We had a stellar turnout of eleven volunteers for our January work day and we celebrated five NEW faces in addition to our "regulars." Shown in the group photo, from left to right, are Linda and Jim Butler, Karen Lucey, Ingrid Braun, Wes Braun, Vice-Chair Lynn Hodgson, Denise Prichard, Ava Elizabeth Rios, and Newhall Committee Members Julia and David Buzzard. Not shown is camera-shy photographer, Fearless Leader and Co-Chair, Bob Clemens.
Julia and Ava were our "sign cleaning crew," and are shown in the photos scrubbing our interpretive panels and other signage. Linda (photo) and Karen (photographer) trimmed the forest trails and made sure the recent storms had not felled any trees. Shown with his bicycle is Wes, who with Jim, helped Lynn relocate three birdhouses. Bob blew accumulated leaves and pine straw from the Newhall trail and then helped haul vegetation with his beloved Jeep Gladiator truck. The balance of the crew (Ingrid, Denise, and David) gathered limbs from around the Audubon Pond, with two truckloads being hauled to the collection area near the parking lot. We are ever grateful to Sea Pines CSA, who helps by carrying away what would otherwise become a mountain of debris after our work days.
Our next work day will be on Saturday, February 10th. We gather at 8:30 AM in the parking lot and will be all done before 10 AM. RSVPs are not necessary, but helpful to Rclemens318@gmail.com. (We know this date conflicts with a "Birding 101" class, but we'll make do with whomever can help.)
In other Newhall News: We are thrilled to report winning ATAX grants to build a new welcome kiosk and to reprint Newhall trail Guides for distribution to South Carolina Welcome Centers. (Today, South Carolina, Tomorrow the World!) A pdf schematic of the proposed kiosk is attached. We anticipate relocating our existing three bulletin boards to the new kiosk and will add in an enlarged map from the Trail Guide. The current Donation post and Trail Guide Box will be moved to be adjacent to the kiosk. The old kiosk will either be retired or relocated.
We are also pleased to welcome Kathy Shea to the Newhall Committee. Vice-Chair Emeritus Rita Kernan has trained Kathy to take undertake the task of maintaining the scores of plants, shrub, and tree labels in the Preserve. We owe a boundless debt of gratitude to Rita for her years of dedication to Newhall!
We also added these new directional signs to Newhall:
