Photo by Bill Stokes
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, listens to the keeper’s message that in these days of calamitous and contrary events some really good things still happen. One of those good things was last week’s meeting of the DNR board at which the generosity and environmental conscience of the citizenry was on full display. In a half dozen land deals, the public property inventory added some special places as current board members enthusiastically accepted citizen offerings.
Most striking to the keeper was the action of Bonnie and Jack Lawton in making sure their long-held family property on the upper Wolf River will forever be open to the public.
This is not just “a piece of property”: it is a long stretch of the most unique and beautiful river in Wisconsin. It includes Big and Little Slough Gundy Rapids, a fascinating Native American and settlement history and it is where, if the keeper has a soul, it will be ensconced there in due time. In some respects, it is already there.
Jack’s father John introduced the keeper to the Wolf more than 60 years ago and it became much more than just a place for memorable weekend fishing. Consorting with the river was a spiritual thing, an experience of wallowing in a hallowed Natural Living Room, and to fill the Keepers’ mind with its existence even when he couldn’t get there.
Much appreciation is due to the DNR Board and Jack and Bonnie for this “good” thing they have done on the public’s behalf.
The keeper and Phyllis thank you, as do all of the future tadpoles, pollywogs and minnows who become members of their respective clans
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