Willow West February 9, Hidden Pond and Cap Sauers February 10, 2019

Willow West Saturday February 9
We had a small group thinning trees at Willow West, again in sight of Fairmount Memorial Gardens. Sunshine took the edge off a cold early morning, and several large fires were an immense help  too.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteers Andrew and his dad Mike. They're from a local Boy Scout troop and we hope to join forces with them again.

Hidden Pond Sunday February 10
We had a great group, with first-timers Chris, Maeve, Joe, Mike, and Trevor, as well as returning friends Andrew, John, Tyler, and Doug. John ran his chain saw while the rest of  us hacked and burned, pushing  farther north on the slope rising above the prairie.

The snow started at 1 pm, a little ahead of schedule, as the last of the volunteers walked out. Someone on the radio said we had a string of over 30 days with some form of precipitation; this was one of those lighter snowfalls that do little more than make driving more interesting.

Cap Sauers Sunday February 10
​With the snowfall, we did not burn this afternoon. We certainly cut a lot, ample fuel for next month's brush pile burns. First-time Palos volunteer Ingrid joined us on a fine day, with a little slipping and sliding mixed in on the trek back to the road. Cap Sauers looking lovely, as always...

Salute to Tom McAvoy
A note of sadness - learned Monday that Tom McAvoy, former 3rd Ward Alderman in Hickory Hills, passed away last December. Tom was a long-time friend of Roger and Cara Keller, and a friend of Palos Restoration Project.
For years Roger and Cara wrote a bulletin, "The Other Side of Kean", informing their neighbors of restoration activities at Hidden Pond. Alderman McAvoy included this in his 3rd Ward newsletter, distributed throughout the ward. I believe their last issue was June 2015, months before Roger's passing.
Doug Chien and I met Alderman McAvoy about two years ago at Moraine Valley College, when he asked us to produce another edition of "The Other Side of Kean". Doug did so and the alderman's corps of volunteers again distributed it.
Tom also attended our dedication of Roger Keller's memorial bench at Hidden Pond last June, the last time we spoke with him. A gregarious, entertaining storyteller...
We are grateful for the kindness and help extended to us by this gentleman.