Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Report on FOS Annual Volunteer Recogniton Dinner and 2018 Board of Directors --Jan. 20, 2018

The Friends of Shimek Board of Directors, FOS Volunteers and DNR Southeast Area Parks Supervisor Tom Basten, and Shimek Forester John Byrd met at little Mexico in Mt; Pleasant Iowa on Jan 20th for the annual Dinner and Recognition Program for FOS Volunteers.   The attendees are pictured below prior to enjoying their meal.

 

After the meal, Tom Basten and John Byrd each spoke to the group.  Shimek Forester John Byrd reported on the accomplishments of the Shimek DNR Crew and FOS  this past year and plans for completing the two new equestrian parking areas this year.  Shimek Forest is now a part of the Southeast Area of the Parks Bureau under Supervisor Tom Basten.   Tom Basten reported to the group on the upcoming budget for DNR.  While the state budget is getting smaller and smaller, due to increases in camping, the incoming revenue to Parks state wide is up, which helps the Parks budget.  He is hopeful that a DNR Technician can be hired for Lacey and Shimek (shared assignment) again.   Tom Basten (left)and John Byrd (right) are shown speaking to the Friends of Shimek at dinner.




The FOS gavel was passed from President Ann Bennett to in-coming President Ringo Covert at the beginning of the program.


 He introduced the 2018 Board to the attendees.  Changes on the  Board included the addition of Bonnie Moothart who is now Secretary/Editor and the addition of Jo Watson as an additional Board Member at Large.    The members of the 2018 FOS Board of Directors pictured below (left to right) are: Ann Bennett, Past-President; Ringo Covert, President; Bonnie Moothart, Secretary; Jo Watson; Marsha Achenbach, Vice President; Debbie Miller, Treasurer; John Byrd, DNR Board Advisor; Neal Hartman; and Lora Conrad.



Selected as the Bennett Volunteers of the Year for 2017 were Bill & Linda Fiordelise.  They have been reliable, hard-working volunteers at many work days over the past years.  If you have volunteered--you have almost certainly worked with Bill and Linda.  They were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board, and a lovely hand turned wooden Bowl made and donated by Bob Achenbach as well as dinner  at the awards program, funded by a donation from Ann & John Bennett.  The award was presented by FOS President Ringo Covert.


 
Bonnie Moothart was presented with a special award by the Board in recognition of her valuable leadership this past year in planning, and making happen the Fund Raiser in November which yielded about $9,000 for FOS to use in future projects to support the campgrounds and the equestrian trails at Shimek.  She was presented with a special Super Star plaque with personal notes from 2017 Board Members, a candle holder and a gift certificate from TSC--which will no doubt go for horse supplies.
 
 
 
Awards were made to Ross O'Day and Susan Meinhardt for their outstanding work this past summer as DNR Shimek Summer Staff, including extra volunteer time..  These were insulated winter vests with the FOS Volunteer patch sewn on them and their names embroidered on the vests.  We hope they will send  a photo of themselves wearing the vests as they could not be present that night.  Volunteer awards,  made possible by a donation from Ray & Lora Conrad, were presented to all volunteers for 2017.  Fifteen people who volunteered 18 hours or more were awarded a FOS Volunteer notebook, a patch for their vest, and a Thank You card.  Patches for vests and Thank You cards were provided to all who volunteered 8 hours or more and the rest of the 51 volunteers were sent a Thank You card for their support this past year.  All together, they volunteered over 1,000 hours to FOS and Shimek Forest this past year.   

Denise Schieffer was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the Board and a lovely southwestern style blanket in recognition of her support for FOS and the equestrian community through her leadership of the Iowa Trail Riders Association for many years.  The organization has disbanded, but the impact of Denise's support for trails and equestrians will long be felt.




Monday, January 1, 2018

Announcement of January 20th Annual FOS Dinner




You are invited to join the Friends of Shimek Board of Directors in recognizing our 2017 Volunteers and in planning for 2018.  We've had a great year—come celebrate with us. Guests for the evening will include Tom Basten, DNR Southeast Iowa District Parks Supervisor and John Byrd, Shimek Forester.  Both will give updates on DNR plans for the coming year that will impact Shimek State Forest, the campgrounds and equestrian trails.

Meet at 4:00 PM January 20th at Little Mexico on the square in Mt. Pleasant.  We will meet in the upstairs private dining area. 


A special menu selection for us includes a choice of shrimp enchiladas, chicken fajitas, steak fajitas or salmon and vegetables for $12.95.  This does not include drinks, dessert, tax or tip.  We are not charged to reserve this room, nor is there a standard tip calculated on the bill so please keep this in mind when calculating your tip.   There are several vegetarian options on the menu like vegetarian tacos, soup and salads.  You may order off the menu if you like.  However, ordering ahead does help the kitchen get the meals prepared in a timely fashion for our large gathering.  Please  email FOShimek@gmail.com        to RSVP if you are attending, and with your menu selection.   Tables and place settings, water glasses, chips and salsa are set up ahead of time so an accurate number in attendance is helpful. Let us know if possible by Jan. 18th!   

We hope you can come join us for a winter evening with your hiking, camping or horse riding friends.  We can reminisce about dry trails, sunny days and fine horses.