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White Pine Needle 2019 AUTUMN UPDATE (September, October, November, December) White Pine Group, Northeast Iowa Sierra Club (Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Delaware,
Dubuque, and Jackson Counties.) “Explore, Enjoy and Protect”
[Volume 39, No. 2] 9/18/19
In this 2019, AUTUMN UPDATE:
Program/Meetings and Outings.
Other events and opportunities.
Turkey Dinner Fundraiser: 11/09/19, Swiss Valley.
Attend, Donate &/or Volunteer. See page 3.
** VOTE>>>VOTE>>>VOTE, November 5
Backbone Cabin Outing: Feb. 7-9, 2020 (Tentative
date as cabins are currently closed for repairs.)
Visit our Facebook Page for meeting notices, event
reports, updates. www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup.
Newsletter/Membership/Meetings: This 2019 Autumn Update Needle is being emailed to
memberships for which we have an email address and mailed to
the remaining of our current (9/11/19) roster of 477 memberships
(573 members.). (More members due to Joint memberships.) If
you receive this Autumn Update only by regular mail but are
willing to receive it and occasional email-only updates, in full
color, by email please send an email to Dick Worm including
your name, mailing address, and complete Zip Code (ex:
52031-9557) for easier membership list identification.
([email protected]). Saves paper and $$’s.
Membership in the Sierra Club and renewals are made through
the national office. Our White Pine Group receives monthly
updates listing new and expiring memberships for our 8 county
region. Membership is to be renewed on a yearly basis. Some
mailing labels may include a “reminder” regarding when a
renewal is due. For example, a “1019” indicates expiration in
October of 2019. An “M/A19” on a SIERRA magazine label
“reports” a March/April, 2019, final issue. Your membership is
vital to helping carry out Sierra Club goals…. in competition
with the corporate and other less friendly interests. Our White Pine Group publishes and distributes to ALL
members just 2 newsletters/year. We therefore encourage our
members to record on a Wall or other handy Calendar our
meeting/programs and outing opportunities. Attendance is
commonly low for our programs which is embarrassing when we,
the Sierra Club, have guest presenters; but we keep trying. Our
2019 Autumn programs are of both the EXPLORE/ENJOY and
PROTECT variety. There is lots of programming competition but
our meeting/programs offer the camaraderie of like interests.
WHITE PINE GROUP AUTUMN PROGRAM/MEETINGS: Time and Location: 7:00 PM Meet/Greet;
7:15 Program; 8:15 EXCOM and membership
meeting; 8:30 PM Adjourn/Social. (4th Tues.)
St. Peter Lutheran Church Rectory, 3200 Asbury
Rd., Dubuque. The walk-in meeting room is at the
rear of brick home to the right in church parking lot.
(No December Program/Meeting.)
September 24 (Tues): “Two Colorado, Collegiate Peak Wilderness, Fourteener Ascents.” Mt. Columbia (14,073 ft) &
Mt. Yale (14,196 ft.) This EXPLORE and ENJOY, 7 day
expedition (August 9-15, 2019) included views of 3 moose,
camera breakdown, a nearby medical evacuation by helicopter,
the Colorado Fourteener Initiative’s trail improvement activity,
wildflowers, weather delay, lichen and rock “art”, boulder
traverses, geologic wonders, stream crossings, and Columbia
basecamp and Kroenke Lake camping. Two Rocky Mountain
National Park waterfall day-hikes and Grand Lake and Creede,
Colorado, Repertory Theater productions were also part of the
mix. Visit www.Facebook.com/whitepinegroup for an
introduction. (Dick Worm EXPLORE & ENJOY
October 22 (Tues.): “Lethal Seas” PBS/NOVA program on the
growing acidity in the oceans that threaten coral and other food-
chain inhabitants. As CO2 in the atmosphere increases it gets
absorbed by the ocean – carbonic acid. As the oceans go, so goes
life on the rest of the planet. This program will serve as an
introduction to the “Scuba Diving and Coral Bleaching” program
at the Nov. 9, Turkey Dinner Fundraiser. See p. 3. PROTECT!
November 26 (Tues): “The Right to Harm” (CAFO’s) The
Iowa Chapter/Sierra Club invested in the screening rights for this
film that exposes the devastating public health impact of factory
farming (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). Our White
Pine Group was granted one of the 10 allowed screenings.
CAFO’s are one of the main issues facing Iowa’s environment
and the Iowa Chapter has made it a high priority. These facilities
produce millions of gallons of untreated waste that destroys the
quality of life for nearby neighbors. Fed up with the lack of
regulation (a dirty word in the current White House), citizens in
five American communities from across the country (featured in
this film) band together and turn activists to demand justice.
Google righttoharm.com for a preview, but then join us to obtain
a better understanding of CAFO dynamics and of how the Iowa
Chapter can be most effective. Sniff sniff… 7:15-8:25 PM.
PROTECT!
OUTINGS & EVENTS, 2019 (Page 2)
Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park Backbone State Park
White Pine Group hosted OUTINGS are open to
the general public, friends, and family. An RSVP to an Outing’s CONTACT person
facilitates outing details and any change updates.
An outing may be cancelled or altered at times due
to a variety of potential reasons (weather, conflicts.)
Outing participants are to sign a Liability
Waiver: “Acknowledgment of Outing Member
Responsibility, Assumption of Risk, and Release of
Liability.”
September 21 (Sat.): OUTING: Sunnycrest Manor
Goat Prairie Hike. 9:30 AM. Enter at 2375 Roosevelt St.,
near junction with Rhomberg Ave. in Dubuque’s North End.
(Eagle Point District) “This goat prairie has been identified
by Dubuque County Conservation Board Director, Brian
Preston, as a unique prairie with rare plants.” White Pine
Treasurer, Mike Muir, a Sunnycrest Board member will lead
this outing. Wear sturdy shoes and long-legged pants; insect
repellent advised. CONTACT: [email protected].
September 22 (Sun.): 11 AM – 2 PM: Swiss Valley
Nature Center, Chili Feed. Friends of Dub. County
Conservation Board. (DCCB)
September 24 (Tues): Meeting/Program (see page 1).
September 26 (Thursday): World Contraception Day! A movie at the American Museum of Natural History stated
that the #1 way to assure a bright future for a natural world
is human population stabilization. The Population
Connection is everywhere. 2.1 births/woman is the
replacement rate. Negative Population is another goal.
Both in italics are organizations that focus on population.
Planned Parenthood is an international need. Educate!!
October 5 (Sat,)" : OUTING: Plum Creek Park and
Indian Hills Wildlife Area near Earlville, IA, off U.S. 20 in
Delaware County. Meet at Plum Creek Park, north of U.S.
20, at 9:30 AM. Explore the trail there. Reserve a picnic
table setting; then move to the south side of U.S. 20 to
EXPLORE Indian Hills with its five Indian burial mounds.
Return to Plum Creek to ENJOY a picnic lunch by 11:30.
CONTACT: Dick Worm 563-590-2557.
October 22 (Tues.): White Pine Group,
Meeting/Program. See page 1.
November 9 (Sat.): White Pine Group Turkey Dinner
Fundraiser (SEE PAGE 3.) “Scuba Diving and Coral
Bleaching” by Jim Puls. Program information:
Jim Puls began diving three years ago at age 57 after a
career of teaching and coaching. He loved water and
swimming and always had an interest in diving, but career
and family put diving on hold for a long time. But, in just
three years, he has made up for a LOT of that “lost” time!
His diving certifications now include: Open water,
Enriched Air, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Digital
Underwater Photography, Wreck Diving, Mine Diving,
Master Scuba Diver, and “Project Aware” (the
environmental tie-in.) His diving began locally in places
such as Devils Lake (Baraboo, WI), Lake Wazee (Black
River Falls, WI), Pearl Lake (South Beloit), Haigh Quarry
(Kankakee, IL), Mermet Springs (Metropolis, IL), Bonne
Terre Mines (St. Louis, MO). His ocean diving has been in
Cancun Mexico; Cozumel Mexico, The Maldives in the
Indian Ocean, and Truk Lagoon in Micronesia.
In the Maldives, he has seen the effects of bleaching and
how it is deteriorating the corals and plant life. There is
also a concern about rising ocean waters taking over some of
the islands. In Mexico, divers are forbidden to wear
sunscreen because of what those chemicals are doing to
ocean life. In some ocean areas, efforts are being made to
artificially accelerate the building of corals to help replace
those destroyed. Make a Dinner reservation now!
TURKEY DINNER FUNDRAISER, NOVEMBER 9, 2019
ADVANCE RESERVATION FORM
White Pine Group – Northeast Iowa Sierra Club
Swiss Valley Nature Center
13606 Swiss Valley Road, Peosta, IA 52068
563-556-6745
**Traditional Turkey Dinner** Public is Welcome.
Advance Reservations Required for Meal Preparation.
3:00 PM: Swiss Valley Hike/Mississippi Trails Hiking Club. Meet option: Camp St. by Locust HyVee. 2 PM.
5:30 PM: Social Time: Crackers/Cider, Sierra Club Calendar Sales, Sierra Activity Displays. Nature Center.
6:15 PM: Buffet-Style, Traditional Turkey Dinner. (Meal contributions help the fundraising cause.)
7:00 PM: Welcome, Introductions, Door Prize Drawings. (Donation of Door Prizes are Welcomed. )
7:30 PM: Program: “Scuba Diving and Coral Bleaching” Jim Puls
These photos are stock, but represent what Jim has experienced and will show.
Jim states “The effects of climate change are eating away at the coral reefs for future
generations.” Read his diving bio on page 2. Attend our “Lethal Seas” program, Oct. 22.
8:30 PM: Thank you’s, Calendar Sales, Break down/Clean Up (Volunteers are welcome!! )
Your attendance, meal contributions, and donations are what make this Fundraiser a success. THANK YOU!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Phone, Email, or Tear here to Mail: Reservations, due Wednesday, November 6, 2019.
Name:____________________________________________ Adults: #_____ @ $12.00 = $___________
Address: _________________________________________ Students #____ @ $8.00 = $___________
_________________________________________ Age 5-10 #____ @ $5.00 = $___________
Phone: ___________________________for reservation/contribution verification. TOTAL: $___________
Make Checks Payable to White Pine Group/Iowa Sierra Club. May pay at door with verified reservation.
Mail, Phone, or Email reservations to Jane Worm, 3680 Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA 52031.
563-582-2580. [email protected] Contributions acknowledged by Jane may include:
#__pie(s); #__cake(s); __cranberries; __milk; ___snack crackers; ___ vegetable casserole
___ Door Prize(s); $___ cash; __Saturday Set-Up 10 AM; __ Saturday Kitchen Help 4:30 PM;
___ Clean-Up/Dish Washing. ___Take Down Tables/Chairs. Other: ____________________________
___ 5 PM Car Pool Driver from Banworth/Udelhoven Furniture. ___ Would like a car pool ride.
___ 5:15 – 6:30 PM Swiss Valley Nature Center Parking Lot Supervision
2019 Autumn Update, Outings and Events (Cont.): Page 4
NOVEMBER 5, VOTE Every election helps keep us in the habit
of voting! School Boards and City Offices
are often stepping stones to bigger things.
Prepare for 2020!!
Also on Nov. 5, from 9 -11 AM, help Keep
Dubuque County Clean and Green do a
clean-up of Swiss Valley Road ditches. Gather at Swiss Valley Nature Center with
sturdy shoes and long-legged pants.
November 26 (Tuesday): White Pine Group
Meeting/Program. (See page 1.) . CAFO’s pose a
threat to water quality. For more than 46 years, the Clean
Water Act has made our water safer for swimming, fishing,
and drinking. And, now, it is under threat by the Trump
administration, which continues to put the profits of
corporate polluters ahead of the needs of our communities,
businesses, and drinking water. The new “EPA” should
withdraw a scheme to wipe out protections for water.
Maybe we should be more
FOR
November 28, 2019
December 7 (Saturday): OUTING: Mines of Spain,
Quarry Parking Lot. 9 AM. Explore the Quarry and
the new Wetland Bridge. Hike / snowshoe. CONTACT;
Charlie Winterwood: 563-588-2783
“WELCOME TO WINTER”
NO Program/Meeting in December.
The Ice Fest at the National Mississippi River Museum
and Aquarium plus the Bald Eagle Watch provide ample activity during January. January’s 4th Tuesday meeting date
is January 28, 2020. 2020 calendar of programs and outings
to be determined at the November meeting. Suggestions and
offers are always welcome. Could you share an Explore /
Enjoy experience? Is there a local area you’d like to explore
or an enviro topic you’d like to study?
18th ANNUAL BACKBONE State Park
CABIN OUTING: FEB. 7-9, 2020.
Our White Pine Group, the Cedar-Wapsie Group (Cedar
Rapids), and the Iowa City Area Group PLAN to reserve
two Deluxe, 2-story cabins. (Tentative due to cabin
renovations currently in progress.) Each cabin has two
bedrooms with a double bed; a single bed, 2 futons and floor
space for a listed capacity of 11. First reserved; first served
for bedroom space. Day-Use is welcome including the Sat.
Potluck Dinner. Meals are otherwise self-provided.
Cabins have kitchen/dining area; 2 bathrooms, one with a
shower. Bedding is by participants: sheets, pillow, or
sleeping bag. Hikes, snow shoeing, x-country skiing, and/
or crevice slide fill the daytime. Table games and chatter
fill the evenings. Cabin use available from 4 PM, Friday,
to 11 AM lunch Sunday. Cost range: $15-$25/person/night to $10/person for day-
use. Details in the 2020 White Pine Needle. Additional
cabins: phone 1-877-427-2757. Single story Cabins A, B, C,
D; Small #1-8; and Deluxe #9-12 short notice rental by
concessionaire MAY work, if available.1-563-933-2273.
QUESTIONS/reserve space: Phone/Email Dick Worm
AUTUMN NEEDLE, 2019. (Page. 5)
IOWA STATE PARKS VOLUNTEER DAY
(September 28, 2019)
Elli Slouha, Park Manager, Iowa DNR
Mines of Spain/Bellevue State Park
8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA 52003/
24668 US Hwy 52, Bellevue, IA 52031
Phone: 563-690-8992; www.iowadnr,gov
On September 28th, 2019, all across the state of Iowa,
parks are hosting a Volunteer Day in preparation for the
2020, 100th year of Iowa State Parks. The Mines of Spain
State Recreation Area is heavily utilized by hikers and our
trails are showing the wear and tear of the many years of
exploring. Park staff this year have improved many miles of
trails by correcting erosion spots, adding new gravel, re-
decking steps, and, with the assistance of Americorps, put in
a new bridge across the Horseshoe Bluff wetland. The
Mines of Spain Park Staff and the Friends of the Mines of
Spain would like your assistance in preparing the Pine
Chapel and Lead Mine Trails for our future park explorers.
This event will take place on Saturday, September 28th
from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM with snacks and drinks provided
by the Friends Group. Items to consider bringing would be
shovels and gloves as we have a limited supply for everyone
to use. It is suggested to wear good soled shoes and long
pants and sleeves as we will tearing out old railroad ties and
handling new ones.
If you are interested in helping or have any questions
please leave a message at 563-556-0620 or send me an email
so we know how many hands we have helping.
Any help with this project would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for everything each of you have done to make the
Mines of Spain a great place. – Elli
OTHER PARK VOLUNTEER DAY OPPORTUNITIES
Yellow River: 8:30 AM. Construct tables.
Volga River: 9:00 AM. Prairie management.
Pikes Peak: 10:00 AM. Paint and stain.
Maquoketa Caves: 9-12. Paint picnic tables.
Bellevue State Park: 1-4 PM. Dyas Unit. Paint tables.
Backbone: Time TBA, paint tables (563-924-2527)
September 28, 2019
AUTUMN NEEDLE, 2019
DUBUQUE COUNTY ENERGY DISTRICT (Charlie Winterwood, Chair, White Pine Group)
I was asked to represent the Sierra Club on the Dubuque
County Energy District. County energy districts are based
on the county soil and water commissions, except they
promote efficient and renewable energy. Winneshiek County
has had one for 10 years and Clayton and Howard Counties
also have one. Delaware and Jackson counties are exploring
having the option. The Dubuque County Energy District has
given tours of net zero carbon houses and solar projects in
both the city of Dubuque and the county. We are working
on providing more electric car rechargers in the county. We
have purchased LED bulbs for a light bulb swap.
The White Pine Group has donated $100 to the Dubuque
District the last two years.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Group Leadership Help Protect our region and the planet!
The 2020 WHITE PINE NEEDLE newsletter
will include a ballot for the 2020 EXCOM
election. Two EXCOM positions will be open.
The Sierra Club, unique among national
environmental groups, requires grass-root member
elections for all of its leadership positions from the
National Board of Directors to Chapter and Group
EXCOMS. For us to have a real election, it would
be GREAT to have more than one or two
candidates! PLEASE consider offering the
Sierra Club your new blood to help provide
inspired and creative leadership for the coming
years as we old-timers continue to fade! Contact a
current EXCOM member. And, also vote!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sierra Club Calendar Sales
The White Pine Group has 24 Wilderness Wall
(we’ve sold one) and 5 Engagement Calendars
available for sale at a 10% discount.
Wall: List $14.95 - $1.50 = $13.45.
2 or more @ and at Turkey Dinner: $13.00.
Engagement: List $15.95 - $1.60 = $14.35.
2 or more @ and at Turkey Dinner: $14.00.
Phone: 563-582-2580 to place an order.
Free delivery may be able to be arranged.
Sierra Club Membership For a new member brochure, CONTACT Dick Worm.
Membership Brochures are also in the SIERRA magazine.
Or, go to: www.sierraclub.org Our Group’s Code # is 3707.
Membership renewals are made through
national headquarters. No funds from
national dues come to our Local Group.
A “Wilderness Guardian” membership reduces mail.
www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup
“Nothing goes unrecorded. Every word of leaf and
snowflake and particle of dew . . . as well as earthquake
and avalanche, is written down in Nature’s book.” JOHN MUIR
White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa Sierra Club “The Needle” Newsletter Editor 2019 Autumn Update Needle
Richard Worm September - December
3680 Echo Hills Dr. Volume 39, #2
Bellevue, IA 52031 – 9557 9/18/19
2019 Autumn Calendar of Events
2019 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser, November 9
Backbone Cabin Outing, Feb. 7-9, 2020
Record Events on Your Personal Calendars
EXPLORE ENJOY
PROTECT
White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa EXCOM (*Expires 2019) Chair: Charlie Winterwood, Dubuque, 563-588-2783
Member/Newsletter: Dick Worm, Bellevue, 563-582-2580
563-590-2557 [email protected]
Jim Fahrion, Dubuque, [email protected]
*Jane Worm, Bellevue. 563-582-2580 [email protected]
*Dave Hansen, Masonville, [email protected] Appointed: Fund Raiser/Secretary: Jane Worm
Treasurer: Mike Muir
Conservation: Charlie Winterwood
Publicity: (available)
Lots more: (available)
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
Senator Chuck Grassley: “It will expand market
access to dairy, eggs, and poultry.”
Representative Abby Finkenauer: “I stand ready to
work . . . to ensure trade deals protect American
labor, ensure strong environmental standards,
preserve market access, and won’t compromise
efforts to lower drug prices.”
Abby looks at the whole picture. Grassley does not.
His letter never mentioned the pharmaceutical
concerns or environmental safeguards or labor
standards, other than for farmers. You decide.
Hunters and Guns Hunting is allowed on our Faraway Farm Conservation
Easement. Two separate hunting parties hunt there. I would
not want them hunting with the AK and AR assault weapons. I’d suggest they do some target practice instead of
spraying the country side with “explosive” shells. Google
“Joni Ernst campaign ad gun” I’ll never forget that she
aimed a gun directly at me! (Dick Worm)
Sierra Club Resources: To receive environmental news and green living tips
twice monthly, you can subscribe to the Sierra Club
Insider at www.sierraclub.org/sierra-club-email/insider .
In general, www.sierraclub.org has a plethora of
information for your reading enjoyment.
