It is that time of year again. The one that requires winter coats, hats, gloves and window scrapers. Sometimes you just want to stay inside by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and relax. Let the cold and snow stay outside! Of course, if I stay inside I miss out on all of the fun winter activities in Wisconsin. I think I will first enjoy the activities and savor the hot cocoa in front of the fire in the evening. What has happened and what will be happening since our last update? Read on!
Belgium Christmas Parade: The parade is held each year the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year the sky was clear and the night cold. Bob and Mary Burant with the help of Morrie Morgan and Andrew Krueger decorated the shuttle. I must say, it looked beautiful and the riders had a great time throwing candy to the people watching the parade. Afterwards we watched the children talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus while we warmed up by the bonfire and enjoyed a bowl of chili and hot cocoa.
Packer Party/Fundraiser: December 2, 2012 we will be holding a Packer Party at the Belgium Community Center. Doors open at 11:00am. The game will be televised at noon. Entry fee of $5 per person will cover the
cost of non-alcoholic beverages. There will be a cash bar available. Hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, pizza and salad will be for sale. Kids 5 and under attend FREE! The committee has collected awesome prizes for raffles and a Silent Auction including a signed Aaron Rogers helmet plus other Packer attire. You need not be present to win. If you can't attend and want to donate, please go to our website Friends of Harrington Beach State Park and donate through PayPal. Hope to see you there!
Candlelight Ski/Hike: Join us at the Ansay Welcome Center for an evening of skiing and hiking along trails lit by hundreds of tiki torches. The 2-mile long skiing trail will be groomed according to snow conditions and the 1.25-mile long trail around Quarry Lake will be available for hiking. After an evening of crisp winter air, warm up next to the fieldstone fireplace while sipping a warm beverage in the Welcome Center. The Friends of Harrington Beach State Park will have refreshments available. This event will be held regardless of snow conditions. Please, no pets or sleds on the trails. 6-9 p.m.
Save the Date: January 12, 2013 will be the annual staff and volunteer appreciation dinner. It will be held at the Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center. More details to follow.
Financial Update: We continue to actively fundraise for the accessible cabin. We have applied for a second $20,000 Knowles-Nelson Grant and have recently received a couple of generous donations. It is exciting to see us getting closer to our goal while continuing to provide other services to the park.
Board Meeting: Board meetings are normally held on the 4th Thursday of each month. Due to the holidays we do not hold them in November and December. Our next scheduled board meeting is January 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center. We will resume our 4th Thursday of the month starting February 28, 2012. Our meetings are open to the membership so we hope to see you there!
Wintry Wishes. May this season bring you the gifts of peace, hope and joy.