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A member newsletter from The Wilderness CenterConnecting you with nature.
W ilderness Connections
June 2015
Director’s Corner:New Wilderness Connections
Supporter’s Spotlight: Living Memorials
Ecotour to Ecuador
Gearing up for Summer Funwith Summer Days
Volunteers of the Month: Geocaching Club
Club News
2015 Foto Fest Winners Announced
Animals 1st - “Blue Eyes” Ed Jevec 2nd - “Tiger Fish” Jerry Herbert 3rd - “Orphaned Elephants Bonding” Janice Petko
Anything Goes 1st - “Frozen” Kevin Sparks 2nd - “Fish Town” Jerry Herbert 3rd - “Lodi Rodeo” Sue Marquardt
Birds 1st - “Fresh Catch” Susan Cramer Stein 2nd - “White-chested Emerald Hummingbird” Janice Petko 3rd - “Hommer” Sue Marquardt
Domestic Flowers 1st - “Nectar in Flight” Norman Kutz 2nd - “Dew on Bamboo” Lisa Lee 3rd - “Spring is Blossoming” Brian Gross
General Nature 1st - “Lightning Dragon” Kevin Sparks 2nd - “Morning Light” Frank Parrish 3rd - “Spring Reflection” Richard Patrick
Insects and Spiders 1st - “Butterfly” Terry Davis 2nd - “Little Blue” Richard Patrick 3rd - “Dew Drops and Spider” Norman Kutz
Landscapes 1st - “Blue Hen Falls” William Dickinson 2nd - “Smoky Mountain Sunrise” Richard Patrick 3rd - “Snowy Range – Lake Marie” Patrick Robek
Pictorial 1st - “Berea Falls” Sue Marquardt 2nd - “An Early Morning Glow” Marla Neiss 3rd - “Coming Home” Jordan Kercheff
Wildflowers 1st - “Bullthistle Enticement” Patricia Milliken 2nd - “Wild Geranium” Jerry Herbert 3rd - “Fiddlehead Finery” Peggy Gibbs
Wildlife 1st - “Sun Worship” Patricia Albrecht 2nd - “Nice Jump” Jerry Dawson 3rd - “Racoon at the Jetties” Dave Maus
Youth 1st - “Majestic Spanish Moss” Ricky Salvino 2nd - “Azalea Dream” Dylan Troyer 3rd - “Hidden Gem” Dylan Troyer
1st Place Birds “Fresh Catch” by Susan Cramer Stein
Director’s Corner
The Wilderness Center June 2015
New Wilderness Connections
Surprise! You may have noticed a few changes in the look, feel and even the title of this month’s newsletter. This signals a number of things that have been changing here at TWC. So, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a sampling of some of these new things we’ve either already initiated or intend to over the course of this year.
Our Education Team is preparing to expand our service to the K-12 community by offering our programs to a broader range of school districts in our four-county area. Along with a robust K-12 curricula, we are featuring a newly developed Sprouts curriculum designed specifically for pre-schoolers and toddlers. Among the fun new additions is Naturemusik!
This spring we introduced a new, more expansive offering of programs for life-long learners, called OAKS. Our intention is to continue to offer the quality programming you have come to expect and enjoy from TWC, while expanding those programs to include a wider variety of natural history, nature crafts, and now science topics and environmental issues.
The long anticipated Nature Playscape area will be completed this summer and opened for young folks and their families to enjoy. Unlike a traditional playground,
our Nature Playscape has been carefully built to blend in with the natural environment, using trees, logs, and rocks.
After many loyal years of service, the main telescope housed in the Astronomy Observatory has been “retired” and replaced with a new, 16-inch state-of-the-art telescope and tracking system. TWC’s Astronomy Club was key in acquiring this new instrument and will continue to introduce nighttime visitors to the wonders of the sky with spectacular views through this new telescope.
During your next visit, be sure to visit the Nature Store. You’ll notice a new layout and many new items available. Look forward to seeing more locally crafted gifts and artwork, and more learning tools and toys that help young people get outdoors and explore their natural world.
Toward fulfilling our conservation mission, we have introduced a novel way for landowners to partner with TWC toward protecting, enhancing or restoring natural areas on their own property. TWC will assist landowners in the Sugar Creek and Killbuck Creek watersheds through our new Community Watershed Conservation Partnership.
It is our hope you’ll discover & rediscover this marvelous place
and let us help you connect with
nature here at The Wilderness Center.
Since the storm of two summers ago blew down many beautiful old-growth trees in Sigrist Woods, ecological succession has been naturally transforming the Woods into an equally beautiful and complex mix of remaining old-growth, mid-canopy trees, and new understory plants. We hope to do our part to restore Sigrist Woods trail system and reopen access.
This fall, we will significantly improve the ecological integrity of a section of fragile watershed within TWC’s borders. A stretch of Fox Creek will undergo a major restoration effort as part of an environmental mitigation project. An 800-foot channelized run of Fox Creek will be altered to restore more natural meanders, add riffle areas, and revegetate the embankments.
Oh, and you may notice that the Hart Interpretive Building has a fresh coat of paint! We made repairs to weathered siding, and went ahead and repainted the building. We also made some repairs to roof areas prone to leaking, particularly on the terraces, which will reopen soon.
Enjoy our new newsletter and program guide formats. It is our hope you’ll discover and rediscover this marvelous place and let us help you connect with nature here at The Wilderness Center.
Jeff Corney, Executive Director
Follow us!
The Wilderness Center June 2015
Volunteers of the Month
Natural Burial at Foxfield Preserve
Join Sara Brink to discuss natural burial at Foxfield, nature preserve cemetery management, restoration of the site and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed, small-group setting. If you plan to walk Foxfield Preserve’s trails, be sure to wear suitable shoes and clothing. If you can’t attend a presentation, personal tours of the Preserve are available by appointment. Contact Sara at [email protected]
Geocaching ClubOur Geocaching Club volunteers and hosts many Geocaching events at The Wilderness Center each year bringing hundreds of people to the fun of Geocaching and bringing the knowledge of The Wilderness Center to new attendees.
Recently, the Geocaching Club came out for the CITO (CacheInTrashOut) event. Twenty-four cachers broke into three groups....one group did road clean-up, one group did garlic mustard pull and the third group walked a few of the trails picking up litter and removing branches and debris. They picked up 10 bags of trash and 4 bags of garlic mustard!
Thank you, Geocachers Club!
Volunteers Needed!TWC is currently in need of a club or group to help us maintain our section of State Route 250 as part of the Adopt a Highway Program. If you are interested in helping to keep our area free of litter, please let us know!
We are also in need of barn or field stone for use in the Nature Playscape. We are happy to arrange pick-up! TWC is always looking for new members for our volunteer core! If you have an interest in nature and would like to work alongside some other passionate individuals, this is the place for you! We have volunteer opportunities that range from working on trails and fighting invasive species, to helping with office mailings and working in our nature store.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at TWC, contact Vicki at [email protected]
Nature Store NewsOur store is getting a fresh look and will be ever changing. There are many new and different products being added to the store: New books, garden decor, children's items, accessories, clothing and more! Also, in cooperation with our mission, we are trying to shift our focus to "buying local" when possible. So, keep an eye open for products made by local artisans! This month’s staff picks are from Conservation Manager, Gary Popotnik. Gary has focused on items to promote getting outside and getting dirty! He pointedly included one of our kites, as “even adults need to take time out to fly a kite!” Visit the nature store to take a look at all of Gary’s great suggestions
Clu
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The Wilderness Center June 2015
Geocaching Club The Geocache Club recently held a geochat at El Fogon Restaurant hosted by Marlin and Sandy Gessaman aka Blue Goose. We also hosted a breakfast chat on Saturday, April 25, at The Amish Door to kick off our Earth Day CITO event. After the breakfast chat, we headed back over to TWC for our CITO (CacheInTrashOut) event. Twenty-four cachers broke into three groups....one group did road clean-up, one group did garlic mustard pull and the third group walked a few of the trails picking up litter and removing branches etc. from the trails. We picked up 10 bags of trash and 4 bags of garlic mustard! Great job, geocachers!
Our members-only picnic will be on Sunday, May 17. George and Peg Elliott, aka GeoPeg, will be sending out details for the picnic.
We have started making plans for our annual fall geocaching event to be held the third Saturday in October. Watch geocaching.com for details later in the summer. Backpackers/Dayhikers Club We have had great turnouts for our recent hikes at Atwood, Mohican, and Ramser Arboretum and backpack in Allehgeny Forest. We have more exciting events coming up. Hope you will join us!• June 14, Sunday, 2 pm - dayhike TBA• June 19, Friday, 6:30 pm - meeting, potluck picnic,
former members cordially invited.• June 26-28 - backpack central Pennsylvania, Old
Loggers’ Path. Sweeping vistas, wild streams, thick woods. 15-18 miles, moderate.
Details at the meeting and posted on our website: www.hikersoftwc.weebly.com. Send questions to Larry Hilbert: 330.345.1727 or [email protected]. Astronomy Club Our monthly Public Star Watch will occur on June 5 at 8 PM. We will explore the Universe with our new telescope in the observatory. We may see Jupiter, Saturn and a few galaxies after the Sun sets. Our meet-up will happen on June 26 at 7:30 PM. A program, Visual Observing of Variable Stars: Useful Scientific Data, will be presented by Christopher Stephan (owner of Classical Science by Stephan, a new science store in Wooster). The presentation will be on how to make visual magnitude estimates of variable stars and the American Association of Variable Stars (AAVSO). Stephan has been a member and observer since the early 1970’s and has submitted over 40,000 variable star observations to the AAVSO. Meet at the Astronomy Education Building. Like us on Facebook to receive updates on events and programming. Needle Crafters 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 Book Discussion Club Over the summer the Book Group will be selecting books for our next season which will start in September. Any suggestions for books we might choose? Send them to Cheryl at [email protected] Bird Club News Birds are back and nesting – and TWC Bird Club members are out in the field “seeing what they can see”. In May we’ll be at the Biggest Week in American Birding to Western Lake Erie and now in June to Oak Openings (western Ohio) for our annual weekend trip to a most diverse habitat in Ohio for birds, butterflies and fun!
TWC Bird Club has a Facebook page – check us out, ask to join and see what we’re doing.
AND, don’t forget our monthly birdwalks on the third Saturday of each month. Meet in the parking lot at 8 AM. to walk the trails and hopefully find some bird sightings, and make some new ‘birding’ friends!!!
Until next month – May you always hear the whisper of wings… Botanizers Club Botanizer Club members and any TWC member are invited to a free program/ walk led by Marvin Smith.This Fern Walk will be held at Zoar Woods, Sat., July 11 at 1 PM. Zoar Woods has a wonderful display of ferns and Marvin will show ways to identify them. Zoar Woods is owned by TWC . Mark your calendar now and plan to join us. For more details please feel free to contact us at [email protected] Enjoy the beauty all around you today. Sandy Smith, Club President Cavers and Climbers Club The sun has finally returned and the OCC definitely has spring fever! We have so much going on, and we are always welcoming newcomers to join us! We have a couple of wild cave trips planned in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. These trips don’t have guided paths and are not publicly known. If you’re interested in going on an adventure with us, please contact the club chair, Kara Bond at 330-327-1160 or on their facebook page, www.facebook.com/ohiocaversandclimbers
Geology Club The Geology Club will meet at The Wilderness Center on Saturday June 27 from 1:00-3:00 PM. I call this a work day. We sort rocks that were donated and have been stored in the Maintenance yard and clean up the rock walk area. If you are interested in the club, please come to this meeting or contact Lynda Price at TWC.
Welcome &Thank You!
The Wilderness Center June 2015
Supporter’s Spotlight
New Members Sustaining Randy SmithFamily Katy Basiewicz Carol Burt Ruth Crowley Bob & Lori Everett
The Wilderness Center offers living memorials
through the Tree Of Life Program
The Wilderness Center’s (TWC’s) Tree of Life program is a way to create a vital, living memorial that grows stronger and more beautiful with each passing year. People donate a Tree of Life for a variety of life events – births, deaths, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or any special occasion.
By planting Trees of Life, you can honor your loved ones while helping the environment.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, “Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,500 worth of soil erosion.”
When you make a donation to the Tree of Life program, The Wilderness Center:
• Acknowledges the gift by sending you a letter and receipt (gifts are tax-deductible)• Notifies the designee with a special letter explaining that a tree has been planted and the occasion for the planting• Plant a tree. Forestry experts plant trees in the spring when conditions are best. Trees are planted with an eye toward improving wildlife habitat,
Annual Campaign Donors Jim & Cathie AdamsJoyce L. CampianRoy A. JonesNancy SchoryEric & Martha SmithMarchelle Suppan
Endowment Gifts Alan & Marjorie Poorman
enhancing the beauty of the area and supporting the educational program with demonstration plantings• Records each gift in the permanent Tree of Life registry on display in the lobby of The Wilderness Center’s Hart Interpretive Building. Although trees are not individually marked, their general location is indicated on an aerial photograph by the Tree of Life registry• Recognizes each gift in the following month’s newsletter
During its last effort, The Wilderness Center planted more than 3,200 hardwood seedlings to commemorate Tree of Life donations. The types of trees planted included four oak species, sugar maple, American beech, American basswood, black cherry, shagbark hickory and common hackberry.
To participate in the Tree of Life program, please call The Wilderness Center at (330) 359-5235 or visit www.wildernesscenter.org. Typical Tree of Life donations are between $25 and $50, although donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted. Together we are making a positive change in the environment and creating a legacy for generations to come. Please join us!
Barb Vitcosky, Development Director
New Members (cont.) The Fry Family Steve & Liz Glick Katherine A. Hamel Mary Jicha Marie Kramer Mr. & Mrs. Rod Krotky Carol Lightbody Wes and Karen Oberhaus Dave & Kim YostIndividual Michele Botkin Linda Dessauer Teresa Finnicum Lauren Mc Michael Karen Strowhal
Tree of Life
The Wilderness Center June 2015
April Tree of Life
In memory of Bert Battista Pam GoudyIn memory of Debbie Beck Donna Snyder, Evelyn Okey & Rose ZahlerIn memory of Jake Berry Camille LeslieIn memory of Cal Bingman Gene AmickIn memory of Harold Bostic Bob DawsonIn memory of Robert Cameron Susie McDowell & Bob WengerIn memory of Jon C. Capri Patricia & Shafeek ShaheenIn memory of Carol A. Carrier Jim Barnett Jennifer GroganIn memory of Robert “Bob” Cartwright, Sr. Rose ZahlerIn memory of Mary Elizabeth Graham Christenson Paul & Peggy GrahamIn memory of Mary Christenson Virginia Rila Birks Sarah H. Douglas Esther E. Givens Mark Givens Kathryn Graham Eric H. Janson Raymond E. Janson Raymond K. Janson Dr. Duane Lewis William & Sharon Luntz Sue PenceIn memory of Mary & Art Christenson The Blaes FamilyIn memory of Walt Dailey Tom & Dee Schlund & FamilyIn memory of Walter “Wally” Davis, Jr. Gary, Frances and Rachel JervisIn memory of Rose Dorn May God rest her beautiful soul Erin CusackIn memory of Derry D. Dowd Gerry FeldhamerIn memory of Richard B. Dugay The Herb Douglas Family
In memory of Dick Dunbar Tom & Joanne HancockIn memory of Mary Emma Fetchak Nancy ErwinIn memory of Rhea Finley Nancy & Jeff PorterIn memory of Margery Frease Todd & Jodi PetersonIn memory of Jean K. Fritz Sarah H. Douglas Mary McCoyIn memory of Vivian Garver Tom & Joanne HancockIn memory of Gaynalee E. George Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Arthur George Bev, Brenda, Lisa, Suzanne & Deb In memory of Richard Ginsberg Shafeek & Patricia ShaheenIn memory of Vernon “Vern” Gray Buster & Birdie MetcalfIn memory of Jack Halkides Rick & Sharon Rembielak Dan Santarelli Nick & Mary Ann SantarelliIn memory of Morgan Hamlin Ken & Nancy Ringer Ed & Cindy TothIn memory of Larry W. Hannan Loretta & Tony CasasantaIn celebration of the45th Wedding Anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. David E. Harding July 4, 2015 Mr. & Mrs. David E. HardingIn memory of Charles L. Harsh David & Sharon TurkallIn memory of Jim Hawkins Jean French and Marion & Ginger PfisterIn memory of George Hitchcock Anita & Denny BagnolaIn memory of William Houlette Martin & Marilyn KuboffIn memory of Lawrence R. Hugo Peg Fitzgerald & Kathy OberschelpIn memory of Ruth Anne Hugo Peg Fitzgerald & Kathy OberschelpIn memory of Carolyn Johnstone Daryl C. Decker Thelma P. Decker
In memory of Henry T. (Tom) Keller Susan E. KellerIn memory of June E. Keller Gina & Rex MastIn memory of William “Bill” Kiefer Pat & Dick FullerIn memory of Blanche Kiesel Peg FitzgeraldIn memory of Janalene Kindelberger Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Judi King Lost Arrow Archery ClubIn memory of Henry Kluenker Jeff & Gretchen GlasgowIn memory of Betty (Moder) Knight Brewster High School Class of 1952In loving memory of Gregory James Kyriakedes Joyce Cirignano, Kathy McCabe, Nancy Murray, Dottie Stutsman, Jean Welch The Breakfast ClubIn memory of Harvey G. Lee, Jr. Paula Lozano & Jan RanahanIn memory of Virginia Liotti Loretta & Tony CasasantaIn memory of Brenda Lockhart Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Romig & Shawn RomigIn memory of Robert Long Mary & Ray BonginiIn memory of James H. Lowther Fred & Sandy SchusterIn memory of James A. Magrath Jan & Bryan WeblerIn memory of Maia Doctors & Staff of Oak Pointe Veterinary CareIn memory of John Marteney Jim & Barb GreenIn memory of Henry (Hank) S. Marvick Wayne & Daphne TrentIn memory of Joyce J. Mast Sarah H. DouglasIn memory of Michael Mateljan Syl SteffenIn memory of Carolyn Mathias Ed & Nancy Hare
Tree of Life
The Wilderness Center June 2015
Interpretive Building and office:
Tues. - Sat. | 9 am - 5 pmSun. | 1 pm - 5 pm
Closed Monday
Trails: Daily | Sunrise - Sunset
330.359.5235
Jeff Dafler | President Dr. Jeffrey Corney | Executive Director
Staff:
Vicki Whitt-Editor, Gary Popotnik, Barbara Vitcosky,
Ken Schlegel, Lynda Price, Carrie Elvey, Adam Beichler, Sara Brink,
Gina Mast, Debbie Casto, Deb Erb, Paul Lyons
In memory of Nancy C. McCracken Charlie, Donny, Sue Ackerman & FamilyIn memory of Coleen Medeiros Tom & Joanne HancockIn memory of Glenda Merwald Bob & Angie AlderIn loving memory of Beulah “Boots” Michael Patsy & Chuck SlowikowskiIn loving memory of Olga Michalos Shafeek & Patricia ShaheenIn memory of Stanley A. Miller Mary Etta Cairns & FamilyIn memory of Keith G. Minton Hoover Friends: Moe Alters, Lynne Dragomier, Liz Ford, Jan Byrd, Jackie Lore, Nancy Donato, Mary Trifelos, JoEllen Pike, Betty Wilson, Viv Six, Vera MageeIn memory of Loretta Moore Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Lenny Morella - a friend indeed! Rest in peace old friend. Doug BabbIn memory of Gene Newell Barb, Jeff, Craig, Janet StockerIn memory of Carlos W. Nicholson Perlee & Janine HartmanIn memory of Sara Noel Robert & Marianne GoodingIn memory of Crystal O’Connor Don & Fran GerberIn honor of the 85th birthday of Virginia Olivieri Betty Boettler June Branch Joanne CastellanetaIn memory of Evelyn Lois Orr Richard & Kathy DramisWelcome to the World Asher Robert - You are loved Patsy & Chuck SlowikowskiWelcome to the World Ava Lynn - You are loved Patsy & Chuck SlowikowskiIn loving memory of Brian “Doogie” Pledger Patsy & Chuck SlowikowskiIn memory of Fred Portofe Mary Etta Cairns
In memory of Nancy Reese’s mom Pam GoudyIn memory of Ruth Reibenstein Nancy & Jeff PorterIn memory of Frederick Reikowsky Blair Zimmerman & FamilyIn memory of Nancy Ring Richard Genet & Terry HooperIn memory of Lawrence Matthew Ritz Gina & Rex MastIn memory of Sherry Ann Godfrey Roulette Karen D. GreenIn memory of Tom Rutledge Jeff & Beth EsmontIn memory of Willard (Sandy) Sandbrink Ann & Sam GetzIn memory of Vera Sautters Dave & Pat BrownIn memory of Jean Scozzarella Louise Benedict Elizabeth BaltzlyIn memory of CD Shaheen - God rest his soul Erin Cusack & Curt HanleIn memory of Dianne Shelley Rick & Etta TrimpiIn memory of Walt Sherman Bill & Fran ChidseyIn memory of James M. Smith Barb & Monty ReedIn memory of Bobbie Speidel Fred & Sandy SchusterIn memory of Mark J. Sponseller Beverly & Raymond LutzIn memory of Alice Strubhar Wayne & Daphne TrentIn memory of Neel Summers Vicki Bailey Chastity, Jason and Brynlee ThielIn memory of George Takacs Barb & Chuck ClarkIn memory of Donald Umbaugh Grace OlivieriIn memory of Doris Vandercook Barb, Jeff, Craig, Janet StockerIn memory of Marjorie A. Herbst Warther Donna PlunkettIn memory of Tina Williams Walter & Rosalie Cerankowski
In memory of Betty Wilson Patricia A. PackaIn memory of Elizabeth Wilson Stark County Gem & Mineral ClubIn memory of Elizabeth C. Wilson - the grandest of ladies and so loved Sandy & Jim Dunn
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and my senses put in order John Burroughs
PO Box 202Wilmot OH 44689-0202
Connecting you with nature.
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wildernesscenter.org
Earn Your 50th Anniversary
Hiking Pin TWC 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 edition pin celebrating 50 years. Summer is a wonderful time to hike with your children or grandchildren! Bring them down to participate, earn a hiking staff and/or pin and nurture memories of nature at the same time! Call 1-877-359-5235 for more information.
save the date!
Join us July 18th at
Ales for Trails
Enjoy craft beer,
local musicians and support nature
Join us for an informational meeting Sat., June 20, at 10 a.m. to learn more about our proposed itinerary and trip pricing, or contact Vicki at [email protected]
Join The Wilderness Center for its third tour to Ecuador Nov. 3-12, 2015. This is a trip of a lifetime for birders and nature enthusiasts alike. Our 2011 travelers to Ecuador deemed this trip “the most fabulous thing we’ve ever done!” This trip is just that good! Board member Chuck Jakubchak will lead this 10-day tour exploring South America. We will visit:
Yanacocha ReserveReserva Las GralariasMilpe Bird Sanctuary and Milpe RoadSilanche Bird SanctuaryPaz de las Aves and Oilbird GrottoMindo ValleyEquator MonumentOtavalo MarketAntisana National Park
Ecuador Birding and Ecotour
