Feb. 2014 - Dwight Lydell Chapter

www.michiganikes.org
February 2014
The IKE’s Update
Winterfest
was
fantastic!
There was plenty of winter for
everyone! I’d just like to say how
much I truly enjoy the friends
I’ve made here at the Ikes, and
the camaraderie we feel among
outdoor enthusiasts at these
events. See related article inside.
Our next biggie is The Banquet.
It’s on March 7th, at Thousand
Oaks this year. Our goal is to
have even better prizes for the
auction and raffles, so if you have
something you’d like to showcase,
please let Fred or Ron know so
they can include it in time. We
have a fascinating program lined
up called Caribou Summer,
which is about a seven-week
paddle-trip through the Canadian
tundra, with stories and slides by
Kathy and Jim Bricker. Plus,
we’ll be honoring a member of
our community for
their work on behalf
of conservation.
It’s a whole other
kind of fun from
Winterfest, n o
l o n g under wear
required. Warmth,
fine dining, enticing
prizes, entertaining
program, and people
helping to sustain
the environment. It’s
our way of raising
needed funds for our programs
and maintaining our property.
And since it’s also a whole lotta
fun, please make your reservations!
As high-school seniors make
their plans for college, remember
(continued on page 5)
Conservation Banquet
coming soon!
(see page 2 for details)
Winterfest
Tom Watson
Around ten the morning of the
Winterfest, as we were preparing lunch, no guests had yet arrived. The howling winds the day
before and the heavy snow will
keep people inside, so I thought.
I figured the IKEs and volunteers
would indulge in a hot dog eating contest.
But by eleven oclock people showed
up and they were soon hungry.
Though not as large a crowd as in
years past, we still enjoyed a hundred or so winter enthusiasts.
As usual the Kitchen Krew rose
to the task of feeding everyone.
We served nearly 150 hot dogs
and brats (for the volunteers), 5
gallons of hot cocoa, 5 gallons of
lemonade, 2 urns of coffee, several
(continued on page 6)
page 2
2013 SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLE DONORS
A. J. Pinder & Co.
Family Fare Rockford
Massages by Marylou
Arcadia House Bed & Breakfast
Forest Hills Foods
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Al & Bob’s Sports
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Aurora Firth
Barb McGuirl, Member
Bargain Books
Betty Jo Crosby, Member
Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus
Bird Watcher’s Market Place
Bob & Gail Stegmier, Members
Bonefish Grill
Bostwick Bakery
Boulder Creek Golf Club
Brann’s of Cascade
Bruce Dutcher, Member
Cannonsburg Bottle Shop
Carino’s Italian Restaurant
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Carrettino Italian Market
Casey Hefferan, Guide
Catherine McClung
Cedar Springs Mill & Supply
Chamberlin’s Old Forest Inn
Charles St. Charles
Chase Klinesteker, Member
Cheshire Barber Shop
Country Vineyard
David E. Doss
Discount Tire
Dixie Olin
DLC - IWLA
Dr. Elias, Dentist
Ed & Dave’s Auto Service
El Barrio Mexican Grill
Firestone
Frame and Mat Shop
Fred & Sue Eyer, Members
Fred Willson
Friend of the IKEs
Georgia Donovan, Member
Gilmore Car Museum
Goodrich Quality Theatres Inc.
Grand Rapids Airport Hilton
Great Northern Trading Co.
Grist Mill Deli and Market
Haymarsh Hunt Club
Heart of Rockford
Heidi Christine’s Salon & Spa
Herman’s Boy - Rockford
Hillsdale College
Honey Creek Inn
Houlihan’s
Jack & Kathy Crothers, Members
Jim Bedford, Author and Fishing
Guide
Jim Hegarty, Digital
Photography
Joel & Doris Stinson
John & Jan Trimberger, Members
John Hesse, Member
John Stegmeier, Member
Kathleen Chaney Fritz and
Frame & Mat Shop
Kevin Feenstra, Fishing Guide
Lattitudes Roadhouse &
Steelhead Tavern
Laura Allen’s Beads
Marie Catrib’s
page 3
Meijer Inc.
Old Chicago Restaurant & Bar
Olive Garden
P.F. Chang
Pere Marquette Lodge & Orvis
Shop, Baldwin
Pilgrim’s Run
Presto Print Inc
River Valley Auto - Rockford
Rockford Ace Hardware
Rockford Brewing Co.
Rockford Independent Bank
Rockford Quick Lube
Ron and Ruth Waybrant,
Members
Ron Finger, Member
Ruth Kizer, Member
Rylee’s Ace Hardware
Shear Profile Salon
Siegler Jewelers
Silver Bullet Firearms &
Training Center
Sundance Grill
Sun-Rays Tanning
Tam Bagby & Tom Watson,
Members
Tanaz Hair Boutique
Thousand Oaks
Timbers Inn
Van’s Sports Center
Venture Creations
West Michigan Caterer
West Michigan Whitecaps
page 4
Send us your fishing,
camping or other outdoor
stories and we’ll publish
them in the newsletter.
Send plain text and a photo
or two, .jpg format to:
[email protected]
Conservation Chair Transition
THOUGHT OF
THE MONTH
JAY HUSTON
Each season of the changing year
has blessings all its own.
Something special that belongs to
just that time alone.
Unknown.
Georgia Donovan
Since Bob Stegmier is retiring from board-related
chapter activities, we needed someone new to take over
the Conservation Chair. We are happy to announce
that John Stegmeier has volunteered to fill that
position. John is usually up to his ears in biology, having
studied it extensively
in and out of school,
and works for the US
Fish and Game out of
Ludington. He’s worked
on “the turtle project”
at UM, counted snakes
in California, gotten
too close to alligators
in Florida, and battles
lamprey. For fun he goes
fishing, hunting, and
studies the secret life of
salamanders.
He’s Steg’s nephew, so
the transition is relative. John is also on something called
the Lake Michigan Fisheries Citizen’s Advisory
Committee. He’ll help us wade through issues such
as rapids, dams, fisheries, fracking, little microbes, and
conservation policy.
To see this and past editions
of the newsletter and national IKEs
information please visit our websites:
www.michiganikes.org
www.iwla.org
OFFICERS
President, Duane DeVries........................532.9151
[email protected]
Vice President, Georgia Donovan............773.2850
[email protected]
Secretary, Jim Schneider..........................340.4604
[email protected]
Treasurer, Fred Eyer ................................363.0253
[email protected]
Board Members
Barry Gilbertson [email protected]
Bruce Gilmore..........................................365.8892
Maurie Houseman....................................560.2895
[email protected]
Jay Huston................................................942.2503
[email protected]
Bill Kirk....................................................874.8230
[email protected]
Len Kizer.................................................866.4256
[email protected]
Marylou Sundt......................................... 443.7377
[email protected]
Tom Watson.............................................874.7254
[email protected]
Conservation Chair
John Stegmier......................... [email protected]
Grounds/Maintenance Chair
C. J. Tasma................................................887.8542
[email protected]
Membership Secretary
Ron Waybrant..........................................361.1422
[email protected]
Lodge Rental
Ted & Jan Kuzma.....................................874.7279
[email protected]
Winter Tent Camping
page 5
Dan Erickson
Between December 1 and March 31 every year, After breakfast Saturday morning while the troop
thousands of Boy Scouts participate in a challeng- was waiting for the festivities to begin, the Scouts
ing winter camping experience. Each Scout is chal- hiked around the grounds
a bit. If you have never
lenged to spend a period of 20 hours in a camp in
temperatures below 32F, sleeping in a tent or other walked through the woods
after a snowfall, you really
shelter they setup. All Boy Scouts who complete this
challenge are awarded the Boy Scouts of America should try it. The scenery is
Polar Bear award. Participating in this event requires breathtaking. I have found
there is nothing quite as
proper preparation and gear.
relaxing as a walk among
This year, Boy the snow covered trees.
Scout Troop We were able to watch a
200 was in- few ducks enjoy the trout
vited to par- stream and we saw a turkey
ticipate
in meandering around. You
may even be lucky enough
the Winterfest activities to come across a herd of
and camp the deer lounging beneath a
night before grove of pine trees. FollowW i n t e r f e s t . ing our walk through the woods, the boys had the
The nighttime opportunity to give tours of their camp and tents to
temperatures hovered around 10˚F and we received the guests of Winterfest. It was very exciting for the
about 8 inches of snow. All Boy Scouts participating boys to be able to share their knowledge of how to
stay warm during the frigid temperatures and also
in the event reported sleeping quite comfortably.
meet new people and show that winter tent camping
is a wonderful winter outdoor activity.
st
The IKE’s Update
(continued from page 1)
that we have a scholarship fund
for those entering fields of
environmental or conservation
work. This could cover a range of
interests, from wild animal studies
to alternative-energy engineering.
There are two $1000 scholarships
awarded, if qualified students
apply with their records, interests,
and intentions. Applications are
available through counselors
at Forest Hills, Rockford,
Northview, and Sparta schools.
Happy Trails!
Hope to see you at the banquet!!!
Georgia Donovan
st
Deadline for the
March issue is
Monday, March 10
at 8:00 AM.
Student Editors
This month, Owen Webber and
Skylar Pagniello contributed to
the newsletter.
Great Job Students!
page 6
Winterfest
Georgia Donovan
Winterfest was very wintery and
very fun! Even the prep-day was
fun, working with the others,
being reassured that the show
would go on. We had a little “extra”
snow, but it came in handy for
building a castle, which was fun
with Ruth Waybrant, who also
brought frozen colored ice-blocks
to play with. Then, as people
started coming, Tate Gardner,
Nature Club Kid, jumped out of
his car and yelled, “I’m here, and
I’m happy,” which summed up the
mood! Exactly the way I felt too!
their very own birdhouses. Barb
McGuirl showed them how to
make tasty treats for the birds,
and brought a truckload of skis
and skates. Duane DeVries
The first visitors were Ron Yob
and his family, and I mention that
because they filled the whole day
with fun and were last to leave.
Ron brought his Ojibwe “Snow
Snake” and showed the kids how
to send it slithering along a path.
created clever bracelets out of
reusable cordage. Chris Hawkins
mesmerized kids with his flytying demo.
Bill Skallos dug out enough space
in the snow for his targets, and
kids forgot the cold as they let the
arrows fly. Ron Waybrant, Fred
Eyer, Maurie Houseman, Bill
Kirk, and Barry Gilbertson got
everything ready on the pond for
ice fishing and skating. It involved
some shoveling….
George Hedgepeth came from
Durand to demo the
hand-drill
method
of starting a fire. He
had lots of interesting
tips and it was pretty
surprising how quickly
he could create a
glowing coal.
I brought pine branches and
John Stegmeier spruced up the
snow-shelter. Paul Sherd and
Mark DeHaan helped kids make
CJ
Ta s m a
plowed the
driveway. And
there were others
who added help
here and there,
Jack Stegmeier,
Blake Gardner,
and that great kitchen crew: Tom
Watson, Tam Bagby, Pat and
Randy Jones and Len Kizer.
Thanks to ALL who helped!!
Of course the best is getting to
spend time with the families
that visit, and we had some nice
conversations. Some thought a
screened pavilion would be nice,
as well as casual,
outdoor picnics. As
kids get to know the
place, families can look
forward to meeting
and hanging out
together. Some folks
asked about camping.
And some DID camp!
See the article about
the scouts who spent
the night outside in
the blizzard of 2014!
It’s understandable that some
couldn’t make the trip over
because of the roads, and we
missed you! But we’ll be there for
you next time.
Winterfest
(continued from page 1)
bags of chips and lots of cookies.
Working with me were Tam
Bagby, Pat and Randy Jones and
Len Kizer. Thanks to all.
We were all pooped at the end
of the day, but the smiles on the
kids’ faces while they played in
the snow made it all worthwhile.
page 7
Core Event Schedule 2014
Please Check Monthly for Updates
Chairperson
March 7, Friday .................. Conservation-Awards-Fund Raiser Banquet @Thousand Oaks .................. Fred Eyer
March 20-23 .......................................... Ultimate Sport Show-Grand Rapids ................ Sports Show committee
March 28-30 ............................... Cottage & Lakefront Living Show-Grand Rapids .............Georgia Donovan
April 24, Thursday .............................. Fish & Game Dinner & program @ DLC ............................Tom Watson
May ................................ Kids Fishing every Saturday from 9 am to 12 noon ….@ DLC ................. Bill Kirk
May 15, Thursday .................. Steak Dinner, Annual Meeting-& Short Program @DLC ................ Tom Watson
June 11, 18 & 25, 6:30-8pm Weds.Kids FREE Fishing at Versluis Lake, Plainfield Twsp. ............... Jim Biener
June 21, Saturday ............................Summerfest Community Family Day @ DLC ............... Maurie Houseman
July 15-19 ...............................................2014 IKEs Convention, Anaheim CA ................... Open to all Members
August 14, Thursday .......................... Chicken & Ribs Dinner/Program @ DLC ................ Houseman, Watson
September 10, Wednesday .................................. Oktoberfest @ DLC ..............................................Tom Watson
October 8, Wednesday ................................ Chili Cook-off/Potluck @ DLC .....................................Tom Watson
November 20, Thursday ..................................... Game Dinner @ DLC ............................................Tom Watson
December 4, Thursday......................... Christmas Dinner @ Timbers Restaurant ............................... Jay Huston
Membership Application … Izaak Walton League of America
Dwight Lydell Chapter, 5641 Myers Lake Ave. Belmont MI 49306
Conservation Needs a Friend …….. Ask a friend to join the IKEs!
NAME _______________________________________________ _________________ ______________________
HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE
SPOUSE __________________ CHILDREN & AGES _______________________________________________
ADDRESS ___________________________________ CITY_____________________ STATE ___ ZIP _______
DATE____________E-MAIL ADDRESS__________________________________ SPONSOR _____________
_____ Individual - $52, _____ Family - $72, _____ Student (18-21) - $24,
_____ Youth (under 18) - $12.00
Mail to Izaak Walton League, PO Box 541, Belmont MI 49306. Checks payable to “Izaak Walton League”
Call Ron at 616.361.1422 for more information. If you want a GATE KEY so you can walk our 39 acres at your
leisure ADD $5 to the membership fee.
Indicate which of these important committees you're interested in working on:
Natural Features Stewardship _____ Finance _____Membership _____ Building & Grounds _____
Conservation ____ Programs _____ Every Member Dinners ______
The Izaak Walton League of America – a non-profit conservation organization – is recognized as a Section 501(c)(3)
public charity under the Internal Revenue Code.
page 8
page 9
page 10
Ikes and Friends, Something Serious To Us All
`You have heard said, we all live
in a watershed and that is so true.
Some of us felt it first hand with
record high flood water levels in
April 2013. Mlive and the Grand
Rapids Press had some great “recap” stores recently starting with
INCHES FROM DISASTER
and more recently with editor Julie Hoogland’s IT’S TIME TO
GET SERIOUS ABOUT THE
GRAND RIVER. (Reprinted with
permission on page 11).
Bob Stegmier, National Director IWL
our rivers as an untreated sewage
system and other such practices.
After the INCHES FROM DESASTER appeared I had an e-mail
exchange with Mlive, Grand Rapids Press editor Julie Hoogland,
first thanking the Press for the in
depth coverage of the flood and
actions now planned by cities such
A little on this watershed theme,
the one you live in, where you most
likely have a volunteer opportunity!
The opportunity is to get involved
and as editor Hoogland says, “It is
time to get serious!” You likely are
in one of these watersheds, Bear
Creek Watershed Council, Flat
River Watershed Council, Thornapple River Watershed Council or the Rogue River Watershed Council.
It is also likely
you were not
in any danger
or danger for
property damage BUT certainly had lots
of concern for
folks having all
sorts of flood
associated problems. I also believe you and I too
have significant responsibility to
work to resolve these because we
all are responsible in one way or
another for the flooding causes.
Causes such as increases in storm
water runoff from non pervious surfaces, loss of wetlands and
floodplains from developments
such shopping malls, factories,
housing plats, farming etc. You
name it and we have done it and
still doing it. Along our way mankind has learned to no longer use
as Grand
Rapid. I
started
with this,
“Great
paper
Sunday because of the complete
coverage of the 2013 flooding. It is
something that I had thoughts on
even before April 2013. I am active on the Rogue River with the
Rogue River Watershed Partners. I sent the attached message
to Mayor George Heartwell because of the extensive city coverage in it regarding action they will
take to further protect the city.
You asked for comments; therefore, I am attaching my message
to the Mayor Heartwell for you to
read.” I expect I will have more to
say but wanted to something on
record quickly. Robert Stegmier,
Izaak Walton League.
From: Matthew Vande Bunte,
Mlive; Subject: RE: Sharing
reader feedback, flood series
“Thanks for reading the series of
reports and taking the time to
think about them and respond,
Bob. You may be familiar
with the Lower Grand River
Organization of Watersheds
( h t t p : / / w w w. g v s u . e d u / w r i /
isc/lower-grand-watershedinteractive-tool-wit--57.htm). As
far as I know, LGROW is only an
advisory body, so I think the answer
to your question
about
‘Who
is in charge
so
actions
taken will be
coordinated,
correct and best
for all?’ is pretty
much nobody.”
Again I say opportunity to volunteer! Chapter members volunteering with the RRWP are
Gretchen Zuiderveen, Duane
DeVries and myself. Are any of
you volunteering in a watershed?
If so let me know so it can be
shared with others.
It’s Time To Get Serious About The Grand River
page 11
Julie Hoogland
The Grand Rapids Press, January 19, 2014
It seems to belong to us and this city when we see it
awash in ArtPrize sculptures in October. Shimmering under fireworks in July. Or, on just about any day
of the year, splashing around fishermen dwarfed by
gleaming glass towers lining its banks.
Yet the river stretches
far beyond us to many
other Grand places.
Born at Grand Lake
near Jackson, it babbles
through Eaton Rapids,
takes in the Red Cedar
near Lansing, carves
through sandstone cliffs
at Grand Ledge, gobbles up the Flat, Thornapple and Rogue near
Grand Rapids, and meanders through Grandville, Grand Valley and
Grand Haven on its way
to meet Lake Michigan.
A couple thousand years before that, the Hopewell
came, and built 46 sacred burial mounds along its
banks. The Chippewa came along, too, and called the
river Owashtanong: far flowing water. They paddled
the longest highway around.
Back to the very beginning, as the glaciers melted, this
river raged through a
giant drainage gully
for much of today’s
Michigan. Stand at
Belknap’s Lookout
Park, and your feet are
on the banks of that
glacial torrent, running ferocious, deep,
wide and wild.
A river so ancient, so
sacred, so resilient,
so beautiful: That’s
something that deserves our respect, our
constant
attention,
our commitment.
It’s a journey of 262
miles, Michigan’s longest river. It drops 552
feet as it travels. Crosses a dozen dams. Drains
5,572 square miles in 19 counties. Creates a home
for 100 species of fish. Sustains 200 species of birds.
This month, a Grand
Rapids Press/MLive.
com investigative team
took a deep dive into how the Grand affects us today,
focusing on what flooding risks the river poses this
city.
And, finally, it helps fill Lake Michigan, giving it 13
percent of its mammoth four-state watershed.
One clear take-away from the series was that this region needs to get far more serious about managing
stormwater runoff, to prevent the kind of dangerous
flooding that came perilously close to swamping the
city in April. Another was to remember the floodwalls have their limits for protecting downtown. The
walls also constrict the river, forcing it to rise higher
with less volume. It’s not a matter of if another flood
will come, it’s when.
That’s a lot of work for one river.
One ancient river. The Grand knows it better than
we do: We are simply its newest neighbors.
In the 1830s, when French fur trader Louis Campau
spent $90 to purchase 72 acres here, the river’s roaring rapids were so loud they echoed off the hillsides.
That roar soon was joined by whistles from steamships, which used to chug upstream from Grand Haven all the way to Grand Rapids.
New settlers, intent on building a city, grabbed rocks
from the river and used them for grand shelters, such
as the beautiful limestone edifice of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
What does it really mean to live along the Grand? It
means we have a big responsibility. To pay attention
to this river. To vow we won’t have what one local
expert aptly called flood amnesia.
Are we as serious about the Grand as we should be,
Grand Rapids? It’s time we made that vow.
The Conservation Awards
Banquet and Auction
68th Annual Ultimate
Sport Show
FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH
With Special Program:
Caribou Summer:
Secrets of the Tundra
See page 2 for reservation form
Event Times
March 20-23, 2014
Adults $10; Children
(6-14) $4; 5 and under
Free!