
I got to meet a new animal Sept. 27 when I went to the annual open house of Alpacas of the Heartland. This 13-acre ranch near Ft. Calhoun is owned by Mike and Sherri Jacoby. Mike is in my Sarpy Chamber TIPS group with me.

In case you don’t know, alpacas are similar to llamas. But they are too small to be pack animals, so they are bred for their fiber and meat. Their wool is very fine and makes really soft sweaters. I know, because I got two of the sweaters at the boutique, along with a pair of lined wool mittens.