Is Your Membership

Current?

It’s FREE and it’s all about Music atMUSIC IN THE WOODS!

Our fiddling, toe-tapping duo get top billing once again,heraldinginMusic in the Woods 2014.Thislivelygraphic,createdby illustratorSandyGlover,has come to symbolize the rapturethatisabundantatthismelodiousevent. Each spring,musiciansof varyingdistinctiongather in thecoolmeadowoutsidetheNatureCentertoentertainthemselvesandotherswiththeirdulcimers,mandolins,harmonicas,guitars,harps, flutes and other instruments. Some have been playingatMITWfromits inception,whileothersmaybefirst-timerswhohavejustheardaboutthisdown-homeevent.Onlookerscanjustrelaxandlisten,orifthespiritmoves,joinajamsessionwithothermusiciansorhopupon stage to sing,danceandplaytheirinstrumentofchoice. Ifyouhavealreadydecidedthatyouwanttoperform,pleasecalltheNatureCenter.Thestaffwillassignyouaplaceontheschedule. This year there also will be puppet shows, achildren’s sing-along, face painting, crafts, colonialdancing,andsomegoodfood.Variousvendorswillbesellingtheircraftsandwares. Markyoucalendarsnow,andwhenthetimecomesround, grab yourpartner and swingonover toOregonRidgeNatureCenterforagoodoletime!(MJS)

TRAILBLAZEROregon Ridge Nature Center Council, Inc

13555 Beaver Dam RoadCockeysville, MD 21030

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPARKTON, MD

PERMIT NO. 120

April/May/June 2014 Supporting Oregon Ridge Nature Center for 32 years

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council, 410-887-1815; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org; TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319

MUSIC IN THE WOODSMay 10, 2014, 10 AM – 4 PM

Name____________________________________________ Phone _____________________

Address __________________________________________ State ____ Zip ______________

Email Address _______________________________________________

___ $ 15 Individual ___ $ 50 Sustaining ___ $ 20 Family ___ $100 Corporate ___ $ 12 Senior Citizen/Student ___ $150 Lifetime ___ $ 25 Non-Profit

Checks payable to ORNC Council, Inc., 13555 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030

BecomeoneofthesturdybranchesonourmembershiptreeandhelpkeepourCouncilstrong.Ifyouarealreadyamember,lookattheexpirationdateandletteronyourmailinglabeltocheckyourmembershipstatus.“C”meanscurrent,“E”meansexpired,and“X”meansthisisyourlastissueunlessyourenewnow.Usethisformtojoinorrenew,andgiveacopytoafriendwhowouldenjoytheNatureCenter.Betteryet,giftamembershiptofamilyorfriends.

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SIGN UP A FRIEND, TOO!

Volunteers are needed to help at this event. If interested, please email Pat Krasowski:

pkrasowski@hotmail.com

Since1985StanKollarandhiswife,Sharon,haveoperatedKollarNursery,specializinginplantsnativetoEasternNorth

American. Stan is a professor of Biology at HarfordCommunityCollege,wherehehastaughtclassesinbotany,biologyandecologysince1976.Hehastraveledextensivelythroughouteverystateintheunionandin12countriesinEuropeandtheAmericas.Hehasworkedonhundredsofprojects involvinglandscapedesign,wetlandrestoration,waterqualityimprovement,forestconservation,renewableenergy, and the restoration of submerged aquaticvegetation (SAV)intheChesapeakeBay. He is ana c c o m p l i s h e dp h o t o g r a p h e rand photographs

wildflowers whereverhegoes.

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Stan Kollar will take you on a visual, floral safarithrough bogs, forests, dunes and rocky barrens. Let youreyes wander through images oftrumpethoneysuckle,birdsfootviolet,Stoke’s aster, and other beautiful andinteresting wildflower species thatpopulate Eastern North Americanhabitats ranging from woodlands tosuccessionalfields. When colonists first arrived inour area, these species formed vastpopulationsacrosstheverdantfloorsofourforests.Today, thesedisplayshavebeen mown down by unsustainabledeer populations or replaced bythickets of invasives. A vital andbeautiful heritage is diminished and is affecting everythingfromhummingbirdpopulationstothenumberanddiversityofinsectpollinators.Perhapsthereishopefortheirrevival.

BirdersandbinocularsgotogetherlikeloveandmarriageandthehorseandcarriageinSinatra’shitsong.Thecameraisjustasindispensabletophotobuffswholovebirdwatching.The need to capture striking images of birds they’ve oftenwaitedhourstoseeispalpable.

Christine Shanks is aprofessional photographerandavidbirder.In2013shewasgrantedasabbaticalasaprofessorattheArtInstituteof Philadelphia (AIPH)to merge her two passionswhile observing springmigration along the GulfCoast and theRioGrandeValley.Inherpresentation,Chris will share her three-week photographic odyssey

to bird sanctuaries between Dauphin Island, AL, and SouthPadreIslandonMexico’sborder.Shewillshareherexpertiseon

ORNC COUNCIL’S SPEAKER SERIES

THE BEAUTY AND ECOLOGY OF OUR NATIVE WILDFLOWERSPresenter Stan Kollar

Monday, April 21, 7:30 PM

PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS: Blinds, Background, Flight and MigrationPresenter Christine Shanks

Monday, May 19, 7:30 PM

photographing birds and answer questions about techniqueandequipment. ChristineShanksisaneducator,designer,andimagemakerwithaBSinVisualCommunicationsatTowsonUniversityandaMFAinfineartPhotographyattheUniversityofDelaware.SheteachesclassesatAIPHintheGraphicDesign,WebDesign,andPhotographydepartments.Chris is also a printmaker,ceramist, and painter. She isthedesigner/photographerfortwoexhibitsatOregonRidge:Gypsy Moth Exhibit andBirds in Your Backyardbook.Formore informationaboutChristine’s work, please visitherWebsiteslistedbelow:

oddbirdcreative.comchristineshanks.com

Prior to joining the Board, Iwas the Administrative Assistantat ORNC for 20 years. It was apleasure and honor to work closelywith the volunteer groups thatcontinue to be the epicenter, theheart, of so many activities at theNatureCenter.DuringmostofmytimeworkingatORNC,therewereprimarily three volunteer groups:Trail Guides, Ridge Runners, andtheCouncilBoard. Trail guides are an integral part of the Nature Center’sdailyroutine,adiversegroupwhohasincommontheloveofnature,theneedtobeoutdoors,andthewillingnesstosharewith children.Theyaredependable,hardy, enthusiastic folkwhoarriveeverymorningtoleadgroupsofexcitedstudentsontrailadventurestodiscoverthewildthingsinthewoods,meadowandstreams. TheRidgeRunnersarejustasdependable,butbeingteensbetween13and18,sometimestheyarethewildthings.Theyare fun,andprofoundlycurious, animal loverswho showupeveryday after school and on weekends to take care of thecritters and to perform other jobs around the center and atspecialevents. Most startasmiddle schoolersandmature inthejobover3-4years.Manyreturnduringcollegeasinterns,seasonalnaturalists,andcampleaders.Thereisevenonefull-timenaturalistnowworking atMarshyPointNatureCenterwhofoundhisnicheinlifeasaRidgeRunneratOregonRidge. Thegroupwithwhich Imost enjoyedworkingwas theCouncilBoard. Iworked closelywith the chairsofmostoftheCouncilcommittees: publicity,membership,newsletter,exhibits, volunteer, scholarship, the treasurer, andothers. In

theabsenceofachair,Isometimesassumedtheresponsibilitiesof a committee, primarily publicity, membership, and myfavorite--thenewsletter.WhenIretiredin2007,Idecidedtotakethenewsletterwithmeanddoitathome,astheofficialeditorandanewmemberofthevolunteerBoard. WorkingonthenewsletterallowsmetodomanyofthethingsIenjoy.I’llneverbepublished,butIlovewriting.Ilikethecreativityoflayoutanddesign,andinadditiontothenewsletter,havedesignedflyersforORNCCspeakers,alargemembership/volunteerdisplayboardabouttheCouncil,andsomesignsofvaryingsizes.Idothisformychurchaswell.Photographyhasbecomeahobby,andonceinawhileIuse

one of my shots in the newsletter.All in all, the job of newslettereditorisfulfilling.TheonlythingsIenjoymorearemyfamily,kayaking(especially on the Bay), birding,my daily walks with a close friend,aerobicdancing,andmyhometownbeachofTybeeinSavannah,Georgia. Being a part of the CouncilBoard is gratifying because of theother members who are even morededicated to Oregon Ridge. Thesepeoplearetotallycommitted,whichis why I enjoy featuring them inthe newsletter. They always go theextra mile and are there to supportoneanother ifneeded. Ifyouhavebeen reading past articles from the

President,youareawareoftheirgoodworkandalsosomeofthechallengestheyhavefacedovertheyears. TheCouncil,which includes theBoardmembers andYOU-ourgeneralmembership,isthebackboneofOregonRidge. Today,thereareothergroupsofvolunteerswhoarealsodoingvitalworkfortheNatureCenter.ThosewhoarepursuingorhavecompletedtheirMasterNaturalistscertificationhaveusedtheircreativityandtalents todoall sortsof innovativethings for the Nature Center. They write our blog, manageourcommunitygarden,workonorchaircommitteesontheCouncilBoard,andresearchwaysforORNCtodomorewithCitizen Science programs such as FrogWatch and MARA.One of the Master Naturalists is heading up a new groupcalledTrailBlazers,whosegoalistokeepourtrailsintiptopcondition.ThereisalsoagroupwhomonitorsandcaresforourBluebirdTrailandgroupswhocareforournativeplantandbutterflygardens. OregonRidgeistheplacetogoifyouarelookingtomakeadifference.Thedoorisalwaysopentopeoplewhowanttosharetheirtalentsandideaswithoneofourvolunteergroups,orwhomayhavethoughtofagreatreasonforforminganewone.

[IamMaryJaneShanks.AseditoroftheTrailblazer,Idependheavilyoninputfromothersforeachissue.Anunwelcomerepercussionofthisyear’ssnowboundwinterwasthatIwasunabletogetsomeinformationIneededforthisissue.Ihadto improvise. Theabove,rathersnarky,quotebyKatherineHepburn’scharacterinThe Philadelphia Storyaptlyexpressesmydiscomfortwiththefactthatportionsofthisissueareaboutme.Iamnotanaturalist,butIwroteoneofthenaturearticles.Iamaboardmember,sohoweverawkward,thisadditiontothe“MeettheBoard”seriesfeaturesme, but from a slightly differentperspectivethanusual.Afterreadingthis,youwillknowabitmoreaboutme,buthopefully,alotmoreaboutvolunteeringatORNC.]

MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD“Oh, we’re going to talk about me, are we? Goody.”

(Photo by Chris Shanks)

Page 10 April/May/June 2014 Page 3April/May/June 2014Trailblazer Trailblazer

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

To the 60 who became new membersand the 36 members who renewed at

the Pancake Breakfast!

(Please check your mailing label. If you see an “X”, this will be your last issue of the Trail-blazer. PLEASE RENEW TODAY!)

MEMBERS!

Tippy Terrapin says,

Friday Night Camping is $1/person

Saturday and Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM

Demonstrations and talksKnappers chipping points

Hands-on activities for all ages: Shooting bows and arrows, blowguns, tossing atlatls and making clay coils and pinch pots

For a detailed agenda, call 410-887-1815, or 410-887-2817,

or check our Web site:www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org

PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGYWEEKEND

MAY 3 and 4, 2014IT’S FREE

This year’s theme: Rawhide, Skins, Buckskins and Sinew

CONTRIBUTE TO MARA: Helping Reptiles and Amphibians

By Naturalist Jessica Jeannetta

Have you recently heard a frog calling or seen a snakeslithering in your backyard? This exciting find is criticalinformationthatcanbeincludedintheMarylandAmphibianandReptileAtlas,orMARAforshort.MARAisafive-yeardata collection effort that seeks to map the distribution ofMaryland’s native herp (amphibian and reptile) species.Now in its last year of data collection, the program is acollaborative effort between the Maryland Department ofNaturalResources,theNaturalHistorySocietyofMaryland,andvolunteersacrosstheState.

Citizen scientists, like you, can help collect data — it’seasy todoandhelpsprovide important information for theMARA study. If you hear or see an amphibian or reptileinMaryland, aliveordead, take aphoto ifpossible tohelpresearchersverifythespecies.Then,visittheNaturalHistorySociety of Maryland’s Web site (marylandnature.org/mara)to complete a short online form about where the sightingtookplace.Nosightingistoocommontobeoverlooked!ThemoreinformationprovidedtoMARA,themorereliabletheirstudy’sresultswillbe. Marylandishometoover90differentspeciesoffrogs,toads,salamanders,turtles,snakesandlizardsthataresurveyedbyMARA.Worldwide, many herp populations are declining as a result ofpollution,habitatdestruction,urbanization, invasive species anddisease. Maryland’s species are not exempt from these issues.InMaryland,19herp species are considered tobe threatened,endangered, or in need of conservation by the State. For thisreasonalone,thedatacollectedfromthisstudyisinvaluable.Thedatathatiscollectedfromthisfive-yearinitiative,whichstartedin2010,willhelp scientistsandresearchersdeterminechangesinhistoricalpopulationdistributionaswellasserveasatooltocreateeffectiveconservationplansforournativespecies.

JAM WITH ORNC’SMOUNTAIN DULCIMER GROUP

Amidthenoisesofchirpingbirdsandcroaking frogsatthe Oregon Ridge Nature Center, a different sound can beheard—thesweetrefrainoftheMountainDulcimer.Agrouphasbeengatheringforfiveyearstolearnaboutandplaythisunique instrument. Anyone who has attended Music in the WoodshasheardtheMountainDulcimerperformingold-timetunessuchasBlack Mountain Rag,Go Tell Aunt Rody,andOld Joe Clark.

This past fall, a six-week session was held on Thursdaynights,wherebeginnersandexperiencedplayersplayedintwogroups. This spring, an introductorymeeting and JamwillbeheldonMarch22from9AMtonoon.PlantoattendtohearthehistoryofthisinstrumentandhaveanopportunitytoplayaMountainDulcimer.SpringeveningsessionsbeginonThursday,April3,andwillrunforsixweeksfrom7to9PMeachevening.Formoreinformation,organizersDaveErhardtandGriffAtkinsoncanbereachedthroughtheNatureCenter.(WT)

NATURE QUEST! AN ADVENTURE IN

YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Nature Quest is a great opportunity to experience theoutdoorsandbeactivewithfriendsandfamilywhilediscoveringsomeofthebestparksandtrailsinBaltimoreCounty.Travelthetrails—someonfootandsomeinacanoeorkayak—tofindtrailmarkersatOregonRidgePark,BenjaminBannekerPark,CromwellValleyPark,MarshyPointPark, andRobertE.LeePark. There are special rewards for those completingfiveormoretrails! Togetstarted,youneedaNatureQuestPassport,whichcanbeobtainedatonetheparticipatingparks,atWegmans,oronline:www.oregonrigdenaturecenter.org.

ThosewhocompleteatleastfivetrailsareeligibletoattendBaltimoreCounty’scelebratoryNature Quest FESTatRobertE.LeePark,dateandtimeTBA.OnemustregistertoattendtheFest,soonceyouhavecompletedfivetrails,call410-887-4156toregisterordosoatoneoftheparticipatingparks.HangontoyourPassport!ItisyourticketforfreeadmissiontotheFest.

Nature Quest ends on October 31, so get your NatureQuest Passport now to learn all about this unique outdooradventure!(MJS)

If you are looking to get some firsthand experience insubmittingMARAdataorpracticeinidentifyingMaryland’sherpspecieslivingatOregonRidge,checkouttheupcomingprogramsthroughouttheremainderofthisyear.OurspringcalendaroffersmultipleprogramsfocusedonprovidingdatatoMARAaboutthereptilesandamphibiansthatcallOregonRidge their home! Be sure to remember that you can helpcontributetoMARAanywhereyougointheStatebysimplytakingaquicknotewhenyouencounteroneofMaryland’snativeherpspecies.You’llbesurprisedbyhowlittleittakesandhowmuchinformationyoureffortswillprovideinhelpingtoprotectMaryland’scold-bloodedfriends.

(Photo by Sue Leslie)

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

by Director/Naturalist Winny Tan

RoscoeandKristiPossidentestartedcomingtotheNatureCenterseveralyearsagowiththeirthreedaughters—Maggie,Ava, andLucia. Since they livednearby and the girlswerehome-schooled, they began by signing the girls up for ourWoollyBear andNatureHomeSchoolprograms.Oneday,KristiaskediftherewereanyothervolunteeropportunitiesattheNatureCenterinwhichthewholefamilycouldparticipatetogether.Theywerelookingforsomethingfunandmeaningfulthateventheiryoungest,Lucia,couldenjoy.Thusbegantheirweeklyfamilyadventures,whichhavemostlytakenplaceonWednesdays.Today,ofcourse, thegirlsarethreeyearsolderandalottaller.Maggieisnow11,Ava9andLucia6.TheirWednesdayexcursionscontinue,withRoscoejoiningthemasoftenaspossible.

Thefamilystartedoffadoptingatrail,makingsureitwasclearofdebrisandcuttingawayvinesthatencroached.Theypaintedpicnictables,weededgardens,andfoldedpaper.Thegirlswerealwayswillingtotrynewthingsandanimalsweredefinitelyafavoriteactivity.Theyfillourbirdfeedersandtheyhelpfeedourchickens.Whenourhenpopulationwasdown,theyincubatedandraisedthreebabychickensfortheNatureCenter.ThiswasoneofAva’s favorite jobs so far.Lucia justlovedchasing thechickens,and thought itwas funnywhentheturkeycalledout“boggleboggle”atthem. Maggie loves helping out at our special events, such asdressingup as a zombie at theGhosts of the Miner’s Past andhelping with the Honey Harvest Festival. The most recentevents the familyhelpedwithwereMaple Sugar WeekendsandthePancake Breakfast.Theycametotrainingandtaughtfamiliesaboutthehistoryofsugarmakingaswellasmakingsumacspiles.Theysoldraffleticketsforthequarterauctionatthebreakfast.

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MEMBERS!We moved the annual picnic to a Friday.Wehopethiswillenablemorepeopletocomeandwelcomesummer under the stars at the Oregon Ridge Lake. Takeanearlyeveningswimorawoodlandstroll,paddleacanoeinto the twilight, stretch out on the beach, and when it isgoodanddark,gatherroundforcampfiresongsandroastingmarshmallowsoverhotcoalsfortastys’mores. Pack a picnic basket with hamburgers, chicken orwhateveryouwouldliketoeat.Thegrillswillbeallsetwithhotcoals.It’sFREE,sobringfamilyandfriends. (MJS)

PICNIC UNDER THE STARS Friday, June 20, 6 PMOregon Ridge Lake

LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER AND FALL!

MEMBERS! CAMP REGISTRATION BY “LOTTERY” BEGINS APRIL 13! Toenroll into one of our popular summer camps, youmustsubmitaregistrationformby4/12,nolaterthan5PM. Members getpriority registrationuntilApril25.Participantswillbeselectedvialottery.Nophonereservationswillbeaccepted.Ifyouneedaform,pleasecalltheNatureCenterorvisitourWebsite.Don’tdelay!Campsfillquickly!

TRAIL GUIDE TRAINING - September 2 to 5,from10AMto1PM.The$20feeisrefundableafterleadingyourfirstsolohike.Learnaboutbeesandotherinsects,primitivetechnology,andmore.Honey Harvest! Mark your calendar forOctober4&5,11AMto4PM,FREE!It’saHoneyofaFestival!

MENDING WINGS FOR MONARCHSBy Mary Jane Shanks

Trailblazer Editor

The summer of 2011 was the summer of my content.I found bliss and happiness through a somewhat obsessiverelationshipwithmonarchbutterflies. Theprevious year,mynewlyplantedSwampMilkweedplantsbloomedbeautifullyandattractednotonlymonarchs,butanarrayofothernectargulpinginsects…bees,wasps,redmilkweedbeetles,otherbutterflies,andevenseveralskulkingpraying mantises looking for an easy meal. Tiny monarchcaterpillarssoonappearedandthingsrapidlyprogressedoverthe next 10 to 14 days. The leaves and showy, pink flowerheadsquicklydisappearedasthecaterpillarsgobbledtheirwaytoengorged size,until eventuallynothingwas leftbutbare,gnawedstalksandcoatingsofcaterpillarfrass(poo)coveringthe ground. One by one, the mature, satiated caterpillarscrawledtotheeavesoftheporchroof,underthepicnictableandbenches, and toeveryotherconceivableplace toattachthemselvesbydelicatesilkthreadsandhang“J-shaped”untilthey magically transformed into emerald green chrysalisesadorned with gold jewels. About two weeks later, most ofthe chrysalises turned translucent, revealing the orange andblackcolorsoftheencasedmonarchs.Overtheensuinghours,butterflies emerged and began pumping blood into theirfragile,crinkledwings.Itwasamesmerizingexperience,andIvowedtocatchitalloncamerathefollowingyear. Whensummer2011arrived,Ihadanewcameralensandgatheredclose-upshotsofthepre-ravishedvirginmilkweed,of visiting monarchs, and finally the hatched caterpillars astheybegananeatingfrenzyandgrewbigenoughtopupate.Thebigmomentarrived10-14dayslater,whenonemorningmanyofthegreenchrysalisesturnedtothetelltaleblackand

orange.Thenextday I awokeatdawn,grabbed thecameraand a cup of coffee, and settled outside in a chair placedstrategically close to the chrysalis pre-selected as the one tophotographfromthebeginningtoendofitsemergence.Thecamera lens was focused just right, my finger twitching toinitiatefast-actionshots,whenabird’scalldistractedmefor

ZERODRAFT HELPS ORNCC MEMBERS INCREASE

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Inthelastnewsletter,youreadaboutORNCCenteringintoaloosepartnershipwithZeroDraft,wherebytheNatureCenter would receive half of the $100 fee associated withan energy audit performed by ZeroDraft for our members.Theotherhalfofthefeewouldbereturnedtoparticipatingmembersintheformofagiftcard.Ifyoumissedthearticle,pleaselookfortheJan-March2014issueoftheTrailblazeronourWebsite:www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org. Sincethattime,severalmembershavecontactedZeroDraftforinformationandsomehavegoneforwardwiththeaudits.During the Pancake Breakfast, 8 or 9 people signed up forauditsatZeroDraft’stable.Ifyouhavebeenconsideringwaystodecrease the costof energy in yourhome,please contactKurtPfundatZerodraftMaryland,(410)321-5936orvisit:http://zerodraftmd.com/.RemembertomentionthatyouareamemberoftheORNCCouncil.(MJS)

ThePossidentesappliedforagrantandarenowhelpingtocreateabutterflyhostgardentobeplantedthisspring.Themanydifferentwaysthisonefamilyhashelpedusinjustafewshortyearsisamazing,andwehopetheywillbearoundformanymoreyearstocome. Whenaskedwhy would you encourage others to become an ORNC volunteer? Avaanswered:“Becauseit’sfunandstuff.”Luciaagreedwith“Becauseit’sfun!(andthehotchocolate).”Theylovethehotchocolatehere,andwelovethePossidentefamilyforhelpingoutandbecomingpartoftheOregonRidgeNatureCenterfamily.

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TRAILBLAZER STAFF Editor and Design/Layout: Mary Jane Shanks

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE

WritersJessica Jeannetta, Mary Jane Shanks, Winny Tan .

PhotographersStan Kollar, Sue Leslie, Christine Shanks,

Mary Jane Shanks, StaffSteve McDaniel took all the photos for the Pancake

Breakfast article. You can see more of his photos onhttp://www.mcdanielphotography.com/eventspage.html

OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER, INC.13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030

410-887-1815; Fax: 410-887-1816 info@oregonridgenaturecenter.org; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org

NATURE CENTER STAFFDirector Winny TanNaturalist/CS1 Jessica JeannettaAdministrative Asst. Betsy KadowBuilding Maintenance Pat Bedgar Part-Time Naturalists: Andrea Barnett Rob Bonfante Rachel Felling Betsy Kadow Laura Soder Melissa Tillery Rachel Tuchman Pam Ward

Seasonal Naturalist Lauren LefferSeasonal Attendant Sara Barnett Building Attendants Noot Canoles Jay Szymborski

onlyafewseconds. WhenIturnedback,themonarchwasout.Irealizedthenthatthiswouldtakegritanddiligence. Iquicklyfocusedonanotherchrysalis,andwhilewaiting,other monarchs beganemerging, gripping tenuouslyontotheremnantsoftheirnowempty, paper-thin chrysalisesuntil their wings engorged toflying size. However, onemonarch lost its grip andfellunnoticedtotheground.WhenIfinallyspottedit,thedamage was done. Havinglost those fleeting, bloodrushing minutes so crucialto wing development and amonarch’ssurvival,onewingwas only partially inflated and the otherwastornandcreasedfromhittingsomethingsharpinthefall.Itwassad,andIfeltanunexpectedflushofguilt. After successfully photographing theentire emergence sequence, I noticed theinjured monarch crawling up a floweringbush,determinedtobeginfeeding.Watchingits valiant effort, I wondered if wings couldbe fixed. I grabbed my trusty iPad, quicklygoogled fixing monarch wings and VOILA!In a nanosecond, dozens of web linkspopped up, the first being: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah0SBALIc0o. The videoshowed the step-by-step process of repairingdamagedwings,fromsplintingabentorbrokenonetowingreplacementusingthesalvagedwingofadeceasedmonarch.Itwastoolatefortheintrepidinjuredmonarch,butfromthatmomenton,photographingmonarchsbecame secondary tomaking sure as many as possible emerged safely. Obstaclesbeneath each chrysaliswere removed and thenext fewdayswerespentaidingfallenmonarchsbycarefullyplacingthemonsturdyplantstemssothewingscouldproperlyinflate. Whenonedidmanagetotearthetipofawing,Iknewjustwhattodo.Toflyproperly,abutterfly’swingsmustbesymmetrical. For slightly damaged wings, where less than40%isaffected,aneasyfixistocarefullyholdthetwowingstogether,andusingapairofsharpscissors,cutthewingstomatch, following the natural shape as closely as possible. Iperformedthisprocedure,andthebutterflyflittedaway. Luckily,Ineverhadtosplintabrokenwingorreplaceone.Itstillamazesmethatitcanbedone.Tofixabrokenwing,a small piece ofdouble-sided card stock, cut thin tomatchthewidthofthebrokenedge,canbegluedtothebreakusingcontactcement.Ifmorethan40%ofawingisdamaged,it

canbereplacedwithasimilar-sizedwingofadeadmonarch,matching the veins and gluing the new wing onto what isleftof theoriginal. Thevideo showshowtoperformbothprocedures.Thematerialsneededincludeatowel,bentwirehanger(toholdthebutterflyinplace),toothpick(toapplythe glue), cotton swabs, tweezers, scissors, contact cement,double-sidedcardboard,babypowder(sprinkledontokeepanyexcessgluefromstickingtosomethingundesirable),andofcourse,acollectionofwingsifmajorsurgeryisinvolved. Unfortunately, for the past two summers, very fewmonarchshavevisitedmymilkweed.Researchrevealedthatthe monarch population is in trouble due to deforestation,severeboutsofweather,andtheexpandeduseofherbicide-based agriculture. In a Washington Post 2013 article titled“Monarch Butterflies Keep Disappearing: Here’s Why,”author Brad Plumer states, “The number of butterfliesmigrating to Mexico has been dropping sharply. In 2012,

just 60 million monarchs arrived at theiroverwintering habitats, a record low. Andfresh data from WWF Mexico suggests thatthe current winter’s numbers are even lower,downto33millioninMexicoacrossjust1.65acres.That’s the lowest areaon record.” Thearticle goes on to explain that the butterflypopulation is relative to thenumberof acresinhabited during seasonal hibernation. In2003,27.48acresexistedinMexico. Monarch Watch, an organization dedicatedto education, conservation and research of themonarch,listswaysyoucanhelp.Createmonarchhabitats, known as monarch waystations, by

planting milkweed andnectarplantsinhomegardens,at schools, businesses, parks,zoos, nature centers, alongroadsidesandotherunusedplots of land. Also, useherbicides and insecticidesless and spray at a safedistance (100 feet) fromnativehabitatsformonarchs.You can learn more aboutmonarchsbyvisitingwww.monarchwatch.org/. Inthe meantime, witness foryourselfamonarchemergingfromitschrysalis.Checkoutthelinkbelow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5QH3bGF4uU

(Photos by Mary Jane Shanks)It’s Amazing!

SETH DAWSON: A Cool Ridge Runner

SethDawsonisasenioratTowsonHighandthiswillbehislastyearontheRidgeRunnerteam.Hebeganvolunteeringin2011, sohe is aveteranRidgeRunner,well-liked forhishumor and his “cool” quality by theyounger Ridgies. Seth says, “I haveknownaboutthisplaceallmylife,andit’sgreattoknowthatIcanhelpthemgetalong.” Seth became a Ridge Runnerbecause he has always been interestedin animals. Jasmine the Opossum ishisfavoritebecause,“…sheistheonlyopossumIhaveeverknownthatdoesn’tbite you when you hand-feed her.”Seth should know. In the last 4 years,he has handled several of Jasmine’spredecessors. His favorite RidgeRunner job is helping out at specialevents.WecanalwayscountonSeth’sghostlyappearanceatGhostsofMiner’sPast,hissturdyarmpressingciderattheHoney Harvest, his diligence tendingthe campfires during Maple SugarWeekends, and his persuasive powerssellingraffleticketsatthePancakeBreakfasts. SethhasalsohelpedduringSummerCampsandlastyearheassistedcampsatCampPuhtok.

Seth has been here long enough to witness some weirdandcrazysituations.OneofhisfavoritefunnystoriesinvolvesfellowRidgeRunner,JoeyDevine.Sethtellsitthisway:“AtthePrimitiveTechnologyWeekendoverayearago,myfriendJoeyandImixedclayfacepaintthatstainedourfacesforthewholeday.Lateronthatday,mysisterhadherbirthdaydinner

atafancyrestaurantandIshoweduplookinglikeaWillyWonkacharacter!” Seth loves drawing, martial arts,going to the gym, and listening tomusic. The staff says he is a reallygood artist, but they are sometimesdispleasedtofindhisdrawingsallovertheanimallogbook.Hisfavoritethingtodointhewholeworldisgoforlonghikesinthewoods,especiallybetweenspringandsummer.Inhisquiettimes,hereadsaction/adventurebooks. Aftergraduating fromhighschoolwith what looks to be a 3.0 GPA,Sethplansonattendingcollege.Eventhoughhisfavoritesubjectiscurrentlypsychology, Seth would like toeventually landa jobwithin thefieldofecology. When asked what is his favoritething about being a Ridge Runner,

Sethsays,“makingnewfriends.”SethhasaccumulatedlotsoffriendsatOregonRidge,includingthemembersofthestaff.WewishyouGood Luck,Seth,onreachingyourgoals. (MJS)

Page 6 April/May/June 2014 Page 7April/May/June 2014

Lena ApplebyJames ApplebyCarole ArmorGary AndersonJesse AndersonCindy AtkinsonGriff AtkinsonDominique BainMarlin BallardEllice BrahmEd BullCarolyn BuonsignoreMike BurnsCasey BurtnickAnn CanolesJohn CanolesNoot CanolesChris CarpenterLeigh CochraneNorm CohenJeanne ColeKatie CoolahanJim CurtisSeth DawsonJoey DevineLiam DevineFrank Dickison Bill DiegelKirk DreierWinnie DreierMarcia DysartDave ErhardtLynn FaulknerGeorgette Frederick

Angie McDanielSteve McDanielApril MelatoDan MelatoDean MerrittBradley MooreRuth MooreEd MorseGinna NaylorColleen NeeleyNan NeelyKathy ObbagyKevin O’NeillMorrison PanChristina Panousos Phon Pathoumphong Katharine PattersonBeth PettersonKristi PossidenteRoscoe PossidenteMaggie PossidenteAva PossidenteLucia PossidenteJim PotterDavid PowerSue ReifJohn RidgleyPolly RobertsScott RobertsMaddie RozicsSylvia SacklehJoe SalvaggioMarty SchugamPaula Schugam

OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ARE GRADE A!

Mary ScottAshby ShanksMary Jane ShanksZi SmithMichele SteinitzXanthia StrohlLila StraightLevy StraightBecky SteinScout SteinRay TerrillLinda TiceMelissa TilleryDonna TracyAnita TylerPaul WaldmanMike Waltz

Bella WanisChris WanisJosh WardKatie WardMeghan WardPam WardCas WarfieldJoe WarfieldAlex WaughBen WetzelBob WillaschLou WittIlona WittenbergWilly WongNora ZietzORNC StaffOR Lodge Staff

Wendy FriedlanderJudy FultonKatya GavinSusan GenoveseJay GhingherPat GhingherMark GingerichSybil HebbJoan HoblitzellLisa HopkinsChristopher JamesJoy JamesBrent JeannettaAnn KernsJack KernsJerry KirkwoodPat KrasowskiBrian KristaBill LaBarreBill LaBarre, Jr.Holly LaBarreJillian LanderAmy LangSue LeslieFaye LukasSammie MangWalter MasseyNancy MattinglyBob MeierGayle MeierGrace MeredithEllen MeringSandy McCannErin McCleary

Trailblazer Trailblazer

Joy James plays the mandolinWalter Massey with Ridgies: Grace Meredith, Seth Dawson, Ray TerrillJohn Canoles, the Box Raffle Man

Three Amigos cook sausage: Jack Kerns, Kevin O’Neill, Joe Warfield

Xanthia Strohl paints a pretty face

1280 SUPPORTERS HELP CELEBRATE ORNCC’S28TH PANCAKE BREAKFAST ANNIVERSARY

The frigid winter of 2014, with its endless, messysnowfalls, couldnot stophundredsofpeople fromflockingtoOregonRidgetotapmapletreesandeatpancakesduringMapleSugarSeason.SnowanditsnastycousinicecancelledthefirstweekendofMapleSugaring,sotwiceasmanypeopleshoweduponthebalmysecondweekend,matchinglastyear’stotalattendanceof2000.Tappingconditionsweresoperfect—freezingnightsandwarmdays—thatas soon as the drill penetrated the bark,sapstreamedfromthetreesforonlookersto taste. The steamy evaporator was inhighgearboilingsapintosyrup,andsincewehadleftoversyrupmadelastyearfromBlack Walnut trees, visitors were able tocompareitstastetothatofthesugarmaple.The snow on the ground enabled us tomaketaffyor“snowsugar,”anotherspecialtreatforthelargecrowd. We celebrated our 28th PancakeBreakfast Anniversary with nearly 1300diners who came to feast on hotcakesand grilled sausage. Some attended bothdays. Some brought friends and familyto celebrate abirthdayoverbreakfast. Somanyhungryguestscamebackforsecondsthatwe almost ranoutofpancakebatter.CountyExecutiveKevinKamenetzarrivedtoshowhissupportonSaturdaybyaddressingthecrowdandeven serving some people their breakfasts. Other Countyofficialsalsoshoweduptolendtheirsupport:BarryWilliams,BaltimoreCountyDirectorofRecreationandParks,andBeahtaDavis,ChiefofRecreationServices. There was the traditional music by the Oregon RidgeDulcimer Band and the Nature Center Band, Host WalterMassey’s$.25raffles,flowerandsyrupsales,facepaintingbyartists Grace Meredith, Xanthia Strohl, and MelissaTillery,andthegiftshop.Nearly96peopletookhomeafreebottleof syrup by becoming a new Council member or renewingtheirmembership.MasterGardenersandMasterNaturalistsmannedstationstoprovideinformation,andforthefirsttime,

Zerodraftmanneda tablewhere representatives spoke topeopleabout energy audits and simple changes to make at home toincreaseenergyefficiencyandsavemoney. Asalways,JohnCanoles’sboxraffleswereahugesuccess,thanks to donations from these generous benefactors: AquaVentures, Auto Spa Hand Wash, Birds and Beyond, BoordyVineyards,BrickBodies,BrooksHuffTire andAutoCenter,

Donna’s Hallmark, Earth Treks ClimbingCenter, Greetings and Readings, LadewTopiary Gardens, Mt. Washington Tavern,OregonRidgeGiftShop,OregonRidgeParkBeach,TurfValleyGolfandResort,ZerodraftMaryland, and individuals Ann and NootCanoles, Pam Jarrell, Sue Leslie, GinnaNaylor,andWinnyTan. ThesuccessofourMapleSugarSeasoncanbeattributedtoallwhocametobreakfast,andtoourwonderfulvolunteerswhoworkedalongside Winny Tan’s Nature Centerstaff and Pam Jarrell’s Lodge staff. ThePancake Breakfast Committee consists ofChairman Bill LaBarre, Treasurer AnneCanoles, Kitchen Coordinator GinnaNaylor, Special Events Chair GeorgetteFrederick, Publicity Chair Mike Burns,Gift Shop Coordinator Noot Canoles,Flower Coordinator Polly Roberts,

MembershipChairMarciaDysart, andVolunteerChairPatKrasowski,whobeginsmonthsinadvancelininguptheover130workerswhoprep,cook,clean,wash,mix,flip,sellandserve.Wewant to give special thanks toour sausage cooks,whomuststandoutsideoverhot,steaminggrillsinallkindsofweather:BillDiegel,JackKerns,BobMeier,KevinO’Neill,JohnRigley,LouWitt,andJoeWarfield. Everyoneworkedasateamtogiveourvisitorsanexperiencetorememberuntilthistimenextyear.THANK YOU ONE AND ALL.

All photos by photographer Steve McDaniel. To view (or purchase) more photos from this event, visit his gallery: www.mcdanielphotography.com/galleries/orncbreakfast2014/index.html

THEY MAKE A GREAT TEAM!Jillian Lander mixes the batter Sue Leslie pours batter Lynn Faulkner flips pancakes