White Pine Group

Turkey Dinner Fundraiser Report

2012-01-16T00:17:00.000-06:00

At least 86 meals were served at the October 29 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser. Additional donations ranging up to $100 totaled $245. Calendar sales also contributed to the income. Total income by that night was $1150. Submitted expenses for food and church social room/kitchen rental came to $200. With the calendar bill paid and the $131.73 balance before the dinner, the treasury after the dinner was $915.85. Additional calendar sales and contributions have since then raised the current balance to $1027.85. Thanks to all who helped make the Fundraiser another success. You know who you are!

In kind contributions that WE KNOW of included: Cooked Turkeys by Jane Worm and Winterwoods; Desserts by Mike Muir, Ellen O'Connell, Ann Ernst, Howard Higley, Sheila Schultz, Ruth Scharnau, Becky Reisch, Butchie Thompson, Dave Hansen, and Clayton Pederson; Door Prizes by Dick and Jane Worm, Margreet Ryan, Barb Cooey, Jack Rolling; Dressing by Jane Worm using Leslie and Kevin Kane's recipe; Mashed Potatoes by Alaine Jamison and Jane Worm; Friday set-up by Dick and Jane Worm, Jim Fahrion, and the Wayne McDermott family; and Saturday early help by Becky Reisch. Kitchen and Clean-up help by several volunteers also smoothed out the operation. Wayne and Aaron McDermott even helped clear the Faraway Farm river access trail on Saturday following the Friday night camp-out, before the Mississippi Trails Hiking Club arrived. :)

Additional support came from Lee and Carol McClenahan, James Ryan, and Ron Myrom. A later calendar order from Mary and Fritz Kruger of Manchester came with this note: "Sorry we missed the Turkey Dinner. Hope it was a success! Here is our donation for this year--and if there are any calendars left, send us one. We'll try to get in on one of the outings in 2012! We enjoy the newsletter!" (Editor: Our White Pine Sierra Group EXCOM really appreciates member feedback.)

Door prize recipients: Kathy McDermott whose entry was 422 for the 425 black and orange M&M's in the full jar then awarded to her... along with black and orange balloons :) . Aaron McDermott selected a sleeved blanket for his Bird Quiz entry. Ruth Scharnau's # was drawn for the Sierra Calendar. Prize selections were: Mystique blanket, Berna Davis; Walking stick, Janette Ramson; Sierra game, Bart Blake; Walking stick, Tom Welu; "Listen to the Land" book, Betty Streets; Compass, Larry Troester; Thermos, G. Wiederholt; Cap, Joe Garrity; Coozie, Tom Streets; and Duffel bag, Jan Ellen Zweibohmer.

Again, a BIG THANKS to all the Dinner attendees and contributors! The "Our Iowa Home" program introduced by Bob Dunne made us all feel right at home with all the camaraderie that evening!

Sierra Calendar sales? YES, 2 Wall and 5 Engagement 2012 calendars do remain. Any request with any $ contribution will be honored as the supply lasts! Come to Backbone Cabin Outing and ask for any calendar still remaining then, free. :)

Another Coal Plant Shuts Down

2012-01-16T00:16:00.000-06:00

Pam Mackey-Taylor
Iowa Chapter, Sierra Club

John Deere Dubuque Works, a farm implement manufacturer in Dubuque, Iowa, has ceased burning coal.

In an order from the Iowa Utilities Board, the IUB stated that the plant's annual net generation was 31,496 MWh.

In a filing with the Iowa Utilities Board on December 22, 2011, John Deere stated it was ceasing the "use of coal-fired generation for several reasons including implications of the proposed MACT standards" that are to control the release of mercury and other hazardous pollutants.

Sinapee Cemetery/Chigger Outing 9/11/11

2012-01-16T00:15:00.000-06:00

You wish you had explored?

From: Jim Fahrion
Sent: Tuesday, 9/13, 2011 6:55 PM
To: Gary & Butchie Thompson; Richard Worm; Dave Hansen
Subject: Latest count

Gary, we lost count after counting 132 chigger bites, so I've got your 100 beat.

- Itchy Jim

From: Richard Worm
Sent: Tuesday, 9/13, 2011 10:09 PM
To: Jim Fahrion
CC: Charles Winterwood; Margarite Reynolds; Dave Hansen; Gary & Butchie Thompson
Subject: RE: Latest count

Jim:
I have no chigger bites at all! I had that blanket to sit on and had lightly sprayed my ankles, arms, shirt around my waist, and sides of my head and cap with Deep Woods OFF... maybe that helped. (I hate ticks so always try to think to take such precautions in the woods. I'm crawling around out here a lot lately in my prairie areas cutting down Autumn Olive so wanna be protected as best I can.)

Was wondering of Winterwoods and Margarite had any chigger issues, or if it was just an attack of those sitting around on the ground waiting for the sunset. Butchie and Gary were at the KDCCG meeting at 6 PM this evening--and Butchie had also been attacked--and I thought Gary said he had counted 150 spots on his chest, armpits and waist area. But who's counting... :) ?

What does a chigger look like? They must be tinier than ticks. I can recall having chigger attacks only two times in my life.

Chiggerless, this time,
- Dick

On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 8:02 AM, Margarite Reynolds wrote:

Hi, all. No chigger bites--I suppose I'd know by now. I don't think I'd even heard of chiggers till Dick's email. Have been reading about them online this morning. Not pleasant. Here is one website that was "interesting": http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/avoid-outdoor-pests/chiggers.

Wonder if it was something to do with time of day. I also do remember for some reason deciding to perch on the fence instead of sitting on the ground. But surely they can jump around...

Hope you all feel better soon.

- Margarite

From: Thompsons
Sent: Wednesday, 9/14, 2011 11:57 AM
To: Margarite Reynolds
CC: Jim Fahrion; Richard Worm; Charles Winterwood; Dave Hansen

Excellent chigger article, although it did creep me out a bit knowing hundreds of them were crawling all over us!

Despite the mites it was a beautiful and fun evening.

- Butchie

Winter 2012 White Pine Outings

2012-01-16T00:14:00.000-06:00

Please mark your calendars

Outing participants are to sign a liability waiver, a copy of which can be previewed at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms . RSVP to the designated Outing CONTACT no later than the night before the outing begins for updates and participation plans. Occasionally, an outing may be revised or canceled depending on the nature and number of RSVPs. Many Outings include options. Explore & Enjoy as YOU like! :)

January 27-29
Backbone State Park Cabin Outing
RSVP: Dick Worm

Reservations are required for this outing by no later than Tuesday January 24, at or after our Group Program/Meeting.

Two 2-story heated cabins (#9 and #10), each with shower and restrooms, are reserved from Friday 4 PM through Sunday 11 AM. One double-bed bedroom, one two-person futon, and four "floor spaces" are still available for at least 10 more participants for both nights and a single bed for Friday night. (Suggested total capacity is 22.)

Lodging cost is $20/person for one night; $30/person for both nights. Five RSVP meals are provided in Cabin #9 at $4/meal beginning with dinner Friday and ending with Sunday breakfast. X-country ski, snowshoe, hiking, and crevice slide treks are planned. Indoor table games and general camaraderie fill the other times amazingly well. Day-Use is available at $5/person and $4/meal.

To receive a complete listing of logistics and activity options by e-mail, mail, or phone, contact Dick Worm. Join the fun--an Iowa WINTER has now arrived!

February 11 (Saturday)
Yellow River State Forest Outing
RSVP: Jim Fahrion

X-country ski, snowshoe, and hiking options will be organized at this premier location in our Northeast Iowa Sierra Club Group area.

To carpool from Dubuque, meet at the south end of the Asbury Hy-Vee at 9 AM. Otherwise, meet at the State Forest headquarters parking lot on County Road B-25 between IA Route 76 and Harper's Ferry at 10:30 AM. Bring a day-pack, lunch, and beverage, and the outing will last as long as participants wish to stay.

See natural gait trails, cabin day-use, and overnight stay options:

February 10, 11, 12
Natural Gait Cabin Overnight Bargain offer for Yellow River State Forest Outing!!
Contact: Dick Worm

Dick has wanted to stay in one of the Natural Gait cabin facilities next to a unit of the Yellow River State Forest. So when a "Buy One Night, Get One Free" Cyber Monday offer was in a Natural Gait e-mail, he took it for the already scheduled Yellow River State Forest Outing weekend. So, here's the deal:

The Upper Gait cabin available that Feb. 10-12 weekend happened to be the Lofty Haven, which best fits "privacy" needs with two bedrooms on the main level and a ladder access loft with one more double bed (and four twin beds.) Sleeping accommodations limit is 10. The Lofty Haven is located next to the lodge/horse riding arena and loftily above the Shower House/Laundry and Mercantile Gift Shop, not up the hill with the other cabins and campground. Check-in is after 2 PM Friday with check-out by 11 AM Sunday. Directions to Lofty Haven: http://www.thenaturalgait.com/loftyhaven.htm

The Lofty Haven is fully stocked with a complete kitchen (range/oven, refrigerator, microwave, utensils, coffee pot, cookware), vaulted living room with a couch and recliner, wood burning stove, full bath (whirlpool tub, sink, toilet), towels and linens (pillows). Just bring your own food.

Three couples (or six individuals) can stay for both Friday and Saturday nights at a cost of $35/person. A single night stay will be $25. Additional overnight participants could stay if lofty folks were willing to share (ear plugs?) the loft's five bed space. If participation could be arranged for more than 6 occupants, the cost of overnight stays would be reduced accordingly. If fewer than 6 people stay overnight, the above rates will stay the same and Dick will cover the rest. (He says it's worth giving this cabin stay a shot even if he might be the ONLY overnight participant! That would not be a first. :-/ )

A $10.00/person Lofty Haven & Trail Access fee for those not staying overnight would cover SF and Natural Gait trail access & warming, restroom, and meal location comfort. Food and beverage would be "bring-your-own", but some snacks and card tables and chairs for games and meals, if needed, will be provided like at the Backbone Cabin Outing. If figuring gets too complicated, and "profit" will go to the White Pine Group treasury.

March 17 (Saturday)
Swiss Valley Nature Center/Park Service Project and Bluebird Program
RSVP: Dick Worm for project details closer to the date of this outing.

Either come to Dubuque County's Swiss Valley Park at 8 AM for a 2-hour service project and then attend the Bluebird Program including making your own bluebird house; or attend the 10 AM Bluebird Program, bring your own lunch, and stay for a 1-3 PM Service Project--or do it all from 8 AM-3 PM.

Registration is required for the Bluebird Program and house building: (563) 556-6745. The Service Projects may involve trail work and/or sign placement... or snowshoeing?

Group Programs/Meetings

2012-01-16T00:13:00.000-06:00

Our Group's 4th Tuesday Program/Meetings take place in the former parsonage of St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road, Dubuque.

The large meeting room is at the back of that red brick home to the right as you enter the church parking lot from Asbury Road. The meeting room door is to the left of the big window of the meeting room. No steps, so easily accessible.

Programs begin at 7 PM. A brief EXCOM session follows the program. The general public is always welcome.

Mark your Sierra Calendar and catch a program.

Tuesday, January 24
"Alberta Tar Sands"
Raki Giannokouros of Green Dubuque

Tuesday, February 28
"Eagle Point Scholar"
Will include local aspects.

Tuesday, March 27
"Bishop Pass and Piute Pass Access to the John Muir Trail in California's Sierra Mountains"
August, 2010
11,972 ft and 11, 423 ft
Dick Worm

Other Events

2012-01-16T00:12:00.000-06:00

January 29 (Sunday)
"The Wild Brazil" by Dr. Jim Pease
Head for the Swiss Valley Nature Center after the Backbone Cabin Outing for this 1 PM Dubuque County Conservation Society's FRIENDS program, featuring the remarkable biodiversity of northeast Brazil, the Amazon, and the Pantanal wetland.

Sunday Progams, Mines of Spain

2012-01-16T00:11:00.000-06:00

E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center
1 PM

January 22
"A Wildlife Photo Safari in Tanzania", Alice and John Butler
The Serengeti Plain's "Great Migration" and a Masai village.

February 12
"An Organic Approach to Sustainable Farming"

February 26
"Forest Gliders--A Glimpse into the World of Flying Squirrels"

March 11
"Geology of Northeast Iowa"

March 25
to be determined

http://www.minesofspain.org/
office: (563) 556-0620

Hunting at the Mines of Spain: Public Meeting

2012-01-16T00:10:00.000-06:00

Monday January 30, 6:30 PM
EB Lyons Center

The DNR will discuss and gather input on a proposal to discontinue shotgun hunting in Mines of Spain.

Archery hunting for deer, turkey, and all other legal species would continue. Since 1991, hunting has been allowed in the park during specific seasons and has helped manage and control the deer population of the area.

While the deer population has steadily decreased, park use for other activities has increased, including winter hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bird watching, photography, and other winter activities. The park hosts more than 250,000 visitors annually.

Location: just south of Dubuque, off Hwy 52 South

Written comments will also be accepted:
8991 Bellevue Heights
Dubuque, IA 52002-9214

Or, via e-mail: Mines_of_Spain@dnr.iowa.gov

Nature Centers

2012-01-16T00:09:00.000-06:00

Hurstville Interpretive Center
Jackson County
(563) 652-3783
conservation@co.jackson.ia.us
http://www.jacksoncountyiowa.com/

Osborne Nature Center
Clayton County, Hwy 13, South of Elkader
(563) 245-1516
http://www.claytoncountyconservation.org/

Summer 2012 Loco Folks Trip Previews

2012-01-16T00:08:00.000-06:00

Dick Worm is planning a couple of summer Loco Folks backpack trips. Fellow travelers are welcome! Check with Dick for details.

July 20-30: Backpack, July 22-28. Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Montana, on continental divide.

7 days on John Muir Trail in California. Travel date options dependent on permit success may be: 08/26-09/07; 09/09-21 (priority), 09/16-28. Que Sera!

Keystone XL Emergency--Risking the Wild

2012-01-16T00:07:00.000-06:00

Dick Worm, Needle Editor

I received the following e-mail from an acquaintance who worked at the John Deere plant in Dubuque and still has citizenship in Canada. It was sent as a reply to a Wilderness Society item I e-mailed to him about the Keystone XL pipeline.

Plan to attend our Sierra program on January 24 for additional viewpoints and concerns related to the extraction and refining of this oil, dating back to 1978. I'll bring the June 2008 Canadian Geographic magazine to the meeting.

The oil-sand extraction article was title "Scar Sands" and describes five ways to begin to reduce the environmental imprint: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), dry tailings instead of wet, reducing overall water usage, clamping down on acidifying emissions, and establishing large areas of boreal forest to be off-limits. Is all that a "fat chance" in today's politically charged energy domain?

The Wilderness Society message dated December 19, 2011 included the following:

The Keystone XL pipeline is probably the single most environmentally destructive project in North America threatening millions of trees and thousands of miles of rivers, lakes and streams as it snakes its way across the nation's heartland.

This rider abets clear-cutting the forests, strip-mining the tar sands, clearing a right-of-way from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and emitting massive amounts of carbon pollution, all so that a Canadian oil company can get a higher price on the world market for oil than it is currently getting from North America alone. The fact that the payroll tax cut for American families has been held hostage to this environmental train wreck is unbelievable.

If this pipeline gets approved, it will foster climate change conditions that will threaten every aspect of America's wild places. Our national forests, already threatened by climate-related fire and beetle infestations, will become dangerously stressed. Iconic places like Glacier National Park will lose its namesake glaciers, and places like Acadia and the Everglades will be even more threatened by rising seas.

The President still has the discretion to turn down Keystone XL. If he does, he will be siding with millions of Americans that have a right to clean air, safe drinking water, a safe climate and a clean energy alternative to digging more holes that we can't get out of.

Subject: Re: Keystone XL Emergency--Risking the Wild

Well, this issue gives me mixed feelings.

On the plus side, it does make jobs, and good paying jobs, to a lot of people. It provides a market for Deere and Hitachi as they supply some of the machines used to mine the tar sands, and to build the pipelines. And that helps support my pension.

The oils extracted supply the fuel and lubricants for those machines, and all our cars and trucks, asphalt for the roads you drive on, etc.

As to the pipeline to the gulf: I don't understand the reasoning. The oil from the tar sands is very heavy (viscous) and take extraordinary means to make it flow through pipes. That long pipeline will probably have to be heated all the way. Seems to me it would be better to build the refinery in Alberta and pipe the finished products. Maybe that is what they're doing, to some extent.

The actual strip mining operation IS making a huge mess of the tundra. But the oil is there; near the surface, instead of deep in the ground like in ND, TX, OK, etc.

What would you do? I think we need to reduce our total consumption of oil by developing other sources of energy. And by driving the most fuel efficient cars we can.

I'll bring you a copy of Canadian Geographic magazine that covers the Tar Sands operation.

- Wayne Collins

More on the Energy Front

2012-01-16T00:06:00.000-06:00

From: Congressman Bruce Braley
Subject: Clean Energy for Iowa
December 22, 2011

I am writing to give an update on the work I have been doing this Congress to promote Iowa's wind industry, which is a major growth area for the state.

Iowa is first in the nation in per-capita wind energy production, and second nationally in total annual wind energy production in megawatt-hours. According to the Iowa Wind Energy Association, the Iowa wind energy industry already employs over 3000 full-time workers. That number could grow with a more certain investment climate for the wind energy.

In November, I introduced the American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act. This bill will extend the wind energy production tax credit or another four years. Without Congressional action, the existing wind energy production tax credit will expire at the end of 2012.

Additionally, I sent a letter to House Leadership asking that the wind tax credit be passed in time so that investment in Iowa's wind energy sector won't slow down. The earlier this extension takes place, the more certainty there is for those who want to invest in wind and its future. I will continue to work to get this extension passed sooner rather than later.

Wind is a clean, renewable energy source that can also help improve Iowa's economy, and I will continue working to expand the use of wind energy in America.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley,
Member of Congress

National Club Election Coming This Spring

2012-01-16T00:05:00.000-06:00

Steve Krieg, Chief Inspector of the Election

The annual election for the Club's Board of Directors is now underway. In early March those eligible to vote will be receiving their National Club ballot in the mail or via the Internet if they selected the electronic option. This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on the Club's web site.

The Sierra Club is unique among major national environmental organizations in its emphasis on democratic election of leaders. Some 25,000 members have signed up to receive voting materials via e-mail, thus saving the Club funds in printing and mailing this material to them. But only about 10% of the membership votes. This is troubling.

The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. The Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Club levels is a major membership obligation. Your Board of Directors is required to stand for election by the membership. This Board sets Club policy and budgets at the national level and works closely with the Executive Director and staff to operate the Club. Voting for candidates who express your views on how the Club should grow and change is both a privilege and responsibility of membership.

Members frequently state that they don't know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more. You can learn more by asking questions of your group leadership. Also, visit the Club's election web site: http://www.sierraclub.org/bod/2012election/

This site provides links to additional information about candidate, and their views on a variety of issues facing the Club and the environment. You should use your own judgment by taking several minutes to read the ballot statement of each candidate. Then make your choice and cast your vote. Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, please go to the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If necessary, you will find the ballot is quite straightforward and easy to mark and mail.

White Pine Group EXCOM Election Ballot

2012-01-16T00:04:00.000-06:00

The terms of two of our Group's EXCOM members expire at the end of this year (Jim Fahrion and Barb Cooey.) So for 2012, an even-numbered year, we are to elect two EXCOM members. The following members have graciously agreed to have their names placed on the ballot. No one else rose to the occasion :( so a space for a write-in is also included since our By-Laws indicate we are to have an actual "election" with at least one more candidate than positions available.

Program, outing, and operational ideas are also welcome! Jot some down as they may help stimulate new thinking and an increase in active participation.

While we would enjoy an increase in involvement, THANKS for being a values member supporting "the cause". We wish to meet more members in 2012.

Mail the below ballot and suggestions for Group programs and Outings to Charlie Winterwood no later than January 20, 2012. VOTE FOR TWO.

Option: Bring ballot to January 24 meeting.

_______________________________________________________________

EXCOM ELECTION 2012

_____ Jim Fahrion: Current EXCOM member is a retired instrumental music teacher who enjoys hiking, kayaking and canoeing (such as several Project AWARE River Clean-up trips), skiing, and most anything outdoors. Jim is a member of the Ski Patrol at Sundown, has been on several National Sierra Club Service Trips, and provides programs for our Group meetings.

_____ Jane Worm: Serves as the appointed Turkey Dinner Fundraiser coordinator and Secretary for our Group. At the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Jane is the volunteer Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, leads tours, and greets every Wednesday and Friday and has received recognition as Volunteer of the Year. AND, she attends our Group meetings! :)

_____ Write-In: ____________________________________________________

Ideas for Programs and Outings and/or other comments about Group activity/participation: (What sorts of things might inspire participation?)

_______________________________________________________________

White Pine Group EXCOM, 2011

2012-01-16T00:03:00.000-06:00

Chair
Charlie Winterwood

Outings
Jim Fahrion

Newsletter/Membership
Dick Worm

Barb Cooey
Gary Thompson

Appointed Officers

Secretary/Turkey Dinner Fundraiser
Jane Worm

Treasurer
Mike Muir

Conservation
Gretel Winterwood

Publicity
Carol Thompson

Webmaster
Todd Michaels

Membership/Newsletter

2012-01-16T00:02:00.000-06:00

This 2011-2012 Winter Needle is being mailed to about 392 members at 346 membership locations: 140 in the 52001, 02, 03 Dubuque area and 62 in the 52101 Decorah area.

Printing and mailing cost is about $280 for each of our three annual newsletters. Is it worth it? The EXCOM has kept it going, for now anyway, as long as Turkey Dinner attendance and donations continue. Just $5/member would be nearly $2000.

The Winter Needle is now for January/February/March.

Autumn 2011 Outing Reports

2012-01-16T00:01:00.014-06:00

To "Explore and Enjoy" are significant aspects of an active Sierra Club membership. Our Group offers outings to foster camaraderie and explorations serving as motivators for us to also "Protect."

The September 11 early evening hike to the Sinapee Cemetery Overlook did offer a great sunset view across the Mississippi. However, the later chigger bite count comparisons dramatically added even more to the event's memorability for those who were afflicted. :-/

The October 16 trip to Effigy Mounds was canceled due to no RSVPs, but was shifted to Swiss Valley Park for the few who arrived without an RSVP at the Dubuque meeting location. It is important to RSVP when an outing is far away from the home of an outing leader, but also for phoning in case a last minute change has to occur for any reason.

The November 19 hike at White Pine Hollow took 22 participants down and up some awesome slopes past a "rock garden" of huge blocks of cliff-face boulders to a remote waterfall setting in a sheer-walled gorge! Wow!

The December 2-3 trip to Minnesota's Forestville and Lake Louise State Parks was a solitary event for the leader and his granddaughter's "Flat Cassandra", but Forestville's Friday night sunset from Maple Ridge, starlit camping and campfire, and the Saturday morning visit of the historic town site and the Rock Slumps and Ravine Trails loop hike were very pleasant. PM wet snowfall limited the Lake Louise hike to the lake area and Howard Co. photo ops at Lidtke Mill and Hayden Prairie.

Editor's Notes

2011-09-05T00:10:00.019-05:00

Dick Worm

An article in this newsletter describe a near "melt down" during Project AWARE. Since over $100 of White Pine Group funds were at stake, I felt the saga was worth presenting to our membership.

Cabins #9 and #10 have again been reserved at Backbone State Park for the Backbone Cabin Outing, January 27-29, 2012. Two double-bed bedrooms, 2 futons, a single bed and floor space can accommodate a suggested 11 folks in each cabin. Cost/adult is $30, 2 nights; $20, one night, and $4 each for 5 provided meals. Earliest reservations get accommodation priority. More in Winter newsletter, but reservations are welcome now.

Alaine Jamison e-mailed a listing of "Eleven easy ways to BUY AMERICAN in 2011." To be e-mailed a copy, you can contact me.

Sierra Club Calendars are sold at the Turkey Dinner but can be ordered anytime from me for a 10% member discount, given below; but even cheaper at the Dinner because our Treasurer doesn't like to mess with loose change.. "Engagement" with a different scenic photo for each month: $12.55 ($12 at the Dinner.) "Wall" with a monthly photo (November's Daniel Creek in Georgia is ESPECIALLY unique): $11.65 ($11 at the Dinner.)

An August Open House at Backbone State Park showcased a new interpretive plan for public programs, updated trails, and new signs. Maybe we can see the plan during the Cabin Outing.

The Mines of Spain is accepting donations for a 52-acre addition from the Bottoms Farm on the west side south of Catfish Creek. (Mines of Spain, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA 52003.) $319,000 was the cost. Additions are also possible for Whitewater Canyon upstream and for White Pine Hollow westward into Delaware County. YES!

Re: Letters to the Editor

2011-09-05T00:09:00.047-05:00

March 16, 2011

To: Richard Worm - The White Pine Needle Editor
Bellevue, IA

Dear Dick:

This is in response to your editorial comment in the last White Pine Needle. I would appreciate it if you would publish it in the next newsletter.

Dick Worm in his editorial in the 2011 Spring/Summer White Pine Needle stated: "while abortion is not the best way to curb unwanted and unneeded births, responsible family planning and pregnancy preventions ARE." No. It is not a good, let alone the best way to kill unborn children. There is no"good" way. Also what is meant by the word "unneeded"? However it is defined the issue of "need" is not relevant to the issue of preserving or terminating human life.

Yes, I am pro-life and like a lot of pro-life people I am also concerned with children after they are born and also the natural environment. While I have not hiked through a lot of God's beautiful natural environment I have in my own small way tried to help preserve it. However, as important as I believe this is, I believe protecting both the born and pre-born is more important.

I have often observed the hypocrisy of those who weep at the sight of baby seals being slaughtered while human children are literally torn apart, sometimes even up to the time of birth. I submit that if pregnant women were given an ultrasound just prior to an abortion most would not go through with it. Humans are not just the top of the food chain. I believe they have an immortal soul and are more like God than a baby seal. If we are concerned with the condition of the natural environment then we should be consistent and be concerned with the state of all of creation, especially human beings.

David W. Leifker
Hazel Green, WI

Excerpted newspaper articles in response to the above

Parts of Texas abortion law struck down
Des Moines Register 08/31/2011-- Associated Press

Austin, Texas -- A federal judge on Tuesday struck down a key provision of Texas' new law requiring a doctor to perform a sonogram before an abortion, ruling that the measure violates the free speech rights of both doctors and patients.

...

Sparks rules such disclosure is an attempt by the state to "permanently brand women who choose to get an abortion."

America's Churches can Help Change the World.
With humanity's future at risk, religious leaders need to step up to the pulpit.
USA Today 03/14/2011 -- Oliver Thomas

Consider the issues that most threaten humanity's common future: global terrorism, climate change, overpopulation, and the political and social unrest caused by economic disparity. These problems transcend national boundaries and beg for international solutions. Yet political leaders have generally been unwilling or unable to find solutions.

...

Despite the biblical command to give 10% of our income back to God (read "to charity"), for example, the average church member gives 3%. We complain about the record heat as our air conditioners run full blast and continue having as many children as we want--sometimes at the encouragement of our religious leaders--despite the impact on the environment. Our elected officials even give us tax breaks for crowding the planet.

Newsletter Editor Dick Worm's response

While I could take issue with way too many of the comments made in that letter, as a contributing member of Planned Parenthood, Negative Population Growth, The Population Connection (formerly Zero Population Growth), and NARAL Pro-Choice America, I'd not be able to focus on where to begin. So, I will TRY to limit myself here to a few comments related to the one question the new member writer directly asked, "...what was meant by the word 'unneeded'?" in the sentence suggesting population control on a finite planet.

The Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment Program recognizes a need to protect and promote reproductive health and rights and to foster sustainable communities and a healthy planet. "With our planet approaching 7 billions people--a marker we're slated to reach this October--the time is now to bring population, voluntary family planning, education for women and girls, and other environmental and reproductive issues to the forefront." (Quoted from the "One Voice Summit & Population and Environment Fellowship Program: Sierra Club e-mail, Sept. 1, 2011. In includes a Link to the club's "2011 Mid-Year Population Report". I could forward the e-mail to anyone asking to receive it.)

A Sierra Club sticker reads, "Your Family: Plan It for the Planet." HOWEVER, if your PLAN is to pop out 19 children like the Duggar Family (Google "Duggars" for their irresponsible and environmentally immoral story) then your PLAN might not pass muster with the Sierra Club and all the other conservation organizations that recognize the threat of a truly "unneeded" additional billions consumers of natural resources on this planet.

Unemployment of 9% in the USA is small change compared to rates in many other nations. Crowds stand aimlessly along trashy streets in Kenya and Kathmandu, Nepal. NBC-TV reports 29,000 under age of five have died this year due to famine. Convince me those suffering existences were "needed"? Place a luxury tax on the number of children over a family's replacement number of two. ETC.

Program/Meetings (Autumn 2011)

2011-09-05T00:08:00.001-05:00

September 27
October 25
November 22
Go ahead--mark your calendar and come on out!
Presenters put together programs to educate and entertain. Explore & Enjoy these unique places (before they all wash away.)

These 4th Tuesday Program/Meetings will now take place at a slightly new location: the former parsonage for St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road, Dubuque. The meeting room is on the lower level of the red brick home to the right as you enter the parking lot from Asbury Road. Go on down and around behind the red brick home to park. Contact Jim Fahrion for meeting location details. Meetings begin with the program at 7 PM. Attendees may leave before the usually brief EXCOM business meeting which usually begins by 8:15. No meeting in December.

September 27, 7 PM
Arkansas Ozarks and Blanchard Springs Caverns
Charlie Winterwood explored and enjoyed this part of northern Arkansas near the Buffalo River in late March 2011.

October 25, 7 PM
Vermont's Smuggler's Notch, Mt. Mansfield, Camel's Hump, Lake Champlain, and some covered bridges and waterfalls
In mid-June of 2011, Dick and Jane Worm explored and enjoyed a portion of northern Vermont, before Hurricane Irene. :-/ Two perfect days allowed Dick to hike from east to west over the top of Vermont's highest point, 4,393 foot Mt. Mansfield, and to hike a loop over the top of the 4,083 Camel's Hump. Both required a rocky climb of over 2000 feet and included a section of Vermont's state-length Long Trail. Ever dreamt of President Chester A. Arthur's birthplace?

November 22, 7 PM
Mount Sneffels and The Arrowhead
During a western loop from July 27 to August 17, Dick Worm managed to reach the top of another of Colorado's Fourteeners, the 14,150 foot Mount Sneffels near Ouray, CO. The drive to the trailhead in a little Ford Focus was about as exciting as the hike, going up in the dark and then actually SEEING that Forest Service "C" Road on the way back down.

"The Arrowhead" has been on Dick's bucket list since seeing it during five different backpack trips in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains. Dick was satisfied to get within about 50 feet of it from the side on its narrow ridge at 10,579 feet via the 6800 foot Hell Roaring Lake Trailhead, Hell Roaring Lake (7407 feet) and Clarice Lake (8200 feet). That Arrowhead ridge provided a spectacular view down to the far side's Cramer Lakes Basin. Rock climbers can somehow get on top of The Arrowhead as well as upon the nearby, more popular, Finger of Fate (on which two climbers unknowingly "posed" for photographs from Clarice Lake.) The three-night layover camp at Clarice Lake gave time for a look down upon still icy Profile Lake from another jagged ridge and a second day-hike climb to a string of four scenic, glacial lakes stair-stepping down from Sevy Peak. The crumbling, jagged ridges of the Sawtooths are yet another of nature's wonders well worth experiencing.

White Pine 2011 Group Outings

2011-09-05T00:07:00.000-05:00

Outing participants are expected to sign a liability waiver, a copy of which can be previewed at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/ . RSVP to Outings Chair Jim Fahrion, Editor Dick Worm, or the designated Outing contact person for details and participation plans. Outings often include options. Explore & Enjoy with us as YOU like!

September 11 (Sunday)
Sinapee Trail/Cemetery Overlook, Sunset/Moonrise Hike
This Mississippi River bluff trailhead and hike is a short way north of Dubuque on the Wisconsin side of the river. Meet at the Paddle Wheel Entrance of the Mississippi Center of the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium at 4:30 PM. A carpool and/or caravan to the trailhead will be organized with departure around 5 PM. Bring a dinner (sandwich) and beverage. Stay as long as you like to watch the sky change as the sun sets and a near full moon rises. Bring a light source if staying until dark. Dress accordingly for evening cooling. CONTACT: Charlie Winterwood or Dick Worm.

September 24 (Saturday)
"350" Bike Ride and Rally
A goal has been set to hold CO2 global warming emissions to 350 ppm. This event will showcase some of the pros and cons in Dubuque of such efforts. Bicyclers should meet at 10 AM at the free city parking lot on East 5th St. behind McGraw-Hill, a LEED-certified building in the port of Dubuque (501 Bell St.) The bike route will proceed under the railroad tracks by Star Brewery and the Shot Tower; on to The Historic Millwork District; to Kerper and past the City Garage Superfund site; past Alliant Power Plant; past Bee Branch discharge into the Mississippi; to MSC Solar; to the flood wall past Kerper industrial; to the rally at AY McDonald Park (The Council Circle) at what was the Hawthorne Street Boat Ramp. Non-bikers can meet there around 11 AM for the "350" Rally that may include a food vendor and music. Event may wind down by 1 PM. Details may change so CONTACT Charlie Winterwood or the Green Dubuque Facebook page. Creative displays of "350" in lawns and windows are encouraged in the days leading up to the event.

October 16 (Sunday)
Effigy Mounds Fall Color Hike
Meet in Dubuque at 11:30 AM at the south end of the Asbury Hy-Vee Parking lot (off Northwest arterial) across from Culver's. Meet at Effigy Mounds Visitor Center at 1 PM (or whenever the Dubuque folks arrive) just north of McGregor/Marquette on IA Rt 76. Plan on a 3-hour stay. Bring a snack and a beverage; dress accordingly. CONTACT: Jim Fahrion.

October 29 (Saturday)
Turkey Dinner Fundraiser
Daytime activity beginning at 10:30 AM at Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm. The dinner social hour begins at 5:30 PM at 10th & Locust's 1st Congregational Church in Dubuque. This is our ONLY official group fundraiser, and we take no allotments from the Iowa Chapter or National dues. Please plan to attend or contribute. Thanks!

November 19 (Saturday)
White Pine Hollow Hike
Meet at 9 AM in Dubuque at the south end of Asbury Hy-Vee off Northwest Arterial across from Culver's. OR meet at the south entrance to White Pine Hollow at 10 AM via the second turn to the right west of Luxemburg on IA Rt 3. Hike will visit the Yew Ridge Cave (bring a light for even the shortest of entry) and the "waterfall" site. Wear sturdy shoes; bring lunch. Explore and Enjoy our group's namesake. CONTACT: Gary Thompson.

December 2-3 (Friday - Saturday)
Minnesota's Forestville/Mystery Cave and Lake Louise State Parks camping and hikes
Camping is in Loop B at Forestville/Mystery Cave Park on MN Rt 12 west-southwest of US Hwy 52 from Preston, MN or west of US 63 north from New Hampton and Chester, IA, then east from the south edge of Spring Valley, MN. Hikes Friday will begin from the campground about 1 PM. Campers can arrive anytime Friday. Vault toilets. Bring your own camping gear, food, and water. Saturday hikes and exploration of the confluence of the Little Iowa and Upper Iowa Rivers will begin at 10 AM at Lake Louise State Park, about 1.5 miles north of LeRoy, MN, via County Rd 14. (LeRoy is beyond the north end of Howard County Road V10 north from IA Rt 9 about 2 miles east of Riceville.) Meet at the Shelter on the north side of Lake Louise near the dam at the south east end of the lake. CONTACT: Dick Worm. (Check http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ )

Project AWARE and Saga of the Ice Cream's Near Tragedy

2011-09-05T00:06:00.000-05:00

DNR's River Clean-up: Little Turkey, Turkey, and Volga Rivers
July 9-16, 2011

At our February White Pine EXCOM meeting, the idea of providing ice cream at one dinner during this year's Project AWARE was brought up due to enjoyment of ice cream at last year's AWARE on the Nishnabotna River. One evening it was provided and hand-dipped by a long-time AWARE participant from that area and another evening by a sponsoring company that had a Schwan's truck come and open up a lot of boxes of ice cream treats. Those were some pretty hot evenings, so the unexpected ice cream extras really hit the spot.

Brian Soenen, Project AWARE director, was contacted about providing ice cream as a White Pine Group in-kind contribution and he thought that sounded great. So, since this year's Project AWARE was located within our Sierra Group's northeast Iowa membership region, our EXCOM agreed to dedicate $100 to the cause: $75 toward an AWARE sponsorship contribution and $25 toward ice cream.

Since this was to be my 6th year of enjoying a full week of AWARE, I easily justified adding to the Group contribution so that a $125 contribution could be recognized as a River Rescue level "sponsorship", getting our Sierra Group name onto this year's AWARE t-shirt. :-) In addition, two other Sierra members added to the contribution to help cover the eventual total of $119.48 worth of ice cream and dry ice.

Jackie Gautsch, AWARE staff organizer, was consulted closer to the AWARE date to determine a "best" location for the ice cream provision related to menu compatibility. Motor Mill on Thursday was selected due to being more "remote" and to add some zest to that night's dessert of Rice Krispie bars. Elkader was Googled and Wilke's grocery store was contacted as a potential source of ice cream and dry ice; but Wilke's directed us to the R&R Dairy, a home operation in Elkader, that has BULK ice cream, dippers, and coolers!!! What a find!

Since Motor Mill was to have the largest dinner attendance during the week due to over 80 Upward Bound youth arriving from the University of Iowa that evening, we settled on providing five 3-gallon tubs of ice cream. R&R suggested there would be 70-80 scoops per 3-gallon tub and Jackie's reference suggested there would be 48 servings per 3-gallon tub. I, being an ice cream glutton, wanted a "serving" to be two scoops, so we figured that 80 scoops per tub would equal about 40 servings per tub which was pretty close to 48 servings per tub each! Whew!!! For flavors, besides the regular vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, Jackie suggested cookies & cream and mint chocolate chip. Cookies & cream went fastest!

R&R later phoned with the news that the owners would be away all day Thursday due to a medical appointment, but that a friend would be at their home and have the ice cream packed in coolers ready to be picked up anytime between 3 and 5 PM. An AWARE van driver would pick up the ice cream and the location of the R&R was passed along. These logistics were working out far easier than we ever expected! All that Jim Fahrion and I would have to do was dip ice cream! Ha-Ha.

Thursday evening's AWARE dinner began being served at 5:45 PM rather than 6 PM due to the large number to be served; and, due to an unexpected shuttle run for folks with cars at the Osbourne Nature Center, the shuttle driver did not even PICK UP the ice cream at R&R Dairy in Elkader until well after 6:15 PM. The R&R helper waiting patiently had even phoned my home wondering if the ice cream was to ever be picked up... a call reported and discovered later via a message left by my wife on my cell phone.

So, the ice cream did not arrive at Motor Mill until 6:45 PM, an hour and 15 minutes later than the 5:30 PM expected arrival time and well after most of the over 210 people there that evening for dinner had eaten their Rice Krispie bar, washed their dishes, and were on their way to the 7 PM evening programs. BIG UGH! Except for the half-consumed cookies & cream, due to many Upward Bound youth stopping by rather than rushing to programs, we were left with the barely scratched surfaces of 5 tubs of ice cream in coolers, now barren of any remaining ice.

What to do??! I happened to have Wilke's grocery store's phone number with me. So, due to the miracle of being able to make phone contact with Wilke's from Motor Mill via my aged cell phone, a very weak signal, and a failing cell phone battery, a cooperative and patient Wilke's employee answered four of the "lost" phone calls and we made headway in my request for freezer space, which WAS available, for storage of the ice cream for use at Friday night's dinner at Osborne. But, how would the ice cream get there?

Tours of the Mill were being given as part of the evening programming. I scurried there to see if our Sierra member, writer and photographer Larry Stone, might be there to let me borrow his car. However, a Motor Mill Restoration Tour fellow, noting my wild-eyed desperation as I searched for Larry or ANY vehicle to commandeer, loaned to me his truck! So, I sped off with the ice cream to the upstairs freezer in Wilke's grocery store, with the help of a nice young man there, by 8:15 PM just before the ice cream melted and well before the store's 9 PM closing time.

I had my own car available Friday evening at Osborne Nature Center so was easily able to get the refrozen, but still perfect, ice cream from Elkader ready to go BEFORE the serving of dinner began and in line just past the caterer's very appropriate strawberry shortcake dessert! Whew!

We were able to serve everyone desiring ice cream and got down to the very last dip of the final (chocolate) tub to be emptied. Jackie and another AWARE staff member even dipped ice cream for a while toward the end so that Jim and I could get our own dinner and have ice cream scooped for us onto our strawberry shortcake! I was then also able to return the two coolers and ice cream dippers to R&R soon after dinner--during a heavy rainstorm that had cooperatively waited for the outdoor dinner hour to end.

We love these little adventures! By the way, I found out later from Larry Stone that the Motor Mill's, Roger, I think, who loaned me his truck, s the mayor of Elkader! Lucky I didn't get stopped for driving the mayor's "stolen" truck!!! Oh, boy!

Some of the repeat folks who DID get ice cream Thursday evening were quite surprised and pleased to see the ice cream available again on Friday evening after an even hotter day on the river than was Thursday! Great planning, they figured! :-) Yup! A perfect "plan" that went awry then had a Plan B develop that worked out so very well! THAT sort of "it" also happens!

Lynette of the AWARE staff may have taken a photo of the ice cream serving operation Friday evening. I was busy dipping and failed to think about such. ME!!! Forget to take a photo!!! Give me a break! I later did take a photo of the empty serving table and the empty cart next to it over which had been draped our Sierra Club banner.

See Ginger's e-mail below. She is a Sierra Club member from the Des Moines area.

Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 11:06 AM
Subject: Ice cream

Dick: Thanks for the wonderful ice cream at Project AWARE. I really enjoyed it and heard many good comments.

I didn't stop to ask about the details. Was it just White Pine Group who provided it? I saw Jim helping you but don't know his last name. I'm glad you had the big Sierra Club sign there; great PR for the club.

Thanks again.
Ginger

The 2011 Project AWARE will be the subject of the program at a Spring White Pine Group meeting preceding the 2012 Project AWARE. Mark April 24 and May 22 as options. See the 2011 t-shirt!!! :-)

Bag It

2011-09-05T00:05:00.000-05:00

Saturdays, September 17 and October 15, 10 AM: The Bag It movie returns to Mindframe Theater in Dubuque (555 JFK Road behind Kennedy Mall.) Free admission thanks to the co-sponsors, including our Sierra White Pine Group that contributed $100 toward the $300 screening fee. To receive and share a movie poster by e-mail contact Beverly.Wagner@loras.edu or Mbalek@cityofdubuque.org .

"Is your life too plastic?"

Traditional Tukey Dinner

2011-09-05T00:04:00.001-05:00

The public is welcome (reservations required--due Thursday October 27, 2011.)

5:30 PM
Social Time: crackers/cider, Sierra Club Calendar sales, photo displays of outing events

6:15 PM
Buffet-style traditional turkey dinner

7:00 PM
Welcome, introductions, door prize drawings (Donations of door prizes are welcome.)

7:30 PM
Program: "Our Iowa Home" introduced by Bob Dunn, captures the mosaic of Iowa.

This visual and musical exploration of the state of Iowa focuses on Iowa's rolling prairie landscape, river valleys, fertile farmland, wildlife, and prairie flowers. It features the nature photography of renowned Iowa photographer, Carl Kurtz of St. Anthony, Iowa, and original music by Dubuque's own Bob Dunn and Lou Fautsch of "Unstrung Heroes" fame. Some songs included in this "geography lesson" of Iowa are "Prairie Sky", "Bend in the River", "Winterwood", "Back to the Hollow", and "Loess Hills Trail". Can you name all 99 counties of Iowa? (Lou Fautsch has also produced "Ticket to Dubuque" with Songs of Dubuque and the Heartland.) Come, relax, and enjoy sights and sounds that describe "Our Iowa Home".

8:30 PM
Clean-up, dish washing.drying (VOLUNTEERS WELCOME), calendar sales, displays.

Saturday Daytime activities at Dick and Jane Worm's Echo Hills/Echo Valley Pond/Faraway Farm south of Dubuque are offered in conjunction with the dinner. Activities beginning at 10:30 AM in this 150-acre conservation area "wilderness" may include Mississippi River bluff, woodland, and prairie hikes; pond fishing and canoeing; campfire; a nature scavenger hunt; and pumpkin carving. RSVP to Dick Worm for more specific details and directions.

Your attendance, donations, and VOLUNTEER contributions increase the level of fund-raising success.

White Pine Group EXCOM 2011

2011-09-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

Charlie Winterwood, Chair
Jim Fahrion, Outings
Dick Worm, Newsletter/Membership
Barb Cooey
Gary Thompson

Appointed officers:
Secretary/Turkey Dinner Fundraiser: Jane Worm
Treasurer: Mike Muir
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood
Publicity: Carol Thompson
Webmaster: Todd Michaels (Local help wanted!)

2012 EXCOM Election

2011-09-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

The EXCOM 2-year terms for Jim Fahrion and Barb Cooey will expire prior to our January 2012 meeting. Barb is spending much of 2011 and 2012 in Alaska, so will not be seeking re-election.

Consider serving our local Sierra Club group by offering to have your name on the ballot to be included in the winter 2011-12 newsletter. Help us as we Explore, Enjoy, and Protect our planet's increasingly vulnerable life-supporting systems.

Spring/Summer Outing Reports

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

To "Explore and Enjoy" are significant aspects of an active Sierra Club membership. Our group offers outings to foster aesthetic explorations that serve as motivators urging us to also "Protect".

The March 13 Keough Indian Mounds Hike took participants back to the days when the Earth's human inhabitants lived much closer to their natural surroundings.

The natural, vivid beauty of slopes of wildflowers in Mississippi Palisades State Park were admired on April 30 by the 14 folks on that early springtime hike. To try to protect that environment, participants also pulled lots of invading garlic mustard along the trail.

30 folks signed in to help with our group's hosting of the American Rivers Catfish Creek Clean-Up in the Mimes of Spain on May 14. Trails and roadsides were included due to the turnout enhanced by college youth and Dubuque's Sustainability Challenge Game. 160 nickel deposit containers were cleaned and redeemed. 181 no-deposit containers were cleaned and recycled. 32 bags of trash, 10 tires, half of a TV set, a kitchen sink, and a huge wooden power line spool were other "collectibles". Appreciation goes to Wayne Buchholtz of the Mines of Spain for providing canoes and Dean Mattoon of city engineering for provision of a lunch delivered by Hy-Vee.

One report about the early June Volga River float trip said all went well with only gnats and one, name withheld, spill at the end causing minor consternation! Water level was good and Volga River SRA ranger was great help.

Editorial Comment

2011-03-10T21:01:00.000-06:00

Dick Worm

I am a dues-paying member of most of the mainstream environmental-conservation organizations that exist, be they national or local; about 36, according to my contribution notebook. So, one can easily imagine the heat radiating from my computer lately with all the pleas for support, be it monetary or for a letter, e-mail, or petition regarding the current legislative debacle in Iowa and Washington, D.C., as the purging and misdirection go on.

We DO need to get the spending under control but what got us into this economic mess? Mostly the wealthy with a distaste for taxation and paying fair salaries and the ploy of Weapons of Mass Destruction (and our enemy on THAT front is winning--as our economy is being decimated as we fight roadside and suicidal will-o-the-wisps as well as our nation's idiotic lust for illegal drugs.)

Anyway, we would cut education and lament our low standing in the world--made obvious by the mindless rhetoric coming from the mouths of some of our politicians and their ditto-heads. I seldom agree with George Will, but his "Flaky Faction Foils Republicans" column in the March 7 Dubuque Telegraph-Herald was right on regarding the "careless, delusional, egomaniacal, spotlight-chasing candidates to whom the sensible American majority would never entrust a lemonade stand, much less nuclear weapons." Take THAT, EIB network.

While abortion is not the best way to curb unwanted and unneeded births, responsible family planning and pregnancy prevention ARE. Where are the Right-To-Lifers for the world's abused, starving, sickened, and jobless and the wildlife being exterminated to make way for "human" overpopulation and egotistical greed? Stay on top of it all!

Dubuque's Sustainable Challenge Game

2011-03-10T21:00:00.000-06:00

Register for the Sustainable 7 Game after March 17 at http://www.dubuque2.org/ and attribute your game play to the Sierra Club and you and the club could both win big>

Each week, complete 7 sustainable tasks and take part in at least one weekly event listed in the Telegraph-Herald or on-line with Dubuque 2 to become prize eligible. Play on!

Single-Use Plastic Bags

2011-03-10T20:50:00.000-06:00

In September 2010, the Dubuque Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission voted to recommend that Dubuque encourage retailers not to use petroleum-based plastic bags at the checkout and that the city adopt a policy of eliminating/minimizing the use of plastic bags through various incentives, with the ultimate goal of eliminating retail bags by 2014.

On September 7, 2010, the Dubuque City Council voted to approve eliminating the use of plastic bags by 2014 and directed city staff to work out a plan for achieving this.

City staff conducted research and met with grocers and retailers. Options are now being explored. During a March 6, 2011 meeting, the staff will share with local community environmental "stakeholder" organizations the research on what other communities have done and the retailers' perspective and will seek further insight for plastic bag reduction.

Public understanding and cooperation will be needed. To assist on that front:

Bag It, the movie; free showing
Mindframe Theater, 555 JFK Road (behind Kennedy Mall)
Mark your calendars and plan to attend one of two FREE showings of the movie Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? (65 min.) The film takes an in-depth look at our cultural love affair with plastics, especially plastic bags, asking such questions as: Are plastic bags really necessary? What are plastic bags made from? What happens to plastic bags after they are discarded? (See the synopsis below.) It will be shown at Mindframe Theater, 555 JFK Rd. on two consecutive Saturdays, March 26 and April 2. Doors open at 9:30 AM with the movie rolling in at 10:00 AM.

Admission is first come, first served, and FREE through the generosity of several local co-sponsors: Mindframe Theater; Wahlert High School's SAVE Club (Students Against Violating the Earth); the Inter-Congregational Ecological Working Group; Green Dubuque; the White Pine Group of Sierra Club; Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green; and Dubuque County Conservation Society. Attendance at either of these showings qualifies as an entry in Dubuque's Sustainability Challenge Game (visit http://www.dubuque2.org/ for details). Also, thanks to Green Dubuque, one rain barrel will be given away as a door prize at each showing.

Synopsis
Americans use 60,000 plastic bags every five minutes, disposable bags that they throw away without much thought. But where is "away"? Where do the bags and other plastics end up, and at what cost to the environment, marine life and human health? Bag It follows "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. Jeb is not a radical environmentalist, but an average American who decides to take a closer look at our cultural love affair with plastics. Jeb's journey in this documentary film starts with simple questions. What he learns quickly grows far beyond plastic bags.

Bag It focuses on plastic as it relates to our society's culture of convenience, our consumption of unnecessary, disposable products and packaging, and our throw away mentality when there really is no more "away".

You make every day Earth Day when you support environmentally conscious products & services.

Program/Meetings

2011-03-10T19:27:00.000-06:00

March 22, 2011
April 28, 2011
May 24, 2011

Mark your calendar and come on out! Presenters put together programs to educate and entertain. Explore and Enjoy with them.

White Pine Group Program/Meetings are held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road, Dubuque. The meeting room is a spacious lounge immediately inside the main entrance. No steps, so easily accessible. Meetings begin with the Program at 7 PM. An EXCOM business meeting follows. Meetings are on the 4th Tuesday. (None in June, July, and December; August has a picnic meeting.)

March 22
Hawaii
Jim and Loretta Fahrion visited Hawaii in early February 2011; Oahu's Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Culture Center; Maui's Road to Hana, Haleakala Volcano before the clouds moved in, and the green Iao Valley; Big Island's Volcanos National Park and Northeast and Kona Coasts.

April 26
Mount Whitney
On August 11, 2010, from 3:15 AM until 7:45 PM, Dick Worm did the 22-mile round trip to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48 at 14,497 feet, ascending 6137 feet along the way. Not often you'll "see a pig" near 14,000 feet... in the U.S., anyway. The Whitney Portal Route up from Lone Pine, CA, is within the John Muir Wilderness. John Muir's (Sierra) birthday is April 21. A "belated" birthday cake will help us celebrate the occasion--as well as Earth Day, April 22.

May 24
Namekagon River, Wisconsin
From October 16-20, Dick Worm canoed Wisconsin's Namekagon River, part of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. Holly Johnson, of the Eagle View (Quad City) Sierra Club Group, also canoed the 28.5 miles from Hayward to the Namekagon Visitor Center in Trego and provided a shuttle ride. Dick, then, soloed the 39.5 miles on to Riverside Landing on the St. Croix River. Not often you'll "see Big Foot" along the Namekagon. What a "fun guy". Other "observations" and fungi complete the story of this pleasant trip.

August 27
Saturday Picnic and Autumn Planning
--at Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm/Echo Valley Pond in Echo Hills, along the Mississippi River. Morning hike and fishing options at 9 AM. Potluck picnic grills will be fired up at 12 noon. Afternoon hikes, swimming, Autumn Olive and honeysuckle eradication, as well as Friday and/or Saturday night camping, fires, and night hikes are other options. Bring your own beverages and all the regular outdoor picnic and camping supplies for being in the woods in August! Camp on pond's dam or at more remote bluff sites. RSVP to Dick or Jane Worm.

Other Events of Interest
What are calendars for? Mess 'em up!

Saturday March 19 Environmental Film Fest 6
Olin Hall, 733 35th St., Augustana College, Rock Island
10 AM - 6 PM. Free movies:
10:30 Carbon Nation
12:15 Living Downstream
1:50 Bag It
3:20 Tapped (water)
4:50 Truck Farm
Healthy snacks all day. Kathryn Allen, Eagle View Group/Sierra Club.

Sunday March 20 "Salute to Songbirds: Exhibit Open House
Program, 1PM; bird hike after; Swiss Valley

Wednesday March 23 "Sustainability Expo"
11 AM - 1 PM
Alumni Hall Ballroom, Loras College, Dubuque

Saturday April 16 Port of Dubuque Earth Day Clean-Up
10 AM - Noon, Ice Harbor park, gear provided, snacks and refreshments afterward, RSVP contact: Vicky Sutter

Friday - Wednesday May 6-11 Superior Hiking Trail Association Programs
Programs Saturday; then hikes (Eagle Mountain, MN highest; Caribou Rock Trail). Hike-in camp at Benson Lake in Crosby-Manitou State Park. Dick Worm.

White Pine 2011 Outings

2011-03-10T10:10:00.001-06:00

Outing participants are expected to sign a liability waiver, a copy of which can be previewed at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/ . RSVP to Outings Chair Jim Fahrion, Editor Dick Worm, or the designated Outing contact person for details and participation plans. Outings often include options. Explore & Enjoy as YOU like!

March 13 (Sunday)
Keough Indian Mounds Hike (postponed from December 11)
Charlie Winterwood will lead this short hike located between East Dubuque and Galena. Meet in Dubuque at 1 PM at the north end of the Hy-Vee parking lot off South Locust St. to carpool to the site. Contact: Charlie.

April 30 (Saturday)
Mississippi Palisades Spring Wildflower Hike
Charlie Winterwood will lead this State Park hike near Savanna, Illinois. Meet in Dubuque in at 9 AM, again at the north end of the Hy-Vee parking lot off South Locust to carpool to the site. Contact: Charlie.

May 14 (Saturday)
National Rivers, Catfish Creek Clean-up
Begin 9 AM at the canoe launch in the Mines of Spain. Canoe and kayak use and shoreline and road/parking lot walks will take place. May expand the area covered as participation level deems. Bring your own gloves. Walkers should wear long pants (nettles) and sturdy shoes. Insect repellent is advisable.

This will be an event of "Dubuque's Sustainability Challenge Game" so participation will be greater and the city will provide a lunch following the clean-up. An RSVP IS NECESSARY for the lunch count and if you wish to have a canoe provided for your use. Contact: Jim Fahrion.

June 3-5 (Friday night - Sunday)
Volga River Canoe/Kayak Outing
Optional camping Friday night at the Volga River State Recreation Area just northeast of Fayette. Otherwise meet by 10 AM on Saturday at the camping area where decisions regarding the river sections to float will be made for Saturday and Sunday.

Canoe options include M Ave. to Volga River State Recreation Area (12.1 miles); on to Heron Road totals 14.4 miles; and on to Wadena totals 21.4 miles. Wadena to Birch Road is not described in "Paddling Iowa". Birch Road to Volga City is 2.5 miles; and then another 6.8 miles to Osborne. (Osborne to Littleport is a scenic 9.4 miles and is the stretch that Project AWARE will clean up on Saturday, July 16.) Littleport on to Garber is about 10 miles.

Bring your own river and camping food but Dutch Oven creations by Bill may very well be available at breakfasts and dinner. RSVP contact: Bill Jamison.

Speaking of Bill Jamison and Dutch Ovens, Bill was asked by NICC to offer a class on Dutch Oven Cooking. The class is scheduled twice at Swiss Valley PARK... on the north side of Swiss Valley Road (at the picnic area, not at the Nature Center) from 10-12 on April 30 and May 21. Cost is $15. Register via NICC by phoning 563-556-5110. The class will include: How to Choose a Dutch Oven (types will be described) and How to Season, Cook with, and Store a Dutch Oven. Wood heat will also be given attention. Check details with Bill. WHAT'S COOKIN' WITH BILL!

July 9-16 (Saturday - Sunday)
Project AWARE on the Little Turkey, Turkey, and Volga Rivers
For details, go to http://www.iowaprojectaware.com/ . Camping will be at Gouldsburg Park (2), Gilbertson Conservation Education Area (2), Elkader City Park, Motor Mill, and Osborne Outdoor Education Center Park. Evening programs may include our own Larry Stone. (Check his website at http://www.larrystonesiowa.com/ .)

Our region's popular "Big Blue Sky" may perform in Elkader. Our White Pine Group will be a "River Rescue" level sponsor donating $125 ($75 plus a donor's $50) and will provide ice cream as an in-kind, hot weather treat contribution one evening. Anyone wish to help with that? Contact: Dick Worm.

Other Events of Note
Natural Gait Cave Concerts
May 21, Celtic, "Switchback"
June 11, Big Blue Sky
July 30, Sawtooth Bluegrass Band
August 19, Switchback
http://www.thenaturalgait.com/

Live Eagle Nest Camera, 24/7
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles/
or
http://www.luther.edu/eaglecam/stream/
ENJOY!!!

Earth Jam with the Banana Slug String Band!

2011-03-10T10:09:00.000-06:00

White Pine Group/Sierra Club display

A free family event! The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency, Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green, and E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center are sponsoring the 2011 Earth Jam featuring the entertaining and conservation oriented songs by the 2-person Banana Slug String Band.

The Earth Jam will begin at the Mines of Spain's E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center at 5:30 PM on Friday, April 15. Displays and children's activities will be from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM. The Banana Slug String Band will perform at 7 PM.

The purpose of the Earth Jam is to educate, inspire, and have entire families participate in making responsible decisions for planet Earth. The event will educate the public through booths and hands-on children's activities. The Banana Slug String band will present environmental message through high energy songs and musical performances! Community environmental partners, including the White Pine Group of the Sierra Club, will provide the displays and activities.

I will check on some children's activities for April 15. I also have collected some recycled bags; from the Phillipines I have one made from newspaper (which was promoted through Sierra magazine) and one made from juice box wrappers which are folded. I have a purse from Uganda made from colorful rolled paper and a woven purse Bill brought from Tanzania. From a woman in Monticello, I have 2 purses and a rug made by crocheting yarn with strips of the traditional plastic trash bags. My students have made purses and shopping bags from juice wrappers and could make up a couple to give away as a required service project.

Western Loop Plans

2011-03-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

July 27 - August 17 or 18

Any parts are open for participation. Check with Dick Worm for more detail about the following ways to Explore and Enjoy.

Colorado
July 27 - 31 or August 1

Creede Repertory Theater--July 28, 29, 30 ("Unnecessary Farce", "I Capture the Castle", "Boomtown Comedy Improv", "How to Succeed in Business", and "Road to Mecca"); acclimatization/scenic hikes on July 29 and forenoon of July 30, with a July 31 or August 1 attempt to scale Fourteener Mount Sneffels (14,150 ft) near Ouray. (Anyone not going to California would leave after Sneffels.)

California Sierras
August 1 - 9 or 10

Leave from Colorado August 1 for a John Muir Trail backpack trek August 3 - 9/10. A permit has been obtained for 8 people to backpack from Devil's Postpile National Monument northwestward to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, with a side trip to the Minarets in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Californians are also being invited to do this portion of the Western Lop. More details can be provided.

However, a lottery drawing has also been submitted for 6 people for a JMT trek from Whitney Portal northward to Onion Valley and, if drawn, would receive primary consideration, leaving the other permit available. Although I day-hiked the Whitney Portal route to Mount Whitney and back last summer (attend the program at the April 26 meeting for that and other JMT details), my cohort for these JMT trips did not, and the only option still available this summer was the Whitney Portal entry permit by lottery. This southernmost section of the John Muir Trail includes the JMT's highest pass, Forester Pass (13,180 feet). The lottery drawing is sometime around March 15.

Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains
August 10 - 17

--To try again for my now bucket-listed "The Arrowhead". This could extend to August 18 or no later than a noon August 19 return to Iowa. Bill Jamison is considering this Idaho option if he gets a travel companion(s).

Meet August 12 near Stanley, ID to backpack from a 6760 ft. trailhead to Hell Roaring Lake (7407 feet) and then ascend a steep, unofficial trail to scenic Clarice Lake (8180 ft.) to base camp two or no more than four nights, for me anyway, depending on conditions to reach "The Arrowhead".

One day-hike/scramble option during the potential August 13, 14, and 15 stay WILL BE "The Arrowhead" (10,579 ft.), passing the ominous "Finger of Fate" spire before the near vertical, ought-to-be-awesome view of the Cramer Lakes Basin, 2200 feet below.

Other treks from relatively small Clarice Lake (so its island is an easy swim away) may include views of Profile Lake, Mount Cramer (10,716 ft), Sevy Peak and other peaks, lakes and waterfalls. Exit via the same route on August 16 to begin the drive homeward, arriving late on August 17, at the earliest.

Other options for some folks may include only a day-hike to Clarice Lake skipping The Arrowhead and backpacking on to Imogene Lake from Hell Roaring to possibly camp on an "island" to enjoy an easier day-hike up a lake- and waterfall-strewn valley, apparently popular for fishing.

Iowa Environmental Council

2011-03-10T10:07:00.000-06:00

From Iowa Environmental Council's web site:

You can open this as a PDF file at http://www.iaenvironment.org/documents/ENews_03_2011.pdf

If Enacted, Bill Would Cripple Iowa's Air Quality Program

To cover budget shortfalls and keep a federally mandated state air quality program operating, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recommended increasing emissions fees charged to all facilities that are major sources of air pollution, but lawmakers have introduced a bill in an attempt to block that from happening.

House File 402 would cap the per-ton emissions fees charged to big emitters of air pollutants under Title V of the federal Clear Air Act at their current rate. The bill also forbids the use of some potential sources of revenue that could help offset the emissions-based loss of income, such as charging fees for new-construction permits.

Currently, fees are based on the first 4,000 tons of emissions for each covered pollutant and are used to cover the cost of operating this air program at the DNR. A process to revise the fee system was approved by the Environmental Protection Commission in January and is underway at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Lee Searles, air quality program director for the non-profit Iowa Environmental Council, said the impacts of HF 402 would be felt as soon as July and could result in the loss of 23 jobs that are high-quality professional jobs in engineering, permit review, monitor evaluation and analysis, small business support, and community support services.

"Business and industry interests in Iowa seem to support House File 402, even though it would probably make Iowa's air quality programs fall out of compliance with federal Clean Air Act requirements. That could lead to a loss of our state-friendly program and its replacement by federal agency authority," said Searles.

Action Alert: e-mail to your legislators, asking them to vote "NO" on this bill.
For Questions: Lee Searles, 515-244-1194 ext 204, searles@iaenvironment.org

Question for Governor Branstad: "Why Transfer Department of Natural Resource's Water Quality Programs to the Iowa Department of Agriculture?"

The Iowa Environmental Council is opposing measures to move Iowa‘s water quality programs from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Legislators say these Senate and House bills have come at the request of the Governor and say this is because water quality programming can be done "more efficiently" if given to the Secretary of Agriculture.

"I have seen no study or assessment that shows this move will create efficiencies, save money or continue to provide protections for our water quality," said Marian Riggs Gelb, executive director for the Iowa Environmental Council.

Riggs Gelb also noted that no other U.S. Governor has abdicated his or her water quality protection responsibilities to an elected official.

"Why does Governor Branstad want to do this? Where is the explanation or study or data that demonstrates the efficiencies? I think the public would like to have the answers to these questions," said Riggs Gelb.

Rules previous promulgated under the DNR programs being transferred would have to be reviewed and possibly rescinded and their rule making processes begun again by IDALS--processes that could take years and cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additional staff would have to be added to IDALS as they do not currently have the expertise on staff to conduct the programs.

Bill numbers are currently being assigned to these study bills, which passed out of Senate and House Committees last week. Sign up to receive Action Alerts on this and other bills at the Council's Action Alert center where we make it easy for you to contact your elected officials.

Proposed Legislation Fast Tracks New Nuclear in Iowa

The Iowa House and Senate are moving quickly on legislation to promote new nuclear power in Iowa. Identical bill language has been introduced in the House (HSB 124) and Senate (SSB 1144). The legislation would require MidAmerican Energy to submit an application to build a new nuclear reactor and would provide extensive special treatment for nuclear power, including the following partial list:

Allows MidAmerican to raise rates to pay for the plant during the application and construction process;
Exempts nuclear power from the "reasonable alternative" planning and review process that applies to all other forms of electrical generation;
Allows MidAmerican to keep all the money it gets from increased rates, even if the company never builds the plant;
Constrains how the regulators at the Iowa Utilities Board, and the courts, can review MidAmerican's proposed nuclear plant.

One of the concerns about this legislation is that it creates such favorable policy for new nuclear power that it will disadvantage clean energy, including wind, solar, and energy efficiency. Iowa has made great progress realizing the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy in recent years, but there remains great untapped potential, if we can stay focused and advance the right mix of energy policy.

Nuclear Information and Resource Service

2011-03-10T10:06:00.000-06:00

March 3, 2011

Michael Mariotte
Executive Director, Nuclear Information and Resource Service
nirsnet@nirs.org
http://www.nirs.org/

In this era of Congressional budget-slashing, with programs that actually benefit real people on the chopping block, we think it's time to step up the demands:

Tell Congress, and our Iowa Legislators, not only must it oppose new taxpayer subsidies for new reactor construction, but Congress must cut the existing program to zero!

And the good news today is that the American people agree! According to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News public opinion poll released this morning, cutting subsidies for new reactors is the single most popular possible budget cut, with 57% finding such cuts either completely or mostly acceptable.

The existing Department of Energy loan "guarantee" program has $10.2 Billion in unspent money for new reactor construction and another $2 Billion for uranium enrichment plants. Why should Congress be cutting programs like legal services for the poor, public broadcasting, college loans, and dozens of other programs when that money is sitting there and should never be used anyway?

In the sometimes make-believe world of Congressional budgeting, that funding actually only shows up as $120 million--but that's still a lot of money that could be spent on much more important things. The reality is, since these nuclear loan "guarantees" are actual loans from the federal treasury--make-believe budgeting or not--that's more than $12 Billion that would be going out the door, with far too much risk that it would never be seen again. And, of course, President Obama (what is he thinking?) wants to increase the nuclear loan program by another $36 Billion in next year's budget!

National Club Election Coming This Spring

2011-03-10T10:05:00.000-06:00

One candidate is from the Upper Midwest.

The annual election for the Club's Board of Directors is now underway. The Sierra Club is unique among major national environmental organizations in its emphasis on democratic election of leaders. Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will receive in the mail (or by Internet if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot. This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on the Club's website.

The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. The Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grass roots membership in order to function well. Generally, voting has now dropped to about 10% of those receiving a ballot. This is an alarming trend for democracy within the Club. It is also discouraging considering the major commitment the Club makes in financial, staff, and volunteer resources to provide the opportunity for all members to vote each year.

Steve Krieg,
Chief Inspector of Election
Tuesday February 15, 2011

White Pine Group EXCOM, 2011

2011-03-10T10:04:00.000-06:00

Charlie Winterwood, Chair
Jim Fahrion, Outings
Dick Worm, Newsletter/Membership
Barb Cooey
Gary Thompson

Appointed Officers:
Secretary/Turkey Dinner Fundraiser: Jane Worm
Treasurer: Mike Muir
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood
Publicity: Carol Thompson
Webmaster: Todd Michaels (Local help wanted!)

2011 EXCOM Election

2011-03-10T10:03:00.000-06:00

Candidates Charlie, Dick, and Gary were... uhmm, overwhelmingly elected. No write-in could muster any votes. We thank Bill Jamison for his terms of service to the EXCOM and his continuing assistance with outings. Consider offering your voice this December when yet another EXCOM election will be the center of heated controversy and tummy turning excitement as one candidate after one candidate are sought from among the minions.

Winter Outing Reports

2011-03-10T10:02:00.000-06:00

To "Explore and Enjoy" ought to be significant aspects of active Sierra Club membership. Our group offers outings to foster aesthetics. Reports describe what might also encourage actions to "Protect".

Backbone Cabin Outing
January 28-30
18 participants including more than the usual number of 2-night stays; and contributions of clementines by Holly, "health food" dessert by Buck, grapes by David, and homemade bread by John, that were recorded, helped create an outing profit of $117.90 . Another $20 general donation from an expiring member raised the recent income to $137.90 . THANKS--it's going toward the Bag It movie screening fee and a sponsorship contribution to Project Aware.

Whitewater Canyon Outing
February 12
Deep, clumpy snow and a cool breeze didn't keep over 16 folks away... and the clusters of ghostly stalactites of ice near one cave's entrance added some haunting mystique to the snowshoe and x-country ski trekking.

Some Coming Events of Note

2011-03-10T10:01:00.000-06:00

Bag It: The Movie
Saturdays, March 26 and April 2
10 AM
Mindframe Theater, Dubuque
Our White Pine Group contributed $100 toward the $300 screening fee.

Earth Jam and Banana Slug String Band
Friday, April 15
5:30 PM activity, 7 PM band performance
Lyons Center, Mines of Spain

We will have a display and activity. Come/Enjoy!

Earth Day
April 22
Do some good for the environment this Good Friday. Make an Earth Day resolution sustaining Mother Earth.

Turkey Dinner Fundraiser Report

2010-12-10T17:16:00.000-06:00

The 2010 Fundraiser Dinner on November 6 was another successful event. We wish to thank all those who attended: particularly the 25 or so hikers from the Mississippi Trails Hiking Club (Thanks, Howard Higley), the 15 or so from Roosevelt School (Thanks, Stephanie Yager), and the 15 or so associated with the Larry Troester "Fan Club"! (Thanks, Larry!)

The meal this year included the addition of creamy mashed potatoes that were a hit. And, the cranberry recipes keep getting better and better! Many praises were heard regarding the quality of the meal. Some foods and their contributors included:

Turkeys: Jane Worm (3) and Charlie Winterwood
Cranberries: Terrie Lenger, Sheila Schultz, Margreet Ryan
Dressing: Kevin Kane
Mashed Potatoes: Alaine Jamison, Jane Worm, Butchie Thompson
Desserts: Mike Muir, Jim Fahrion, Ann Ernst, Barb Cooey, Sheila Schultz, Linda Schroeder, Becky Reisch, Butchie Thompson, and several anonymous donors!

[We'll surely miss others, now, also:]

Door and Pumpkin Carving Prizes were contributed by Jack Rolling, Margreet Ryan, Barb Cooey, Dick and Jane Worm.
Cash Contributions came from Carol and Lee McClenahan, J. Ryan, Dave Hansn, Dick Weber, and Anonymous. (In Kind: some Jane Worm foods.)
Friday set-up helpers included Charlie Winterwood and Buck Schultz.
Saturday's (Early Help) was Becky Reisch, who also was among the numerous kitchen helpers during the Dinner and who took over the "command post" for a while when Jane Worm cut her finger!
Take down and Van Loading helpers included Stephanie Yager, Gary and Butchie Thompson, and many more during that hubub. THANKS ALL!

Sierra Club Calendars Still For Sale

2010-12-10T17:15:00.000-06:00

Six wall calendars (featuring majestic scenes from around our nation) for $10 and five Engagement Calendars (featuring unique views of animals, plants, snow, sky, rocks, reflections, and more) for $11 are still available. Great as a Sierra Club gift and for keeping a daily record of activity and upcoming Sierra Club outings and meetings! Bargain prices contribute to our fundraising total. Free delivery! To order your 2010 calendars, contact Dick Worm.

Newsletter Mailing

2010-12-10T17:14:00.000-06:00

The mailing label count for this newsletter is 329. 126 are Dubuque; 62 are Decorah. Oelwein has 10; Guttenberg has 8. Bellevue, Waukon, and West Union have 7. 6 go to Maquoketa and Crexco. Durango, Elkader, and Manchester each get 5. 4 go to Bernard, Peosta, Calmar, and Lansing. Dyersville, Sherrill, and Strawberry Point receive 3. 12 ZIP codes receive 2; 24 other ZIP codes get 1 apiece.

If you would care to get involved with contacting fellow Sierrans near you for carpooling or outing/event planning in your region, let an EXCOM member know and we'll help you make the contacts.

Cell phone calling makes member contact more convenient now, but our EXCOM has not made that a priority as we leave it up to our members to participate and contribute as they wish; but we do have a yearning to get to know more of our members and their conservation and environmental interests.

Add a note with your EXCOM election ballot. Let us know your Sierra motivations and activity interests. Our state & nation will face rough times ahead regaring conservation priorities so sharing our visions and common values will help encourage involvement with the fate of nature's offerings.

More Turkey Dinner Details

2010-12-10T17:13:00.000-06:00

Prizes and Recipients included:

Roosevelt Middle School Pumpkin Carving Awards
Grossest: Tiger Torres "Dangling Eyeball"
Most Work: Kendra Diemst
Traditional: Pooja Patel
Honorable Mentions included pumpkins featuring an Iowa Tiger Hawk, the most feathers, the biggest mouth, and the best motor skills by the carver so the youth received a simple prize but also a barbecue set and beverage insulating coozies were selected.

Door prizes and recipients who selected that prize:
Rain coat: Cole Kass
Candy Jar: Kyrea Kass
Two River Museum passes: Jennifer Thompson
"Making a Difference" t-shirts: Jim Clancy and Bill Misko
Stocking cap and scarf: Ruth Clancy
Framed stained glass duck: Joan Higley
Cook and bake pan set: Karen Chesterman
Metal water bottle: Dave Weitz
Knit cap: Jan Zivognovich
Walking stick: Mary Jo Shearer
XC ski book: Mike Colson
Backpacking book: Larry Troester
Fleece blanket: Vanita Bries
Freeze-dried dessert for 4: Dan Ernst
Frisbee collection: Ellen Reisch
Sierra Club calendar: Sheila Schultz

The Roosevelt Middle School youth, parents, and teachers arrived at Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm at 11:30 AM. A hike to climb up onto the Rock Column; and lunch on the river bluff were followed by a hike back along the bluff to a step descent to the outwash delta at the edge of the Mississippi River where the youth picked up trash left by high water. A barrel was left there for later extrication. A trail led the youth up along a gully back to the pond where pumpkin carving took place. Highlights during the hike included a spider tree; "tete de morts" rocks; a gigantic cottonwood tree, and acorn whistles.

The Fund Raising aspect of the Dinner included:
106 dinners served
$920 from meals and cash contributions
$139 from calendar sales
Income of $1059.
Expenses included $25 for use of the First Congregational Church social room and kitchen and $125 for food.
Net income = $909
After paying for the calendar order, the checking account balance on Nov. 6 was $85.36. Current balance is $994.36.

Program about Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal had only one glitch: click of wrong key took program back to beginning--for a quick review before the test!

Interpretive Sign at Mines of Spain

2010-12-10T17:12:00.000-06:00

...that the White Pine Group/Sierra Club helped purchase with a $200 donation

You asked about the interpretive sign that the Sierra Club helped in purchasing: it is on the Pine Chapel Trail over at the EB Lyons Interpretive Center. I felt it would get good use there. The sign talks about the various types of habitats in the park, i.e. prairies, forests, wetlands. If you go down the Pine Chapel Trail from the center, the sign is at the bottom of the hill near four benches. I plan to put concrete around the base of it when we have the funding and time.

Thanks for checking on this sign. We put all new signs on the center trails and at the JD Monument. They have all been well-received.

Thanks,

Wayne Buchholtz/Park Ranger
Mines of Spain Recreation Area

Winter Outings, Events, and Meeting/Programs

2010-12-10T17:11:00.000-06:00

2010 White Pine Group, Sierra Club

December 11 (Saturday)
Keough Indian Mounds Hike
Charlie Winterwood will lead a short hike at this site. Meet just east of the Hy-Vee gas pumps at the north end of the Hy-Vee parking lot on South Locust St. in Dubuque (near the US 20 Illinois bridge) at 9 AM to carpool to the Indian Mounds location. Those of us with showshoes will blaze a trail as needed. Plan is to return to Hy-Vee by noon. Contact Charlie Winterwood.

December 13-14 (Monday night - early Tuesday)
Geminid Meteor Shower
See article elsewhere in this newsletter. Assuming the sky will be clear--and COLD, anyone want to try to winter tent out in the boonies at Faraway Farm that Monday night--to watch the display from near a warming fire? Contact Dick (Frozen Toe Tip) Worm.

January 15 (Saturday)
Bald Eagle Watch
Grand River Center, Port of Dubuque. 9 AM - 4:30 PM. Raptor programs at 9:30, 12:15, and 3:00. Pella Wildlife Programs at 11 and 1:45. Shuttle to Eagle Viewing with scopes from 9-4 at Lock and Dam #11. Exhibits, vendors, and children's activities. [Audubon Society arranges volunteer help. Contact Nita.]

January 25 (Tuesday)
White Pine Group Meeting/Program
Utah's Fisher Towers and Escalante River Service Trips (& Goblin Valley)
Jim Fahrion and Dick Worm. 7 PM, St. Peter Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Road, Dubuque. Meeting follows the program. Trail work near the spectacular pillars of Fisher Towers and Russian Olive removal along the remote Escalante River are featured; as well as a side trip among uniquely shaped rock formations in Goblin Valley.

January 28-30 (Friday - Sunday)
White Pine Group Hosts Chapter Backbone State Park Cabins Outing
Two of the heated, 2-story cabins each with 2 bathrooms and 1 shower have been reserved (maximum of 11 people each.) One-night stays are $20, and two-night stays are $30. Five meals at $4/meal will be RSVP provided beginning with Friday night dinner. Half-price youth rates (age 12 and under) can be arranged. Enjoy frozen Backbone Lake directly down slope from the cabins. Trek via x-country skiing/snowshoeing/hiking around Backbone Lake; trek to and on the Backbone ridge and its Devil's Oven; experience a thrilling Crevice Slide; trek to Richmond Spring and the Cave. RSVP for snowshoe provision. Enjoy evening campfires, table and card games, and conversation. Accommodations include four bedrooms with double beds; two single beds, two 2-person futons, and floor space and can be reserved on a reasonable, order-of-reservation basis. Several reservation requests have already been received, but space is still available, particularly for Friday night. Maps and logistical details will be provided prior to the event. Contact Dick Worm.

February 12 (Saturday)
Whitewater Canyon Cross-Country Ski/Snowshoe Outing along Whitewater Creek
Meet at 1 PM at the Whitewater Creek Wildlife Area parking lot. Follow signs southward onto D-53 and Curoe Road from US 151 between Sundown Road (Y-21) and Fillmore Park east-northeast of Cascade. For more specific details about the adventure, contact Bill Jamison. Snowshoes may be able to be provided via Swiss Valley Park (contact Dick Worm).

February 22 (Tuesday)
White Pine Group Meeting/Program
Border Route Trail (Northern Minnesota)
Seven days of backpacking (Sept. 14-20, 2010) were sandwiched between two days of day-hiking (Sept. 13 and 21) as White Pine Group members Wayne McDermott and Dick Worm experienced the wonders along the 65-mile Border Route Trail (BRT) that parallels the international border between Minnesota and Canada. The first 8.7 mile day-hike began at the far west end of the BRT and followed the Magnetic Rock Trail to that awesome slab pointing skyward; then progressed on to Loon Lake. The backpacked section, mainly through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area began near the east end of the BRT and went westward from McFarland Lake back to Loon Lake. The BRT campsites were BWCA camps along Pine, Clearwater (2), Rose, and Partridge Lakes. Spectacular, bluff top views into Canada across those and other, many lakes highlighted the colorful scenery. The rock column in front of a view of Rose, Rat, and South Lake used as the BRT trail marker "symbol" was the most satisfying "discovery" along the way. The final "campsite" was a truly primitive camp established near Bridal Veil Falls above Gunflint Lake. Among many other unique, natural features were the burned and sculptured tree trunks shaped by a recent forest fire. Much trail clearing maintenance was accomplished along the way. The final 12.3 mile day-hike began at the east end of the BRT and went westward back to McFarland Lake. Besides more woodland and bluff top views of the Swamp River and South Fowl Lake, a section of tail along the Pigeon River that there IS the border with Canada was a major attraction during that final day-hike. 'Twas a nice ending to an active summer.

Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green

2010-12-10T17:10:00.000-06:00

Mark and reserve on your 2011 Sierra Club Calendar the date of Friday, April 15. The Banana Slug Band is coming to the Mines of Spain's E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center that evening as part of a possible late afternoon Eco Expo there. Booked by KDCCG. Others will get involved. Plan to join in on the fun!!

Butchie and Gary Thompson, besides their own personal motivations, have served as our White Pine Group ambassadors to the "Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green" organization since its inception. Four of our Sierra Group members were among the six KDCCG volunteers who did a Swiss Valley Road ditch clean-up from US 20 to the Nature Center entrance on Sunday afternoon, November 14. Among the "yet to be sorted and cleaned" three bags of recyclables (including a few large brown beer bottles that seem to always accumulate along that section of the road) and several other bags of general trash was the discovery of a discarded meth lab in two duffel bags. It was soon removed by the law enforcement security team that deals with such matters and contents provided a potential lead regarding the perpetrators. Butchie prepared the following report about KDCCG. Please consider supporting this organization by getting onto the mailing list and participating when you can.

In October 2006 we received a letter from the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste agency and the City of Dubuque inviting us to an informational meeting on community beautifcation with an emphasis on litering. The litering part caught our eyes. We have been complaining for years about the trash along our roadways and decided that this might be a way to "put our money where our mouth is."

At the meeting Gerry Schnepf from Keep Iowa Beautiful talked about how we could organize and participate in community betterment programs by becoming an affiliate.

Keep Iowa Beautiful works to:

Assist communities and organizations in cleanup and beautification projects by establishing rain gardens, combating invasive species, and conducting neighborhood paint-up events.
Promote littering and illegal dumping enforcement.
Increase public awareness of the costs of littering.
Improve waste minimization and recycling.
Help fund and provide beautification education programs.

We're happy to say that Keep Dubuque County Clean & Green was formed a year later. We are supported by the DMASWA through staff time and some financial assistance. Other agencies providing support and volunteers include Dubuque County Conservation Board, IDNR Mines of Spain, Public Works Dept., Police Dept., Sierra Club, Audubon Society, various neighborhood associations and the National Mississippi Museam.

Since then we have held numerous cleanups on streets, roads, and rivers; pushed for a covered load policy at our land fill; worked with the Green Vision Education program to help schools earn their litter-free patch; asked for Dubuque County's assistance to start an Adopt-a-Road program and affixed "No Dumping; Drains to River" label to the city's storm sewers with members of Green Dubuque. Currently our focus is on illegal dumping.

To learn more we have a wonderful web site www.dubuque-cleanandgreen.org created by our then 13-year-old member. Check it out! Also we would welcome new faces with fresh ideas.

Victory for Iowa's Water, Soils, Outdoors

2010-12-10T17:09:00.000-06:00

From: Lynn Laws, Iowa Environmental Council
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 3:48 PM
To: Richard Worm

Yesterday's voters can tell tomorrow's grandchildren that they not only understood the long-term need to protect water quality and top soil in Iowa, they acted on behalf of their protection in an era when our country's political leaders often used only one, short-term measure of success--economic growth.

On November 2, in a year with a high turnout at the polls and Iowans divided on many issues, voters sent an overwhelming message of commitment to the protection of Iowa's natural resources. Almost two-thirds of Iowa voters approved an amendment to the Iowa constitution to create a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

The trust fund will begin to accrue an estimated $150 million a year the next time Iowa legislators approve a sales tax increase. A regular audit will be conducted to ensure monies are used only for specific conservation and recreation work as outlined in a bill passed earlier this year.

Coalition members of the campaign called Iowa Water and Land legacy are celebrating today. "This is a win for all Iowans," said Marian Riggs Gelb, executive director for the Iowa Environmental Council. "We can attribute this overwhelming victory to the power of coalition--of people working together to accomplish much more than anyone could alone," said Gelb.

One hundred and thirty organizations representing over 300,000 Iowans have worked together since 2005 to first, examine how best to create state funding for natural resources in a way that protected designated funds from being raided for other uses. Later the coalition worked to educate Iowans on how the money would be spent, to protect the intent of the fund by passing legislation that spells out the allocation of the funds, and to get out the vote.

"Much work is still ahead of us, but today is a day for celebrating," said Gelb.

New Blog: Chemistry and Nutrition

2010-12-10T17:08:00.000-06:00

From: Alaine Jamison (Alaine teaches at East Dubuque High School)
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2010 3:07 PM
To: Richard Worm

Ever need a question answered about chemistry or nutrition? I have emailed my daughter, Tressa, at various times with questions students ask or statements they make, such as, "Is eating margarine like eating plastic?" or, "Why not heat your food with plastic wrap around it?"

She gives me her scientific answer and my students are pleased to get the correct info. So Tressa has decided to set up a blog to answer such questions. See the email below if you want the address and shoot her an email of something you always wanted to know.

- Alaine

From: Tressa Allington

Hey Mom,

By popular demand, here's my new blog: http://asksciencelady.blogspot.com/

I even cited your class on here. You could invite your foods class to submit questions if you want. Although, I'm not sure if the "submit question" function is working. Also, feel free to forward to all of your health nut friends, bike club, Sierra Club, the works.

-Tressa

An E-newsletter and/or an Outings Website

2010-12-10T17:07:00.000-06:00

Anyone locally with website or desktop publishing knowledge is encouraged to contact Alaine Jamison.

From: Alaine Jamison
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 1:23 PM
To: Richard Worm

For the newsletter, I would still like to get something developed for a website or e-newsletter for those wanting to go with that. It could save some of the club's funds to do something besides buy stamps, maybe plant a few trees or other signage. Environmentally it would be better as well and pictures would be clearer and in color, too.

Geminid Meteor Shower Defies Explanation

2010-12-10T17:06:00.000-06:00

Space Weather News

Dec. 6, 2010: The Geminid meteor shower, which peaks this year on Dec. 13th and 14th, is the most intense meteor shower of the year. It lasts for days, is rich in fireballs, and can be seen from almost any point on Earth.

It's also NASA astronomer Bill Cooke's favorite meteor shower--but not for any of the reasons listed above.

"The Geminids are my favorite," he explains, "because they defy explanation."

Most meteor showers come from comets, which spew ample meteoroids for a night of 'shooting stars.' The Geminids are different. The parent is not a comet but a weird rocky object named 3200 Phaethon that sheds very little dusty debris--not nearly enough to explain the Geminids.

"Of all the debris streams Earth passes through every year, the Geminids' is by far the most massive," says Cooke. "When we add up the amount of dust in the Geminid stream, it outweighs the other streams by factors of 5 to 500."

This makes the Geminids the 900-lb gorilla of meteor showers. Yet 3200 Phaethon is more of a 98-lb weakling.

3200 Phaethon was discovered in 1983 by NASA's IRAS satellite and promptly classified as an asteroid. What else could it be? It did not have a tail; its orbit intersected the main asteroid belt; and its colors strongly resembled that of other asteroids. Indeed, 3200 Phaethon resembles main belt asteroid Pallas so much, it might be a 5-kilometer chip off that 544 km block.

"If 3200 Phaethon broke apart from asteroid Pallas, as some researchers believe, then Geminid meteoroids might be debris from the breakup," speculates Cooke. "But that doesn't agree with other things we know."

Researchers have looked carefully at the orbits of Geminid meteoroids and concluded that they were ejected from 3200 Phaethon when Phaethon was close to the sun--not when it was out in the asteroid belt breaking up with Pallas. The eccentric orbit of 3200 Phaethon brings it well inside the orbit of Mercury every 1.4 years. The rocky body thus receives a regular blast of solar heating that might boil jets of dust into the Geminid stream.

Could this be the answer?

To test the hypothesis, researchers turned to NASA's twin STEREO spacecraft, which are designed to study solar activity. Coronagraphs onboard STEREO can detect sungrazing asteroids and comets, and in June 2009 they detected 3200 Phaethon only 15 solar diameters from the sun's surface.

What happened next surprised UCLA planetary scientists David Jewitt and Jing Li, who analyzed the data. "3200 Phaethon unexpectedly brightened by a factor of two," they wrote. "The most likely explanation is that Phaethon ejected dust, perhaps in response to a break-down of surface rocks (through thermal fracture and decomposition cracking of hydrated minerals) in the intense heat of the Sun."

Jewitt and Li's "rock comet" hypothesis is compelling, but they point out a problem: The amount of dust 3200 Phaethon ejected during its 2009 sun-encounter added a mere 0.01% to the mass of the Geminid debris stream--not nearly enough to keep the stream replenished over time. Perhaps the rock comet was more active in the past...?

"We just don't know," says Cooke. "Every new thing we learn about the Geminids seems to deepen the mystery."

This month Earth will pass through the Geminid debris stream, producing as many as 120 meteors per hour over dark-sky sites. The best time to look is probably between local midnight and sunrise on Tuesday, Dec. 14th, when the Moon is low and the constellation Gemini is high overhead, spitting bright Geminids across a sparkling starry sky.

Bundle up, go outside, and savor the mystery.

DNR Investigates Fish Kill in Dubuque County

2010-12-10T17:05:00.000-06:00

Iowa Sierra Club, December 2, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT: Rick Martens at Manchester DNR field office

BERNARD--Surface-applied manure from Bernard County Dairy on a partially frozen 40-acre field west of Bernard resulted in runoff that killed more than 2,000 fish in an unnamed stream following rains on Monday.

DNR investigation revealed that factors contributing to the manure runoff were minimal corn stock residue, field slope, inadequate separation distances, limited manure incorporation and not checking the area for recent drainage improvements. The manure applicator was Gansen Pumping, Inc. of Zwingle.

Dead fish included minnows, shiners, chubs, suckers, dace and a few sunfish. No game fish were killed.

"This incident highlights the need for manure application planning and for choosing low risk areas for application," said DNR Environmental Specialist Rick Martens.

The DNR will continue to monitor the situation and consider enforcement action.

EXCOM Election

2010-12-10T17:04:00.000-06:00

The terms of three of our Group's EXCOM members expire at the end of this year: Charlie Winterwood, Dick Worm, and Bill Jamison. So, for 2011, an odd-numbered year, we are to elect three EXCOM members. Three members have graciously volunteered to have their names placed on the ballot. Vote for three and space is provided for write-in options. (Offer YOUR name for the ballot next year!)

The Sierra Club takes pride in being one of only a very few grassroots organizations holding member elections for its volunteer leadership by sending ballots to ALL of its membership for a particular Club entity.

Program and outing ideas are also welcome!! Jot some down as your ideas may help stimulate some new thinking and active participation.

An extra ballot is included for two-member residences. If we failed to catch that for you, let us know and we can provide the additional ballot.

No matter your level of participation, THANKS for being a valued member supporting "the cause."

Charlie Winterwood: Current and long-time Chair of the Group who handles most of the environmental action within the Group. Field Trip coordinator for the Audubon Society and bird identification expert.
Gary Thompson: Former EXCOM member willing to serve again. Active with Keep Dubuque County Clean and Green. Participates in most Group Outings and enjoys kayaking, bicycling, and travel.
Dick Worm: Current Newsletter and Membership Chair with interests in wilderness and service trip adventures. Willing to organize distant LOCO Folks & Sierra Outings. More of John Muir Trail in CA in 2011.

Mail the ballot and suggestions for Group activities and operations by January 15, 2011 to Jim Fahrion. Thanks--your support and participation is appreciated.

White Pine Group EXCOM, 2010

2010-12-10T17:03:00.000-06:00

Charlie Winterwood, Chair
Jim Fahrion, Vice Chair
Dick Worm, Newsletter/Membership
Barb Cooey
Bill Jamison

Appointed officers:
Secretary/Turkey Dinner Fundraiser: Jane Worm
Outings: Gary Thompson
Treasurer: Mike Muir
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood
Publicity: Carol Thompson

2011 EXCOM Election

2010-12-10T17:02:00.000-06:00

The White Pine Group EXCOM election ballots for 2011 are included with this newsletter. Please vote and use the same mailing opportunity to suggest outing, program, or project ideas. You DO have ideas for activity & involvement. The 2-year terms for Charlie, Dick, and Bill expire, and Sierra Club's unique, grass-roots elections encourage more candidates than positions available. No joke! RSVP.

Autumn Outing Reports

2010-12-10T17:01:00.000-06:00

To "Explore and Enjoy" are major aspects of active Sierra Club membership. Our Group provides opportunities to achieve those ends. Brief reports describe outings and adventures that may also encourage action to "Protect." Send us a report on an exploration that you have enjoyed?

Border Route Trail, MN (9/12-22)
Meeting/Program topic on February 22. Good weather and scenic; but WAS a challenge at times!

Kaufman Ave. Prairie Work Day (11/18)
Work canceled due to weather but explored, anyway! Jim reported not aware such existed in Dubuque.

Autumnal Equinox Full Moon & Jupiter Hike at Mines of Spain (11/23)
Cloudy & drizzly so didn't hike. It happens! An RSVP helps.

Yellow River SF/Unit Hike & Natural Gait Cave Concert (10/9)
Got directions to a trail to overlooks of the Yellow River Valley. Off-trail, found a short crevice to explore & a unique tree with scars where it once grew into the rock bluff next to it! The Natural Gait's Black Forest Trail was "dark and dense" but had neat wildlife plaques along the way. The Michelle Lynn Cave Concert up on an Ion Exchange bluff face enjoyed perfect autumn weather. Camped 11/8 at N. Gait.

Namekagon River Tip (10/15-20)
Canoed 68 miles from Hayward, WI, to Riverside Landing (on the St. Croix River.) Light drizzle for a few minutes the final day. Good shoreline wilderness campsites each night. Saw turtles, otters, eagles, ducks, geese. Negotiated "rapids" and big rocks without mishap. Only a couple of very short step-out-of-the-canoe needs. Good Trego Dam portage.

Ram Hollow/Hoffman DNR Wildlife Area Hike (11/13)
Weather looked questionable, but the rain held off as six intrepid hikers crossed the Trout Stream east of Colesburg; climbed to an impressive rock outcrop, crossed another small stream, investigated a rock wall and related rock gap; noted a gigantic sinkhole; followed a previously recorded GPS setting to an impressive rocky gorge lined by a couple of cliff face caves and gigantic White Pine trees; collected five bags of trash at a GPS-recorded old dump site; and carried the bags back to the parking area. Mission accomplished!

Finley's Landing Hike (11/21)
Six folks crossed a bridge at this Dubuque County Park to reach a ridge above the Mississippi River shore; circled to a beaver-gnawed woodland & high prairie; and partook of brats on a sandy beach.

Winter 2006-2007 Outings Report

2007-03-07T12:17:00.004-06:00

The Eden Valley Refuge Cabin Outing, December 15-16, didn't have any snow this year but the fire in the cabin's stove still felt good. The trails, swinging bridge, look-out tower, and high bluffs make this area quite varied and interesting. We even gave a cabin tour to a young couple and their two children who happened by and who now may rent that cabin themselves someday.

The Winter Solstice camping on the bluff at Nelson-Dewey State Park, December 22-23, was a bit windy and cold, but two geocaches were found there, a hike to a high bluff preserve just south of Cassville was new to us, but a three part geocache search at Wyalusing ended when the second one could not be found :( . Maybe next time.

The Backbone Cabin Outing, January 19-21, faced changes but a plumber arrived to repair the burst water pipe in Cabin #9 due to the previous weekend's occupants turning OFF the heat. Ooops! Only 13 enjoyed the timely snowfall and frozen lake surface. Iowa and it was found under the snow in a remote section of the park. One fellow even joined Dick on the crevice slide. YES!!

February 3 Whitewater Canyon trek was froze out but 18 braved it on February 10 to x-country ski to the creek and old cabin or explore the Valley of 13 Caves. Jamison's hot soup & cabin helped cure the chill.

Program/Meetings: White Pine Group

2007-03-07T12:13:00.017-06:00

These 2007 White Pine Group Program/Meetings will be held in the large basement meeting room at US Bank, Kennedy at Wacker, by Kennedy Mall on Dubuque's West End on the fourth Tuesday of each month; beginning at 7 PM. MARK YOUR CALENDARS. :)

March 27, Tuesday: PROGRAM, 7PM
Lois Norrgard
Upper Midwest Regional Director
Alaska Coalition

"Tongass National Forest, Alaska Coalition"
The Tongass is one of the last places in the United States where we can ask the question, "What is the value of wilderness?" and still have time to answer it.

The mist-shrouded forests and clear-flowing streams of the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska make up the largest remaining temperate rainforest in the world and cover an island landscape marked by narrow inlets and glacier carved fiords. It is an incomparable wonder of nature owned by all Americans. The giant old growth trees, many over thousands of years old, are home to many rare and endangered species such as bald eagles, grizzly bears, wolves, sitka black-tailed deer, marbled murrelet, goshawk, and all five species of salmon.

But this ancient rainforest is threatened by clear-cut logging--business as usual for the Forest Service. In 2005, according to Forest Service records, we lost $48 million in taxpayer paid subsidies on road building, irresponsibly damaging a national treasure that attracts hunters, fishermen, and tourists from around the world, $1 billion since 1982. Currently, the Tongass is the only forest nationwide where commercial logging is allowed in inventoried roadless areas.

Come learn about the history, the place and its values, and the ongoing battle to fully protect this awe-inspiring forest--the crown jewel of America's national forest system. There are many opportunities to take steps to help protect this national treasure.

The Alaska Coalition is a nationwide coalition of over 1000 conservation, sporting, business, labor and religious groups working together to protect Alaska's wild public lands.

Join the Alaska Coalition Network
ph/fx: 952-881-7282
http://www.alaskacoalition.org/

April 24, Tuesday: 7PM
US Bank, Kennedy/Wacker
PROGRAM: "Ice Climbing" by White Pine Group members Bill Jamison and Keith Boever along with Karl Steichen. Dramatic photos of frozen waterfalls and of their ice climbing adventures at Pikes Peak State Park near McGregor, IA, and the climbing equipment used will be shown.

May 22, Tuesday: 7PM
US Bank, Kennedy/Wacker
PROGRAM: "Wilderness of Zanskar" by Joe Garrity. As his February 27 program, Joe introduced us to the culture and mountains of northern India. In this program, he will take us to the high and arid lands of Zanskar, the western part of northern India's Ladakh Province. Trek with him to the high Kanji La pass connecting the city of Leh to the city of Kargil near the politically turbulent border with Pakistan.

Plan Ahead

2007-03-07T12:13:00.002-06:00

The Autumn Turkey Dinner Fundraiser will be on November 3, 2007.

Don't say we didn't tell ya!

Other Event Opportunities

2007-03-07T12:09:00.006-06:00

March 9-11: "Canoecopia" Madison, Wisconsin
Sierra Magazine and National Outings are sponsors this year. Hundreds of canoes and kayaks, more than 100 presentations; more than 150 outfitters & exhibitors. Check http://www.canoecopia.com/

March 17: "Bluebird Workshop"
Swiss Valley Nature Center, 10-12

March 21: "Mississippi; Tales of the Last River Rat."
Meet storyteller Kenny Salwey. Book signing. Award-winning documentary, Davenport, IMAX. 6:30 and 7:55 PM. Film admission free; donations to benefit Nahant Marsh will be accepted.

March 22: "Keep Iowa Beautiful"
Dubuque County affiliate, Swiss Valley Nature Center, 7 PM.
Fight litter as just one example of community betterment programs for area groups to initiate.

April 6: "Owl Prowl"
Swiss Valley Nature Center, 7 PM.

April 14: "Wildflower Walk"
Swiss Valley, 1-2:30

April 22. "Earth Day Hike"
Effigy Mounds. Hosted by Cedar Prairie Group, Iowa Sierra Club.
10 AM guided bird walk; 11 AM Woodland Wildflower hike (1.5 hour). Contacts: PamWolter, Rebecca Jimenez.

White Pine 2007 Group Outings

2007-03-07T12:02:00.037-06:00

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Outing participants are expected to sign a liability waiver, a copy of which can be previewed at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/. RSVP to Outings Chair Barb Cooey, Editor Dick Worm, or the designated Outing contact person for details and participation plans. Some Outings have several options. Explore and Enjoy... selectively! :)

March 23-25 "Whitewater Canyon Area Spring Equinox Celebration"
(Select from a variety of activities during this action-packed weekend.) Bill and Alaine Jamison live near the newly designated Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area and another upstream stretch of Whitewater Creek that also has rugged bluffs and vistas. Activity options will explore and experience these areas:

Friday and/or Saturday evening, March 23 & 24: Backpack camp in a remote area along Whitewater Creek upstream from Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area; or car camp at the nearby Fillmore Recreation Area, and/or use the Jamison's drive-up cabin for evening meal and alternative lodging for maximum of three people. Meet at Jamison cabin. RSVP for time and logistics to Dick Worm after March 20.

Saturday, March 24: "Hike and GPS/geocaching Demonstration", Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area, Meet at parking lot at 10 AM. Nick Wagner will provide a few virtual and actual geocache "treasure hunts" as we hike the trail to Whitewater Creek; but some off-trail exploration will later increase the difficulty of some alternative exploration. Bring a lunch if plan to stay after 1 PM for later activity.

Saturday, March 24: "Whitewater Creek Area Hike and Cook-Out." Meet at the Jamison cabin at 2 PM. A woodland hike (on trail with some off-trail options) to Whitewater Creek and vistas will be followed by a bring-your-own personal items to grill and potluck sharing dinner at 6 PM. RSVP: Bill Jamison and MAYBE he will grill a pork or a beef roast FOR us! :) Bring $$, too, in that case.

March 30 (Fri). or 31 (Sat) "Moon Walk"
Meet at Swiss Valley Nature Center Parking Lot, at 7 PM, Friday evening March 30 for a moonlight stroll around the Stream Bottom Loop Trail, about 4 miles. There is a Full Moon on April 2, so the waxing gibbous moon ought to be up to brighten the pathway. (But bring a headlamp or flashlight for shadowy sections!) In case of cloudy weather, alternate date is Saturday night March 31. If cloudy then, also, outing will be cancelled. Please RSVP to Carol (Butchie) Thompson to<br>double check on parking and cloudy prospects, and for cocoa logistics following the hike.

NOTE: The following three outings are canoe/kayak outings. Dick Worm has access to a canoe trailer and 8 canoes that can be made available with paddles and Personal Flotation Devices as needed. Bill Jamison may have access to some canoes. Your RSVP can include a request for a canoe reservation. FREE!

April 14 (Sat.) "Canoe/Kayak Float Trip on the North Fork of Maquoketa River from Hillside 'Ghost Town' to just North of Cascade"
Meet at 10 AM at the Hillside Launch area. Directions: 1.2 miles north of Cascade turn west onto Goose Hill Road (D-47). Go 5.5 miles and turn right (north) onto Recker Rd. Go 2.2 miles and turn right onto 333rd Ave. Go 0.7 mile and turn right onto 330th Ave. Go 0.6 mile and turn right onto 305th St. Go 1.4 mile to the Hillside "Ghost Town" launch site. (If worried, meet at 9:30 AM at the Rt. 136 and Goose Hill Rd. intersection.) The float trip will be about 9-10 miles. Bring a lunch. At least one vehicle will be left at the Rt. 136 bridge to take drivers back to Hillside at the end of the float trip. RSVP: Bill Jamison or Dick Worm.

May 19 (Sat) "Canoe/Kayak Trip from Whitewater Bridge to Ozark Bridge on the North Fork of Maquoketa River south of Cascade"
Bill Jamison is also coordinating this 12 float mile trip. Meet by 10 AM at the Whitewater Bridge Access on County Road D-61 East out of Cascade. From Dubuque, D-61 may be reached from US 151 via County Road Y-31 South through Bernard. One or two vehicles will be left at the Ozark Access to return drivers to the Whitewater Access. Route between the Accesses follows D-61, 7th Ave./267th St. and 21st Ave.

June 2 (Sat) "Catfish Creek Clean-Up"
June 2 is kickoff for National River Clean-Up Week sponsored by American Rivers. Our Catfish Creek Clean-up is registered so receives free trash bags and coffee courtesy of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Volunteers are eligible to enter contests for prizes such as free kayaks and canoes. Our event will begin at 9 AM at the canoe launch parking area in the Mines of Spain by the Catfish Creek Bridge. Walk the shoreline as well as canoe or kayak, including some near shore of Mississippi River. Recyclables will be sorted from the trash. Have gloves, insect repellant, etc. Bring a lunch.

August 24-26 "Group Picnic/Camp-Out" at Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm 8 miles south of Dubuque. This is several months away so mark your calendar and plan NOW to attend this opportunity to explore and enjoy with fellow Sierrans in a quiet and private setting. (Gate for the pond lane will open Friday at 4 PM and stay open through Sunday evening.)

Come for all or any of these options: Arrive anytime Saturday for the noon picnic, hiking, pond activities, and evening campfire. Primitive camp August 24 and/or 25. (Several tents are available for anyone wanting to try tenting.)

The Saturday noon potluck picnic at the pond shelter is the main event. Grills will be provided. Bring your own meat or morsels to grill; a salad, vegetable, or dessert to share; utensils; beverages; lawn chairs. Picnic tables are in the shelter. All other camp meals and drinking water are Bring Your Own. An outhouse is nearby.

On this 150 acre conservation easement property on bluff land overlooking the Mississippi River, the pond (with a raft, dock, canoes, a boat, and a paddleboat) offers opportunity to fish, swim, and paddle. Trails from the pond lead to the Mississippi River shore, to a Big Bluestem prairie grass site, to the river bluff, and to a high ridge. Find sink holes, fern covered rock faces, a pit mine, and river vistas. Try some GPS techniques. Stay for evening campfire and night hike on Friday and/or Saturday.

Bring insect repellent. Off-trail wanderers may encounter poison ivy and thorny brush.

Tenting options are on the pond's dam near the shelter, fire ring, an outhouse; at two mowed river bluff locations (one with a fire ring and nearby outhouse); or at other more remote spots. Another mowed site by the remains of an old stone cabin on the high ridge is on the same level as Echo Hills Drive so can easily be hiked to from Dick and Jane's home or less easily by trail up from the pond.

Grayling

2007-03-07T11:59:00.011-06:00

by Joe Runyan

The Iditarod Trail--Where it All Happens

Many mushers opt to satisfy the rules requirement to take their mandatory eight-hour Yukon rest at Grayling. The checkers, who are traditionally residents of the community, note the time of arrival and make it a point to tell the mushers when they are allowed to leave.

Usually, the sled is packed and the team booted for the trail about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. One of the volunteers at the checkpoint can help the musher get his team out of its resting place and back on the road in front of the old community hall. Usually, the sled is packed and the team booted for the trail about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. One of the volunteers at the checkpoint can help the musher get his team out of its resting place and back on the road in front of the old community hall. the checker's watch to turn eight hours. No one wants to waste time unnecessarily, so the team leaves Grayling promptly.

The community hall is about 100 yards from a slip that takes the team back down on the Yukon. Going from the calm and protected village checkpoint and then dropping 30 or 40 vertical feet back onto the river is like falling into the ice cream freezers at the supermarket. It is always colder on the Yukon, for reasons we have already discussed. The smart mushers know that and dress warm before they depart.

Ben Stamm, 58, was born on December 8, 1946. He is a veteran musher who has been racing for four years, from his home in Argyle, Wisconsin. Ben is a seasonal construction worker who enjoys running his dogs around farmer's fields, down bike and snowmobile trails.

Ben notes his most significant achievement, during the 2004 race he finished in 43rd place, while learning to overcome sleep deprivation. "My goal is to run as far as I can and as fast as I can and keep my dogs happy," he said. Ben uses X-back harnesses and a Hans Gatt sled.

"My team's greatest strength is that we raised all of our dogs from puppies and our ability to communicate with them. Their greatest weakness is not having the right terrain and weather conditions for training. We don't get a lot of snow in our area," he said.

__________________________________
Barb Cooey, while a volunteer at Grayling, will be wearing special mittens and overboots obtained to help her stay warm.

Parks Volunteer Opportunity: Butterfly Gardener

2007-03-07T11:58:00.004-06:00

Dates of Opportunity Availability:
Opportunity start date: April 1, 2007.
Opportunity end date: October 15, 2007.

Hours of Service Requested:
Length of hours served at one time and hours of day are flexible according to availability.

Description:
Volunteer assistance is requested for planting and caring of an individual plot in the butterfly garden. Plants, seeds, and tools are provided. Some maintenance of controlling invasive species in the garden plots is necessary. Use of loping shears, hand pruners, and Tordon RTU may be used for removing tatarian honeysuckle and common buckthorn. Also, garlic mustard may be pulled by hand.

There are 25 garden plots open for adoption. Opportunity is suitable for kids through adults. Volunteer will be trained in some plant identification. Volunteer would be benefitted by having gardening experience but it is not required. Volunteer needs to wear suitable clothing for particular tasks such as leather gloves and long pants.

Iditarod 2007, Southern Route; Last Great Race

2007-03-07T11:54:00.001-06:00

Last year, our White Pine Group's Outings Chair, Barb Cooey, flew to Alaska at this time of year and served as a volunteer at Iditarod Race headquarters in Anchorage answering school children's questions emailed to Zurna, the Iditarod Husky, and other duties such as packing gear boxes for checkpoint workers and learning to handle a powerful husky on a leash. She applied as a volunteer again this year and knowing that ham radio operators have agood chance of getting a position at a checkpoint out on the trail, she studied with the local ham radio club and passed the operator's test in August. And, she DID get an assignment this year for the Grayling Checkpoint on the frozen Yukon River, but will not have to do ham radio communication. She will be a regular volunteer with duties such as dragging bales of hay to be bedding for the many teams that may layover there as one of the optional locations for a required 8-hour layover for all the mushers while on the Yukon Riyer section. Volunteers will care for the dog teams while the mushers rest.

Also, last year we featured native lowan musher, Mike Jaynes, who as a rookie finished an excellent 25th; and a Wisconsin rookie musher, Glenn Lockwood, from near Madison who received the Red Lantern Award given to the last place finisher as a symbol of "stick-to-itiveness".

This year we will follow the progress of native lowan and former Iowa University wrestler, rookie musher Matt Anderson, now living in Pinedale, WY; and Ben Stamm from Argyle, Wl, only about 50 miles from Dubuque. Ben was the first musher from Wisconsin to finish the Iditarod and has done so twice. Barb flew for Anchorage from Chicago on March 4, and after a couple of days of orientation there she will be flown to Grayling to prepare the area for the arrival of the mushers and to assist them when they do arrive. The official start of the race from Willow was also on the afternoon of March 4.

Some websites offer all sorts of information about the race and racers: http://www.iditarod.com/ and http://www.cabelasiditarod.com/ provide free coverage of race progress and other details and special interest reports. Checking the weather forecast for Grayling for Wednesday, March 7, the expected high temperature was 5 below with the nighttime low was expected to reach 30 below. It was to warm upon Friday to 10 above and only 15 below.

The following are some examples of details provided on the websites:

There are 27 checkpoints on this year's route, including the finish In Nome. Among the bigger checkpoints is Unalakleet (population 714). Some checkpoints are put in only for the race. Rohn and Iditarod, for instance, have no permanent residents. Most of stops, however, are in villages that usually have a small store, phone service and limited lodging.

Ophir to Iditarod: 90 miles
Iditarod to Shageluk: 65 miles
Shageluk to Anvik: 25 miles
Anvik to Grayling: 18 miles
Grayling to Eagle Island: 60 miles
Eagle Island to Kaltag: 70miles
Kaltag to Unalakleet: 90 miles

Southern Route
The approximate distance for the 2007 trail is 1112 miles, although it is always "officially" referred to as 1049 miles in honor of Alaska, being the 49th state to enter into the Union. The exact distance varies each year, due to variations caused by seasonal conditions.

2007 GROUP EXCOM, January 2007

2007-03-07T11:52:00.008-06:00

Charlie Winterwood, Group Chair
Dick Worm, Newsletter/Membership
Bill Jamison
Becky Reisch
Joe Garrity

Appointed Positions
Group Outings, Barb Cooey
Treasurer, Mike Muir
Secretary/Turkey Dinner Fundraiser, Jane Worm
Conservation, Gretel Winterwood
Publicity, Carol Thompson
Webmaster, Todd Michaels

ELECTIONS: The Sierra Club is unique among major national environmental organizations in its emphasis on democratic election of leaders. Voting, even at the national level, has dropped to less than 10% of those receiving ballots. We should do better. VOTE in March for the National Board.

2007 Group EXCOM Election Results

Elected to the 2007 EXCOM in December:

Charlie Winterwood, Bill Jamison, & Dick Worm.
THANKS to candidates Jim Fahrion & Jane Worm.

Local Folks Backpack Trip(s), 2007

2007-03-07T11:41:00.018-06:00

Dick Worm is offering to organize one or two Local Folks 7-day backpack trips this coming summer. The approximate time frames and trip options include:

July 6-16 South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado
Hi-lites of this loop include 11,463 ft. Blue Lake on the continental divide; backpacking to 12.000 ft. Glacier Lake; an easy climb of 13,172 foot Conejos Peak; camel rock above Twin Lakes; and a Creede, CO. Repertory Theater performance. Dick has done this route several times. It is a comfortable, but high elevation trip south of Alamosa, Colorado.

Either August 31-Sept 10 or Sept. 7-17 are alternative dates for one of two possible trip options:

(1) A "Squaretop Loop" in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains' Bridger Wilderness begins and ends at Green River Lakes. Included are several scenic lakes, Porcupine Pass, spectacular vistas of Gannett and other continental divide peaks, and a 3000 foot climb of 11,695 foot Squaretop Mountain, one of the most photographed mountains in the Range, with the option to stop at Granite Lake or climb Granite Peak along the way. Dick has done this loop once and has passed by Squaretop twice, successfully climbing it once.

(2) Montana's Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness offers a continental divide straddling loop that Dick has mapped out but not yet tried. Hi-lites are three short days including a climb option of 10,460 ft. Warren Peak; a long day followed by a lay-over for an optional climb of 10,793 ft. West Goat Peak, highest in this wilderness; and crossings of the divide on the Continental Divide Trail at around 9000 feet.

Calendar of Group Events

2001-09-05T10:02:00.030-05:00

Please mark these events onto your handy wall calendar:

Note: All group program/meetings will be on the second Monday night of each month at Firstar Bank meeting room, 435 JF Kennedy Rd. (Kennedy at Wacker, across street from the main east side entrance to Kennedy Mall off U.S. 20 on Dubuque's west end.) Phone Dick Worm, editor, for more details.

September 9, Sunday
Outing

Hike at Interstate Power Woods, 1 PM on Old Davenport Road near intersection with Schueller Heights Rd. south of Dubuque. Bring clippers and don't wear shorts if you would like to help with some trail maintenance.

September 10, Monday
Program/Meeting
JFK, Firstar Bank
Program, 7 PM, "Berg Lake - Mt. Robson Canadian Rockies, Sierra Club Trail Work Service Trip", Charlie Winterwood. Meeting afterwards.

September 11, Tuesday
Work Project
IOWATER, White Pine Group Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring, 10 AM. Help Charlie Winterwood and Dick Worm do the Biological and Chemical/Physical Stream Assessment of a section of Catfish Creek near the west end of University Avenue.

September 15, Saturday
Mines of Spain Fall Seminar
8AM Welcome then three 2 hour sessions beginning at 8:30 are available. See information sheet with this newsletter for details.

Support this event right here in our own spectacular front yard! Lots of topics available.

September 28, Friday
Forestry Field Day, Jackson County, Mensinger Tree Farm. 1-4 PM. 7.5 miles east of Hwy 61 on D61 north of Maquoketa. Carpool with Dick Worm. Deer and Walnut Management and Goat Prairies are among topics to be presented. Free.

October 6, Saturday
Outing
Hike to the Marching Bear Mounds, South Unit, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa Rt. 76 north of McGregor/Marquette. Meet at the Monument Visitor Center at 10 AM. Bring a lunch (include some Mounds candy bars?) to carry. Carpool from Dubuque area.

Mines of Spain Fall Seminar

2001-09-05T10:01:00.001-05:00

About Forests and Fire

2001-09-05T10:00:00.002-05:00

Group Calendar

2001-03-09T10:06:00.014-06:00

March 12: Meeting/Program, 7 PM, Firstar Bank, Kennedy & Wacker (435 JF Kennedy Rd.)
Member slide night. Bring any favorite or recent slides to share. A slide tray will be available or bring your own for a Kodak Carousel projector. Charlie Winterwood will have scenes from his recent Sierra Club cross-country ski trip in Yellowstone National Park and from the Group outing at Camp Klaus, for starters.

Monday, March 19: "America's Arctic Refuge" presentation at U. of Dubuque Hadley Auditorium in the Dunlap Technology Center at University Ave. and McCormick St. 7 PM. This is a hot topic within the environmental community and the Bush Administration. Come to ask questions and learn of the issues. White Pine Group is a co-sponsor.

Tuesday, March 20: Same as above, but at 7:30 PM in the NICC Auditorium in Calmar. Check it out!!!

Saturday, March 24: Outing--Prairie Burn School at the Galena Territory Shenandoah Riding Center beginning at 8:30 AM for novices. Jim Rauchy, President of Prairie Enthusiasts will be the instructor. Discuss the role of prescribed burns and how to plan and execute them. With decent weather, there will be an opportunity to exercise the equipment. To carpool, please RSVP to Dick Worm. He will plan to leave from the north end of the Eagle Country Market (300 S. Locust) just south on US 151/61/52 of the U.S. 20 Mississippi River Bridge in Dubuque at 7:30 AM.

Sunday, March 25: Program: "Aconcagua Expedition", by Dick Worm. Group members are welcome to attend a program beginning about 12:30 PM or so, following a Lenten Potluck Luncheon at First Congregational Church, 10th and Locust. downtown Dubuque. Dick will show 140 of his over 550 slides of the Jan. 20-Feb. 5 trek to the 22,840 ft. summit of the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas. Aconcagua is located in Argentina's Andes Mountains near Santiago, Chile. (A slightly different twist to the program using many different slides will be used as the White Pine Group's Turkey Dinner Fundraiser program on November 3, at the same location.)

Saturday, April 7: Outing--Hike into the new Heritage Addition to Effigy Mounds National Monument (at our own risk!!) Size of group will be limited to no more than a dozen. Contact Dick Worm to secure a space on the hike. We will meet at the outer end of the Effigy Mounds, Visitor Center Parking Lot at 10 AM and carpool to park just off Highway 76 up the hill past the Monument Visitor Center. Wear clothing and footwear appropriate for weather and ground conditions. Bring a daypack with a lunch and beverage, at least. We will plan to return to the Visitor Center by 3 PM at the latest.

Monday, April 9: Program/Meeting at 7 PM at Firstar Bank, 435 Kennedy Road, Dubuque. Dick Worm will show slides taken during a national Sierra Club backpack trip in the South San Juan Wilderness in Colorado this past summer. See what a trip with a bunch of folks over age 50 is like! Dick was Assistant Leader on the trip and has some interesting tales of getting "lost" and of altitude sickness to share. 13,172 ft. Conejos Peak, rock pinnacles, and the beauty of 5 major lakes are among the attractions. (For anyone possibly interested, Dick is co-leader for a return trip here on another 50+ Sierra Club outing taking a somewhat shorter and easier route, but still including all the above mentioned attractions, plus Conejos Falls, from August 13-18. See your Sierra Club magazine or call Dick Worm for information.)

Saturday, April 21: John Muir's birthday. Since the Feb. 25 Faraway Farm Pond Party got canceled due to weather and icy lane conditions, how about trying again in honor of the founder of the Sierra Club? There won't be sledding or skating or ice fishing, but hikes, etc. can occur on trails throughout the 150 acre private conservation easement property along the Mississippi River. Trails to the river, along the bluffs, through the woods, and in fields hopefully destined for prairie restoration may be enjoyed. Or, if you prefer, you can bring a saw and/or pruning shears and enjoy a work day clearing brush and pruning walnut trees!!!

Come anytime; but early arrivals will be welcome to make full use of the day. Bring lunch items and some meat to grill, if you'd like, at the shelter by the pond. An RSVP would be appreciated. For more information or directions, contact Dick Worm.

Monday, May 14: Program/Meeting at 7 PM at Firstar Bank, across from Kennedy Mall at Kennedy and Wacker Dr. Dubuque. Program: Dick Worm will show slides of the September Sierra Club service trip he was on in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Included will be photos never seen before by Audubon Society or Camera Club members of views of "The Wave", a spectacular rock formation on the Arizona/Utah border featured as the photo with the week of September 17-23 in the 2001 Sierra Club engagement calendar; Utah's Kodachrome State Park; and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument itself, featuring the old Copper Mine work site, Moqui stones, and hikes through the deep, spectacular canyons to the Escalante River. (Maybe none of this stuff interests you, but it sure would be nice to have over 5 or 6 people show up as we share some of the natural wonder this great old planet has to offer!!) Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the Clinton era creations that is facing tough sledding within the Bush administration.

Saturday, May 19: Tour d'Sprawl
In cooperation with the League of Women Voters, the White Pine Group is sponsoring a Tour d'Sprawl to help publicize and present issues associated with this often unwise expansion of human development far beyond city centers.

The event will include a field trip by bus to view both good and bad urban and suburban developments, lunch, and presentations following lunch. One key participating presenter will be Brett Hulsey of our Midwest region Sierra Club office in Madison, Wisconsin. Brett heads the Midwest region's Campaign on Urban Sprawl, a national Sierra Club Priority Campaign.

Brett helped lead a similar and well-attended event in the Galena area last year. This event will zero in on the Dubuque area situation.

Registration cost is $15 and is due by Saturday May 12 to assure a space on a bus and guarantee a lunch. Handouts of sprawl-related information will also be made available.

The exact meeting location has yet to be determined. Including your phone number with the registration will assure that you get a phone call providing location information.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Is a Treasure to Preserve

2001-03-09T10:05:00.009-06:00

Sara Callaghan Chapell, Sierra Club Alaska staff

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing and inspiring place. Visitors tell of its stunning vistas, unique wildlife and untouched landscape. Scientists note the importance of the refuge as habitat for hundreds of species and the crucial role it plays in Alaska's web of life.

The Gwich'in--native Alaskans who live nearby--depend on the caribou that give birth in the refuge for food, clothing, and spiritual sustenance. And the refuge is also an important part of America's heritage. But despite the value of the arctic refuge--to people, wildlife, and posterity--President Bush has announced that he intends to open the area to oil drilling.

Doing so would be an unconscionable mistake: just as we would not flood the Grand Canyon for hydropower or cap Old Faithful for steam, we must not drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The first reason is the simplest: there's not very much oil in the refuge. Estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey find that there is only a six-month supply of economically recoverable oil. Opening the refuge will have no effect on oil prices because the supply is too small and Persian Gulf oil too cheap.

In fact, because the United States has only 3 percent of the world's oil reserves, opening all of our coasts, forests and wild places to drilling would barely nudge world oil prices.

Many proponents of drilling have pointed to recent price spikes as a reason to drill. But any oil discovered in the refuge would not be available for at least a decade. And getting this oil down to the lower 48 states will be no small feat, either. It will require environmentally destructive pipelines, pumping stations and sprawling industrial infrastructure.

When Congress protected the arctic refuge from exploitation, the oil industry blocked efforts to safeguard a crescent of land called the coastal plain. The problem is that this sliver of coastline is the biological heart of the refuge--it's where polar bear have their dens, where massive herds of caribou come to birth their calves, and where migratory birds from every state flock in the summer. Drilling for oil will destroy the unique plants on which caribou, musk oxen, wolves, polar bears and other animals depend for survival.

Those who are in favor claim that new "environmentally friendly" techniques will reduce the impact. But in Alaska we've learned that you cannot drill for oil without spilling oil. And if nearby Prudhoe Bay is any indication, drilling for oil in the refuge will surely destroy it.

Prudhoe Bay oil fields generate twice as much air pollution as Washington, D.C. The area suffers more than 400 spills a year of oil or related pollution. In February, a BP Amoco facility dumped thousands of gallons of oil into the environment. In January 20,000 gallons of drilling "mud" (a petroleum-based lubricant) spilled from one of Prudhoe Bay's newest facilities.

The upshot is that there are far better, easier, and cheaper places to drill for oil--not to mention a host of ways to make better use of the oil and gas we already have. Requiring SUVs and light trucks to get the same mileage per gallon as cars would save more oil within 10 years than would ever be produced from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

For these reasons we should encourage our Representatives in Congress to support permanent protection for the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Legislation sponsored by Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA) and Nancy Johnson (R-CT) in the House and Senator Lieberman (D-CT) in the Senate would do just that. The House bill, HR 770, and its Senate counterpart, S.411, would provide much deserved permanent protection to this vast and unique wilderness.

Sara Callaghan Chapell is the Sierra Club's Alaska representative.

Bottle Bill E-mails

2001-03-09T10:04:00.010-06:00

Here is an interesting series of Bottle Bill events related to debate going on in Iowa:

From: "Emerson, Myra"
To: "Rex L. Bavousett"
Subject: Bottle Returns at John's Grocery
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 16:47:00 -0600

Hi Rex,

I was going to write to both you and Joe Bolkum, but couldn't find his e-mail address. The other day my husband and I were returning some bottles to John's Grocery here in Iowa City. We have done this before--they have a brand of ginger beer that we can't find anywhere else around here. But this time they said they have a new bottle return policy, which is that you have to go down a creaky stairway into their cellar, wind around many cases of beer, etc., and finally get to a small table where you return your bottles. I had to call out "Hello" before anyone came to give us a refund. Then we wound our way back to the stairs, and actually had to pull on a string to open the cellar door to get back on the main floor! I heard the person at the counter telling someone else they had to do this too, and there was a hand-lettered sign announcing their new bottle policy.

I believe this new "policy" was put in place to discourage people from returning their bottles. This will cause lots of bottles not to be returned anywhere, because John's carries many brands of beer (and wine too, I think) that aren't sold anywhere else in town. I think this at least goes against the spirit (and possibly the letter) of the Bottle Bill which is still the law.

From: "Foege, Ro"
To: "Rex L. Bavousett"
Subject RE: Bottle Returns at John's Grocery
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 17:56:37 -0600

Actually, I've returned bottles and I have had the interesting experience of going to the "cellar". Since "Dirty John's" has one of the best selection of wines anywhere in the state, we go there frequently. I personally did not have a problem with returning the bottles and retailers can evidently set the return policy. It is their decision whether or not to accept bottles or cans which could impact their business.

Thanks for taking time to let me know about this concern.
Ro Foege

Rep. Ro Foege
House District 50
Statehouse
Des Moines, IA 50319

Representative Foege,

You may not mind going down into a dirty cellar to return bottles, but what about people who are disabled and can't navigate the stairs? What about people who might be afraid to e down there alone? Also, I am not sure I agree with your interpretation of the law that retailers can refuse to accept bottles "which could impact their business." The law clearly sets out circumstances under which returned cans and bottles can be refused. John's Grocery's return policy applies to all cans and bottles that people bring back there.

Myra Emerson

America's Arctic Refuge: Our Last Great Wilderness

2001-03-09T10:03:00.009-06:00

COMING TO DUBUQUE:
America's Arctic Refuge: Our Last Great Wilderness
--a free slideshow presentation

Alaskan wilderness guide to talk about wildlife and oil drilling in the Last Frontier
Images of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Alaska Coalition presents a photographic journey through the Arctic home of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

Dan Ritzman--wilderness guide, photographer, and former Alaska resident.
Incredible photography from "America's Serengeti," the threatened coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, depicting dall sheep, musk oxen, caribou and all the life, splendor and beauty of America's Arctic wilderness.
The story of the Gwich'in culture, a 20,000 year cycle of life with the caribou in Alaska and northern Canada.
An exploration of the awesome beauty of the Arctic Refuge, its ecological and cultural significance, the life of the Gwich'in Indians, and Alaska's oil industry.

The Alaska Coalition is a group of over 400 conservation, sporting, and religious groups working to protect Alaska's public lands.

WHERE: Hadley Auditorium, University of Dubuque, Dunlap Technology Center, University Ave. at McCormick St.
WHEN: Monday, March 19, 7:00 PM
Sponsored by: White Pine Group/Sierra Club; Dubuque Audubon Society; University of Dubuque, Environmental Science Dept.

Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) has unveiled his National Energy Policy bill, which includes a measure to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling. In addition. Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Nancy Johnson (R-CT) along with Sen. Joe Lieberman (R-CT) introduced measures in Congress on Wednesday, Feb. 28 to protect the Arctic Refuge coastal plain as Wilderness.

AND COMING TO CALMAR!!
Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 PM, Northeast Iowa Community College, Auditorium
Sponsored by the Upper Iowa Audubon Society

AND COMING TO DUBUQUELAND RADIO
Monday, March 19, 8:40 AM, WDBQ with Tom Berryman, NewsTalk 1490 AM
Pending, Monday, March 19, Between 1- 5 PM, KDTH with Gary Edwards, 1370 AM

2001 White Pine Group EXCOM

2001-03-09T10:02:00.004-06:00

Results of the election of five members to the White Pine Group Executive Committee were reported at the January 8 Group meeting.

The balloting also showed unanimous support for the bylaws changes including the reduction in size of the EXCOM from 9 to 5. Therefore, the three candidates receiving the most votes got 2 year terms while the next two got a one year term. Next year, the 2002 election will choose two folks to serve for two years.

The EXCOM for 2001 in order of votes:
Dick Worm: Newsletter/Membership
Charlie Winterwood: Vice Chair
Jim Fahrion: Chair
Gretel Winterwood: Conservation
Jane Worm: Dinner Fundraiser

Elkader ATV Park

2001-03-09T10:01:00.003-06:00

An outpouring of opposition helped set the stage for the withdrawal of a plan to create an ATV park near Elkader. Thomas Gifford, whose letter describing reasons to oppose the plan appeared in the Winter Needle, has expressed his appreciation for White Pine Group efforts in helping the cause.

George Reavis Memorial

2001-03-09T10:00:00.002-06:00

Mae Reavis, in memory of her husband, George Reavis, has presented the White Pine Group with a $100 contribution. George and Mae attended and contributed to our Fundraising Dinners even though they were not Sierra Club members.

Their youngest daughter, Georgia, was a freshman student of mine when I took my first group of high schoolers on a summer Sierra Society backpack trip in 1973. She went on each trip for the next three years and talked her older sister, Ann, into going along on the fourth of those trips in 1976 to the rugged and awesome Glacier Peak Wilderness in Washington's Cascade Mountains. I also had their son, David, in class at Washington Junior High before my backpacking years at Hempstead High.

George and Mae participated in a 1981 trip to the Canadian Rockies that I organized for adults and families. George helped me stay awake late one night by listening to my far-fetched tale on the origin of lightning as I drove our old school bus while trying to get back on schedule after a long day of power steering pump reattachment. He also enjoyed a spectacular hike to a high ridge between the Bonney and Illicilawat glaciers in Canada's Glacier National Park.

George enjoyed the "End Commercial Logging on Public Lands" program last November 4. He had the local library transfer from Madison, Wis., a book about the Tongass Nat. Forest mentioned at the program and Mae reports he read it all.

George was a talker with sound viewpoints on all matters. He passed away suddenly during the Christmas Holiday. The contribution will be used for a special project at Group discretion.

Calendar Sale

2000-12-07T10:07:00.007-06:00

To help with your calendar event organization, or with keeping a personal record or log of your activity, or with selecting a gift to give, the White Pine Group still has a few Sierra Club Calendars for sale, 10% off:

One 2001 Wilderness Wall Calendar... $10.75
Eight 2001 Engagement Calendars... $11.65 ea.

The wall calendar features sequoias, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon, Mojave National Preserve, Havasu Falls, Michigan ferns and sugar maples, Hawthorne leaves, Illinois Tupelo gum and cypress, Yosemite's Sentinel Rock, North Dakota's Little Missouri River, and more.

Weekly photographs in the engagement calendar include wildlife, plants, stones, scenery, etc. from throughout the U.S. as well as a few from beyond our borders: Mexico's monarch butterflies, an Antarctica iceberg at midnight, Australian king penguins. Sept 17-23 features sandstone swirls like those you can see of "The Wave" at the Audubon program on Dec. 14.

Please phone to help finish our 2000 fundraising in this delightful way. Free delivery!

Vote for Group EXCOM and Bylaws

2000-12-07T10:06:00.004-06:00

Enclosed with this newsletter is a ballot for our members to use to select our EXCOM for 2001. The Sierra Club has revised the bylaws wording for all Groups allowing certain options to be selected within some sections so a ballot item is included for that vote, also.

Our Group's original bylaws were adopted on Feb. 25, 1981. Club mandated revisions now improve clarity, language, and definition of internal Club ties and elaborate on EXCOM powers, financial matters, and election processes.

The only MAJOR change we are making if the new bylaws options we propose are approved is to lower the number of folks on our EXCOM from 9 to 5.

Other change options we propose ALLOW 11 members to petition for special membership meetings, 11 members to be a quorum for such membership meetings, 10% of membership to petition for special elections, 14 days written notice for special Group membership meetings, EXCOM to fill vacancies in elected positions until the next election, a minimum of 3 EXCOM meetings per year, the chair or 3 ExCom members to call special meetings of the EXCOM, removal by the EXCOM of any EXCOM member missing three regularly scheduled meetings in one year, and 15 members to submit a nomination petition for an EXCOM election.

To receive a copy of the template of the bylaws used to select options and/or for a copy of the bylaws as proposed contact Dick Worm. A copy can be sent by e-mail or by regular mail.

The bylaw revisions may also be discussed at the Dec. 11 Group meeting. See the calendar of events.

See ballot for further election details.

White Pine Group Meeting and Outing Calendar

2000-12-07T10:05:00.016-06:00

Meeting/Program: Monday December 11, 2000 7 PM. Firstar Bank, Kennedy and Wacker across from Kennedy Mall (435 JF Kennedy Rd.)
Program: "The Pacific Northwest" by Jim Fahrion (postponed from September).
Meeting: Bylaws revision. Local issues: ATV park near Elkader, Barge Fleeting, Bottle Bill, etc.

Audubon Society Program: Thursday Dec. 14
7 PM, Lyons Nature Center, 8999 Bellevue Heights Rd. (Off US 52 South). Dick Worm of the White Pine Group will present a program about Sierra Club service trips featuring the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument in Utah and its management plan (threatened by political and western opposition.) Scenes of Cockscomb Ridge, "The Wave", Kodachrome Basin, Colt Mesa work site, Silver Falls Creek Canyon to the Escalante River, Wolverine Petrified Wood Area, and Wolverine Canyon to Horse Canyon will be featured.

Outing: Sunday December 17, 2000
Hike and/or cross-country ski at Wyalusing State Park, located on the south side of the mouth of the Wisconsin River just south of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Meet at 12:00 noon in Dubuque at Eagle Country Market parking lot near Burger King, 300 South Locust St., near the US 20 Bridge; or meet at Wyalusing's entrance about 1:30 PM. Phone Charlie to confirm attendance.

Outing: Sunday January 7, 2001
Visit the proposed site for an ATV park near Elkader. Cross-country ski and/or hike on the nearby Pony Hollow Nature Trail. Meet at 12:00 noon in Dubuque at the Hempstead High main parking lot (3715 Pennsylvania Ave.); or about 1:30 PM on Highway 13 just south of the Highway 13 bridge over the Turkey River at the intersection with 265th St. Dine in Elkader after the outing.

Meeting/Program: Monday January 8, 2001
7 PM. (Location change!) First Congregational Church, 255 West 10th, Dubuque (10th and Locust) across Locust Street from the city library. Use door from the courtyard at the rear of the church. We will likely use the large nursery room to meet in. Third room straight down the hallway.
Program: "Three Colorado Fourteeners and Arizona's Highest", Dick Worm. (Colorado's Handies, Shavano, and Tabegauche Peaks and Arizona's Humphrey's Peak.)
Meeting: EXCOM election results. Select officers from the new EXCOM for 2001. Local issues.

Meeting/Program: Monday February 12, 2001
7 PM. First Congregrational Church, 255 West 10th, downtown Dubuque (See directions above.)
Program: "Sierra Club Kanab Creek Wilderness Service Trip - North Boundary of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona", Dick Worm. Scenes of trail maintenance work and from a hike down to Kanab Creek and another in Jumpup and Sowats Canyons to be featured. Then meeting.

Outing: Sunday February 25, 2001
Faraway Farm Pond Party. Come to Dick and Jane Worm's Echo Valley Pond and Faraway Farm Conservation Area and the neighboring Echo Valley Farm for an afternoon of whatever the ground conditions allow: ice skate or ice fish on the pond, cross-country ski and/or hike the trails along the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, sled down the lanes to the pond, enjoy hot chocolate at the shelter, roast marshmallows on the bonfire. A tractor and trailer will be available to help folks down and/or back up to the lane and from the pond area. Parking will be at Dick and Jane's home.

Elkader ATV Park

2000-12-07T10:04:00.010-06:00

The following letter was sent to us by Thomas Gifford. Since then, is has been reported that the Elkader Development Commission (responsible for bringing development to Elkader) voted 8-0 to oppose the park in writing. "Things may be looking up, but we definitely cannot let our guard down."

I live in Elkader in northeast Iowa. If you've visited the area, you know that we are blessed with several rivers, wooded bluffs, and a rolling terrain that is unique to this corner of the state. That is why I chose to move back here from St. Louis.

I am writing to ask for your help to stop the DNR's proposal to locate an ATV/OHV park along the Turkey River near the confluence of Robert's Creek on land adjoining Elkader. I can't imagine a worse location! The proposed ATV park includes 240 acres stretching approximately 1 1/2 miles along the Turkey River just south of the highway 13 bridge. Not only does this land border the river for 1 1/2 miles, it also includes sinkholes and algific slopes, steep hillsides, wooded areas and yellow lady slippers. Obviously, it is home to wildlife as well. In fact, in the fall, I have personally counted over 25 bald eagles on a stretch of river no more than 2 miles downstream. Friends of mine have counted over 50!

The Turkey River is a popular canoing stream. The length of river between Elkader and Motor Mill (5 miles) is the most heavily canoed stretch and is arguably the nicest canoing water in Iowa. With this park, approximately 1/3 of the trip will be lost to ATV noise and disruption. (The ATV enthusiasts argue that the noise would be no worse than the traffic on Hwy 13. However, what they neglect to mention is that the highway crosses the river at one point, while the ATV park traverses the river for 1 1/2 miles!).

The only house or farm building on the river in this area is the Helle farm (proposed sellers). With most of Iowa already plowed under, we need to cherish and protect the few "wild" places we have left. There are several other reasons to object to this site, not the least of which are, proximity to two parks and a county nature trail, and the closeness to residential neighborhoods in Elkader.

We have a growing base of local support for our efforts to derail this project. However, we need more broad-based support from the environmental community if we are to effect any change on the DNR's position. I do not live by the proposed park. However, I an an avid kayaker, hiker and closet environmentalist. I have also been a member of the Sierra Club off and on over the past several years and am currently sending in my renewal for next year. Can you use your weight to apply pressure to stop this? We have been writing letters to the DNR (Arnie Sohn in particular), but could use e-mails from across the state. I really can't afford to push this much further locally, but it would be an outrage to lose this beautiful valley to something like this. Any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Thomas Gifford
Elkader, IA

Group Member Communication

2000-12-07T10:03:00.005-06:00

Dick Worm, editor

Just prior to our Turkey Dinner Fundraiser, I took the opportunity to phone nearly all of our Dubuque members to touch base, invite them to the dinner, and remind them to vote on Nov. 7. It was neat to get to talk to many of you. Many others just got a voice mail message. A very few others received an e-mail message. I tried to NOT phone folks who have requested no phone calls for any reason.

If you would send us your e-mail address, we could try to communicate to members that way. It was nice to hear back from some via e-mail.

Winter Sundays at E.B. Lyons

2000-12-07T10:02:00.003-06:00

The Friends of the Mines of Spain are hosting free programs at the E.B. Lyons Nature Center on the second and fourth Sundays during January, February, and March. Center opens at 1 PM; programs at 1:30 PM.

1/14: Out-of-doors fiction and non-fiction, library

1/28: Pueblo Archeology, Nancy Wright

2/11: Bird identification and banding, Dave Shealer

2/25: Indoor and outdoor animals, animal hospital

3/11: Boating, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

3/25: A Family's Heritage in Mines of Spain Area (8999 Bellevue Heights Rd., off US 52 S.)

Travel Adventure & Backpacking

2000-12-07T10:01:00.004-06:00

Dick Worm will be off to South America from Jan. 17-Feb. 10 to try to trek up to Mt. Aconcagua's 22,840-ft.summit near Santiago, Chile, with an Alpine Ascents International expedition.

Charlie Winterwood will be on the Sierra Club's "Winter Wildlife and Hot Springs of Yellowstone Park, Wyoming" cross-country ski trip from Feb. 10-17.

For folks interested in trying a backpack adventure, contact Dick Worm about three such trips he will do this summer, 2001:

July 29-Aug. 4, lead Sierra Club trip, Wind River Mtns, WY
Aug. 6-11, local folks trip, Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado
Aug. 13-18, assist Sierra Club trip, South San Juan, Colorado

2000 White Pine Group Executive Committee

2000-12-07T10:00:00.004-06:00

Chair: Charlie Winterwood (Dubuque) ('01)
Vice Chair: Jim Fahrion (Dubuque) ('01)
Turkey Dinner: Jane Worm (Bellevue) ('01)
Treasurer: Mike Muir (Dubuque) ('01)
Newsletter/Membership: Dick Worm (Bellevue) ('00)
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood (Dubuque) ('00)
Outings/Sierra Society: Steve Neyens (Dubuque) ('01)
EXCOM: Kevin Kane (Dubuque) ('01)
EXCOM: Dan Ernst (Dubuque) ('00)

Calendar of Group Events

2000-09-01T10:10:00.024-05:00

Please mark these events onto your handy wall calendar:

Note: All Group Program/Meetings will be on the second Monday night of each month at Firstar Bank Meeting Room, 435 JF Kennedy Rd., (Kennedy at Wacker, across street from the main east side entrance to Kennedy Mall off U.S. 20 on Dubuque's West end.) Phone Dick Worm for further details.

September 11, Monday
Program/Meeting: 7 PM, Firstar Bank, 435 Kennedy Rd., Dubuque. Join local participants of the July 16-21 South San Juan Wilderness Colorado backpack trip as they see Dick Worm's slide program and share photo albums and experiences regarding the trip.

September 15, Friday
Outing: 1:30 - 4 PM, Mines of Spain Nature/Bird hike led by Charlie Winterwood as part of the National Audubon Society's Conference on the Upper Mississippi River. Meet at the Iowa Welcome Center at the Mississippi River Museum, E. 3rd St., Dubuque.

Other field trip options are also available by registering for the Audubon conference.

Come and meet fellow Northeast Iowa Sierrans at these events:

September 16, Saturday
Event options available:
1. Mines of Spain Fall Seminar. See enclosed registration brochure describing this "Day Field School" of events. Two morning and one afternoon session provide over 20 options for learning about and exploring Mines of Spain environs with professional interpreters.

2. Audubon Conference continues at Sinsinawa Mound Conference Center with concurrent sessions in the morning and afternoon featuring Audubon and Mississippi River issues and programs. A 7 PM concert by environmental troubadours, Bill Oliver and Glen Waldeck closes out the day.

3. Assist with a White Pine Group/Sierra Club exhibit on River Issues at the Sinsinawa Audubon Conference between 7:30 AM and closing after the concert.

October 7, Saturday
Iowa Chapter/Sierra Club Annual Dinner. See Iowa Sierran Autumn newsletter for details.

October 9, Monday
Program/Meeting: 7 PM, Firstar Bank, 435 Kennedy Rd., Dubuque. Experience early June along the South Shore of Lake Superior from Wisconsin's Apostle Islands to Michigan's Copper Harbor. In between see the waterfalls of the Black River and of the Presque Isle River Unit of Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park, Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains, "Sam Hill" trail in Twin Lakes State Park, Copper Bay's Fort Wilkins and Estivant Pines Wilderness Nature Sanctuary, lake shore sunsets, beach at McClain State Park, Lake Gogebic, Agate and Bond Falls, and Rhinelander's Hodag. Dick Worm's slides and photo album will highlight all of these 36th wedding anniversary trip attractions.

October 14, Saturday
Outing: Hike the Jackson County Recreation Trail along the Maquoketa River for some birding and peaceful admiration of nature. Leaves may be in Autumn coloration. Meet at 10 AM at the Banworth Udelhoven Furniture Store parking lot at the corner of US 52 and 61/151 on the south edge of Dubuque or phone Charlie Winterwood for trailhead location.

October 29, Sunday
Outing: Hike at Pine Valley near Canton. Meet at Eagle Country Market parking lot, north end near Burger King, 300 South Locust (just south of the U.S. 20 Julien Dubuque Mississippi River Bridge) at 12:00 noon. For hike location details, phone Charlie Winterwood.

November 4, Saturday
Turkey Dinner Fundraiser. (see separate insert for event description and registration brochure.) At First Congregational Church, 10th and Locust, downtown Dubuque. Social begins at 5:30 PM. Dinner at 6:15.

Program at 7:30:
"End Commercial Logging on Public Lands" by Shelia Bosworth, member of the Sierra Club's national committee involved with this Club Priority campaign. Shelia, from Princeton, Iowa, helped support Club endorsement of Rep. Jim Leach, a sponsor of legislation to end such logging. Shelia also serves as chairman of the Sierra Club's Mississippi River Basin Ecoregion Task Force.

November 7, Tuesday
VOTE!!!
Gore Lieberman

November 13, Monday
Program/Meeting: 7 PM, Firstar Bank, 435 Kennedy Rd., Dubuque. "Scenes of the Pacific Northwest" by Jim Fahrion features slides taken this past summer. This is an area facing the dilemma of the future of logging in the U.S.

November 18, Saturday
Outing: Hiking at Camp Klaus Boy Scout Camp near Colesburg. A roster of participants must be turned in before our arrival! So please contact Charlie Winterwood before or at the November 4 Turkey Dinner. You can sign up at the September and October meetings, also. A waterfall and lake are among the various scenic attractions that enhance the outdoor experiences of scouts in this region. Come and share a "scouting experience" with us.

Leave at 9 AM from the Hempstead High main parking lot (3715 Pennsylvania Ave., Dubuque) or at Camp Klaus at 10 AM. We will try to find a nearby eatery to have a late lunch together.

Volunteers Welcome: White Pine Group/Sierra Club Exhibit

2000-09-01T10:09:00.003-05:00

On Saturday September 16, for the Audubon Conference, we will put up a display of Mississippi River related information at Sinsinawa. The Midwest Office of the Sierra Club has provided some copies of the Club's Ecoregion Program. It features articles regarding the natural and human aspects of life on the Mississippi River Basin. A video, "America's River: The Mississippi," produced for Sierra Club Midwest will be available for preview. Information about the Sierra Club, in general, will also be available.

To help with this project in any way you can, please contact Nancy Nolley. Maybe you have some Mississippi River photos or information to share or could help with table set-up and supervision.

Iowa Sierran Features Our Group

2000-09-01T10:08:00.003-05:00

The White Pine Group was one of the eight Iowa Chapter Groups to be featured in the Iowa Sierran newsletter. An article about the Group's history, happenings, and hopes was published in the Autumn 2000 issue. Take a look at the article and see where we have been, where we are, and what could be. How could you fit into the picture? What is the real strength of the Sierra Club? In what way can each of us help the Sierra Club in our area make a difference? How can we best utilize the reputation, clout, and expertise of the club to better protect what nature now has to offer so it may be explored and enjoyed by generations to come? Are you sharing, exploring, and enjoying as much as you could with like-minded citizens to help us focus some activism?

Sierra Club Groups are the basis of the grassroots strength of the Sierra Club. The White Pine Group would enjoy more active participation.

Group Bylaws Development

2000-09-01T10:07:00.004-05:00

A new, revised Sierra Club Group Bylaws Development Handbook has been developed and all Sierra Club Groups have been encouraged to adopt bylaw revisions. These revisions would resequence bylaws for clarity, eliminate vestiges of sexist use of language, better define and strengthen ties between Club levels, elaborate on existing EXCOM powers and financial matters, expand upon the election process and timeline, and provide an enhanced template for meeting procedures and decision making.

The major change we are considering as an allowed variation for local circumstances is to reduce our number of Group EXCOM members from nine (9) to five (5). This may help us meet a bylaw requirement that there always be an election with at least two more candidates than openings available and to better assure having a quorum at EXCOM meetings. Ballot to be in the next newsletter.

Our original intent for 9 on the EXCOM was to have a broad base of decision-making and enough officially elected leaders to cover all committee and other available duties. Reality now encourages stepping back but with the incentive and flexibility to find non-EXCOM volunteers and appointees to provide more Group leadership.

Candidates for EXCOM Sought

2000-09-01T10:06:00.003-05:00

Election 2000 opens up 4 EXCOM positions. Please consider offering to serve the grassroots Sierra Club cause as a leader of the White Pine Group. You may be able to provide ideas and enthusiasm to bolster Group activity.

If you do not feel that the EXCOM is for you, you can volunteer to serve in some other capacity. We would like to hear from you.

There will be a ballot in the Winter newsletter for both the EXCOM election and the bylaws revisions. A copy of the revised bylaws will be available at the next three program/meetings and at the Turkey Dinner. You are encouraged to review these. Learning how the the Sierra Club is supposed to operate may help you decide that this is an organization you would like to serve as a Group EXCOM leader!

Volunteers Welcome: Turkey Dinner Fundraiser

2000-09-01T10:05:00.001-05:00

Our White Pine Group has never asked for the allotment of funds from the national Club that we are entitled, letting the Iowa Chapter keep it as a contribution to Chapter operations from our Group. Our only official sources of income have been proceeds from the Turkey Dinner and Sierra Club calendar sales.

Volunteers help make the Turkey Dinner an actual fundraiser. Volunteers provide a variety of items for the meal: cranberry salads, pies, cakes, etc. Volunteers roast the turkeys in their own ovens. Volunteers help with the table set-up the night before the dinner. Volunteers contribute door prizes and and centerpiece decorations. Volunteers help clear tables and wash dishes. Volunteers sweep the floor. Some who are unable to attend, volunteer dollars to help with expenses. Some volunteer to have a night out and attend the dinner getting to meet fellow Sierrans and other attendees including our Audubon Society, Mississippi Trails Hiking Club, and other conservation-minded friends. Sierra Society youth have volunteered to carve pumpkins or create dried plant bouquets for nursing home decorations. See the Turkey Dinner form to VOLUNTEER!!

Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges

2000-09-01T10:04:00.012-05:00

You can be a Friend of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges. An organizational meeting was held on August 22nd for the establishment of a new chapter of the Friends of the Upper Mississippi River Refuges. This tri-state chapter would be fostered through the support of the Mississippi River Discovery Center now in the planning stages. The Center will serve as an interpretive center for Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 20 more members are needed to establish a Dubuque area Chapter.

A potluck meeting will be held at 6 PM on October 3rd at Eagle Point Park. You are encouraged to participate to help serve the goals of the organization:

Support the Multi-use concept
Inform the public about the benefits of the National Wildlife Refuges
Provide opportunities for volunteers
Locate funding for projects and activities to enhance the Refuges
Inform elected officials about refuge issues

Membership dollars will:

further public awareness along the river
provide educational environmental programs
expand opportunities for public use of the refuges
improve and create sites for the observation of birds and other wildlife
support the restoration and preservation of the wetlands and prairies
be used to help maintain and establish hiking and canoe trails

To conserve the natural and cultural resources of Upper Mississippi River, the Friends group will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supporting a complex of national wildlife refuges.

Charlie Winterwood was chosen to be vice chair of the proposed Friends Chapter. Ed Cawley is the chair.See the membership form included with this newsletter.

Sierra Club Trips

2000-09-01T10:03:00.000-05:00

Dick Worm, editor

One thing I have been impressed with while being a member of two Sierra Club Service Trips this past year is the variety of folks who participate. The Top of Texas trip last October included a number of unmarried young people who took vacation time to serve as trail work volunteers. One young lady was a medical student. I suppose, without family obligations, these folks could more easily justify such an outing.

One married couple on the Kanab Creek Wilderness Service Trip had grown up in the Dubuque area, one attending Senior High School, the other attending the Western Dubuque High School in Epworth. They had operated a dairy farm in Minnesota but decided that lifestyle was too stifling, sold their farm holdings, and now found time to enjoy their first wilderness adventure by doing trail work as Sierra Club volunteers.

This summer, I served as the assistant leader for a Club backpack trip in the South San Juan Wilderness in Colorado (right after the trip with the group from here). One member of that trip was a heart attack survivor. He and I walked together a lot at the back of the group during the first couple of days as we climbed over 3000 ft. from about 9000 ft. to over 12,000 ft. He took many short breaks to catch his breath and just pump up for the next section of the trail.

He wrote to me after the trip: "...the backpacking trip was a big deal. Getting back into shape; then going on the trip itself did prove to myself that yes I can still do it." He added, "Guess at times adults can act as adults and still have a good time like kids."

When leading youth on such trips during 25 previous years, I knew they were taking the time to go along. Now, with adults, I see them making the effort to participate. The driving force is just a little different.

For more information about such trips, I hope you were able to see my articles in the past two Iowa Sierrans. You gain much more respect for what we are trying to protect by actually getting out there and exploring and enjoying the natural wonders first hand. See you at our Programs?

Turkey Dinner Fundraiser

2000-09-01T10:02:00.004-05:00

Saturday November 4, 2000
First Congregational Church, 10th and Locust
Downtown Dubuque

The public is welcome (reservation required)
Traditional Turkey Dinner

5:30 PM - social hour, apple cider, calendar sales, exhibits, Gateway Natural Foods video

6:15 PM - buffet-style traditional turkey dinner

7:00 PM - welcome, introductions, door prizes, pumpkin decorating and "bouquet" awards

7:30 PM - program: "End Commercial Logging on Public Lands", Sheila Bosworth, Sierra Club Priority Campaign Committee. This topic is one of four of the National Sierra Club priority campaigns for 2000. Shelia, a member of the Iowa Chapter's Eagle View Group, lives in Princeton, Iowa, and is served in Congress by Rep. Jim Leach, a sponsor of legislation to end public land commercial logging in national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management holdings. A former member of the Sierra Club's national membership committee, Shelia now also serves the Club as chair of the Mississippi River Basin Ecoregion Task Force. Her presentation will include the Sierra Club video, "This Land Is Your Land", describing forestry issues and economics. She reports that a recently released study finds that more money can be made by letting forests stand instead of cutting them down. Sheila says, "Iowans visit national forests. Iowa's members of Congress vote on national forest issues. We have a stake in what happens to those forestlands."

8:30 PM - clean up, dish washing/drying, calendar sales. VOLUNTEERS WELCOME.

2000 White Pine Group Executive Committee

2000-09-01T10:01:00.003-05:00

Chair: Charlie Winterwood ('01)
Vice Chair: Jim Fahrion ('01)
Turkey Dinner: Jane Worm ('01)
Treasurer: Mike Muir ('01)
Newsletter/Membership: Dick Worm ('00)
Conservation: Gretel Winterwood ('00)
Outings/Sierra Society: Steve Neyens ('00)
EXCOM: Kevin Kane ('01)
EXCOM: Dan Ernst ('00)

Iowater Monitoring

2000-09-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

The White Pine Group is responsible for monitoring the water quality of a section of Catfish Creek in Dubuque. Charlie Winterwood has taken the training and has the equipment necessary to conduct these tests. Dick Worm, so far, is his only official assistant. Additional helpers would be welcome.

We will perform our first testing session on Tuesday or Wednesday, Sept 12 or 13. Testing takes about 2 hours. We have kept the time somewhat flexible to hopefully fit the schedule of other volunteers. If you could help at any time (morning, afternoon, or early evening) on either of those days, please contact Charlie. Additional hands would be very welcome!

Calendar of Events

2000-03-01T10:04:00.000-06:00

Please mark these events onto your handy wall calendar.

March 5, Sunday
Outing: Eagle Roosting Site and adjoining 330 acres near Hopkinton. Meet at Hempstead High Parking Lot at noon, or at the lane leading south to Hardscrabble Park at 1:00 PM just across the Maquoketa River bridge, west of Hopkinton on County Road D47.

This property, owned by White Pine Group member John Stone, is south of Hardscrabble Park and includes Maquoketa River shoreline, wooded bluffs, and fields. A small in-holding owned by another person threatens the quality of the roosting area if opened to the public for snowmobiling. We will learn of the issues associated with access to and use of this property.

For more information, contact Dick Worm.

March 10, Friday
Hike Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm Conservation Easement property, 150 acres along the Mississippi River, with Jill Daniel, as she conducts the annual monitoring of the easement agreement. Learn about "easements" and join in on discussions of prairie restoration, invading plant removal, and other plans as we walk the property.

Phone Dick Worm for the time to begin (either late AM or early PM), yet to be confirmed, and for directions to 3680 Echo Hills, 2 miles east of US 52 South on St. Catherine Rd.

March 12, Sunday
Mines of Spain program at E.B. Lyons Nature Center, 1:30 PM, "Caves and Mines", Ruby Pruszco

March 13, Monday
Program/Meeting: Hempstead High School Auditorium, South Pod; enter at Moody Gym entrance and continue straight past gym to auditorium entrances (3715 Pennsylvania Ave., Dubuque). 7 PM: Sierra Society Youth meeting.

7:30 PM, Public Program: "Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon State Parks, North Texas". These parks were featured in the May 1999 Backpacker, Magazine of Wilderness Travel special edition featuring a "Central Hiking Guide". These two were included in the South Central section. Dick Worm will show slides, photo album pictures, and maps from his October sunrise, sunset, and perfect weather hikes there on the way home from "Top of Texas" Sierra Club Service Trip. (The same magazine also featured Yellow River State Forest, Iowa, in its Upper Midwest Section.)

8:15 PM, White Pine Group meeting. Discuss local, state, and national election endorsements, etc.

March 15 - April 1
Dick Worm travels to Arizona for the Sierra Club's Kanab Creek Trail Maintenance Service Trip backpacking around Jumpup Pt. into N. rim wilderness canyons, Also plans hikes at Crazy Jug Pt., Mt. Humphrey's, Mund's Mt. Wilderness, Wilson Mountain, etc.

March 26, Sunday
Mines of Spain program at E. B. Lyons Nature Center, 1:30 PM, "Building a Prairie", Clarke College Science Education.

April 8, Saturday
Group outing: Mossy Glen State Preserve. Meet at Rupp Hollow Road, Heritage Trail Parking Lot at 9 AM, or at Bixby State Preserve just north out of Edgewood at 10 AM. Mossy Glen is just northwest of Bixby, where we may also hike some later. Bring a lunch and beverage for the day. Return to Dubuque by 4 PM. Phone Charlie Winterwood for more information.

April 10, Monday
Program/Meeting: Hempstead Science Learning Center, C-270. (Not auditorium). Use Flagpole Circle Drive Entrance using doors to the left of the gated open entry to the courtyard. Go up one flight of stairs, follow long hall westward to the meeting room on the left.

7 PM: Sierra Society Youth meeting.

7:30 PM, Public Program: "John Muir: The Man, The Poet, The Legacy", 50-minute video, as seen on PBS. Slides and print photos that Dick Worm took this past summer at the John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez, California, and at Muir Woods National Monument and Muir Beach will also be shown.

8:40 PM: White Pine Group Meeting. Decide election endorsements, consider Earth Day event options, and other matters.

April 22, Saturday: Earth Day 2000
(Middle of Easter vacation, but do what you can to remember the day. Attend our March and April meetings to help consider some appropriate action.)

May 6, Saturday
Group outing: French Creek Wildlife Management Area/Hog Confinement issue tour. Walk along the trout stream and get a sense of the setting as related to the nearby confinement. See the update in the recently received Spring 2000 Sierran. Meet at Hempstead at 8 AM, or at French Creek about 10 AM.

French Creek is located about 7 miles west of Lansing on IA 9, then north on a road near Churchtown. There is a sign on IA 9 showing where to turn north. Or, maybe the sign I once saw was at French Creek Road, about 4 miles further west; or, at Road X20, a blacktop, about another mile west (or about 4-5 miles northwest of Waukon at Lycurgus where there is a church), then proceed north on X20 about three miles to a poorly marked Ebner Drive where you turn right (east). If the X20 blacktop has turned to gravel, you have gone too far. Go about 1.6 miles east on Ebner Dr., and turn left at the bottom of a steep hill onto French Creek Drive. It is about 1 mile to the primitive campground on the left. That is where we will try to meet. There is a trail from the campground to the stream. The confinement area is on eastward on French Creek Drive, up a steep hill, then another 0.5 mile. (Hope my Gazetteer is sort of close!)

Later May 6 - 7 (Saturday - Sunday)
Outing continues: After visiting French Creek, we plan to continue on up into Minnesota to camp and bicycle. We may drive up to Beaver Creek Valley State Park near Caledonia off Rt. 76 in Minnesota; then, continue on to Rushford, where we may drop off one vehicle at the east end of the Root River Trail. Then, drive scenic route 16 west to Preston and on to Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park where we will camp. Try to visit the cave or bicycle a short branch of Root River Trail that begins at Fountain as time in the day permits. Bring your own food for camping or plan to eat in Preston or Lanesboro or some such to help local economies..

We would plan to bicycle from Preston to Rushford on Sunday. Return to Dubuque by 4-5 PM.

May 8, Monday
Program/Meeting: Hempstead High Science Learning Center, C-270 (not auditorium). Enter via Flagpole Drive entry, etc. as described for the April 10 meeting. Signs will be posted.

7 PM: Sierra Society Youth meeting.

7:30 PM, Public Program: "Oklahoma's Black Mesa and New Mexico's Valley of Fires and Capitan Mountains Wilderness". Slides and album photos from Dick Worm's hikes on his way to the October "Top of Texas" Sierra Club Service Trip.

Black Mesa is "The Top of Oklahoma" at 4973 feet. Valley of Fires is a National Recreation Area of volcanic lava flows. El Capitan Mountain at 10,083 ft. is the highest peak in the Capitan Mountains Wilderness near Capitan, N. M. and Smokey the Bear National Historic Site. The hike up El Capitan was on a clear, deep-blue-sky sort of day with golden aspen scattered among the green pine. Come and EXPLORE.

8:15: Group meeting.

More Spring/Summer Calendar 2000

2000-03-01T10:03:00.119-06:00

June 2000
No meetings/outings.

July 2000
No meetings/outings. However, if you or anyone you know might be interested in going on a backpack trip into the South San Juan Wilderness just southwest of Alamosa, Colorado, contact Dick Worm.

The idea is as follows: Since Dick MAY be helping with a national Sierra Club outing in that same wilderness from July 23-29 because of his past experience in that wilderness in 1991 and 1997, he is planning to lead a trip for local Sierra Society youth and adults into the same area, backpacking from July 16-21. Jim Fahrion, White Pine Group past Chair, who helped lead the 1997 youth outing there; Mike Marty, Hempstead Science Dept. Chair, who has helped lead many previous youth outings the last being in 1996; and 2 or 3 other adults and one college-age youth are interested, if dates and such work out. DIck is willing to take anyone interested in such an adventure.

Plan is to leave Dubuque on July 14, camp in Kansas, and get to Alamosa on the 15th, camping at the local KOA. Dick's vans and Sierra Society's trailer could be used, or other private vehicles. Dick might take his car so he could stay there with it while others return to Iowa after the backpacking.

Backpacking would begin on July 16th from a trailhead just north of the Conejos Campground on the Conejos River on a Forest Service Road south of Platoro Reservoir. (This is straight west of La Jara on U.S. 285. Conejos Peak, 13,172 ft., which is also shown on my Rand McNally and State Farm Road Atlases, would be one of our day-hike objectives.)

At the trailhead, we may have to wade across a spring run-off overflow channel in order to get to the bridge that crosses the main channel of the Conejos River. We would then backpack westward, upstream along the south fork of the Conejos less than 5 miles wading a couple of tributary streams to camp at the mouth of Canon Verde. Elevation gain is only from 8960 ft. to 9600 ft. A good little hike to help with the acclimatization to altitude. There is a little swimming hole upstream in Canon Verde and a nice ridge to scramble up at this campsite.

On July 17th we would continue 5 mi. upstream along the south fork, past the mouth of Canon Rincon (which we backpacked down in 1997), and on up on new trail to me within about one mile of Blue Lake which sits right on the continental divide. We would camp at about 11,200 ft. still on the s. fork. The last part of this trail seems to be the steepest and ascends through forested terrain. We could take a hike over to Blue Lake that evening or the next morning. (Blue Lake is a prime objective on this trip as Dick has not been to it before.)

July 18th, we would backpack on up along the S. Fork northeastward about 3.5 miles to its source, the 12,000 ft. Glacier Lake. Here, we could leave our packs, and day-hike on up to the summit of Conejos Peak. It is a pretty gentle climb of another 1172 ft. stretched out over about 3 miles. Afternoon storms are common so we'd want an early start that day. We would return to Glacier Lake, descend a fairly steep slope (maybe do dome snow sliding) to the upper end of Canon Rincon and camp near Twin Lakes at about 11,680 ft. Camp here two nights.

July 19th, a day of rest; or hike up Conejos Peak if not done due to weather or whatever yesterday; or dayhike down slope about 2 miles south to the 11,335 ft., Timber Lake which sits on the edge of a narrow ridge between Canon Rincon and Hansen Creek. It is a really neat scene with the west end of the lake very near a 880 ft. almost vertical drop to Hansen Creek. A windswept desert-like landscape of volcanic rock and pinnacles on the edge of the ridge add to the unique setting. Continuing past the lake another mile could provide a look down into the S. Fork Canyon we had come in on about 1200 ft. below. Another interesting scramble from the west end of the western-most Twin Lake is up to a camel-shaped rock pinnacle eroded out of volcanic breccia (boulders fused together). Lots of other weirdly shaped pinnacles also dot that slope.

July 20th, backpack eastward past the south face of Conejos Peak on nearly level terrain looping northward around the heads of Hansen Creek and Canon Bonito to the Conejos Trail for about 4.5 miles. Usually see elk in this region. Maybe drop packs and ramble up a slope to a 12,555 ft. vista down onto Bear Lake about 1000 ft. below. The trail begins to descend now towards Roaring Gulch. Camp at the base of a steep section of trail at about 11,600 ft. after another 1-2 miles. Could hike from camp over to a 12,105 foot vista down onto Bear Lake again to watch the sun set.

July 21, backpack 5 mi. southeast down to trailhead. Camp at Alamosa KOA, again.

July 22-23: Drive back to Iowa.

August 19, Saturday
Group Potluck Picnic at Dick and Jane Worm's Faraway Farm, noon.

Grills will be provided. Bring your own meat to grill, a dish to share, utensils, etc. Jane may provide a cake as it is Dick's birthday on the 19th. Bring lawn chairs. Picnic tables are in the shelters.

Come early to fish, swim, and/or canoe in the pond and/or hike to the Mississippi River or on the numerous trails through forest and fields, to the Big Bluestream Prairie Grass site; along the Mississippi Bluffs, and to the high ridge. Find sink holes, fossils, fern covered rock faces, etc. And/or all are welcome to do the same after the picnic, also.

A Group EXCOM meeting to plan Fall calendar will be held after lunch. Stay for an evening campfire. Gate will open at 8 AM and stay open until whenever. Camp for the night, if you'd like.

There is a small shelter close to the parking area and a large shelter at the pond. Four canoes, paddles, life jackets, and a flat bottom boat will be available. A variety of tents can also be made available for anyone wanting to camp out but has no tent.

Insect repellant may be a wise accessory but Deep Woods Off will be available. Off trail wanderers may encounter poison ivy.

Campers may camp on the dam at the pond near the shelter, outhouse, and fire ring; at at a couple of bluff top locations (one with a nearby outhouse and fire ring), or at a remote location by the gully at the far southeast corner of the property. All these sites are on mowed grass. There is also a mowed site by the old stone foundation on the high ridge top. It is on the same level as the Echo Hills Lane and can be easily hiked to from Dick and Jane's house.

Faraway Farm is located 2 miles east on St. Catherine Road from US 52, 6 miles south of Dubuque city limits. Turn left at the Echo Hills sign and take the center lane down onto gravel, over a cattle guard, straight through a gate, and down to the parking areas above the pond.

Winter Outings Report

2000-03-01T10:02:00.035-06:00

On January 22, five of us tried out our cross country skis on the Pony Hollow Trail just east of Elkader. The trail was pretty flat so I only fell down about three times on my new skis. And we only had to dodge snowmobiles twice. A nice stream runs along the trail adding to the scenic values. First time out so good testing of the groin muscles! Stiff and sore.

We enjoyed lunch at the Keystone Cafe in Elkader overlooking the Turkey River. A large hawk sat in the snow on the deck railing for quite a while adding to our pleasure.

I had to miss the Feb. 19 outing to Yellow River Forest but Charlie Winterwood and I got in some more skiing on Faraway Farm and on a Jackson County Trail on old railroad bed along the Maquoketa River southwest from County Road Z34 north of Preston to Spragueville. This 3.8 mile trail provides nice vistas of the meandering Maquoketa, has shelters and tables, and geologic time markers put in place by a Preston elementary school class. A hamburger, raspberry shake, and Citra at a cafe in Spragueville rounded out that morning outing.

The Faraway Farm ski trails are a lot less flat. The lane down the southeast (right) side of the ridge to the fields got down to being only a two-faller for me. A wee bit fast for my meager skills. Once onto the fields on the bench above the river bluffs, the going was better, peacefully serene, and scenic with views toward Galena across the Mississippi River Valley. Lots of deer tracks on the trails and evidence of turkey scratching. Good exercise. But, this summer, I will mow the trails with less sharp turns and angle down slopes rather than go straight down where ever possible. Those 90 degree turns at the bottom of the slopes at the edges of the fields overlooking the river were a little brutal!!! Tailbone brakes worked well and did not create serious tailbone breaks.

By building bridges across a couple of gullies, there will be about a half mile of nearly level trail along the river bluff. Nice project to work on over the next couple of years.

The Feb. 14 Sierra Club slide show on the "Battle for the Everglades" was very good.

Action Needed to Protect Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and the Coral Reef!

2000-03-01T10:01:00.001-06:00

The Clinton/Gore Administration is considering allowing a major commercial airport to be built on the edge of two national parks - Biscayne and Everglades.

The proposed airport at Homestead, Florida, lies just 1.5 miles from Biscayne national Park and 8.5 miles from Everglades National Park and next to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It would be the largest commercial airport next to a national park in the United States, hosting 236,000 flights per year in its first phase... that's a plane every few minutes.

The Administration is also considering a commercial space port at the site, which would pose similar noise, water and air pollution problems.

Please immediately phone and e-mail Vice President Al Gore's office with the following message:
I (and/or Sierra Club your chapter) urge(s) the Clinton/Gore Administration to protect Everglades and Biscayne National Parks by NOT conveying the former Homestead Air Force Base for commercial aviation or space port uses. Such uses will cause unacceptable, permanent impacts to two of America's treasured national parks as well as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The Everglades, once a wide, slow moving river, also suffers due to damming, diverting, draining, and urban sprawl.