The Wilderness Center 2014 1

Vol.7 No 5A publication for our Members May 2014

Inside:H i s t o r y o f T W C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 2N e w M e m b e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 2Volunteer News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p .3E n d o w m e n t G i f t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 3C l u b N e w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 4ProgramGuideReg.Form... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .InsertTribute to Don Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 5Tre e o f L i f e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 6 , 7G r e e n l i n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 8

Newsletter

The Wilderness Center Celebrates 50 Years! Celebrating 50 Years!

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and

have my senses put to order.

John Burroughs

Save the date! Join us on Saturday, June 21, 2014, 1 - 4 p.m. for The Wil-derness Center’s Founder’s Day Ice Cream Social. Meet our new Execu-tive Director and enjoy free music, ice cream, popcorn, historical tours and more. Join us as we celebrate 50 years in the community. The Wilderness Center is proud to announce that long-time

board member and former U.S. Congressman Ralph Regula will chair the Center’s 2014 Annual Campaign. The role will come as no new challenge for Regula,who chaired The Wilderness Center’s very first annual campaign in 1965.“I’m delighted to be chairing The Wilderness Center’s 50th anniversary campaign,” said Regula. “We’ve come a long way since the Center first opened in 1964, but the need to protect our environment is still very real and more urgent than ever. I hope that the community supports our 2014 an-nual campaign generously.” TWC’s 2014 Annual Campaign letters should be arriving in mail boxes later this month or donations may be made by using the donation coupon located on page 3.

REGULA TO CHAIRANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Join Us for Spring Hiking and Earn Your 50th Annivesary Pin

The Wilderness Center has sponsored the Hiking Program since 2002. Each year families and individuals sign up for the program, hike all of The Wilderness Center’s trails and earn a hand carved hiking staff and a pin for each year they participate. This year you can earn a special pin celebrating 50 years. Spring is a wonderful time to hike with your children or grandchildren! Bring them down to participate, earn a hiking staff and/or pin and nuture memories of nature at the same time! See the program guide or call 1-877-359-5235 for more information.

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Welcome New Members!

What’s In A Name?

Mr. & Mrs. John BakerScott CanfieldKenny CoblentzDave & Ruth DavisVirginia DombeckDaniel & Katie HackettDavid HamelRebecca L. HartongLisa Lee

Mary Jo LeveringChad MarshChriss MockridgeRick & Carol MullinsKim NapierKathleen NelsonRosemary RoscoeChris & Megan SeeleyRon & Rosie Warner

I had to chuckle. I submitted the February Newsletter ar-ticle, then heard Marketing Director Vicki Whitt muttering under her breath “grrrr...Stark Wilderness Center.” But she gritted her teeth and printed it! TWC was founded as the “Stark Wilderness Center, Inc.” There’s no official record of the reasons the founders chose that name. Lore has it they wanted to make the location one of the first things anyone knew about the new nature center. Since the main tract (at that time, the only tract) is in Stark County, “Stark” was included in the name. Now, we’re officially “The Wilderness Center, Inc.” I got to wondering when it changed, so I looked through annual reports. Other staff helped narrow down the years to search and we found it! In the President’s Report by Dale Hart for Dec. 4, 1980: “We had a name change to The Wilderness Center, January 19, 1979. This was intended to encourage the use of the Cen-ter by counties outside Stark County and to emphasize the Center’s role in educating students of northeastern Ohio.” We agree! TWC welcomes everyone—from Stark County or elsewhere. We have current members from Alaska to Florida; Maine to California. We hold land and easements in Wayne, Stark, Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Columbiana Coun-ties. Last year alone, we did educational programs for groups from 9 counties. People from much of northeast Ohio, as well as other states, are interred at Foxfield Preserve. TWC is truly a regional nature center. Then, in the February, 1989 Newslerter, I found this short article: “It was voted at the Annual Meeting Jan. 18 to change our name to The Wilderness Center, Inc. By dropping Stark from the name, hopefully the confusion with “Stark County” will be ended. “Stark” in our name had mistakenly implied that we were administered and financed by the county gov-ernment.” We are proudly independent. TWC does not receive tax funding, beyond what any other nonprofit or landowner can get.

And that surprises visitors. Often, a first-time visitor will look around the lobby and ask, “So, is this run by the state/local/county government?” The standard answer is, ”No. We’re a nonprofit, supported by memberships and donations. Will you join us?” “Stark Wilderness Center”? Not so much anymore. I think Vicki growled because the name stuck so well. Almost 35 years after the official name change, I’m still often introduced in outreach or speaker’s bureau programs as from the Stark Wilderness Center. We’ve reminded the press, but it still occasionally pops up in coverage. The Wilderness Center really fits what TWC is now, a regional nature center, and Vicki would love your help get-ting the word out! By: Joann Ballbach, Education Director

Costa Rica Birding Eco-tour with TWC-January 2015

The Wilderness Center will travel to Costa Rica for an Eco-tour in January, 2015. We will travel to Tapanti Rain Forest, Talamanca Mountains, Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara National Park, La Ensenda, Solimar, Sarapiqui Lowlands and La Selva Biological Station. We will also spend a day at the beach in the gulf for shorebirds and rest. We will be birding in the cloud forests, tropical rain forests and the dry forest and marshes. For more information, please contact Vicki Whitt at vicki@wildernesscenter.org or 1-877-359-5235.

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Volunteers of the Month

Earth Day & Plant Sale Volunteers

Endowment Gifts

Jim AdamsRobert E. DawsonWalt FinkDio GrantSusan KellerWilliam & Sharon LuntzPat ReigerRobert & Paula SmethersAnita SzegvariRon & Joyce Wilson

In Memory of Teresa Canfield Rich & Gayle Green, Elyse, Curtis & StewIn Honor of Gordon Maupin's retirement and service to TWC William H. & Jeanne G. Belden Barbara Bartchy John & Judy Kropf Esther Norris Janice Petko Cindy and Gary Popotnik Joseph SommerIn memory of Homer & Corinne Fulton Becky & Ernie Gaertner Kryn Henderhan

Two of our largest and most popular events at TWC are Earth Day Celebration and the Native Plant Sale. Our volunteers are the reason both events are a success! Earth Day volunteers consist of individuals, families, scout groups, 4-H groups, and corporate work groups. They suc-cessfully help us remove Garlic Mustard and clean our trails to prepare for spring. Also, the Foto Fest volunteers provide a great opportunity for the public to enjoy and votefor their favorite nature photos while they are here for Earth Day! Our Native Plant Sale volunteers help bring in, pot and tag plants, teach gardening seminars, greet, act as cashiers and plant information assistants and carry plants to purchasers’ cars. Neither event would be possible without the help of our volunteers. They are the BEST! Thank you volunteers!

Volunteers Needed For Nature

Store & Office. Contact

vicki@wildernesscenter.org

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Astronomy Club

Club News

Botanizers Club

Needle Crafters

Nature Book Discussion Club

Bird Club News

Geocaching Club

Woodcarving Club

The Needle Crafters are meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10 AM. Come to the next meeting, bring your project and join us!

Nature Photo Club The Dirty Life:a Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball is our book for May 3, 2-3:30 PM. A New York City girl falls in love with a farmer and farming and describes her first year on their organic CSA farm. Nature up close and hands on. Drop-ins are welcome. Have a look at our bulletin board at TWC. You can make suggestions for books for our next season which will begin in September.

The Botanizers would like to invite you to join us on our club hike Sat., May 24th at 1 PM as we explore the Beach City Wildlife Area with our leader Fritz Schmitthenner.Call 330-264-7833 for information. Join us for a walk on June 21, 1 PM, as Fritz leads us to Bata Pass Glenmont RR trail in Holmes county. Jonas Troyer will be the co-leader. Please give Fritz a call by June 20th for the details. It's always a delight to discover new wildflowers, as well as see our favorites. If you have any questions about our club feel free to e-mail me at woodfern.22gmail.com. Sandy Smith, Club President

Foto Fest Awards to Be Given May 3 If you came to The Wilderness Center in April and cast votes for your favorite photos during the Nature Photo Club’s annual Foto Fest, please join the Club on Sat., May 3 at 9:30 AM for the awarding of prizes. This is always a fun meeting! A multimedia presentation featuring some of our Club members’ best nature photos will also be featured. You are also invited to join the Club for the following field trips: May 17 at Indigo Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in conjunction with the Cuyahoga Valley Photo Society to photograph wildflowers. June 21 at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Boston Store to photograph wildflowers. Please check the Club website at www.twcnpc.com to confirm each trip, as each might change because of weather. Final information will be posted about a week before the event.

We started out this spring with a day trip to Harlansburg Cave in PA. Lots of mud but worth it to see some really cool fossils! We also had a weekend of camping and caving in West Virginia and ended April with a beginner day trip to one of our favorite caves, Bear Cave, PA. We have a lot more fun coming up! If you’re curious about caving and would like to give it a try, all we ask is that you attend one of our meetings so you are well prepared. The next one is May 17th at 10 AM.

Cavers and Climbers Club

We just finished our beginners’ carving program. We had 13 new carvers. The program was a great success. We carved a snake, a star, a tree, and a Scotty dog. Everyone had a fun time and learned a lot. The carvers all got their own carving knife with registration. Everyone had an enjoy-able time and the wood chips were flying everywhere! We are planning another class for the fall. The club just finished carving some Cerulean Warblers for the bird watching club. We finished 4 birds and hopefully will have a few more completed. The club is also planning the summer picnic and starting preparations for the show in September. As always, we meet the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month and the club is open to anyone who may be interested. So stop in and see all the beautiful carvings or just say hi.

Join us for a dayhike on Sunday, May 4, 2 PM at Squire’s Castle in Cleveland MetroParks, Willoughby Hills. It’s a 5.2 miles loop, easy-moderate. Our meeting is Friday, May 16, 7:30, with a program “Monarchs and Milkweed” by Carrie Elvey. Join us for a dayhike on Sunday, May 18, 2 PM at Walborn Resevoir, Stark Parks. Meet at Marina. Walk in woods, natural surfaces. Maximum 5 miles, easy. Our backpack trip on May 23-26 (Memorial Day) is at Dolly Sods, Mononghahela NF, WV. Beautiful, premium spring trip. Moderately strenuous. About 20 miles. For more information, visit www.twchikers.com. For questions contact: mrjoevress1@sssnet.com. Come hike with us!

Backpackers/Dayhikers Club We held our first 3 event day on March 29. Our day started with our TRIPLE PLAY BASIC GPS/GEOCACHE 101 seminar at 10 with 48 cachers in attendance. The class was lead by Del Labo and Bob Conner. The second part of our day was TRIPLE PLAY...LUNCH! And it was good! 38 cachers enjoyed a nice hot lunch on a cold rainy day. The third part of the day was our TRIPLE PLAY CREATIVE GEOCACHE class led by Doug Mathey.We never knew how many sneaky geocache hiders are out there! Doug showed us about 50 unique geocache containers, and everyone who was there had the chance to make and take home 3 different cache containers. Should be a lot of new caches placed soon! For info, please e-mail Rita at axetowax@yahoo.com

The lakes and ponds are thawing, and ducks have moved in great num-bers! Spring songbird migration is also coming soon, and birders are in anticipation of some great birding! Join TWC Bird Club this May for some awesome birding trips: Magee Marsh and surrounding areas along Lake Erie for migrating birds; Cuyahoga Valley National Park at the end of May. You won't be disappointed. Until next month – May you always hear the whisper of wings…

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A Tribute To Don Hall You’ve been given a gift although you may not know it yet. You’ve been given a gift even though you may not know who’s given it. You’ve been given a gift –the gift of 330 acres of forested land in Tuscarawas and Guernsey Counties that will be cared for and protected by The Wilderness Center and shared for generations to come. The gift was recently given by a man named Don Hall. Several members of TWC’s family grew to know Don during his last days. We are saddened by his passing but deeply touched by his generosity. We feel fortunate to have learned a little about this intelligent, irreverent, caring man and would like to share a small portion of his story with you now. World War II had just ended and soldiers were returning home – home to their wives, families and back to business as usual. Everyone was happy to see them return safely, even young Don Hall, although it meant giving up the job he held at Timken. Don knew he would find another position. It was a simple matter of obtaining a degree in engineering. Being an adventurous sort, Don decided to do some-thing not just any man would do, earn money for college by joining the merchant marines. Don knew the value of hard work and did well in the merchant marines – and so it went, a semester of work followed by a semester of study until his third semester when one of his professors asked if any of the students had experience with evaporators. Not only had Don worked on evaporators in the merchant marines, but what red-blooded, Ohio, farmboy didn’t know about distillation? Don found himself working for Aramco in Saudi Arabia turning seawater into fresh water and next, building boilers for oil extraction in Venezuela.The degree would have to wait. Don jumped at the opportunity to work as a chief engineer for the Branson Steamship Company. He found himself on a two-year stint in Japan building ships. His Japanese was poor and his co-workers spoke little English. Don threw himself into his job, often working into the second shift and hanging around the shipyard in his spare time. Don’s meticulous nature and long hours began to drive his co=workers a little crazy. They concocted a plan to get him out of the engine room – just for a breather and certainly for the good of all concerned. They fixed him up on a date with the owner of a local tea room. She was tall and spoke English. The fellows thought this sounded like the beginnings of a good match for Don. Hatsuko did, in fact, turn out to be a good match for Don. They saw a lot of one another and enjoyed each other’s company. One day Don asked Hatsuko why a beautiful young lady like herself wasn’t married. Hatsuko blushed. “I am too tall for most Japanese men,” she answered. Don was well over 6’ tall, so this was certainly not an issue for him, but he never dreamed that Hatsuko would consent to marry him since marrying Americans was looked down on at the time by many Japanese. Two years went by quickly, and it would soon be time for him to say goodbye to Hatsuko. It was around this time that Hatsuko made an unusual request: she asked Don to take an afternoon off. He accompanied her across town by street car, then out into the countryside by bus, and then the two walked for some distance among the rice paddies until they came to a pagoda. Hatsuko burned joss sticks and candles and prayed while Don stood awkwardly to the side smoking a cigarette. It was a simple enough request on Hatsuko’s part and,after they returned, Don didn’t really think much more about it. And so the sad day came when Don returned to the U.S., and Hatsuko continued to run her tea room. Still without a degree, Don found another chief engineer position, this time on a freighter ship. Months passed as Don traveled the world, but he found himself missing Hatsuko terribly. He wrote to her frequently but admitted that not too many letters came for him. Then a short letter arrived. It simply said, “Don-san, I miss you. Please come back.” Don did something not just any man would do, he returned to Japan for Hatsuko – the following Tuesday in fact, although it took him another six months to ask her to marry him. The degree would have to wait. After their wedding ceremony, Hatsuko beamed. Don described the look as “the cat that ate the canary.” When Don asked about the look, she started to laugh.“Do you remember the day we went to the pagoda out in the rice paddies? That was the temple where spinsters go. I asked the pagoda master to put a hook in you that day, Don-san.” Don and Hatsuko spent many happy years together. Don never did complete his degree but enjoyed a long and successful career in engineering. Over the years, he traveled widely and had many adventures. He and Hatsuko finally settled back in Ohio on the 330 acre property where Don grew up. Don and Hatsuko treasured the wooded lots where sunlight still filters through the old walnuts and oaks and hawthorn thickets shake with bird chatter. Hatsuko passed away a number of years before Don. Without heirs, Don had to decide how best to protect the land they loved from being divided up, sold and developed. Don did something not just any man would do. He left his land for the benefit of you and me and generations to come by giving it as a donation to The Wilderness Center. We are grateful that Don Hall was a man who recognized opportunity and knew what mattered most. Thank you, Don Hall for the wonderful gift you have given us. By: Development Director, Barb Vitcosky

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Tree of LifeMarch Tree of Life

In memory of Pete Angelo Nancy I. PalmerIn memory of Betty J. Anthony Herb & Janet BrodaIn memory of Nancy Arnold Nancy & Jay PrideauIn memory of Steve Artzner Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Leo L. Becherucci Bill & Ann BrothersIn memory of Dorothy Marie Bonk Loretta & Tony CasasantaIn memory of Lafawn Bratton Michael Holdford & Lisa Stamford In memory of Cats: “Steps” & “Pixie” Brundelet Cats: Andy, Steffie, Francie ConnellyIn memory of Tullio & Lillian Buccitelli Rex & Marcia PrinkeyIn memory of David Byers Rex & Marcia PrinkeyIn memory of Dr. Teresa Pauline Canfield Cindy & John Konscak John & Debra Linkenhoker Penny Loucas Daniel & Lisa May Megan & Rod Mitchell Patty & Pat Neyhart Jill & John Schaeffer The Trabucco’sIn memory of Carol Poshedly Cataline, Beloved sister, mother and grandmother Eileen CarperIn memory of Leonard Cerrato, 1940 – 2013 Lena RossIn memory of David Chovan Patty & Wayne YinglingIn memory of Doris Cogan Richard & Nancy Biggerstaff

In memory of V. Jane Couts Ray & Mary BonginiIn memory of Chris Cudnik Kathy & Dick CasterIn memory of Oliver Cutlip Loretta & Tony CasasantaIn memory of Judy D’Anniballe Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Lloyd Doerschuck Sam & Ann GetzIn memory of Adelia L. Drokopil Rev. Jacqueline McMillenIn memory of Edward Dye Ron & Janice OsborneIn memory of Patricia Eller Nancy Hare & Jeanne PrittIn memory of Joe Fazek Gerald Thomas-MooreIn memory of Sara Feigenspan Larry Million, Palmyra High School ClassmateIn memory of Peg George Sarah H. DouglasIn memory of Stella G. Gier Cox & Gier FamiliesIn memory of Catherine Gorman Jane Marion & Jeanette KauffmanIn memory of Bob Graber Elmer & Buzz GatesIn memory of Shirley Greenfeld Ed & Nancy Hare Sharon & Mike Samblanet The Wilderness Center StaffIn memory of Orval Grooms Jeanette & Amos Hostetter, Donna & Chuck ShearnIn memory of Judy Guenther Nancy Southworth, Eileen Shorthill & Joanne ShorthillIn memory of Mrs. Loretta Hart Mr. Calvin SimpsonIn memory of Joel Christopher Henson Steve & Cindy Collins

In memory of Laurence W. Houmard Jeff & Lisa MaysIn memory of Jean Ann Hughes The Faiello FamilyIn memory of Eugene B. Kelker Scott EbertIn memory of Chester Kingsbury Thomas & Gretchen Graham Kerri & Richard SalvinoIn memory of Debra Kobb Barbara StockerIn memory of Larry Lang Fredericksburg Community LibraryIn memory of Eva LaRocco Gerry ConnorIn memory of Carl H. Lavin CNN Digital Ms. Susan Shearer Carl & Sally SorensonIn memory of Mary Lioce Elmer GatesIn memory of Shirley Ann Mann Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Marian Dorothy Matthews Walt Mavracic & Pattie CinowaltIn honor of Gordon Maupin for his time at TWC and as instigator of the Backpackers Club Ken Mozden & Cheryl LongIn loving memory of George Mayer The Gurich/Hurt FamiliesIn memory of James R. McClenahen Betsy Ackerman Jeanne Boughton Jan Bratton Todd Hutchinson Linda McClenahen Jordan Mertz Dan & Jene Mertz & sons Pat Miles The Ohio State University Wooster & Columbus

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Tree of LifeIn memory of Jim McClenahen, a dear friend and avidoutdoorsman Mike & Diane BorgerIn memory of Denise McKinney (Yeary) John & Kelly WintersIn memory of Elizabeth Ann McLoney Mary Etta CairnsIn memory of Joan Miller Pamela MillerIn memory of Joan Miller, an excellent volunteer The Wilderness CenterIn memory of Steve Morris Janet, Kevin & Kyle DeckerdIn memory of Larry Nightingale Lynda & Jim CusackIn memory of Olga Pachis Rick & Debbie Harder Nancy Harder Ray & Nancy IslaIn honor of Julia Papadopoulos Gust CallasIn memory of Sophia Pilarowski Allen & Lynn MillerIn memory of David Rees Norm & Nancy MankinsIn memory of Michael Fred Ross, 5/18/1947 - 2/18/2014 Lena RossIn celebration of the life of Constance Rumberg Sue, Steve, Caroline, Dave, Diane & KathyIn memory of Harold Schreffler Robert & Judith CarrickIn memory of Jim Schultz Joyce CirignanoIn memory of Ralph Shaffer Sharon & Mike SamblanetIn memory of Audrey Skillman Jeff & Gretchen GlasgowIn memory of George Stavroff Carlene Starkey & Ed Stavroff

In memory of Donna Jeanne (Filliez) Stimer John & Lisa Lescallett The Christian Companion Sunday School Class -- East Canton Church of GodIn memory of Helen M. Swartz William JessupIn memory of ‘Toby’ - faithful friend who has recently crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Kathy Daberko & Ali & TigerIn memory of Margaret Tombow Perlee & Janine HartmanIn memory of Mel Vance Joyce Cirignano & Dottie StutsmanIn memory of Darrell Vardaman Ramelton Therapeutic Equestrian CenterIn memory of Evelyn J. Vargo Kathy & Sarah TatarskyIn memory of Tayleigh Verde Dan & Heather MassarelliIn memory of Raymond Vesco Patricia LimbachIn memory of Jane Greenleaf Scranton Walker Barbella DrakeIn memory of Dan Walters Joanne CastellanetaIn memory of John Warner Rick & Mary Ann ShererIn memory of Gertrude Weaverwho has rejoined Edgar David & Norma HoukIn memory of Mildred Wharton Pat & Earl HarenIn loving memory of Robert White Jean & Tom SinclairIn memory of Jim Wolf Sam & Ann GetzIn memory of Frank Woodie Barbara StockerIn memory of Lois (Shank) Yeakel Jim & Judy Sabo & Family

In memory of Eugene Zimbello Bernadette, Colleen, Shawn (McLaughlin)In memory of Loretta Mae Ensley Zito Rob & Michelle Calhoun

TWC HoursTrails: Sunrise to Sunset

every dayInterpretive Building and office:9 am to 5 pm Tues. through Sat.

1 pm to 5 pm SundayClosed Monday

The Wilderness Center, Inc.PO Box 202

Wilmot, Ohio 44689-0202Phone toll-free: (877) 359-5235E-Mail: staff page on website

Website: www.wildernesscenter.org

To connect people with nature, educate people of all ages, conserve natural resources, and practice

environmental stewardship.

President: Andy HaagExecutive Director: Dr. Jeff Corney

Editor: Vicki L. WhittProofreaders: Barb Bartchy, Brian Gray,

Sarah Douglas, Kitty Johnson

Wilderness Center

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Date Mailed: April 17, 2014

P O BOX 202WILMOT OH 44689-0202Contains Dated MaterialPlease Do Not Delay

GreenlineCan you say Azodicarbonamide?

It is, however, a word you’re eating. It is a chemical component to making bread and yoga mats, rubber

shoes, and synthetic leather. M-m-m-m so soft,

comforting and stretchy. The Wilderness Center is Celebrating 50 Years!

Watch for upcoming programs and events to celebrate with us!

Golden Nuggets fromThe Wilderness Center

A very attractive observation pier on Wilderness Lake was constructed in 1973 by the Canton Kiwanis Club, as their second major gift to the Center. Their first was the Kiwanis Tower, also on the Pond Trail, constructed in 1968. Our thanks to Ed Staiger, his conservation committee, and all other fellows from Canton Kiwanis Club for this most appreciated addition to The Wilderness Center.