After the meal, Tom Basten and John Byrd each spoke to the group. Shimek Forester John Byrd reported on the accomplishments of the Shimek DNR Crew and FOS this past year and plans for completing the two new equestrian parking areas this year. Shimek Forest is now a part of the Southeast Area of the Parks Bureau under Supervisor Tom Basten. Tom Basten reported to the group on the upcoming budget for DNR. While the state budget is getting smaller and smaller, due to increases in camping, the incoming revenue to Parks state wide is up, which helps the Parks budget. He is hopeful that a DNR Technician can be hired for Lacey and Shimek (shared assignment) again. Tom Basten (left)and John Byrd (right) are shown speaking to the Friends of Shimek at dinner.
The FOS gavel was passed from President Ann Bennett to in-coming President Ringo Covert at the beginning of the program.
He introduced the 2018 Board to the attendees. Changes on the Board included the addition of Bonnie Moothart who is now Secretary/Editor and the addition of Jo Watson as an additional Board Member at Large. The members of the 2018 FOS Board of Directors pictured below (left to right) are: Ann Bennett, Past-President; Ringo Covert, President; Bonnie Moothart, Secretary; Jo Watson; Marsha Achenbach, Vice President; Debbie Miller, Treasurer; John Byrd, DNR Board Advisor; Neal Hartman; and Lora Conrad.
Selected as the Bennett Volunteers of the Year for 2017 were Bill & Linda Fiordelise. They have been reliable, hard-working volunteers at many work days over the past years. If you have volunteered--you have almost certainly worked with Bill and Linda. They were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board, and a lovely hand turned wooden Bowl made and donated by Bob Achenbach as well as dinner at the awards program, funded by a donation from Ann & John Bennett. The award was presented by FOS President Ringo Covert.
Bonnie Moothart was presented with a special award by the Board in recognition of her valuable leadership this past year in planning, and making happen the Fund Raiser in November which yielded about $9,000 for FOS to use in future projects to support the campgrounds and the equestrian trails at Shimek. She was presented with a special Super Star plaque with personal notes from 2017 Board Members, a candle holder and a gift certificate from TSC--which will no doubt go for horse supplies.
Awards were made to Ross O'Day and Susan Meinhardt for their outstanding work this past summer as DNR Shimek Summer Staff, including extra volunteer time.. These were insulated winter vests with the FOS Volunteer patch sewn on them and their names embroidered on the vests. We hope they will send a photo of themselves wearing the vests as they could not be present that night. Volunteer awards, made possible by a donation from Ray & Lora Conrad, were presented to all volunteers for 2017. Fifteen people who volunteered 18 hours or more were awarded a FOS Volunteer notebook, a patch for their vest, and a Thank You card. Patches for vests and Thank You cards were provided to all who volunteered 8 hours or more and the rest of the 51 volunteers were sent a Thank You card for their support this past year. All together, they volunteered over 1,000 hours to FOS and Shimek Forest this past year.
Denise Schieffer was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the Board and a lovely southwestern style blanket in recognition of her support for FOS and the equestrian community through her leadership of the Iowa Trail Riders Association for many years. The organization has disbanded, but the impact of Denise's support for trails and equestrians will long be felt.
