12/9/18 meeting and luncheon notes: We had a brief meeting before our lunch at Gill’s. Roger VanderLogt voiced his excitement on our efforts to get kids outdoors and “disconnected” from electronics. Eileen Mleziva led a moment of silence in Remembrance of Jean Hill. Eileen also did an amazing job with helping to collect door prizes—thank you! Aaron Pauwels was given an Achievement Award for being involved in Friends of the Branch River and completing levels 1-3 of the Vickie Mayer Youth Leadership Program. Margaret Pauwels thanked our Board members for the work put in to keep our group going. We had a fantastic lunch—thank you to Rick Gill and his staff for a great meal and use of the dining hall. After lunch, we decorated Christmas cookies from Cravings and made re-fillable pinecone birdfeeders!
A special thank you for donations to our group: Silver Lake Country Store, Terry and Wayne Huske, Emily Endter, Eileen Mleziva, Friends of the Branch River, Kwik Trip, Manitowoc Piggly Wiggly, Manitowoc Pick n Save, Pizza Ranch, Pine River Dairy, His n Hers Salon, Rob’s Family Market.
Financial report given by Leigh Duescher. Checking $5933.92, savings $5837.37, Thrivent account $4173.50. Remember to turn in your membership dues; let Emily know if you want a form mailed.
We want to remind all of you with grandkids, nieces, nephews, children of your own…. Friends of the Branch River Watershed wants KIDS OUTDOORS! We sponsor Woodland Dunes summer camps for your kid(s) and will reimburse you for the costs or let us know ASAP and we will get them signed up. Opportunities for older kids: Maritime Museum Watershed Ambassadors week-long day camp–need to be 12 and up. We will schedule at least 2 crayfish removal dates in summer-all dependent on weather, river levels. If you have ideas for families to do outside, please let Emily or Al know. If you have a group looking for community service opportunities, keep us in mind! We had cub scouts at Dodge Preserve last summer to remove crayfish and garbage from the river.
Upcoming events:
- Meeting Feb 4. NEW BLDG–Taus Town Hall 6:30 pm—watch for signs
- Brat frys at Rob’s: April 27, July 6 (call Al to help)
- Bridge Clean-ups: Date(s) TBD
- Fox Valley Herp Club: March 17 1-3+
Manitowoc Public Library-Balkansky Rooms upstairs
Help bring reptiles in—come at 12:15/20
- Butterfly Lady: TBD
Thanks! Emily Endter, Secretary (920)323-3486
and Al Klingeisen, President (920)901-5166
FOBR address: P.O. Box 301 Whitelaw, WI 54247