“Explore, Enjoy and Protect” 1/19/18 White Pine Hollow ... · “Explore, Enjoy and Protect”...
Transcript of “Explore, Enjoy and Protect” 1/19/18 White Pine Hollow ... · “Explore, Enjoy and Protect”...
White Pine Needle, 2018 White Pine Group, Northeast Iowa Sierra Club (Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Delaware,
Dubuque, & Jackson Counties.) The Needle prods us to
“Explore, Enjoy and Protect” the Northeast Iowa Environment.
Volume 38, No. 1] 1/19/18 White Pine Hollow, Luxemburg
In this 2018 White Pine Needle:
*EXCOM Election; *Our Events Calendar:
*Program/Meetings & Outings; *Other Events;
*2017 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser Report;
*Backbone Cabin Outing: Feb. 16-18, 2018;
*2018 Fundraiser Dinner: Nov. 3, Swiss Valley;
*Membership Report; *Outing/Event photos.
*Project AWARE, July 9-13, Maquoketa River!
Post events of interest onto your wall, electronic,
or other scheduling calendar. In that regard:
Two 2018 Sierra Club Wilderness Wall and 8
Engagement Calendars available 563-582-2580.
Participatory Camaraderie inspires and motivates
ACTION. As Sierra Club founder John Muir
implored, “The battle we have fought, and are still
fighting . . . is a part of the eternal conflict between
right and wrong, and we cannot expect to see the end
of it.” (Jan., 1896) Keep up the good fight! Needle Publication and Distribution.
Only this full-year Needle and an Autumn Update are
distributed to ALL members via mail or email. Other incidental
Updates are distributed only by email. If you received this by
mail and are okay with receiving full-color, email delivery, send
an email to [email protected] including
your name and full mailing address including Zip Code.
Turkey Dinner Fundraiser
2017 Report
Turkey Dinner Fundraiser on Oct. 21, 2017.
Thanks to all 54 who attended and contributed to our
Fundraiser Dinner and all who purchased calendars.
Income added at least $1299 to our Group treasury.
Expenses included $200 food; $30 First Congregational
Church. Additional calendar sales since the Dinner are
still continuing with $70 waiting to be submitted.
Current treasury balance will be $2427.83 after that
submission occurs and after the recent payment of
$48.15 for 20 Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green
stickers and $50 for a table at the January 20 Bald
Eagle Watch. $75 was earlier contributed to the 2017
Project AWARE.
Special “THANKS” go to all the contributors:
Cash Donors: at least Larry Troester, Ron Myrom, Jim
Ryan, Dave Weitz, Gary and Butchie Thompson,
Gerald Gordon, Deborah Bishop, Joe Tolari; Jane
Worm (in kind), Anonymous.
Roasting turkeys: Jane Worm (2); and Charlie
Winterwood. Desserts: at least Mike Muir, Mary
Green, Jim Fahrion, Ellen O’Connell, Sheila Schultz,
Larry Troester contingent, Mary Green, Ellen
O’Connell, Ann Ernst, Jane Worm.
Garden Potatoes: Cindy Recker. Mashed Potato
preparation: Mike Muir. Dressing: Kevin Kane.
Cranberries: Jane Worm, Margreet Ryan. Milk: Ann
Ernst. Door Prizes: at least Dick and Jane Worm,
Cindy Recker, Charlie Winterwood, Larry Troester,
Gerda Hartman, White Pine Group. Jane purchased 3
turkeys, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, apple juice,
crackers, and dinner rolls.
Dinner Chair, Jane Worm, THANKS all those who
helped: Room set-up (Buck Schultz); kitchen help
with food preparation and serving; and afterward
washing tableware and cleaning the social room (at
least Cindy Recker, Mary Green, Fritz Kruger, Carol
McClenahan, Ellen O’Connell). Dick Worm
appreciated the help with table storage and carrying
kitchen and display materials to the van. (If we missed
anyone, KNOW that your assistance, though
undocumented, WAS appreciated!
Door prizes included: 4, 1-lb. packages of bison burger,
4 River Museum passes, potatoes, and MORE!
Bald Eagle Watch, January 20, 2018 P.2 White Pine Group’s table will be aligned with Keep Dubuque
County Clean and Green and the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Solid Waste Agency. Last year’s table set-up looked like this:
This year we are promoting the placement of Keep Dubuque
County Clean and Green (KDCCG) stickers onto recycle bins
at Dubuque county parks, businesses, churches, schools and/or
wherever such a bin may exist. To get the project underway,
our Group has locally purchased 20, 6” diameter stickers. 30
RECYCLE stickers and 10, 8” diameter KDCCG stickers have
also been purchased by a donor to be used wherever may be
appropriate. Application as bumper stickers is also an option.
Additional purchases of stickers
may be made if the project warrants.
Anyone with an idea for placement is welcome to contact us.
MARKER RECYCLING Jackson County Conservation is encouraging the recycling of
used markers that no longer work! Any brand, any type, any
condition. Please leave lids on.
Drop markers off at the Hurstville Interpretive Center
anytime during normal business hours. Phone 563-652-3783.
The markers will be sent to Crayola’s ColorCycle program
where they are repurposed into fuel.
FULL MOON RECYCLED, JANUARY 31. January has a Blue Moon (2nd Full Moon in a month.) It will
also be a Super Moon (close to Earth.) The morning of Jan. 31
will end with the beginning of a Lunar Eclipse. Lunar trifecta!
Hurstville Interpretive Center, 6:30-7:15 AM. Coffee & treats.
16th Annual Project AWARE, July 9-13 The first Project AWARE (A Watershed Awareness
River Expedition) was on the Maquoketa River in 2003.
It was a week-long (June 1-7), rainy, and cool initiation
to an Iowa DNR’s river clean-up and monitoring
project. AWARE returns to our region’s Maquoketa
River this year during a shorter and warmer time frame!
The 63-mile expedition will begin in our Delaware
County’s Manchester and end at our Jackson County’s
Royertown Access (County Y-34), with a fling in Jones
County in between. Four nights of camping with
evening programs: Manchester’s Schram Park,
Hopkinton’s historical Lenox College Campus, Pictured
Rocks United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center near
Monticello, and Eden Valley Park near Baldwin.
Monday’s short afternoon will be 4.4 miles from
Schram Park to Bailey’s Ford Park. Tuesday will be
only 9.5 miles from the new, Delhi Dam to Dunlap
Park near Hopkinton, but may have the greatest amount
of debris still lingering after the dam failure on July
24, 2010. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mileages will
substantially pick up the pace: 19.4 miles and 21.0
miles. The final half day will be 8.5 miles.
A planning meeting on Feb. 28 in Monticello will
deal with many of the behind the scenes matters
including: How best to deal with trash between Delhi
Dam and Dunlap Park; shuttles and parking; catering;
educational program options; portable toilets and
trailer; landowner letters; trash and recycling logistics;
sponsorships and grants; alternative plans if river is
deemed unsafe; outreach; media; daily maps; AWARE
equipment. A project of this scope is no walk in the
park!
Our White Pine Group has been a “River Rescue”
level Sponsor ($100-$499) for four of the Projects and
will consider such sponsorship again this year.
Individuals can be sponsors. www.iowadnr.gov/aware.
The “FOREVER” AWARE activist and most
recently Project AWARE Coordinator, Lynette Seigley,
is retiring from the DNR, January 18, but will maintain
volunteer involvement. Therefore, direct questions to
Nate Hoogeveen, Iowa DNR River Programs
Coordinator ([email protected])
515-725-2991. Nate authored PADDLING IOWA.
With at least 2 of our then White Pine Group
members on the 2003 AWARE, we have had at least
two up to four or five members on each of the 15
AWARE’s and should have a similar count this year.
Local Contact: Dick Worm, 2018 Planning Committee.
The January 23 meeting program will be about
AWARE and a canoe trip down the Maquoketa River
from Backbone State Park to US 52 in May of 2009, so
includes paddling the length of Lake Delhi!
2018 White Pine Calendar (Page 3)
Explore, Enjoy, and Protect with White Pine Group
This listing includes White Pine Group Program/
Meetings and Outings and other events of Sierra
interest. For questions about details or cancellations,
or to RSVP for an outing, CONTACT Newsletter
Editor, Dick Worm, (563-582-2580;
[email protected]); or the outing CONTACT. Program/Meetings are held at the former parsonage
for St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Rd.,
Dubuque. The walk-in, ground-level meeting room
is at the back of the home on the right when entering
the church parking lot. Meet/Greet at 7PM.
Program: 7:15. Adjourn business by 8:45 PM.
OUTINGS: Participants sign a liability waiver. ---------------------------------------------------------------
WINTER: Jan., Feb., March, 2018. .
January 20 (Sat.), “Bald Eagle Watch”, Grand River Center,
500 Bell St, Port of Dubuque; 9 AM – 4:30 PM.
White Pine Group will have (or had) a table aligned with
Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green and the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency. Explore, Enjoy,
and Protect exhibit: Outings, Recycling, and danger of
trash to birds.
***Jan. 23 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.
Program: “Canoe Trip down the Maquoketa River,
Backbone to US 52, May 15-25, 2009.” Camping along the
way at Wildlife and County parks, and on sand bars. Picked up
and portaged trash! Project AWARE 2018, Maquoketa River
& sponsorship described. EXCOM election/appointments.
(3200 Asbury Road, parsonage back door.) 7 PM.
January 27 (Sat): Swiss Valley Nature Center, 7 PM.
“Candlelit Night Hike.” Wonders of winter nighttime on a
naturalist led hike lit by moonlight and candles. If want to
rent a pair of snowshoes for $3, call ahead. 563-556-6745.
February 16-18 (Fri-Sun): “Backbone State
Park Cabin Outing.” 4 PM Fri. to Noon Sun. White Pine Group: Cabin A (Owl Nest). Full-kitchen,
bathroom, shower, 2 bedrooms, listed capacity of 7.
Share indoor and outdoor activity and a Sat. evening
potluck dinner with Cedar-Wapsie Group based in
Cedar Rapids. Snow shoe, x-country ski, hike, crevice
slide, table games and socializing camaraderie.
Treks can begin from the cabins near the lake and
carpooling take us to more remote access points. Cabin
A overnight accommodations include 2 bedrooms, each
with a double bed; one fold down futon, and floor space
in the large living room area (and porch!) Each private
bedroom for 2, preferably, is $25 @:1 night; $40 @
for 2 nights. The cost for open area usage (futon, floor,
porch) is $20/person for one night; $30/person for 2
nights. First reserved/first served is the reservation
policy for accommodations. A Saturday, day-use fee
of $5/person is charged for non-overnighters. Meet at
Cabin A by 8:30 AM to enjoy a day-outing! RSVP
helpful. (Cabin A rental is $184.50.) Other cabins
MAY be available: Reservations (877-427-2757) or
later by concessionaire booking (563-933-2273).
Overnight participants provide their own towels,
toiletries, bedding/sleeping bag, and mattress pad/cot
for floor space. Hand sanitizer & soap, hand towels, and
a night-light will be provided in the bathroom, but a
head-lamp or flashlight is helpful. Soup Friday night
will be available along with snack contributions by
participants. Meals (Sat/Sun breakfasts & lunches can
be partially potluck with sharing) and beverages are of
personal provision. Saturday night’s potluck will
most likely be in Cedar Wapsie’s more spacious,
Deluxe, 2-story Cabin 11, a lot further past Cabin A and
after curving to the right past Cabins 9 and 10. The
potluck encourages provision of a main course item,
salad, or dessert. (2 pudding pies WILL be there.)
Pistachio strawberry/blueberry Crevice slide
Cookware, silverware, plates, bowls, small cups,
kitchen sink washing/drying supplies, and additional
potluck tables and chairs will be available. A personal
mug/cup is recommended. Slippers or house shoes are
suggested for use after leaving boots on rugs by the
front door. Only the South Gate into the park is
open in the winter (via Dundee), and via which the
cabins are accessed after a quick right turn to go
past the beach. CONTACT ([email protected]).
Home: 563-582-2580; Cell: 563-590-2557. A park
map and directions can be provided.
2018 White Pine Calendar (Cont.) (p. 4) Backbone Cabin Outing (Cont.)
Cabin A, Owl’s Nest Lake from Porch Kitchen/Dining
Living Rm/Futon Potluck Dining/Game Table
Potluck Pots Scenes: 2016/2017 Porch Tenting!
.
***Feb. 27 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.
Program: “The Watershed Game.” Developed by MN Sea
Grant & MN Land-Grant Extension, Univ. MN, the large
Board game uses role-playing to increase awareness of how
land use practices and natural events impact water quality and
ways individuals and communities can implement management
strategies to mitigate the negative impact of nutrient pollution
and sediment (Tamara Prenosil).
7 PM meet and greet, 7:15 Program. 3200 Asbury Rd.
March 9-11 (Fri-Sun): “Canoecopia”, Alliant Energy
Center, Madison, WI. (1919 Alliant Energy Center Way,
Madison, WI 53713.) GREAT exhibits, programs, &
paddlesport vendors. Many outfitters and organizations.
Fri. 4-9; Sat. 9-6; Sun. 10-5. $15/day; $25 weekend.
Parking $7/day. Logistics: I got a wristband for just
Friday for $13. I will probably leave by 1 PM if anyone
would care to ride along. The parking is expensive!!
CONTACT: Dick: 563-582-2580; 563-590-2557.
www.canoecopia.com or google “Canoecopia 2018”.
Maquoketa River sand bar blockage, trash portage 5/09 ^
March 17 (Sat) OUTING: White Pine Hollow.
Meet to carpool from Dubuque at Menard’s Parking
Lot, just inside the entrance from US 20 west of
Dubuque, 9 AM. OR, meet at the south entrance via
White Pine Lane, 2 miles west of Luxemburg off IA
Rt. 3 at 10 AM. Bring a lunch and beverage. High
topped boots will aid potential stream crossings. If
SNOWY, dress accordingly (snowshoes?) or check
for possible cancellation. (Prior to the parking area,
there is a steep north-facing descent on the lane,
which could be walked.) PLAN is to explore a cave
entrance and reach a cascade area before possibly
exploring the main valley. We will PLAN to exit by
2-3 PM. CONTACT: Dick Worm. 563-582-2580.
Cell: 563-590-2557. An RSVP helps with
expected participation. [email protected] .
An OUTING at White Pine Hollow, for which our
Group in named, has become a nearly annual trek.
March 20: First Day of Spring.
April, May, June ***March 28 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting, Program: “Cuba Multisport Tour” Cubunbound. 7 days.
Alaine and Bill Jamison. “This carefully designed tour
blends peaceful countryside excursions with
authentic cultural encounters as you bike, kayak,
and hike through Cuba.” Visit colonial Havana,
the Bay of Pigs, Trinidad, and Santa Clara. Colonial
plazas and palaces, in a staggering array of disrepair
and renovation, tell stories of a colonial past still
merged with the dynamic present.
7 PM, 3200 Asbury Rd., to right near back of the
church parking lot to back door of adjoining house.
(Alaine usually brings treats at their programs!)
Find Havana, Trinidad, and Santa Clara on this map!
2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (Page 5)
***Instead of for an April White Pine Meeting,
attendance is encouraged at some film during the
April 19-22 (Thurs –Sun) Julien Dubuque
International Film Festival. Julienfilmfest.com
Celebrate John Muir’s, 4/21 birthday and Earth Day, 4/22
with a bag of popcorn while appreciating a film that presents
an environmental or conservation message? Supporting an
independent film-maker’s documentary efforts would be in
step with John Muir’s declaration that “Pure science is a most
unmarketable commodity… Conspicuous, energetic, unmixed
materialism rules supreme in all classes.” (1869). Thursday’s
attendance to all films is, or has been, free due to the grace of
a Festival sponsor! Tickets or even an All-Access Pass can be
purchased on line or at the Julien Hotel as the Festival dates
approach. While a detailed program or Pocket Guide is not
yet available, there are usually a good variety of excellent
Documentary, Short Films in blocks, Feature, Kids/Family,
and International Films that have a significant environmental
theme. Simply googling Julien Dubuque International Film
Festival would be a good way to start. Read, watch, and
listen to the local media for details and inspiration!
April 21: John Muir Birthday
Born in Dunbar, Scotland where there is a Muir Home
museum and other features in his honor. A John Muir Way
(trail) extends across Scotland from Dunbar on the east coast
to the west coast where he boarded a ship to the United States.
Those attractions MAY be included in a British Isles program
that MAY develop as an option for the Turkey Dinner Fund-
raiser, November 3, 2018, at the Swiss Valley Nature Center,
Dubuque County. (Never too many fund raiser reminders!!)
*April 28 (Sat): OUTING at Bixby State Park, Edgewood.
Meet at Heritage Pond, just north of Dubuque off US
52/IA3 at 9 AM to carpool. OR, at Bixby Park via the sign in
Edgewood by 10 AM. CONTACT: Charlie Winterwood
(563-588-2783). Bring snacks or a lunch.
Edgewood sign Shelter Ice Cave Spring
Valley obstacle Valley Bridge to “Steamboat Rock”
*May 19 (Sat): Larry Troester Property and
Environs OUTING. Meet at Pearls in Bernard at 8
AM for breakfast, OR at 9 AM to car pool or otherwise
travel to the outing location. Wild flowers will be a
focus as well as the rugged terrain in the general area of
Lytle’s Creek Wildlife Area, I believe! Bernard is
located southwest of Dubuque. From US 151, turn onto
Twelve Mile Road, then on south on Y31 to Bernard.
CONTACT: Larry Troester, 563-451-4189, for
assured details!! (I may be off to the SHTA Hike Fest.)
***May 22 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.
Program: “The 2017 Project AWARE on the Upper
Cedar River, July 10-14.”. This 15th Annual AWARE
began on the Minnesota border and ended near Nashua.
Jim Fahrion and Dick Worm, Project AWARE 12-year
veterans, will describe what it’s like to mess with debris
in Iowa’s rivers…and to attend evening programs along
the way. Catered meals are also a delight, usually!
(7 PM, 3200 Asbury Road, behind home at the right.)
*June 2 (Sat): National Trails Day Service Work at
Mines of Spain OUTING. Meet at EB Lyons
Interpretive Center at 8:30 AM. Scheduling conflicts
didn’t allow the usual Catfish Creek Clean-Up in late
April/early May so this outing will substitute for that.
The specific sort of work to be done is not yet
determined. Plan for most anything. CONTACT Dick
Worm to get onto a list of volunteers to be reached once
the nature of the project is determined. 563-582-2580.
June 9 or 16: We may be able to schedule a service
work project for a Dubuque County Park. Again,
CONTACT Needle Editor Dick Worm if you would be
willing and able to help with such a project on either of
those Saturdays. Volunteers would be contacted if such
a service work project develops. 563-582-2580. In any
case, enjoy the remaining days of Spring.
June 23 (Sat): Summer Solstice Night Hike and Bon
Fire OUTING at Dick and Jane Worm’s Echo
Valley Pond / Faraway Farm. The waxing Gibbous
Moon should help light the trails for strolling along the
Mississippi River Bluff, through the woodlands, and
around the prairie settings before a Bon Fire for
campfire treats either on the bluff or at the pond.
Overnight primitive camping on the bluff or at the
pond is also an option. Gather by 7:30 PM to begin the
evening’s hike, or come earlier to set-up a tent before
dark and/or for a swim or fishing. Gate will be open
all day. Insect repellant is always a good idea!! An
RSVP helps with participant expectation planning.
CONTACT: Dick Worm (563) 582-2580 or 590-2557.
2018 Calendar of Events (Cont.) (Page 6)
. July, August, September, 2018
July 9-13: The 16th Annual Project AWARE 2018.
Maquoketa River….Delaware, Jones, and Jackson Counties.
See page 3. For participation details or just to get insight
into the workings of a Project AWARE, CONTACT,
Dick Worm 563-582-2580; and/or Jim Fahrion 563-556-2878
[email protected]; [email protected].
And/or go to WWW.IOWADNR.GOV/AWARE
Scenes from the 2017 Upper Cedar, Project AWARE:
August 6-19 or 20: A LOCO Folks Colorado Trip Offer:
Aug. 8: Creede Repertory Theater productions
1:30 “9 - 5”; 7:30 “Barefoot in the Park”
Aug. 9: 1:30 “The Wizard of Oz.” Drive 180 miles to
Belford, Oxford, Missouri 14’ers Trailhead
Aug.10: Backpack from 9,640 ft; Camp: 11,600-12,400 ft.
Aug. 11-12: Climb Belford/Oxford and Missouri 14’ers.
Aug. 13: Backpack over Elkhead Pass 13,220 ft; Camp
by Pine Creek near Bedrock Falls at 11,200 ft.
Aug. 14: Climb 14’ers Mt Harvard & maybe Mt. Columbia
Aug. 15-16: Backtrack over Elkhead Pass to Missouri
Gulch Trailhead where the trek began.
Aug. 17: To Creede.. 7:30 “Guadalupe in the Guest Room”
Aug. 18-19: 1:30 “Miss Holmes” ! Drive back to Iowa.
CONTACT: Dick Worm 563-582-2580 [email protected].
August 26 (Sat): White Pine Group Autumn Planning Potluck/Cook-Out Picnic” at
Dick & Jane Worm’s Echo Valley Pond. Hiking
Mississippi River bluff, woodland, and prairie trails;
pond swims, canoeing, fishing; & camping are options.
Meet: 11:30 AM for noon picnic/bonfire/charcoal grill..
The Autumn Schedule is developed at this picnic.
Program & Outing suggestions are always welcome.
Down the hill from 3680 Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA,
52031. Cross Cattle guard. Continue straight on down.
CONTACT: 563-582-2580 or 563-590-2557.
SEPTEMBER: ALL members will receive an
Autumn Update Needle, Volume 38, No. 2. Sept. 25: Program/Meeting: Program TBA.
Sept. 27 – Oct. 7. Kekekabic Trail from west end,
again. If at first you do not succeed, try, try again!
Another LOCO Folks Trip offer:
9/27: Drive to Ely MN, Camp at NF campground.
9/28: Pick up Permit needed for Sept. 28-30. CANOE
past Burnt Island in Snowbank Lake to Wilderness Bay
portage to Parent Lake. Canoe across Parent Lake to
“Peninsula” campsite on the Snowbank Lake Trail.
9/29: Backpack 0.3 miles to the Kekekabic Trail then
west on the Kek 6.3 miles past Drum Lake to camp at
either Moiyaka or Medas Lake: U.S. quietest campsites.
9/30: BP 7.8 mi. past rapids of the Thomas River on an
obscure trail with no decent water. Camp at Strup Lake.
10/1: BP 4.7 mi. to Harness Lake Camp past a spur
trail down to Kekekabic Lake. If time and conditions
are okay, do that 1.2 mi. round trip spur, as a day-hike.
10/2: Day-Hike 4.2 mi. to Agamok River gorge
(reached from the east in 2016) past greenstone Twin
Peaks and over the highest point on the Kek (1950 ft.)
that has one of the best overlooks. Return to camp after
an 8.4 mile round trip.
10/3: BP the 4.7 miles back to Harness Lake. If had not
done the 1.2 round trip spur to Kekekabic Lake, try it
this time making this a 5.4 mile day.
10/4: BP the now familiar 7.8 miles back to camp at
maybe the other of the Moiyaka/Medas Lake quiet duo.
10/5: BP the 6.6 miles back to the Parent Lake Camp.
Retrieve the stashed canoe and bear canister of food.
10/6: Canoe, portage and canoe back to the Snowbank
Lake Canoe Landing. NF Campground may now be
closed. Maybe do a motel a stay in Ely. Or, depending
on time of day (determined by the nature of the portage)
just might drive all the way home…..
10/7: But, driving home today would be more logical!
Well, THAT’S the PLAN. But, last year’s was
nearly the same and that didn’t work due to a wrong
turn at an early junction & major downfall of trees on
that spur. Kek itself seemed better cleared. Que Sera.
White Pine Needle 2018 Calendar p. 7
OLD GUY WHO LIKES TO GET HIGH
The October 6, 2017, Dubuque Telegraph Herald article posted in the
column to the right started out with, I believe, an intention by the writer to
describe ways by which the White Pine Group has made environmental
contributions to NE Iowa. As the interview progressed, he seemed to
conclude, due to a lack of much active, leadership involvement by our
members, that our project of distributing the welcoming turtle statues to
Nature Centers around northeast Iowa and some monetary contributions to
other projects in the area might not be enough of a story. As I described our
Group outings and then the national club’s outing programs, my
involvement as a leader of national outings for 9 summers, and my other
adventures such as backpacking the John Muir Trail in California, his
questioning turned more toward those sorts of experiences. So, in spite of
his having taken some photos of me beside the turtle statue that Jane and I
purchased for our Benglari Center down the hill, the direction of the article
morphed into what was eventually printed.
A photographer contacted me for a photo session at the Mines of Spain
and the writer did a couple more follow-up interviews by phone. This all
took place not long before our 2017 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser, so I was
happy to see that the article gave the Dinner some coverage along with
general commentary about our Group and how the Club’s membership has
climbed since the last presidential election (a climb which for our White
Pine Group, anyway, sad to say, has seen a DECLINE over the past couple
of months). The writer had also connected with our Group Chair, Charlie
Winterwood, for some of that input. I have enlarged that part of the article
for easier reading here.
As I replied to a friend’s email in which he graciously referred to the
“Nice article in today’s TH of (my) hiking adventures,” I mentioned to him
how the direction of that article had taken “a different twist.” Which, of
course, led me off onto a discussion of the “different twist” direction that
my just completed Kekekabic Trail adventure had taken.
THE KEKEKABIC TRAIL TWIST
“My Kekekabic Trail assault this past week also took “a different twist”
which in retrospect was, very likely, a GOOD happenstance due to morning
rain delays, high water beaver dam overflows, and tougher than expected
trail conditions due to up-rooted downfall and broken off tree-tops. I had
managed to misinterpret a trail junction on my very first day, so when
somewhat befuddled after that and another swampy foray on a dead-end,
flagged route, I had created my own campsite that first night in what turned
out to be “slimy slug city” next to a beave pond.
“Then, by the end of the shortened, still “off-track” second day, I was
already a full day behind on what by then was recognized as the intended
route. Due to the nature of this “off-route” spur trail that I had struggled
through Ninja Warrior style with a full backpack that second day, ending
up, thankfully, at an unexpected, very nice, lake-shore campsite, I simply
hunkered down there for five nights and spent what averaged out to be two
full days clearing trail on that 0.3 mile spur trail. Due to thinking of such a
possible case in advance, I was able to use a bigger folding saw than the
Army Swiss knife saw I had used and broken off the previous year.
“I also did a couple of exploratory hikes that I thoroughly enjoyed. One
had me climbing up and along a bluff near camp. The other was “joyful”
due to having already done so much small limb and slash debris removal
from the 63 trees that had fallen across the spur trail. (8 were then duck or
crawl under logs; 55 were step, straddle or climb over logs.) That hike let
me explore further along the better cleared, actual, Kekekabic Trail and to
another less obstructed spur trail campsite (which I NOW plan to reach by
canoe for another assault on the Kekekabic Trail this coming Fall.)
“Then, via my better cleared spur trail, I retraced the beaver dam and
stream crossing, 6-mile route, now with higher water levels due to a full
night of rain, back to the Trailhead at 3:15 PM a day early. Ever Onward!”
EXCOM ELECTION BALLOT: Vote NOW for 2. Send to Jane Worm,
3680 Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA 52031 by January 30 (postmarked by
Jan. 27) or bring the ballot to the Jan. 23 White Pine Group meeting at 7
PM. Include your complete return address on the mailed envelope for
verification of Single or Joint membership. Use or copy this form OR just
mail no more than 2 printed names. Each Joint membership has two votes.
Print Write-ins. Sierra Club requires grassroots elections, rare among
national conservation groups. NE Iowa could use more enviro activists. ___ ___: Dave Hanson. Rural Masonville. Backbone Cabin Outing
enthusiast who also pretty regularly attends other outings and EXCOM
meetings in Dubuque.
Write-in: _______________________ _________________________
Write-in: _______________________ _________________________
2017 Membership: *Total Adds: 242 Memberships / 278 members.
(White Pine Grp.) Total Drops: 172 Memberships / 200 members.
1/17/18 Total: 475 Memberships; 557 Members. Net +70 / +78 :-/
*Some Adds are Reinstated Drops who renewed. Thanks!
PLANET EARTH THANKS ALL LONG-TIME & CURRENT MEMBERS.
White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa Sierra Club
“The Needle” Newsletter Editor 2018 Needle
Richard Worm January - August
3680 Echo Hills Dr. Volume 38, #1
Bellevue, IA 52031-9557
2018 Calendar of Program/Meetings & Outings
2018 EXCOM Selection Opportunity
Backbone Cabin Outing, Feb. 16-18, 2018
2018 Fundraiser Dinner, Nov. 3, 2018. Swiss Valley
Mark Your 2018 Scheduling Calendar
EXPLORE ENJOY
PROTECT
White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa EXCOM (2017 *Expires)
Chair: Charlie Winterwood, 563-588-2783 [email protected]
Member/Newsletter: Dick Worm, 563-582-2580 [email protected]
*Robert “Buck” Schultz, Dubuque, [email protected]
*Dave Hansen: Masonville, [email protected]
Jim Fahrion, 563-556-2878 [email protected]
Appointed:
Fundraiser/Sec: Jane Worm, 563-582-2580 [email protected]
Treasurer: Mike Muir
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood Publicity: (open)
Action: www.sierraclub.org/sierra-club-email/insider
AUTUMN OCT, NOV, DEC, 2018
Until receiving the Autumn Update, here are some
expected Autumn dates to save on your calendar now:
Nov. 3: Fundraiser Dinner. Volunteers Make It Work!
Program: TBA (Kekekabic or British Isles or…?)
Nov. 17: Waxing Quarter Moon night hike. TBA
Nov. 27: Program/Meeting. Program TBA
Dec. 22: “Welcome to Winter” Sunset Outing TBA
Occasional other Updates will be by email only.
Also, www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup will often
have updates, outing photos, & other event details.
For more general and political topics:
www.facebook.com/richardworm35
On the emailed, full-color, newsletter you can zoom
in to enlarge photos for better clarity and detail.
Serra Club Membership:
For a New Member brochure contact Dick Worm; or
membership brochures are in the SIERRA magazine; or
go to: www.sierraclub.org.
Membership renewal notices come from the national
headquarters. No $$ from national dues go to Local Groups.
Mailing labels on Sierra Club mailings include membership
expiration date reminders: 1018 (Oct., 2018) ;
On magazine labels: J/A18 = final issue July/August, 2018.
S = Single; J = Joint memberships.
“3707” is the Identification Code for our White Pine Group.
A “Wilderness Guardian” membership of at least $10/month
reduces the amount of the Sierra Club, $ seeking, junk mail.
Like us at: www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup
Your membership is vital to carrying out Sierra
Club goals…which are seriously challenged by the
current U.S. Congress & President. Jeepers!!