The Daily News from Lebanon, Pennsylvania • 8

2B Lebanon Daily News, Friday, January 16, 1998 Valley Life Zoo America in winter: Daily routines tougher on keepers than animals AT CAMP PARADISE Rehearsing a scene from the Lebanon Community Theatre production of Camp Paradise are (from left) Amanda Soliday, Jamie Smith, Jennifer Hauck, Kristin Troxel and Jennifer Henly. The play, about the goings-on at a summer camp, will be presented Jan. 22-24 and 29-31 and Feb. 1 at the theater at East Maple Street and Theatre Drive. For curtain times and ticket information, call 273-5151.

Jim Zengerle Lebanon Daily News 4 It A complain about the lights! Reader has advice for women falling into the toilet at night: Turn on who ANN LANDERS Yes. She continued, Last night, I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night a common occurrence. I didnt want to turn on the light for fear of waking Jerry, so I groped my way, as I have done many times before. When I reached my destination, I poised myself to be seated and fell right into the bowl. It seems my darling husband, for the millionth time, had left the seat up.

I listened patiently, trying my darnedest not to laugh. I could tell she didnt see anything funny about it. Finally, she said, I wonder what Ann Landers would say. I told her I would write and ask. So, dear Ann, how about it? Louisville, Ky.

Dear Louisville: Please make sure your neighbor sees this column. I just read about a contraption equipped with intelligent sensors that can tell if the seat is up or down. yV their task is always easy, as Cal Wenrich, who has worked at the zoo for more than nine years, knows only too well. Wenrich, who is responsible for the care of the otters, bobcats and raccoons in the zoos Gentle Woodlands area and the bears, snowy owls and ravens in the North Woods, recalls some rough winters for the 30-some animals in his care. Once, he said, several feet of snow fell during the night.

I actually had to tunnel my way into the bobcat exhibit the next morning, he said. I went in digging my way through. I used to enjoy winters, he said, but since weve had a couple of bad ones like that If any animal shares the zookeepers aversion to cold, ice and snow, Wenrich said, its the prairie dog. Theyre definitely fair-weather guys, he said, explaining that when it gets cold the animals burrow underground and pretty much stay there until it gets warm. Then, as soon as the sun comes out and warms up the ground, they poke their heads up, he said.

Since prairie dogs dont require much water and horde their food, theyll often stay underground for months, Wenrich said. Even in the summertime, when the sun sets the prairie dogs disappear, he added. Raccoons arent enthusiastic about winter, either, Wenrich said. Although they dont head underground, they take cover in inclement weather. If its real snowy or rainy, or if it sleets, raccoons will look for shelter, he explained.

And although the two bears at Hershey dont hibernate, he said, they do slow down. They dont have to hibernate, he said with a laugh, everything they need is right here! The only true hiber-nators (animals that sleep through the entire winter) at the Hershey Zoo are the bats, Gruin said. Actually, the winter months are probably the best time to come to the zoo, Wenrich said. The animals are a lot more active. Theyre definitely friskier in the winter time.

In summer, Gruin explained, heat and humidity often inspire many species to head for a nap in the shade. A i -M ing these days. A nurse in the hospital told me it was my fault that the baby died because I should have gotten to the hospital sooner. No matter how often people say they are only trying to be honest or helpful, I am having a hard time believing it. I think some folks are just plain mean.

What do you think, Ann? I value your opinion. -Heartbroken in D.C. Dear D.C.: I would not make a blanket condemnation of people who say inappropriate things. Some, no doubt, are genuinely mean. But others may simply be insensitive or clatter-trap types who spout nonsense because they feel they must say something, and the words are out of their mouths before they think about what they are saying.

Give the clatter-traps the benefit of the doubt. I believe there are many more klutzes in the world than meanies. 000 Neaitr It sells at hardware stores for $29.99. It is actually a night light that attaches to the bowl and glows red if the seat is up and green if the seat is down. The people who are marketing this unique item say it is very popular.

I have not seen one, but for some married couples, it might be worth the investment. Dear Ann Landers: I have read many letters in your column about the inappropriate things people say and do in a variety of situations. Well, I have come to the conclusion that these folks are not simply inarticulate, they are just plain insensitive and thoughtless. Let me tell you some of the comments that were addressed to me when our 8-day-old baby died. My husbands mother, the childs grandmother, said, Why are you sad? You should be happy.

Your child is now with God. A co-worker said, Well, at least you wont have to pay a baby sitter. You wouldnt believe the rates they are charg (Continued from page IB) raccoons and other omnivores. Most of the meat comes frozen in 5-pound blocks (smaller blocks for the birds) from a zoo-meat processor. We even buy frozen rodents for animals that eat them, Gruin said, although we do raise some here.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are provided to animals that require them; The reptiles, for example, Gruin said. Lizards get their vitamins. Much of the processed food already contains supplements, she added. The zoo animals, Gruin said, are remarkably healthy. There is an animal health building on the grounds, and animals are under the care of the comparative medical department of nearby Hershey Medical Center.

Veterinarians from the center make rounds at the zoo once a week and are on call for emergencies. Despite minor alterations in diet, winter doesnt have a major affect on the comfort of the animals. All the animals have shelters available, but, surprisingly, most dont use them, Stump said. All are acclimated to the temperatures of the northeast, he explained, and adapt naturally to the cold. The elk, for example, have their own barn to move into at night.

There is also a shelter for the zoos three bison, but they never use it, Stump said. You know, if they were out in the plains they would have to handle these conditions, so they adapt. In fact, he added, the animals seem to adjust to the temperature changes much better than we do. The creatures who suffer most at the hands of Old Man Winter are the zookeepers now re-' ferred to as naturalists. Its difficult for the caretakers to get around, especially when it snows, said Stump.

Snow will drift outside pens and cages, he said, forcing staff members to shovel their way in. Or cage locks will freeze. We use a lot of lubricants and antifreeze to open locks and doors, he said. No matter what the weather, a zoo naturalist begins his or her day by checking the animals in his care, providing fresh water and food, and cleaning up the living area, Stump said. But when it snows or sleets.

y(M Tomorrow Never Dies ipg 116-122 9:30 PM Sat. Sun. Bargain Mat. 1:15 4:00 Tlr. r.lAGOO pgi 116-122 Sat Sun.

Bargain Mai 1:30 A iritoeaitter Dear Ann Landers: Im tired of hearing about whether or not the toilet seat should be left up or down. Women are always complaining that they fall into the toilet at night because the man of the house left the seat in the up position. Here is my advice, ladies: TURN ON THE! LIGHTS. Men always do. --Walt in Tallahassee Dear Walt: Thanks for the suggestion.

Meanwhile, heres one more on the same subject: Dear Ann Landers: My next-door neighbor is my dearest friend. Yesterday, over coffee at my kitchen table, she seemed quite upset with her husband, Jerry. It is a well-known fact that he has been running around on her for years, so I asked her if she had ever considered a divorce. She said, Divorce never. But murder? 8 i I A A I A A i I i i I i i i Bv IV I A A A 5 I I A VI I I I I I I I I I i i I lo A A i 0 1 PALMYRA 4 momceb (BD3AND IPtEMON i i 13) PM 3:30 mam ooooooooooooooooooon.