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Willow Springs June 23, Swallow Cliff June 24 2018

6/28/2018

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Saturday June 23, Willow Springs Woods
Steward Joe Neumann is planning a lot of work at Willow Springs Woods in coming months, trying to work his way east toward Old Country Lane and connect to Spears Woods. On this day we were closer to the parking lot, mostly clipping reed canary seed heads in a section that was brush-cut last winter. Continued rain meant more fungi - thanks to Brian for spotting a nice patch, and thanks to Jimmy who's been showing up at numerous sites. We appreciate the help!

​Sunday June 24, Swallow Cliff Woods South
First off, thanks to volunteer Jesse Solis, who doubled our crew size by bringing his son Jesse, friend Al, and Al's sons Joseph and Nicholas to help. We walked the path to the north lot, pulling weeds and clipping seed heads along the way, and were rewarded (?) with a patch of Canada thistle pleading to be clipped.

Added bonus; we got to climb the stairs, in our long pants and long sleeves, on a sunny summer morn. Jesse and his group were going back to the stairs for a workout when they left us - a big tip of the hat to them!

Requiem for an elm
Our neighbors directly across the street had a big beautiful American elm on their front lawn. Until 6 am yesterday, when the trunk split down the middle and half the tree crashed to the ground. It was the only surviving elm on our block (we lost two about 20 years ago, already diseased when we bought our lot).

Jim and Michelle had this tree injected, kept it trimmed, did everything they could to nurture it. They've fought the good fight for more than 30 years. Sadly, it wasn't enough. The remaining half of the tree is being removed later today. Gonna miss that tree, because it's a  beauty, also because it throws a whole lot of shade on our home in the afternoon.

Sure, it's just a tree. And triple-chocolate fudge is just another ice cream flavor.
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Cap Sauers June 16, Swallow Cliff & Black Partridge June 17, 2018

6/20/2018

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday June 16
On a hot day we stayed in the shade and our intensity level was dialed way down. We made reed canary grass our prime target and clipped the seed heads of those we found. The infrequent garlic mustard also showed up.

We were graced with five first-time volunteers on this morning: thank you Cailey, Karen, Reagan, Andrew, and Arun for joining us.

Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday June 17
The early summer heat wave continued on Sunday, and we did pretty much the same thing as Saturday, walking the woodland looking for reed canary and garlic mustard. Jean Dubach has a great eye for the short plants hiding down low. Thanks to Sarah and Steve for being part of this.

Black Partridge Woods,  Sunday June 18
Cubs fans of a certain age remember Ernie Banks saying "Let's play two today." That's what we did with our afternoon session at Black Partridge, and Sarah took Ernie's words to heart, coming after working Swallow Cliff in the morning.

We removed a decent number of reed canary seed heads, some ready to drop their seed. Recent rains meant ample fungus; pictured below.




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Cranberry Slough June 9, 2018

6/13/2018

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Rainy Days
Last weekend was a weed-control day at Cranberry - I didn't get out due to another commitment. My roving correspondents were Singapore-bound for summitry so I don't have a workday report.

Historical trivia from the Forest Preserves of Cook County instead

The early 1960s were a good time to be a Cook County/Forest Preserves Commissioner, especially if you wanted  your name an a sign somewhere.

President of the Board: Daniel Ryan (Jr). After his death, the Dan Ryan Expressway was named after him. Dan Ryan Woods was named after his father, also President of the board 30-some years earlier. In fact, after Dan Ryan Sr passed, Dan Ryan Jr was appointed to his seat on the County Board. Hey, that's 20th Century Cook County.

General Superintendent: Charles G. (Cap) Sauers: This guy was the real deal. General Superintendent from 1929-1964, he was at the helm when a lot of forest preserve property was acquired. Cap Sauers Holding carries his name. For more on this very interesting man click the link: www.lib.niu.edu/1970/ip7009142.html

Other commissioners of that time included Elizabeth A. Conkey, John J. Duffy, and Edward M. Sneed. All of these names are found on signs in our region. I say this not to make light, rather to note their role in passing this legacy on to us.

The foresight of those who founded the Forest Preserves of Cook County, back when the Palos area was considered a remote outpost from the city, and their desire to protect and preserve the land from further development, is staggering. Here's another little slice of history fpdcc.com/about/history/


Another note of trivia: back when Dan Ryan Jr was president of the board, 18 holes of golf at one of their courses cost $1.50. The sole 9-hole course would set you back a buck.



Comment of the picture below: at the Swallow Cliff stairs. climbers use small rocks to count the number of trips up and down. Someone used rocks on a picnic bench to provide encouragement to fellow workout fiends.
​Good advice in any worthwhile endeavor...

Picture
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June 06th, 2018

6/6/2018

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Hidden Pond Sunday June 3: Roger Keller Memorial Bench Dedication
This was a great day. We gathered at Hidden Pond with members of the Keller family, including wife Cara, sons Greg and Mark, daughter Karen, and four grandchildren (Matthew, Jacob, Cassidy, and Caraline). 

Others present included stewards and volunteers from Palos Restoration Project, former 3rd Ward Alderman Tom McAvoy of Hickory Hills and other neighbors, and Kathy Wurster, Mary Busch, Mike Hart and Chip O'Leary from FPCC.

Roger loved jazz so it was appropriate that celebrants marched through Hidden Pond Woods behind the Four Star Brass Band of Chicago as they played “When the Saints Go Marching In”.
 
After reaching the bench site, we listened as Cara recited an original poem about Roger's years in restoration. Then we shared personal thoughts and memories. We heard some of the adventures of the Keller children at Hidden Pond in their childhood, before Roger's retirement and stewardship there.

Diana Krug said she had no car when she started volunteering so Roger drove her to workdays. A neighbor once asked Roger if a plant in his yard was flower or weed and was, in turn, asked "What do you want it to be?" Alderman McAvoy viewed Roger as a 'character' and 'cross between Grizzly Adams and Hemingway'. High praise indeed.

Several of our stewards and volunteers spoke of the ways Roger had helped them in their own restoration careers. Others spoke of his impact on young people coming into the field.

When all had spoken we left the prairie, again to the strains of Dixieland jazz, finishing in the grove with a picnic lunch provided by FPCC.
 
The inscription on Roger’s bench, composed by Steward Joe Neumann, reads “Children learned, volunteers labored, the prairie lives on. With hope for the future and gratitude to Steward Roger Keller.” A fitting salute.



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    Author

    I'm Jan Pietrzak with the Palos Restoration Project. This blog and website were created for your information and enjoyment.

    I hope you'll be encouraged and inspired to volunteer at any of the numerous forest preserves in our area.

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