Report on the End of Season Friends of Shimek Potluck and Raffle

Report on the 2014 End of Season Friends of Shimek Potluck and Raffle

from FOS President Ann Bennett with input from Debbie Miller

Art Duke of Brighton won the campfire iron grill donated by Dennis Hunter.- Dennis did the raffle drawing for us. The campfire ring was donated by Bill White and won by Debbie's boss at work - Mike Culbertson of Fort Madison. Treasurer Debbie Miller reported that the raffle raised a total of $960. In addition $100 was donated by Diana Thrift as she has been unable to volunteer and work the last couple years but hopes to be able to do so this coming year. Another $50 was donated by Michael & Barbara Leete. Total revenue raised over the weekend: $1,100 which gives us a good start on

funding improvement projects for the campground and trails.

The weather was stunning - sunshine and 70's, Sat night clear and stars. The Upper and Lower campground was over flowing, trailers parked in day riding and skirting every available spot. The potluck was outstanding with walking tacos, chili, fried chicken, bacon wrapped little smokies, pumpkin pie dessert, dutch oven cobbler, sweet potatoes, cabbage/sausage casserole, and other great food I'm sure I'm forgetting at the moment.

 

  Everyone was enjoying the beautiful fall weather and out riding. Camp was peaceful and quiet at night - all enjoying a campfire but settling down shortly after 9pm - thanks to all the courteous campers. I saw lots of folks cleaning their tie rails and stalls, so hopefully camp was left clean for the following weekend visitors. Bonnie is donating a quilt to the raffle next year so looks like Friends of Shimek will be making the October potluck an annual event.

We estimated 50 people there for riding and/or potluck. There was no sign-in for attendees, so we'll list as many trail riders and potluck attendees as we can remember: Art and Judy Duke, Mary Doyle, Diana Thrift, Becky Hassman, Pat Pollpeter, Linda and Bill Fiordelise, Martina Poggenpohl, Jewel McDonald, Denise Schieffer, Doug and Bonnie Moothart, Laura Paulsen, Ringo and Brenda Covert, Craig and Kristine Sink, Bob Bender, Debbie Miller, Marsha and Bob Achenbach, Dennis and Melinda Hunter and their daughter Michelle Hunter, Pam and Bob Noe, Nancy Grams, Ann Bennett, Pam Larson and Al Brown, Pam, Alan, Adam and Jackie Ball, Dean and Cathy Weber, Neal Hartman, Lala O'Hara, John Steenhoek, Dick and Sharon Wyett, and Tom and Jeanie Schacklett. Thanks to Bonnie Moothart, Judy Duke, Martina Poggenpohl, and Ringo Covert for making photographs.

Strings of rental horses stopped at camp to use the bathroom and take a break. The camp was so crowded that they were blocking the trail entrance at the south end of camp. Someone suggested some tie rails and a picnic table near the pit toilets so they would have somewhere to hang out. It is a good idea as one of the campers said the dude horses were trying to drink out of their water buckets and were in their camp site. And riders out on the dude string horses probably don't have any idea how to stay away from the other horses' food and water.

I camped in site #34 and sadly someone had recently tied a horse to a tree at that campsite and badly damaged it. There were fresh chew marks, the damage is only apparent from the back side so you can't see it from the road. Whoever had the campsite last left a big mess all around that camp, but not at the hitch rail.....almost like it was someone camping next to whoever rented the site. The bad damage to the tree will likely result in its death later---clearly campers must obey the Do Not Tie to Trees rule or our  lovely trees in the campground could all easily be destroyed.