Grand Prairie Friends n·o·t·e•s January 1993 Winter meeting to feature presentation on the Potawatomi Dr. George Godfrey, a member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi of Oklahoma, will speak on "Potawatomi on the Grand Prairie" at the GPF winter meeting on Friday, Feb. 12, at the McKinley Foundation, 809 S. Fifth St., Champaign. The McKinley Foundation is located on the University of Illinois campus and parking is available in a multi-story garage on the opposite side of Fifth Street. The program will focus on the history of the Potawatomi and their association with the related Algonquians in Illinois. Dr. 1992 Fiscal Summary GPF finished the calendar and fiscal year well in the black, with income exceeding expenses by $4,354. The highlights of the year was the acquisition of Bonnie's Prairie, which was financed entirely from the fund-raising drive. Money remains in the acquisition fund for management efforts at Bonnie's Prairie. Nearly $400 was raised from the plant sale and the sale of T-shirts. Major expenses were postage, newsletter, insurance and copies and printing. The yearly summary figures are: Godfrey, a resident of Villa Grove, traces his ancestral roots directly back to Watchekee for whom Watseka, Ill., was named. He is active in researching the history of the removal of Potawatomi from the Great Lakes states in the 1800s and has helped establish several memorial markers along the removal routes between Indiana and Kansas. About once a month he travels to distant points to dance with other Potawatomi in traditional powows. The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a potluck Beginning balance Income Expenses Ending balance Acquistion donations Acquisition cost Current balances Acquisition fund Conference fund General fund $ 3,067 16,491 12,137 7,421 $12,067 9,203 $2,864 1,000 3,558 dinner at 6 p.m. The meeting has been arranged so that people can attend the program, the potluck, or both. Those attending the potluck are asked to bring a dish to share and their own place settings. Coffee, tea, and apple cider will be provided. All interested persons are invited to come to the meeting and admission will be free. Please come and join other GPF members at dinner and enjoy an informative program about a little-known chapter of Illinois history. Phone volunteers needed WILL-TV will hold its next pledge drive during March. GPF will be answering pledge calls in the studio one evening during the drive, although we do not yet know the exact date. Anyone interested in participating should call Joyce Hofmann at 244-2366 (work) who will contact you when additional information is available. Board member leaves GPF board member Mike Davison is moving to Springfield to take a new position with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and has resigned from his position on the board. We will miss Mike who was a dedicated participant on GPF work days and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Scott Simon will take over Mike's duties as stewardship chair. Tht ,ottontail rc1bbit na) thru or four littus a Ltar from Febru•ry to O,to b~r. ~! art most active from .sun.set to dawn. "' 1;1,span - >a -2 ,~ar.s nJ It/· 113 inJ,~~ Iona t
2 January 1993 ❖ GPF notes Calendar of events Feb.12 Feb.13 Work dates GPF Winter Meeting (Details on preceding page) 1-3 p.m. Butterfly Workshop Anita Purves Nature Center.* This is the first of two presentations by Erma Selser on local butterflies and how to monitor populations. The second part will be an outdoor class in May. Openings are limited to about 20. Call Carolyn Groves at 352-9313 to reserve a space. Events listed below are open to all and are fun ways to learn about the Grand Prairie. Drinks and cookies are almost always provided. Feb.27 March April 3 April 3 April 10 April 17 April. 24 Meet Scott Simon at the Anita Purves Nature Center at 10 a.m. Restoration efforts at Busey Woods are in high gear, with short but busy work days. Spring burns at Busey Woods. Because the weather makes scheduling difficult, the two bum dates are flexible, but every weekend is possible. Call Scott Simon at 384-0824 (home) or 333-6560 (work) for specifics. Patton Woods The Nature Conservancy is sponsoring a clean-up effort of the woods. Call Earl Creutzburg at 398-1190 for information. Middle Fork Prairie and Savanna Restoration Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center at 9 a.m. Bring gloves and tools for brush cutting. Call Marilyn Morris at 384-6460 (home) or 333-2948 (work) for information. Middle Fork Woods, Vermillion County Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center at 9 a.m. or at the parking lot south of the Nature Preserve at 9:45 a.m. Removal of bush honeysuckle and garlic mustard by cutting and pulling are the objectives of the work day. Bring loppers, pruners and gloves. Call Scott Simon with questions. Pelleville Cemetery Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center at 9 a.m. or at the site at 9:45 a.m. Bring loppers, pruners and gloves for a cleanup and attack on unwanted brush. For information, call Paul Tessene at 244-7984. Middle Fork Prairie and Savanna Restoration Meet at the Anita Purves Nature Center at 9 a.m. or at the site at 9:45 a.m. The group will plant native prairie plant rootstocks from the state nursery again this year. Bring shovel, trowel and gloves. Call Marilyn Morris for information. *The Anita Purves Nature Center is located at 1505 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana. The phone number is (217) 384-4062.
January 1993 ❖ GPF notes 3 Share Your Ideas and Talents! As a new year begins, we would like to give GPF members an opportunity to share their ideas on what the organization should be doing and to become more involved in a variety of GPF activities. GPF members have different types of experience and interests; combining our talents, we can accomplish great things! Please take time to fill out this survey and return it by Feb. 15 to Grand Prairie Friends, PO Box 36, Urbana, IL 61801. Field Work Under the supervision of a site steward I would be willing to help with: _ brush cutting, weeding, planting seeds or rootstocks (relatively strenuous) _ burns (moderately strenuous) because this activity is so dependent on weather conditions, we would like to have a list of people that we can call for help at short notice _ seed collection (non-strenuous) can be done independently by those who know their plants Is there a specific site where you would like to work? We'll pass your name along to the steward. __ Bonnie's Prairie (Iroquois Co.) __ Shortline Railroad Prairie (near Gifford) __ Prospect Cemetery (Paxton) __ Windfall Cemetery (Vermilion Co.) __ Pelleville Cemetery (near Rankin) __ Fairchild Cemetery (Vermilion Co.) __ Loda Cemetery (Iroquois Co.) __ Middlefork Restoration (near Penfield) Do you know of a prairie site that might be available for acquisition, benefit from management, or serve as a seed source? Education/Fund Raising _ I am available to speak to school classes or other groups about prairies. _ I am willing to help plan and organize future GPF membership meetings. _ I would be interested in giving a presentation at a GPF meeting. topic: _______________________ _ _ I am interested in preparing educational materials about prairies. _ I am willing to help prepare GPF's exhibit for Earth Day Expo (April). _ I can help prepare for the prairie plant sale in May. _ I would be willing to provide seeds or plants for future sales. _ I am willing to help with fund raising projects. _ I can help GPF by ____________ --c--------- Do you have any suggestions for meeting topics, interesting speakers, or possible activities? Field Trips I would be interested in participating in field trips to: GPF sites _ Nachusa Grasslands (near Dixon, IL) other natural areas suggestion: ____________________ _ I would be interested in serving as a GPF board member (3-year term, monthly meetings). I am glad to support GPF's efforts financially, but am unable to participate in field work or other projects. Name ______________ _ Phone --------
GPF Membership application Student/low income $10 New D Renewal □ Individual $15 Name _____________________ _ Family $20 Sustaining $35 Address ____________________ _ Patron $50 City State Zip --------- --- ------ Benefactor $100 Telephone ___________________ _ Date Nonprofit organization $35 Corporation $100 ---------------------- Extra contribution $ __ _ Your special expertise is needed! Some members can offer services that are valued by GPF. Please indicate how you would like to help. O Plant identification O Access to a truck O Graphic arts Transplanting/weeding O Access to power tools O Typesetting or general typing 0 Outdoor work O Professional advice on real estate O Computer system availability 0 Legal counsel Grand Prairie Friends of Illinois P.O. Box 36 Urbana, Ill. 61801 Inside: •Winter meeting • Calender of events: winter/spring schedule • 1992 fiscal report Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Urbana, IL PermitNo. 168