Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park, Inc.

July-September 2008

IN NATURE TODAY:

CAVE SALAMANDERS are not EASTERN only found in caves; they are found inWOOD- the vicinity of springs, cellars, or underPEWEES rocks. They inhabit the “twilight zone”are back from of Wolf Cave which is the area wherewintering in visible light reaches into the cave.South America. As a flycatcher, EASTERN BOX they fly out from a perch to TURTLE populations arecatch a flying insect and return declining due to habitat loss, to the same perch. Listen for road mortality, and collection.their call: a slurred “pee-ah-wee”! Did you know? A male box

turtle will have bright red eyes!

President Vice President

Bonnie Tinsley Mike Miller379 W. Hillside Ave. 904 E. 14th St.Spencer IN 47460 Bloomington IN 47408Phone: 812 829 2738 Phone: 574 721 7753Email: E-mail: albontinsley@smithville.net mam2@alumni.indiana.edu

Secretary, Newsletter Editor Treasurer

Andrea Oeding Al Tinsley120 S. Kingston Dr., Apt. C35 379 W. Hillside Ave.Bloomington IN 47408 Spencer IN 47460Phone: 812 639 7032 Phone: 812 829 2738E-Mail: E-mail:anoeding@peacemail.com albontinsley@smithville.net

Meeting the second Tuesday of every month except December at6:00 PM in the Nature Center unless otherwise noted.

Friends of McCormick’s Creek State ParkPO Box 483, Spencer IN 47460

FMCSP Financial Report

Treasurer: Al TinsleyReport as of June 10, 2008

Balance on May 13: $6,024.98IncomeFinal 10% Grant $ 275.00Miscellaneous $ 85.00Booth Fee, Membership $ 55.00Turnpaugh Donation $ 300.00Total Income $ 715.00ExpendituresBook Mailing $ 43.02Balance on Hand $6,696.96Fund Allocations: Dedicated Funds(Arts in the Park grant) $2,750.00Discretionary Funds $3,946.96

Written by Andrea Oeding; Information provided by Dwight Brooks and Marquita Manley

This summer, your hike to Wolf Cave may be a slightly different experience. Wolf Cave has been a favorite hiking destination since early in McCormick’s Creek State Park history with its popularity and visitation increasing every year. In August of 2007, naturalists counted over 300 visitors at Wolf Cave during a 4-hour period on a busy Saturday. Many school and scout groups include the cave as a major focus of their day trip visits to explore the cave environment and experience the unique wildlife inhabitants (including the cave salamander mentioned on pg.1). Increased use, especially walking over the top of the cave area, has caused erosion of soil and loss of protective vegetation. The objective of the Wolf Cave Restoration Project is to restore the Wolf Cave area to its original appearance and ecology. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friends of McCormick’s CreekState Park, Inc. present:

3rd Annual

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Arts FairKids Art Zone

Three Artist WorkshopsFour Artist Demonstrations

Twelve Musical Performances(Music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!)

Find a detailed program schedule at the Nature Center or online at

www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/12066.htm

Arts in the ParkVolunteer Callout

Please contact Bonnie Tinsley by calling 829-2738

if interested in volunteering for this major event and receive an

exclusive volunteer T-shirt to wear on the day!

“The breeze, the trees, the honey bees -All volunteers!”~Juliet Carinreap

Wildflower Weekend anda surprise Plant Sale donation benefit the Friends!

Wildflower Weekend, an annual event every 3rd weekend of April, was a huge success this year as the park and Friends Group partnered with other area agencies. The State Park, Friends group, Owen County Soil and Water Conservation District, IDNR Division of Foresty, and the Monroe County Parks and Recreation worked together to bring wildflower enthusiasts guided tours and presentations throughout the weekend of April 18-20, 2008. The Friends Group Plant Sale sold over $200 of a variety of plants. A special presentation by Fred and Maryrose Wampler, co-author/illustrator of the book Wildflowers of Indiana allowed guests to see behind the scenes of one of the premier wildflower artists in the state of Indiana. A surprise and welcomed guest on many of the wildflower hikes was Kay Yatskievych, author of Field Guide to Indiana Wildflowers. Kay added field expertise to many tough identifications and visitor questions! Pictured above are Friends members Al Tinsley and Marian Sinclair enjoying their time helping visitors decide on plants!

Also, of special mention, was a generous donation from George and Francene Turnpaugh of Naperville, IL. The Turnpaugh’s decided to holdtheir very own plant sale in the front yard of their house and sell an overabundance of plant starts from around their house. They put a sign up that reads, “Thank you! Perennial/Yard Plant Sale to Benefit: McCormick’s Creek State Park.” They received $300 and donated the total to the Friends group! Thank you for your kind and generous support from a distance. Pictured above is a little helper toting plants!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW EXHIBITS: CALLOUT FOR PICTURES!Do you, your parents, or grandparents have old photos of the park?

We are documenting the history and development of the park in our new exhibits and are seeking old photos and memorabilia. We would love both old and/or new photos to show people enjoying

the park. Contact the Nature Center, 812-829-4344, for more information. Here are some examples of what is needed…

*Old scenes of the Quarry, Canyon Inn, Falls, Wolf Cave, or other park areas. *Old photos featuring families and home sites which are now part of the park.

*CCC photos of McCormick’s Creek State Park.*Nature programs, camping, group camps, and other activities!

What’s Inside:*In Nature Today*Financial Report*Wolf Cave Restoration Project*Arts in the Park*Wonderful Wildflowers benefit the Park*New Exhibits: Callout for Pictures!

The mission of the Friends of McCormick’s Creek State Park, Inc. is

to develop and support projects and interpret the natural and cultural

heritage and recreational opportunities of McCormick’s Creek State Park.