spring’s come to the locust fork river · 2018. 4. 30. · sun’s out, air’s warm and the...
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Sun’s out, air’s warm and the woodsaround the river are stirring with newlife. FLFR naturalist, Zac Napier, has
been walking the woods in search ofintriguing flora and fauna.
Recently, Zac came across anunusual four-leaf trillium, LittleSweet Betsy, not yet in bloom.
Normally, trilliums have three leaves,and the four-leaf one pictured is more
rare than a four-leaf clover! Trilliumsgrow rhizomes underground, then aftersix years the first leaf comes out and
three years later the others appear.
Another warm day, Zac found anot-so-shy Southern coal skink sun-ning itself. It had spent the winterburrowed underground. Coal skinks
shelter under dead leaves, bark androcks. They thrive in forests near
streams and rivers, such as the LocustFork River and its tributaries.
The Official Publication of The Friends of the Locust Fork River April 2018
Coming up soon
April 28, 9:00 - 4:00Easy Canoe TripCleveland, Alabama
FLFR and the BirminghamSierra Club sponsor thisspring paddle under Vicky Wilson’s leadership.Register at FLFR.org. For questions, email:[email protected].
May 28, 9:30 - 2:30Cornelius Falls HikeCleveland, Alabama
This trek to the widestfalls on the Locust ForkRiver includes some rockscrambling and bush-wacking, but it’s worth itto picnic, sun and play inthe falls. Register atFLFR.org. For questions, email:[email protected].
June 16, 8:30 - 3:00Kids’ Day on the RiverA fun-filled, activity-packed day for kids ingrades 2-6 and their fami-lies. More information atFLFR.org. Registrationis required. Register atFLFR.org.
Swann Bridge CleanupSecond Saturdays 9:00 - 12:00We supply equipment. You bring energy andenthusiasm!
Spring’s come to the Locust Fork River
Above, Trillium cuneatum. Below, left and right, Plestiodon anthracinus
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Rosa mine,new joint venture site
The UK companyRegency Mines, PLC,was the owner of a20% interest in theRosa mine. Now thecompany hasannounced that it ismoving forward toacquire the 80% ofthe Rosa mine andwash plant it did notyet own.
Regency Mines isinterested in develop-ing the profitabilityof the Rosa minethrough a joint ven-ture recently signedwith Legacy HillResources, Ltd., a privately owned,UK mining companywith expertise in metallurgical coalprojects.Business addresses:Regency Mines PLC71-91 Aldwych HouseLondon WC2B 4HN
Legacy HillResources, Ltd.380 Lexington Ave.17th FloorNew York NY 10168
ARA River Hero, 2018Stephen Guesman, FLFR President, received the Alabama Rivers Alliance RIVER
HERO award for his lifelong work to protect and defend Alabama’s waterways.River Heroes are those who go above and beyond the average calling to ensure allAlabamians can enjoy clean and healthy waters. Pictured above are Cindy Lowry,ARA President, Stephen Guesman and Sam Howell, FLFR founder emeritus.
Mardis Mill HikeThe newest outing of the FLFR
line-up was St. Patrick’s Day.Starting at Mardis Mill falls and fol-lowing a meandering trail alongGraves Creek, the hikers ended upat the Locust Fork River.
Rushing water, spring wild-flow-ers, cooperative weather, cam-raderie and laughter delighted the22 adults and five children whojoined the hike. One wet-suitedhiker even jumped in the water!
The hike was led by FLFR volun-teers Brian Dean and Jan Brown.
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FLFR ContactsPresident
Stephen [email protected]
205-919-6231Outings Coordinator
Mari [email protected]
205-429-3719Volunteer Coordinator
Chris “Cleve” [email protected]
205-965-8394Kids’ Day on the River
Ginny [email protected]
Education CommitteeDebra Gordon-Helman
[email protected]/Newsletter
Eleanor [email protected]
Join or RenewYour donation constitutes a
membership. To join FLFRor renew your membership
online by credit card orPayPal, go to FLFR.org.
Or mail a check to:
FLFR P.O. Box 638
Cleveland, AL 35049
FLFR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
All contributions to Friends of the Locust
Fork River aretax-deductible and
appreciated!Thank you!
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Mystery Trees?FLFR member Harold Deason was walking his wooded property in Talladega County
when he came across a couple of trees similar to those in the documentary “TheMystery of the Trees.” (See photos below) The documentary, screened late last year atthe Blount County Extension Office, was sponsored by the Extension Office and FLFR.
Farewell, Pat KingPat King, an extraordinary Friend
of the Locust Fork River, passed awayJanuary 11, 2018.
For over 30 years, Pat offered hisland and river access to the paddlingand river-loving community atKing’s Bend on the Locust Fork River.
King’s Bend is where the annualAlabama Cup races begin as well assite of the award-winning annualKids’ Day on the River, which takesplace the third Saturday in June.
FLFR and its members offer sin-cere condolences to the King family.
FLFR’s 2017 numbersFLFR board members started to
quantify results in 2017. We countedvolunteers, participants, outings--what-ever we could address with numbers.We surprised ourselves! Will you bepleasantly surprised as well?
Below are some figures:
~ 2,210 is the number of hoursclocked by volunteers. This numbermay be low because some volunteersdidn’t tally their generosity.
~ 1,044 is the number of participantsat our outings and events. It’s not clearif these are unique individuals orrather, the total of participations.
~85 people volunteered with FLFR.
~ Also, FLFR held 12 outings, 10events and 8 river cleanups.
(We’ll see if 2018’s stats beat these.)
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P.O. Box 638 Cleveland, AL 35049www.FLFR.orgFacebookTwitter @LFofBW
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EVERGREEN-EROur newsletter is printed on recycledpaper withsoy-based ink.
Sho-Nuff Good Marinated Tomatoes & OnionsFrom the pages of
The Locust Fork Yacht Club’s Creek Bankin’ Recipes
1/2 cup red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons sugar1/3 cup olive oil salt and fresh ground pepper4-1/2 teaspoons dried, crushed basil1-1/2 teaspoons dried, crushed tarragon 6 vine-ripe tomatoes, peeled1/4 teaspoon dried, crushed oregano and sliced
2 medium onions, sliced
Combine the first five ingredients in a bowl and whisk until blended for the marinade. Layer half the tomato slices in a non-metal dish. Layer half the onion slices. Sprinkle with half the sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with some marinade. Layer the other tomato and onion slices. Sprinkle with the rest of the sugar and salt and pepper and the rest of the marinade. Cover and chill a few hours in a cooler for the flavors to blend. Serve with your grilled favorites.
FLFR media
Website:www.FLFR.org
Facebook:Friends of theLocust ForkRiver
Twitter:@LFofBW
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