Last week, Johnny Depp was in town for his new movie “Public Enemies”.  Also, Hillary Clinton was in town on Friday. 

I didn’t get a chance to go watch the filming but a few of my friends did.  There were hundreds of people out watching the 3 day filming.  I heard the other night Johnny Depp spent an hour signing autographs and shaking fans hands.  The cast is scheduled to be in the area over the next few months in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.  

Hillary Clinton arrived in town Friday.  My husband left the house at 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning and didn’t get home until after midnight working with security for the campaign.  He barely got any sleep and was out the door again at 4:00 a.m. on Friday.  It isn’t very often that a Presidential Candidate has been to our hometown.  In fact, it was over 40 years ago.  

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend.  I’ve never been to a Presidential rally and really wish I would have been able to go.   

Have any of you been to a Presidential rally?

Use it….

Being a part of an online community sometimes opens your eyes to issues that are happening in someone else’s backyard that aren’t happening in your own.   Serious issues that need serious attention.  One of those issues is the Mountaintop removal that is devastating hundreds of square miles of Appalachia.  Denny at The Backwoods Drifter is asking for our support with this crusade.  The Outdoor Bloggers Summit has also challenged those who would like to help spread the word, to write about it this week, February 4-8, 2008. 

If you are unfamiliar with Mountaintop Removal, as I was, this is a great link to an eight minute video that will show you the devastating impact Mountaintop Removal truly is.

ilovemountains.org - has videos and other great information.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

• Follow the links I have listed to learn about Mountaintop Removal. 
• Write a post about Mountaintop Removal.  Feel free to use any links I’ve provided.
• Write your representation and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169 in the 110th Congress). Albert at The Rasch Outdoors Chronicles wrote a very helpful piece called “Taking it to the House”. In his article he helps you find your 9 digit zip code, which will help you find your state representative.  He also has listed instructions on how to write and provides a sample letter for you to use.  This all can be done online.
• E-mail your family and friends to help spread the word.

This is not something happening in my backyard.  I had never heard about it until I read it on Denny’s blog.   I am shocked that this type of destruction is not a major story on our major networks.  

But we have our own voice and it is our responsibility to carry our voice.

Please take part in the ongoing effort to stop Mountaintop Removal.

The 24th Annual Hammond Outdoor Sports Show will be held at the Jean Shepherd Center on the following dates:

• January 26, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• January 27, 2008 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The show is in Hammond, IN - which is about 30 miles southeast of Chicago. 

Admission:  Adults $5.00     Children under 12 are Free  

1. Free Parking. 
2. Free fishing lures and water bottle given to the first 300 people to enter the door on both days.  
3. Free Seminars from Bass Fishing Tips to Sell Your Wife on the Idea of Fishing. (I might have to attend that one.)
4. Door prizes given away every 20 minutes, genourously donated by the vendors.  
5. A 4 ft. chainsaw wood carved bear giveaway .
6. Free admission with antlers or a deer head that you can have scored by Buckmasters.  So bring it in!

For the kids:

• Trout pond for kids to fish. 
• Minnow races.
• Kids bobber pond.

Hunting & Fishing Retailers, Charter Services, Tackle Reps, Chain Saw Wood Carving Demonstrations, Taxidermists, Boats, Resorts, Food, Refreshments and much more!

Bring your family for a day of fun!

For more information and directions to the show visit - City of Hammond Outdoor Sports Show.

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You may see me walking around the show.  I will be the one wearing the white shirt with www.thehunterswife.net on the back in pink.  If you see me, introduce yourself and let me know you found me and read about the show here at The Hunter’s Wife.

Also, If you are wondering around the show and have questions, ask for Mark Narantic they will point you to him or have him paged. 

Thanks and hope to see you there.

Cabela’s is on schedule to open its first store in Indiana on Friday, October 19, 2007, according to their website.  The 185,000 square foot building is located at I-80, I-94 on Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, Indiana.

According to Cabela’s website, some of the attractions will include a 3,000 square-foot wildlife museum with an extensive collection of trophy mounts, a 36,000-gallon, walk-through aquarium, stocked with freshwater fish, including those native to Indiana, Cabela’s hallmark two-story Conservation Mountain, complete with running waterfalls and stream, a trout pond and wild game in their distinctive habitats, hundreds of animals in extensive, museum quality dioramas, including an African scene, that re-create animals in action in their native habitats.  Other highlights include a boat showroom and maintenance shop, laser arcade, furniture department, gun library, restaurant, general store, fly fishing shop, outdoor clothing, furnishings, bargain cave and gift shop. 

One of the attractions I am looking forward to is the Restaurant & Delicatessen.  Cabela’s will be offering wild game sandwiches including wild boar, elk, bison, ostrich and venison bratwurst.  If you are not a wild game fan, you can choose from their prime rib sandwich, chicken salad, tuna salad, to name a few.  There is also a kids menu and of course the ladies favorite dessert menu.

According to Cabela’s website, the Hammond, Indiana location could see up to four million people visit the store annually, making it one of the top tourist attractions in the state. 

I think my husband will be one of many to be the first at the door.  He has been talking about this opening since word spread that Cabela’s will be coming to town.  It almost sounds like Santa Claus.  The excitement of a young boy and Santa Claus mirrors the excitement of a grown man and Cabela’s. 

For more information visit the Cabela’s website at www.cabelas.com.

Reference of information source from Cabela’s at www.cabelas.com.