PO Box 2008, Wawona, CA 95389

August, 2017

The Friends of the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona

Book/Bake/Craft Sale

The 21st Annual Book, Bake, and Craft Sale will be held on Labor Day Satur-
day, September 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Wawona Bassett Memorial Li-
brary parking lot. (Wawona Community Center if it rains) Dave Sischo bird-
houses and carved birds will be available. We will be accepting handmade craft
items until the day of the sale. They may be dropped off at the library in
Wawona or you can call Pat at 209-375-6273 to make arrangements to have them
picked up. Many great titles, both hardcover and paperback, have been donated
for the sale. Paperbacks will sell for 3 for $1 and hardcover books will sell for
$1 each. After 2 p.m. you may fill a bag of books for only $1! What a bar-
gain! Donated baked items may be dropped off at the library the day before the
sale or after 8 a.m. the morning of the sale. Wawona has the best bakers in the
park! Buy some books and a baked treat for that quiet afternoon or evening of
reading and snacking. We look forward to seeing you Saturday, September 2nd
at the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona Book, Bake, and Craft Sale.
 UC Merced Yosemite Field Station
Anne Kelly ~ Director

The UC Merced Yosemite Field Station is excited to host two back-to-back astronomy pro-
grams on Sunday, August 20 and Monday, August 21. Astronomers from UC Irvine will
host a star party on the lawn of the field station office from 7:30-9pm on Sunday, August 20.
Dr. Tammy Smecker-Hane will give a short talk on the Lives of Stars, followed by a guided
stargazing tour hosted by several UCI astronomers. Join us, and bring a headlamp, binocs, and/
or lawn chairs! On Monday, August 21 from 9am-12pm these astronomers will have solar tele-
scopes and viewing glasses available so we can enjoy the partial solar eclipse! Please join us!
7799 Chilnualna Falls Rd, overflow parking near the Stables.

The field station is closing out a busy summer! We are saying goodbye to our summer
programs. Adventure Risk Challenge students closed out their summer by sharing their beauti-
ful poetry at the Sierra Vista Church in Oakhurst in late July. The Yosemite Leadership Pro-
gram students return to UC Merced and universities beyond, after spending their summers in-
terning with NPS staff. Dr. Michelle Duennes from UC Riverside has wrapped up her study of
bumblebees in the central Sierra, and Dr. Sima Bouzid from the University of Washington is
wrapping up her study on the effects of temperature on fence lizard breeding behavior. Re-
searchers from UC Berkeley, the NPS, and USGS are continuing their study on ecosystem re-
covery within the Rim Fire. Into autumn, we will be hosting researchers and student groups
from all over California and the US. Please feel free to drop in to our office to learn more
about our work in and around Yosemite.

MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!
Wawona News Website
August 19: Squar e Dance
Gray Barn
8—10 p.m. For the latest Wawona information,
September 2: Wawona Fr iends of the Li- check the Wawona News Website
brary Book/Bake/Craft Sale at:
Library Parking Lot 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. www.wawonanews.com
September 2: Squar e Dance Gr ay Bar n
8 - 10 p.m. We no longer send emails with
September 9: WAPOA Wawona Commu-
nity Center 9 a.m. Wawona and Park updates, so
September 9: Lar ge item pickup YNP Main please keep up-to-date with com-
- tenance Yard 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. munity and park happenings, cal-
September 16: Yosemite-Wawona Elemen- endar of Wawona events, fire
tary Charter School Celebrity Golf news and items of local interest at
Tournament Big Trees Lodge Golf our Wawona News Website.
Course 8:30 a.m.
October 17: Flu Shot Clinic at the Libr ar y
10 a.m. –11:30 a.m.
 Be Prepared for Wildfire – A Suggested Wildfire Action Plan
Gary Wuchner ~ Yosemite Fire and Education Specialist (retired)

Those that live within California wild areas are not new to wildfire. Knowing the potential for wildfire
impacting homes, businesses, lifestyles and visitors it is essential for all users of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains to be prepared for a threat from wildfire.

Current fire incidents are a good reminder for each visitor and those living within mountain areas to
plan and prepare an emergency checklist for possible evacuation and other impacts from wildfire.

Another reminder – Prepare your property to be successfully defended by firefighters. It is not too late
to complete or add to your property defensible space requirements.
Your Emergency Plan Checklist
Create a Family Disaster Plan that includes meeting locations, and communications plans. Rehearse it –
“even if you are just visiting.” During an emergency, you must be part of the solution.
Ensure your vehicle is fully fueled.
Carry water in your car – figure 1 gallon /person/day.
Carry flash lights/headlamps with extra batteries.
Know community exit roads. If instructed to evacuate please follow the instructions by Yosemite
Protection Rangers. They will direct you toward a safety exit.
Designate and make known to your entire party emergency meeting locations outside of the fire
area.
Assemble an emergency supply kit and “go-bag” – include medicines, passports, airline tickets, and
credit cards, cell phones and chargers, special foods and other important “need to take” items.
As you visit areas within the park for day trips and hikes, take along the “go-bag, as you may not be
able to return to your Yosemite/Wawona accommodations.
Do not forget your pet needs!
Appoint an out of area point of contact person as a means of communications with family members
who may get separated. Fire officials cannot do this function.
Prepare and always take with you a “Go Bag” – essentials included
Evacuation Planning – Important items
This suggestion pertains to residents and property owners. Often when the order to evacuate is given
many people will scramble as to what items should be taken. Even with adequate pre-notice and ade-
quate time to load a vehicle, this part of evacuation can be an anxious/stressful time. This element of
planning could be considered before a wildfire begins. During pre-evacuation planning be systematic!
What are those items/possessions that cannot be replaced!

So what do you take? A few considerations include:

“Red Tag” items to take/remove, avoids confusion when the order to evacuate is a reality.
Important papers: deeds, proof of insurance, medical records, family photo albums, antiques, oth-
ers;
Take photos of furnishings, art work, tools, etc.;
Pre-load containers/tubs with items to remove;

Mariposa County NIXLE Emergency Alert System: Text your Mariposa County Area Zip Code to
888777 to opt-in. The text alerts you will receive are current to local area emergency alerts, warning
and evacuations as necessary. The NIX LE alert will activate wherever you are located.
 Wawona Large Item Pick Up
The Mariposa County Public Works will again pick up large items in Wawona on Saturday,
September 9, 2017 – the same date as the September WAPOA meeting. The truck will arrive
in the Wawona maintenance yard at 9 a.m. that morning and depart at 3 p.m. Large household
furnishings, appliances, deck furniture, etc. will be accepted. No hazardous waste, electronics,
or items that require special handling like refrigerators, air conditioners, or appliances that
have a mercury switch will be accepted.

WAWONA RANGER UPDATE

Eric Scott ~ Wawona District Ranger

It has been a hot, busy summer for the Wawona Ranger staff thus far this year. With all of
the extra snow runoff coming down the South Fork of the Merced River this year, we were
very concern about visitor and residents being safe around the river. We spend a lot of time
getting the word out that the river wasn’t safe and to stay away from the banks until the con-
ditions changed. Thankfully, that message payed off and we were fortunate not to have a sin-
gle swift water rescue in Wawona. The Valley did have two confirmed drownings in the
Merced River. The current water levels are safe enough for swimming, however we still en-
courage swimmers to remain vigilant and watch small children in the water.
Construction Updates for Wawona: The Federal Highways construction of the Roundabout
and repaving of Hwy. 41 from the park boundary to ½ mile North of the South Entrance will
continue until they are completed. There will be some traffic delays with this construction
with traffic control in place. The Mariposa Grove Rehabilitation Project continues with no
exact date of completion, but it’s expected to be open to the public late Fall. This park will
issue press releases prior to the opening of the Mariposa Grove to the public.
At the last Wawona Town Planning Advisory Committing (WTPAC) meeting, an issue was
brought up regarding rental guests parking their vehicles in areas that block access for emer-
gency vehicles, or on the property of other residents. I did contact the Redwoods and they
will be more diligent in telling their guests where they can and should not park.
As always, please feel free to contact me at (209) 375-9520 or at Eric_Scott@nps.gov should
you have a question or concern.

The Redwoods in Yosemite

Christian Mueller ~ General Manager

*Though the height of our summer season is nearing its end we are still expecting to be extremely busy
through Labor Day and beyond. We would very much like to thank the residents of our small communi-
ty for your patience and neighborly attitude towards the many new faces you all saw this year.
*Though the community will see a slowdown in traffic, there is still much work to be done at The Red-
woods. Please let your friends and family know that we are still hiring in our Housekeeping department
for our winter staff. We will be using the slow time for cabin deep-cleans and preventative maintenance.
*For information on available jobs please call Ashley at 209-375-1107.
*From the staff at The Redwoods, we sincerely hope you all had a wonderful summer.
 Wawona Fire Current Events 2017
Our station houses a new four wheel drive tactical water tender holding 1500 gallons, a new type 3
wildland engine, and a type 1 structure engine. Wawona will be getting a new Type 1 structure en-
gine this year which will be replacing the current structure engine based out of Wawona. The fire
crews are still continuing to work on the fire station which was finished in spring of 2016. If you
have not stopped in to check it out, please do so and the fire crews would be happy to give anyone a
tour.
This spring fire crews worked on the Section 35 fuels project around the community of Wawona es-
pecially up Spelt Road. The project was focused on thinning dense forest stands around the commu-
nity and burning the slash piles in place to quickly remove the fuel. This project will continue to
happen as project funding and crews are available.
The Wawona wood pile is still growing in size as the community continues to do fire clearance
around homes and buildings and vegetation clean up due to work from PG &E and storm damage
throughout this last year. Yosemite has borrowed the burn box in Wawona from Cal Fire to be used
through-out the summer and into the fall. However, with fire danger and availability of crews the
burn box has not been running.
The Soupbowl burn on the Wawona Road between the South entrance and the Wawona Golf Course
was the main focus this last spring however on the night of ignitions fire crews quickly were shut
down due to rain and snow. The Soupbowl burn is still on the table for fall 2017 if timing and crews
are available.
The main priority this fall is the Merced Grove project; Crew 1 based out of Chinquapin has been
working hard in the Merced Grove all summer doing thinning projects and prescribed fire burn prep-
aration for this fall. The Merced Grove is considered threatened due to a number of large wildfires
that have occurred in that area over the years. It has not had prescribed fire introduced in it and
would benefit from prescribed fire not only to clean up years of overgrowth but to create an envi-
ronment for Giant Sequoia's to regenerate.

Big Trees Lodge

Amanda Lee ~ General Manager
The dining room operating hours (beginning Labor Day): Breakfast 7AM-10M, Lunch 11AM-2PM,
Dinner 5:30PM-9PM. Tom Bopp will play at the Hotel Tuesday to Saturday from 5PM-9:30PM.
The Golf Course and Pro Shop will continue to operate until October 23. The Pro Shop and Café on
the Green will be open daily from 6AM-4PM. The Lodge will be hosting both the Lion’s Club
and School Golf Tournaments in September.
Holiday activities will be forthcoming including the annual lighting of the lodge. The Hotel has
good rates and packages through the months of October, November, and December. Availability is
filling up, so make sure if you have family coming to get your reservations early. We will begin to
take Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve dinner reservations at the end of September.

Wawona News Website

For the latest Wawona information, check the Wawona News Website at:
www.wawonanews.com
We no longer send emails with Wawona and Park updates, so please keep up-to-date with community
and park happenings, calendar of Wawona events, fire news and drought news at our Wawona News
Website.
 Mark your calendars for the
14th Annual Wawona School Golf Tournament Fundraiser
on September 16th, 2017!
For registration forms and tournament details go to the school website:
http://www.yosemitewawonacharter.org/

Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Yosemite Pioneer History Center

Charter School
is excited to share some terrific news about
the upcoming 2017-2018 school year!
We officially have our own school bus
AND a bus driver!
Dean Shenk ~ Division of Interpretation
The final Barn Dance of the year will be on
Saturday, September 2, from 8:00 to 10:00
pm in the Grey Barn near the Wawona Cov-
ered Bridge. As always, music will be pro-
vided by “The Wawona Philharmonic” and
donations will be accepted.

Our thanks to The Redwoods In Yosemite

A huge
THANK YOU goes out to everyone who
supports Yosemite-Wawona Elementary
Charter School! Your donations DO
make a difference!
Our school is growing!
We have 28 students in TK-8th grade this
upcoming school year and 4 staff mem-
bers!
The addition of our new school bus, bus
driver and staff will help enable our school
to better provide field trips, expand our
field studies program and provide transpor-
tation to/from school for incoming students
from the nearby mountain area communi-
ties.
Together, these changes will help our
school with long-term growth and sustaina-
bility for the years ahead.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure
that a local school is provided in the
Wawona community.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone
who supports Yosemite-Wawona Elementary
Charter School!
and WAPOA for their continued financial
support of these popular summer dances.
Nightly Campfire programs in the Wawona
Campground, the Saturday morning Junior
Ranger programs, the Blacksmithing demon-
strations at the Pioneer Yosemite History
Center and the Tuesday evening and Satur-
day morning Ranger Programs at The Red-
woods In Yosemite will all conclude for the
year this Labor Day Weekend.
Burrell “Buckshot” Maier and his Horse-
Drawn Stage rides will be offered from 10:00
am to 2:00 pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sun-
days through Sunday, October 8, but not on
Saturday, October 7. If you didn't see the
Fresno Bee article about Burrell on Sunday,
August 6, 2017, here is a link to the article on
the Fresno Bee's website: http://
www.fresnobee.com/living/liv-columns-
blogs/carmen-george/article165662652.html
The Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio
will remain open every day until mid-
October.
 Friends of the Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona

Library News
PO Box 2008, Wawona, CA 95389 August, 2017

Thanks to Wawona Property Own-

ers who donated the dollars for our
June ~ July 2017 Summer Extra Hours!!
Memorial Donations We still need donations to cover our Extra
2017 Summer Hours over the County funded
15 hours. The Extra Hours donations are
being matched by Sara Miller McCune. The
library is open 5 hours daily, Monday
through Friday, from 1 p.m.—6 p.m. and
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Me-
morial Day to Labor Day. The library is
closed on Sunday and holidays. Our heavi-
est use is in the summer when the Redwoods
and Scenic Wonders cabins are occupied.
Thank you for helping keep the library
open 30 hours weeklyduring the busy sum-
Dudley and mer season!!!
Jane Goul Wawona Friends of the Bassett Memorial
Library fund the extra hours after Labor
Bob and Mary LaCroix
Day
William and Christina Watt

Library hours change after Labor Day

Wawona Bassett Memorial Library Hours
Labor Day 2017 through Memorial Day 2018
209-375-6510
Free Internet & Wi-Fi Available

Monday: Noon – 5 PM
Wednesday: Noon – 5 PM
Friday: Noon – 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM
Closed Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Holidays
 Wawona Community Newsletter
P.O. Box 2008
Wawona, CA 95389

2017 MEMBERSHIP WAWONA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Please print information for mailing list: April 1 ~ March 31

Name_____________________________________________________ Phone___________________

Address_________________________________________ City_____________________Zip________
Membership Categories: Email Address_______________________
___Individual $ 5.00 ___Gold Friend $15.00
___Family $ 10.00 ___Gold Panner $25.00
___Business $ 50.00 ___Gold Miner $50.00
___Life $ 100.00 ___Gold Strike $75.00
___Golden Patron $ 500.00 ___Wawona Fund Booster Unlimited
Additional Contributions: (Include address for acknowledgement)

$_____Memorial for (Name)_________________________________________________________________________

$_____Gift in honor of (Name)________________________________________________________________________

$_____Extra Hours Donation_________________________________________________________________________

I am interested in assisting with the following:

___Membership ___Telephoning ___Volunteering in library
___Serving on the Board of Directors ___Fundraising ___Book Sale
___Help at Special Events ___Newsletter ___Other

Make checks payable to:

WAWONA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ALL DUES AND DONATIONS ARE

P.O. Box 2008 TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
WAWONA, CA 95389