`It`s all about the kids` - Illinois Conservation Foundation

The Gazette, Galena, Illinois, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Page 33A
‘It’s
all
about
the
kids’
Galena couple enjoys volunteering countless hours with NWTF
by Hillary Dickerson
editor@galgazette.com
GALENA–Ken and Marcia Polhamus have always
loved the outdoors, but they had no idea eight years
ago that their winning bid on a turkey call and
hunting guide package at an Illinois Conservation
Foundation banquet would open doors and involve
the Polhamuses in sharing their passion for wildlife
and the outdoors with a whole new group of people
through volunteer opportunities Ken and Marcia
had never before considered.
When their guide for that initial turkey hunt,
P.J. Perea, arrived at their then rural Scales Mound
property and taught them to turkey hunt, the Polhamuses were hooked.
They joined up with the National Wild Turkey
Federation (NWTF), which offers great youth programs in which both Ken and Marcia wanted to be
involved.
They joined the Jo Daviess County Longbeards
Chapter, became the state Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES) coordinators and now Ken serves on the state NWTF board.
They both remain heavily involved with the Illinois
Conservation Foundation as well.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Ken, noting he’s
pleased to be part of an organization that “goes
above and beyond” for the younger generation in
an attempt to protect the hunting heritage.
JAKES involvement
The Illinois Conservation Foundation owns the
Torstenson Youth Conservation Education Center in
Pecatonica. NWTF partners with the Torstenson center, a 750 acre wildlife habitat with a 11,500-squarefoot lodge, to offer the state JAKES hunt each spring.
And that’s where Ken and Marcia come into
play, in a big way.
The youth turkey season starts the first weekend in April and runs for five weekends after that.
During that time, each weekend, Ken and Marcia
are in Pecatonica to welcome youth who have been
selected to the state JAKES hunt.
Longtime hunter safety instructors, the Polhamuses guide the youth as they learn to hunt and
enjoy the pastime as much as the Polhamuses. Last
spring was the first year for the program.
“We have the passion for hunting,” said Ken,
noting that if the couple isn’t working, they’re most
likely hunting. They’ve passed their love of the out-
doors onto their children, and now grandchildren,
and many other youth as well.
The youth–five every weekend with a parent and
NWTF mentor–arrive Friday evening.
It’s an early rise Saturday when the alarm sounds
at 3:30 a.m. for breakfast. The group is out and
ready to hunt by 4:30.
The hunting continues until the season rules
dictate at 1 p.m. The youth have a late lunch and
then spend the rest of the afternoon fishing and
enjoying archery. They make a box call as well.
Whether they’re country kids or kids from the
suburbs, the weekend is a great bonding time and
friendships form over their commonalities.
Then, if the youth haven’t yet harvested a turkey, they go through the very same routine Sunday
morning. Sometimes the parents are just as or
even more excited that the JAKES youth who are
participating, Marcia noted.
“Those kids get up and are pumped up and
ready to go,” said Ken. “It’s a great experience for
the kids.”
Youth who participate in the state JAKES hunt
apply through the illinoisnwtf.org website. Application materials will be available in the near future
on the website.
In addition to the state JAKES program, Jo
Daviess County has a successful JAKES day each
August, the Polhamuses explained.
This year, on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Marsden
Ranch on Irish Hollow Road, dozens of youth will
turn out for a day of fun. Last year, 92 youth and
52 adults participated. The event is funded with
proceeds from the annual Gun Bash, planned this
year for Friday, June 8.
“Every year it just gets bigger and bigger,” said
Marcia.
The local JAKES day includes shooting demonstrations, a chance to build birdhouses, participate
in archery, go through tree identification and hear
about water rescue from members of the Galena
Fire Department.
Pre-registration for JAKES day is necessary. For
more information, contact Bill or Carla Randecker
at 815-777-0997,
Women in the Outdoors
In addition to the state JAKES hunt, the weekend
after her volunteer stint is officially over until next
year, Marcia has other plans. She’s coordinating
Rural Galena residents Ken and Marcia Polhamus enjoy volunteering their time with the National Wild Turkey
Federation. Contributed photo
the first Women in the Outdoors event, also at the
Torstenson Center, another NWTF outreach event.
From 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May
19, women from all backgrounds will have the
opportunity to come together for sessions such
as handguns, archery, air rifle and shotguns, self
defense, soap making, pressed flowers, jewelry
making, quilting, gardening and more, all in a
comfortable environment.
VBS to be held
in Hanover
HANOVER–“Hometown Nazareth” will be the
theme for the 2012 summer session of Vacation
Bible School in Hanover at the Hanover Township
Hall. Classes for children 4 years old through sixth
grade will be held June 11-14 beginning at 9 a.m.
and ending at noon. Lunch will be served at 11:30
a.m.
Pre-registration forms are available at the Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran churches or register by phone with Shirley Brokaw at 815-591-2275.
If interested and to see if there are still openings
available for the Women in the Outdoors event,
contact Marcia at 815-222-5010 or email mpolhms@aol.com.
The following day, on Sunday, May 20, the
Torstenson Center will host an open house from
noon to 4 p.m.
For more information about the JAKES program,
visit illinoisnwtf.org.
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Jo Daviess County Master Gardener five and 10 year service recipients, from left, Kathleen Leonard, Madelynn Wilharm, Pat Hippchen and Mary West. Not pictured: Carole Pouzar, Linda Helgeson and Art Scheele.
Contributed photo
Master Gardeners recognized
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to residents. They have been involved in the Community Garden in Galena, the Galena Garden Walk,
the horticulture help desk through the Extension
office, and a variety of other events in the county.
Master Gardeners recently planned and hosted
a three session series for home gardeners in March
and April, which featured one Master Gardener and
other local experts, and was attended by many.
For information on becoming a Master Gardener,
or to find out about future programs, call 815-8582273 or go to web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/.
Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs. 8-5;
Tues. & Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
and 7 p.m.-9 p.m.;
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ELIZABETH–Seven University of Illinois Extension Jo Daviess County Master Gardeners were recognized for their years of service on Friday, April 27.
Five year volunteers were Kathleen Leonard and
Mary West, both of Galena; Pat Hippchen, Apple
River; and Linda Helgeson, Elizabeth. Ten year volunteers were Madelynn Wilharm and Carole Pouzar,
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