The CRP

I’ve lately been involved in a deportation program.

This spring, I’ve noticed first a chipmunk in my yard. Then again. And then on the other side of the house. I’d sit out on my patio to read the sunday paper and one would cross three inches from my feet.

Chipmunks (not chipmonks), are cute. They have nice brown and black markings and Disney’s Chip and Dale have put us humans on their side, whereas a mouse or a rat doesn’t get the same backing. Chipmunks do three things well. The first is scurry. The second is collect nuts. The third….is dig.

They like to dig holes up against the side of a house. Unfortunately as they go down, they create gaps for water to collect against basement walls and house foundations. Their digging will weaken sidewalks and driveways and help cause them to crack. So, in other words, they are destructive.

Years ago I had a similar issue with lots of chipmunks. Being a nice guy, I went to the local store and bought a live trap. This trap does not hurt the chipmunk, but captures it. It is a tube with top hinged doors at either end. When set, the doors are up and in the center of the tube is a balanced “table”. I put cheese or peanut butter on the table and as soon as the chipmunk puts his paw on the table, it becomes unbalanced and drops both doors, trapping the little guy. In the course of several weeks, I had previously caught 15 chipmunks. Once caught, I take them to a local park and release them back into the wild.

I am currently in day 5 of the CRP (Chipmunk Relocation Program) and have already relocated seven chipmunks this time!

Manwich Meatloaf

There is no relocation of this slice of meatloaf! This takes the classic Manwich sauce and puts it to a whole new use.

Like many meatloaf recipes, this one is a breeze to make. I used a meatloaf mix of beef, pork and veal.

Mix it all together, put it in the loaf pan and bake.

A good meatloaf and a nice change from the standard!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 to 2 lb. hamburger
• 1 c. bread crumbs, fresh
• 1/2 c. diced onions
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp. mustard
• Dash of salt and pepper
• 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can Hunt’s Manwich Sauce

DIRECTIONS

In large bowl mix meat, bread, onions, egg, and seasoning with 1/2 cup Manwich Sauce. Shape into loaf baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Spread mustard and remaining Manwich Sauce over loaf. Bake an additional 30 minutes.