Natural Enquirer N e w s l e t t e r f o r S p r i n g Va l l e y S u p p o r t e r s a n d Vo l u n t e e r s
v o l . 2 n o . 4 • J u l y / A u g . ‘ 11
In this issue...
An important part of understanding the place you live in is knowing where you came from. This issue of the Natural Enquirer has a very Euro-centric theme, and while not all residents of the northwest suburbs trace their family history back to Europe, that part of the world has had an undeniably oversized influence on our culture and the way we relate to land. This theme has been explored in previous issues and articles, but in this issue we look at the importance that grasses, particularly imported grasses, have on our landscape and on our culture. We also look at a chapter of Euro-American immigrant history that most people have likely never heard about. Although the history books (and History Channel programs) are filled with dramatic tales of triumph and tragedy, history is filled with many more obscure, little-known stories of migrations, relocations, and local triumphs and tragedies. As we hear in the 2nd installment of a German travelogue, often the best way to learn these stories is to travel abroad and hear them directly from the people still living in these places. One is always struck by the connections to our own history. The world has always been a global community, with an infinite number of very diverse yet interrelated parts.
Inside A Rising Tide of Grass.........................................2 The Long Way to America....................................3 What’s Happenin’.............................................. 4-5 Meet Our Summer Interns...................................5
Where in the World is Schaumburg? Pt. 2.........6 Spring Valley General Information....................10 Volunteer News Contents Helping Hands Ad.................................................7
Volunteer Calendar........................................... 8-9 Visit www.parkfun.com and take our Spring Valley Program Survey.
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
A Rising Tide of Grass
O
by Dave Brooks
ur world is filled by a rising tide of grass! While many suburbanites might take this as a reminder to mow the lawn this weekend, the reference is broader than that. Grasses dominate our landscape and permeate every aspect of our lives whether you live in Illinois, Arizona, Germany, or China.
In some sense, the American fondness for lawns is appropriate, considering that early civilizations sprouted in grasslands, so to speak. Two-thirds of the world’s major food crops are grasses—wheat, corn, barley, oats, rice, rye, millet, and sugar cane, to name several. Bamboo, another grass, is used for food and building materials in parts of Asia. Even people with a carnivorous diet are merely eating animal flesh built from grass and/or grains which the cow, pig, or chicken ate. The world we know today would not exist without grasses. They cover nearly one-third of the earth’s continents and approximately one-half of the United States. The grass family (Poaceae) contains the third largest number of species of any plant family. The Chicago area has well over 100 varieties. One of the unique characteristics of grasses is that they grow from the ground up rather than from the tips of their stems like most other plants. Grasses can be browsed repeatedly, and yet will continue to grow upward from their base. This explains why lawns need cutting so often. Here in Illinois, our grassland legacy is well established. Dozens of varieties of native perennial grasses populated the prairie landscape throughout the Midwest. Adapted to cold winters, occasional droughts, and regular wildfires, prairie grasses formed the foundation of a stable and diverse ecosystem that supported hundreds of wildflowers, immense herds of grazing animals, and many Native American cultures for thousands of years. Although the prairies are mostly gone today, one of
our dominant agricultural crops—corn—is a grass.
lawns near their estates. When people’s sensibilities changed and livestock Corn was the first non-naaround their homes were tive grass to be introduced considered offensive, to the Midwest, arriving in flocks of scythe-wielding Illinois via trade between workers were employed native people a little over to keep the grass mowed. 1,000 years ago. It had The reel mower was not been bred selectively from developed until the 19th teosinte, a wild grass, century. In America, lawns 7,000 years ago by the Inwere a rarity until the latter dians of Central America. part of the 19th century, Unlike most other grasses, Teosinte and even then, were only which are perennials, corn present near the homes of is an annual. It invests an entire seawealthier people who could afford mainson’s growth in its starchy seed kernels taining one. The lawn has always been rather than developing an extensive a status symbol in America, an attempt long-lived root structure. In fact, all of by newly successful people to imitate our domestic grains are grasses that the aristocratic landscapes of Europe. have sacrificed longevity, via selection by humans, for large nutrient-rich seeds. The most common grass in the eastern states is Kentucky bluegrass, a low growing, cool-season, sod forming perennial. Most lawn seed mixes today include other grasses such as creeping red fescue and perennial rye, added for texture and shade-tolerance. Each of these grasses and the lawns themselves are European in origin. American aristocrats, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, like their European brethren, used sheep to maintain the
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Since most lawn grasses are not well adapted to hot dry summers or bonechilling cold winters, a lawn in the Midwest and many other parts of America requires varying degrees of life support (happily provided by the multi-billion dollar lawn care industry and the homeowners who, happily or not, purchase these products and services). The ubiquitous presence of lawns in climates unsuitable for them is a testament to how firmly the lawn has become entrenched in our culture and our own sense of what a landscape should look like. Slowly over the past few decades, a counter-culture lawn movement has gained momentum in many areas of the country. Shaggy lawns sporting colorful native grasses and wildflowers are slowly coming into favor among people with ecological sensibilities (who probably harbor a secret desire to flout the established suburban paradigm). These lawns not only save the cost of fuel, watering, and pesticides, but they free up Saturday afternoons and provide a home on the range for many of the native grasses that were driven out of their former haunts by generations of farmers and new homeowners. Hopefully, this tide too will continue to rise.
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
The Long Way to America The immigrants were lured by the promise of freedom: to be able to lead their lives without the constant intrusion of war, to freely practice their religions, and above all, by the promise of free land to till. With all their belongings piled into ox-drawn wagons, they arrived at their promised land, which consisted of unending miles of treeless plains. Hunkered down in mean dug-outs, the pioneers put up with numbing winter cold, raiding outlaws, bands of savages, and packs of starving wolves. The scene, however, is not the 1880s American West. It is 1765 and the locale is the bleak steppe of Russia. In time, these people would be known as the Volga Deutsch and eventually some of their luckier descendents would complete their trek to homes in America.
by Walter Plinske
cially appreciated by the Hessians, whose ruler had turned impressment into big business. To each family was allotted 80 acres of land, huge when compared to the generationally subdivided plots in the old country. Eventually the stream of people grew so large that the various German states passed laws stopping this exodus; but, by then, some 30,000 had made the journey. During their first years, the pioneers harvested only subsistence crops as they learned how to cultivate the fertile yet moisture challenged soils of the steppe, which were protected by a thick layer of sod. They replaced the crude Russian iron-tipped wooden plows, provided by Catherine’s planners, with moldboard plowshares. When used singly or in pairs, they could penetrate deeper and turn larger tracts of the heavy sod. Instead of available native ponies, many colonists became adept at breeding superior draft horses to pull the tillage equipment. As the colonies and villages spread out on both sides of the Volga River, they were raided by nomadic tribes, such as the Kalmuks and the Kirghiz, who considered the area to be
even more arid. Pressure for the need to emigrate to a new location increased when xenophobic feelings within the surrounding Russian population were combined with new laws passed by the governCossack ment eroding the original promises made by Catherine. In 1870, the Deutsch were given 10 years to accept military conscription or leave.
Scouts were sent out and America The saga started when a brilliant and was discovambitious person seized the Russian ered to be throne thru marriage, intrigue, and murthe answer der. Today, we know her as Catherine to their the Great. She was in fact a German problem. whose original name was Sophie von Of prime Anhalt-Zerbst. When importance Russia warred with were not only the personal freedoms the Turks and won that America offered, but also the availa sizable chunk of ability of land due to the Homestead Act territory along the of 1862. About 100,000 immigrated by lower Volga River, 1900, initially to Kansas and Neshe determined that braska. From there they dispersed her “landtsmen” throughout the west and to here in would be perfect Illinois, intermingling with the Eusettlers; hard work ropean Germans. They excelled Catherine the and husbandry bein dryland farming, which they had Great ing their hallmark. practiced for years. They brought They would also act as unwitting bufwith them quantities of Turkey red fers against the nomadic peoples that wheat, which was to become the were perpetually in motion in the region famous Kansas hard red winter north of the Caspian Sea. wheat whose propagation spread throughout the continent. Other A manifesto was issued and soon Volga Deutsch made new lives in thousands were flocking to Russia, prithe cities with Chicago containmarily from areas that were devastated General Route from Germany to Russian Homelands ing the largest number of them in the recent “Seven Years War”. From in North America. Some notable the independent principalities of Bavaria, their grazing and hunting grounds. Gangs descendents include Sen. Tom DasSaxony, Baden, Hesse, the Palatinate, of robbers and pillaging Cossack rebels chle, Lawrence Welk, Angie Dickenson and the Rhineland they came, walking to completed the litany of difficulties. (Brown), and John Denver (Duchendorf). ports on the Baltic Sea. From there they Our Volga Deutsch were the lucky ones. were transported by ship to the headwaIn the space of 100 years, the colony Collectively accused of collaboration ters of the Volga, whose southern flow grew to over 238,000 and their farms during World War II, the ones who stayed brought them to the doorstep of their new were models of productivity to all native behind in Russia were all deported to Kaland. Along with promises of freedom, Russians. The expanding population was zakhstan by the communist government, they were granted perpetual immunity shunted into satellite colonies located in never to return. from military conscription, a status espeless fertile areas where the climate was 3
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
Click on program/icon for information and to register online.*
*To register online you must have a current SPD account with assigned PIN number. To create a new account, visit the registration desk at the CRC and verify residency. Non-residents may call Spring Valley to set up an account.
Teacher’s Workshop: Insect Lights in the Night, Songs in the Prairie • For Pre K-8 teachers
Friday, July 22, 4:30-10:00P and Saturday, July 23, 8:30A-4:30P Discover the exciting world of insects. Spend the evening with poetry, songs and crafts, a night hike and a pond dip. $140 (National-Louis or Aurora University graduate credit available. CPS Lane credit or 15 CPDUs available) Additional workshops are being developed. For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/Facilities/SpringValley.aspx.
ADULT/TEEN German Beer Brewing
Free - Neighborhood Nature Areas
Saturday, July 16 • 6:00-9:00P Friday, Aug. 26 • 7:00-10:00P Quench your thirst and learn the age old art of beer brewing German style!
Friday, July 15 • 7:00-8:30P Park St. Claire Conservation Area Discover Schaumburg’s hidden jewels, find out what lives there and how these areas are managed for the benefit of all.
Nature’s Night Life - ADULTS ONLY!
Spring Valley Walking Club
Monday, June 6 - Aug. 15 • 3:30-4:00P Wednesday, June 8 - Aug. 17 • 12:15-12:45P Friday, June 10 - Aug. 19 • 7:00-7:30P Saturday, June 11 - Aug. 20 • 7:30-8:00A Enjoy animal sightings and beautiful flowers as you walk our extensive network of trails.
Friday, July 15 • 8:00-10:00P Start your weekend with a relaxing and enlightening evening walk at Spring Valley.
Landscaping with Native Plants
Saturday, July 16 • 9AM-12PM Discover the beauty and environmental benefits of using native plants in home landscaping. Register through Harper College or call 847/925-6707. Class held at Spring Valley. Course: LLG 0062
Sundown Supper on the Farm
Friday, July 8 • 6:00-9:00P Saturday, July 30 • 4:30-7:30P Saturday, Aug. 20 • 4:30-7:30P After helping with evening chores and making supper, you’ll get a chance to watch the sunset.
No Recipe Required
All Ages
Saturday, Aug. 27 • 3:00-6:00P Spend time in the kitchen creating recipes with the freshest ingredients.
Turtle Tracks
Free - Heaven’s Watch
Up and At’em Animal Chores
Saturday, Aug. 27 • 10:00-11:30A See how many turtles you can find and discover how close you can get to them before they dive into the water.
July 23 • 9:00-11:00P........Aquila & Cygnus Aug. 20 • 8:30-10:30P........Neptune Join Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.
Saturday, July 23 • 7:30-9:00A Sunday, Aug. 7 • 7:30-9:00A Milk cows, feed the livestock and enjoy a light breakfast.
Just Desserts
Sunday, July 24 • 10:00A-12:00P Help gather wild blackberries to make a cobbler and cook it in a Dutch oven over a campfire.
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S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
FAMILY
Cooking at the Cabin
The following programs have a special family rate. By registering ONE child, it is assumed that a minimum of two people (one adult and child) or a maximum of four people are attending. Do NOT register additional people, they may pay on the day of the program.
Friday, July 15 • 5:00-7:00P Try your hand at cooking over an open wood fire, then eat your results.
Campfire Sing-Along and Star-Gazing Friday, Aug. 12 • 8:30-10:00P Learn new songs, sing some old ones, play games, listen to a story and end the evening with s’mores.
Fairytales and Bedtime Stories
Friday, July 15 • 6:00-7:00P Saturday, Aug. 13 • 6:00-7:00P Bring your child to the farm in their favorite pajamas, enjoy timeless tales and partake in old-fashioned cookies before bedtime.
Family Camp Out at Spring Valley
Saturday, July 16 • 4:00P-10:00A Pack up the kids, your tent and sleeping bags for a family camp out at Spring Valley.
Hopper Hangout
Saturday, Aug. 27 • 12:00-1:30P There are so many hoppers and each type sings, buzzes or chirps differently.
Firefly Fandango
Saturday, July 9 • 8:30-9:30P Witness one of nature’s marvels as the summer sun sets on Spring Valley’s prairies and woods.
Lights in the Night
Friday, July 15 • 7:30-9:00P Fireflies are one of the most fascinating insects of summer. Find out how their bodies are set aglow and what that flash of light means.
Spring Valley Super Stars
Saturday, Aug. 6 • 8:00-9:30P Star gazing is for all ages! Learn Greek mythology, play some games and become experts on at least three constellations.
Meet Our Summer Interns
Summer Camps at Spring Valley
Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved the outdoors. I looked at it as one giant playground and would always get lost because of my adventurous tendencies. My parents were not too thrilled about this, but I loved climbing trees and hiding in bushes. I have always loved learning new things and about different cultures. Soccer was a big part of my life in high school and this has continued through college. Currently, I am a senior at Illinois State University studying Geography and Environmental Studies. I aspire to help people, and plan on doing something related to consulting or philanthropy. -- Ryan Weaver
It’s not too late to sign up! Spring Valley offers a variety of environmental and historic summer camps (full and half-day) for children 5-15 years old. For more information, call 847/985-2100 or click here. Youth
A Buzz about Bees
Saturday, July 9 • 10:30A-12:00P Find out what the buzz is all about and explore the lives of bees through games, crafts and a hike.
Budding Artists
Saturday, Aug. 13 • 10:00A-12:00P Join fellow novice artists studying the work of George Stewart then go on a hike to create a beautiful work of art.
-- Elisabeth Schneider
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I am originally from Mt. Prospect and am a recent graduate of Illinois State University. I enjoy learning about nature and history, and I love spending time with my family and friends. In my free time I enjoy hiking, camping, and doing just about anything outdoors. Aside from that, I also enjoy reading and cooking. In the future, I aspire to work with GIS.
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
Where in the World is Schaumburg? Part 2 It has been a year since I was in Germany. I can’t believe that much time has passed. Just the other day the Germans from the District of Schaumburg visited the farm with the Sister City group to learn a little about our history. The visit made me remember my own experience reminding me of what it was like to be in their shoes in a foreign country. The jetlag came back to me first, as well as how tired I was the first few days. Then I remembered the whirlwind schedule we kept, all the pictures I took, and how excited I was to see everything! History was all around me; ancient and rich. As I mentioned in my previous article about Schaumburg, Germany (see Sept/Oct, 2010), while staying overseas I had the pleasure of staying with Heinrich and Brigitte Wallenstein. Heinrich, a longstanding member of the Schaumburg German-American Society (the equivalent of our Sister City group), is related to Spring Valley’s historic farm families—the Boegers and the Redeckers. I found this fascinating! Learning of Heinrich’s ancestry brought home the reality that the settlers of Schaumburg, IL, had a past. They had somewhere they came from and friends and family they left behind.
with the firmness of an old German soldier and shouted, ‘Schaumburg fchall et heiten!’” he was speaking Low German. This also means that the descendents of these settlers would have grown up learning this same Low German. Heinrich mentioned that he and some of the older generations throughout their district are the only ones who can understand this dying version of the German language.
Heimatmuseum Auetal
The Wallensteins took me many places during my stay. One was to a local cultural museum, Heimatmuseum Auetal, in the small town of Auetal. The museum was originally a school house and still has a historic Author in the historic classroom classroom that local children visit on fieldtrips.
by Patricia Kennedy Green
amples of the many different kinds of wheat and oats they grew. After going through the room it became very apparent that settlers to Schaumburg, IL, Wheat and oats brought their culture and agriculture with them to settle their new lands. While they changed some aspects to adapt to their new environment, their core culture was still the same as what I saw at that museum and what they left behind. There was a celebration taking place at the Heimatmuseum Auetal museum for May Day which is the German Labor Day and a public holiday. Most businesses, banks, and municipal offices close for the day. The night before May Day is also celebrated throughout the country. Walpurgis Night, as is it called, is filled with traditional celebrations through Germany. It is a night for brouhaha, dances, and partying. Many festivities include bonfires, maypoles, and a motto of ‘Tanz in den Mai!’ (“Dance into May!”).
At Heimatmuseum Auetal there was a maypole on display and beer and bratwurst for sale as snacks. My first bratwurst in Germany was eaten in the local manner; without a bun and served on a tray with mustard. I promptly asked for Maypole ketchup, which to my chagrin did not taste much like Heinz 57.
One of the first nights I stayed with the Wallensteins, we discussed the hisIn addition to the classroom, tory of both Schaumburgs until almost there are other rooms throughmidnight. We were so wrapped up in out the building; each history that I could not devoted to the culhelp but show them the tural aspects shared Schaumburg Township throughout the district. District Library website. We Another room was found first-hand accounts devoted to historic of what Schaumburg, IL, grain production. It was like before it bewas amazing to see the familiar came the booming town flax rippling comb on display it is today. If you are also Once again, I have run out of room. I since grain and flax are part our interested in learning more will write again soon to tell you about Woman working flax programming here on the farm. from first-hand accounts, fiber the other museums I visited, as The exhibit visit the Schaumburg Township District well as how I met the Pied Piper contained picLibrary at http://archives.stdl.org/digiof Hamlin and toured the town tures of womtalarchive/digitalarchive.asp . dedicated to Baron Von Munchen dressed hausen! If you would like to learn We also touched upon the history of in folk outfits more about the Heimatmuseum languages, High German verses Low working flax Auetal museum and are able to German and how different the language and of workread German, you can visit their of our settlers was from what is spoken ers out in the website at www.heimatmuseumin Germany today. Heinrich explained to fields. There auetal.de. me that when Fritz Nerge, credited for were also exSupplies for processing flax naming Schaumburg, IL, “hit the table 6
Volunteer News S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11
Did you know you were automatically enrolled in the Helping Hands Mileage Club? This program offers registered volunteers an opportunity to redeem points for Park District related rewards. For every hour of volunteer service you give to Spring Valley you earn one point. Points accumulate for one year and may be redeemed at any time up to your anniversary date. Your anniversary date is determined by the month in which you first posted volunteer hours at Spring Valley. Points do not carry over year-to-year so be sure to redeem them before they expire. Have questions about the program or when your anniversary date is? Contact Judy Vito for further explanation.
Pats on the back to the following volunteers... • Deanna Bruckner, Lynn Eikenbary, Barb Mitchell, Donna Turner, and Carolyn White for assisting with Chef’s Fest.
Dates to Remember
• Sat., July 9.............................. 8-10am Animal Care Meeting • Mon., July 11........................... 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting • Tues., May 12......................... 6-8pm Animal Care Meeting • Sat., July 23............................ Cancelled Conservation Workday • Fri., Aug. 5.............................. 5:30pm-9pm Volunteer Picnic • Mon., Aug. 15......................... 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting
Welcome New Volunteers…
• Lynn Eikenbary, Venus Gintowt, Diane Shore, and Carolyn White for helping with the spring Green Thumbs school programs.
• Ann Scacco
• Gail Ameer, Jerry Brandes, Lynn Eikenbary, Dick and Nancy Ruffolo, Carol Thomas, and Angela Waidanz for assisting with the various bird counts. • Janet Bedsole, Lynn Eikenbary, Jean Havlir, Penny Perles, Leo Salais, and Carolyn White for assisting with the spring Mighty Acorns programs. • Dean Bruckner for his attention to the peony beds in preparation for Peonies A’Plenty. • Bill Bailey, George Bailey, Victor Franks, Pete Gigous, Ken Ogorzalek, and Tom Popek for their ongoing weekly maintenance assistance. • Pat Campbell, Eve Carter, Barb Dochterman, Arthur Jeczala, Melina Lynch, and Joan Vodraska for their continuing clerical support. Congratulations to Jeanette Klodzen for winning an award from The Butterfly Monitoring Network for “Excellent Data Collection for the 2010 Season”.
Happy Birthday to… July
1 Ron Haskell Shari Rosenquist 4 Elsie Sears 5 Tony Coonrod 8 Tammy Terwelp 13 Andy Caccavari 17 Barb Royce 18 Laurie Tatom Deb Hernandez
8 Mary Matz 1 21 Donna Turner Tina Rokoszewski 25 Joe Vito 26 Tom Poklen 27 Nancy Fallen 29 Elsie Magnussen
August
It’s Picnic Time!
Mark your calendars for Friday, Aug. 5 and plan to join us at this year’s Volunteer Family Picnic. Bring a family member or friend to join in the fun. We’ll provide all the fixins’, just bring your appetite! The picnic is co-sponsored by the Spring Valley Nature Club which will present its Ellsworth Meineke Award to a deserving club member and/or volunteer. Invitations will go in the mail in July. 7
4 Pat Campbell 5 Dan Gryzik 8 Janet Bedsole Karen DeMay 9 Shirley Turpin 12 Bill Bailey 14 Carolyn White Diane Shore Robin Clark 16 Adam Poniatowski
8 Janet Kraus 1 19 Nara Sethuraman 22 Kristi Overgaard 26 Carol Anagnostopoulos 28 Pete Justen 30 Nancy Filo 31 Doug Vito Nancy Schaefer
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • Vo l u n t e e r C a l e n d a r
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
July 2011 Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Farm Houes: Tue-Fri 9am-2pm • saT/sun 10am-4pm Cabin Closed
Saturday
2
•SV Walking Club 7:30am
Bold indicates volunteer activities Italics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteers See “What’s Happening” for program descriptions •SV Walking Club 7pm
3
4
5
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
10
11
Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm
•Yoga for Kids 11am
M-F
17
18
•SV Walking Club 3:30pm
M-F
12
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
19
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
•Wee Sprouts 9am •Pioneer Adventures 9:30am
13
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
24
25
•SV Walking Club 3:30pm
Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm
20
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
•Animal Crackers 9:30am •Chores and Chortles Mini 9:45am
M-F
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26
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
•1880s Venture Camp 9:15am •Victorian Finishing School 9:30am
14
15
•Animal Crackers Mini 10am •Farmer Boot Camp 2:30pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
21
•Rock Hounds 10am •Adventures in Anthropology 10am
27
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
•SV Walking Club 7pm •Lights in the Night 7:30pm •Nature’s Night Life 8pm
22 •Wee Sprouts 12:30pm •Hoot ‘n Howl Adventure 7:15pm
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•Crafty Kids 10am •Half Day Bug Camp 10am
•SV Walking Club 7pm
•Cooking at the Cabin 5pm •Fairytales & Bedtime Stories 6pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
•Historian’s Apprentice 9:45am •Bugs ‘n Books 10am
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
•Victorian Finishing School 9:45am •Chores and Chortles Mini 10am
•Historic Foodways 9:45am •Valley Ventures Half Day Camp 10am
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
•Just Desserts 10am •Yoga for Kids 11am
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•Sundown Supper on the Farm 4pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
•Valley Ventures 9:15am •Chores and Chortles 9:30am
Animal Care Meeting 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
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•Weaving the Web of Life 9:30am •Summer Science Camp 9:30am
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
•Ponds, Puddles and Play 9:15am •Skills for Outdoor Survival 9:15am
•SV Walking Club 3:30pm
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
•1880s Venture Camp 9:30am •Safari Adventure 9:30am
T-F
Independence Day
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•SV Walking Club 7pm
29 •Outdoor Play 10am •Insect Mania 1pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
•Bones 1pm
•SV Walking Club 7pm
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•SV Walking Club 7:30am Animal Care Meeting 8am •A Buzz About Bees 10:30am
•Firefly Fandango 8:30pm
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•SV Walking Club 7:30am •Landscaping with Native Plants 9am •Family Camp Out 4pm
•German Beer Brewing 6pm
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•SV Walking Club 7:30am •Up and At’Em 9am •Heaven’s Watch 9pm
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•SV Walking Club 7:30am •Sundown Supper on the Farm 4:30pm
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • Vo l u n t e e r C a l e n d a r
Sunday
Monday
1
•SV Walking Club 3:30pm
M-F
Tuesday
AuguST 2011
2
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
•Wee Sprouts 9:15am •Chores and Chortles 9:30am
Wednesday
3
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
•Fossil Frenzy 9:30am •Historic Foodways 9:45am
•Up and At’em 7:30am
8
•SV Walking Club 3:30pm
M-F
9
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
•Valley Ventures 9:15am •Chores and Chortles 9:30am
14
15
Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm •SV Walking Club 3:30pm
16
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
10
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
17
22
23
•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
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•Valley Ventures Half Day Camp 10am •Sounds are Alive 1pm
Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm
•SV Walking Club 12:15pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
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5
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
•Animal Crackers Mini 9:45am •Historic Foodways Mini 10am
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
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Friday
Saturday
6
•SV Walking Club 7:30am
•Campfire Cooking 10am •Nature Quest 1pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm
7
Thursday
12 •Farmer Boot Camp 2:30pm •Hoot ‘n Howl Adventure 7:15pm
•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm
24
Volunteer Picnic 5:30pm
25
•SV Walking Club 7pm •Campfire Sing-Along & Star Gazing 8:30pm
19
•SV Walking Club 7pm
26
•Spring Valley Super Stars 8pm
13
•SV Walking Club 7:30am •Budding Artists 10am
•Fairytales and Bedtime Stories 6pm
20
•SV Walking Club 7:30am •Sundown Supper on the Farm 4:30pm
•Heaven’s Watch 8:30pm
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•Turtle Tracks 10am •Hopper Hangout 12pm •No Recipe Required 3pm
•German Beer Brewing 7pm
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•Gardener’s Delight 3:45pm
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Farm Houes: Tue-Fri 9am-2pm • saT/sun 10am-4pm Cabin Closed Bold indicates volunteer activities Italics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteers See “What’s Happening” for program descriptions
S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J u l y / A u g u s t 2 0 11 Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 • 847/985-2100
Vera Meineke Nature Center
Schaumburg Rd.
N Plum Grove Rd.
The earth-sheltered visitor center provides an introduction to Spring Valley’s 135 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands and three miles of trails. The center contains natural history exhibits that change seasonally, a demonstration Backyard for Wildlife, an observation tower, classrooms, an extensive library, gift sales area and restrooms.
Vera Meineke Nature Center
Volkening Heritage Farm
Step back into the past for a look at Schaumburg as it was in the 1880s – a rural German farm community. Help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s, or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters will welcome and share activities with visitors throughout the site.
Volkening Heritage Farm 135 acres
HOURS Nature Center Grounds & Trails...............Open Daily...............8AM-5PM Volkening Heritage Farm Grounds..........Closed......................Dec.1-March 1 Nature Center/Museum Hours: Year Round.............Daily*.......... 9AM-5PM Farm Interpretive Program Hours: Nov. - March............Open for Special Events April 1 - Oct. 31.......Sat/Sun....... 10AM-4PM Tue-Fri........ 9AM-2PM Mon............ Buildings Closed
Spring Valley is a refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with over three miles of handicappedaccessible trails, a museum featuring natural history displays and information, and an 1880s living-history farm. Spring Valley is open to the general public. Admission is free.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held rain or shine. Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.
*All facilities closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Environmental Outreach Program
Spring Valley Birthday Parties
We’ll bring our outreach program to your site. Topics include forests, worms, spiders, mammals, owls, food chains, food webs, wetlands, and the water cycle. Students will participate in hands-on activities, songs, and games. Topics may be adapted to students in grades one through six, and are correlated with Illinois State Standards.
Looking for a unique, fun, and educational venue for your child’s birthday? Spring Valley is the answer! Two party themes are available. A hayride can be added for an extra fee. Call Spring Valley for more information.
Spring Valley Firepit and Shelter Rentals
Make your next scout group, business or family gathering something special! Spring Valley offers the use of a picnic shelter and fire pit in a wooded setting near the Merkle Log Cabin. Use of the site includes firewood, trash/recycling receptacles and benches, as well as picnic tables. No alcohol or amplified music permitted. Restrooms are available at the Heritage Farm or Nature Center, a 5–10 minute walk. The adjacent Merkle Log Cabin contains a restroom and may be rented for additional fees.
Programs at Spring Valley
School, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take advantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program. Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Correlations to the state standards and activity sheets are available on the SPD website, www.parkfun.com. Learn local history with a visit to the Heritage Farm. Elementary and high school students recreate farm life in the 1880s with Hands on History; second graders experience it through Heritage Quest. Children from the age of four through second grade will learn about food farmers and farm animals in Farms and Foods.
Hourly use fees: Residents:.............. $25
Civic groups:...............................$25
Non-residents:....... $40 Corporate/business groups:.......$55
Scout Badges
We offer many opportunities for scouts. Our programs will help with your badge, pin or patch requirements. Call for more information or stop in for a brochure.
Spring Valley Mission Statement:
Spring Valley’s mission is to educate area residents regarding the natural and cultural history of the Schaumburg area and how people have and continue to interact with and upon the landscape.
Schaumburg Park District BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:
Natural Enquirer STAFF: Mary Rice Editor
Mike Daniels Sharon DiMaria David Johnson George Longmeyer Bob Schmidt
Judy Vito Volunteer Coordinator David Brooks “In this Issue...”
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Scott Stompor Graphic Artist
Jean Schlinkmann
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Schaumburg Park District Website: www.parkfun.com
E-mail:
springvalley@parkfun.com
Member: