Bolen wins first place in turkey contest

Thirteen-year-old Stephen Bolen II of Friedheim earned top honors in the first Buchheit Youth Turkey Contest, which took place April 8 and 9.

Bolen's award-winning bird weighed in at 25 pounds. He earned a $50 Buchheit gift card.

"We received an enthusiastic response for this first-time event and will build on this foundation for future events involving area youth," said Jon Buchheit, director of stores.

Contest participants included Sammy Cobb of Burfordville, Zane Eggimann of Advance and Jessie Nance of Whitewater.

Nature Center event slated for May 13

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus Nature Center will celebrate its one-year anniversary on May 13 with events from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to highlight Migratory Bird Day.

The anniversary event will feature warbler walks along the trail, indoor programs that emphasize the use of native plants to attract songbirds, "Bird Olympics," and other activities.

A review of the nature center's first year is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Award-winning turkey caller Ralph Duren will be on hand at 2 p.m. to present his "Call of the Wild" program. Duren, a former Missouri Department of Conservation employee, imitates more than 100 wild animal sounds, including mammals, frogs, toads, Midwest songbirds and migratory birds.

For more information on the activities, call (573) 290-5218.

-- From staff reports

Meeting on alligator gar planned for Tuesday

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation will present information about the proposal to stock alligator gar in the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge during a public meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Puxico Elementary School cafeteria building, 481 N. Bedford in Puxico, Mo.

For information, contact the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge at (573) 222-6343 or the Missouri Department of Conservation at (573) 290-5730.