TERRE HAUTE —
Hannah just got woke up from a sound sleep at 5:30 this evening; no she didn’t sleep in that late, the senior prom took place last night, need I say anymore.
She has a beautiful smile and full of spunk, living live to the fullest. She is truly a lady of the outdoors.
Hannah and dad went to Jefferson County in southern Indiana to try their luck on a turkey bird! No scouting was needed for dad grew up there.
It was the youth weekend, which is wonderful thing for the kids to get a head start. They showed up on a Friday with rain from all the last week, and they hunted Saturday in the rain, only leaving the woods to eat. Sunday morning produced more rain but she hung in there and didn’t give up where most men would have. In heavy rain, birds stay in bed a long time. Dad’s phone kept them tuned in on the weather, with a four or five hour break in the weather that afternoon.
Sitting up on the edge of a field was a good choice because two goblins and two jukes came walking across the field. When dad called, they veered toward them. With Dave’s calling they came over to see who was there.
Hannah sat facing her dad when the birds came in behind him although he could tell what was going on from her eyes. The birds made it within 50 yards when she picked her bird and the gun was in front of dad but so close he had to put his fingers in his ears.
Dad says this gun kicks like a mule but really gets out there on those birds. When the gun went off two bodies hit the ground, yes, Hannah’s rear-end left skid marks in the dirt, but it was sure worth it, to take that turkey. The bird sported 39 MM spurs, a 101⁄2 inch beard and weighed 231⁄2 pounds. A wonderful bonding experience that will never be forgotten.
This was Hannah’s first gobbler and won’t be her last, great going sweety.
There was a group of rednecks at the check-in station that turned green when this 17-year old lady walked in with the bird over her shoulders.
I should mention this took place on Easter, they were in God’s country.
At nine years old, Jackson Breitweiser started his turkey hunting this year with dad in Jefferson County also. The rain was not in their favor. Jackson’s been napping on the couch while we were hearing about his sister’s hunt and with sleepy eyes he is getting the wheels turning on his hunt so his first turkey hunt can be told.
Jackson says we got up before daylight to go to the woods and when they left the house it was raining.
What a tough nine year old. They did a lot of walking to get to their ground blind.
Jackson, in his shy voice, admitted after sitting for a while he got sleepy. They did not hear or see any birds while in the blind so they moved to the edge of a field after calling a while.
Two jukes and two hens came out into the field about 300 yards off. Not responding for 45 minutes, a juke finally got interested to come straight in. Jackson says he wasn’t nervous and only had to move a couple times to be ready for his arrival. The rain had stopped but the turkeys were still not gobbling. Jackson says if he was a turkey, he wants to be a hen, so he wouldn’t get shot. The juke slowed down and got very cautious so dad judged the yardage at about 30 yards when it was actually 45 yards so the 20 gauge shot a little high without touching the bird. It was fortunate the turkey was not wounded for its offspring someday may give Jackson an opportunity to take a trophy of a life time.
This was a major learning curve that will not be forgotten, and a wonderful bonding experience with dad.
Another Breitweiser child, Morgan, is an avid fisherman and mushroom hunter. I cannot put in to words any better than she did with the poem she wrote at 11 years old. The heart she put into it is outstanding.
I pushed the boat onto the glossy lake and hopped in with Dad.
We were going fishing, just the two of us.
It was quiet and peaceful.
A woodpecker chipped pieces of bark from the tree above us.
Splashes from fish hitting the surface of the water startled us.
Water ripples broke the surface of the water.
Breaths of cool wind brushed against my cheek.
I casted my line into the lake.
It jerked.
A small bluegill was on the end of my line.
Turtles bathed in the sun.
Turkeys gobbled in the distance.
Geese glided on the water.
It was warm and gentle here.
A deer crunched on leaves while walking on the island until it disappeared in the woods.
Then all was silent.
Dad paddled to the bank and I unloaded and pulled the boat up.
This trip with my dad will stay in my memory for a lifetime.
Micah Breitweiser is the horse lady of the family, from purchasing her first mare from some Amish in Parke County for $50. She is a morgan breed. She is taking riding lessons for the western style so some horse shows may be in the future. The trail riding and leisure time riding is the most enjoyable.
Jessica Breitweiser has claim to fame of being the best mushroom hunter of the family. Dad says she can really find them because she is low to the ground. She is a very pretty eight year old and loves the outdoors.
Jessica found dozens of morels this year. Last year, she found the biggest mushroom in the family.
Dad says he and Jessie were looking for morels early last season when Jessie said daddy you just about stepped on one, so Dave knew he had met his match on finding mushrooms. When times get tough, Jessie can feed the family with all the mushrooms she found. Another lady of the outdoors.
Last mention, Jessie has a picture of her with over 80 bluegills she caught under the ice, dad couldn’t get a pole in the water, too busy baiting her hook. Great job little lady.
• Gander Mountain is offering the next Safety Hunger Education course Sept. 12-14 from 6-9 p.m. You must attend all three meetings. You can sign up at the firearms counter.
• Outdoor tip — Bridges are not access ways for the public to enter waterways. They are there for maintenance right of way for state workers.
Sports Columns
REDNECK QUAKER: The Breitweiser family loves the outdoors
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RAMBLIN' RECK: Sunday promises to be big day in Indy
Sunday promises to be a super day in Indianapolis.
It’s the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 followed by Indiana vs. Miami in the third game of the National Basketball Association playoffs. -
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. -
TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
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TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
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From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
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There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
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TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
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KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
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College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
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Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
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Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
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Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
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Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
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TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
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FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. - More Sports Columns Headlines
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