By BARBARA BARBIERI
A series of Lunch and Learn programs, sponsored by the Friends of Ouabache State Park, began its 2022 season Wednesday with a presentation about the sponsoring group by past president Kathy Schwartz.
Following lunch and pie from Corner Depot Catering, Schwartz began her PowerPoint program that began with the history of the Friends group.
She explained that it was 10 years ago when a small group of people worked together to make the non-profit organization happen. In 2014 the group worked, with the cooperation of former CCC worker Wayne Lydy, to get a statue of a CCC worker erected in the park.
The group raised $25,000 to make that a reality in 2014. Next the Friends took on the project of fund-raising to restore the fire tower. Again the group successfully raised the $90,000 to make it happened in 2017.
Currently the group is 150 members strong and have a variety of volunteer projects underway. The Wednesday Warriors and Friday Fixers groups have worked at mowing, gardening, painting, finding old CCC site remains for the Park Challenge, restored a Tree ID Trail, tackled the area of invasive honeysuckle with the Invasive Species Management Initiative work days, maintained the 30 bluebird boxes and improved walkways for those who are handicapped.
Another “biggie,” Schwartz explained is the annual Wonderland of Lights, which celebrated its eighth year in 2021 as it featured 50 light displays, including the fire tower with music synchronized to the lights. More than 2,500 cars toured the display and raised $15,000 for park projects.
The group also has purchased equipment to be used by both volunteers and park employees including a basket loader, wood chipper and power washer.
There also is an active History Committee, which has produced a “Preserving the Past” brochure.
The Friends of the Park have also sponsored the Junior Teen Indiana Naturalist Camps and host the Lunch and Learn series that runs March through November at noon on the second Thursday of the month. The next luncheon date will be April 14, when Kent Kotesky will talk about the Wells County Trails Association.
The group also has arranged to have a 16- by 30-foot storage shed built that will house the tools to be used by the Wednesday Warriors volunteers and store the Wonderland of Lights gear. Also in the works are “no hike” and driving tours of the park for those physically challenged as well as a trail more accessible for those physically challenged.
The group is also preparing for its next big projects — turning the former pool house into a Nature Center and park office, Schwartz explained.
Anyone may become a member of the Friends of Ouabache State Park with individual membership $10 and family memberships of $20. A variety of activities are available for volunteers who are interested.
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(To reserve a spot in the next Lunch & Learn session call 250-341-1971 or e-mail to friendsofouabache@gmail.com.)
