Resource Enhancement and Protection
Our Quarterly Newsletter now On-line
Naturally Speaking is now available in PDF. Click here for Spring 2010 Edition - may take a while to load.
Past issues are also available:
Winter 2010 Edition
Autumn 2009 Edition
Summer 2009 Edition
Spring 2009 Edition
(A PDF file requires Adobe Reader - click on the logo to download it). 
Spring Into Summer Dutch Oven Cook Off
June 19, 2010
Our third annual Spring Into Summer Dutch Oven Cook Off was a success! Great cooking was enhanced by a beautiful sunny day and music provided by the Lester Cloak Memorial Band. Fourteen teams competed for prizes in four categories. (Left: Kim Ferguson brings in her butterscoth cake)
Dessert
1st: Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Team Clueless (Ron Groenendyk, Loren Bolkema, Ron Rupprecht and Matt Groenendyk)
2nd: Butterscotch Cake, Team Treadle D.O.C. (Les and Kim Ferguson)
3rd: Bumble Berry Pie, Team Double Trouble (Chance Carr and Mark Gregoricka)
Meat/Main Dish
1st: Lasagna Roll Ups, Team Treadle D.O.C. (Les & Kim Ferguson)
2nd: Wild Pizza, Team Kingsford Kings (Mark Harrington)
3rd: Enchilada Bake, Team Cooking-With-Their-Spoons (Rosie and Torrey Witherspoon)
Mystery Ingredient
1st: Asian Pork Loin, Team Slacker Party (Chuck Frost, Tim Kiser, Pat & Ed Frost)
2nd: Pork Loin with Cranberry Stuffing, Team Packer Backers (Jennifer & Dennis Hammel)
3rd: Pork Loin with Vegetables & Barley, Team Backwoods Bob (Bob and Christy Leazer)
Bread
1st: Hearth Bread, Team Cooking-With-Their-Spoons (Rosie and Torrey Witherspoon)
2nd: Caramel Pecan Bread, Team You People (Michelle Shock and Dennis Laughlin)
3rd: Meat & Cheese Roll, Team Double Trouble (Chance Carr and Mark Gregoricka)
People's Choice Award: Old Spice (Ruth & Steve Baker)
Head judge Diane Whitney serves up bread.
Bob Leazer works on his meatloaf recipe.
Dennis Laughlin at the judges' table.
Chance and Mark watch while their entry is being judged.
It looks like Judge Diana Flynn is trying to figure out
how's she's going to get the lasagna rolls to her
car without anyone noticing!
Susan Gail and Deborah Williamson of Team Shake and Bake.
Judges Clarisa McMahon, Terry Derby, and Gloria Countryman were also sponsors of the event. Gloria was with the Cedar Creek Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Terry with the Jefferson County Pork Producers. Clarisa represented her and her husband Tom.
Esther Urban was on hand to represent sponsor Chim-Scan, a company owned by her and her husband Tom. Although a sponsor she decided against judging and opted to be a "gopher" instead. Crazy woman!
Mike Anderson brings in this main dish entry.
Team Cooking With-Their-Spoons is Mother and daughter Rosie and Torrey Witherspoon. Torrey also played mandolin in the bluegrass band.
Loren Bolkema setting up Team Clueless' awning.
Three generations of Groenendyk's (Team Clueless). I told Ron to smile. He said he was smiling!.
Michelle Shock of Team You People.
Kim and Les Ferguson won 6th at the World Championship in Utah in March.
Ruth Baker prepares her dessert entry.
"Dutch Oven Cupcake" Olivia Hammel lends a hand to Mark Harrington (Team Kingsford Kings).
The dessert table.
Earl Hanes demonstrates the proper way to relax.
Judge Shawn Dettmann and his wife Detra.
Renae Hanes shows off one of her two bread entries.
Tim Kiser and Chuck Frost add the finishing touches to their main dish entry.
Mark Gregoricka and Chance Carr bring in their dessert entry.
Jennifer Hammel talks with Mark Harrington.
Packer Backer Dennis Hammel.
K.C. Lewiston (left) assisted head judge Diane Whitney.
Wanda Anderson competed with her hubby Mike.
Volunteers Meloney and Twilla (granddaughter and grandmother)
Upcoming Programs - Summer Activities for Youth (Mostly!)
To pre-register for any of these programs call 472-4421.
Bear Creek Geodes
FULL
Wednesday, June 30th; 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3rd & above. We’re starting out the summer with one of our most popular programs! Once again we’re heading to Van Buren County to visit Bear Creek in search of Iowa’s State Rock. Geared for 3rd grade and above but those younger are allowed if accompanied by an adult! Bring along a bucket and your lunch and wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Fee: $15.00/child. $5.00 for accompanying parent.
Tadpole Camp
FULL
Thursdays - July 1, 8th & 15th, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
For youth going into 1st & 2nd grade. Celebrate everything that’s fun about the outdoors: walking on logs, searching for frogs and toads, exploring a stream, climbing grape vines! Offered on three consecutive Thursday mornings. You can come each of the Thursday mornings or just one or two. Each week will have different activities. Meets at Jefferson County Park nature center. Fee: $5/morning.
Nature Tots
FULL
Thursday - July 1, 8th & 15th, 1:00—2:30 p.m.
3, 4 & 5 year olds. Hands-on nature exploration for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Each of the three afternoons will be different hands-on activities. Meets at Shelter #2 in Jefferson County Park. Parent/Adult must accompany child. Fee: $2.00/session.
The Ultimate Creek Hike
Tuesday, July 6th; 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
3rd grade & up. Pack your lunch, wear old clothes you don’t mind getting DIRTY and old shoes or boots! We are heading to Mahaska County and the beautiful Cedar Bluffs Natural Area for this Ultimate Creek Hike. Naturalist Pete Eryheralde will lead us on this adventure...and you’ll definitely get your exercise when we have to hike up and out! Departure time from Jefferson County Park is 8:30 a.m. Limited to 18. Fee: $20.00.
Canoe Basic for Beginners.
Wednesday, July 7th; 9:30 - Noon
6th grade & up. For students new to canoeing: An introduction to canoe basics, followed by time in the pond to practice various paddling techniques plus a few fun games to help you develop your skills. Meets at Shelter #3 in Jefferson County Park. Fee: $5.00. Interested parents are welcome to register with their son/daughter at no cost. Limited to 16 participants.
Bugs On Rugs
Tuesday, July 13, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00—2:00 p.m.
1st—5th. Bugs On Rugs is an outreach program from Iowa State University’s Entomology Department. This “insect zoo” is designed to foster an appreciation of insects found in Iowa and throughout the world. Participants will view and interact with live insects and other arthropods. Limit of 24 per session. Fee: $2.00/child.
Skunk River Canoe Paddle
Wednesday, July 14th, 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
6th grade & up. Open to any youth 6th grade and up with paddling experience. We’re planning a leisurely paddle and stop along the way for lunch and a bit of exploration. We’ll put in at Mac Coon Access and take out at the Hwy 34 bridge. Fee: $15.00. Interested parents are welcome to register with their son/daughter at no cost. Limit to 16 participants.
Rocks & Minerals Theme Day
Tuesday, July 20th, 10:00 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.
All ages. (1st grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult). Rocks, and fossils and minerals. Oh My! Participants will rotate through a variety of rock-related activities. Meets at shelter #1 & #2 in the picnic area. Fee: $5.00 per child or $10.00 per family.
Nature Crafts Theme Day
Tuesday, July 27th, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
All ages. (1st grade and younger must be accompanied by an adult). A mixture of crafts utilizing items from nature. Note the extended time period to allow ample time for completion of all the projects. Meets at shelter #1 & #2 in the picnic area. Fee: $5.00 per child or $10.00 per family.
Need more info? Call Therese at 472-4421, or e-mail to therese@jeffersoncountyconservation.com
From the Director's Desk
Campground Improvements. The Jefferson County Conservation Board has updated 9 out of the 24 camping pads in Jefferson County Park. Pads 1 through 9 now have 50 and 30 amp service and also water hook-ups. The pads have also been regraded and re-rocked. The JCCB hopes to update a few more pads next year and eventually have all 24 pads equipped with 50 amp service and water hook ups.
Jefferson County Park Expansion. The Jefferson County Conservation Board recently acquired an additional 26.5 acres of land that increases the size of Jefferson County Park to 227 acres. The land lies directly east of the main entrance road and has frontage on Key Blvd. Eight years ago the JCCB brought 15.5 acres from this same parcel of land. These 42 acres, known as the "Holmes Addition", will be for future park expansion and could be used for a new campground and/or building sites for additional cabins. The land was purchased with REAP funds (Resource Enhancement and Protection). Access to the new property will be from the main park road only. Public access from Key Blvd will not be allowed at this time.
Around the County & Through the Parks... by Ron Meyers
"Have an out-of-car experience. Walk, jog, bike and ski, feel the wind, meet friends, see wildlife and be part of nature. Support trails."
Trail Rides for National Trails Day. The Jefferson County Conservation Board will again make trail rides available for seniors and people with limited mobility who would like the opportunity to experience the trails at Jefferson County Park. The first series of rides will be for "at home" seniors held in conjuntion with National Trails Day which is the first Saturday in June. (Those living at care facilities will be scheduled for other dates) Rides this year will be on Thursday, June 3rd and Friday, June 4th at 9:30, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Times may open up on Saturday if needed. All rides will start at the Jefferson County Park nature center and will last approximately one hour. Pre-registration is required with a fee of $3.00 per person payable on the day of the ride. Call Ron at 472-4421.
Trail Work Through Whitham Woods. Many people have noticed and some have called with concerns about the "digging" in Whitham Woods. Well it does look tore up and messy, but unfortunately most construction has an ugly stage to it and that is what people have been seeing in Whitham Woods. We have been telling people for several years that the Fairfield Loop Trail would connect to Whitham Woods. In fact Whitham Woods not only will be connected by the loop trail, the loop trail goes through it. The construction phase has been stalled because of wet weather so we have been looking at this ugly stage for quite a while now, but it will take shape, the scars will heal. We do appreciate your concern, but please be patient. I really believe that you will enjoy and appreciate this new section of the loop trail when it's completed.
For more information on trails check out the newsletter.
An article, "Trails and Railroads", is here.
Nature Talk... by Therese Cummiskey
Spring Programs.
It's been a busy spring here in Jefferson County Park as the 4th graders continued their wetland studies, the 5th graders enjoyed their annual Pioneer Days and a myriad of other classes visited the park to learn about the wonders of nature. Photos will be uploaded soon.
Need more info? Call Therese at 472-4421, or e-mail to therese@jeffersoncountyconservation.com
See some articles from our newsletter, Naturally Speaking.
