The last couple of weeks while reading Facebook posts I have noticed one common theme, will this winter ever end? Today I can honestly respond, yes! I have great hope in this because I see the suns rays reflecting off the house, the melting snow piles at corners that aren now low enough to see over and…I hear the birds singing! At this moment I can’t think of a more beautiful sound. Of course it also means the Candlelight Ski/Hikes are done for the season so now what are we going to do? Read on to find out what is in the works…
Annual Meeting: This years meeting will be April 24, 2014. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m with the business meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. This years dinner will be a build your own baked potato bar. The board has planned some great toppings to make the perfect potato! We will be electing board members and discussing plans for the future. There will also be members sharing upcoming volunteer opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Annual Pancake Breakfast: This event will be held June 8, 2014 from 8 a.m. to noon. Last year we decided to switch from charging for the breakfast and instead accept donations. We have decided to do it by donation again this year. All funds raised at this event will be used for the construction of the accessible cabin. This is also a great volunteer opportunity. If you would like to be on the planning committee or help at the event, please contact me at . This is Open House Sunday so no State Parker sticker is required to enter the park. It is also free fishing weekend. Be sure to watch for upcoming newsletters to see what other plans we have for this day!
Adolph and Marie Ansay Welcome Center: Do you know someone who added some sparkle to a finger on Valentines Day? How about a graduating senior? The Welcome Center may be just what you need for a family gathering, engagement party, wedding shower or graduation party. It is available for rent on a daily basis. Call the park office at 262-285-3015 to check its available dates and/or to reserve the building.
Cabin Update: Patience is a virtue but mine is wearing thin. We are waiting to hear back on our third and final grant and expect a response any day. The cabin architectural plans are being reviewed by the DNR and we are working on final paperwork. I look forward to the day we can post the sign saying “Excuse our dust but construct we must”. We are continuing to collect donations to help fund this project. At this time we are a little short of our financial goal. To make a tax deductible gift, you can mail checks to Harrington Beach State Park, 531 County Highway D, Belgium, WI 53004. Be sure to write cabin on the memo line. You can also make an online donation at www.friendsofharrington.org. The donation button is under the thermometer.
Summer Events: Ranger Robin Miller is going to repeat the Monarch Butterfly capture, tag and release program and adding a geocaching training and exploration program. We are also working on a schedule of events for the summer months. Watch for updates on Facebook, www.friendsofharrington.org and the Park DNR website at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/harrington.
Our next board meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 27, 2014. We hope to see you there!