LAKEFIELD -- The Prairie Ecology Bus Center (PEBC) is on the lookout for potential new members and steak-lovers, both of whom are invited to a Prairie Steak Fry Aug. 11.
"The (Jackson/Cottonwood County) Cattlemen offered to grill these steaks, and we couldn't pass it up," said Nancy Ackerman, a member of the PEBC Board of Directors. "It went from there."
Social hour will be from 5 to 6 p.m., with the dinner to start at 6 and the featured speaker to begin at 7:30 p.m., all at the Dan Pike Auction Center in Lakefield.
"The idea was to have a fun night where the communities can get together and hear a fun speaker," Ackerman said.
The meal will include the grilled steak, au gratin potatoes, fruit salad, fresh vegetables, rolls and ice cream provided by the Jackson County Dairy Association.
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The speaker for the evening will be humorist Al Batt of rural Hartland. Batt writes five columns for many newspapers and does a radio show about nature three times a week. Batt's presentation is called "Bird Stories: Finding wings of joy and feathered miracles," with a subtitle of "Snippets from a life gone to the birds."
A raffle will be at 8:30 p.m., with many prizes, including a week for two at the Bowstring Shores Resort, a framed Jerry Raedeke print, a fishing rod and reel and an FCA Co-op gift certificate.
"We need to increase our memberships," Ackerman said. "One of the things we're looking to do is replace the bus itself. Part of being able to do that is to have more membership."
The bus would cost approximately $500,000 to replace and be equipped as an ecology center.
Currently 100 people are members of the PEBC, which helps to support the program. The PEBC charges schools significantly less for its programs than it costs to offer the programs, and membership fees, grants and other donations cover the rest.
The Prairie Ecology Bus territory initially included 12 counties in southwest Minnesota, but after the first year, it expanded. Now the bus travels further than ever before, despite the recent increase in gas prices.
"We need to start with the younger generation and educate them on the importance of the local environment," Ackerman said. "This is a very beautiful area, the prairie pothole region. There's a lot of interest in this area.
Tickets for the dinner must be purchased by Aug. 4. No tickets will be available at the door.
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For more information, to donate to the PEBC or to purchase tickets for the dinner, contact the PEBC at (507) 662-5064 or contact Ackerman at (507) 662-5577.
