VERMILION CONSERVATIONIST FALL 2005
By Kenneth F. Konsis
This issue of the Conservationist may be labeled the “Appreciation Issue”. It is a time to reflect on the multitude of volunteer groups, organizations, and individuals who help us throughout the year. Also, we are so appreciative of the many donors, major and minor, who are willing to donate their time, efforts, antiques, or provide financial support.
We have selected Saturday, September 10 to dedicate our buildings, two structures and a dining car in our Bunker Hill Historic Area. The Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation is responsible for four of the buildings/structures, as well as the Gazebo in 2002. The remaining buildings/structures came via the Gnaden family, Brown-Laury family, Harold Leisch, the Bismarck Lions Club, Mike Cannon family, and Robert Pricer family.
The University of Illinois Extension, Vermilion County Unit Master Gardeners, also needs to be recognized for their three years (and counting!) of planting and maintaining the Atwood Home landscaping and gardens. Volunteers maintain the herb gardens at both Kennekuk and Forest Glen.
We thank the Altrusa Club for their years of dedication to the Vermilion Chapel, the Vermilion County Retired Teacher’s Association for their adoption of the Red Oak School, the Golden K Kiwanis for their adoption of the Atwood Home, Ted and Pat Cundiff for all they do at the Bunker Hill Historic Area, and our building volunteers. Also, Dave Price we thank for annually donating his time to paint one of our buildings. We thank Stanley Grubb for providing permanent electrical service to the Laury Barn and Norfolk Southern Railroad, Thomas Excavating, and Virgil Sheets for their assistance with the Dining Car. Many Bismarck individuals and organizations have assisted with the Bismarck Train Depot restoration, especially Larry and Janet Moss, Dan Wright, Bob McQuown, Lee High, and Carpenters Local 269 for window installation; the Noon Kiwanis for assisting with the painting; and all of the Bismarck citizens who were inconvenienced by the move.
Our own V.C.C.D. Foundation provided financial assistance for Laury Barn and the Wetlands Boardwalk Tower Project. Our Volunteer Corps provides volunteer service at all 4 county parks. Bub Norgaar of Kennekuk Road Runners single-handedly maintains the 7-mile Lake Mingo Trail.
Aqua Illinois donated land for Lake Vermilion County Park and Heron County Park as well as cost sharing for fish stocking of Lake Vermilion annually. I’m also certain that I’ve left out someone or some organization. For that, I deeply apologize and do appreciate anything that anyone does, no matter how large or how small. The donors of antiques for the Atwood Home and sponsors for the Dedication Day will be listed in the next issue of the Conservationist. We’ll see you on the 10th!
By Ken Konsis
Rusty nannyberry, Viburnum rufidulum, is very closely related to our county native, blackhaw viburnum, Viburnum prunifolia. The only difference (besides native range), rusty nannyberry has rusty-hairy buds, leaf stalks, and the underside of the leaves. The species name, rufidulum, refers to these rusty hairs. The tree has other common names such as southern blackhaw, rusty blackhaw, bluehaw, and wild raisin.
Rusty nannyberry is a small, short-lived tree, which may attain a height of 30 feet and possibly an 8-inch trunk diameter. However, it is usually found in shrub form that forms thickets and spreads by both seed and suckers. It has ornamental value, as does the blackhaw. The trees have white flowers in spring, edible fruit in summer, and deep red foliage in fall.
The bark of rusty nannyberry is dark brown and broken in square plates. The twigs are slightly rust-hairy and have opposite leaf scars. The buds are rusty-hairy and are about ½ inch long. The leaves are opposite, simple, and have an elliptical to obovate shape that are either short-pointed or rounded at the tip. The base of the leaf is rounded or tapering to the base. Leaves are up to 3 inches long and only half as wide. The leaf margins are finely toothed along the edges, are dark green and smooth on the upper surface, and paler, with some rusty hairs on the lower surface. The leaf stalks are up to ¾ inch long and are also rusty-hairy.
The months of April and May bring out the clusters of flowers that appear flattened and about 2-6 inches across. Individually, the flowers are white and about ¼ inch in diameter with 5 petals. Fruit appears in September as drooping clusters of bluish-black colored berries, each 3/8 inch long on reddish stalks. They are oval in shape, smooth, and with a tough skin. The pulp is sweet tasting and may be used to make jam or jelly. The fruits may persist through winter, which makes this an excellent tree for wildlife. Fruits are eaten by turkey, grouse, quail, songbirds, squirrels, small rodents, and deer.
Rusty nannyberry inhabits dry or rocky woods, rich, moist valleys, and even along stream banks. The natural range includes Tennessee eastward to the Atlantic coast, but absent from the high elevations of the Appalachians, south to the Florida Panhandle, westward though Mississippi, but only the northwest corner of Louisiana and through east-central Texas, north through eastern Oklahoma, the southwest corner of Kansas, and northeast through central Missouri. In Illinois, it is found only along the Mississippi River counties from about Quincy south. It is found in a few counties inward near the East St. Louis area and most of the extreme southern counties along the Ohio River.
Rusty nannyberry is doing well in the Michael G. Reddy Arboretum, already forming thickets from the originally planted seedlings.
By Susan Biggs
“Hops”
There is a new plant in the Kennekuk Herb Garden this year; it’s a hop vine. Hops are a versatile crop that can be grown for both ornamental and practical purposes. They are attractive plants that make great arbors, wreaths, arrangements, and are an important part of beer making.
Cultivated hops are easy; all they really need is reasonably fertile soil, lots of sunlight and moisture, and something sturdy to climb on. The plant has a vigorous growth habit, sending up long, spiny shoots that can reach up to 30 feet in height. Rhizomes spread underground almost as fast as the vines do above ground. Vines need regular pruning each year, and even the rhizomes benefit from the root pruning every three years.
Hop vines require a strong, permanent structure to support them, such as a trellis, pergola, or wood fence. The plant is a unique perennial, meaning its vines will grow year after year, on your trellis, from the same roots if they are cared for properly.
Hops are really not used in cooking, but have lots of other uses. To make wreaths with the vines, cut and weave the stems after the hop cones appear, but before the vines are dry. Dream pillows can also be made with the hop cones. Traditionally, hop cones have been used to help people sleep.
“IT’S OUR RIVER DAY” SEPTEMBER 17, 2005
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has declared, “It’s Our River Day” on September 17, 2005. Activities and events will take place statewide educating the importance of rivers. Many plants and animals make their home near or in our rivers. These waterways provide many recreational opportunities for people to fish, canoe, kayak, or view wildlife. “It’s Our River Day” will help educate the citizens of Illinois on the importance of our rivers in keeping them clean and litter-free, and how to preserve them for generations to come.
Locally, “It’s Our River Day” will be celebrated at the Vermilion River Fall Festival September 16-18 to be held in Ellsworth Park, Danville. Many organizations, such as Middle Fork Canoe Outfitters, Prairie Rivers Network, Pheasants Forever, U. of I. Extension Office, and others will be on hand to educate the public about the rich resources of the Vermilion River system. Activities for children and adults will be in abundance. The V.C.C.D. will conduct a Kid’s Fishing Clinic. A Salt Fork River cleanup will occur to show people how much litter and trash ends up in our river systems. Be sure to look for more information in your local newspapers and on radio stations!
Teachers who are interested in continuing education can attend the ENTICE (Environmental and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program for 2005-2006. ENTICE workshops provide natural resources information, classroom activities, and supplemental educational materials. ENTICE also offers participants the opportunity to network with other educators in a friendly, cooperative, learning environment. These free workshops offer Continuing Professional Development Units for teachers. Visit http://dnr.state.il.us/entice/upcoming.htm for a complete schedule and registration forms. Several workshops will be held in east-central Illinois.
By Lara Darling
Whew—it has been a hot summer! We had a wonderful turnout at the Volunteer Cookout on July 10th; it was great to see everyone again! Great weather, great food, and great friends made the summer evening very enjoyable. Thanks to all the volunteers who came out to enjoy the camaraderie. Thanks also to the many volunteers who brought salads and desserts to complement the meal of hamburgers and hot dogs. It was all very delicious! Several volunteers requested the recipe of Betty Cundiff’s Vegetable Supreme Casserole; I have included it in this article. Special thanks to Robert and Brenda Hale for bringing their famous homemade ice cream for everyone!
We are just beginning our busy fall season of special events. On September 10th, there will be a Bunker Hill Dedication Day of the Oakwood Barber Shop, Bismarck Train Depot, Laury Barn, Atwood Home, Windmill, O’Leary’s Dining Car, Herb House, Restroom Facility, and our new parking lot. Many activities will take place throughout the afternoon, including an antique car and tractor show, animal exhibit, live music, and a one-room schoolhouse reunion. Several volunteers have expressed an interest in volunteering for this event, thank you! If anyone else would be interested, please give me a call at Kennekuk.
Haunted Happenings will be held on October 22 this year. Our most popular event requires over 100 staff and volunteers. Information will be mailed out to volunteers who have worked at this event in the past. If anyone new is interested in helping at our “spook-tacular” event, please let me know!
We still have some weekend afternoons open at the Bunker Hill Historic buildings for September and at Kennekuk’s Visitors Center in September and October. If anyone is interested in signing up for some open weekends, let me know. Training is available! Thank you!
Please contact Lara Darling at 442-1691, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for more information on volunteer opportunities at the Vermilion County Conservation District.
2 18 oz. Packages of mixed frozen vegetables
1 pound of Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 tube Ritz crackers, crushed
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter or margarine, melted
Cook frozen vegetables as directed on package. Drain thoroughly. Grease a 3-quart casserole, put vegetables in and add cheese over the top. Mix crushed crackers with the melted butter and put on top of vegetables and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes, or until cheese melts.
By Gary Wilford
“Voles”
Voles belong to a family of mammals, which also include rats and mice called Cricetidae. This family, along with the families of beavers, squirrels, ground squirrels, and woodchucks, make up the large order of rodents. All are characteristic with gnawing front teeth (incisors) for chewing on a variety of food types, especially plants.
There are several species of voles that are found in the upper Midwest. All are distinguishable from mice in that they have much shorter tails and smaller ears. The two vole species that are found in our area are the prairie vole and pine vole.
Prairie Vole (Pedomys ochrogaster)
The prairie vole is medium-sized with a tail of medium length. The eyes are small black beads, slightly larger than the head of an ordinary pin and the ears are nearly concealed in the long fur. The fur of the upper parts of the body has a distinctly yellowish grizzled look. This yellowish color, mixed with rust, is also on the underparts. This vole is restricted to open grassland, fencerows, and cultivated fields. It is seldom seen in wooded areas.
Food consists mostly of grasses and other plants, roots, seeds, and possibly some insects.
The pine vole is a small, auburn mammal with a tail scarcely longer than its hind feet. The ears are nearly concealed in long, thick fur, which is not grizzled, but uniformly auburn-tipped on upper parts and sides.
This vole prefers deciduous forests and brushy areas where there is a heavy ground cover of either leaves or grass.
Melvin Denhart, Tilton – Barrels for fish habitat at Lake Mingo
Norman Hawkins, Danville – Items for Neff Grocery
Betty Irwin, Danville – Framed certificate for Red Oak School, dated 1932
Brad & Ruth Pantaleo – Bluebird house
Truman Spain, Los Alamos, NM – Horse collar, harness & cross tree
Did you ever have a question about the Vermilion County Conservation District, but never bothered to ask? Whether it is general, park maintenance, conservation education, administration, or research projects, this section is for you. Simply send your question to our park headquarters or e-mail us at vccd@vccd.org. We will print what space will allow without revealing your name. All questions will be personally answered even if not selected. The question for this issue is “May I take my dog with me while attending the monthly hikes?”
The answer to this question is neither yes nor no, but “not recommended.” First of all, the intention of the monthly hikes is for everyone to experience nature, learn about our natural surroundings from a naturalist, and possibly see wildlife in its native habitat. If someone brings his dog, which would have to be leashed, it’s most likely that this will affect at least one, if not all, of the above-mentioned intentions. Sometimes, as many as 60 people attend these hikes. Not all people are dog lovers! Some people fear them, even if the dog is just being “playful”. Barking dogs will undoubtedly eliminate any chance of seeing wildlife up close. The general distraction that a dog causes on the trail will result in some people missing out on information given along the hike.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
10 a.m. Dedication ceremony for:
Julius W. Hegeler II Projects
*Bismarck Train Depot – 1874 (moved 2003)
*O’Leary’s Dining Car – 1947 (moved 2004)
*Restroom Facility – 2005
*BHHA Parking Lot – 2005
Atwood Home – 1892 (moved 1997)
Oakwood Barber Shop – 1901 (moved 1999)
Zella Brown Laury Barn – 1912 (relocated 2001)
Leisch Windmill – erected 2003
Herb House – Circa 1860’s (moved 2004)
11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. Bill Smrha Polka Band (Chicago Area)
2:30 to
4:30 p.m. Prairie Dogs Bluegrass Band (Champaign Area)
7 to 9 p.m. Boat Drunks Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band (Champaign Area)
1:30 to
2:30 p.m. New Life Church of Faith Gospel Choir
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
11 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. One-room School Reunion (located in tent near Vermilion
Chapel)
Various
Times
Thru the
Day Dulcimer music by Ted and Pat Cundiff
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
NEFF’S GROCERY – VCCD Foundation (Hosts)
10:30 a.m. to
9 p.m. *Event information center
*Old-fashioned candy for sale
*Popcorn for sale
OAKWOOD BARBER SHOP – Mike & Mary Kay Cannon (Hosts)
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
10:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. Antique Auto Show
ATWOOD HOME – Golden K Kiwanis (Hosts)
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
Master Gardeners (Vermilion County Extension) will give Garden Tours
from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
*Quilt Exhibit
*Bob’s Market
ZELLA BROWN LAURY BARN – Brown-Laury Family (Hosts)
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
10:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. Antique Tractor Show
10:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. Farm Animal Exhibit
(Including Pigeons)
1 to 2 p.m. Frontier Twirlers (Square Dancers)
BISMARCK TRAIN DEPOT – Bismarck Lions Club (Hosts)
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Open House
10:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. “Spikers” Model Train Exhibit
10:30 a.m. to
5 p.m. See “Food Options”
11 a.m. to
2 p.m. Tableside Magic with David Boothe
*Chicken and Ham Croissants
*Beer Cheese Soup/Breadsticks
*Potato Salad
*Fruit
*Iced tea/lemonade
SAM & RENIE LATOZ – Open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
*Hot dogs/brats
*Chips
*Cookies
*Sodas
VCCD FOUNDATION – Open 5 to 7 p.m.
*Cheeseburgers/hamburgers
*Chips
*Sodas
By Mike Kotcher
“Partridge Pea”
Along roadsides, railroads, fields, and disturbed sites of Illinois, Partridge Pea can be found growing. Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) is a member of the Senna family. Its scientific name came about by using two names of Greek and Latin, meaning “low crest” and “in bundles”, referring to the plant and its flowers.
They are annual plants that grow up to 2 feet tall. Their leaves are made up of as many as 20 pairs of leaflets and form a compound leaf. Both the leaves and stems are slightly hairy. If the plant is touched, the leaves will fold up. They also will fold together at night.
From July until September, partridge pea produces a bright yellow showy flower that sometimes has a touch of red-purple at its base. The flowers can be up to 1 ½” in singles or in small groups on their stalks. Inside the flower itself, two different types of anthers are found. Purple anthers produce pollen as a food source for pollinators. Bees and other pollinators are dusted by the pollen from the yellow anthers in aid of pollination. The flower produces no nectar; however, nectar is produced in cup-shaped glands found at the base of the leaf.
Partridge pea is very palatable to livestock, but the leaves are suspected of being toxic. Whitetail deer may browse on the leaves in limited amounts. The flat seeds that are produced are favored by quail, prairie chickens, and other upland birds. In the south in Georgia and Florida, plants provide nectar to honeybees and are considered a good honey plant.
Other plants closely related to partridge pea found in Illinois:
Chamaecrista herbecarpa – Wild Senna; yellow flowers ¾” long, blooms in July – August; grows to 3-6’ in moist, open woods and disturbed sites.
Chamaecrista marilandica – Wild Senna; yellow flowers, shaped like partridge pea flowers, more of a deeper orange-yellow with purple stamens; grows to 3’ on the edges of woods and low places near water; it is used in the landscape trade.
Chamaecrista nictitans – Wild Sensitive Plant; flowers ¼” that blooms July – September; it is similar to partridge pea but much smaller at 6-15” tall; found in sandy soil.
Chamaecrista tora – Sickle Pod; flowers from July to September; it produces long, sickle-shaped seedpods; sickle pod grows 1 ½ to 2’ tall around riverbanks.
Gale Galloway will be the new coordinator of the Atwood Home Landscape Project, taking over from Carol Douglas. Thanks, Carol, for a great job!
Congratulations to Julie Hughes, who maintains the Kennekuk Herb Garden. Master Gardeners recently recognized Julie for volunteering over 1600 hours since the year 2000!
Tony Chernausky, an employee of Bunge Milling Inc., reported seeing three river otters in Stoney Creek near the plant. Tony also reports seeing river otters occasionally at the Fairmount Quarry Club while fishing.
The time is approaching for the most “spook-tacular” event in Vermilion County – Haunted Happenings! This year’s event will be held at Kennekuk on Saturday, October 22. Our committee has been meeting all summer to ensure a high quality event.
We are looking for volunteers for this year’s Haunted Happenings. To make this program work, we need over 100 volunteers. While we have enough people for the Haunted Trail, there are other areas where we still need help. Some of these include: Kid’s Barn (work a game for a 2-hour shift); Hayride (ticket taker, load/unload people, wagon master, which is watching people on the ride); Kid’s Trail Ride (load/unload people, ticket taker); and other miscellaneous duties associated with this fun program.
If you are interested, please call Lara Darling at 442-1691, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or e-mail her at ldarling@vccd.org.
Bill Bush, a Trustee of the Vermilion County Conservation District from 1988 – 1992, passed away August 9, 2005. Executive Director Ken Konsis remembers Bill fondly, as he helped guide him through his first board meetings upon becoming executive director.
President - David Foster (term expires 2006)
1st Vice President - Steve Sliva (term expires 2008)
Secretary - Chuck Brooks (term expires 2007)
Treasurer - Charles Mattis (term expires 2009)
2nd Vice President - Robert Miles
Robert is our newly appointed Trustee and will serve a 5-year term, expiring in 2010. Robert resides in Catlin and was already involved in the Bismarck Depot restoration as a volunteer carpenter, installing the new windows. Welcome aboard, Bob!
The 14th Annual Counted Cross-Stitch Show was recently held at the Gannett Education Center at Forest Glen Preserve. Show visitors enjoyed works displayed by 30 exhibitors from around the area; they also voted for their favorite pieces. The following winners were announced:
Nora Ross of Danville was the overall winner for the 2nd year in a row. This year’s winning entry was of a woman in white with a parasol entitled “A Summer Stroll.” Brenda Schingel, also of Danville, was runner-up with her entry of a woman quilting, entitled “
Other winners (in alphabetical order) were: Sharon Latoz, Georgetown; Jennifer Leisch, Arlene Olmstead, Judi Pankow, all of Danville; Joan Pearman, Indianola; Toni Wagle, Fairmount; Beverly Weather, Ridge Farm; and Jennifer Wright, Danville. Thanks to everyone who entered!
I would also like to give recognition to a couple of special ladies, Claire Biggs and Van Sheets, both of Georgetown. These ladies have not only donated their time and talents in countless ways to the V.C.C.D. over the years, but have also served as Cross-Stitch Show coordinators with me for the past 14 years. They have logged many, many hours for the show, doing everything from decorating the building, hanging exhibits, arranging tables, wrapping gifts, answering questions on show day – the list goes on and on. Also, Claire generously empties most of her home every year to display her personal cross-stitch items – she even brings Christmas trees and a wreath!
Since Ken has christened this the “Appreciation Issue” of the Conservationist, I couldn’t let another year go by without giving Van and Claire my sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation for all that they do. Not to mention also being great friends! We are ALL looking forward to the 15th Annual Show in 2006 – hope to see you then. – Lorna Konsis
Sept. 3 (Saturday) – Hayride – 6 p.m.; meet at Staff Office parking lot; Free!
Sept. 3 (Saturday) – Leaf Collecting Hike – 10 a.m.; meet at Edgewood Center.
Sept. 24 (Saturday) – Monthly Hike Grand Finale – Backpack trail; pre-registration required – call 662-2142
Oct. 1-2 (Sat. & Sun.) – Revolutionary War Reenactment – Pioneer Homestead Area; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. See related flyer
Oct. 26 (Wednesday) – V.C.C.D. Board of Trustees meeting – 7 p.m.; Gannett Education Center
Nov. 6 (Sunday) – Thanksgiving at the Cabin – 1 to 4 p.m.; Pioneer Homestead Area; see related flyer *we need to check this time for sure
Sept. 10 (Saturday) – Bunker Hill Historic Area Dedication Day – food, live music, many activities offered all day! See related articles in this issue!
Sept. 21 (Wednesday) – V.C.C.D. Board of Trustees meeting – 7 p.m.; White Oak Nature Center
Sept. 24 (Saturday) – Advance Ticket Sales for Haunted Happenings begin - 9 a.m., Visitor’s Center; no tickets will be sold at the gate on the day of the event!
Oct. 14 (Friday) – V.C.C.D.F. Board meeting – 9 a.m., White Oak Nature Center
Oct. 22 (Saturday) – Haunted Happenings – Bunker Hill Historic Area; gates open at 6 p.m. TICKETS REQUIRED
Nov. 16 (Wednesday) – V.C.C.D. Board of Trustees meeting – 7 p.m.; White Oak Nature Center
Dec. 4 (Sunday) – Holiday Open House – 2-6 p.m.; Bunker Hill Historic Area
Sept. 12 (Monday) – Outdoor School begins at both parks for 7 weeks