2nd Annual Raffle and Potluck - Oct. 24, 2015

  Friends of Shimek 2nd Annual Raffle and Potluck Held on Oct. 24, 2015 
After a rainy Friday--and some more Friday night--Saturday got lighter and nicer as the day progressed.

  By the time riders had returned to their campsites to warm up, the sun was out and the evening was looking great for the raffle and  potluck and an evening around the firepits.  Debbie with Marilyn and  Donnie Harris' help had set up the items to be raffled for all to see...and Debbie was busy selling tickets to anyone that stopped by.  Kristine Sink was baking up a huge batch of tasty bacon wrapped  goodies for the potluck that drew people from some distance away with the enticing aroma  and other good smells were coming from the dishes being brought to the table.

      

         
     


 As the drawing began--one more person wanted to buy tickets--which led to a round of applause.  Then Emcee Ringo Covert asked Bonnie Moothart to to assist with the drawing of names from the ticket stub canister while FOS Treasurer Debbie Miller held the winning tickets.

The winners were:
Quilt made by Bonnie Moothart and Yellow Flower made by Dennis Hunter : Jeanne Kew of California
Large Custom Firepit by Dennis Hunter: Chelsea Voss
Triangle Fire Stand by Dennis Hunter: Kristine Sink
Blue Flower by Dennis Hunter: Ken Hartman (Also known as Neal and Lala's father)
Red Flower by Dennis Hunter : Ryan Atkinson
   
Friends of Shimek: $935. raised for trails and campground maintenance at Shimek!!!!.

Thanks to----
Dennis Hunter for the generous donation of prizes including the firepit, the triangle fire stand and flowers;
Bonnie Moothart for the beautiful quilt won by a lady who will treasure it greatly;
Debbie Miller for handling all the logistics and, oh, yes, for carefully handling the money and prizes;
Ann Bennett for the largest number of sold tickets and the distribution of tickets;
Ringo Covert for serving as Emcee and Bonnie for helping him with the drawing;
and to Marsha Achenbach, Neal Hartman and Donnie and Marilyn Harris for helping with what needed doing on site;
and to all of you, the Friends of Shimek,  that sold and bought tickets and helped FOS raise $935.

Plan now for next year.  Got a great raffle prize you can donate?  Reply to FOShimek@gmail.com and a Board Member will be in touch with you.

The lovely end to the day--a glowing sunset over the Lower Campground:

For more photos--see  2nd FOS Raffle Photos

Wet Weather Trail Addition Now Being Rocked

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The many loads of road rock to be put on the 2.2 mile expansion of the Wet Weather Trail have been piled at the end of the road into the Lick Creek Unit. Many Thanks to the William J and Donna M Hoaglin Foundation for the $10,000 funding for the rock.

Forester John Byrd was hard at work this week loading rock into a dump truck and then spreading the rock on the trail that has been prepared for the rock.

  This photo shows a trail section that has just been rocked. (The view down the trail is from the back of Friesian Jupiter while Lora was riding with Marsha on Gussie.) Much more to go to finish the 2.2 miles but Thanks very much to John and Crew for the work already done. The work on the WWT could not be done until the trails dried out so now is the time. 

Know how to operate a dump truck, a skid steer?  Call John and offer to help. 1-319-878-3811

FOS Workday Sept 26, 2015 Follow-up

Lots Done!

Fifteen FOS Volunteers gathered in the lower campground turn around area on a really lovely Saturday morning. A perfect day to ride---or in this case, work. Work done in both campgrounds included cleaning firepits, picking up trash, smoothing the rough piles of gravel near the new water hydrants, collecting and sorting cans and bottles for recycle and IA deposit return, and removal of the old kiosks. In addition, the gate supports were installed under the gates on the upper campground stalls. They were very much needed as one gate had already gotten badly twisted. Several people worked over near Croton, checking that mowing was done there and lopping back hanging branches and vines. A good morning's work that concluded with a picnic lunch and Southern cake brownies. 

Bob Achenbach and Art Duke begin taking down the old kiosks.  They were assisted by Don Harris. 

Cleaning firepits--please people--these are not trash pits!
 Linda Fiordelise, Kathy White, and Jo Watson worked on cleaning up the campgrounds.

 



Marilyn Harris and Judy Duke begin sorting and bagging the recyclable, deposit paid cans and bottles
.

Bob Bender, Neal Hartman, Art Duke and Bob Achenbach
 working on the gate supports for the stalls.



Sandy Harrison tackled smoothing the already packed rock and chips around the water hydrants.

The new gate supports hard at work trying to prevent bending gates
 from horses leaning, buckets hanging and kids climbing.
 

Lunch all---Bonnie and Doug Moothart and Marsha Achenbach
worked over on the Croton side clearing trails,

FOS Raffle and Cookout -Buy Tickets Now

FOS Work Day Aug 25th Followup

A total of seventeen wonderful Volunteers and Forester John Byrd met at the Lick Creek Upper Campground on a beautiful crisp, sunny morning to attack the overgrown trails, cleanup the campgrounds, fill gravel potholes, and prep cans and bottles to recycle.  Volunteers were: Marsha and Bob Achenbach, Linda and Bill Fiordelise, Neal Hartman, Bob Bender, Marilyn Harris, Don Harris, Bonnie and Doug Moothart, Judy and Art Duke, Pam Larson, Wayne Long, Jo Watson, Pam Ball and Lora Conrad.

John Byrd made assignments as Volunteers gathered.

John explains to Bill and Linda Fiordelise where to put rock in potholes with the dump truck.  They were assisted by Art Duke.

Pam Larsen and Jo Watson set off to clean out firepits and stalls at both campgrounds.

Judy Duke and Pam Larson tackle sorting and bagging cans and bottles at both campgrounds for recycling.

John asked Wayne Long and Marilyn Harris to walk trails with a saw on a weedeater engine and loppers, trimming back limbs and multi-flora.

Neal Hartman and Bob Bender rode out on some rougher trails and cut off downed trees.  Bonnie Moothart and Doug Moothart rode out on the WWT and mowed back the sides of the trails and removed trash.  Both teams went back out after lunch for more trail work.

Marsha Achenbach (pictured) and Lora Conrad took DR brush mowers out along some of the narrower trails . Overgrowth was so bad that a trip down a trail and back with two mowers was needed to clear it for riding.

Pam Ball and Jo Watson used stencils provided by Bonnie Moothart to paint "Please Clean Your Stalls" on the boards inside the stalls--at both campgrounds.  After cleaning some stalls left dirty by some messy campers, they decided this was much needed.

John Byrd and Bob Achenbach went out
on some rougher trails with chain saws to clear downed trees.  They happened along the trail being hand mowed right when the chain was pulled off the DR, so also repaired the DR so mowing could resume.






For more photos-- See FOS Work Day Photos and slideshow - 17 images

Friends of Shimek Update --News and Aug 25th Work Day Plans

Friends of Shimek Update 2015-9

From Forester John Byrd......

It has been an interesting spring and summer this year at Shimek.  Looking back, a dry summer would have been  a welcome site, given the amount of work we need to get done.  Some hope is on the horizon with the rains becoming less frequent and trails starting to dry out.  Hopefully, we will actually be able to hold the August 25th Work Day discussed below.  I'll see you there as we tackle the overgrowth and downed trees on the trails.

The wet weather trail (WWT) was recently closed so some of the bad spots could be fixed.  After 2 weeks of being closed and spreading over 100 tons of rock on it, the WWT is about 70% repaired and is open for riding.  One thing a wet year provides is a worst case scenario.  The staff now knows what to expect and where the weak spots are on the WWT.  This is especially important when construction of the new WWT gets underway.  Construction of the additional WWT should begin this fall, but before we can start putting rock down we must get the trails shaped so they are easier to maintain.  Most of the rock for the additional WWT is being funded by a grant from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc.  Please look for updates in the future on the progress and called work days for spreading rock, if you would be willing to help.  Of course this is all weather dependent.

 

 I would like to thank everyone for staying off the trails when they have been closed.  I know it is frustrating but, it makes maintenance much easier and less costly when there are not major wet spots everywhere.  Thank you for being patient while the WWT was closed.  I have learned that the WWT is not an all-weather trail and may have to close from time to time, when we have such weather extremes. 
             

 I look forward to a safe and enjoyable fall riding season.

 

John Byrd, Area Forester

john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov
319-878-3811 *******************************************************************************************************************

Group Work Day Scheduled for August 25th.                                       

Clearing the trails.

We are optimistic that with the shift to drier weather, we will be able to hold our first trail maintenance workday this year!  So please try to come help with trail work--lots of catch-up to do.

 Meet at the Lick Creek Unit Upper Campground, day parking area at 8:00 AM on August 25th.  Marsha Achenbach is the FOS Work Day Coordinator.  She and John Byrd will assign trail sections for volunteers to work.  Work to be done: Clearing downed trees and mowing back brush on trails. Reinstalling six of the You Are Here Signs that were taken down last fall. ATV teams will be sent out to clear downed trees from trails, pick up cans, and clear back overhanging limbs with loppers.  Mowing teams will be sent out to mow on and beside trails. The heavy duty walk behind mowers or weedeaters or small tractors/brushhogs will be needed as trails are badly overgrown.  Please contact John  if you can bring an ATV, chainsaws, mowers or other equipment suitable for attacking the trail clearing needed.  All crew members out on trails are requested  to wear their FOS Vests or use one of the loaner vest provided by FOS.

One crew will be needed to fill potholes on the road with rock from the dump truck--John will provide the dump truck and rock.  In the campground, the Horse Shelter at the Upper Campground needs the support posts installed under the gates.  Cody will bring the materials and tools to do this. Fire pits need cleaning out in the campgrounds.

 Plan to BrownBag your lunch; water provided.  Contact John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or phone number 319-878-3811  or send a message to FOShimek@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. 

Working after lunch will be up to the individual workers and weather conditions.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles from home to redeem/recycle.  The ones you bring plus those left in the recycle baskets at the campgrounds or picked up off the trails will be sorted and packaged for redemption. Ann Bennett is in charge of recycling.

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Lala and friends out for a ride.

Reminder--October 24th  Friends of Shimek's 2nd Annual Potluck and Raffle.

Plan to come ride with friends and stay for the Potluck and Raffle.  More details will follow on prizes and ticket sales but NOW IS THE TIME TO RESERVE YOUR CAMPING SPOT!  LOWER CAMPGROUND. There are only 24 sites at the lower campground! 

 

 

Debbie Miller, FOS Coordinator for the event, has already reserved her space--Site #46--same location as last year.

 

To reserve your space---

 Go to
 http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/

1. ******************************************************************

Friends of Shimek Group Work Day Scheduled for July 11th.is Cancelled

Cancellation Notice
After heavy rains this past weekend and another .7 inches of rain on July 8th at Shimek--there is no way that the trails will be dry enough to go out on with ATV's and mowers to work without damaging the trails and increasing the risk to volunteers.   As a result Forester John Byrd and FOS have cancelled the Saturday July 11th work day. 

If it ever gets dry, we will have some extra called work days as we will have so very much trail maintenance and gravel work to do. 

DNR Technician Cody Brothersen has the campgrounds in good shape and when the funds arrive for the grant we have been awarded by the Lee County Charitable Fund, we will call for help to build the new kiosks.

 

What's Happening at Shimek -June 12, 2015

 Soggy trails have been the rule so far this year...but for this weekend, unless there is yet more rain, the Wet Weather Trail is open. Please, Please--ride only on the WWT or next time there are wet conditions, Forester John Byrd will have to close all the trails to try to prevent damage to the dirt trails. There are maps in the campgrounds and on our blog that show the WWT---but then its not too hard---its the graveled trail (except where it runs along the main highway which is muddy grass a this point). See the map and the rules on a separate page of this  BlogSpot.

Those people riding the trails when they are closed (and some other riders) are leaving behind their beer cans--and that means work for other people-- all of us that volunteer and pick them up! We don't pick them up because of the few cents they bring to recycle but to return the appearance of the trails to their natural beauty. None of us want to ride through trash. So--practice and preach "Carry it in, carry it out!" .

The DNR Technician can not be there all the time to monitor where people are riding--we can not just leave it to DNR. We as the users of these trails must respect the rules and protect the resources and speak out to and about those who do not, as peer pressure is important in getting cooperation on following the rules. Of course, a few tickets costing $127.50 given to people who have repeatedly broken the rules is a big help!

Right now, it looks like FOS will not hold its group work day until July 11, the next regularly scheduled date. However, that does not mean nothing has been done. In the campgrounds, DNR Technician Cody Brothersen, working on his own time as a volunteer, Chelsie Rohrs and two other FOS Volunteers worked on replacing weak hitching post rails this past week. Cody has been very dedicated to improving the appearance and condition of the campgrounds. Right now, FOS is seeking funding support to replace the information kiosks at the Lick Creek campgrounds as well as those at Bitternut and White Oak non-equestrian campgrounds. The current ones are over twenty years old, deteriorated and some were damaged in the vandalism. Its time for some kiosks that can provide a reliable information source for campers. Cody has in fact already begun construction of the ones in White Oak and Bitternut. In addition, when there was a day or two of drier weather, John Byrd and crew began clearing/widening the 2.2 miles he plans to add to the WWT this summer---if it ever gets to be dry enough to haul and spread rock!

Riders have reported that what we can see of  the dirt trails is badly overgrown (did you notice how vigorously the multi-flora have been growing and blooming everywhere?)  with the wet conditions, unable to mow and clear, and less riding on them. We will be busy July11th---hope the weather is good that day.

 Facebook.  You can also follow FOS on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOShimek

 

Trail Status as of June 4th

Shimek Trails as of June 4th.
Marsha rode at Shimek on June 3rd since the trails had been opened. She found that most dirt trails are still very wet so she rode on the WWT. She found a downfall totally blocking the WWT just a slight ways off the dead end gravel road. There was no way around through the thorny underbrush with at least 2 large birch/aspen trees involved. She notified Forester John Byrd and by this morning at 9:30, all was cleared away and the WWT is clear and ready to ride! Enjoy! And much thanks to John and crew for the fast work.

Before going---remember to call 319-878-3811 for the current status of the trails at Shimek.

CANCELLATION of Group Work Day Thursday May 21st

FOS WORK DAY MAY 21 CANCELLED
Since the rains have continued this week and and the rain is still falling as we write, the Friends of Shimek Work Day scheduled for tomorrow May 21 is cancelled.  The trails are soggy and riding or
working on them would be damaging. We will reschedule when its drier! We are sorry to disrupt everyone's plans once again...but there will be better days to work.

SHIMEK TRAILS STATUS
Right now ALL EQUESTRIAN TRAILS are closed. The message on the office phone machine as of 1pm on May 20th states that “if we do not get any more rain between now and Friday the trails will open  at noon, on Friday, with some trails open”. Please call the phone at
the office to check the status before planning to ride there this
weekend (319-878-3811).    Whether John will be able to open any of the trails depends on what happens over the next day or two.  He said he is hopeful that “with good sun, wind and no rain for two days , the trails should be fair (some spots will never be fair) for riding.” 

Also, check your online weather --- weather projections I've seen indicate a high likelihood of more rain on Sunday and Monday.



Meet at the Lick Creek Lower Campground at the graveled entry loop at 8:30 AM on date to be determined.   Be sure to check back here the night before to be sure we have not had to reschedule again.  Look for Ringo Covert, FOS Work Day Coordinator. Ringo and John will assign teams to work specific trail areas for downed or leaning tree removal. Some areas will require the use of the DNR track loader to push aside larger trees. The You are Here signs that were removed in the fall will need to be re-installed. We also need to pick up cans/bottles/litter along the roadway and on trails. Lots of trail work needed. Marsha has a list of the locations where trees are across the trails.Volunteers should bring ATV's, chain saws, safety equipment and any other tools they might need.

Campsite work needed will include removing tree tops to the woods in the Lower Campground (hazardous trees to be cut on May11th), installing supports for gates at Upper Campground horse shelter, replacing the hitching post at site 31, Lower Campground, and general clean-up. Cody Brothersen will work with the teams doing this and will supply all tools and materials needed.

Brown bag your lunch--Bottled water provided. We will work until noon or later depending on each volunteers schedule.
Be Aware: Ticks are bad in the woods---bring your tick repellant!  Contact Forester John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or Ringo Covert at covertr@westburlington.org. Ringo is the FOS Coordinator for this work day.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles to sort/redeem/ recycle. Ann Bennett is in charge of the recycling.



 

Come help us remove trees across trails and work in the campgrounds on May 12th.

Check out the Event at the Friends of Shimek Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/465833910235869/