Your Board has been busy reviewing the By Laws

and Expectations oI members oI the Board. It has been

a number oI years since a thorough review has taken
place. Just like in business, it is always a good idea to
update the way we do business. Our Property Manager,
Dave Fox, has been given substantial training in operat-
ing a historical site. Now the State would like to see
him put this training to use.
He has been busy guiding us on the type oI things
we need to review. He has explained to us the need to
bring proIessionals Irom our area in to help us. Our
nominating committee invited John Bry to join the
board and share his wealth oI knowledge regarding
Ioundations and Iund raising. You elected him to the
Board at our May meeting.
It is very Ioolish Ior us to think oI the State as the
only Iunding source Ior the site. We need to write
grants and develop a strong Iundraising program.
At the present time we have Iive board members on
our Board. We have been looking at expanding the
Board. Perhaps a Board oI nine to IiIteen members
would give us the ability to get more outside expertise.
II you have suggestions, we are always ready and will-
ing to hear what you have to say. Please contact me as
soon as possible.
We have never had a written set oI expectations Ior
our Board members. The Board is in the process oI pre-
paring the appropriate document. It will serve as the
guideline Ior our Board members. I plan to publish it in
the Spring newsletter. This will make it easier Ior our
membership to have something to use in reviewing our
Board members.
Another area that we will be expanding is the com-
mittee structure. We would like more members to be
involved in the things that we need to do. This means
that we are asking a number oI you to volunteer to serve
on the expanded committee structure. It will not be an
overriding burden, but a chance to have real input in the
Iuture Iunctioning oI the site.
We are still working on a revised awards program Ior
our volunteers. Please look Iorward to attending our ap-
preciation dinner Ior volunteers on November 14.
I hope to personally see you at some oI the Fall ac-
tivities at the site.
John Kessen
F n o m T H c P n c s i o c N T
G E N E S T H A T T O N - P O H T E H
M E M O H l A L S O C l E T Y , l N C .
'.... .. '..||.
Fall 2010
velume 1, lssue 3
The nation`s Iirst historic cemetery tour that encompasses an entire state is coming to Gene Stratton-Porter. The
Tombstone Trail will have its inaugural launch encompassing DeKalb and Noble Counties in October. Over 50
miles will be covered along the Trail that will utilize historic Route 6 (The Grand Army oI the Republic Highway)
as the connector Ior the two counties, and as the Trail makes its way to Chicago in the Iuture.
Six cemeteries, plus the gravesite oI Gene and her daughter, Jeannette, will be included on the Trail this year.
As visitors take the Trail, they will be able to visit Gene Stratton-Porter SHS and learn oI Gene and Jeannette`s
remarkable achievements during their liIetimes.
Other cemetery locations to be Ieatured include Butler City Cemetery, Waterloo City Cemetery, FairIield Cen-
ter Cemetery north oI Corunna, Lakeview Cemetery in Kendallville, Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion and Oak Park
Cemetery in Ligonier. Sixty-one stories oI interesting monuments and individuals will also be highlighted along
the route. Visitors may take selI-guided or guided tours. Proceeds Irom the Trail tours, which is celebrating Na-
tional Family History Month, will in part go to historic cemetery conservation in DeKalb and Noble Counties.
For more inIormation on tours, or the Tombstone Trail, please call the Noble County Convention and Visitors
Bureau at 1-877-202-5761 or visit www.tombstonetrail.com.
T H c T o m a s T o N c T n A i L C o m c s T o G S P
a Y J o H N n Y
P A c c 2
V o L u m c 1 , l s s u c 3
Gene Stratton-Porter
Requests the pleasure of vour companv
For Afternoon Tea
Mondav, October 4, 2010
Between two and four oclock
To Experience Tea at Wildflower Woods
Rome Citv, Indiana


What we love most about aIternoon tea is the ritual and the journey back to a time more elegant and reIined
than the rushed mug oI tea with a cookie that we know today. A table spread with linen cloth and tea (always in a
pot) served on Iine china. The perIect aIternoon tea should begin with savories, bite size sandwiches and other
delectable morsels.
Our entertainment is Ruth Kirk -- she will take us on a journey through Pioneer Times. The cost oI the Tea is
$25 per person. This includes a tour oI the Cabin and Gardens. Take a leisurely walk through the grounds and see
iI you can Iind 'The Twin Oaks and tell us what is supporting them.
Tours begin at Noon and the Tea starts at 2:00 pm. Tickets are now on sale and reservations are required. We
accept credit cards, check or cash to hold your reservation. The Fall Tea is always a sell-out. Don`t delay!!
While you`re at the Tea, be sure to visit our GiIt Shop Iull oI unique and delightIul items. Please call (260)
854-3790 Ior reservations.
F A L L T c A i s A N E L c c A N T J o u n N c Y
Y J A N c T C o o K
We tend to Iorget that we are
blessed with Iive senses. Autumn is
the perIect time to SMELL ripe ap-
ples, to HEAR the rustling oI leaves,
to TOUCH the crisp Iallen leaves and
acorns, to TASTE the last oI the vine
ripened cantaloupe, and to SEE the
changing oI colors as nature prepares
Ior winter.
Exercise and expand your sensibil-
ity (ability to Ieel or perceive) by
walking through WildIlower Woods.
You won't Iind a cantaloupe there, but
the rest oI your senses will Iind a
myriad oI things to experience.
Thank you, Gene Stratton-Porter--we
continue to enjoy your legacy.
A n c Y o u
S c N s i a L c ?
a Y C A n o L Y N
L i N s c N m A Y c n
The annual Dream of Beautv Holidav Walk is scheduled Ior Saturday,
November 20, Irom 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $3 per person or
included with the Rome City Holiday House Tour.
The Dream of Beautv Holidav Walk celebrates a special holiday spent
in the Cabin at WildIlower Woods by Gene and her Iamily. She recounts
that holiday in The Ladv of the Limberlost written by her daughter
Jeannette.
Gene called the 1917 Christmas with Jeannette and her granddaugh-
ters, 'a dream oI beauty and we strive to decorate the house as Gene
did based on her descriptions. The chandeliers and mantles were covered
in moss, a silver tree stood in the library and yellow roses graced the
dining room.
Gene also describes her Christmas tree Ior the birds, which you`ll
Iind outside oI her conservatory. We honor Gene`s wishes and hang pop-
corn, berries and seed on the tree to Ieed her Ieathered Iriends.
Please join us Ior this special day oI music, reIreshments, activities
and joy!

D n c A m o r c A u T Y W A L K
N o T T o c M i s s c o

Name


Business or Non-ProIit Organization (iI applicable)


Street Address


City State Zip Phone Number


E-mail Address
Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Society, Inc. Membership Application
P A c c 3
V o L u m c 1 , l s s u c 3
Did you know that the
Gene Stratton-Porter State
Historic Site is part oI the
Indiana State Museum and
Department oI Natural Re-
sources?
Our operating budget
comes Irom the State oI
Indiana and our Iriends
group, the Gene Stratton-
Porter Memorial Society,
bring the Site to liIe by rais-
ing Iunds to support events,
educational programming,
garden maintenance and
other supplies not covered
by the State budget. The
majority oI the State budget
is dedicated to capitol im-
provements, repair and
maintenance oI the build-
ings and structures, inIra-
structure needs and preserv-
ing historic artiIacts along
with staIIing.
II you`ve ever thought
that you`d like to help but
weren`t sure how, there are
numerous ways to continue
Gene`s legacy. II you can
spare your time and talents,
we`ll Iind the perIect volun-
teer spot Ior you to do just
that! We rely heavily on our
wonderIul corps oI volun-
teers Ior events, garden and
grounds maintenance and
other projects.
For just $10 a year, you
can become a member oI
the GSP Memorial Society.
The Society is a vital part oI
the Site and we couldn`t
continue without them.
There are various member-
ship levels (see membership
application below).
In addition to becoming
a Society member, you can
make monetary donations
in our donation boxes or in
our giIt shop as well as
mailing donations directly
to the GSP Memorial Soci-
ety. A list oI items pur-
chased and projects sup-
porting through these dona-
tions is posted in the Car-
riage House and includes
such things as plants Ior the
gardens, mulch Ior the
trails, marker stones Ior the
garden and trails, supplies
Ior various events and edu-
cational materials.
What iI you don`t want
to just donate money?
Clean out your pantries,
closets and garage and see
iI you have anything on our
wish list. We need every-
thing Irom craIt supplies,
including but not limited to
paper towels, crayons and
glue sticks, to bird seed and
garden tools. Any donated
items not listed on our wish
list will be sold at next
Y o u C A N M A K c A D i r r c n c N c c A T G S P
Y D A v c W . F o x
year`s Site garage sale
which also raises Iunds Ior
us. Our wish list is also
posted in the Carriage
House or available by e-
mailing us at genestratton-
portershsdnr.in.gov.
We hope that everyone
enjoys the Gene Stratton-
Porter State Historic Site
and Ieels a sense oI owner-
ship as it truly belongs to
the people. Gene wrote to
the Governor in 1923 re-
questing that her beloved
Cabin at WildIlower Woods
be made a state bird, butter-
Ily and botany sanctuary.
Nearly 100 years later,
we`re doing our best to
honor Gene`s wishes and
see that it becomes that and
more - something Gene
would be proud oI.
Single $10.00
Family $15.00
Sustaining $20.00
Non-Profit Org. $25.00
Business $25.00
Life (40 years or older)
Single $100.00
Family $150.00
Please make vour check
pavable to.
Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial
Societv, Inc. and mail, along
with this form, to
GSP Memorial Societv,
1205 Pleasant Point,
Rome Citv, Indiana 46784
Your GSP Memorial Society membership includes 3 newsletters
each year, invitations to special events and a 10 discount in the
GSP gift shop. Your membership dues support educational
programs, special events and help continue Gene`s legacy!
P A c c A
V o L u m c 1 , l s s u c 3
you know iI
you`ve ever heard
one screech. The
barn owl is an-
other call sure to
send chills down
your spine.
Perhaps the most Iun
is the call oI the barred
owl (not to be conIused
with the barn owl). The
barred owl can be heard
asking the same question
- 'who, who, who cooks
Ior you? and will oIten
respond when you ask
him the same.
II you`ve not been
lucky enough to see an
owl up close, Owl-oween
is your chance! Local
rehab group Soarin`
Hawk will have live owls
Have you ever
heard the clear
'hoot Irom an
owl? What about
the blood-curdling
shriek oI a screech
owl? Have you
ever been asked, 'who
cooks Ior you? and
wondered who`s asking?
Most oI us think oI a
typical 'hoot, hoot call
as belonging to most
owls but in Iact, owls
have a wide range oI
calls and sounds. It`s
true, the Great Horned
Owl is known Ior that
clear, simple call heard
at night but others aren`t
so simple.
The screech owl got
it`s name honestly, as
and will share more
about these creatures oI
the night.
During Owl-oween
you`ll also have a chance
to see what owls have Ior
dinner. Explore an owl
pellet and see iI you can
piece together a mouse,
mole or maybe even a
small bird! BeIore you
get worried, owl pellets
are actually owl puke
(and ours are ster-
ilized).
Owls eat their
prey whole and
have two stom-
achs to digest the
meal. One traps
the Iur, bones and
other non-digestible
pieces while nutritious
T H n c c H o o T s r o n O w L - o w c c N !
Y T n A c Y D u N c A N
components go on to the
second stomach. The owl
then coughs up the
bones, Iur, etc. in an owl
pellet.
Owl-oween is Friday,
October 15 and Saturday,
October 16. It runs Irom
6:30 to 8:30 each eve-
ning. Owl-oween is $3
per person and includes
treats and take-home
craIts and other activi-
ties. Please bring a
Ilashlight. Children
are encouraged to at-
tend in costume and
must be accompanied
by an adult.
For more inIorma-
tion, call the Site at (260)
854-3790.

reserve your spot at the Iirst ever
GSP Cabin Overnight.
Guests will have a chance to
explore the Cabin - all Iloors in-
cluding the basement and attic.
There will also be activities, a
night hike on the grounds and
plenty oI reIreshments to keep eve-
ryone going all night.
Tickets Ior this very special
event are $100 per person with all
proceeds staying at GSP Ior Iuture
events, grounds and garden main-
tenance and educational program-
ming. Each guest will be assigned
to a volunteer chaperone Ior the
night but any guest under 18 must
be accompanied by a parent or
guardian as well.
While there will be scheduled
activities, guests will also have the
Ireedom to explore the Cabin top
to bottom with no areas oII limits.





You`ve heard the rumors, per-
haps even wondered yourselI...is
the Cabin haunted? Does Gene
continue to wander her beloved
lakeshore property? Fort Wayne
Paranormal will be on hand Ior
our Iirst GSP Cabin Overnight to
dispel that myth.
Maybe you would love to
know what the second Iloor looks
like. What kind oI view is there
Irom Gene`s sleeping porch?
What secrets might lie hidden
away in the attic or her wine cel-
lar in the basement?
II any oI those thoughts have
crossed your mind then be sure to
W H A T G o c s u m i N T H c N i c H T ?
Y T n A c Y D u N c A N
Site staII and volunteers will be on
hand to answer questions and share
more inIormation about Gene`s liIe
with you during the overnight
event.
The overnight begins at 8:30
p.m. on Saturday Iollowing Owl-
oween and ends at 8:30 a.m. on
Sunday with breakIast available in
the Carriage House.
This event is limited to the Iirst
13 registered and paid guests so
call the Site to secure your spot
today. Opportunities to enjoy
Gene`s home as she did don`t
come along everyday!

Cabin Overnight
$100 per person
Space is very limited
Call (260) 854-3790
to reserve your place!
P A c c S
V o L u m c 1 , l s s u c 3
leaves. Since chlorophyll is poor at
absorbing the green hue in the color
spectrum, that pigment is reIlected
making the leaves appear green in
the spring and summer months. As
the days become shorter, the avail-
ability oI sunlight lessens causing
the last oI the chlorophyll to die oII.
This loss allows the autumn colors
to peak through and become visible
to the human eye.
Without the dominant chloro-
phyll in the leaves, carotenoids and
anthocyanins become visible. Caro-
tenoids lend the colors yellow, or-
ange and brown to carrots, Ilowers
and bananas. Carotenoids are al-
ways present in the leaves and re-
main a consistent autumn color year
aIter year.
Anthocyanins are the talent be-
hind red and purple hues in straw-
berries, apples and blueberries.
Warm sunny days and cool (not
Ireezing) nights allow glucose to
continue to be produced. During
these pleasant Iall days, sugars are
produced in the leaI while the cool
nights and the steady closing oI
veins going into the leaI prevent
these sugars Irom leaving resulting
in stunning reds and purples. These
colors are a true autumn treat and
are not visible during all Iall sea-
sons.
We hope you will join us at
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic
Site this autumn to experience
these unique colors Ior yourselI.
Don`t Iorget to attend our Owl-
oween Iestivities on October 15
and 16 where the Iall colors are
sure to be at their peak.
N A T u n A L i s T ` s C o n N c n
a Y H A L c Y S A m u c L s o N - C o u c H m A N
As the days
shorten and the
temperatures
begin to chill, a
wide variety oI
natural phenom-
ena occur that create
a palate oI colors that
seem to bid Iarewell
to our warm
summers and
welcome the cold winters oI the
Midwest. Deciduous trees are be-
ginning to highlight yellows, reds
and oranges beIore their leaves are
shed Ior the winter.
The question remains: why do
the trees lose their leaves each au-
tumn? Chlorophyll, which absorbs
sunlight to produce Iood Ior the tree
in a process known as photosynthe-
sis, provides the green color to the
The next time you are in Ge-
neva, please welcome Annie
McCollum as the new Interpretive
Naturalist at Limberlost State His-
toric Site. Annie comes to us Irom
State Parks & Reservoirs and has
worked at O'Bannon Woods and
Mounds State Parks. Haley
Samuelson-Couchman and Annie
will be working closely together to ensure that GSP
and Limberlost have enjoyable and educational pro-
gramming.
Annie knew the job at Limberlost was a perIect
match when she saw a painting Gene had created -
Annie is also an accomplished artist! She has had
several shows and her work graces a number oI in-
terpretive centers.
In addition to art, Annie loves animals and has
all sorts oI snakes, dogs, and ducks. Her Iiancee,
Zach Walker, is a Conservation OIIicer in Henry
County and is a great source oI inIormation regard-
ing wildliIe law.
W c L c o m c N c w
L i m a c n L o s T S T A r r
C A L L i N c A L L F i L m
F A N s - G S P F i L m
F c s T i v A L S c T r o n
O c T o a c n
Eight oI Gene`s novels were made into Iilms and Gene
herselI Iounded a production company to produce Iilms that
met her high standards. Thanks to Iilm collector and histo-
rian Eric Grayson, now you can enjoy some oI these Iilms.
Join us on Saturday, October 2, at the Strand Theater in
Kendallville Ior the Gene Stratton-Porter Film Festival. The
Festival kicks oII at 1 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. with brieI
intermissions throughout. A complete schedule will be
available soon.
Enjoy A Girl of the Limberlost and the world premiere
oI Freckles Comes Home as well as another oI Gene`s vin-
tage Iilms such as Freckles or Laddie. Grayson will also
show the original trailer Ior
The Keeper of the Bees.
Tickets are $10 per person
Ior the entire Festival (three
Iilms) or $4 per Iilm, avail-
able at the door the day oI the
Festival. Come Ior the entire
Iestival or just one Iilm, it`s
up to you!
1 2 0 5 P l e a s a n t P o i n t
R o m e C i t y , l N 4 6 7 8 4
( 2 6 0 ) 8 5 4 - 3 7 9 0
G E N E S T H A T T O N - P O H T E H
M E M O H l A L S O C l E T Y , l N C .


UcomiNc EvcNTs AT
THc GcNc STnATToN-PonTcn STATc HisTonic SiTc
Cene Stratton-Porter Film Festival - Saturday, October 2, 1 - 6 p.m.
Cene Stratton-Porter Autumn 1ea - Monday, October 4, Noon - 4 p.m.
Owl-oween - Friday & Saturday, October 15 & 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
CSP Cabin Overnight - Saturday, October 16, 8:30 p.m. - 8:30 a.m.
A Dream of Beauty Holiday Walk - Saturday, November 20, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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

1ours are available by appointment only from December 1 through April 1.
1he grounds are open daily, weather permitting.

Visit us online:
www.genestratton-porter.com
Facebook - Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site