FRIENDS OF SHIMEK FOREST (FOS)
September 28th WORK DAY –
CAN YOU COME HELP?
Come join other friends of Shimek at 8am at the Lick Creek Lower Campground on Thursday, Sept. 28th at the gravel circle as you first arrive at the campground. Forester John Byrd will give us an update on what is happening at Shimek. Then he will assign work day tasks, volunteers will sign liability forms ( if needed) and volunteer log. After a morning of work, all will return to the Lower Campground at noon to report back on progress, then rest a while with friends. Light lunch provided for all by Lora Conrad, Work Day Coordinator. Water provided. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.
Please RSVP to FOS by email FOShimek@gmail.com so we have an idea of who is coming and what you are bringing for tools and equipment. If pouring rain (Oh we do hope for that before then we are so DRY!), then the work day may be cancelled. Any change in work day status will be promptly posted on FB and the FOS Blog as well. If there is a change, anyone who has advised us they are coming will be contacted via e-mail or phone.
Primary goals for the day are both campground and trail work. Campground work includes clean up of fire pits, campsites and stalls, can and bottle sorting, and some painting yet to be done. Trail work needed that can be done using your ATV, on foot or on horseback includes trash/can pick-up, cutting back multi-flora that intrudes on the trails (can use loppers, weedeaters, or walk-behind mowers), clipping back overgrowth on narrower trails with loppers, and removing dangerous limbs that could jab riders. Let us know what you want to work on and we will discuss what supplies you might need to bring and what DNR or FOS can supply. Paint and trash bags will be provided by DNR. FOS has loppers. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers.
We look forward to having you with us that morning. We will all return to camp at Noon to report back and enjoy lunch with friends. Lunch and water will be provided. Most work is expected to be finished by noon.
Cautionary note: There have been multiple reports of “ground bees” or yellowjackets —so if you have a serious allergy to the stings of bees or wasps, do not plan to work on the trails.
Assistance Needed for the Benefit Meal and Auction Nov. 4.
Bonnie Moothart, who is coordinating the benefit, will be at the September work day—clip board in hand---to sign us all up for whatever jobs we can do to help make the fundraiser a big success. So—if you can plan on helping prepare on Nov. 3 or during the set-up, during and after the auction on Nov. 4---please talk to Bonnie. This includes food donations such as that great homemade pie you always make for special occasions. Or that extra saddle or piece of furniture or art work you are willing to part with to help raise money for the new day parking areas at both campgrounds and for other improvements. If you can help and won't be there on the 28th—contact her as described below.
See you September 28th!
