CANYON COURIER Friends of McCormick s Creek State Park

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1 CANYON COURIER Friends of McCormick s Creek State Park Summer/Fall 2016 President Board Members David Gohn dgohn@bluemarble.net Mission Statement The mission of the Friends of McCormick's Creek State Park is to develop and support projects and events that help preserve, restore, manage and interpret the natural and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities of McCormick's Creek State Park. Friends, From the Naturalist s Desk As I sit at my desk on a cold and rainy January afternoon my heart and soul are warmed by the memories of this past centennial celebration year. When I transferred to this park in 2011 I had my eye on 2016 and all the ways that we might be included in the Bicentennial/Centennial Celebrations. I knew McCormick s Creek would be busy but I must say that I underestimated just how busy that would be! If I were to give detailed write-ups for each event this article would most likely be closer to a novel so I will spare you that and just provide some of the highlights. (continued on page 2) HELP! Our Newsletter needs an editor. Yes, you joined the Friends because you love the park and the outdoors, not to be stuck in front of a computer Still, many of our Friends live far away, and love to stay informed. If you would like to volunteer for this interesting task, please Barbara at info@friendsmccormickscreek.org. Thanks! Vice President Dennis Goen goend@att.net Secretary Bob Dayhuff Treasurer Barbara Filtri treasurer@friends mccormickscreek.org Park Liaison Sam Arthur sarthur@dnr.in.gov Contact Us Nature Center: (812) info@friendsmccormickscreek.org Facebook.com/FMCCSP

2 From the Naturalist s Desk Things really got going on December 16 th, 2015 with our Centennial Kick-Off breakfast at the Canyon Inn. Dignitaries spoke, children read about what makes McCormick s Creek special to them and good food was had by all. A planning committee was formed earlier that year that would help to guide us through all of the celebrations. Those committee members included: Marilyn & Don Jackson, Tony Neff, Rob Babbs, Mark Rogers, Laura Gentry, Rodger Samuels, Vicki & Cem Basman, Barbara Filtri, Will Schaust and the park/inn management staff. Without the input of each of these folks, I don t believe our events would have been as well planned or received as they ultimately were. While several of our traditional events were held between then and June it was really on June 11 th at the Arts in the Park Festival that the ball really got rolling. Thanks to a grant received by Traditional Arts Indiana through the Indiana Arts Commission we were able to bring 9 different demonstrators in that really added to the overall flavor of the event. Additionally the Friends were also awarded a $3,000 grant from the IAC to pay for performances at Arts in the Park, Centennial Celebration and BBQ & Blues. Thanks Andrea Oeding for working so hard to get the application written and submitted! Our Centennial Celebration was slated for June 24 th -26 th and featured more IAC grant recipients and some unique opportunities for our visitors and the local community. On Friday the 24 th we held an ice cream social at Redbud Shelter for nearly 500 hungry folks. Thanks to the Spencer Exchange Club for providing the ice cream and the Canyon Inn for kicking in some cobbler! Later that night storyteller Bob Sander delivered a memorable account of how our state parks were created and really brought to life the story of Col. Richard Lieber. Saturday began with a run/walk from Cooper Commons in Spencer and never slowed down from there. Once everyone got to the park there was a festival atmosphere in the overflow parking lot by the Inn where games, food and more were featured. Later in the afternoon we hosted a live raptor program by the Hardy Lake Interpretive Staff and then moved on to the music portion of the event. The Bloomington Community Band got things going with some great concert music and local group The Roosters closed the evening out with some truly inspired Rock- N-Roll! Sunday was a wind down day and featured hikes to historic park locations. On September, 21 st the park, a property of firsts, served as the starting point for the Bicentennial Torch Relay.

3 Nominated by the local community it was our own property manager, Dwight Brooks, who carried the torch on the first leg through the park. The torch gradually made its way into Spencer where a large contingent of the community was on hand to experience the Bicentennial History Trailer and help with the other festivities. During most of this year you may have noticed that the Campground road that went by Echo shelter was closed. That was in preparation for the final salute to our place as Indiana s First State Park. A brand new Centennial Shelter was being constructed and on December 16 th, a year to the day from when we kicked of the centennial celebrations, was dedicated. A call-out from your President Many of you were able to attend some or even all of these events as visitors or as dedicated volunteers. However you chose to enjoy your centennial celebrations we hope that McCormick s Creek State Park will remain first in your hearts as we continue into our second century existence. Sincerely, Samuel R. Arthur Park Naturalist Do you have a subject about which you have special knowledge or a particular passion? Something that relates to the history, wildlife, geology and plant life of the park? Please consider doing a presentation for one of our meetings. Recently Diane Dayhuff gave a presentation about genealogy, which tied in to a couple of her ancestors working in the Civilian Conservation Corp. She was kind enough to share her hobby of genealogy with us and it made for a very engaging presentation. Maybe you have no special knowledge but you are just curious about something related to the park. In January I gave a presentation about how animals cope with winter. I had wondered about my dog happily lying in the snow one day and read an article, which led to more questions and more articles. Eventually I realized I had learned many interesting things and decided to share them with the group. The presentations are fairly short, normally ½ to one hour, and I can assure you the audience is always appreciative and not very intimidating! Please consider giving a presentation and let me know if you can. David Gohn President, Friends of McCormick s Creek S.P. General Meetings Please join us on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month at the Nature Center at 6:00 pm for our monthly meeting. Enjoy pot-luck style snacks, great friendships, and a special guest speaker or activity. Hope to see you there! Board Meetings Open to all members, Board meetings are held at the Canyon Inn, in the lobby, at 6:00 pm every 1 st Thursday of the month.

4 Eyewitness: the Centennial Shelter Dedication by Bob Dayhuff, Secretary The Centennial Celebration comes to close at McCormick s Creek State Park with a bang! The final event at the park for the 100 year celebration came to a close recently when the park held the dedication for the new shelter house named in honor of the occasion, Centennial shelter house. It is a wonderful shelter house and speaks to the occasion with a design that shows off the old and new of a shelter house and it is bound to be loved by all who see it and use it in the future. The dedication of the new Centennial Shelter House, was on December 16, 2016 and a huge crowd attended. The event was opened by Dan Bortner, Director, and Indiana State Parks. He welcomed everyone to the event, and was followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Owen County Veterans Honor Guard. Our National Anthem was sung by Jana Montgomery, IDNR Division of Finance. Matthew Wooden s fourth grade class led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Comments were then made by Cameron Clark, Director, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Marilyn Jackson, Tourism Director, Sweet Owen CVB and a member of the Owen County Centennial Committee. Then Fritz Lieber, Great-Grandson of Col. Richard Lieber, the State Parks system founder. Also speaking was Dan Bortner, Director, Indiana State Parks, and Dwight Brooks Property Manager, McCormick s Creek State Park, who gave recognition of the Partners of the State Parks system which includes our group. Dan Bortner, Director, Indiana State Parks, spoke about the Centennial Shelter as a Legacy Project, and what it meant and how it was designed and the end result speaks for itself and if you have not seen it please take the time and make sure you go by and see it. Our Natural resources are the source of our health and our wealth, of our strength and our independence. They are essential to you to every man and woman in America, and to the children who will inherit the land. Colonel Richard Lieber, Founder, Indiana State Parks. Thank you Colonel Lieber, we so appreciate what you did for all of us.. His words have long stood the test of time of how meaningful they were. Fourth grade students from Vicki Basman, Ginger Murphy and Don Jackson leading the Owen Binford Elementary School Smokey Bear by the countdown clock County Veterans Honor Guard

5 NEWS FLASH Adopt-A-Highway Wild about Wildlife 5K Trail Run/Walk & 10K Trail Run For the secon year the students of ISU came in force to help with the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup workday. It was a gloomy and rainy morning, but by lunch time the weather had improved enough to allow the kids some fun time in the park. Thanks! We will schedule the next cleanup day as soon as the weather warms a bit. Check it up on our Facebook page. McCormick s Creek State Park started its cooperation with WildCare, inc. years before the Friends group was established. It is now a second generation tradition for many visitors. The dedicated volunteers from the center bring a few assorted critters and spend a whole day sharing stories and educationg kids of all ages about local wildlife. Would you like to know more about WildCare, their volunteers and the important role they play? Visit UPCOMING EVENTS Twice a year the Friends co-sponsor this event with the Owen County Family YMCA a road race in the spring and a trail race in the fall. These very popular events are the biggest fund-raisers of the year for our group. A total of 86 runners and walkers completed the task. We are all looking forward to the next appointment, scheduled for April 29 th, Thanks to Laura Gentry for organizing the events and to the many Friends (and family) who came to help it couldn t happen without you! March Amphibian Outing Join the Hoosier Herpetological Society for one day and two nights of discovery. Hikes, Talks, Live amphibians and kids activities. April Wildflower Weekend Hikes, Talks and Native Plant Sale at the Nature Center. Friends, bring wild flowering plants from your yard or come to buy a few different ones for your enjoyment. April 29 5K Walk/Run & 1 Mile Fun Run Info at: (812) or programs@owencountyymca.org Online registration at:

6 Fall-o-Ween Weekend The theme for the year was Ghostbusters Here are the slimy highlights of the event, presented by yours truly, the Snake Lady Friday evening was interesting and fun, thanks to the Canyon Inn impeccable hospitality, the volunteers at WildCare and Rex and Abby, a couple of friends of mine, who brought two very cool snakes to add to my albinos (ghosts albinos got it?). On Saturday we made again the recycled milk jug skeletons, while, slime-making was run by Andrea, Colleen & David. Next year I d like to make dog skeletons, please save me ½ gallon plastic jugs. Pumpkins were carved, twice as many as in previous years. The costume Contest was a blast. Thanks, Marie, Scott & friends. Marilyn & Don were the impartial judges of the campground decorations. The haunted trail had more people performing than ever before. Starting from the beginning: Marilyn & Don, my friend Rick, Grant, Lani & Jacelin, Lucas & Jayden, Paul & Dillan, yours truly, David, Marie, Scott and two friends of theirs whose names now escape me (what a surprise!), Kinsley & Lynda, Troy operating Stu s light display, Earl, Colleen & Miles. Great job, everyone. Of course the best costume on the trail contest was won by the bird Kinsley, by a mile. A complete reportage of the trail can be found on Pictures courtesy of our photographer Arvids. Meanwhile, the original Ghostbuster movie was showing, and it was a full house. Throughout the evening refreshments were sold at the concession by Dennis, John, Judy & Dave, helped by Kate & Giuseppe, in the kitchen. Last but not least, a special thanks to Sam, who run around the whole time, taking care of all the not-sofun things which need to be taken care of, while Lucas was enjoying himself, learning from the pros. According to the park s estimate, there were at least 1,500 people at the trick-or-treat in the campground. This is getting BIG! Now it is time to decide what we will do on October 27-28, Any ideas? Feel free to your suggestions to me at info@friendsmccormickscreek.org Thanksssss, Barbara the Snake Lady

7 2017: the Year of the Fire Tower by Barbara Filtri, Treasurer Hike on a trail at McCormick s Creek State Park, and you will walk back in time. It can take you way back to the distant past, if you marvel at the geology of the area. Or you may travel to the time our State was born, by wandering on trail 9 to the Peden farmstead. If you instead prefer a trip to a not so distant past, hike trail 4 to the Fire Tower. Our tower was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps Company #589. It was in operation till 1967, but afterward it got a second life, as an observation point, a challenge, and a memory-maker. So many times I ve heard stories of unforgettable climbs, when you could see all around you. Now the trees have grown taller than the tower, and nobody has been allowed into the cabin for years. But all this is about to change. In 2016 the park commissioned the structural analisys to an engineering firm which confirmed the good condition of the structure. We also purchased the white oak boards to be used for the steps and the landings. The restoration of our tower is an exciting project and this is the year it will happen. Park management plans to begin preparatory work as soon as conditions allow it. The Friends group has been actively promoting the fund raising effort, which has at the time of printing collected the sum of $35, of the $85,000 estimated cost to restore the tower to its original state. The refurbishing plan also includes the clearing of trees in a 50 radius around it, which will partially bring back the view from the top. We have so far received generous donations from individuals, local associations and businesses, and grants from the Indiana Parks Alliance, the Owen County Preservations and Walmart. The donation boxes at the Canyon Inn and at Babbs Supermarket provide us a steady support. In addition, Rob Babbs implemented a round-up program which also brought in a substantial contribution. All local schools run a penny drive throughout last school year, collecting more pennies than I have ever seen in my life! We have received donations at every event at the park and around the county. More info and the online donation form can be found on the Friends website: where a progress bar proudly shows the current donation level reached. Our tower was officially listed on the National Historic Lookout Register in Indiana has already lost more than half the towers it used to count on to protect our land. We are doing all we can to keep ours for a long time to come, to enjoy and include into more wonderful memories. Would you like to know more about fire lookouts? Check out the Forest Fire Lookout Association website at Treasurer Report - Summary General Account: Beginning: $5, Ending: $9, Income: $21, Expenditures: $17, Net: $3, Fire Tower Account: Beginning: $14, Ending: $31, Income: $21, Expenditures: $4, Net: $16,663.80

8 CANYON COURIER Friends of McCormick s Creek State Park P.O. Box 483 Spencer, IN We re going green! If you would like to receive this newsletter via in full-color, please info@friendsmccormicks creek.org. Thank you for your cooperation.