Newspaper Page Text
Page 2C
June 29, 2022
i Reporter
Snakes, iguanas & al ligators--Oh my!
By Diane Glidewell
news@mymcr.net
People at Monroe County Clubhouse react to
the alligator snapping turtle as it stretches its
mouth wide open to say its not comfortable
with so many people. Left, Zack Panse explains
that he keeps hold of the iguana s back legs
because its claws are razor-sharp, made for
running up trees.
tract its head into its shell.
It can hibernate through
winter at the bottom of a
bog, making a breath last
through 3-4 months.
Zack also introduced
Shere Khan, a vibrantly col
ored orange and black king
snake that can live 20-30
years; Izella, a red iguana;
Hummer, an American
alligator and Peaches, a
14-year-old albino python.
He shared information
about their diets, their
defenses, their natural
habitats and how big they
can possibly become. Zack
said that the large python
hasn’t reached her full size.
He noted that he usually
feeds her frozen meats so
that she doesn’t have to
attack her prey. Thus, she is
more docile and easier to
introduce to strangers.
Zack said that all of the
animals, even the turtle, are
Zack Panse of The Reptile Wrangler carries Peaches the albino python
around the Monroe County Clubhouse for families to see. He explained
that Peaches can t see them but senses their heat and vibrations.
As part of its Young
Adult programming
for the Summer Read
ing Program, Monroe
County Library brought
the Reptile Wrangler to
Forsyth on Thursday,
June 23. Zack Panse
introduced a full crowd
at the Monroe County
Clubhouse to five repre
sentatives of the reptile
world.
Zack described all of
the animals he brought
as young and talked
about how much larger
they will become as they
continue to grow. That
‘young’ is relative was
evidenced by “Stump,”
the alligator snapping
turtle being 50-60 years
old. His species can live at
least 200 years and grow as
big as a trashcan lid. Zack
also shared that an alligator
snapping turtle can sever a
man’s hand with its sharp
teeth and ability to apply a
thousand pounds of pres
sure to its bite.
The alligator snapping
turtle is an endangered spe
cies. Unlike the common
snapping turtle, it can’t re
able to
move
very
quick
ly-
Snakes
can
travel
over 20
mph,
and an
al
ligator
can sprint at 30 mph. He
said that none of
them wake up
in the morning
planning to at
tack any people,
but they might if
they are fright
ened or stepped
on.
Monroe
County Library
will have programs for
young adults through July;
most of the programs are
on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. They
include movies and crafts.
There is also a summer-
long scavenger hunt for
teens. Visit the library at
62 W. Main Street to learn
more about programs for
adults and children or call
478-994-7025.
Rotary hears about The Pickled Okra
The June 16 speaker
at Forsyth Monroe
Rotary Club was Cindy
Seymour, co-owner of
The Pickled Okra. The
Pickled Okra was es
tablished in September
2017 by Fred Collins
and Greg Goolsby.
In April 2018 Cindy
Seymour bought Greg's
half and became co
owner of the cafe’.
The building was
once the Bonner &
Russell Pharmacy and
then Ann's Deli. The
Pickled Okra adopted
the menu from Ann's
Deli and added some
new items. It has been
awarded best burger,
best taco and best wings
by The Monroe County
Reporter readers. The
owners turned the ice
cream and soda fountain area into a full
service bar serving adult beverages. The
Fred Collins drink is a TPO favorite!
The cafe’ serves lunch and dinner;
Wednesdays is Wing Wednesday. There is
Music Trivia on Thursday nights, and most
Fridays and Saturdays there is live music,
which includes local talent.
The owners have opened a new restau-
Pictured are Cindy Seymour, left, and Beverly Savage
rant at Lake Oconee. The local Pickled
Okra restaurant is at 35 W Johnston St,
and the Lake Oconee location is 651 Old
Phoenix Rd NE, Eatonton.
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401 College St.
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-394-4875
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We Service All Brands of Heating
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Serving Monroe County &
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Financing Available
Juliette Rd. • Forsyth, GA
478-994-6127
Ga.Reg.CU 401419
The Reporter is
happy to publish
birth announcements
and birthday greet
ings for children up
to age 12 free of
charge. Email photo
and information to
Diane Glidewell at
news@mymcr.net by
Friday before the
date of publication.
16 East Johnson St.
Forsyth, GA 31029
AUTO • HOME • LIFE
LONG-TERM CARE
DISABILITY
Rick Owens
(478) 994-1515
(478) 742-7966
rick.owens@countryfinancial.com
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you, small enough to
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(478) 992-8326
24-Hour
Emergency Service
donnyspropanegas.com
To advertise your business,
call Seth Berkebile at 478-718-8302,
or e-mail her at ads@mymcr.net.
orter
Colorful VBS at New Providence
It was a colorful Vacation Bible School at New Providence Baptist Church last week.
Above, Reid Hilton runs through a purple haze in the color run after Drew Watson un
loaded on him.
Killian Mulvihill grimaces
from the cloud in the color
The Rev. Brian Moores team raised less money for mis
sions than that of childrens pastor Casey Robinson. Hence,
Moore got a paint bath all over.
Tiffany Hitchcock leads the first graders in the VBS choir.