A quarterly newsletter sponsored by The Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc.

Summer, 2003

Special InterestArticles

• Welcome New Members, page 2.

• MacBeach Rhythms of the Night, page 3.

• Fun Facts, page 3.

• New Twists in the Nature Center, page 4.

• Junior Volunteers at MacBeach?, page 6.

RegularHighlights

Lynnʼs Lowdown................2

Beach Spice......................3

Kudos & Cheers.................4

Up-n-coming.....................5

Volunteer Spotlight............6

The Best of West...............7

Managerʼs Musings..........8

Watch the birdie!by Junko Nomura

Roseate Spoonbill, Ajaia ajaja

“Oooh! A Flamingo…!?” The vibrant pink of the Roseate Spoonbill is often mistaken for a Flamingo’s plumage. A group of this species comes to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in early May, staying through October. It has brilliant pink-colored wings (a paler color for imma-ture birds), and is rather small compared to Flamingoes. The comical characteristic of this bird is its green bald head, with a long fl at bill. No other bird has such a unique beak. Its beak is essential to understand-ing its feeding habit. They frequent the shallow estuary waters at low tide, and rhythmically sweep their “spoon-shaped” bills from side to side through the water. It seems like a lot of labor to catch food, but there’s a method to their madness. Spoon-bills have a special nerve ending in their beaks that signals contact with food, and the beak instantly closes (Williams). They eat any small animals in the water: shrimp,

fi sh, snails, and many aquatic insects. Their primary habitat, shallow water – like MacAr-thur’s mangrove estuary – is decreasing because of human activity and development. The Park therefore serves as a precious sanctuary for these lovely birds.Works consulted:

“Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region,” National Audubon Society, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1994.“Florida’s Fabulous Waterbirds,” W. Willliams, World Publications, 2002.eat any small animals in the water: shrimp, Publications, 2002.

One year pass to all Florida State Parks(student members receive a pass to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park only)

10% discount in the gift shopQuarterly newsletter: The Dune News

Invitations to Friends Only events

Complete the membership application on Page 7 of this newsletter.

Great gift idea!

work by dedicated members of the board – especially Ted Thoburn and Rebecca Doane – a public founda-tion entitled The Nature Foundation now exists and will serve as a vehicle to endow the programs and facilities of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. We are advised by the Department of Environmental Protection that The Nature Foundation represents the very fi rst endowment established for a Florida State Park.

Among other important roles, The Nature Foundation expands the Friends’ ability to raise funds through grant applications and the receipt of gifts. Donations to The Nature Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, will be tax deduct-ible to the extent allowed by law. Please keep the Friends and The Nature Foundation in mind if you wish to honor or remember someone special through a gift of this kind.

On another note: please keep a lookout for a mailing announcing the next Members Only event – the CSO Turtle Walk, which has been scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2003. Due to state laws aimed at protecting the turtles, this event will be limited, so please respond early when you receive the informa-tion in the mail.

Many thanks to all of our dedicated Friends members, our volunteers, and our talented staff for the support they provide to our beautiful park.

Lynn Focht, PresidentFriends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc.

work by dedicated members of the board – especially

Greetings!

Ask any Friends Ask any Friends member, volunteer, or staff member at Mac-Arthur Beach State Park and they will talk at length about what makes our park such a special place. Each will have different reasons, however. Leni Bane will probably talk about the environmental impor-tance of the estuary as a “nursery”; Dan West will delight you with his historical vignettes; Pat Rash will smile and talk about the turtles, the birds, and, of course, the fi sh.

All of these reasons and more are what lead the Friends board of directors to be-gin, several years ago, researching the idea of establishing an endow-ment to provide a source of long-term fi nancial support of Mac Beach – Palm Beach County’s only State Park. After a tremendous amount of

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park

StaffPark Rangers

Mike WattsHonza RokytaBarry StevensRob MatriscinoSupport Staff

Beverly RobinsonJunko Nomura

Dennis LongworthRick Gremaldi

Museum GuideJennifer Zimmerman

Park Services SpecialistProgram DirectorMichelle ToepferToll Collectors

Celia RogersLinda Gabelmann

Secretary SpecialistTiffany PeavyPark ManagerTerry Coulliette

Assistant Park ManagerPatrick Rash

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc.

Board of DirectorsMorris Ahern

Leni BaneRobert BellSteve Cook

Terry CoullietteE.J. Critenden

Mark DavisRebecca DoaneDeborah Drum

Debbie FellLynn Focht

Larry HarjehausenJanet Heaton

Kelley HerrmannWilliam J. Hyland

Dr. John MarrDr. Bill Mech

Bill NolanKitty Omura

Andrew PineiroPatrick RashTed Thoburn

Paul ThomsonGilda VogelDan West

Stephen WigalMaura Ziska

AdministratorMartin A. Shiffman

LynnFocht

welcome new members!Ms. Denise AndersonMs. Melanie BurbankMr. James Dockter

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Harper

Ms. Deborah OchaMr. Jeffrey Platt

Mr. Charles Scheak IIMr. & Mrs. Joseph Smith

Ms. Kathy TignorMr. & Mrs. Laskowitz Weingart

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Williams

2

Neither Far Out Nor in the Deep

The people along the sandAll turn and look one way.

They turn their back on the land.They look at the sea all day.

Robert FrostSubmitted by Monk Larson

MacBeach Rhythms of the Nightby Junko Nomura

Sometimes in the evening, close to dusk, a cool breeze carries the sound of music from the amphitheater over the estuary. It’s another MacArthur Under Moonlight concert. This is a monthly event on or near the night of the full moon. Just walking in the moonlit Park, surrounded by water, is enchanting. Watching the lovely moon through a telescope from the boardwalk during the concert’s intermission adds to the magic. In the May concert, Bede Mohammed played the steel drum for more than one hundred people.

The soft, crystalline sound of the steel drums relaxed the audience, and the seductive rhythm inspired plenty

of dancing. Children were amazed by the simplicity of these unique

Neither Far Out Nor in the Deep

The people along the sandAll turn and look one way.

They turn their back on the land.They look at the sea all day.

As long as it takes to passA ship keeps raising its hull;The wetter ground like glass

Refl ects a standing gull.The land may be more:

But whatever the truth may be—The water comes ashore,

And people look at the sea.They cannot look out far.They cannot look in deep.

But when was that ever a barTo any watch they keep?

3

The Amphitheater

instruments put to such delightful use. It was a wonderful night. Please join us for the next Friends-sponsored MacArthur Under Moonlight concert to make your weekend a little more relaxing and pleasant. Check the Park’s Event Calendar for dates and times. $5 per person; free for kids 10 and under.

Robert FrostSubmitted by Monk Larson

Manatees...

...are most closely related to the elephant and hyrax (a small furry animal that resembles a rodent).

...are believed to have evolved from a wading, plant-eating animal.

...(adults) are, on average, about 10 feet long and about 1,000 lbs.

...eat aquatic plants and can consume 10-15% of their body weight daily in vegetation.

...come up to breathe on the average of every 3 to 5 minutes.

...have no natural enemies.

...can live 60 years or more.

...most serious threat today is the loss of habitat.

...number only about 2,600 in the United States.

Information from www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/manatee.html

New Twists in the William T. Kirby Nature Centerby Jennifer Zimmerman, Museum Guide

There have been a few interesting changes in the Nature Center. First and foremost, the museum has been renamed the Stuart Vogel Exhibition Center. Staff members, volunteers, and Park visitors (including numerous school children) appreciate all the hard work Stu graciously did for the park. We are extremely delighted to have his name overlook the museum in which he spent so much of his precious time.

A new addition to the Stuart Vogel Exhibi-tion Center is a 40-gallon saltwater aquarium. It is next to our friendly stuffed raccoon and contains

fascinating creatures such as ancient-old horseshoe crabs, pygmy fi lefi sh, a pipefi sh,

and other attractive fi shes. Unfortunately, the Stuart Vogel Exhibition Center recently suffered a loss. “Indy,” our en-dangered Eastern Indigo Snake, died last April. Indy was originally donated by the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton; she was 12 years old when she died. In place of Indy, we now have a beautiful Florida Kingsnake. Although “King Henry” can be timid, he has a good personality and has already met several school groups. We have many other new additions to the Nature Center, so if you haven’t seen them, I invite you to come look for yourself!4

Dear Mr. Coulliette, Just about a month ago we visited MacArthur Beach State Park with some longtime friends. We all agreed that we should acknowledge our visit to your Park. We stopped at the Nature Center and then went out to explore the Park area at the east end of the boardwalk. As we began the guided nature walk we realized we had no map to explain the numbered signs. Just as we were about to go back for a brochure, along came one of your staff,

Barry Stevens. We chatted for a few minutes and he offered to take us on a nature tour. Fortunately for us, he had no other programs scheduled for that time. For the next 1+ hours we learned about the estuary, the dunes, the butterfl ies, the plant life, the importance of the mangrove habitat, and the overall ecosystem relationship of this outstanding, biologically diverse treasure of South Florida. Barry’s professional approach in explaining the names of the plants and their uses in plain English gave us a real learning and appreciation of this area. His personal enthusiasm for the

park resources and his role as an employee at your Park was exemplary. He informed us about kayak tours, so one day we will come back to see your Park again and hopefully Barry Stevens as well. All Park employees we encountered during our visit were very courteous and professional.

In appreciation,Anna and John Jordan, Greenfi eld, NYDiana and Art Carroll, Hood River, OR

5

Thursday, August 21, at 10 a.m. for 3rd grade guidesFriday, August 22, at 10 a.m. for K-2nd grade guidesTraining for new school tour-guides. If you possess a love of nature and like working with children, taking school groups on a nature walk may be in your future! Please contact Jennifer at the Nature Center.

Recreational Skills Lessons - Florida Fishing Sunday, August 24, at 2 p.m.Join Pat Rash for an introduction to Fishing in Florida. Discussion and displays on fly-fishing, cast netting, deep-sea fishing, etc.

September

MacArthur Under Moonlight ConcertSaturday, September 6, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Join us under the full moon for a magical night of music. Valerie C. Wisecraker will be performing native Floridian acoustic, original music with comical and environmental base. $5 per person, children under age 10 are free.

Intro to Kayaking Sunday, September 7, at 2 p.m.Adventure Times Kayaks will be here to teach you all of the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy the exciting sport of kayaking. Instruction will be on land only.

F.U.N. (Families Understanding Nature) - Nature Detectives Saturday, September 13, at 11 a.m. Children, bring your parents to learn about and seek out wonders of nature. Be a Nature Detec-tive as we hike through the Park in search of spiders, fish, flowering plants, and more of Mother Nature’s treasures. Reservations required.

Coastal Clean-upSaturday, September 20, 8 a.m. - 12 a.m.Join us on our yearly beach clean-up, sponsored by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful. During this annual event, volunteers come out of the woodwork to walk the beach and pick up trash. Gloves, garbage bags, and water are provided.

Birding with BarrySunday, September 21, 11:30 a.m.Join Ranger Barry to observe the unique lifestyles, and characteristics of the wading birds that browse the mud flats during low tide. Binoculars recommended (may be rented from the Nature Center). Reservations required.

Bluegrass Jam Music SessionSunday, September 21, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.Bill Rich brings foot-stomping, hand-clapping, bluegrass music to the amphitheater. Bring your acoustic stringed instruments and join in, or just listen and enjoy the fun.

Recreational Skills Lessons - Intro to Surfing Sunday, September 28, at 2 p.m.Ranger Rob instructs kids and adults of all ages on the basics of surfing. Lessons are on land and in water. Bring your surfboard if you have one. Limited space.

All year around

Guided Nature ToursDaily at 10 a.m. Join one of our volunteers for a walk through the Park and see its four very different habitats. Learn about ecology, animals, and history of the park. No reservations required. (1 mile; 1-1.5 hr.) We also offer nature rides as an alternative to the nature walk. Those who are interested must make a reservation a week in advance.

Guided Kayak ToursOnce daily at high tideThis Ranger-led program provides an informative exploration of the estuary, Lake Worth Lagoon, and Munyon Island. Stop by the Ranger Station for daily tour times or call (561) 624-6950. Tours are on first come, first served basis.

Some of the events require reservations.For information and reservations

call the Nature Center:

(561) 624 - 6952

Up-n-comingJuly

Intro to KayakingSunday, July 6, at 2 p.m.Adventure Times Kayaks comes to teach all of the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy the exciting sport of kayaking. Instruction will be on land only.

Reef ToursSaturday, July 12, and July 26, 9a.m. - noonTake a guided snorkeling tour of the Park’s spectacular near-shore reefs. Learn about the life on the reef. Must be an experienced swimmer and snorkeler, at least 10 years old. Bring your own snorkeling gear. No lifeguard on duty.

F.U.N. (Families Understanding Nature) - Paper Making and RecyclingSaturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. Children, bring your parents to experience some FUN with nature! Join Junko Nomura in making some beautiful hand-made paper by recycling used paper. Learn about the importance of recycling for saving our planet.

MacArthur Under Moonlight ConcertSaturday, July 12, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Join us under the full moon for a magical night of music. The band Cous Cous will fill the air with jazz. This monthly event is on the night of the full moon, and features a different band at each concert. $5/person, kids under age 10/free. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Birding with BarrySunday, July 20, 8:30 a.m.Join Ranger Barry to observe the unique lifestyles, and characteristics of the wading birds that browse the mud flats during low tide. Binoculars recommended (may be rented from the Nature Center). Reservations required.

Bluegrass JamSunday, July 20, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.Bill Rich brings foot-stomping, hand-clapping, bluegrass music to the amphitheater. Bring your acoustic stringed instruments and join in, or just listen and enjoy the fun.

Recreational Skills Lessons - Bicycle Touring and NavigationSunday, July 27, at 2 p.m.Join Park Manager Terry Coulliette for an introduction to the basics of bicycling and navigation. Coulliette had biked all over the world and is sure to give an informative and fun lesson!

August

Intro to Kayaking Sunday, August 3, at 2 p.m.Adventure Times Kayaks will be here to teach you all the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy the exciting sport of kayaking. Instruction will be on land only.

MacArthur Under Moonlight ConcertFriday, August 8, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Join us under the full moon for a magical night of music. Grant Livingston will be here to entertain us with Florida folk and story-telling songs. Bring the whole family! $5 per person, children under age 10 are free. For more information on Grant Livingston see www.grantlivingston.com F.U.N. (Families Understanding Nature) - Roseate SpoonbillSaturday, August 9, at 11 a.m. Children, bring your parents to learn about Roseate Spoonbills. They are the beautiful, bright pink birds, which visit the Park every summer. It’s a great opportunity to learn and have some family fun combined with interactive games, crafts, and displays! Reservations required. Reef ToursSaturday, August 9, and August 23, 9 a.m. - noonTake a guided snorkeling tour of the Park’s spectacular near-shore reefs. Learn about the life on the reef. Must be an experienced swimmer and snorkeler, at least 10 years old. Bring your own snorkeling gear. No lifeguard on duty.

Bluegrass Jam Music SessionSunday, August 17, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.Bill Rich brings foot-stomping, hand-clapping, bluegrass music to the amphitheater. Bring your acoustic stringed instruments and join in, or just listen and enjoy the fun.

School Tour-guide TrainingWednesday, August 20, at 10 a.m. for 4th grade guides

at the Park on one of the turtle-walks last sum-mer. While walking along the beach scouting for sea turtles, I had a chance to talk with him. He’d just come back to his hometown near the Park after living out of the state for 19 years. “I didn’t

I’d like to introduce Bruce Kay, who is one of the most active volunteers in the park. Outstanding, tall, with long hair, and a big smile, you’ll realize who I’m talking about. He appeared at the Park on one of the turtle-walks last sum-

Bruce Kay

Junior Volunteers at MacBeach?

Park Service Specialist, Michelle Toepfer, who has been on maternity leave, had a baby girl on May 8: Jasmine Rain. Someday she’ll visit the Park to introduce this new volunteer to us!

Junko Nomura

Michelle and Jasmine Rain Toepfer

6

realize before that this area was so beau-tiful,” Bruce said. “I want to learn more about it.” Bruce comes to the Park often

and is always fully engaged in all he does. He participates in the Park’s many activities

like Kayak Tours, Reef Tours, Turtle Walks, and Moonlight Concerts, etc. If you’re interested in helping out with the kayak tours, he’s the Kayak Volunteer Coordinator, and can provide you with an Volunteer Coordinator, and can provide you with an orientation.

Junko Nomura,Temp. Park Service Specialist

Nature Center Assistants - Have fun meeting and greeting visitors to the Park’s Nature Center and gift shop. Sell souvenirs and ring up sales. Assist in the receiving and display of merchandise. Help Park Staff with a variety of tasks including program planning and special events.

Nature Walk Leaders - Now is your chance to im-merse Park visitors in the magic of MacArthur Beach. Lead groups of 2 or 20 on trails through the hardwood hammock, over the estuary and dunes, and to the beach. Training included. This is a wonderful learning and teaching experience.

School Guides - Training is beginning soon for vol-unteers to teach programs during the school year to students in 2nd through 12th grade. No prior teaching experience necessary, just a love of children and a desire to learn more about the Real Florida.

There were no bridges linking the mainland

with Singer Island during construc-

t i o n of the

Blue Heron Hotel in the mid-1920s. The Army Corps of Engineers gave developers the green light for three bridg-es, but hurricanes disrupted construction plans. The 1926 big blow was a major setback, and the hurricane of 1928 completely laid waste to the hotel and bridgework. It is interesting to reflect on the planned bridges in comparison to what we have to facilitate vehicular movement today. One bridge would have connected Lighthouse Park in North Palm Beach with Munyon Island and the barrier island’s backdune road which we know as A1A. Another was intended to tie in Phil-

lips Point in West Palm Beach with royal Palm Way in Palm Beach, which had been separated from Singer Island by the inlet cut through in 1917 to make way for the Port of Palm Beach. (The inlet is optionally

referred to as the Palm Beach Inlet or Lake Worth Inlet, and the fill from the cut-through gave rise to Peanut Island.) The third bridge was for con-struction supply running from Sherman Point in Oaklawn (now Riviera Beach) to the barrier island. The absence of a full-blown hurricane since 1928 accounts in large part for Singer Island’s development, including approximately 25

high rise condominiums on land that is part of the city of Riviera Beach. Only the creation of the John D. Mac-Arthur Beach State Park in the 1980s has prevented the rush of high-rises from spreading farther north on our barrier island. And for that we are blessed.

The Blue Heron Hotel, 1926

Singer Island History: The Past Century (Part 2)

Dan West

7

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc.Membership Application

A not-for-profit Citizens’ Support Organization

❑ Benefactor... $500 ❑ Patron... $100 - $499 ❑ Family... $75 ❑ Individual... $40 ❑ Student... $20

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________________ State: ____________ ZIP: ______________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________Please send this appliction along with your donation to:

The Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc.PO Box 32395

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420For more information on the “Friends” please call (561) 776-7449

A copy of the official registration and financial information of the “Friends” may be obtained from The Division of Consumer Services by calling 800-435-7352

This year is special, because May was proclaimed Florida State Parks Month by the Governor and local communities. Extra efforts are being made state wide to increase public awareness of Florida State Parks. Banners, proclamations, fl yers, and special events are being used to encourage residents and visitors to visit the Real Florida in our state parks. Please accept our invitation to visit or re-visit your local state parks to see what is new and share our wonderful parks with your friends and family. Summer is around the corner, and many of the winter visitors have returned north. We enjoy having the winter visitors, but in their absence, locals will increase

visitation. In the past, there were distinctive high and low seasons. In recent years, changes in travel and the economy have resulted in visi-tor evolution, so now we have more or less consistent visitation here in the Southeast part of the state. The spring/summer migration of nesting sea turtles has be-gun. Over the next few months, over a thousand sea turtles will come ashore at the Park. Each may lay as many as 120 eggs and return to the sea. Approximately 60 days after nesting, the baby turtles will hatch and dig themselves out. Returning to sea by moonlight, they will begin another cycle of that greatest mystery we call Life. The staff and volunteers join me in welcoming the newest addition to our Park Service Specialist’s family. On May 8 Michelle & Chris became the happy parents of a little girl, Jasmine Rain Toepfer. Michelle will be away on maternity leave for the next few months. In the interim, Junko Nomura will be assuming the duties of Park Service Specialist. Come join us in exploring and enjoying our Real Florida at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. It’s more than just a beach!

Terry Coulliette, Park Manager

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park10900 State Road 703 (A1A)North Palm Beach, FL 33408

John D. MacArthurBeach State Park

10900 State Rd. 703 (A1A)North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Offi ce Phone:(561) 624-6950

Nature Center:(561) 624-6952

Fax:(561) 624-6954

Friends Offi ce:(561) 776-7449

Website:www.macarthurbeach.org

More than just a beach!

Terry

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Newsletter created by

Aaron Welch(772) 971-0443