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FWCCSP RECORD

Newsletter of the Friends of White Clay Creek State Park

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park

P.O. Box 9734

Newark, DE 19714-9734

www.whiteclavfriends.org

Volume 7, No.2 June 2004

Master Plan Meeting Held on June 7; Comment Period is Still Open

The Division of Parks and Recreation held a Master Plan meeting for White Clay
Creek State Park on June 7. Two broad topics were covered during the meeting: (1)
plans for the Carpenter Recreation Area, including trails, cross country, picnic facilities,
parking, life course, disk golf, etc., and (2) plans for all of the park's natural areas. This
was the third in a series of meetings to seek public input on plans for the park.
All of the display materials from the meeting are available for inspection at the
White Clay Park Office, and comments will be accepted at the Division of Parks and
Recreation until July 15. The Park Office is open weekdays from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Comments should be sent to Cindy Todd, Division of Parks and Recreation, 89 Kings
Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Funding in Jeopardy for Land and Water Conservation Fund

Congress is considering reducing funding for the Land and Water Conservation
Fund (LWCF), which uses a portion of federal revenues from offshore oil and gas
production to provide funds to states, including Delaware, to protect natural and cultural
resources and create opportunities for outdoor recreation. As an example very close to
home, LWCF monies were recently used in the construction of the band shell at our
Carpenter Recreation Area.
A petition to the President is being prepared to encourage full funding of the
LWCF. If you think you might like to participate, go to www.asap2004.org to get more
information or add your name to the petition.

Volunteers Needed to Maintain Native Plant Gardens

We need a project leader and a couple of volunteers to do occasional weeding and


pruning of the native plant beds at the Park Office. These nifty beds were installed by
Friends volunteers nearly two years ago, and they feature plants found in the park. All the
plants are labeled to provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the flora of the
park.
The amount of work required should be pretty modest because the beds are small.
Also, we will provide training, so strong gardening and plant identification skills are not
needed. To find out more about this opportunity, contact Jim Ries, our project
coordinator, at dries@udel.edu or (302) 239-1658.

Tales From The Nestbox Trails

We have received mid-season reports from almost all of the 42 nestboxes


throughout the park, and the reports are quite encouraging. The best count indicates that
30 bluebirds were raised and fledged between April 15 and June 15. Each of the broods
counted five chicks. In addition to the bluebirds, we have counted 26 house wrens and
approximately 16 swallows, for a total of 72 fledglings for the first brood. The second
brood is generally smaller than the first, and at times new nestboxes are used. One box
along the David English Trail is already housing a second clutch of bluebird eggs, and we
are looking forward to more clutches in the near future.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Nestbox Trail Monitors, please contact
Marilyn Sweeney at iipurrtvcatz(2V,aol.com or 302-235-2548. We have a need for substitute
monitors for a week or two, as well as people to help place nestboxes in various places
throughout the Park.

Boundary Line Trail Extension Nears Completion

The extension of the Boundary Line Trail between Thompson Station Road and
Comer Ketch Road will be open by July 1st. This new, mile-long trail section bypasses
Cart Road, which has become badly eroded, and connects to the 0.8 mile section of the
Boundary Line Trail that was completed last year. Twenty-nine volunteers worked more
than 600 hours completing the new extension that includes a footbridge across a tributary
of the creek. We thank the many volunteers who made this possible.
The new trail creates a beautiful five mile loop hike starting from the Park Office,
going up Thompson Station Road, left on Cart Road Trail for approximately 100 yards,
and right on the new Boundary Line Trail to Comer Ketch Road. Proceed directly across
Comer Ketch Road, down a public paved driveway for two-tenths of a mile, and tum left
on the section of the Boundary Line Trail that was completed last year, then left on
Yeatman Station Road, and left along the trail following the east side of the Creek back to
the Park Office.

Park Programs Being Led by Friends Members

Several recent White Clay programs have been led by Friends members, in
cooperation with the park. These include:

On May 2, a migratory bird walk led by Jeff Gordon. An amazing 55 participants


saw lots of beautiful birds before a late-morning rain shut us down.

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On May 16, a program by Vince and Carolyn D' Amico on the subject "Insects,
what are they good for?" A beautiful slide show was foUowed by outdoor
collection, identification, and discussion of insects.

On June 5, a program on monitoring of bluebird nestboxes by Marilyn Sweeney.


This included a discussion of why it is important to monitor the boxes and an
outdoor demonstration, despite the rain.

Looking ahead, Mike Ott will be leading another of his hikes on July 10 at 2:00
pm. This one is entitled "Why a circular boundary?" and will track portions of the DEIPA
boundary and discuss its history. Mike has also agreed to repeat two popular hikes in the
faU, "Exploring the Big Pond Area" and "The David English Trail--Offthe Beaten Track."
Angel Rosauri, nature center manager at the park is very enthusiastic about these
additions to her program series and has complemented the Friends members for their
excellent programs.

Park Plans Picnic Honoring Volunteers

On August 12 the park will hold a picnic for its many volunteers during the past
year. Details are still being developed and will be included in invitations to be sent out in
advance of the event. Last year's picnic was a really nice affair, so mark your calendars
and watch for your invitation.

Newsletter Supplement on Carrie Nation and Harvest Home in this Issue

In this issue we are pleased to print Andrea Cassel's article describing the 1904
visit by famous temperance advocate Carrie Nation to Whiteman's Grove, which now lies
in the Possum Hill part of White Clay Creek State Park. She was in the Newark area to
raise funds and support for alcohol prohibition and women's suffrage as part of the
Harvest Home celebrations of the Ebenezer Methodist Church. Eventually, the Friends
will incorporate this and other stories about the White Cl;ay Creek area into an historical
booklet.

Membership Support Appreciated - Keep Renewals Coming!

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members for your support of the
Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. We are now over 400 members strong! There
are still some members who need to renew, so please send in your dues and help us to
improve and preserve the park. Memberships are $15 for families, $10 for individuals, and
$5 for students. Please send checks payable to Friends of White Clay Creek State Park,
P.O. Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734.

Projects and Project Leaders

Adopt-a-Highway: Dee and Dick Benson, 410-398-4180


Adopt-a-Trail: Mike Ott, 73 8-6652
Advocacy: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Birders Guide: Mark Keese, 369-9128, and Gene Hess, 738-4690
Bluebird Boxes: Meta Little, 368-3472, and Marilyn Sweeney, 235-2548
Kestrel Boxes: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Historical Booklet: Debbie Keese, 369-9128
Member-led Park Programs: Angel Rosauri. 368-6560
Nature Center Staffing: Tom Hallenbeck, 610-274-1345
Newark Community Day: Ken Daws, 737-8120
Reforestation: AI Zverina, 239-5046, and Christa Stefanisko, 369-1933
Trail Benches: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471
Trail Improvement Work: Wendel Cassel, 737-3319
Water Ice Sales: Tom Hallenbeck, 610-274-1345
Wayside Historical Markers: Wendel Cassel
Website: Rick Hall, 831-1295
Wildlife Habitat Protection: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471

Executive Committee

President: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471, aurqu@aol.com


Vice-president: Marilyn Sweeney, 235-2548, iipurrtycatz@aol.com
Secretary and Newsletter Editor: Dick Benson, 410-398-4180, rbenson@dol.net
Treasurer: Ken Daws, 737-8120, wahkegan@hotmail.com
Membership Chair: Lisa Wool, 562-9788, Iwool@delawareestuary.org
Projects Committee Chair: Jim Ries, 239-1658, dries@udel.edu

Membership Application

Join us! If you are not already a member and would like to join, please return this form with your check
made payable to Friends of White Clay Creek State Park.

Name(s) _
Address - - - - - - - - - -
Phone ~ _ E-mail

Annual Memberships

__$10.00 Individual Membership


___$15.00 Family Membership
_ _$ 5.00 Student Membership
_ _$_ _ Extra Contribution
$_ _ Total Enclosed

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Inc.


P.O. Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734

4
Carrie A. Nation and Harvest Home
by Andrea Cassel

In August 1904 the front page of Wilmington's Morning News read:


CARRIE NATION SWINGS HATCHET
and sells them to crowd
The scene of this event was in Whiteman's Grove, Mill Creek Hundred, which
now lies in the Possum Hill part of White Clay Creek State Park. Carrie Nation, famous
temperance advocate, visited the Newark area to raise funds and support for alcohol
prohibition and women's suffrage as part of the Harvest Home celebrations of the
Ebenezer Methodist Church.
Location
Whiteman's Grove is the wooded area along Muddy Run valley on the northwest
side of Paper Mill Road, opposite and between the entrances to Stage and Fox Den
Roads. It is easily accessible today by walking along Bryan's Field Trail from the Possum
Hill parking lot. Also in these woods is the marker for the 'Post Mark'd West' that Mason
and Dixon established in 1764. It was from this point that they began their western trek
that established the north/south boundary of Maryland and Pennsylvania. When Mason
and Dixon were on this land, it was owned by Alexander Bryan. In 1904 the land was
owned by Arthur J. Whiteman. The Whitemans belonged to the Ebenezer Methodist
Church and allowed the church to use part of the farm for the Harvest Home.
Harvest Home
Ebenezer Methodist Church's Harvest Home celebration and picnic was held on a
Thursday in August beginning in 1887. In its early years the one held in Whiteman's
Grove was organized by the Ebenezer Methodist Church and The Fairview Lodge of the
Good Templars. The Templars were a worldwide temperance group supporting total
abstinence and prohibition.
The popularity of Ebenezer's Harvest Home was noted in the newspapers. One
article in 1905 said"....throngs of vehicles of all kinds and persons from miles around
attended ... " despite bad weather. Candidates for office visited and "... by nightfall the
grove was adorned with their cards." Hacks would meet people at the various Newark
train stations and transport them to the festival.
A noontime dinner and evening supper were prepared and served by the ladies of
the church. "Fried chicken in abundance and other delicacies of the season..." were
offered. Root beer, orange, and grape drink were served. Music, often of a patriotic
nature, was offered by local and regional bands. The speakers usually represented the
temperance movement.
After Arthur Whiteman sold his farm to Samuel Hallock DuPont in 1929, the
Harvest Home was moved to Little's Grove, which is south of the Ebenezer Methodist
Church on Polly Drummond Road. It continued to be held there until the late 1940s.

Carrie A. Nation's Visit


Carrie A. Nation (1846-1911) visited the Harvest Home in Whiteman's Grove on
August 4, 1904. Her national reputation was created when she started to enter saloons
and liquor stores with bricks or hatchets and proceeded to smash bar features and stock.
Between 1900 and 1910 she was arrested about 30 times. To pay her fmes and support
herself, she traveled the country giving lectures and selling souvenir hatchets and books.
Her anger against liquor stemmed from her first failed marriage to an alcoholic.
At nearly 6 feet tall and 175 pounds, Carrie Nation was a formidable presence.
She traveled alone all around the country. She described herself as "a bulldog running
along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what he doesn't want."
The trip to Whiteman's Grove early that afternoon from Newark was by a double
horse team carriage. As they approached the outskirts of the Grove a huge crowd
surrounded them. The Morning News said, "It was perhaps the greatest day in the history
of Mill Creek Hundred and the crowd was estimated at 10,000. Whiteman's Grove was a
surging mass of humanity, through which [her] carriage passed with the greatest difficulty.
Vehicles of all descriptions were hitched to trees as far as the eye could see, and the road
to Newark was marked by an endless procession of others. All of the surrounding country
appeared to have congregated on the spot, and distant points were represented." The
crowd estimate seems much too high, but it must have been quite a scene.
Carrie Nation's presentation had religious, political, and merchandising messages.
She attacked Republican President Theodore Roosevelt. Democrats were equally as bad,
just out of office. She urged the crowd to vote for the Prohibition Party. Voting for
either of the major parties was voting for the devil. She felt called by God when she went
into her first liquor store and began throwing bricks. "I ....hit them with everything 1
[aimed] at, a strange thing for a woman to do." She declared that God had given her
divine inspiration, especially when a whiskey bottle was the target. Acknowledging that
many people view her as a "freak with a hatchet," she said she had never raised it against a
person.
The last part of her presentation was an appeal for funds. Her receipts in
Whiteman's Grove totaled $25 for the sale of hatchets and books. She was paid $60 for
her speech. At a Brandywine Springs speech the same weekend, she made $300 and sold
out her entire stock.

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