INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Post Office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Return Address Requested PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID NOBLESVILLE, IN PERMIT NO. 21 Trail Mix Join or Renew ITRA USE THIS FORM (Please Print) Membership renewal Due by Hoosier Horse Fair Name: Spouse: Address: City: St: Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone: County: Email: Referring Member: Family Membership $ 20.00 Association (Club) Membership $ 25.00 Lifetime Membership $250.00 Trail Guide (postage-1 per member) $ 3.00 (2013 Trail Guide next Trail Guide will be published in 2016) Trail Fund Donation Amount $ Newsletter by US Postal Service Do not send hard copy will access Trail Mix on website Membership renewal due by Hoosier Horse Fair Indiana Trail Riders Mission Statement The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The Indiana Trail Riders are involved on the local, state, and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well as sponsoring and organizing workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well. Mail completed form with check payable to ITRA at: Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. Post office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Or use Paypal to renew on our website We re on the Web at: www.intrailriders.org. The EDGe (Email discussion Group) is a wonderful FREE communication tool for ITRA members with an internet connection. Send a blank e-mail to IndianaTrailRiders-subscribe@egroups.com Subscription is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Advertise in the Trail Mix---Full Page $100.00, Half Page $50.00, Quarter Page $25.00, Bus Card Size Ad. $15.00. May, 2015 May, 2015 ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORPORATE SPONSOR ITRA BRONZE NUGGET CORPORATE SPONSOR ITRA TRAIL LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR MARK YOUR CALENDERS National Trails Day Saturday June 6, 2015 See page 3 for a complete listing of activities The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. ITRA s Annual Meeting Had Great Silent Auction By Barb Ferguson Well we had another huge silent auction at the Annual Meeting in Noblesville, IN and the grand total raised was $1131.00! This time I am going to try to thank everyone that donated items; John Allen, Donna Anderson, Irene Hagerman, Pat Dye, Nancy Brunnemer, Cowpokes, Rita Lockridge, Marilyn Auth, McPheeters, Morgan, Kerlins, Wilma Shaul, Heckman, Georgia Ballinger, Mary Williams, J Reber, Reed & Liz, Indian Creek Stables, IQHA, Midwest Trail Ride, Arlene, Becky Sietsman, Anna Zupancic, Cheryl Royer. I hope I did not miss anyone. We are very happy and appreciative of all of the items that were donated. Special items were: Boots donated by Cowpokes retailed for $200 sold for $140. Montana silver donated by Cow Pokes, Saddle donated by John Allen, IQHA ride at Midwest donated by IQHA & Midwest trail Ride, 2 tickets to Road to the Horse and 3 nights of camping in Lexington KY donated by unknown horseman. Here is a list of the many items donated by some wonderful ITRA members and businesses that continuously help support ITRA; Wallet, clock, western trash can, magazines, IQHA ride at Midwest, 3 nights camping and 2 tickets to Road to the Horse Lexington KY, jewelry, several halters, reins, cinches, Bits, saddles, boots, pad, brush, hay bags, horn bags, bird feeders, tree horse face, wind chime, leather vest, hats, basket, sleezy sleepwear, Pro Choice bell boots, bandannas, western candle holder, crock pot, sweatshirts, picture frame, clock, planter, basket of lotions, horse blanket, blue jean dress, silver headstall & reins, grooming items, necklace, adult beverage holder, tarp, cabin sign, Colts shirt, IU shirt, trailer lights, fleece set, windbreaker, pillows, pony girth, Weatherbeeta blanket, leather halter and lead, coach purse, Christmas Wreath. Again, THANKS for all the donated items, and thanks to the bidders. It would not be possible without everyone working together. Thanks to all my great help with the auction, John and Ann Allen, Nancy Brunnemer, Stacy Lowe and many more. ITRA s next Silent Auction will be at the Fall Ride at Midwest Trail Ride September 18 th 19 th and 20 th. We always have a huge selection at this auction too. 1
The Indiana Trail Riders *STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ITRA Calendar The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The ITRA is involved on local, state and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well we sponsoring and organization workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well. The corporate address is Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340. President Bob McPheeters 27799 North 100 West Anderson, IN 46011 765-683-0665 bob@lighthousestables.com Greg Hersberger (Chairman) 17 4962 South 250 West Portland, IN 47374 260-729-1208 itra.greg@gmail.com John Allen 17 9825 South 100 East Clayton., IN 46118 317-539-4326 carriageboy@hotmail.com Vice President Arlene Smoot 2532 West 200 South Danville, IN 46122 317-745-2976 wonderlostacres@aol.com Scotty Eskridge 16 P. O. Box 234 Knox, 46534 574-896-5159 Barb Ferguson 18 2430 S. Glenn Lane Salem, IN 47167 812-967-3161 Itra.barb@gmail.com ITRA OFFICERS - 2014 Treasurer Jody Weldy 26468 County Road 28 Elkhart, IN 46517 574-875-1469 jmweldy@frontier.com ITRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Reed Records 18 3980 St Rd 45 Nashville, IN 47448 812-345-2882 psstables@aol.com Chris Riehl 16 4653 Lantern Ridge Rd. Nashville, IN 47448 812-320-7818 top4653cat@aol.com Secretary Duane Davis 9098 W 1000 S Losantville, IN 47358 765-238-0746 duanedavis044@gmail.com Lawrence Turnquist 18 12005 Parrish St. Cedar Lake, IN 46303 219 374-5370 lwt41sr@yahoo.com Gayle Vautaw 17 6113 South 900 East Walton, IN 46994 574-626-3424 valleyview_k9s@yahoo.com June 6, 2015 National Trails Day Directors across the state will have planned events. See May, 2015 Trail Mix for planned activities. Aug. 14, 15, 16, 2015 Covered Bridge Retreat ITRA Officers & Directors Meeting with DNR, HBCH, and/or other horse trail user representatives. September 26, 2015 Public Lands Day Workday and projects to be announced June 13, 2015 Trail Clean-up Yellowwood Nat l. Forest Contact Chris Riehl, ITRA Director for information at 812-320-7818 top4653cat@aol.com Sept. 18, 19, 20, 2015 MTR Norman, Indiana ITRA Fall Ride Contact Midwest Trail Ride for camping reservations At 812-834-6686 or www.midwesttrairide.com. October 31, 2015 Tippecanoe State Park Chili and ham & bean supper. Contact Scotty Eskridge 317-896- 5159 for information. June 14-17, 2015 Washington, DC American Horse Council 2015 Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum Sept. 18, 19, 20, 2015 Fort Harrison St. Park Hoosier Outdoor Experience 9 am-6 pm November 28, 2015 Fall Clean Up Brown Co. State Park Contact Bob McPheeters for information 765-683-0665 bob@lighthousestables.com Georgia Ballinger 16 6762 E. Mahalasville Rd. Morgantown, IN 46160 812-360-0071 cowgirleorgia@hotmail.com Nancy Brunnemer 17 7178 North 500 West McCordsville, IN 46055 317-443-8771 toby2thor1@hotmail.com Karen Humphreys 18 3419 North 425 East Danville, IN 46122 317-892-3769 kkh923@aol.com Rita Lockridge 16 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, In 47905 765-714-5019 rita@bg-sc.com Yvette Rollins 16 12784 E. Rollins Lane Springville, IN 47462 812-797-4540 hoosierhorsemen@yahoo.com Larry Sidell 17 273 East 1200 North Batesville, In 47006 812-934-4086 Horsesandhammers@aol.com Mary Williams 16 14978 E. 191 st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 765-534-5192 williamtm@embarqmail.com November 28, 2015 Fall Clean up O Bannon State Park Contact Greg Hersberger for information 260-729-1208, itra.greg@gmail.com See you on the trails!! ITRA APPOINTED POSITIONS Membership Chairperson Bonnie Miller 8181 W. 100 S Farmland, IN 47340 765-468-6716 itramembership@gmail.com ITRA Web Site Administrator Donald Lockridge 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, IN 47905 765-714-5021 don@bg-sc.com Trail Mix Editor Mary Williams 14978 East 191 st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 765-534-5192 williamtm@embarqmail.com Trail Guide Editor John Allen 9825 South 100 East Clayton, IN 46118 317-539-4326 carriageboy@hotmail.com This Trail Mix Newsletter is the Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association. It is published six times a year in odd numbered months. Editorial material, photos, and notices of upcoming events should be submitted to williamtm@embarqmail.comm or mailed to Mary Williams 14978 East 191 st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 by the 10 th of even months. Round 2 It Ranch LLC 10734 N 800 E Ossian, IN 46777 (260) 639-6657 Email: round2it@onlyinternet.net vkbuckskin@gmail.com Call for Appointment! Book our Tack Trailer for Your Equine events! Select the Best Horse Health Solutions Nu-Image, Nu-Hoof, Select I&II, Nu-Weight.and the rest of the line. (Dealer Inquiries Welcome & Wanted) Mayatex~ Triple E ~ Toklat Parker Nylon ~ Congress Leather Troxel Helmets ~ Showman Products Wells 5 Star Pads ~ Bar F Leanin T Ranch Halters & Leads Cowboy Magic~ Mare Magic ~ Ultra And oh! So much more!! Discount Copies Teresa Peil & Sara Schmidt 100 Mensa Drive * Noblesville, IN 46062 (317)-773-8783 * Fax (317)773-9050 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:30 * Sat 10:00 to 3:00 Email: discountcopies@aol.com 2 1 5
Mark Your Calendars For ITRA s National Trail Day Activities Sat. June 6, 2015 Midwest Equine Trail Foundation Contact Chris Riehl For Contributions and Grants at Potato Creek State Park Jody can be reached at 547-370-1170 or E-mail at jmweldy@frontier.com Midwest Equine Trail Foundation 4653 Lanam Ridge Rd. Nashville, IN 47448 Tippecanoe River State Park To be headed up by ITRA Director Scotty Eskridge. Scotty s phone number is 574-5145498. No Fee changes For 2015 at DNR Properties By Dale Grier, DNR Greene-Sullivan State Forest Dugger, IN 47848 Contact Yvette Rollins Membership Cards By Bonnie Miller Membership Chairman Lost Bridge West Salamonie Contact Greg Hersberger Strawtown Koteewi Prairie Park Noblesville, IN Hamilton Co. Meet at 9 am at horseman s parking; tailgate lunch pitch-in at 12:00. ITRA will provide sandwiches. Come with or without a horse. Contact Mary Williams at 765-534-5192 or williamtm@embarqmail.com Susan Daniels, Volunteer Coordinator HAMILTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION PLEASE VISIT http://www2.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/parksonline/d efault.aspx?possepresentation=searchforvolunteer Opportunitie AND CLICK ON SEARCH. Direct: 317-774-2509 Cell: 317-379-9552 Fax: 317-896-3528 14 For all of the wonderful people who stopped at our booth during the Hoosier Horse Fair and renewed their memberships or became members for the first time, please email me if you want me to send a membership card to you. When you receive your May Trail Mix, look in the upper right-hand corner of your address mailing label. It will show your current membership status. We are currently sold out of Trail Guides and are in the process of printing more. They will not be available until summer 2015. We will send out guides to new members as soon as possible. For all returning members, a new/revised Trail Guide will be available in 2016. If you need a current Trail Guide, we will gladly send you one for $10.00. 3
Our Beginnings By Arlene Smoot The previous articles written have more or less brought you up to date as to ITRA's early days. We still work very hard to keep the trails we have and obtain new ones whenever possible. We - the board - is always interested to hear from you - the members - if you have ideas or knowledge of a possible new trail or camping area. I know you all love to ride your horse along the beautiful scenic trails in Indiana let s all try to work to keep them clean, not only when we have a work day but anytime you are out riding. Just take a trash bag with you whenever you ride. You not only help keep the trails clean but give your horse DE spooking training. Keep our eyes and ears open for the possibility of an area that might be developed into horse camping/trail riding. Offer to help when the plea goes out for help needed to work on the trails. It may sound like work but we sure do have a lot of fun while working! We have exciting things happening with the new campground at Versailles and a lot of activity at O'Bannon. If you have questions I haven't answered just email me and I will try to answer. Writing these articles has sure brought back a lot of good memories and I hope you have enjoyed learning about the beginnings of your ITRA! Arlene 4 Rambo, Horse people, and Homesteading Pastor Dean Back in April of 2013 we moved into the ultimate homesteaders category, and thinking horse people are just tougher here is how this true story plays out! It was Saturday, and April says we need communion cups for service. They are out in the Ministry trailer, so I said I would run down and get them. I go in the side door which is about a foot and a half lower than I am tall. I get them and on my way out I don't get my head low enough and smack! Man, I hit that door and the metal thingy that holds the chain thingy a ton. It drops me to my knees, and I am holding my head. Well I finally get my bearings after a minute and think why I did that! I check my hand and sure enough I have blood in it. So I grab the communion cups go back up the hill and tell April what happened. So she looks at it and says you re going to need stitches. Now in all my life and all my accidents I have never had stitches! She says again, yep you need stitches, OK? Then she says, I think I can do it. So she calls my daughter Amelia and says to get home, we need to stitch up Dad. So April starts in on getting me "cleaned and prepped" for surgery on my head. She puts down a sheet and chair pad on our kitchen table and has me laid out and ready. Glad I built that table 8 ft. long. Anyway as I am laying there with ice on my head to "numb" the pain, I think man we have just gone back in time about 200 years except that person probably got some moonshine! Oh well, so here I lay whilst the girls do their thing. With straight needle, quilting thread and pliers in hand they start in on me. At this time I think back when we tried that lamaz class. Yeah, that don't work at all! So my hide is tough, and I guess I am thick headed because I hear things like: hey your bending the needle ; OH careful ; and very, very deep breathing that I am sure was not my own! After two hours of this and 3 stitches I have three girls that are pretty sure they could do this again and would get better with more experience! Well, now I don't think I will be volunteering for that position. So feeling a little better my chest swells a little, and I think, Hey didn't Rambo stitch himself up? But the real story in this was about the communion cups. As I look back kneeling in that trailer and looking at my blood stained hand I think of Jesus s Blood on the cross. I realize that I could have never made it through this ole world without the shedding of his blood, and how grateful I am to have him as my Savior and Lord! Thank you Jesus, my blood is nothing but yours can save and give eternal life just by asking and believing! John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life! Pastor Dean Manuel 7595 Bob Allen Rd Freetown In 47235 E-mail hcco05@gmail.com Facebook hcco horsemans camp. Midwest Equine Trail Foundation Activities: By Chris Riehl As many of you are aware, The METF was formed last year by ITRA members so we could have a 501c3 tax deductible charitable organization in order to improve trails in Indiana and help educate the public in the process. We are very pleased to announce that we have been extremely fortunate with support from ITRA, volunteers & donors. Maureen Fehrs, DVM, donated $2,500; the Anderson family foundation donated $1,000; and contributions made in memory of Richard King exceeded $1,300. All together we have raised over $5,000, quite remarkable and very much appreciated. We awarded our 1st grant, of $1,300 to Friends of the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, headed up by Rex Whiteleather. His group applied for funds for trail markers & materials that will be used to improve trails and the campground in Salamonie State Forest. This will initiate the first phase of the project. The second phase of the project will include more stone to lengthen the camping pads at Salamonie and to use trail markers to mark scenic loops off of the main trails. The project is scheduled to begin in April. If you wish to volunteer to help Rex and his group, please contact him at 260-530-8020. Currently, the METF has two grant applications submitted to other public agencies in order to acquire funds for trail projects. The first is to help raise funds for the second phase of the Salamonie project, and the other is to raise money for equipment rentals in order to de-burm the trails in Yellowwood State Forest and to re-do the creek crossing due to the creek changing course. We are very proud of the volunteer and donor support we have received so far. This is a very positive thing. Our near future goals are to develop a website so we can get the word out about our organization; apply for more trail grants; work with the state agencies to let them know about our resources; and help with funding trail projects. If you have a trail project that needs funding or if you wish to volunteer or donate, please contact us. We truly appreciate everyone in the ITRA and the fine folks who made contributions in to make this foundation a reality. For further information or if you wish to make a donation, please contact: METF c/o Chris Riehl 4653 Lanam Ridge Rd. Nashville, IN 47448, 812-320-7818, top4653cat@aol.com. Congratulations to Arlene Smoot For Celebrating her 80 th Birthday at the Hoosier Horse Fair. Arlene enjoyed Friday afternoon surrounded by her many horse friends she has made through the years from her countless hours of volunteering to make our horse trails open and safe. We cannot thank you enough! 13
ITRA at Work ITRA Board Meeting At Arlene Smoot s By Duane Davis Minutes of ITRA Board meeting 2/14/15 Meeting was called to order by Chairman of the Board Greg Hersberger at 1:25PM Present: Greg, Arlene, Rita, Nancy, Jody, Yvette, John, Scotty, Bob, Mary By conference call: Barb, Lawrence, Chris Minutes approved as printed: Scotty, Mary Treasurer's report approved as printed by Yvette and John. Motion to move RTP remaining grant of $429.00 to Trail Maintenance fund approved by Yvette and Jody Committee Reports Saddle Club-Barb stepping down as chairman, board will revisit after Annual Mtg. Website- Yvette will do changes info and suggestions should be sent to her. Rita will update calendar; send info to her about events and copy Mary so it will be in Trail Mix. Membership- We need applications completely filled out so we can track them better. Amount collected should be broken down if other purchases/ donations are made. Trail Mix- 2 new sponsors added. Cowpokes will be new Trail Lead sponsor with in kind donations. Approved by Jody and Scotty. Midwest Trail Ride will be a Bronze Nugget sponsor with ads in Trail Guide and Trail Mix. Approved by Mary and John Trail Guide- Any changes need to be sent to John Annual Meeting- Mary will get ballots, Reed will bring the trailer, all need to help bring in items for Silent Auction HHF- set up Thurs. after at 1:00 pm. Spring Ride-April 17-19, 2015 at O'Bannon. Governor Ride- Gov. Pence has been given dates waiting on response Foundation- $2500 donation for trail enhancement in N IN Yellowwood- will add 4 mi of trail if approved Spring Clean-up at Brown Co April 24-25, 2015. Pitch-in at 6:00 at Shelter house Board retreat- Aug 14-16 National Trails Day June 6 at Salamonie/Lost Bridge and Green/Sullivan. Ditch Witch- Have $12040.00 and working on additional grants. Adjourned at 4:00 by Scotty and John Respectively Submitted by Duane Davis, acting Secretary. 12 ITRA s Hoosier Horse Fair Booth Days There is always someone around to do the dirty work to make things happen. Thank you Duane Davis, Greg Hersberger, and everyone else who set up ITRA s booth and worked the tables!!! 5
ITRA at Work Bob Evan s Sponsoring Fundraising For ITRA in May, 2015 By Mary Williams All Bob Evan s Restaurants in Indiana will donate 15% of your bill to Indiana Trail Rider s Assoc. on May 17, 24, 31, 2015 when you clip and present the coupon below at time of check out. Go as many times as you want. Better yet, copy the coupon and pass it out to others to help ITRA out. Hoosier Horse Fair Brings New Trail Rider Members ITRA wants to welcome the following new members: Chris & Tammy Adams, Fred & Jamie Amstutz, James Ashley, John Barlow, Lewis Dotson, Brenda & Tony Gordon, Diane Hadley, Tammy & David Hurley, Nina & Ivan Hylton, Lonnie James, Gary Johnson, Sue Keith, Jarrod Lancaster, Larry & Bonnie Lippy, Jane Morgan, Bobbi Noel, Mark Probasco, Brenda Stevens, Carla Trible, Robin Vaughn, Virginia White. We appreciate everyone who stopped by our booth and renewed memberships, acquaintances and bought something from our Country Store. Duane Davis, Lisa Leonard and John Allen at ITRA s HHF Booth welcoming Jerry and Lisa Leonard as ITRA s newest lifetime members. Spring Guides For Your Ride 1. If you re traveling long distances with your horse trailer, invest in a second spare tire. 2. Negative Coggins and Health Certificates from your Vet are required by law to cross state lines. 3. Certified Weed Seed Free Hay is required for Wilderness areas. 6 11
ITRA at Work North Loop Trail Proposal Yellowwood State Forest By Chris Riehl About a month or so ago I met with Jim Allen, Property Manager at Yellowwood State Forest, about putting in a new loop on the North Side of the main Yellowwood State Forest Tract. The loop is approximately 4-1/2 miles and will connect with the Y trail. It will travel north of the Y paralleling Dubois Ridge Rd then cut across the road to an existing logging trail that was recently forested. The ridge views are really good there. It's about 1-1/2 miles before you drop into a ravine then up the other side to connect to another old logging road back to Dubois and following a trail alongside the road back to the Y. Jim's main concerns were maintenance and funding the trail. I assured him that the ITRA will keep up the maintenance and getting the funding and manpower to build the trail. We have already proven to him we could do it via our performance on the YZ trail that was installed over 10 years ago. He was receptive to that and gave us permission to flag it. We are in the process of flagging it and have a concern over one trouble spot. I am confident we can figure it out. A group of us went to the Yellowwood State Forest Open House on April 18th. Much to our surprise, there was a poster presentation about the North Loop Trail with comments that the public could submit. Of course, you know our comments were to the tune of "Great Idea". The bigger news on our proposal was one of my neighbors volunteered to use his property as a day use parking area. He is willing to give an easement to get to the trail. The forestry was very receptive to that. I will be writing a grant shortly to try to fund this project. I'll keep you all posted as to the progress of this project. Hopefully, everything will get approved and we'll have another place to ride. With Jody Weldy at Potato Creek On National Trails Day The cleanup on National Trails Day (June 6) at Potato Creek State Park is being ramrodded by Bruce and Jody Weldy. If you pay for Friday night s camping then Saturday night is free. Just tell the gatehouse that you are there for the ITRA cleanup and they will give you the free night. We usually have two jobs. Pick up trash, which there usually isn t a lot of, even though we are there the weekend after Memorial Day and trim back limbs and brush on the trails which most of us do on horseback. With only 7 miles of trails it doesn t take long to get all the trails done. We then have a pitch-in meal around 1:00 at a campsite with ITRA providing hot dogs, brats and hamburgers and everyone else bringing other goodies and desserts. After that, most of us go for another ride without our pruning shears. Jody can be reached at 547-370-1170 or e-mail at jmweldy@frontier.com On The Trail Giddy Up Gals Git-a-Way Ride Weekend At Blackwell Horse Camp In the Charles Deam Wilderness. May 15-17, 2015 By Rita Lockridge This ride has been organized for the past 15 years and has met at Blackwell Horse Camp. Ladies from all over the state get together for a weekend (sometimes from Wednesday through Sunday) of riding and some social activities on Saturday and Sunday. Many of us ITRA members meet each other every year at this ride and enjoy the weekend! GeGe, the creator of this ride, wanted ladies to be able to have an inexpensive way for us to get together and enjoy our equines, the beautiful trails, and each other. She made it happen as a way that all of us ladies who do so much for others in our lives can take time out and GIT-A-WAY from it all! There are only a handful of rules! First, NO husbands, boyfriends, children or grandchildren!! (Of course if they ~have~ to come with you they could, just not to the official Ladies Ride events) Ride as you wish on the trails. Maps should be available at the information station inside the horse camp near the central restroom area. National Forest tags are required (can be purchase at the Fishin Shed on 446 north of the camp, Hoosier Horse Camp, Maumee Valley Horse Camp, and Midwest Trail Ride). Day tags are $5/day, $35 for yearly tags. These are different than the Indiana DNR passes. Groups of riders are limited to 10 per group, carry in/carry out is always appropriate. The camp is located at Blackwell Horse Camp south of Bloomington, IN and south of Lake Monroe, off of SR 446, 1 mile east on Tower Ridge Road. The camp is a big open grassy field, and we can park anywhere we want. The HNF primitive campground requires no camping fee. A sign in table will be there with Boot Name Tags to put name on for the Saturday night Meet and Greet. The ladies usually dominate the whole left/west side of camp as you come in. We have had as many as 80 ladies at our Ride. Thanks to GeGe for successful rides in the past we seem to grow each year. The camp is a big open grassy field and we can park anywhere we want. There are no specific campsites but there are good heavy hitch rails (actually a very heavy fence that surrounds the property) to tie your horses. Please bring everything that you will need for your horse and yourself (water generally available on the trails or nearby ponds for your horse). There are modern clean outhouses. The scheduled events are: 6:00 PM Pitch- In Supper at the Shelter House on Saturday evening - Please bring a generous item for the supper, your own table service and drink. Bring your lawn chair also. Saturday @ 7:00 PM we have a Get Acquainted Time. We all introduce ourselves and then there is the option to go shopping - Bring a $15.00 gift for our "shopping" time after we introduce ourselves. This gift should be left unwrapped or placed in gift bag so we can see what we might want. Gift ideas are horse, camping, or lady type gift. If you bring a gift then get a gift. 8 AM Sunday morning- Cowgirl Worship Service at the Shelter House (30 minutes) Some ladies choose to stay at Midwest and come up to ride from Blackwell. Everyone is welcome. Even though GeGe has moved on and Midwest is hosting a similar ride, many of us will still host the weekend at Blackwell Horse Camp, as it originally began. If you have questions, contact Anna AnnaZupancic@aol.com or Rita rita@bg-sc.com Speaking of Horses TV Wayne Williams Wlw53190@sbcglobal.net (317) 847-4887 Speaking of Horses TV P.O. Box 181 Whitewater, WI 53190 10 7
SADDLE UP FOR THE Bringing Firewood to Camp ANNUAL By Kevin Snyder ITRA GET TOGETHER Indiana Department of Natural Resources News I was driving through horse camp today and noticed a camper who brought wood to the property that had bark on it. Despite how much we preach and post information people still seem to have the it doesn t apply to me mentality. This year we have cut down numerous Ash trees that were infested by the Emerald ash borer. This fall we will be cutting down hundreds more. The infested trees radiate out from the campground. So it leaves little doubt that camper firewood brought it here. Now there is another threat emerging with a new tree species impacted. We hope it does not come into the park but it s getting close. Worse yet, this threat may impact Indiana s walnut crop and wood industry. This is only 1 of 140 different species of insect or disease that can impact our trees. So if you love camping because of the scenery and forest here, by all means please help us take care of the park. You may ask what can I do? If you bring firewood from home make sure it is debarked. It is recommended that you debark up to.5 in. I have observed campers debarking at the camp site. This does not help. You have already brought the potentially infested wood into the park. Taking the bark off here only increases the potential of introducing the insect or disease to the park. If you buy fire wood, only buy FDA certified fire wood. If the vendor is not FDA certified the wood should not be brought into the park at all. We have encountered campers who think because they bought the wood near the park it is ok. This is not true. We do not know where that wood actually came from. The seller can tell you anything true or not. However, if they are certified by the FDA and they are not abiding by the terms of the certificate they will regret fouling there agreement. Save the certification the vendor provides you and present it if checked by park security. Campers may use building material lumber for fires HOWEVER, they need to clean up any nails glass or sharp debris that may come from the wood as this may cause harm to horses or people later on. Remind each other of the policy associated with firewood in the camp grounds. Remind each other that you care about the look and future of the park and firewood control is important. Honestly, I think this will have greater impact than the DNR telling them about the problem. The family campground has lost numerous trees and horse camp has lost several as well and I hate to say it but it s going to get worse from here. The best we can do is take care of what we have and hope that others do to. Together our combined efforts will make the most difference in the long run. Kevin Snyder Assistant Property Manager Brown County State Park Desk 812-988-6711 Cell 812-929-0856 Fax 812-988-5246 Asst. Property Mgr. Brown Co. St. Pk. Memories made naturally. From sunrise to sunset the view from the vistas here constantly changes. What one would see now will look different an hour from now. Check us out on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brown 8 Walnut Twig Beetle Detected in Indiana By Philip T. Marshall Forest Health Specialist/State Entomologist Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology The Walnut Twig Beetle (WTB), Pityophthorus juglandis, the small beetle involved in Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut (TCD), was detected at a sawmill in southeast Franklin County. This is the first detection of the beetle in Indiana. The beetle was detected in a trap placed at the saw mill for the 2014 state wide survey. Inspection of the walnut logs and lumber on the sawmill property since detection of WTB has recovered additional beetles which came from walnut logs on the property. Tests for the fungus, Geosmithia morbida, from the collected beetles and walnut samples collected since detection of the beetle are ongoing and the fungus has not been detected. Surveys around the sawmill location has also not detected any infested walnut tree. A delimit survey is planned for this summer for the area surrounding the saw mill. State Entomologist, Phil Marshall, has ordered the saw mill quarantined. The saw mill is working with the DNR and is destroying walnut material on the property to prevent any movement of the WTB from the property. The other TCD location is the black walnut plantation in Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County and the 2014 delimit survey at the plantation did not detect WTB from traps or girdled trap trees. Franklin County is not quarantined because of this detection as TCD has not been detected in a walnut tree in the county. Thus, only the plantation in Brown County and the sawmill property are under state quarantine. With this new location, movement of walnut logs, lumber and other walnut material within Indiana is not restricted. Movement into and out of Indiana is restricted. Contact the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology for assistance to move walnut. Of the other 100+ 2014 detection survey locations, no WTB was detected. The other states with TCD are Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania Tennessee, Virginia and eight western states. More information on TCD can be found at http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/6249.htm. Thanks Philip T. Marshall Forest Health Specialist/State Entomologist Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology 402 W. Washington St. Rm 290W Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-4120 (Division number) 317-232-4189 office 812-595-2740 mobile Second or field office Vallonia State Nursery 2782 W. Co. Rd. 540 S. Vallonia, IN 47281 812-358-9034 or 812-358-3621 9 Capturing Moments From ITRA s Annual Meeting