Spring 2011

Friends in Feathers
G E N E S T R A T T O N - P O R T E R M E M O R I A L S O C I E T Y , I N C .

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Its time for another season of special events at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site! This year promises something for everyone with an expanded offering of events. We kick off the season in May with the Wildflower Walk and Brunch. This annual event is sure to delight the gardener or flower lover in your home. Complete details for this event can be found on page 4. Our next event is for the birds - the Wildflower Woods Bird Hike. Bring your binoculars and join a Photo by Alaina Carnahan naturalist as we look for the birds who call Wildflower Woods home. You may even have a chance to meet one up close as John Schaust, Chief Naturalist for Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc., bands birds during this event. Back to the gardens, but only if youre romantic! Genes Moonlit Garden Tour is the perfect date night in June. Youll be serenaded with live music, sample local wines paired with cheese and top off the evening with something sweet - hand dipped chocolate strawberries. Our Lecture Series returns, but on Wednesdays this season. Check out the complete lineup on page 4.
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If youve ever wanted to try out Genes sleeping porch, heres your chance. The Cabin Overnight returns, but this year in July. Guests will have the chance to explore Genes Cabin from top to bottom, including areas not normally open to the public. Once youve seen every nook and cranny, choose your spot and roll out your sleeping bag. Space is limited so reserve your spot today. The $100 admission also includes snacks and a full breakfast. Photo by Alaina Carnahan Look to the sky during the Star Gazing & Night Hike in July. Members of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society will join us to help identify constellations over the Wildflower Woods. As you might have guessed, we cant tell you about ALL of the 2011 events in just one article. More details for some of the Summer events can be found inside and future issues will highlight our Fall events. Be sure to mark your calendar for our new events in 2011. Gene Stratton-Porter was a woman of many interests and talents and we hope the events here reflect that diversity. Dont let the season go by without attending at least one...and hopefully more! t o O u r F r i e n d

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From the President Managers Update Summer Events Reservations & Membership Forms Bluebird Trail Naturalists Corner 2011 Event Listing 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

James Leo Meehan, Jr., born in Los Angeles on June 29, 1924, passed away at home on December 24, 2010 in Redondo Beach, CA. He graduated from Loyola High School and attended Loyola University. He served the US Army as a paratrooper in WWII and, after he was honorably discharged, married Ann Hicks and moved to Manhattan Beach. There he bePhoto courtesy of Monica Berg gan a long career in banking. Jim loved the ocean and enjoyed living at the beach in many ways. He is survived by his wife, Ann, his children Bridget, of Gardena, Monica (Hans) of Torrance, Michael (Elena) of Haleiwa, HI and Patrick of Redondo Beach as well as grandchildren, Shannon, Thomas, Kyle, Ingrid, Kristian and Arlene and 4 great grandchildren, Ryder, Blessany, Lennox and Broxton and his 2 nephews Christopher (Brenda) and Matthew (Shari). There was a private family memorial service where his ashes were scattered. Jim was Genes grandson and will be greatly missed.

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P r e s i d e n t The Annual Meeting of the GSP Memorial Society will be held on Tuesday, May 10, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the GSP Carriage House. You will find the reservation form on page 5 and the details are listed below. When you review the list of events for 2011, you will notice that we have increased the number of events. We hope to make each event even bigger and better than last year. One of the events well be making big changes to is our Dream of Beauty Holiday Walk. It is too early to give the details, but please put it on your calendar. Over the past few months, your Board has been reviewing the bylaws. As a result of that study, some changes have been made. Several changes relate to terms of Board members and we will increase our Board to 9 members. I will highlight other changes at the Annual Meeting. Have you considered serving on the board? Please let us know if you have an interest in serving. I would like to remind you that with tight State budgets, we need many additional volunteers to carry out our programming and support of the Site. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to become volunteers. We can use volunteers in just about every area of the operation. For more information, please contact the Site at (260) 854-3790. Thank you for all of your support and please come and visit the Site and take part in the activities. John Kessen

If you are like me, it is really great to have the opportunity to enjoy some nice weather. The plants know that it is time to come out and get involved. Speaking of getting involved, we have done something new this year to acquaint people with our State Historic Site. For a number of years we have taken part in the Kendallville Home & Garden Show and found it to be very beneficial to the Site. This year we had a booth at the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show. It is amazing that we always find people who tell us that they have not been to our Site or that they have not been to it since they went on a grade school tour. When you tell them how close it is for them and the things that we have to offer, they tell us that they will visit us. Between the two shows we had about 3,000 people visit our booth. One thing that seemed to be of interest to just about everyone we talked with was our tremendous display of wildflowers in the Spring. It is really neat having the opportunity to share Genes legacy with others. During the show we did have some guests indicate that they would like to become volunteers at Gene Stratton-Porter. Last year we started a volunteer training program. This years Volunteer Orientation and Refresher program will be on September 10. We welcome our returning volunteers as well as new volunteers to take part in the program. The volunteers that participated last year thought it was very helpful. Carolyn Linsenmayer is chairing this event.

SAVE THE DATE

Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site Carriage House Reception 5:30 p.m. Dinner served at 6:00 p.m. with meeting to follow
$14 per person (reservations required - form on page 5)

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2011 brings another season opening to the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site. That means another winter has passed, another spring is here and another summer is just around the corner. What that really means is work, work, work! The dedicated crew of staff and volunteers did as much as possible over the winter and then kicked things into high gear as spring approached. We hope youll be visiting soon to enjoy another springs bloom and see some of our most recent improvements. Outside, you might notice the new grill near the shelter house (by the Visitor parking lot) and a similar grill on the Bolman Trail near Hilltop. These grills were installed for public use and we hope to see lots of burgers, brats and other meals being cooked at GSP. John Bishop, GSP maintenance, used his masonry skills to install and decorate these grills. Sowers Woods has also had a bit of a facelift as well. The YHCC youth started rehabbing the trails last summer, but this was a major job! John Bishop has recently comA d d

Photo by Dave Fox

pleted the trails, and we will be finishing off the project with beautiful stones numbering the trails just as you see in Genes Tame Garden. You might remember that last year, Genes arbor was completely restored. Were anxiously awaiting the Wisteria blooms and Tara Vine foliage to fill in and cover the black locust arbor. Our own Dennis Noak lovingly replaced the vines and Marilyn Carunchia has started new Wisteria for the south end. We think the plants will enjoy their new, sturdier home. The Sower Farmhouse received a new roof to prevent damage to the interior. The Carriage House Visitors Center received a fresh paint of coat inside this winter as well. L e g a c y t o

Blinds have also been installed in the Carriage House to allow for better multi-media presentations and preservation of artifacts. Inside the Cabin, we moved some of the furniture. Its likely that Gene would have moved the furniture from time to time but our move has more of a purpose. Were constantly researching to find out how things were when Gene lived here. Our ultimate goal is to return the Cabin to a state which looks like Gene just stepped out for a bit. The library is now the way Gene used it based on historical photos. Moving that furniture has also allowed us to open the front parlor to a more comfortable state. Were working hard to restore each of the rooms, although this will take considerable time, effort and eventually money as we acquire more of Genes belongings or period pieces for the Cabin. Were working hard to make GSP a place Gene would be proud to share and hope that youll join us in those efforts - either by visiting or volunteering. G e n e s programming and outreach, special events, maintenance and restoration of the gardens and grounds and improvements to the entire Site. Your gift can help spread the works and philosophy of Gene Stratton-Porter to a new generation. Her ideals of nature, family, life-long learning and community will be shared with thousands. Please consider the Gene Stratton-Porter legacy along with your own...you can make a difference.

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Perhaps youre not thinking about your own personal legacy right now, but maybe you should. You might have a family that you consider to be your legacy, or you might have achieved significant professional and personal accomplishments that will endure time. Consider another way to leave a lasting mark by contributing to Gene Stratton-Porters legacy with a planned gift. There are many types of planned gifts and each one has benefits to both the donor, heirs and the recipient. We encourage you to speak

with your tax professional, financial advisor or banker about what type of planned gift might benefit you most. By remembering the Gene StrattonPorter Memorial Society in your financial planning, you help ensure the future of the Gene StrattonPorter State Historic Site and help further the legacy of Gene Stratton-Porter. Funds are used for a variety of purposes including educational

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We have the perfect way to spend a Saturday in May. Youll need your senses as we gather in the Carriage House Visitors Center to begin our outing. Step into Wildflower Woods and use your sight and smell to find newly budding wildflowers of all types. Listen to discover robins, chickadees and cardinals are following you on your journey. From the Woods, its back to the formal gardens for different flowers and plants. Your friendly guides will help identify some you may not be familiar with. Gaze at the newly restored arbor and take in the beautiful fragrance of the Wisteria winding its way around its new sturdy home. with other guests and your guides about your experiences. Did you find a wildflower peeking out that no one else saw? How many of you saw new flowers and plants? These experiences and more await you at the Wildflower Walk and Brunch at Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site on Saturday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, reservations are required by 4/30/11. To tour Genes Cabin at Wildflower Woods, tickets may be purchased for an additional fee. Please call the Site at (260) 854-3790 to make your reservations for the perfect way to spend a Saturday in May. Mark Your Calendar
For the Fall Volunteer Program on Saturday, September 10. Enjoy meeting other GSP Volunteers, learn more about volunteer opportunities, GSP history and the Department of Natural Resources at this event. Well even roast some hot dogs on the Sites new grill near the Visitor Parking Lot. You wont want to miss this chance to learn and enjoy with other GSP volunteers. Following the Volunteer Program, local author Barb Morrow will sign copies of her Gene Stratton-Porter biography at the Site. More information will be in future newsletters.

Photo by Alaina Carnahan

By now, youre sure to have worked up an appetite so its back to the Carriage House where a delicious brunch awaits you. Choose from rich waffles, fluffy eggs, crisp bacon, fresh fruit and more. While enjoying the food, youll also have time to chat

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The 2011 Lecture Series has moved to Wednesday. We have a great lineup this year with a variety of topics. Each lecture begins at 6 p.m. and costs just $3 per person. To kick off the series, join us for Birdscaping on June 15. Dena Purcell of Wild Birds Unlimited Fort Wayne will share tips for attracting birds and other wildlife to your own backyard. Using native plants makes care and maintenance easy for you and irresistible for your feathered friends. Our next lecture on July 20 features snakes, frogs, turtles and more. Join us to learn more about Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians. You might think of them as creepy and crawly but they can be beneficial to your yard. On August 17, our topic shifts to one of Genes own passions Photography. Bring your camera and learn tips for getting the most from your shots. Even Gene started out learning through trial and error but attending this lecture might help avoid those errors. We wrap up 2011 with another evening of myth-busting as we learn more about Entomology - the study of insects. Sure, its easy to want to swat what buzzes around but what good do insects do? Learn all about insects - the good, the bad and the bugly. We hope to see you at one or all of the 2011 Lecture Series talks.

Dont Forget to Register for the 2011 Annual Meeting!

Complete and mail the form below and keep the reminder on page 2 as your Save the Date card.

Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. 2011 Annual Meeting Registration

Reservations are due no later than May 5. Tickets are $14 per person. Please make your check payable to: Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. and mail, along with this form, to GSP Memorial Society, 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, Indiana 46784 Questions? Please call (260) 854-3790 ___________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________ Number of people attending ($14 per person) ___________________________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________________________ City State Zip Phone Number ___________________________________________________________ E-mail Address

Not a GSP Memorial Society member yet? Join today!

Complete and return this form.

Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. Membership Application

Single Family Sustaining Non-Profit Org. Business Single Family $10.00 $15.00 $20.00 $25.00 $25.00 $100.00 ___________________________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________ Business or Non-Profit Organization (if applicable)

Life (40 years or older)

$150.00 ___________________________________________________________ City State Zip Phone Number Please make your check payable to: ___________________________________________________________ Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial E-mail Address Society, Inc. and mail, along with this form, to Your GSP Memorial Society membership includes 3 newsletters GSP Memorial Society, each year, invitations to special events and a 10% discount in the 1205 Pleasant Point, GSP gift shop. Your membership dues support educational Rome City, Indiana 46784 programs, special events and help continue Genes legacy!

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Gene Stratton-Porter wrote to the Governor in 1923 urging him to make her 125 acres on Sylvan Lake a State-run bird, butterfly and botany sanctuary. Now, nearly 100 years later her vision is being realized. A stroll through her gardens and paths allows you to see firsthand the work of countless gardening hours. Many of Genes original plant species thrive today. Those plants attract and feed countless butterflies and moths. While work in those areas continues, Genes birds need your help too. Please consider sponsoring a box on the GSP Bluebird Trail. These nesting boxes will provide safe shelter for one of Indianas favorite songbirds, the Eastern Bluebird...becoming less and less common due to habitat destruction and other perils of modern life. Your support can make a difference - for the birds and

Fledgling - Sponsors a single box on the trail.

Flock - Sponsors 10 boxes on the trail. $250 Ideal for groups or businesses.

GSP Bluebird Trail Sponsorship Form

I would like to support the GSP Bluebird Trail at the following level: Fledgling - $25 Flock - $250
Name Address

All contributions are made to the Gene StrattonPhone Porter Memorial Society, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit group and are tax deductible. Please mail or bring this completed form to: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, 1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, Indiana 46784 *All checks should be made payable to: Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. *Please write Bluebird Trail in the memo line of your check. For more information, please call 260-854-3790 or e-mail genestrattonportershs@dnr.in.gov H o w Y o u r P u r c h a s e H e l p s G S P V o l u n t e e r S p o t l i g h t

Did you know that by attending any or all of the events held at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, youre doing more than learning and having fun? Youre actually helping carry on Genes legacy of nature, conservation, life-long learning and community. All proceeds from events held at the GSP Site, as well as any purchases made in the Gift Shop, stay at the Site locally and are used to fund educational programming as well as to maintain and restore the Gardens and Grounds. You can feel good knowing that your admission or Gift Shop purchase is helping Genes legacy live on for future generations. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

This spotlight shines on Alaina Carnahan, volunteer photographer. Despite a very busy schedule shooting for local newspapers, weddings and portraits, Alaina somehow finds time to escape to GSP for special events and everyday shots of the ever-changing gardens and grounds. We are very fortunate to have a professional photographer who graciously donates not only her time and talent, but also her photographs. You can see Alainas beautiful work on the GSP Memorial Society Facebook page as well as throughout this newsletter and on flyers used around the Site. Shell also be presenting the Third Wednesday Lecture on Photography later this summer. If youre looking for a professional photographer, please consider our very own volunteer Alaina (Ace of Images). You can find her on Facebook or www.aceofimages.com.

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C o r n e r looking for? We have plenty of information and knowledge we would love to share with you. Feel free to come by the site and help us dig and pull out these pests.

C o n r a d

Spring has arrived here at Gene Stratton-Porter and with it, Star of Bethlehem and its sidekick, garlic mustard. These are both invasive plants that we battle every spring and into the summer at the Site. Star of Bethlehem is most visible in the gardens right now and it is everywhere.

Star of Bethlehem

There is no easy method to get rid of it other than digging out each bulb, some of which can be as small as a grain of rice. G i f t S h o p S h o w c a s e

Dennis Noak, one of our volunteers, has had some luck with just pulling the tops off. We are hoping to try a variation of this while applying Roundup. While this sounds like a good option, we have to be very careful to not spray surrounding plants because the Roundup will kill them as well, making it much more tedious. Garlic mustard is just as finicky. But hand pulling it and disposing of it in garbage bags seems to be the best way to get rid of it. Even after pulling the biennial plant, the seeds that fall are viable for five years. So the plants need to be collected at just the right time and quickly to prevent the seeds from dropping. Volunteers play a large part in helping us eradicate both of these pesky plants. Not sure what you are

Garlic Mustard

We have regular Garden Work Days and truly appreciate any help you can provide. Upcoming Garden Work Days are Saturday, May 21, June 11, and July 16 from 9 a.m. until Noon. Tools and education are provided - just bring yourself!

T h a n k s t o O u r S u p p o r t e r s Wed like to highlight some of our loyal supporters who help us continue Genes legacy. Each issue, well showcase businesses or individuals who make contributions to GSP. NATURE UNLIMITED Dave Yoder of Nature Unlimited in Topeka donates bird seed and suet to keep the feathered residents of GSP well-fed throughout the year. You can visit Nature Unlimited at 219 Nature Trail in Topeka for his selection of feeders, houses, seed, suet and more. They also have Purple Martin houses like the one near the Sowers Barn on Site. Daves donations are greatly appreciated by the birds and bird watchers alike! FORT WAYNE HOME & GARDEN SHOW The Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show, produced by Fort Wayne Shows, Inc., graciously provided a booth at no charge for the GSP Memorial Society. Please join us next year at the 39th Annual Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show - March 1-4 at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum. www.home-gardenshow.com

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Gene Stratton-Porters The Harvester. To celebrate this occasion, all copies of The Harvester are 10% off in the GSP Gift Shop. This novel is an inspiring tale of hard work, love and compassion. Follow David Langston, the Harvester, on his path to find his dream girl and care for her through sickness and dark times. His trusty dog Bel is never far from his side, whether harvesting ginseng or building a home for his dream girl. Gene Stratton-Porter used some of the descriptions from The Harvester as plans for her Cabin at Wildflower Woods. So read the novel and visit the Site to see what similarities you find!

2011 Events

Wildflower Walk & Brunch Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., $20 Wildflower Woods Bird Hike Saturday, May 14, 2 - 5 p.m., $3 Genes Moonlit Garden Tour Saturday, June 11, 8 - 10 p.m., $20 Third Wednesday Lecture Series: Birdscaping Wednesday, June 15, 6 - 8 p.m., $3 Gene Stratton-Porter Cabin Overnight Saturday - Sunday, July 16 -17, 8:30 p.m. - 8:30 a.m., $100 Third Wednesday Lecture Series: Herpetology Wednesday, July 20, 6 - 8 p.m., $3 Star Gazing & Night Hike Saturday, July 30, 9 - 11 p.m., $3 Chautauqua Days Saturday & Sunday, Aug 13 & 14, Noon - 4 p.m., $3 Third Wednesday Lecture Series: Photography Wednesday, August 17, 6 - 8 p.m., $3 Third Wednesday Lecture Series: Entomology Wednesday, September 21, 6 - 8 p.m., $3 Upland Wildlife Cookout Saturday, September 24, 6 - 9 p.m., $5 suggested donation Birding by Kayak Saturday, October 1, 8 - 11 a.m., $3 Owl-oween Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., $3 Gene Stratton-Porter Autumn Tea Monday, October 17, Noon - 4 p.m., $25 A Dream of Beauty Holiday Walk Saturday, November 19, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., $3

G E N E S T R A T T O N - P O R T E R M E M O R I A L S O C I E T Y , I N C .

1205 Pleasant Point Rome City, IN 46784 (260) 854-3790

For more information on events, please call 260-854-3790

VISIT SOON!