BTH 2011 calendar

Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve
2011 Calendar

January
10 Monday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardee's on East Main, every 2nd Monday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
18 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

February
07 Monday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardee's on East Main, usually every 2nd Monday of the month, but 1st Monday this month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
15 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

March
12 Saturday	1:00 p.m. Leprechaun Hike. [Did not take place.]
14 Monday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardee's on East Main, every 2nd Monday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
20 Sunday	2 — 4 p.m. The ANNUAL MEETING of Western Illinois Nature Group -- WING (which owns Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve). The meeting will be held at Carl Sandburg College, Building B lobby. Come find out what has been happening and what is coming up at Blackthorn Hill. Find out how to become a member of WING and help the nature preserve. Refreshments will be served. Open to the public. Every WING member should come and vote for board members and officers. For more information, call Lora 343-4321 or email her.
26 Saturday	10:00 a.m. to sometime later. Prairie burn led by Daniel Thompson. If desired, contact Daniel by his email or 309 343-4888. We can use more help. Want to learn about prairie burns? Come and help or just show up. Galesburg Register-Mail might come out for news and photos. Prairie burns are fascinating! Prescribed burns always depend on suitable weather, so this date may change. Please contact me, Daniel, (343-4888) so I can inform you. [First prairie burn moved to Sunday because of high winds. This year, burning was done over 4 separate days.]

April
11 Monday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hardee's on East Main, every 2nd Monday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
16 Saturday	9 a.m. to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. We will primarily work on cabins at the new youth campsite. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
19 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.
30 Saturday	Bird Walk (good date for birds migrating north) 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. Vince Hummel will lead this. Of course, you should bring binoculars and dress for variable weather, weeds, and possible wet areas. Please pre-register by April 28 at 342-5493 or blackthornhill@comcast.net. Small $2 charge.
30 Saturday	1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Spring Wildflower Identification Hike. Dress properly (weather, slopes, weeds). Camera if desired. Small $2 charge. Please pre-register by April 29 with Opal at (309) 342-5493 or blackthornhill@comcast.net.

May
7 Saturday	9 a.m. to afternoon. An Eagle Scout candidate will be working today from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the cabin bunks. Work will be completed next weekend. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
11 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at BTH picnic shelter, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
14 Saturday	Bird Walk 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. Vince Hummel will lead. Of course, you should bring binoculars and dress for variable weather, weeds, and possible wet areas. Please pre-register by May 12 through Opal at (309) 342-5493 or via blackthornhill@comcast.net. Small $2 charge.
14-15 Saturday/ Sunday	9 a.m. to afternoon. Our first work weekend. A boy scout will guide other scouts to complete construction of the bunk beds in a cabin. It's a lot of work. Through that scout's planning and effort, he will earn an eagle badge. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
17 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

June

04 Saturday	9 a.m. to noon Watercolor class. Local artist, Ron Hunt will give us an overview before we go and paint at will. Some of us may want to share our outcome at the end of the session. Since painting with watercolors can vary between being quick or being slow and deliberate, some of us may have already completed several works of art, others only a part of one. $5. Here is a suggested materials list. For more information call Ron at 341-5278.
12 Sunday	2 p.m. Campsite Dedication Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Come out to see and celebrate our new campsite with 3 cabins. Each cabin has individually made bunks. We built a second picnic shelter so staying overnight is more comfortable. Meet at the parking lot.
15 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting -- Note: Date was changed. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at BTH picnic shelter, usually every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
18 & 19 Saturday, Sunday	9 a.m. to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
20th Monday through 24th Friday	Girl Scout Day Camp
21 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

July
09 Saturday	9 a.m. to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
13 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at BTH picnic shelter, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
17 Sunday	9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Prairie Day. Some people might call this a work day, I call it the "Just Come Out to the Prairie Day." If you want, you can gather prairie seeds or remove or spray plants that don't belong. Of course, when I work I always spend time to identify plants and bugs and birds. Just show up or contact me by email or call at (972) 249-7602. Dan Thompson.
19 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. (Note earlier start by 30 minutes.) Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

August
10 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 pm at BTH picnic shelter, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
11 Thursday	6 pm Guided BTH Prairie Walk with Angella Moorehouse, regional biologist of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Angella gave us seeds and guidance to start our prairie in 2006. This 3 acre restored prairie (i.e. one recently established) was burned in March. For a couple of years it has been weeded and improved. Angella will show us prairie plants and continue advising us how to improve the prairie. Always a good turnout but never too many! No charge for WING members, otherwise $4 per person. For more information email Dan Thompson or call him at 343-4888 or (972) 249 7602.
13 Saturday	9 a.m. to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
(13th Sat. = fair) 14th Sunday = GOOD	(Saturday after sunset) Sunday 4:45 am (yes, that's correct!) PERSEID METEOR SHOWER OBSERVATION. Saturday will have a beautiful night night sky because the full moon rises as the sun sets. Unfortunately, wonderful moonlight makes meteors harder to see. We'll be there anyway for a while after sunset. If you REALLY want to see as many meteors as possible, come Sunday morning at 4:45 am, when stars and meteors are more visible. Just come to the BTH parking lot with a chair or blanket. Daniel Thompson will be the host, looking up in the sky. Please come -- more eyes help. Do you want your kids to have this wonderful memory? Bring them. The sky is free.
16 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 pm Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.
27 Saturday	Bug walk 9 a.m. to 11:00? It's a good time for junior high students to complete their insect collection project. Everybody of any age is welcome. We'll look for any insect and will actually identify some! Butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, flies, true bugs, bees, ants, and who knows what. Led by bugophile Dan Thompson. 343-4888, 972 249-7602. Cost $2 for non WING members. Bring ID books, net and/or jars if you want. No need to pre-register.

September
08 Thursday	Weenie Roast! 5:30 pm to around dark Come and have fun. Maybe you'll meet new people. Everyone welcome. Condiments, lemonade and cups will be supplied by board member Lora Wright. Bring your own hot dogs or whatever to roast over the fire and a dish to share.
10 Saturday	Bird Walk (good date for fall migration) 8 am to about 10 am Professor Jim Mountjoy of Knox College will lead this. Of course, you should bring binoculars and dress for variable weather and possible wet areas. We appreciate if you pre-register by Sept 15 at (309) 342-5493 or blackthornhill@comcast.net. $2 charge.
14 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 pm at BTH picnic shelter, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
17 Saturday	9 am to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
20 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 pm Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.
24 Saturday	Hy-Vee bagging at N. Henderson St. location. 10:00 am to 4:30 pm A couple times a year we voluntarily bag groceries. On a table we set up, shoppers pitch in a little cash for WING. With or without those contributions we "baggers" have the chance to tell people about little-known WING and BTH. Want to help for an hour or two? We need more volunteers. Contact Opal at 342-5493 or blackthornhill@comcast.net.

October
08 Saturday	9 am to whenever. Work day led by Kraig McCluskie. WING is in the early phase of a long-termed project. We're making a road through the woods to connect the activity area with the 3 cabins. We need people doing all kinds of things. Some are tough and some are pretty easy. For more information contact Kraig via email or call him at (309) 299-4176.
10 Monday	Property Committee Meeting NEW MEETINGS 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Hardee's on E. Main, every 2nd Monday of the month. This committee has existed from about when WING became an active group. I, Dan, am the chair, and want WING and BTH to be for members. That's why we this committee is having meetings for results. I badly want input from members who aren't on the board of directors. You can contact me by email or phone: (309) 343-4888.
12 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Hardee's on E. Main, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
15 Saturday	HAUNTED PRAIRIE! . . . . BOO! 1 to 2 p.m. BTH prairie is sometimes HAUNTED! Bring your kids out for lots of old fashioned fun. Local boy scouts and girl scouts will host this great outdoor afternoon. Bring a candy sack and come in costume if you'd like. $2 per child 12 and under. Must be accompanied by an adult. For more information email Lora or call her at 343-4321. Bring the family or your youth group. Don't forget we are close to Galesburg, just 7 miles!
18 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 pm Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.
21 Friday	TRIVIA NIGHT! 6 to 9 pm at at Knights of Columbus, 1556 E. Fremont. This is not the first year WING has done this but not enough people know about such a fun event. Bring your own team or join one when you arrive. Teams of 6 – 8 people of any age per table will compete using trivia topics. Door prizes and a 50/50 drawing will be awarded. Cost is $10 per person. Food and drinks available for purchase. For more information contact Lora at 337-9020 or llwright9020@comcast.net.
21 Friday	ORIONID Meteor Shower Observation. From Sunset: 6:12 pm until around 11 pm or later. The host, Daniel Thompson will be at the Trivia Night earlier, so he won't arrive until after 9 pm. LOOK EAST. The later, the better. The Perseid shower of 10 weeks ago produced only a few shooting starts to see because of the full moon, but we all still had a fun evening. (See Register-Mail for photos. The story is no longer online.) The moon rises 2:16 am Saturday, so at least we'll have a decent star show, provided the sky is clear. For good information visit StarDate and EarthSky. Just come to the BTH parking lot with a chair and/or blanket. As before, please come -- more eyes will help. The sky is free.
29 Saturday	Natural History workday. The actual activity cannot be planned more than a few days beforehand because it depends on weather and seasonal happenings. Possibilities: 1) Collect seeds from Knox Station Prairie along the railroad tracks a mile east of East Galesburg. I'll take you to a rare true prairie. There are other places we might go. 2) Burn a small section of BTH prairie that was not burned last spring on purpose. (I want to encourage growth of prairie flowers.) 3) Burn a section of the woods between the activity area and prairie. Email Dan Thompson or call him at 309 343-4888.

November
09 Monday	Property Committee Meeting 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Hardee's on E. Main, every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
15 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting: every third Tuesday. 6:30 to 8:30 pm Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 72 (in far right corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the 11 directors and learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited.

December
01 Thursday	Budde's Guest Bartenders night -- 525 E Main St. 6:00 to 9:00 pm The great event of last year will be repeated! Board members will deliver what drinks or food you want. By doing that work, WING will earn the tips. A silent auction will be going on simultaneously. Examine fine items which you might want to personally own or give to another for Christmas. AND A 50/50 drawing will be held.
07 Wednesday	Property Committee Meeting, NOTE THE DATE CHANGE 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Hardee's on E. Main, 1st Wednesday of THIS month. We discuss and make decisions about managing and changing equipment, structures, and biological status. Kraig McCluskie is chairman of this committee. You can contact him by email or phone: (309) 299-4176.
13 Tuesday	WING Board of Directors Meeting, NOTE THE PLACE AND DATE CHANGE 6:30 to 8:30 pm Carl Sandburg College. Building B, room 76 (in far left corner after you enter from parking lot). Come meet the previous 10 directors and our NEW ONE. Time to learn more about activities at BTH and what we have planned. Everyone is invited. If you're a member of WING don't you want to know more about the organization you support?