volunteer thanks

Janet Jernberg passed away at home September 29th. She was number 97 in our membership database, meaning she joined Lane Audubon when it was first formed, in the mid-1970s.

Janet hosted The Quail mailing crew nine times a year in her home, where the group would gather to put mailing labels on the newsletters.

Since the mid-1980s, the mailing group has worked diligently, dependably, and without fanfare. That’s more than 35 years! They have truly enjoyed gathering together for this job. Over the years, different people participated, and each one was a valued member. While applying labels, they also celebrated birthdays, holidays, and bird sightings, and shared cakes, cookies, and snacks!

Janet included her great-niece, Star, and great-nephew, Dominik, in these gatherings, since she did after-school care for him. More recently they have lived with her to help out as her health declined, and they help with The Quail mailings each month.

Thanks to all the Lane County Audubon Society members who helped make the 14th annual Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show, held January 18-20, such a success. This year’s show turned out to be one of our best shows yet in terms of trial memberships generated, items sold, and general exposure for LCAS.

Nancy Radius, David Stone, Susanne Twight-Alexander, Margot Fetz, Janie Thomas, John Lemay, Sally O’Donnell, Dan Willis, Connie Berglund, Debbie Schlenoff, Dolly Marshall, Sara Brownmiller, Milo Mecham, and Rick Ahrens all helped staff the booth this year. Thanks to each of them.

Special thanks go to Debbie Schlenoff and her husband Rob, Maeve Sowles, Jim Maloney, Christy McMannis, Sara Brownmiller, Milo Mecham, and Nancy Radius, who helped with setup and takedown of the booth.

To Bryan Ribelin for providing his artwork for our “Thank You” post cards. His line drawing of a Killdeer provides a lovely artistic image that we will use as an acknowledgement for our member donations.

To Dick Lamster, who presented a bird box talk at the BOGS (Birds of Oregon and General Science) group on November 2. Sixty-three people attended! Dick also presented a backyard bird talk to the Junction City Garden Club on November 7.

To the Darkhorse Band from Salem Oregon (facebook.com/Darkhorsesalem/?fref=mentions), who organized a fundraiser with profits targeted to wildfire relief for animals affected during the summer fire season. Darkhorse, along with Viking Braggot Company (drinkviking.com), raised $308 dollars during a Eugene concert on October 21st. Lane Audubon is matching the donation and dividing the gift between Chintimini Wildlife Center in Corvallis and Cascades Raptor Center, both of whom receive injured animals from our Lane County area. We also want to thank our volunteers who attended the event, Hilary Dearborn and Rachael Friese.

To Jim and Charlotte Maloney, who have been organizing the Third Saturday bird walks since summer of 2013. We want to thank Jim and Charlotte for their time and effort planning and organizing the bird walks, welcoming people in attendance, teaching and helping attendees, and creating a fun, enjoyable experience for all. While they still plan to participate, they are ready to pass on the organizational responsibilities. They recently recruited a new volunteer to head this event, Rebecca Waterman, who has been enjoying the walks for several years. We are happy to welcome and also thank Rebecca for taking on the fun challenge of the Third Saturday bird walks. We look forward to working with you!

The weather was rainy and cool on May 13 for Lane County Audubon Society’s International Migratory Bird Day event, staged in Alton Baker Park in collaboration with Nearby Nature and Cascades Raptor Center. Despite the weather, several families stopped by the picnic shelter at Alton Baker Park, where our educational activities were being staged, and then continued on to Nearby Nature’s Learnscape area. IMBD-LCAS volunteers led family-friendly bird walks, Raptor Center staff displayed a live Peregrine Falcon, and Nearby Nature staff conducted more nature-related activities for kids.