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Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 3:53 AM

Book Review - Searching for Pekpek: Cassowaries and Conservation in the New Guinea Rainforest

Book Review - Searching for Pekpek: Cassowaries and Conservation in the New Guinea Rainforest
Searching for Pekpek: Cassowaries and Conservation in the New Guinea Rainforest by Andrew L. Mack Biologist Mack decided he wanted to research cassowaries, large birds and one of the few known to actually kill humans. After a couple of fits and starts he ends up in the far reaches of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) rainforest aided by the locals who act as guides, taking him in search of the birds and more particularly pekpek or feces which plays a role in his research. He describes hair raising bush plane rides to get to where he needs to go, the process of finding sponsors to fund his research, his interactions with the natives, and the entire process of creating a research station where there hasn’t been one before. Frankly I’ve never given much thought to PNG and didn’t even know what cassowaries were until I picked up this book. I quickly became fascinated with the place, the bird, and Mack as he figures out a way to live his dream and remain alive to tell the tale. Along the way is a lesson on rainforests and why conserving them is so important and difficult. Mack tells his story with a deep understanding of this unique environment and keeps the reader engaged and laughing. Andrew Mack and his book will be featured at Books, Bites, and Beverages: A Literary Adventure! on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Library. This event is sponsored by the Churchill Library Association and supports library programs, events, artists and authors. Carol Lloyd is the Director of the Churchill County Library and is now on the hunt for PNG wine to serve at the above mentioned event.   Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon. Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices.  

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Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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