the Webster Groves Bookshop will get a free squirrel button, squirrel book marker, and squirrel journal in a kit thanks to the printing press work of Mark Sableman, Attorney at Law.

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Posted on December 3, 2021 in Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Zoo Man Charlie Hoessle Gets His Own Children’s Book

Don Corrigan will join Diane Key-Biggs and Shelley Dietrichs, the creators of A Friend to All: Charlie Hoessle, at a special book event at the Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves on Monday, Dec. 6, from 7-8 p.m. The event will include presentations on favorite animals and favorite animal lovers in St. Louis and book signings.

A Friend to All: Charlie Hoessle is a children’s book that takes a look at the life and times of the beloved former Saint Louis Zoo Director. Corrigan will give a presentation on his new book, American Roadkill: The Animal Victims of Our Busy Highways. Corrigan will give an up-beat update on all the animal lovers and groups who are working to reduce roadkill carnage on the nation’s thoroughfares. There is much progress to report!

By Don Corrigan

A familiar image of the Saint Louis Zoo’s Charlie Hoessle graces the cover of a new children’ book. Its title notes that he is a friend “to all.” The “all” includes giraffes, lions, penguins, snakes, elephants and more.

That’s as it should be, according to Shrewsbury writer Diane Key-Biggs and Kirkwood illustrator Shelley Dietrichs. Hoessle’s best friends have always been furry, scaly, hairy or even a bit slimy.

The story book notes that from an early age, Charlie cultivated the kind of friends that you can keep in your pocket, like a toad, turtle, or frog. He found it hard to make friends at school, but not in the great outdoors.

“Charlie never had trouble making friends with the animals. He loved them from an early age,” said Key-Biggs. “I think young readers will find that reassuring.

“Here is a man who never had to worry about being lonely,” said Key-Biggs. “With his love for animals, he has been a real gift for St. Louis. They broke the mold when they made Charlie.”

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Posted on December 1, 2021 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

Natural Playground Now Open At Forest Park

Posted on November 29, 2021 | Leave a comment

Looking for something to do with the kids or grandkids this coming holiday weekend? Check out the recently opened Oakland Avenue Playground at Forest Park. Read more about the playground from Forest Park Forever below.

The City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and Forest Park Forever are pleased to announce the renovated Oakland Avenue Playground is now open to the public. The playground is located on Forest Park’s southern edge near the intersection of Tamm and Oakland Avenues. The $300,000 project was funded by donations to Forest Park Forever, including a lead grant from the PNC Foundation, and the City of St. Louis.

The design for the renovated Oakland Avenue Playground was based on feedback and ideas from hundreds of local children and community members who took part in online and in-person surveys and discovery sessions in 2020. The playground includes two main play areas – one designed for children ages 2-5 and the other tailored for children ages 5-12. The playground offers a variety of seating options, including picnic tables and natural benches, as well as bicycle racks. It unifies and connects to Turtle Playground, the existing restroom comfort station and the nearby neighborhood, giving the space a defined identity and welcoming atmosphere.

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Gobble, Gobble, Gobble Up That Turkey Pizza & More

Posted on November 23, 2021 | Leave a comment

Could one of these turkeys end up on your pizza? (Photo: MDC)

By Don Corrigan

The classic All-American Thanksgiving Dinner is getting a makeover. The roast bird, surrounded by hot plates of fixings, is being edged out by a new wave of holiday turkey dinner pizzas.

If you’re a doubting Tom Turkey, you need to get a load of the holiday concoctions being proposed for the 2021 table: barbecue turkey pizza, artichoke turkey pizza, turkey bacon flatbread pizza and turkey supreme pizza bake.

And now comes Happy Joe’s with a pizza featuring turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce – all layered and piled high – on Joe’s pan-style crust. The happy man contends this culinary caper will make for special holiday memories.

After all, who will ever forget such a novel holiday pastry – a pie that combines everyone’s favorite Turkey Day flavors – stacked in a one-of-a-kind creation?

Suzanne Corbett, a St. Louis food historian and culinary critic, is an outspoken doubting Thomasina. She intends to pound the table in favor of tradition. She thinks the traditional bird is going nowhere.

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SEED ST. LOUIS: Same Great Resource, Same Great Organization, New Name

Posted on November 21, 2021 | Leave a comment

Recently Gateway Greening announced they are changing their name to Seed St. Louis! Read more from the organization below.

Gateway Greening is now Seed St. Louis! To better clarify our mission and to avoid confusion with a local trails organization, we are excited about the change to Seed St. Louis.

With the name change, we have updated our vision and mission, while adding a new purpose:

Mission: To empower people and communities to grow food

Vision: Equitable access to fresh, healthy food throughout the St. Louis region

Purpose: To provide the community with the education, resources, and a network to grow their own food

We will continue to grow our network of 250 community-led projects that include community gardens, school gardens, urban orchards, and urban farms. We hope to plant more seeds with people and communities throughout the region to achieve “Food Freedom For All.” Stay tuned for more exciting news to come!  -Seed St. Louis – Staff and Board of Directors

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It’s Finally Here!! Don Corrigan’s New Book!

To order Don Corrigan’s latest book, call 314-968-2699 and ask for Don Corrigan, or email corrigan@timesnewspapers.com

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Posted on November 4, 2021 in Environment, Home, Outdoor/Nature

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Celebrate Powder Valley Nature Center’s 30th Anniversary at Autumn Festival event Oct. 29

Families enjoy the fall color by walking the trails at Powder Valley.

MDC invites the public to help celebrate Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center’s 30th anniversary at an Anniversary Autumn Festival Friday, Oct. 29 from 6-9 p.m.  This special event is free and open to the whole family. (online preregistration to attend is required.)

 

The average price for a gallon of gas was $1.14; Terminator 2: Judgement Day dominated the box office; George H. W. Bush was president of the United States, and Boyz II Men was just breaking into the music scene.  The year was 1991, and something great was happening for St. Louis-area nature lovers too—the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) opened Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center.

MDC invites the public to help celebrate Powder Valley’s 30-year anniversary at an Anniversary Autumn Festival Friday, Oct. 29 from 6-9 p.m.  This special event is free and open to the whole family.  Enjoy a beautiful fall evening with plenty of autumn-inspired outdoor activities.

Visitors will be able to go for a hayride and enjoy a bonfire complete with s’mores.  There will also be fall themed crafts, games, and other fun activities to celebrate Powder Valley’s anniversary. MDC will even provide free hotdogs, popcorns, s’mores, and drinks.

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Posted on October 25, 2021 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Kay Drey: Whistleblower for an Atomic Age in St. Louis

Environmentalist Kay Drey will be honored at the First Amendment Celebration of the St. Louis Gateway Journalism Review. The event will be on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, from 7-8 p.m. Sign up for this virtual celebration at tinyurl.com/3rakxfet.

The celebration will benefit the nation’s only regional journalism review. Keynote Speaker is former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Kirkwood, Missouri.  

By Don Corrigan

Kay Drey is an activist, environmentalist, a whistleblower, an Earth Mother. Who could argue that there is anyone more passionate than Kay Drey about protecting humanity from the dangers of the atomic age?

Humanity means mothers, fathers, children – it’s not just a word. She is the premier whistleblower because she has educated so many journalists to blow the whistle, to make some noise, to sound the alarm in defense of man, woman and child.

She is the Paul Revere of the Nuclear Age:

• “Mobile Chernobyls are coming!” she warned us.

•  “Plutonium is coming!” she warned us.

• “Polonium is coming! Have you heard of it?” she asked us.

Who else but Kay Drey would have tritium3 as her email address? It is impossible to message her without wondering if this radioactive element might be contaminating the neighborhood.

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Posted on October 21, 2021 in Environment, Home, Opinion, Outdoor/Nature

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Trouble In Tree City USA: Storms, Disease Hit Suburban Trees

By Don Corrigan

There’s trouble in Tree City USA – and that means Tree with a “T” and that means Kirkwood and that means Webster Groves. And that means oaks, maples, elms, pines – and more.

Residents with mature trees in their yards have learned this summer that they don’t necessarily have it made in the shade. Their trees have taken a trouncing from storms, pests, rot, fungi – and more.

Perhaps the surest sign of this came on a July weekend when a microburst storm took down massive trees in the area. Earlier this spring, residents were sounding the alarm over pin oaks shedding yellow leaves.

“Trees are wonderful community assets, but they require some TLC and regular observation to determine care needs,” said Bill Ruppert, a Kirkwood horticulturalist and owner of National Nursery Products. “Homeowners are wise to invest in trees, but it’s also wise to keep up with your investments.”

Ruppert recommends tree owners have periodic tree health evaluations by a certified consulting arborist. These should check on presence of pests, nutritional needs and safety conditions related to limb and branch structure.

“We are learning so much now about the importance of putting thought into what kind of trees we plant in order to head off a lot of tree problems,” added Ruppert. “It’s important to think about site and diversity when planting trees.”

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Posted on October 1, 2021 in Environment, Home, Outdoor/Nature