may 2012 volume 13, issue 5 texas master ...txmn.org/elmfork/files/2012/05/may-12-nl.pdftexas master...

Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012

Special points of

interest:

Pack a grip; we’re moving

Captured and shot on Texas

safari

Births and future births

If you’ve ever wished to meet

an author—MN has a new one

One MN’s enrichment

through projects

Volume 13, Issue 5

May 2012

Announcements 2

Rob’s ramblings 3

Enticing butterflies 4

Texas safari 6

Photography for MN 7

Bird banding and quail

declines

9

Field notes in focus and

Field notes in focus

10-

11

Chapter meeting May 17 12

AT LBJ grasslands 13

Joys of working on projects 15

History of spinning wheels 17

Who we are 18

Inside this issue:

AgriLIFE Extension Service

TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST, ELM FORK CHAPTER

Newsletter

TM

Elm Fork Chapter

Texas AgriLIFE Extension

May

Bird blind at

LLELA with 7 great

herons perched on

top. Sharon’s new

camera, a 42x zoom,

lets her capture

great bird shots

without disturbing

the birds.

Now is the time for all good members to come to

the aid of the great outdoors. Pull out those shovels,

chainsaws, hammers, canoes, wading/hiking boots, binoculars

and the CAMERAS—all tools of the trade—and join the forces. Nature,

work, and fun awaits!

Horse apple tree

with fuzzy seed pod

turning into horse

apple—taken at the

“dog park” in Den-

ton. Sharon says she

had never before

noticed them. Who

needs an eye doctor

when you’ve got a

new camera!

—Sharon Barr shares photos from her new camera—

Break

ing ne

ws


Contact Information Changes

If you have any changes in your contact information

(name, address, telephone number or numbers, and/or email

address) you want the chapter and members to know about

please send the changes to:

Monica Chaffin [email protected]; Donna Wolfe

[email protected]; & Susan Pohlen

[email protected]

MESSAGE BOARD

If you have an idea for, or information about a

speaker, please send your suggestions, with all

contact information, to Peg La Point, programs

chairperson.

[email protected] 891-4984

If you want to be a Mentor for students in the 2012

Training Class now is the time to apply. If you have

questions, please contact either Ruth Ann Morrison at

972-317-9954 or [email protected] or Carol

Feagan at 940-464-7190 or [email protected].

The application may be brought to the May Chapter

meeting or sent to Ruth Ann Morrison at 2440 Glen

Ridge Drive, Highland Village TX 75077.

Stay informed on important issues:

http://www.audubon.org/newsroom/press

-releases/2012/federal-guidelines-step-

forward-bird-friendly-wind-development

Some alien creature invaded this

section last month (after my proof-

reader helper had plied her trade)

and created other-world typos —

hope it did not cause any confusion!

w. odum

To register for the workshop, or for more questions, con-

tact Kathy McCormack at 512-698-9880 or

[email protected]

TPWD Texas Amphibian Watch Workshop

Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center (aka, the Splash!

Exhibit) next to Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, Aus-

tin http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/beverly-s-sheffield-

education-center)

Learn how to identify frog and toad species in Texas and

participate in scientific research. This TPWD workshop is

sponsored by the Capital Area Master Naturalists (http://

camn.org/). Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you have

one, but some flashlights will also be on hand. Bring

shoes/boots that can get wet if you want to chase frogs,

but this is not required. You may want to bring some wa-

ter, as well. This workshop is approved advanced training

for Texas Master Naturalist, and SBEC and TEEAC cred-

it is available for educators.

The workshop fee is $10/person for materials and more

information on this TPWD Texas Nature Trackers pro-

gram can be found at

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_tracker

s/amphibian_watch/

mailto:[email protected]







http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/beverly-s-sheffield-education-center

http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/beverly-s-sheffield-education-center

http://camn.org/

http://camn.org/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_trackers/amphibian_watch/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_trackers/amphibian_watch/


Email communication: (Monica

Chaffin) [email protected]

Website: website–webmaster (Sharon Barr)

[email protected]

Newsletter: newsletter (Wanda Odum)

[email protected]

May schedule for Pollinator Pocket Prairie

workdays—starting at 9:30 a.m:

Mondays (led by Rose) May 14, 21

Fridays (led by Michi): May 4, 11, 18, 25

Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Michi) by arrangement

Saturdays: May 19 (Rose) - May 26 (Michi)

Nursery Work

By arrangement with Bill Freiheit [email protected]

If you would like to be contacted directly and immedi-

ately in the event of a cancellation, please rsvp to

Michi or Rose at the addresses/numbers below.

Michi Harper: [email protected]

940-597-5141 (text doesn’t always work out)

940-591-8369 (landline)

Rose Carrizales [email protected]

940-395-7581

Bill Freiheit: [email protected]

MESSAGE BOARD—cont’d

Rob’s Ramblings – May 2012

Changes are coming. As announced during

the April general meeting “our” building is for

sale and the Texas AgriLife Extension offices

will relocate later this year, probably in the Oct-

Nov time period. The plan is for us to move with

them. Meanwhile we are being proactive by

locating a new place for our monthly chapter

meetings and a place to hold our 2012 class

training.

Beginning in June (6/21/12) we will hold our

general meetings in the Copeland Center, a

Denton County facility in Cross Roads on FM

424 just north of US 380. The plan for the 2012

training class is to meet in a facility in Corinth.

The resources will remain at the extension

building for the time being. Both the

Copeland and Corinth facilities pro-

vide much more meeting/seating

space and will easily fill our needs.

An ad hoc committee has been formed to

plan the immediate relocation of the general

meetings to the Copeland Center. One of the

key tasks is the logistics of hospitality (coffee/

tea, etc.), media (PC, projector, etc.), and other

functions required to hold meetings and the

transport of items needed for the functions. The

committee will also address the training class

needs.

Richard Johnson will chair the relocation com-

mittee. Van Elliott, Jan Hodson, and Donna

Wolfe comprise the rest of the committee. If you

have suggestions or questions, please contact Rich-

ard Johnson at [email protected] or cell# 469-877-

0695.

Photo-Laurie Hemming




T he spotlight is on Susan Pohlen! Two of her articles appeared in the Spring

Home & Garden Guide insert for the Pilot Post-Signal paper on Friday, April

27th, and in case you missed them in the original publication, the following is

one of them along with her spectacular butterfly photos.

Enticing Butterflies

Tiger Swallowtail on Butterfly Bush

by Susan Pohlen

Are you dreaming of a butterfly garden? Ideally your butterfly garden

should include both nectar and host plants, with an emphasis on native

plants. Nectar plants will attract a wide variety of butterflies looking

for a rich food source. Host plants provide a place for butterflies to lay

eggs, and most butterfly species require very specific plants. Keep in

mind that in a good butterfly year like this one the host plant will prob-

ably be eaten to the ground by caterpillars, but the plant should

bounce back quickly under normal conditions.

A selection of native plants should increase your chances of success in your butterfly garden. Insects are

born with the ability to seek out specific types of plants for nectar and egg laying. Most butterflies do not

migrate, the Monarch being the best known exception. These insects are born and live in ecoregions that

support specific plants, so butterflies will look for plants that belong in their natural range.

Once you make up your mind whether or not to include host plants you can start choosing your plants. The

type of soil and amount of sun near your garden will drive the choices you make. Typically the best plants

for popular butterflies require full sun. However, you can purchase shade friendly wildflower seeds if you

need shade tolerant plants. A reliable source for native seeds that I have used is Native American Seed:

www.seedsource.com.

Try to have plants that bloom during different seasons. Butterflies that winter over will emerge early in

the year, so spring bloomers will attract the butterflies to your yard. Different butterfly species will be

present during each season, so try to have flowers and host plants spring through fall.

http://www.seedsource.com


Some plants that I use to attract butterflies include Verbena, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Mistflower and

Lantana, but there are many plants to consider. One website that has detailed information about Texas

butterflies is www.thebutterflysite.com. (Type “Texas” in the search box in the upper right hand corner

for a list of Texas butterflies and plants.)

If you don’t have space for many plants you can attract but-

terflies by offering small patches of natural sand or set out

ripe fruit. The sand is used by butterflies as a mineral sup-

plement. The fruit is a food source for certain butterfly and

moth species. Old banana and melon work especially well.

Fruit is best suited to places where small native mammals

won’t become a nuisance.

One final note – you probably shouldn’t put in a butterfly garden if you use pesticides in that area. You

wouldn’t invite a guest to dinner and then poison their food, so don’t set out a butterfly buffet and sprin-

kle it with chemicals.

I hope you feel inspired to create your own butterfly garden. Good Luck!

Susan Pohlen

Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter

www.efcmn.org

Queens on Mistflower by Susan Pohlen

Red-spotted (purple)

Admiral on old banana

by Susan Pohlen

http://www.thebutterflysite.com

http://www.efcmn.org


A TEXAS SAFARIA TEXAS SAFARI--PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE AIM AT HAGERMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE AIM AT HAGERMAN

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGENATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

By Alex Lieban

All photos from

Alex Lieban

Information about the refuge is at:

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21580

For the photo safaris or becoming a Friend of Hagerman go

to:

http://www.friendsofhagerman.com/photoClub

The refuge consists of over 11,000 acres on the south-

ern end of Lake Texoma and serves as breeding

grounds for migratory birds and other animals. The new

visitor center is staffed by volunteers and the literature

is abundant and very user friendly. Great maps are

available so finding your way around the refuge is easy

and the many hiking trails are easily accessible and well

maintained.

Since I have been a Texas Master Naturalist I have

heard about the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

west of Sherman.

I have finally seen it. I signed up for their spring

photo safari, one of two held each year to coincide

with the bird migrations.

If you are interested in the photo safaris, let me tell you that you

will not find one that caters to the photographer more than these

do. You are assigned to an experienced volunteer photographer

who shoots the same camera as you do (or is at least thoroughly

familiar with your model). Each leader takes only 2 to 4 people so

individual attention is guaranteed. He or she knows the refuge

very well and is very knowledgeable about the birds and where

they can be found. I had a fabulous time shooting, learning, and

adding new birds to my photo library.


Photo—Rob Roy

Photo—w. odum

Lynne “doing her thing”

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR MASTER NATURALISTS

April 28, 2012

Front table: Laurie Hemming (with daughter), Linda Maxwell, Jean

Chaka, Linda Cox, Dorothy Thetford; 2nd table: Sharon Barr, Larry

Brennan, Susan Pohlen, Peg La Point, Cheryl Kesterson, Sherrill

Campbell, Wanda Odum.—Rob Roy was the “shutter man”.

Taking note and notes

S everal Master Naturalists gathered at the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center eager to learn more about photography and understand what all those numbers on the camera mean. They discovered how

shutter speed, f-stops and ISO work together to control light and achieve the desired results. Some may even have left confident enough to take their cameras off "auto" and dive into the world of manual settings, enjoying the control and flexibility that brings. Taking a break from the technical, the group discussed methods for documenting projects, capturing photographs for identification purposes, and creating compelling artful images of the natural world for the enjoyment and education of others. With a little instruction and some practice, Master Naturalists can call themselves photographers too.

From Lynne Richards


Our thanks to Lynne Richards, Master of Photography

and Master Naturalist, for presenting a wonderful program

on basic photography.

Some time back, Lynne decided that she wanted to teach

people not to be afraid of their camera. She did just that,

taking her class through the fundamentals of cameras,

composition and story telling. Lynne made it seem like

child's play and everyone was inspired.

Lynne's enthusiasm and extensive knowledge will be an

enormous asset to the Elm Fork Chapter.

Photo—Rob Roy

Peg “thanks” Lynne

Peg La Point, advanced training and

program chair

Enjoy hiking treks into the mountains, but also concerned about

the impact on nature? How about taking a hike with a llama?

Stuart Wilde in northern New Mexico is owner and operator of

Wild Earth Llama Adventures. He started out with two llamas

bought on a payment plan and opened his llama trek business in

1992. When he started getting calls from people asking him to

take in their unwanted llamas, he couldn’t say “no”. He and his

wife presently have 32 llamas, “all rescued from across the

Southwest.”

Mr. Wilde states that llamas are “eco-friendly”. Even consider-

ing their size and the load they pack, they leave little impact

since the animals have leather-padded, two-toed feet. Like

deer, they browse and forage instead of grazing.

“llamas help me to promote an ethic of taking care of Mother

Earth, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.” —Stuart Wilde

A FACE ONLY MOTHER COULD LOVE

American Profile, April 2012

Public domain photo


L ast month, Master Naturalist volunteers provided extra hands for bird

banding at LLELA along with Dr. Ken and some of his UNT graduate students.

Photos courtesy

Owen Richards

Reason for quail population decline not yet clear

Texas AgriLIFE Research and Extension Center at San Angelo,

found that the number of quail hunters declined 79 percent be-

tween 1981 and 2010; yet concern is ongoing about the decreas-

ing quail population. Although many people assume that the decline is

related to the loss of habitat caused by development, tests conducted

in Texas and Oklahoma by Texas A&A researchers have

found that birds from areas with declining quail popula-

tions have severe infestations of parasites. Research con-

tinues, and results are pending. Dallas Morning News and

TAMU.org, March 2012

Scaled quail

Northern bobwhi te Quail—

odontophoridae

quail in the desert

All photos—public domain

Strike up the Bands

More photos and

information about this

banding event will

be a part of the June

newsletter. Some-

thing for which to

look forward. w.

odum


“FIELD NOTES IN FOCUS”

Featuring Master Naturalist photographers—flora and fauna as you see them

Dorothy Thetford delivers: newly-hatched bluebirds at Thetford farmette


“FIELD NOTES IN FOCUS”

Just too good not to showcase both—w. odum

Alex Lieban took this photo on a small island off the Johnson Branch of Ray Roberts State

Park. A Canada goose laid these seven eggs and was sitting on them when he accidentally in-terrupted her. The unhappy couple swam just offshore until the “human intruders” left the island.

ALSO...


Chapter meeting May 17—Applying Paleozoology

At our May 17 Chapter meeting, we will hear from two University of North Texas students of Anthropology and

Environmental Science. Jonathan Dombrosky and Amy Hoffman will show us how animal remains found in

archaeological sites can inform us about ancient people and the environments in which they lived.

Paleozoology is the study of animal remains from paleontological or archaeological sites. Zooarchaeology is the

study of animal remains from archaeological sites with the intent of understanding human subsistence patterns

and past environments. This gives us a glimpse of ancient environmental conditions, animal biogeography and

the links to human activities.

The quality of paleozoological data is a heavily debated subject. Amy and Jonathan will discuss some of the

issues and give us examples from studies using the near extinct California Condor and freshwater mussels in

the Upper Trinity River. They will also inform us about the application of ancient DNA in the effort to under-

stand evolution and the interaction of humans and their environment.

Jonathan Dombrosky is an honors undergraduate at the

University of North Texas who is majoring in anthropology.

He is currently finishing his honors thesis on the subsistence

patterns of two sites (Tsama Pueblo and Ponsipa’akeri) lo-

cated the Northern Rio Grande Region of New Mexico

(A.D. 1300 to 1600). He has recently received the Society of

Ethnobiology’s Undergraduate Ethnobiologist Award and a

UNT Undergraduate Research Fellowship. He plans to enter

into the PhD program in Environmental Science at Universi-

ty of North Texas next spring.

Amy Hoffman is currently a PhD student in the Environmental Science program at the University of North

Texas. For her Master’s Thesis she investigated how an Ancestral Puebloan village in southwestern Colorado

exploited food resources during the depopulation of the region (approx. A.D. 1300). For her PhD she plans to

integrate conservation biology and zooarchaeology through the use of ancient DNA with bird remains found at

a northwest Greenland archaeological site.

From Peg La Point


Advanced Training Field Trip to the LBJ Grasslands

Guided by Master Naturalist Jim Varnum

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. If you are unable to sign up

at the May 17 chapter meeting, contact Peg La Point at

[email protected], before May 17.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 10:00 - 2:00

Saturday, June 9, 2012 10:00 - 2:00

Master Naturalist Jim Varnum will be taking you around a

small portion of the LBJ National Grasslands to experience

the wonders of the local flora and fauna. He will show how

grasslands are maintained and restored. Expect to see but-

terflies/caterpillars, birds and many wildflowers. Jim and

others will help you identify the flora and fauna.

Bring water, lunch and snacks, sun protections and insect

protection, cameras, binoculars, stuff for note taking, but-

terfly, bird and wildflower books, more water, etc. Wear a

hat, long pants, and hiking footwear. This will be serious

walking and some of the terrain may be moderately rough.

There will be plenty of chiggers and ticks.

Members are encouraged to car pool by meeting at the

northwest corner of the Albertsons grocery parking lot

on West University (Hwy 380) in Denton at 9:00 am.

There is a map at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/

FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5302850.pdf It shows the

meeting point just north of Decatur. Unit 39 is the zigzag

shape just north of the center. Unit 31 is just to the east, near

Tadra Point.

Jim Varnum is a self-taught student of nature where his inter-

ests range from birds to plants to prairies to land preserva-

tion. He spends much time searching for native plants in the

DFW Metroplex and beyond. Jim has been a Texas Master

Naturalist since 1999. He also teaches, gives programs and

leads trail walks on birds, trees, wildflowers, prairies and

land preservation. There is no cure for curiosity."

On May 2, Jim saw about 90 plants, about 40 in bloom

Some of the interesting ones were Gaillardia

(firewheel), Prairie bishop, Old plainsman, Calylophus

(sundrops), Bottlebrush, Texas paintbrush, Prairie mi-

mosa (sensitive brier), White Barbara's buttons, and

White milkwort.

Jim Varnum [email protected]

Home: 972-243-4098

Cell: 214-543-2055 smartphone, can send/receive

phone calls, texts and email

Background on the Grassland:

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (of the Cad-

do-Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands) is located

north of Decatur and covers 17,784 acres. It is the most

southerly of the national grasslands and has a rich histo-

ry. The LBJNG is located in a transition zone where the

eastern forest becomes tallgrass prairie. The diversity

of the land means 1,100 different plant species are

found within the LBJNG boundaries and hundreds of

animals and birds make it their homes. Winter is prob-

ably the best time for spotting the greatest variety of

birds but LBJNG is on the flight path for Fall migration as

well.

The land we now call LBJNG was the home of great

herds of bison, antelope, deer, and elk and a favored

hunting ground of the Native people. The Caddo Indi-

ans, the largest Indian culture in Northeast Texas, were

the first cultivators of this land. They were forced out

around the mid-1700s by the more aggressive Apache

and Comanche people. The European settlers, primari-

ly stockmen, moved into the area in the 1800s with the

farmers following in the early 1900s. The land has seen

great cattle drives, with an estimated ten million head of

cattle driven northward. Cattle, barbed wire, and farm-

ing brought major changes to the land.

His current interests include chalk prairies, Hexalec-

tris and Spiranthes orchids and Trout lilies. His rep-

ertoire is chock full of interesting nature trivia and a

few bad nature jokes. When Jim is asked about his

philosophy and interest on the natural world, he

quotes author Ellen Parr: "The cure for boredom is

curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."

From Peg La Point

Meeting location: US Forest Service Office on US81/US

287 just north of US 380 in Decatur, Wise. Co. (this is the

last restroom stop). Be ready to depart at 10:00 AM.

We will caravan from the office to 2 units, probably unit 31

(the mesa) and unit 39 where we will also have lunch.


http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5302850.pdf

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5302850.pdf



The areas now designated as "grasslands" were settled in the 1800s under a variety of "Homestead Acts" that opened the

land to people, generally farmers, and helped to settle the west. A prolonged drought in the 1920s and 1930s caused some

homesteads on sub-marginal farmland (a location receiving 15 or less inches of annual moisture) to literally dry up and

blow away. During this time, Congress established the Land Utilization Program (LUP) which bought homesteads from

bankrupt private owners and returned it to public land status. The Civilian

Conservation Corps (CCC) helped to stabilize the eroding soil by re-

seeding it and applying other conservation techniques. In the 1950s, the LUP

holdings were assigned to the USDA Forest Service which was tasked with

management of these sub-marginal lands. Over the years the Forest Service

has established some twenty National Grasslands. "The designation of the

area as National Grassland is not a description of the area as much as a state-

ment of policy and effort to restore the area to a multiple of uses and bene-

fits."

Early explorers expected to find wind-swept prairies but instead found a barrier of timber with dense, heavy under-

growth. This belt of timber ran north to south across - rather than along - the major waterways. Known as the "Cross

Timbers," it was a major landmark of the western prairies. Once called Cross Timbers National Grassland because of

this unique landmark, the LBJ was renamed in 1974 after the former President. Since that time, the Forest Service has

encouraged the return of the "Cross Timber" environment while following its mandate "aimed at promoting better utili-

zation of the land, provide work in the depressed area, and to develop water oriented recreation facilities."

Oil and gas exploration and development is an ongoing effort. Wildfire control, prescribed burning, and wildlife man-

agement is used for the healthy recovery of the land.

Jim leading winter tree walk at Connemara Meadow

FURTHER PROOF OF THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF NATURE

From the gallery of

Laurie Hemming


The Joys of Working on Projects

— Randy Kimball—

If you can’t find a favorite project as a Texas Master Naturalist, you may need to take the blinders

off. When I was provided the honor to get into the class of 2010, I had no idea the wonderful places that

addition to my life would lead me. It is no mystery this same statement has been made by numerous TMN

volunteers. With your permission, please allow me to share how this is being manifested in my life.

Most of those who know me think of me as the squirrely guy in the hat that does animal rescues as a re-

tirement pass time passion. Yes, you are absolutely right, for example last week I was honored to work

with a co-worker and release a swan entangled in mono fishing line. If you have never had a swan in

your arms I am telling you that it is an amazing treat. It is no wonder they are consider royal birds, they

absolutely define elegance. Such moments are the fuel to my involvement in that sector.

But the point of this story is to discuss how being a TMN can provide unexpected avenues of expression.

As one example, even in my wildest dreams I could not imagine I would be allowed the honor of giving

the lecture on mammalogy to last year’s intern class, and I darn sure did not expect to be ask to do it

again this year. Thank you for that honor. Then as another example, little did I know I would be able to

enjoy the special satisfaction I get from my passion to restore antique wooden machines, furnishing, and

devices. It never occurred to me, not even when we visited the log house at LLELA as a class of interns.

Not even did I get it in the face of the fact I was hooked on that old house the moment my eyes spotted it,

at least not consciously. As an intern student at that time I could not imagine I would REALLY be allowed

to place the log house on my project list.

After a few visits to the log house and flipping the switch to be-

come a team member the light bulb finally came on. The next

feeling was one of complete stupidity. … Dauh… There

are several examples of antique wood machines and oth-

er objects in the house that could use some love, I finally

realized why I had been so attracted to that old building.

So, I ask and was given permission to rework the great

spinning wheel. I could sense a little reluctance in her

face when Lisa Cole gave me permission to take it home.

After all, she hardly knew me. A few days later, after

some research, making a few missing parts, and some

loving care, the log house got back a working spinning

wheel which is now used to actually spin yarn during spe-

cial events. As all those who volunteer efforts to the TMN

know what came next was the feeling of joy and pride one

receives by being able to use their hard earned skill sets

for a good cause.

Randy in Uniform—

with fox kit

Restored great wheel being used to spin yarn

by Emily, our captured spinning expert during

an open house demonstration


We continued on to the shaving horse, and then the latest project, to date, was skein winder. Each had

missing or broken parts and needed tender loving care and a few hours of PLAYING at my woodworking

passion. With the skein winder I was able to venture just a little into yet another passion (metal fabrication)

as I fashioned the missing brass pointer and direction arrow from brass. Working on each project I recall

catching myself repeating various versions of “how cool is this”, or “am I having fun yet? .. yep”.

Although it is true that old spinning wheel spins

thread, the old shaving horse functions, and the

skein winder weasel pops on cue, this is only a

small piece of the big picture. You have to add in

the additional countless magical ways several

other Texas Master Naturalist have given of their

favorite passions to begin to understand how our

old log house is starting to come back alive. As

visitors view and listen the hosts are able to ex-

press facts and stories about numerous artifacts

around the place because Texas Master Natural-

ists and LLELA staff have given infinite time,

sweat, passion, and craftsmanship to make it hap-

pen.

I’m hooked!

-randy kimball-

Restored shaving horse—they are used to hold wood items

while being worked with draw knives and such. The purple

block with a hole in it in the center of the picture is a piece

of purple heart being held in the jaws..

Spinning wheel's

accelerator head

after restoration of

the spinning

wheel

Accelerator head before

restoration, a typical

"before" condition

Restored skein winder after

receiving the rebuilt wooden

main shaft, fabricated brass

parts, and reworked internal

workings


S pinning plant and animal fibers to make clothing and other useful items began in the earliest history of mankind.

Spindle whorls have been found in archaeological digs from up to 35,000 years ago. In the late 13th century, however,

the spinning wheel “begins to revolutionize textile production.”1 These early wheels, later to be called “Great Wheels,”

“High Wheels” or “Walking Wheels,” were constructed based on supported spindles that had been used for thousands of

years and continued to be used as the primary means of thread production for the next 700 years. The construction of this

wheel has remained almost identical to its 13th century progenitor.

T he wheel was integral to the American Revolution where it was used to spin wool for cloth, socks and hats. In re-

sponse to the repressive Stamp Act of 1765, colonial women resisted in the only way they were allowed by society.

The Stamp Act required all colonies to purchase goods only from Britain. “…women ardently supported the boycott of

British goods by alleging that ‘naught but homespun’ would cloak their bodies and that spinning wheels and knitting nee-

dles would doom ‘foreign manufactures.’”2

A lmost every household in Colonial times and during the Westward Expansion of the mid-19th century contained a

Great Wheel and the smaller flax wheel so every type of item needed would be made available when finished

goods were scarce. The flax wheel, built either in the “Saxony” style, as shown here, or in the “castle” style came into

use in the early 16th century and incorporated a flyer that automatically wound the yarn onto the bobbin, thus saving the

spinner the 2-step process of spinning and then stopping to wind the length of yarn onto the spindle.3

B ecause wool needs much less twist to hold together, the Great Wheel was typically used to spin wool while the

flax wheel, with its much faster spin ratios and its distaff to manage the extremely long flax fibers, would be used

to spin flax into linen and cotton into thread.

T he reel or skein winder, also known as the spinner’s weasel

or clock reel, often employed a mechanical yarn measuring

device that clicked once a certain amount of yarn had been

wound on. This allowed the spinner to measure her skeins audi-

bly, knowing that a certain number of clicks equaled a certain

length of yarn. It is believed that this device is the source of the

nursery rhyme, “Pop Goes the Weasel.”

1 The Women’s Chronology, James Trager, Henry Holt

and Company, 1994, page 77.

2 No Idle Hands, The Social History of American Knit-

ting, Anne L. Macdonald, Ballantine, 1988, page 27.

3 The Whole Craft of Spinning, Carol Kroll, Dover Publi-

cations, page 7.

Saxony style vintage

spinning wheel

—from Dianna Smith, Springfield, IL, guest contributor, a fiber arts aficionado, spinning wheel collector,

and junior master naturalist by virtue of mom, Wanda Odum—

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE SPINNING WHEEL


TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST

ELM FORK CHAPTER

Texas AgriLife Extension

306 North Loop 288, Suite 222

Denton, TX 76209-4887

940-349-2883

Education, Conservation, Preservation, Restoration

We’re on the web

www.txmn.org/elmfork

OUR MISSION . . .

“to develop a corps of well-informed volun-

teers who provide education, outreach, and

service dedicated to the beneficial manage-

ment of natural resources and natural areas

within our community”

Members of the Board

PRESIDENT—Rob Roy

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT—George Kragle

VICE-PRESIDENT—Susan Pohlen

SECRETARY—Diane Kohlhase

TREASURER—Kay Crowe

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE—Dale Meyer

MEMBER-at-LARGE—Doug Chadwick

COMMITTEES:

Communications:

ADVISORS:

Janet Laminack, Extension Agent

Patrick Schutz, TP&W

Newsletter—Wanda Odum (chair rotation with Sharon

Barr & Monica Chaffin)

Projects: Marian Kester

Publicity: Jan Deatherage

Training: Van Elliott

Monthly Chapter Meetings

9:30 a.m. preceded by a social time at 9:00 a.m.

on the third Thursday of each month.

Chapter meetings are open to the public.

Next meeting: May 17, 2012 — Jonathan

Dombrowsky and Amy Hoffman, UNT

Graduate Students, will discuss

“Conservation Biology”

Board Meetings

The Board meets each second Thursday of the

month at 9:30 a.m., Denton County AgriLIFE Exten-

sion Office. The Board last met May 10, 2012. Next

meeting is June 14, 2012

Board meetings are open to members.

June 21 General Meeting: Suzanne Barnard

will give us an update on LISDOLA.

Location: Steven E. Copeland Gov-

ernment Center, 1400 FM 424, Cross

Roads, TX 76227

http://dentoncounty.com/Locations/GetLocation

Map.asp?BCode=51

Location: AgriLife Extension Office

Field of Blue-

bonnets outside

Ennis, TX-sent

via email -

photographer

unknown

W. Odum, editor

http://www.txmn.org/elmfork

may 2012 volume 13, issue 5 texas master ...txmn.org/elmfork/files/2012/05/may-12-nl.pdftexas master...

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