MESSENGER Messenger is the official newsletter for Friends of Codorus State Park, and is published 4 times per year. Winter 2015-16 Halloween in the Park was another BBQ & VEHICLE SHOW great success. We had nice weather. More funds were raised than last year, thanks in Check The first annual Chicken Barpages 5 and part to the increase in price and addition of B-Q and Vehicle show was 6 for the rear gate. Volunteers worked hard all held on September 19. We pictures! week during set up, but took a break for the sold many chicken dinners, and registered over 80 cars in yummy lunches. And the park staff was so the show. Thanks to the success supportive. We had an increase in candy of this event, next year s event is donations. Campers passed out an average of planned for September 17, 2016. 3,200 pieces of candy, most of them past the designated 8:30 pm time. The hayrides were FOCSP MEMBERS CLEAN UP festive and plentiful, with many being provided Two annual events that our members from the local community. The addition of the B do to help improve our community loop lot helped with our limited parking. But, we re are the Hanover Chili Cook-off and still hoping Warren gets that parking garage Fall Clean-up in the park. This year, approved, or we may have trouble next over 20 members helped pick up year! FOCSP will celebrate 10 years of Halloween trash at the Chili Cook-off on September 6. Then on October 10, in the Park in 2016. It s never too early to our members worked at the volunteer. We d love to add you to our Veterans Memorial in the park to team! Brad and Kathy Bealing 717-476-1630 improve the site. Thank you to everyone who came out for these important events and to the park staff and Dwight and Warren s leadership! Halloween in the Park Inside this issue: Park Manager s Report 2 Halloween in the Park pictures 5 Calendar of FOCSP and Park Events 3 Volunteer Opportunities 6 President s Message 3 Vehicle Show pictures 6 Meet the Park Maintenance Staff 4 Membership Application 7 New Maintenance Supervisor 4 Urgent Message to Members 7 Gift Shop Hours 4 Did You Know? 8 www.friendsofcodorus.org 1 We are still in need of sponsors for the Winter Festival/Eagle Plunge scheduled for January 16, 2016. If you know of a business that would be interested in being a sponsor, please contact Larry Albright at 717-870-5156 or email larrya3@comcast.net. Sponsorships cost $100. If sponsor requests are received by December 25, 2015, the business name and/ or logo will be placed on the back of t-shirts that plungers receive. Extra t-shirts will also be sold at the event. Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER Park Manager s Report Fall is a great time to be at the park. We had a very successful summer at the park and the Friends Group had many good activities. When we are together, working on projects, you can feel the enthusiasm and dedication both our volunteers and park staff have. If you missed the 9 th year for the Halloween in the Park, you missed great fun, enthusiasm, and 9,000 happy park visitors. In all my years with the park service, this was outstanding cooperation for all volunteers and park staff involved. Every year I tell Brad and Kathy, it can t get better but it does. Next year will be 10 years. That s a lot of candy and smiles. I m proud to be part of that program. Friends of Codorus State Park (FOCSP) Mission Statement A non-profit, all volunteer operated and staffed group, dedicated to restore, preserve and improve the Codorus State Park and its surroundings. Assist in providing recreational and educational opportunities for current and future generations Park Project update: New Oar House roof = to be started this winter. New Main Launch bathroom = out for private contract bid. Mill House = working on foundation and electrical work. Amphitheater work = grading ground, new electric, new benches. Restroom painting= painting of restroom interiors. Eagle Scout Work = (on-going) the trail work on LaHo and Mary Ann Furnace Trails. Water tank = painting of park s campground water tank. New Dock Cables = contractor We have lots of programs still coming up for the 2015 calendar: Nov. 7 th = Veterans Memorial Grounds Nov. 19 th = Thanksgiving Dinner Dec. 12 th = Breakfast with Santa And don t forget the Winter Festival on January 16, 2016 with snow date on January 23 rd. In closing, we really aren t ready for the snow yet, but it s coming. During this 2015 season, your physical labor for the park has been outstanding. I have met some great new volunteers and all the Friends of the park that showed their love and devotion to this important work. The best part is we are growing, learning and tackling all types of new ideas. Your financial support and passion for the park make this park shine. So get your coats ready, come to our programs and look out, 2016 is going to be a remarkable year. You are terrific volunteers. 1066 Blooming Grove Road Hanover, PA 17331 Email: friendsofcodorus@gmail.com Website: www.friendsofcodorus.org 717-451-3635 (cell) 717-632-2916 (Gift Shop) President: Dwight Resh Vice-president: Robert Maher Accounts Payable: Ray Weleski Accounts Receivable: Bob Maher Secretary: Suzanne Gamber Directors: Larry Albright Stacy Folks Tom Markle Sandy Rushton Jim Sanders ******************** Newsletter Ed.: Lynne Thompson Webmaster: Brad Bealing Past President: Lynne Thompson Park Manager: Warren Werntz Blast Organizer: Brenda Werntz Membership: Suzanne Gamber Volunteer Coord.: Don Eichelberger Volunteer Hours Recorder: Bob Maher See you at the park, Warren www.friendsofcodorus.org 2 Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER UPCOMING FOCSP and OTHER PARK EVENTS FOR 2015-16 DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH Su Mo T W T Fr Sa Su Mo T W T Fr Sa Su Mo Tu W T Fr Sa Su Mo T W T Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 Dec. 12 Breakfast with Santa Dec. 17 FOCSP Board meeting 2016 January 16 Winter Festival/Eagle Plunge January 21 FOCSP Board meeting February 18 FOCSP Board meeting March 17 FOCSP Board meeting March 19 Spring Fling Banquet March 25 Easter Egg Hunt April Gift Shop and Outpost open President s Message It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone. I've met so many interesting people from all over the United States and some foreign countries as a Campground Host this summer. I've had so many interesting conversations with them. Over the Labor Day weekend the F.O.C.S.P. entertained many of the campers with ice cream sundaes and hay rides which circled throughout the campground. I counted 226 people on the hayrides. A big thank you goes out to our two joyful tractor drivers who donated their time and equipment again. The very next day our volunteers teamed up at the Hanover Chili Cook Off to keep the grounds clean of all the trash. We started at 10:00 a.m. and went on until after dark before being able to say we were finished. We are in hopes of getting another nice donation check for our efforts. Last year we received a check for $3,000.00. Then came our first annual car show and chicken BBQ on Sept. 19th. We had 86 vehicles on display, and sold out of our chicken meals. The weather was beautiful for the event. On the same day as the car show we had some of our volunteers manning booths at two different fall festivals, handing out literature and trying to recruit new members. Next on the agenda was the Halloween In The Park event which was held on Oct. 23rd & 24th. The great weather we had both nights brought out the largest crowd ever. Everything was beautifully decorated. The children gathered lots of candy while trick or treating. There was lots of good food, and plenty of entertainment. The hayride lines were fairly long, but people didn't seem to mind the wait. Brad, Kathy, and Suzie did lots of great planning for this event. What a great job all the volunteers did setting up and tearing down for this event. It took many people and many hours. The luncheons sure hit the spot as everyone got to relax long enough to eat. Also thanks for all of the cooperation from the park staff. Next will be our Thanksgiving dinner for all members on Nov. 19th at the Dubs Church Annex Bldg. I am hoping to see a large turn out for this event. Don't forget to bring a covered dish to share. Following Thanksgiving will be our Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 12th at 9:00 a.m., also being held at the Dubs Church Annex Bldg. Breakfast will be prepared and served by our members for the children and their parents. We hope to see lots of smiling faces that day as the kids get to meet Santa. Once again the Pa. Game Comm. wants to place a camera above the eagles nest in the tree. However without the states budget being passed they are asking for the F O C S P to help financially support this project. We have pledged to do this in one way or another. Stay tuned for updates on this important project. Next we will be preparing for our Winter Festival to be held on Jan. 16th 2016 near the Band Shell. Come and enjoy the day at the many festivities and join in or just watch the entrants jumping into the frigid waters of Lake Marburg. After that event I will anxiously be awaiting the arrival of our Spring Fling Banquet Thanks to all our members who take part in all our events. It makes my position as your President seem so easy. Your hard work and support of the other Board Members and the park staff are greatly appreciated. Have a good winter, I hope to see everyone back in action in the spring. Dwight www.friendsofcodorus.org 3 Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER If you re ever driving through the park and wonder who takes care of this beautiful place, let me tell you about our wonderful maintenance staff and their job duties. Our maintenance staff consists of 5 full time, year round employees and we have 11 seasonal staff that works the season that ranges from April to November. The full time staff consists of: Maintenance Supervisor II Maintenance Repairman II Sewage Treatment Plant Operator (STPO) Semi-skilled labor = 2 positions Seasonal position consists of: 1 maintenance repairman II 1 custodial II 9 semi-skilled labors Our maintenance staff takes care of all electrical, plumbing, Meet the Park Maintenance Staff and masonry tasks. We have very good equipment to maintain our park roads and trails. Our maintenance staff is creative and very energetic at these tasks. Every year we get important projects done and we set priorities for future projects. We have a park budget, a special project funding and the Friends of Codorus support many of these park projects. Without the help of the Friends Group, many projects would be canceled or delayed. I m very grateful and humbled that a great park staff and volunteer group can keep Codorus and outstanding recreation facility for our community. So in closing, if you see one of these white park trucks go by, give them a big smile or wave HI, they will greatly appreciate it. NEW MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR Congratulations to Dan Clark our new Maintenance Supervisor at the park. Dan began his career at Codorus State Park as a custodian and has held other positions at the park through the years. Dan went from custodian to semi-skilled laborer to maintenance repairman I to Sewage Treatment Plant Operator and now Maintenance Repairman II. Dan was promoted to this position on 8/8/15. Good Luck Dan on your new position. The Friends Group looks forward to working with you. Check out our Gift Shop when you are looking for gifts for special occasions. We have many park and nature themed items to suit everyone! There are hiking sticks and camping items for the outdoorsman, park history DVDs for the history buffs, cookbooks and skillets for the chefs in your family, toys for children, and plenty of clothing items for teens and adults. Stop in and see what is there! HOURS FOR DECEMBER: Saturday and Sunday Noon to 4:00 pm Call Bob Larsen at 965-3868 for additional hours. www.friendsofcodorus.org 4 Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER GETTING READY SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO! www.friendsofcodorus.org 5 Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Contact Don Eichelberger at 578-6579 to volunteer for events. WE NEED YOUR HELP! December 12 Breakfast with Santa: set up tables, make/serve food, help with crafts January 16, 2016 Winter Festival/Eagle Plunge: direct participants, help with crafts, help where needed dates TBA (usually in Feb. and March) Trade Shows: hand out literature and answer questions at FOCSP booth www.friendsofcodorus.org 6 Winter 2015-2016
MESSENGER Invite a friend to join our group! Name: Date: Address: Contact information (phone # or e-mail address) MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY COST (Per person) LIFE $250 or by donations of $50 for 5 years HICKORY/SENIOR $25 PINE/GENERAL $10 SAPLING/YOUTH $1 BUSINESS BUSINESS LIFE $50 $500 or by donations of $100 for 5 years ORGANIZATION $50 ORGANIZATION LIFE $500 or by donations of $100 for 5 years FOXY S PUZZLE If you enjoyed Foxy s Puzzles in previous newsletters, and have ideas for future puzzles, please email Lynne Thompson at elynnet@comcast.net. www.friendsofcodorus.org VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Check your area(s) of interest: Winter Festival (January event) Seasonal Park Clean-up Days Outpost Store in Campground Gift Shop Wood cutting/splitting/stacking Spring Fling banquet Trade Shows Easter Egg Hunt Blast Band Concerts Chili Cook-off Clean-up BBQ & Vehicle Show Halloween in the Park Thanksgiving dinner Breakfast with Santa Newsletter Volunteers are not paid not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. Anonymous URGENT MESSAGE TO FOCSP MEMBERS: We need a responsible volunteer to organize the 2017 Blast. Responsibilities include scheduling Blast committee meetings, contacting food and craft vendors, entertainers, and other event participants, overseeing contacts for sponsors, trash, ATMs, tents, etc., monitoring budget expenses as determined by FOCSP Board of Directors, and reporting to the Board of Directors at least monthly. You would be able to work with the current Blast organizer in 2016 to learn the responsibilities. If you are interested, please contact Dwight Resh at 451-3635 or friendsofcodorus@gmail.com. 7 Winter 2015-2016
1066 Blooming Grove Road Hanover, PA 17331 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HANOVER, PA PERMIT NO.71 Did You Know? Some Amazing Numbers: 16,075 people participated in Codorus State Park s Environmental Education programs in 2015 over $300,000 income generated by Codorus State Park s campground in 2015 over $300,000 income generated by Codorus State Park s swimming pool in 2015 over $25,000 given to Codorus State Park by FOCSP for projects such as millhouse renovation, tree trimming, furniture for campground yurt, and electric to new woodshed 67,649 volunteer hours in Codorus State Park reported by FOCSP members since 2006 5,180 volunteer hours in Codorus State Park reported by FOCSP members Jan. to Sept. 2015 Codorus State Park is a magnificent resource for our community and our state. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make Codorus State Park so great! www.friendsofcodorus.org 8 Winter 2015-2016