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Atlanta … Georgians can add sheep fleecing to their resumes after attending ‘Sheep Shearing Saturday" at The Yellow River Game Ranch on Saturday, May 18, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Ninth Annual Unsweatering Celebration features professional shearer Scott Fuss with helpful hints for visitors, who wish to contribute to the cooling process. Fuss has rendered summer coiffures for more than two decades; and is able to shear a 250 pound ram in less than seven minutes.
Hand-spinner Rita McBride will provide commentary on how Fuss shears for a stress-free experience. She will also instruct children and adults on the centuries-old art of spinning wool into yarn – ideal for ‘show and tell’ and ‘gather round the office cooler’.
Because of the unique cooling faculties of wool fibers, many of the ’96 Summer Olympic Team uniforms will be made of wool. The majority of marathon runners, utilize all wool socks; and those synchronized swimmers just might use lanolin-based hand cream – another by-product of the all-purpose sheep.
Fuss comments, "Even though sheep are mild-mannered, people are surprised that shearing is such a calm procedure. However, I try not to spend too much time on the ticklish places." Game Ranch owner Col. Art Rilling adds, "Sheep Shearing Saturday" is a learning experience for all the city folks who did not grow up on a farm. As for our sheep, the fleecy flock is ’Fussed Over’ and soon forget their embarrassment. Like some athletes who shave their heads, the sheep soon find out they’re faster, streamlined, and a whole lot more comfortable."
The 24 acre wooded animal preserve is located on Highway 78, just 2˝ miles past Stone Mountain. The Game Ranch is open seven days a week, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM; and provides a one-on-one experience with Georgia’s native animals. Residents include the celebrated General Beauregard Lee, who reminds the dubious that Spring is HERE!
The Yellow River Game Ranch is now celebrating its 34th year of bringing children and Georgia wildlife together. The Game Ranch will be taking reservations for guided group tours when international crowds gather in Atlanta this summer.
(Photo material upon polite request.)
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