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Burn Ban Now In Effect

Colorado County has issued a burn ban and it’s in effect until further notice:

  •  NO outdoor burning is permitted per county ordinance.

  •  NO fireworks per county ordinance.

  •  Strict instructions for welding.

  • Includes other restrictions.

Please click on “Burn Ban.7-28” below to see the full order from the County.   Thanks for taking care of your neighbors!

Burn Ban.7-28

 

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Christmas Party at the Ranch! Everyone Welcome!

ORWMA Christmas Party

Saturday, Dec 12 at 2pm

at Lynne Bigelow’s home, 1287 Oakridge Road

 

Ham & Turkey Sliders and Potato Skins

Veggies, Chips & Dips

Cookies, Cup Cakes, Mini-Pies, Dessert Empanadas, etc.

 

Silent Auction

for

 Personal Crawfish Boil (provided by ORWMA)

&

 2 of R.C. Lumpkin’s Cheesecakes

 

Silent Auction Proceeds Benefiting

Grace’s Table in Columbus, TX

 

Door Prizes, Too!!!

 

Lots of Fun & Good Fellowship!

Come out & Celebrate the Season with Your Neighbors!

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AgriLife Newsletter Spring 2015

Attached is the latest AgriLife Newsletter from the Colorado County Agriculture Extension Agent, Stephen Janak.   The newsletter includes great information regarding upcoming local events along with other news regarding outdoor life here in the county.  Click on the link below to open this pdf file.

AgriLifeNewsletter_April_2015

Enjoy!

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Winter Birding Event January 2015

ORWMA_BirdCensusTotals_Jan2015

Attached is the list of total birds counted during ORWMA’s 2015 Winter Birding Census.   We had 4 groups that birded the morning of January 24th and we had 13 present at the kick-off dinner the evening before.   We hope you become involved in our birding groups and make plans to  attend our next birding census later this year.   Watch the website for more news on birding.

Over the next few weeks, both Cedar Waxwings and American Robins will be visiting the Ranch to help clear our Yaupon Holly of the berries, making way for the spring.

Greater Yellowlegs; Photo by Brenda LaVergne_May2013
Greater Yellowlegs; Photo by Brenda LaVergne_May2013
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President’s Message, October 2014

Your 2015 ORWMA committee has been selected.  Here are the results:  Event Chairperson-Jean Herring, co-chair-Peggy Wilcox; Habitat Chairperson-RC Lumpkin, co-chair Glenda Lambert; Birding Chairperson-Brenda Lavergne, co-chairs Marilyn Rutledge & Glenda Lambert; Predator Control Chairperson-Douglas Mason, co-chairs Jerry Rogers & Vernon Wallace; Whitetail Deer Chairperson-David Mitchem, co-chair Jack Jetton; Secretary Treasurer-Barbara Mitchem, Vice President-Vernon Wallace; President-Larry Petter.  This is the first year ORWMA has added co-chairs to the Executive Committee.  We look forward to building our teams.  If you have a special interest in any of the committees please contact any chairperson so that you are included in their correspondence.

Plans are underway for the 2014 Wounded Warrior Hunt. We are expecting 15-20 participants and great hunting weather!  We will be searching for hunting stands and lodging for our guests.  David or Vernon may be calling you soon! Items for gift bags are needed; let Barbara know if you can help.  If your company or employer would like to sponsor or make a donation, contact Barbara.  We would like to send our Wounded Warrior Guests home with some venison this year. In previous years, some of our guest returned home with empty ice chests. Thanks to an ORWMA member, Jason Frick, he suggested we harvest some does in advance.  I have decided to implement this idea and ask any avid Oakridge hunter to take an additional doe for this purpose.  I will provide the processing and freezing for the wounded warrior event. Check in the doe and you will be issued a replacement permit.  Give me a call for additional details, 713-825-7332.

UPCOMING EVENTS  –  Wounded Warrior Hunt December 6 & 7.  Mark your calendar.  A weekend agenda will be sent to you soon.  Chili Cookout December 5, 2014.  Each year we cook chili for the Saturday night supper for the wounded warrior hunt.  We start Friday at 8:00 AM.  Breakfast will be provided, fellowship will be enjoyed, and stories will be told.  Join me at the Petter corral, 1220 Miller Creek Loop.

Visit our website: www.orwma.org   Read our articles about habitat and birding.  Don’t be left out!

Larry Petter, President-ORWMA

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Brush Piles To Burn

Now that the burn ban has been lifted, many of us are thinking of burning our brush piles.  Here are some things to consider before light off:

  • brush piles are actually beneficial for a variety of critters such as rabbits, song birds, quail and of course, some not-so-desireable ones including raccoons, skunks and possum
  • brush piles eventually deteriorate and return the variety of remnants to the earth

If you wish to burn your pile(s), OVFD Assistant Chief Wayne Wolfford has some very important tips to follow:

  • keep piles to a medium size 30-40 ft. in diameter
  • clear grass away from around the pile 10-15ft.
  • if it is a large pile, call  OVFD a couple of days in advance so they can look the pile over
  • OVFD will do a standby with 2-3 firefighters plus needed gear and equipment
  • the day of the burn OVFD will look at wind, humidity, and temperature and will also notify the Colorado County dispatcher of the location of the burn

Safety for each property owner, resident, the ranch property and all of our neighbors is critical so please proceed with care and caution.