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A newsletter brought to you by the Friends of Harmonie State Park Spring 2014
Joining together to protect the place we love...
BOARD MEMBERS Fred Hirsch, President [email protected]
Shannon Hoehn, Vice Pres.
Sharon York Treasurer [email protected]
Rod Douglas Secretary [email protected]
Friends of Harmonie State Park P.O. Box 217
New Harmony, IN 47631 812-682-4821
[email protected] www.friendsofharmonie.org
CONTACT INFO
Shannon Hoehn, Newsletter [email protected]
MISSION The mission of the Friends of
Harmonie State Park is to develop, support and fund
projects and events that help preserve, restore, manage and interpret the natural and cultural heritage and
recreational opportunities of Harmonie State Park.
Thanks to Old National Bancorp for helping fund our FHSP newsletter.
It is our most effective way to communicate about FHSP. We appreciate their sponsorship.
Sherri Allen, Fundraising [email protected]
Jim Tomes, Indiana State Senator
Honorary Member
MAY 25 JULY 5 AUGUST 31
After a successful first run last year, FHSP has invested in a large movie screen to show movies
at the park! We have partnered with Swank Motion Pictures to purchase licenses for three
dates to show movies at the Amphitheater under the stars! FHSP looks to purchase their own
projector and sound system as we move forward with these events. Bring your family out
to Harmonie State Park to enjoy these wonderful movies under the stars!
Bring your lawn chairs and FHSP will bring the popcorn!
The J.C. Egli Bluebird Trail is thriving! When checked, we found that 22 of the 32 nest boxes were being used by something—12 by Bluebirds, 8 by Chickadees, 1 by a Flying Squirrel, and 1 by a Bat! Six Bluebird boxes got used twice and one was used 3 times. A bad spring thunderstorm came from the east in April (our boxes face east because it is the least likely direction to get a storm from) and four active nests were destroyed. We appear to be having good success with bluebird nest so far this year. We have moved some unproductive locations and have added 5 more boxes! We have 37 boxes going now and are looking forward to seeing more fabulous bluebirds and their nests!
FHSP T-Shirts can be purchased at the Harmonie
State Park Gate House Only $12 for Youth S-L,
and Adult S-XL; $15 for XXL and larger. Stop by to get yours!
On Facebook? Find the Friends of Harmonie State Park page
and “Like” us! This is the best place to get information on
what’s happening at HSP!
Thank you for your interest in Friends of Harmonie State Park (FHSP). We have a NEW Board! New
members include Fred Hirsch (President), Shannon Hoehn (Vice President), Rod Douglas (Secretary) and
Sharon York (Treasurer).
We had a great first two years — thanks to all our generous donors of time, talent and treasure! With
your help, we built the American RV Stage, the Shade Structure for the Kiddie Pool, brought back the Luau,
began holding Movie Nights and the Wild About Nature Adventure Camp — and many more events and projects! The past six months we have been very busy working on our biggest and most ambitious project to date — an Outdoor Education Facility. At this time we are envisioning a 30’ x 50’ structure. This structure will
have a 30’ x 40’ screened in portion with a 10’ x 30’ open porch that will house and display our tree cookie. We have been busy applying for grants to supplement
our fundraising for this project, and so far we’ve received $15,000—$5,000 each from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Posey County Community
Foundation, and Vectren Foundation! As you can see, we have great community partners! We will be
working with the State to finalize plans, and once finalized we will give updates on Facebook, in future
newsletters, and on the website!
There are lots of exciting events and projects being planned—check out the newsletter, our website and
make sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up to date about all that is going on with FHSP!
The new fire pits near the American RV Stage have been installed! Thanks to
friends Kenny Hartlein, Stanton Elfreich, Mark Elfreich, Zach Elfreich, Chad Elfriech,
Nicholas Elfreich, Janie Elfreich, Kathy Griese and Dick Griese for building the new pits and installing them near the American RV Stage. The park provided the rings and
the FHSP purchased the stone to place around the rings. These rings are a glorious
new addition that are sure to make our programs even better!!!
Hello Friends of Harmonie State Park! I am Jon Winne, the new Property Manager of Harmonie State Park. I’m excited to get to work at such a beautiful property, and to help build upon the great foundation laid by Jim, Chastity, and the rest of the staff. My family and I are very much looking forward to creating a new home at HSP.
I am a native Hoosier from Elkhart, IN and began my career working as a laborer for the Elkhart County Parks and Recreation Department. I originally
intended to study advertising and journalism at Ball State University, but my first summer at Ox Bow County Park was such a fantastic experience that I chose to study Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation—I’ve never looked back and I know I made the right Decision! While at Ball State, I worked as a security guard at Mounds State Park in Anderson, IN and after graduation moved to Spring Mill State Park as a seasonal laborer and then as the maintenance tech at Spring Mill Inn. I spent two years at Spring Mill before becoming Assistant Manager at Martin State Forest in Shoals and later moved to Yellowwood/Morgan-Monroe State Forest in Nashville. The Division of Forestry offered many learning experiences, but I always felt my place was in the State Parks and Reservoirs, so I returned to Spring Mill as the Assistant Property Manager in 2006. Harmonie State Park will be my first post as Property Manager, and I will do my best to continue to improve upon the qualities that make Harmonie a favorite for every visitor. My vision for the property can be summed up in one word: Excellence! We will be working every day to provide clean and well-maintained facilities, responsible stewardship, entertaining and educational activities, and the highest level of customer service possible, while maintaining the friendly, family-oriented experience that Harmonie is known for. Some of the initiatives that we’ll be working toward in the near future are improvements to the campground and cabins, accessibility at the pool, improved trail signage, and an ecological inventory. Two major projects that I am especially interested in pursuing are a new nature center and a camp store.
Many of you are aware of some of the challenges a park faces when developing new initiatives, such as funding and manpower, so progress may seem slow at times and we must find creative ways to address issues and complete projects while working within the parameters of policy. I have been impressed so far by the level of cooperation and assis-tance from FHSP, and I look forward to working closely with you and other partners to help move forward to the future to make Harmonie State Park the best it can be!
@ HARMONIE STATE PARK May 24-25 Memorial Day Week-end
May 24—The Band “Bridges” at the Amphitheater on The American RV Stage
May 25—FHSP Movie Night,
showing “Super Buddies” @ the Amphitheater
June 7 Jammin’ on the Wabash Bluegrass Music on the American RV Stage @ the Amphitheater
June 7-8 Free Fishing Week-end (No license required today!)
June 10 FHSP Meeting @ Alexandria Public Library (Mt. Vernon)
June 14 HSP Volunteer Trail Work Day
July 3-4 Trailside Treasure Tromp! Begin your adventure at the Nature Center; $1/child
July 5 FHSP Kid’s Parade @ 4pm FHSP Movie night showing
“Goonies” @ the Amphitheater
July 19 FHSP Annual LUAU! (Free Swim for LUAU July 18)
Aug. 9 Star Party @ the Wabash River Picnic Area from 8:30-10pm
Aug. 31 FHSP Movie Night—”Frozen” @ the Amphitheater
Sep. 6 Wild Turkey Week-end
Sep. 20-21 Kunstfest (New Harmony, IN) Visit FHSP Goulash & Baked
Goods Booth—this event is not held inside the park
Oct. 4 Harvest Craft Fair in the Park (Vendors Call Janet 812-682-4821) Visit FHSP Booth!
Oct. 24-25 Haunted Harmonie
You can find a list of monthly activities at www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov or call the HSP
Office at 812-682-4821 for more information.
Tickets:
Adults: $10 Ages 4-10: $5
Under 3 = Free! Family Saver Pack: $35 (immediate family only)
Dinner: 4:30-6:30pm Free Swim: 6:00pm
Friday, July 18
6:30-8pm Special late swim for those who have pre-purchased
tickets
Meal: pork pit, potatoes, baked beans, fruit (pineapple & melons), tea, lemonade, and water!
We anticipate another sellout! Tickets are limited so get yours
early! Tickets will be available at the HSP Office, HSP Gatehouse, at Rick & Sherri Allen’s campsite near the Nature Center (568-0678) &
with FHSP members! Door Prizes Available!!!
The FHSP will be hosting a Baby Back Rib Smoke Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day
Week-ends. On Friday evening, you can pre-order a full slab of Baby Back Ribs and they
will be ready Saturday evening for your enjoyment. Visit the volunteer site next to the Nature Center to place an order. Orders must be placed by 9pm on Friday, May 24, Friday, July 4, and Friday, August 29. This is a great
(and yummy) way to support FHSP—Full Slabs of Baby Back Ribs are only $25!
Harmonie State Park volunteer, Timothy Barnes, has been named the 2013 State Parks and Reservoirs Volunteer of the Year! Tim has been instrumental in the development of the wonderful bike trails at Harmonie State Park through his work with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA). He has put in thousands of hours working on the trails to keep them maintained. The Evansville Mountain Bike Associa-tion (EMBA) supports both maintenance and new trail construction at HSP along with the HMBA. To find out more about HMBA and EMBA, like their Facebook pages. Looking for a great ride? Come visit the trails at Harmonie State park!
Become a Member—Join FHSP!
We would like to invite you to join us in an exciting non-profit group with the primary goal of supporting Harmonie State Park! We all love Harmonie State Park and are hoping you feel
the same. If we all join together we can make it a park our children and grandchildren will use for years to come. We have a
lot of great things planned for our group and are looking for supporters to make them happen! Please consider joining FHSP
and you can join the campaign to protect this place we love!
Amphitheatre & Stage Projects
Maintenance of Playgrounds
Events/Entertainment @ HSP
Full Hook-up Campsites
Educational Programs/Grants
New Nature Center (one to rival other park’s—LT Goal)
Improved Bike Trails
Tree Cookie Project
Multi-use Shelter House
Improvements to Ponds
Walnut Ridge Restoration
Walking/Bike Trail to New Harmony (LT Goal)
Please consider making a tax deductible donation to support Friends of Harmonie State Park:
NAME: ______________________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ______________________________________
PHONE: _____________________________________________
EMAIL: ______________________________________________
AREAS OF INTEREST FOR VOLUNTEERING:
Bluebird Trail Research/Write Grants Fundraising Event Volunteer
___ $20 Individual
___ $30 Family
___ $100 Friend
___ $250 Patron
___ $500 Benefactor
___ $1000 Harmonist
___ $$ Other
Communication/Media Park Work Days Project Coordinator Other:_______________
If you are interested in joining Friends of Harmonie State Park, please fill our this form and attach the appropriate donation
amount for your desired membership and mail to:
FRIENDS OF HARMONIE STATE PARK P.O. BOX 217
NEW HARMONY, IN 47631 812-682-4821 (phone)/[email protected] (email)
Visit our website at: www.friendsofharmonie.org “Like” us on Facebook!
We’ve got some great free gifts with membership/donation!
On Saturday, April 19, Harmonie State Park hosted the annual
Egg Hunt in the Park! The FHSP purchased the eggs for the
Easter Egg Hunt this year and were thrilled with the turnout!
Nearly 300 kids enjoyed racing around the beautiful park hunting those elusive eggs! A big thank
you to all the Friends, Hosts, Volunteers, and Park Employees
that helped make this event another great success!
“Let Nature be your teacher.” ~ William Wordsworth
The FHSP will once again sponsor the Wild About Nature Adventure Day Camp! With the help of FHSP, Harmonie State Park is offering two, two-day camps for children entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in the fall. This is our second year of the program and it promises to be another fun-filled adventure! This year’s camp theme is Indiana success stories and the
sneaky, interconnected ways of nature! Programming will focus on bluebirds, butterflies, and bees, campers will search for
signs of wildlife (scat, tracks, etc.) and will also participate in a natural resources service project—and of course—there will be swimming at the end of each day! There is no fee for the camp and each two-day session is limited to 12 campers and is filled
on a first come, first serve basis.
For More Information Contact:
Amelia Wildeman
812-682-3658
Camp Session 1: June 18-19 Camp Session 2: June 25-26
Note: Lunch is not provided by HSP. Campers must bring a sack lunch. Water and a refillable water bottle is supplied for each camper.
