News

Land Owners Conference

Submitted by Chris Tomazic, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

The 9th annual Landowners' Conference will take place this weekend (June 2 & 3) at Camp Oty Okwa in the Hocking Hills. At the Landowners' Conference (LOC) participants attend a variety of workshops designed to promote good stewardship and earned income opportunities. Workshops include: "Bio-Intensive Agriculture" by Joe Kovach, "Minimizing the Impact of Emerald Ash Borer" by Kathy Smith, "Growing Goldenseal and Black Cohash" by Tom Johnson and Charlie Hambel and "Intro to Beekeeping" by David Noble. In addition to the workshops, Bob Beyfuss will deliver the keynote presentation titled "Preserving at-risk plants while obtaining income from your forest." There will also be a youth conference focussing on nature observation and exploration and family sessions.

The LOC will also include commercial and educational exhibitors who will be available to share their products, information, and opportunities. Two meals are provided on both Saturday and Sunday, and the entertainment on Saturday night will be the Stump Juice Trading Company.


Registration is required for the event. On-site registration will be $115 for Rural Action members, and $140 for non-members. On-site registration for the youth conference is $70. Visit www.ruralaction.org/conference for more info.

Friday afternoon will feature a pre-conference event, "Invasive Plant Management Training for the Natural Resource Professional." From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. a variety of speakers will present about current perspectives about invasive plants and methods of control. The cost for this event is $15, which includes lunch.

Faces of Rural Action

Liz Bonny, AmeriCorps*VISTA with Youth Act
Submitted by Katy Sulfridge, former AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

Liz Bonny is our current Youth Act VISTA, and she is being spotlighted for this edition of Faces of Rural Action. Liz has been serving with Rural Action since July of 2006, and while her term is scheduled to end in July of this summer, she plans on sticking around for another two months before heading to Kansas to be near family, and begin work on a Master of Social Work at the University of Kansas.

Liz working with her students at a bake sale!

Before coming to Rural Action, Liz, who originally hails from Teaneck, New Jersey, Liz worked with AmeriCorps State to coordinate a literacy program for youth while she was a student at Earlham University in Richmond, Indiana. Liz graduated from Earlham with a degree in Sociology/Anthropology, and says that the degree and her experience has been beneficial in her experience with Rural Action. "It challenged me to think broadly about society and culture, and our place in it. The schools and communities I work with have a different culture than what I grew up with and I have had to keep an open mind in adapting to others' ways of life."

Liz has been working with several area schools to coordinate service learning projects and other educational activities. Projects include a litter pick up, a benefit dance for My Sister's Place, and fundraising for the Youth Act Program.

Membership Update

Thank you to the following new and renewing members. Our programs are made possible by your support!

Richard Botamer
Elizabeth Bustle
Lela Cooper
Andy Gogan
James Murphy
Mark Puhl
Michael Swintosky
Jean Wistendahl – in memory of Warren A. Wistendahl

Upcoming Events

Monday Creek Watershed Daycamps
Submitted by Matt Miller, AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Monday Creek Restoration Partnership

Oh boy! We’re off to Day Camp!

The summer is here, and the time for day camps is approaching! Monday Creek Restoration Project is hosting a nature and watershed-focused summer day camp for the third year running, from Monday, June 18 to Friday, June 22, 8:30am-4pm. This year’s camp has been extended to five days, and will include exciting nature hikes, fun craft projects, and swimming and canoeing at Lake Logan. There will be hands-on plant and fish identification activities, and a special appearance by Dave Sagan of Hocking College’s nature center and his scaly and feathery friends!

Dropoff for the camp will begin at 8am each day and go till 8:30am at the Nelsonville-York Elementary School parking lot in Buchtel. The kids will be shuttled up to the New Straitsville City Park, which is the “home base” for the camp. Camp will officially begin at 9:00am in the New Straitsville Park. Pickup after camp will be at 4:00pm each day, also at the N-Y Elementary School. The target age group for the camp is 8-11 year olds, but all mature elementary school-age kids are welcome. Cost of the camp is only $30 for the whole five days, which includes transportation and nutritious lunches and snacks, however scholarships may be available – call for information. We look forward to seeing you at the Monday Creek Summer Day Camp!

For additional information and to register your kids, call Matt Miller at (740) 394-2047, or email MCRP at vista@mondaycreek.org. PLEASE REGISTER BY JUNE 14TH.

Calendar of Events

06/01 - Invasive Plant Management Training for Natural Resource Professionals, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Camp Otyokwa, Hocking Hills. A look at diverse and current perspectives and methods of controll. Will include a look at the problem through a holistic perspective. Contact Jeff Hardin or Tom Redfern at 740-767-4938.

06/02 & 06/03 - Land Owners Conference, Camp Otyokwa, Hocking Hills, contact Jeff Hardin at 740-767-4938.

06/05 - Volunteer Action, Mary Steinmaus, WATH 970AM, 10:06am-10:36am

06/07 - South East Ohio Watershed Council Meeting, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Guernsey SWCD, contact Maureen Wise at 330-859-1050 for more info.

06/07 - SCWG, Equestrian Training, 6:30-9 pm, OSU Extension in Athens. Topics: pasture management, water quality issues, manure management, neighbor relations. Sponsored by SCWG, OSU Extension and Athens Soil and Water Management. A $10 fee covers food and resource binder. Contact Emily Boyer at 740-767-2225 for more info.

06/12 - Volunteer Action, Andrew Bashaw (North Country Trail), WATH 970AM, 10:06am-10:36am

Editor's Pick

Do you YouTube?

Presidential hopefulls have taken to YouTube in order to get out their messages. Oftentimes that message is political - most of the 17 candidates have videos explaining their stance on issues like the Iraq War and universal healthcare - but candidates also post videos that try to woo young voters with fun tactics and hip style. Case in point, check out this article about a recent post by Hillary Clinton's campaign:

WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton wants YouTube viewers to pick her campaign theme song — and the response, so far, has been music to her ears.

They range from U2‘s "Beautiful Day" to Smash Mouth‘s version of "I‘m a Believer" to Celine Dion‘s "You and I."

According to the view counter on YouTube, the May 16 video had more than 500,000 views; a more recent post was seen by more than 40,000. Her campaign said it received more than 130,000 votes in the first round. It promises to release the final result "in the coming days."

"A little self-effacement in her recipe of self-presentation is probably a good idea," Robert Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, said. "There is a certain sense of over-calculation."

"I‘d rather have a candidate ask me what I think about major issues," Thompson said. "The way it‘s being used is: Let‘s have you guys come and tell me what‘s the best way to package myself to sell myself to you."

But Kathleen Hall Jamieson, who directs the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said any way candidates can engage potential voters, especially young people, at this stage is good.

Visit "You Choose '08" to watch videos from 17 presidential hopefulls.

Wishlist

Rural Action is wishing for a lawn mower to keep our grass under control this summer. If you can help by donating, call Tori at 740-767-4938.

Fun Fact

Besides being a refreshing treat on a hot day, watermelon only has about 50 calories per cup, 1 gram of fiber, no fat, little sodium and is a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

Americans consume about 3 billion pounds of watermelon each year. While there are more than 200 varieties of watermelon, consumers can look for these popular types:

* Picnic watermelon is round or oblong with light to dark green rind, with or without stripes, and weighs in at 15 to 45 pounds.
* Ice box watermelon is one of the round babies at 5 to 15 pounds with dark or light green rind and red or yellow flesh.
* Seedless watermelon is gaining in popularity. It has a striped rind with red or yellow flesh and weighs 10 to 25 pounds.

Taken from here.

News

Youth Leadership Day a Success
Submitted by Liz Bonny, Youth Act VISTA

On Tuesday, Youth Act hosted its fourth annual Youth Leadership Day. Youth Act students from all four schools Youth Act serves gathered at the Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens for a day of learning, games, and service. Twenty students attended from Alexander Middle School, Federal Hocking Middle School, Trimble Middle School, and Trimble High School. They got to know each other better by participating in team building activities that each Youth Act group designed themselves. The students worked to develop their understanding of what Rural Action does by discussing ways that Rural Action is involved in their communities. The group also participated in a listening session for the Rural Renewal Strategy, similar to the house parties we have been holding around the region. Students participated by brainstorming what kind of projects would be beneficial to their schools and neighborhoods.

They discussed service learning scenarios and learned about Rural Action with the help of a photograph puzzle. Students received and decorated a t-shirt with logos that each of the Youth Act groups had designed on the back. Each Youth Act group has completed a service learning project this year, but at Youth Leadership Day, they participated in a common service learning project. They made dolls for Columbus Children’s Hospital. The dolls will be given to children for medical explanation and play. Adults were present to supervise, including Liz Bonny (Youth Act VISTA), Mary Steinmaus (Rural Action Interim Executive Director and Director of Community Development), Katy Sulfridge (Media VISTA), Tori Patterson (Development VISTA), Adam Fitch (Environmental Learning Program VISTA), and Matt Presutti (Media VISTA).


Huff Run Awareness Days
Submitted by Maureen Wise, Coordinator of the Huff Run Watershed Restoration Project

The Huff Run Awareness Days were held on May 4 and May 10 this year. Over 200 students visited the watershed between the two days. Three home school groups with about 15 families or classes attended the May 4 event. Nine 7th grade science classes from Bell Herron Middle School participated on May 10. During both days, the students visited four different stations. O EPA personnel showed the students fish found in Huff Run with a fish shocking demonstration. The shocking stuns the fish so they can be caught and they are not harmed. Huff Run staff and volunteers lead students in a macroinvertebrate (aquatic bugs) demonstration where students caught the bugs with kick nets. (Thank you to Sunday Creek for lending your boots!) ODNR and Huff Run staff lead a tour of the Lyons project. Finally, ODNR and Tusc Soil and Water staff held a pH demonstration also at the Lyons project. This was the eighth Awareness Day event planned by the Partnership. Funding for this field trip was paid both by the US EPA Targeted Watershed Grant and by an Ohio EPA 319 grant administered by Crossroads RC&D.


Rural Action VISTA accepts position with the American Red Cross
Submitted by Katy Sulfridge, Rural Action Media VISTA

Dear friends,

I have spent the last five months as one of the media VISTAs with Rural Action. I have had a wonderful time working closely with each of the programs to help promote their events, thus bringing Rural Action’s mission out into the community. I have gained a tremendous amount of experience in the short time that I have been here, and I hope to carry what I have learned with me for the rest of my life.

I have been offered a position as the Emergency Services Director for the Mid-Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, based in Parkersburg, WV. As a Washington County resident, this not only enables me to work a little closer to home, but allows me the opportunity to serve my community in times of need. I have been a national disaster services volunteer with the Red Cross since 2005, and I hope to draw from those experiences in the event of a disaster occurring within the Mid-Ohio Valley.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the folks that I have worked closely with, including my fellow teammates with the Rural Action Development and Communications team, as well as anyone that has collaborated with me on some of my projects, including Volunteer Action guests, interviewees for my research, and the local media, which has done a great job in helping us to promote Rural Action.

I plan on staying involved as a volunteer, including the upcoming Retreat for Rural Renewal. I hope to see everyone there.

Thank you,
Katy Sulfridge

Register for the Retreat on Rural Renewal
Submitted by Sara Peach, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Rural Renewal

Register now for the Retreat on Rural Renewal, a community conversation about the future of Appalachian Ohio. It's Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trimble High School in Glouster, Ohio. The Retreat is free but registration is limited to 150 people, so reserve your place today! The Rural Action Annual Meeting will also take place that day, during a short business lunch.

The easy sign-up sheet is available here.

Faces of Rural Action

Spotlight: Adam Fitch

Submitted by Katy Sulfridge, Rural Action Media VISTA

This week’s Faces of Rural Action takes a closer look at our Environmental Learning Program VISTA, Adam Fitch. Adam has been a VISTA with Rural Action since July 2006, and his term expires in July of this summer. Originally from Columbus Ohio, Adam attended Hocking College, where he received a degree in Horsemanship and Farrier Science.

In addition to his interest in horses, Adam has been involved with various other outdoor pursuits all over the country, such as canoeing and mountain climbing. His love for the outdoors gives him the experience needed to help area students foster wonder, responsibility, and stewardship for our natural world. Adam has been involved with community events such as the Paw Paw Festival, the Hockhocking Festival, and also will be coordinating the youth conference portion of Rural Action’s 9th Annual Landowner’s Conference.

After Adam’s term ends in July, he intends to find a job in the area and spend time with his wife and daughter while eagerly awaiting the arrival of his second child in the fall.

Business Spotlight

Rural Action is sustained by the support of our members, and we are pleased to count many local businesses and organizations in our membership role. To show our appreciation for their support of Rural Action's work towards a self-sustained region and in recognition of their own work in sustainable development, we share their vision, mission and action in the Business Spotlight.

Earthtouch and Niches Retreat

The hills around McArthur, OH once rang with the sounds of saws and shovels - the trade tools of extractive businesses, lumber and coal. Today a peaceful quiet has settled on the land. A landscape once mared by man is let go wild, and as it does Niches Retreat offers a vantage for the transition.

Niches was founded in 1986 on 50 acres of land. In 1993, a non-profit called Earthtouch was created to purchase land directly surrounding Niches in order to provide a buffer around the unique, peaceful setting. Over the years, Earthtouch acquired some 250 acres around Niches Retreat. In 2006, Niches and Earthtouch merged.

Niches Retreat is located within the 300+ Earthtouch Nature Preserve. The preserve hosts a variety of eco-zones including grasslands, forests and riparian areas (FYI: "Grandmother Tree," the largest oak in Vinton Co. lives in the preserve). Niches offers programs, workshops and retreats to connect visitors to these environments. Upcoming workshops include “Slow Food Workshop," “From the Root: Women Reclaim Food and Land," and a permaculture workshop with Josh Beniston of Habitats Gardens.

"These are great opportunities to learn more about our philosophy, learn some practical skills, meet new people and eat some amazing local food including food from our own experimental organic garden," says Sara DeAloia, Director of Niches Retreat. "We also have volunteer days coming up on May 20th and July 13-16th."

There are many ways for you to get involved and support Earthtouch's mission. First, consider Niches as a location for a personal or organizational retreat. Second, volunteer by attending a "Volunteer Day" (next one is May 20) or by calling the office to set a time that best fits your schedule. Third, you may join their new fundraising campaign, "Adopt-An-Acre," by adopting an acre of land at one of five support levels.

Please take some time to research Earthtouch and Niches further. Visit their website at www.niches.cc or call their
office at 740-596-4288. Also, you may visit Niches at one of their Real Food Revivals, held on the last Sunday of every other month, with the next revival in June.

Upcoming Events

Invasive Management Training to Preceede Land Owner's Conference
Submitted by Chris Tomazic, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

Invasive plants present management challenges for local landowners and caretakers. In an effort to address these issues, Rural Action will host “Invasive Plant Management Training for Natural Resource Professionals” on Friday June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Camp Oty-Okwa in the Hocking Hills.

The training, designed for land managers and interested landowners, will take a holistic approach to invasive plant management looking at diverse, contemporary perspectives on invasive classification, history and control.

Speaker Jennifer Hillmer, land steward of the Holden Arboretum, is a founding director of both the Ohio Invasive Plants Council and the Midwest Invasive Plant Network. Speakers also include Jennifer Windus, the current president of Ohio Invasive Plants Council and a program administrator at the Ohio Division of Wildlife; Bob Beyfuss of Cornell Cooperative Extension; Vocational Educator and Master Naturalist John Fichtner of West Virginia; and Certified Holistic Educator Fred Hayes. Workshop topics include “The Threats of Invasive Plants in Ohio’s
Natural Habitats,” “Managing Noxious Weeds in a Scientific Context,” and “A Holistic View of Succession and Biodiversity”.

This intensive workshop will lead off three days of educational opportunities at Camp Oty-Okwa in the beautiful Hocking Hills. The 9th Annual Landowners Conference will follow the workshop on June 2 and 3. For more information about the conference, please visit www.ruralaction.org/conference.

This training is funded by USDA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, and designed to offer challenging ideas on a very challenging problem: invasive plant management. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be available through the Society of American Foresters.

Register by May 25th, by calling Tom Redfern at 740-742-4401, or Jeff Hardin at 740-767-2090. Cost is $15 and includes a lunch of local foods. Scholarships are available for students or others in need.

Calendar of Events

05/17 - Native Plant Rescue (with special guest: Hope Taft), 10 a.m., Wayne National Forest Headquarters (Highway 33). Bring your own food and water. Open to the public. Contact Tom Redfern at 740-767-4938 for more info.

05/17 - Athens Waterfest (featuring our watershed groups), 9am-2pm, Athens High School, hosted by Athens Soil and Water Division.

05/18 - Middleport Farmers Market, 5 to 7 p.m.

05/19 - Friends of the Lower Muskingum River Clean-up, 10 a.m. to noon, meet in McConnelsville at the boat ramp on St. Rt. 376 across from the Morgan Co. Fairgrounds. Trask bags and gloves will be provided, all volunteers receive a free t-shirt! Contact Kim or Kristyn at 740-374-4170 for more info.

05/19 - Alumni Day at the Federal Valley Resource Center. 9 am kicks off the Yabba Dabba Doo 5k race. Come early for registration. 10 am to 3 pm there will be a community yard sale. Bring any unwanted items. From 1 to 4 pm, tour the grounds with FVRC members, and view artwork by Federal Hocking students. For more information, go to www.federalvalley.org.

05/19 - SCWG Dover Township Clean-up, 8 a.m. to noon, meet at the pull-off on Route 13 immediately before Main Street of Millfield (heading north). Contact Emily Boyer at 740-767-2225 for more info.

05/22 - Volunteer Action, Lindsey Daniels (Sexual Assault Prevention Program), WATH 970AM, 10:06 a.m. to 10:36 a.m.

05/22 - Meigs Soil and Water Conservation Area Tour, 9:30 a.m. meet at RARE Center, tour begins at 10 a.m. Led by Raina Fulks of Leading Creek Watershed. Contact Elise George at 740-767-4938 to register.

05/23 - Sunday Creek Watershed Group Meeting, 6:30 p.m. potluck, 7 p.m. presentation. Tom Redfern and Jeff Hardin will present about invasive plants. contact Emily Boyer at 740-767-2225 for more info.

05/24 - Chesterhill Produce Auction Opening Day, 4 p.m., featuring lots of strawberries. Contact Tom Redfern at 740-767-4938 for more info.

05/25 - Middleport Farmers Market, 5 to 7 p.m.

05/29 - Volunteer Action, guest TBA, WATH 970AM, 10:06 a.m. to 10:36 a.m.

05/30 - Rural Rambler published

Volunteer Opportunities

05/17 - Native Plant Rescue (with special guest: Hope Taft), 10 a.m., Wayne National Forest Headquarters (Highway 33). Bring your own food and water. Open to the public.

05/19 - Friends of the Lower Muskingum River Clean-up, 10 a.m. to noon, meet in McConnelsville at the boat ramp on St. Rt. 376 across from the Morgan Co. Fairgrounds. Trask bags and gloves will be provided, all volunteers receive a free t-shirt! Contact Kim or Kristyn at 740-374-4170 for more info.

05/19 - SCWG Dover Township Clean-up, 8 a.m. to noon, meet at the pull-off on Route 13 immediately before Main Street of Millfield (heading north). Contact Emily Boyer for more info.

Editor's Pick

Beat heat and dehydration with fresh fruit!
Phil Lempert lists seven fruits that are super foods for summer.

Most of us just aren’t hydrated enough — and with the sizzling summer heat coming soon, getting adequate fluids (and electrolytes) is a must. Without enough fluids we get dehydrated, which has a negative impact on our physical and cognitive performance; and can also cause headaches, muscle cramping, dizziness, irritability and fainting. And when we exercise, we can sweat as much as 2.5 liters of water per hour, which can cause a loss of electrolytes potassium and sodium, impairing the function of vital organs like the heart.

The good news is electrolytes and even some fluids are readily available in foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. And the best part about summer is that it's easier than ever to get your minimum 9-A-Day of fresh produce. Summer offers a wider selection of ripe and juicy fruits and vegetables than any other season.

Continue reading this story at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18696944/

Fun Fact

Fun Facts about animals

• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
• A shrimp's heart is in its head.
• In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case where an ostrich buried its head in the sand, or attempted to do so.
• It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.

Wish List

This week we are wishing for pots and pans (either stainless steel or cast iron) and for someone to sponsor the repair of our RARE Center lawn mower.
If you can help, contact tori@ruralaction.org or call 740-767-4938.

News

Tracking with Camp Fire USA
Submitted by Chris Tomazic, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

On Saturday, April 28 Adam Fitch (of the Environmental Learning Program) and I traveled to Camp Wyandot in the Hocking Hills. The camp is owned and operated by the Central Ohio Council of Camp Fire USA. Camp Fire is a national organization founded in 1910 that exposes children to new activities and skills, sometimes in a wilderness environment.

Adam and I led a Nature Observation and Tracking program. Three groups of about 10 children (5-14 year olds) visited us during the day. We identified animal tracks (including deer, cats and dogs) and practiced a few activities to better observe the busy natural world.

The "Small World" activity involved brushing away the leaf litter to observe the tiny world of small bugs on the forest floor. At first, the children saw very little action, but as they moved closer to the ground and concentrated, they exclaimed with excitment at the spiders, mites, snails and worms going about their lives. This activity helped the children understand the great detail of nature.

Next, the children observed the "Big World." Everyone spread apart and extended thier arms until their fingers were just at the edge of their peripherial field of vision. With their eyes set to recognize their maximum field of vision, the children took-in the landscape of trees, shrubs and flowers. This excercise gave the children insight into the way that many animals (such as deer) view the world: scanning a big picture for movement, then focussing-in on details.

Adults and children alike were friendly and curious. Even when we weren't in session, people were interested in learning new skills. During lunch, for example, we practiced building a friction fire by hand! Camp Fire USA is an organization doing commendable work with children. I hope we can keep this collaborative spirit alive and partner with them in the future!

Attention Kroger Shoppers
Submitted by Tori Patterson, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Development

Who knew you could donate to Rural Action just by purchasing your groceries? Thanks to the Kroger Cares fundraising program, Rural Action will receive a 5% rebate on your purchases when you buy your groceries using a special Kroger gift card. There is no additional cost to you – just pay for your groceries as usual, but use a gift card that is coded to Rural Action instead of using cash, check or credit card. The gift cards are rechargeable; once you deplete your initial balance, just add more money to it at the service desk or cash register and continue to use it like a debit card. Every time you swipe the card at Kroger, Rural Action will benefit.

To get a gift card or to learn more, contact Tori Patterson at tori@ruralaction.org or 740-767-4938. You must order your card directly from Rural Action so your rebates will be transferred to our account.

It’s amazing how quickly grocery purchases can add up, so we hope you’ll join this fundraising effort and make those dollars go a little further!

Register for the Retreat on Rural Renewal
Submitted by Sara Peach, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Rural Renewal

Register now for the Retreat on Rural Renewal, a community conversation about the future of Appalachian Ohio. It's Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Trimble High School in Glouster, Ohio. The Retreat is free but registration is limited to 150 people, so reserve your place today! The Rural Action Annual Meeting will also take place that day, during a short business lunch.

The easy sign-up sheet is available here:

http://ruralrenewal.blogspot.com/2007/04/sign-up-sheet.html

Faces of Rural Action

Spotlight: Mary Steinmaus
Submitted by Katy Sulfridge, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

It seems only logical that for the first Rural Rambler following announcement of our interim director that we feature her as our profile for the Faces of Rural Action this week. We learned a little bit about Mary Steinmaus in the previous edition of the Rural Rambler, but hopefully we’ve found some information that we did not know.

Mary working with Youth Act students.

Mary came to this area in 1999, with her husband Mike, and two daughters. Mike and Mary both went to work for Rural Action, Mike with Monday Creek, and Mary as the Director of Community Development. Prior to her acceptance of the position with Rural Action, Mary was a program officer with the Stanley Foundation in Iowa. Her duties focused on education and outreach of global issue with teachers and students, as well as working with the same issues on a community level. Her work, at times, brought her to Rural Action for several years as a collaborator, long before she became a staff member.

Mary also has experience as a classroom teacher—both at the high school and college level. Prior to her community development work, Mary taught Spanish, a skill that was perhaps highlighted by her service in the Peace Corps in South America.

Since coming to Ohio, Mary and Mike have opened their own small business, a bed-and-breakfast on their property. They also have acquired four llamas—friendly animals that make good pets. Mary spins their fleece into yarn, and uses it for her crafts.

Upcoming Events

Disc Golf Tournament this Saturday
Submitted by Chris Tomazic, AmeriCorps*VISTA for Media

Please support the Environmental Learning Program by participating in the ELP Benefit Disc Golf Tournament this Saturday, May 5. The tournament will take place at the Hocking College disc golf course, which begins and ends between Shaw Hall and the Rec Center. Teams of two can play anytime between 11 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. The cost is $15 per person or $5 for children under 12 with an adult. Players must bring their own disc. (Discs can be purchased in Athens at the Import House or Wild Mercantile or at the Hocking College Rec Center.)

The ELP Disc Golf Tournament is a fund raiser for the annual summer day camps hosted by the ELP and local watershed groups. At the camps, children learn about the importance of water quality, the affects of acid mine drainage on streams and stream life.

The Hocking College course winds along a ridge behind the college and through the forest. Along the way, players will also participate in two mini-competitions, closest-to-the-pin and longest drive. Players are competing for prizes donated by local businesses including, Hocking College, the Import House, Donkey Coffee, Bali Karma, Don Wood Automotive, Athens Book Center and the Spinning Turtle.

"I'm exploring new avenues of fund raising with this tournament," says Adam Fitch organizer of the tournament. "Disc golf is an emerging popular sport - from college campuses to professional tournaments, even on an international level. The hope is that participants will learn about our work in the local area while supporting us and having a good time."

For more information on the tournament, call Adam Fitch at 740-767-4938 or visit the ELP Disc Golf Tournament weblog: www.elpdgt.blogspot.com.

Calendar of Events
(taken from the calendar on left)

05/03 - Outdoor workday at the RARE Center, 1 to 3 p.m., weeding and cleaning, contact Elise George at 740-742-4401 for more details.

05/03 - Plant Sale at the RARE Center, 3-6 p.m. Includes a limited supply of heirloom pear trees $20 each. Call if you can't make it and have interest in a particular plant at 740-742-4401.

05/04 - Huff Run Awareness Day, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a field day for local schools. Volunteers are needed to help lead learning stations in the following areas: fish shocking, macro-invertebrates, tour of the Lyons Project and water chemistry. Contact Michelle Shively at 330-859-1050 to volunteer.

05/04 - Hocking College class tour of Monday Creek, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

05/05 - Lowell Clean-up (by the Friends of the Lower Muskingum River), meet at Muskingum River Parkway (on East and West sides of the river). Trash bags and gloves will be provided and all participants get a free t-shirt!

05/05 - Mineral City Presents "Family Fun Day," noon to 4 p.m., Mineral City Library, Huff Run will have a children's craft table (making recycled CD fish). Contact Michelle Shively at 330-859-1050 for more info.

05/05 - Cinco de Mayo Celebration, potluck at 5:30 p.m., music (Mike Bryon of Portsmouth, OH) from 7 to 8 p.m., Federal Valley Resource Center (Stewart, OH), for more information, go to www.federalvalley.org.

05/05 – Garlic Mustard Pull, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., meet at Dow Lake Dam Parking Lot off US-50. Contact Tanner Filyaw at 740-767-2090 or tanner@ruralaction.org for more info.

05/05 - Disc Golf Tournament, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Hocking College Disc Golf Course (register outside of Shaw Hall). Contact Adam Fitch at 740-767-4938 for more info, or visit the blog at http://elpdgt.blogspot.com.

05/05 - Monday Creek Canoe Float, meet at the Nelsonvile Library beginning at 9, and leave from the Library at 9:30. The float will be on the lower section of Monday Creek, beginning upstream and ending downstream of Buchtel. All manner of paddle-powered watercraft are welcome, but please note that this is a BYOB - bring your own boat - event. If you would like to come, but dont have a boat to use, please RSVP and we will try to arrange a seat in someone's boat for you. Contact Matt Miller at 740-767-2225 for more info.

05/08 - Volunteer Action, featuring Bob Eichenberg, Athens County Planner, WATH 970AM, 10:06am-10:36am.

05/10 - Huff Run Awareness Day, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a field day for local schools. Volunteers are needed to help lead learning stations in the following areas: fish shocking, macro-invertebrates, tour of the Lyons Project and water chemistry. Contact Maureen Wise to volunteer. Around 200 7th graders! Contact Michelle Shively at 330-859-1050 for more info.

05/10 - Land Trust Seminar, for attorneys, accountants, etc. Call the Friends of the Lower Muskingum River office at 740-374-4170 for more info.

05/12 - Environmental Explorers Club Scavengar Hunt & Girl Scouts "Macro Invertebrates Day," noon to 3 p.m., Contact Michelle Shively at 330-859-1050 for more details.

05/12 - Medicinal Herb Identification and RARE Center Tour, 10 a.m. to noon, pre-register by calling Elise George or Tom Redfern at 740-742-4401.

05/15 - Volunteer Action, Guest TBA, WATH 970AM, 10:06am-10:36am.

Volunteer Opportunities

05/03 - Outdoor workday at the RARE Center, 1 to 3 p.m., weeding and cleaning, contact Elise George at 740-742-4401 for more details.

05/04 & 05/11- Huff Run Awareness Day, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a field day for local schools. Volunteers are needed to help lead learning stations in the following areas: fish shocking, macro-invertebrates, tour of the Lyons Project and water chemistry. Contact Michelle Shively at 330-859-1050 to volunteer.

05/05 – Garlic Mustard Pull, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., meet at Dow Lake Dam Parking Lot off US-50. Contact Tanner Filyaw at 740-767-2090 or tanner@ruralaction.org for more info.

Editor's Pic

You Are What You Grow

A few years ago, an obesity researcher at the University of Washington named Adam Drewnowski ventured into the supermarket to solve a mystery. He wanted to figure out why it is that the most reliable predictor of obesity in America today is a person’s wealth. For most of history, after all, the poor have typically suffered from a shortage of calories, not a surfeit. So how is it that today the people with the least amount of money to spend on food are the ones most likely to be overweight?

...the current farm bill helps commodity farmers by cutting them a check based on how many bushels they can grow, rather than, say, by supporting prices and limiting production, as farm bills once did. The result? A food system awash in added sugars (derived from corn) and added fats (derived mainly from soy), as well as dirt-cheap meat and milk (derived from both). By comparison, the farm bill does almost nothing to support farmers growing fresh produce.

Read the full New York Times article here.

Fun Fact

This edition's "Fun Fact" is actually a riddle. Can you solve it?

The rungs of a 10 foot ladder attached to a ship are 1 foot apart. If the water is rising at the rate of one foot an hour, how long will it take until the water covers over the ladder?

Answer.

Wishlist

Our graphic design VISTA, Matt Presutti, is in need of an ergonomically designed mouse pad and keyboard. If you can help his aching hands, please call Tori at 740-767-4938.