William P. Johnson

Various m and f roles / Melodrama / Simple set The laughs never stop with this collection of four Holiday themed Melodramas. No holds are barred as television favorites to some traditional Christmas classics get skewered in these light-hearted parodies. Each show has a diverse set of characters designed to put a modern spin on the spirit of the Melodrama. CHEER for the heroic, but frustrated Prairie Magician. BOO the villainous land baron with the hypnotic hairpiece, and OOH-AAH the four young single ladies adjusting to life in Manhattan (Kansas). These interactive Melodramas are simple to produce and appeal to all types of groups. Both cast and audience alike will have an uproariously good time! Santa and the City - 3f, 3m (some doubling) The Old Mid-West will never be the same when four young single ladies in Manhattan, KS try to open a shoe store. Little did they reckon a greedy land baron, whose hair has hypnotic powers, would try to take over the town just before Christmas. The Holiday Surprise - 3f, 3m It's the day before Christmas and Santa is nowhere to be found. The residents of Goosebump, Alaska (the first town South of the North Pole) try to find a substitute. Only a Canadian Mountie can save the day! The Grouch Who Couldn't Steal Christmas - 3f, 3m The Annual Holiday Pageant in the town of Whooterville goes awry when Phineas P. Grouch seeks revenge from a broken heart. But who is the real villain here? The Magical Christmas of Mistle Toe, Kansas - 3m, 3f The town of Mistletoe is broke and the land rights are up for grabs. Mayor Georgette Bradley pins all their hopes and dreams on a one night only benefit performance by "The Amazing Ricky and His Magic Wand." You won't believe the magic that occurs when they discover the true meaning of the season.

In this beautifully illustrated guide, two practicing wildlife biologists describe the life histories of forty-five species of ducks, geese, and swans that occur in Texas. For common species and those that breed in the state, each account begins with an interesting fact (such as, “Red-breasted Mergansers have been clocked at over 80 mph, the fastest recorded flight speed for a duck . . .”) and provides information on Texas distribution and harvest, population status, diet, range and habitats, reproduction, and appearance. Exquisite photographs, informative distribution maps, and a helpful source list accompany the species descriptions, and the book offers a glossary and full bibliography for those who want to explore the literature further. With the degradation and disappearance of the inland and coastal habitats that these birds depend upon, the natural history of these waterfowl species provides a vital reminder of the interconnectedness and crucial importance of all wetlands. Birders, biologists, landowners, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and all those interested in the health and preservation of our coastal and inland wetland resources will enjoy and learn from this book.