Summer - Friends of McCormick`s Creek State Park

Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park, Inc.
July-September 2008
IN NATURE TODAY:
CAVE SALAMANDERS are not
only found in caves; they are found in
the vicinity of springs, cellars, or under
rocks. They inhabit the “twilight zone”
of Wolf Cave which is the area where
visible light reaches into the cave.
EASTERN
WOODPEWEES
are back from
wintering in
South America. As a flycatcher,
they fly out from a perch to
catch a flying insect and return
to the same perch. Listen for
their call: a slurred “pee-ah-wee”!
EASTERN BOX
TURTLE populations are
declining due to habitat loss,
road mortality, and collection.
Did you know? A male box
turtle will have bright red eyes!
FMCSP Financial Report
Treasurer: Al Tinsley
Report as of June 10, 2008
Balance on May 13:
$6,024.98
Income
Final 10% Grant
$ 275.00
Miscellaneous
$ 85.00
Booth Fee, Membership $ 55.00
Turnpaugh Donation
$ 300.00
Total Income
$ 715.00
Expenditures
Book Mailing
$ 43.02
Balance on Hand
$6,696.96
Fund Allocations:
Dedicated Funds
(Arts in the Park grant) $2,750.00
Discretionary Funds
$3,946.96
President
Bonnie Tinsley
379 W. Hillside Ave.
Spencer IN 47460
Phone: 812 829 2738
Email:
albontinsley@smithville.net
Vice President
Mike Miller
904 E. 14th St.
Bloomington IN 47408
Phone: 574 721 7753
E-mail:
mam2@alumni.indiana.edu
Secretary, Newsletter Editor
Andrea Oeding
120 S. Kingston Dr., Apt. C35
Bloomington IN 47408
Phone: 812 639 7032
E-Mail:
anoeding@peacemail.com
Treasurer
Al Tinsley
379 W. Hillside Ave.
Spencer IN 47460
Phone: 812 829 2738
E-mail:
albontinsley@smithville.net
Meeting the second Tuesday of every month except December at
6:00 PM in the Nature Center unless otherwise noted.
Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park
PO Box 483, Spencer IN 47460
Written by Andrea Oeding;
Information provided by Dwight Brooks and Marquita Manley
This summer, your hike to Wolf Cave may be a slightly different experience.
Wolf Cave has been a favorite hiking destination since early in McCormick’s Creek State Park
history with its popularity and visitation increasing every year. In August of 2007, naturalists
counted over 300 visitors at Wolf Cave during a 4-hour period on a busy Saturday. Many school
and scout groups include the cave as a major focus of their day trip visits to explore the cave
environment and experience the unique wildlife inhabitants (including the cave salamander
mentioned on pg.1). Increased use, especially walking over the top of the cave area, has caused
erosion of soil and loss of protective vegetation. The objective of the Wolf Cave Restoration
Project is to restore the Wolf Cave area to its original appearance and ecology.
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Friends of McCormick’s Creek
State Park, Inc. present:
3rd Annual
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Arts Fair
Kids Art Zone
Three Artist Workshops
Four Artist Demonstrations
Twelve Musical Performances
(Music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!)
Find a detailed program schedule at
the Nature Center or online at
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/12066.htm
Arts in the Park
Volunteer Callout
Please contact Bonnie Tinsley by
calling 829-2738
if interested in volunteering for
this major event and receive an
exclusive volunteer T-shirt to wear
on the day!
“The breeze, the trees, the honey bees All volunteers!”
~Juliet Carinreap
Wildflower Weekend and
a surprise Plant Sale
donation benefit the Friends!
Wildflower Weekend, an annual event every 3rd weekend of April, was a huge success this
year as the park and Friends Group partnered with other area agencies. The State Park, Friends
group, Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District, IDNR Division of Foresty, and the
Monroe County Parks and Recreation worked together to bring wildflower enthusiasts guided tours
and presentations throughout the weekend of April 18-20, 2008. The Friends Group Plant Sale
sold over $200 of a variety of plants. A special presentation by Fred and Maryrose Wampler, coauthor/illustrator of the book Wildflowers of Indiana allowed guests to see behind the scenes of one
of the premier wildflower artists in the state of Indiana. A surprise and welcomed guest on many
of the wildflower hikes was Kay Yatskievych, author of Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers. Kay added
field expertise to many tough identifications and visitor questions! Pictured above are Friends members
Al Tinsley and Marian Sinclair enjoying their time helping visitors decide on plants!
Also, of special mention, was a generous
donation from George and Francene Turnpaugh of
Naperville, IL. The Turnpaugh’s decided to hold
their very own plant sale in the front yard of their
house and sell an overabundance of plant starts from
around their house. They put a sign up that reads,
“Thank you! Perennial/Yard Plant Sale to Benefit:
McCormick’s Creek State Park.” They received $300
and donated the total to the Friends group! Thank
you for your kind and generous support from a
distance. Pictured above is a little helper toting plants!
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NEW EXHIBITS: CALLOUT FOR PICTURES!
Do you, your parents, or grandparents have old photos of the park?
We are documenting the history and development of the park in our new exhibits and are seeking
old photos and memorabilia. We would love both old and/or new photos to show people enjoying
the park. Contact the Nature Center, 812-829-4344, for more information.
Here are some examples of what is needed…
*Old scenes of the Quarry, Canyon Inn, Falls, Wolf Cave, or other park areas.
*Old photos featuring families and home sites which are now part of the park.
*CCC photos of McCormick’s Creek State Park.
*Nature programs, camping, group camps, and other activities!
What’s Inside:
*In Nature Today
*Financial Report
*Wolf Cave Restoration Project
*Arts in the Park
*Wonderful Wildflowers benefit the Park
*New Exhibits: Callout for Pictures!
The mission of the Friends of
McCormick’s Creek State Park, Inc. is
to develop and support projects and
interpret the natural and cultural
heritage and recreational opportunities
of McCormick’s Creek State Park.