Winter Greetings! When I was a child, I loved winter months. There were special “snow days” to look forward to, spent sledding with my brothers and neighborhood friends; sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows, and hours spent playing board games, card games, and watching old movies. Winter was a time for donning thick woolen socks and mittens, and favorite cuddly sweaters. A time for hanging out and laughing with loved ones, and building snow forts and learning to ice skate. Then, I grew older and began to dread winter’ challenges. Driving on ice and snow in particular makes me a nervous wreck. Planning ahead when a snow storm is forecast, making sure there is enough food in the house and necessary work still gets done is all stress inducing. And then there are those moments where you must conjur the energy and determination to face sub zero temperatures, and help shovel out the long driveway to your house. So many times I’ve viewed winter as a curse and a time for endurance—testing what I am made of. But as I’ve grown used to winter’s physical challenges, my view of winter as a curse is beginning to change yet again. In recent years I’ve begun to re-embrace winter. It is the season for slowing down a bit and evaluating things, planning things, counting blessings and growing hopes and dreams. A time for reading, crafting, making comforting soups and home-made bread. And, I’ve learned to see more in winter, as well. Rather than see snow and ice as obstructions, I now see them as part of a dramatic canvas. Snow and ice provide beautiful backdrops for winter bird watching, or animal tracking. The bottom line is this: winter simply cannot be fought or avoided if you live in the midwest. It must happen. Nature needs winter. The moisture from the snows and ice is needed to sustain plant and animal life. And even the coldness of winter is needed for wildlife to go dormant. All growing things require time to rest. This includes people. Writer Paul Theroux said it best: “Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” So that is how I view it…

my recovery and preparation time. And maybe also, a time for making discoveries. This last weekend, my husband and I seized a gloomy grey winter day to go owling. We had heard through our birders network that a Snowy Owl had appeared in Peoria County. Others reported Short-earred owls hunting in the strip mine lands of Fulton County. So, a jaunting we did go. Unfortunately we saw no owls, but what we saw instead was quite pleasing. Red-tailed, Kestral, Sharp-shinned, and Harrier hawks, numerous Bald Eagles and even a gigantic eagle nest, Turkey Vultures (that should have migrated south by this late date), Trumpeter, Tundra, & Mute Swans, Mallard ducks, Snow Geese, Canada Geese, and Greater White Fronted Geese, to name just a few bird

species. Along the way we were treated to scenes of beautiful rural landscapes, aged barns, sweet-faced cattle, Christmas tree farms, and creeks over-flowing with rushing waters. All pleasant images burned into my brain, and reminders of why I like living in Illiois.

As I write this column, I am seizing a gray and sleety day to look ahead to spring. Using the quiet moments of this winter day, I will plan school programs, spring garden planting, and interpretive points to teach along the Soldwedel nature trail. These winter days are a gift that will help me to more thoroughly prepare for, and savor, the longed for hours of spring.

Julie Lerczak

Program Manager Soldwedel Program Center

News from the Woods The quarterly newsletter of Soldwedel Program Center

Winter 2016 (January – March)

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”

– John Steinbeck

What’s New at Soldwedel ? If you haven’t visited Soldwedel Program Center in awhile, you’ve missed out on some changes. Last summer and fall park staff worked diligently to replace large sections of the entrance walk, and decking that surrounds the Soldwedel facility. Because Soldwedel Program Center is in constant use, these rennovations and repairs will occur in sections, allowing for visitors to continue using the site, rather than closing down entry all together. In addition to deck repairs, visitors to the Soldwedel Nature Trail will see that a large section of hill top at the trail head has been undergoing some restoration. Last year volunteers from Caterpillar Inc. worked with staff to remove invasive species of garlic mustard and bush honey suckle that was overtaking the forest floor. Now this area has been replanted with a large selection of native wildflower seeds and shrubs. These plants will attract a wide variety of butterflies and other pollinators and eventually provide a nice spring walking path where one can view native wildflowers such as trillium, blue bells, Dutchman’s breeches, wild ginger, blood root, asters, and more.

Volunteer friends from PAMBA (Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association) and Powerton Plant, have worked hard to expand the Soldwedel Nature trail, connecting it to the Potawatomi Trail Head in McNaughton Park. This extended trail includes two new foot bridges over forest bottom creeks. It is now possible to park one’s vehicle at Soldwedel Program Center and hike from Soldwedel to McNaughton Park, without cutting through the Rockin’ “P” Riding Stable yard. Also at the entry to the Soldwedel Nature Trail, visitors will see a large area that is being developed as a nature play yard for children in Pre-school through 4

th grade. This outdoor

play space will feature, stumps to jump, a climbing mound (made of recycled tires), a place to play outdoor music on found objects, and an imagination station where children can sort, and play with natural objects and wooden blocks. The nature play yard will be available for use by families with small children, home-school groups, church youth groups and elementary schools.

Soldwedel Program Center is always seeking volunteer assistance with the development and maintenance of it’s gardens and nature trails, as well as with presentation of public programs. If you, or an organization you are affilitated with would like to join us in these good works, contact Julie Lerczak at: jlerczak@pekinparkdistrict.org

Upcoming Events at SPC: Date Night (Daddy/Daughter or Mother/Son) Saturday, February 6, 2016 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Attention Parents! It’s time to get dressed up and bring your little sweethearts (Mothers bring sons, and Fathers bring daughters) to Soldwedel Program Center’s Date Night. Enjoy an evening of games, good food, and memory-making fun. Pizza, soft drinks and sweets provided. $20 per Couple. $4 per additional child. To register, call 309-347-PARK (7275).

Bunny Hop Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 26, 2016 8:00 a.m. to noon. Hop on out to McNaughton Park for our first-ever McNaughton Park Easter Egg Hunt and be sure to enjoy some pancakes and sausage with the Easter Bunny at Soldwedel Program Center. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m. to noon. No pre-registration is required. The fee is $5 per person.

There is no fee to participate in the Easter Egg Hunts, which will be located just off McNaughton Park Road across the road from Lake Zuercher. Egg-hunt sessions for the following age groups are as follows:

2 - 3 year olds: 8:45 a.m. 4 - 5 year olds: 9:15 a.m. 6 - 7 year olds: 9:45 a.m. 8 - 9 year olds: 10:15 a.m. 10 and up: 10:45 a.m.

Easter Break Escape March 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, April 1, 2016 Activities include crafts, games, fieldtrips, nature hikes, and playing outdoors. For children in Kindergarten through 13 years of age. Times: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Fees: $34 per day or $144 for entire camp. Non-Residents add $3 per day. Location: Soldwedel Program Center, McNaughton Park, off Route 98. Call 309-347-PARK (7275) to register.

Winter Time Workshops

for Girl Scouts Winter time is a great time to schedule a special badge workshop for your Girl Scout Troop! Workshops offer engaging development activities that help girls to meet badge-earning criteria. Scout leaders should register for workshops no less than one week prior to the desired date. Badges are to be provided by troop leaders. Fees are just $5.00 per girl, except where otherwise noted. A minimum attendance of 10 girls is required for classes to run. Troops with fewer than 10 may still take classes but must pay the minimum required fee of $50. The following badge workshops are available during the winter months: For Brownies: *Snacks, First Aid Know-How, and *Introduction to Pottery (*Note: The fees for the Snacks and Pottery workshops is $10 per girl to cover the cost of clay and bisque-ware supplies.) For Juniors: First Aid, Timber Tales, Paint Like a Pro, The Science of Happiness, and Let’s Get Cooking (*Note: The fee for the cooking workshop is $10 per girl, to cover food supplies for cooking class. Plus, be sure to check out our all NEW workshop: Playing in the Past (for Juniors) – In this badge workshop girl scouts will play a variety of old fashioned pioneer games, make simple pioneer hanky dolls, making butter, learning some wild edibles, learn to identify tracks of wild animals, have an old fashioned spelling bee, and make pioneer girls caps. The program lasts 2.5 hours and the fee is $5.00 per girl. To register for workshops, or an overnight stay call 309-347-PARK (7275)or e-mail Julie at jlerczak@pekinparkdistrict.org .

Early Bird Registration

Discounts for School Fieldtrips Attention teachers! Are you looking for low-cost environmental programming close to home? Check out Environmental Fieldtrips at Soldwedel Program Center. Workshops are offered to school children in grades Pre-K through 6

th grade from September to November and again in

Spring from March to May. Workshops are just $5.00 per child, but teachers who register for fieldtrips before Monday, February 29, 2016, can receive an early bird discount of $1.00 off per child. Choose from the following workshop offerings:

WILD OR NOT? (Grades Pre K-1) Participants learn about the differences between wild and domesticated animals; compare and contrast natural environments with man-made environments; and consider appropriate interactions between humans and wildlife. Concepts are presented through discussion, a felt-board picture activity, story readings, and a craft activity. NATURE ALL AROUND (GradesK–3) Participants will learn that through careful observation and knowing what clues to look for, one can quickly discover a great diversity of living things. Using our senses, examining clues animals leave behind (tracks, scat, egg shells, bones, cracked seeds & nuts, etc.) and understanding the concept of “habitat” and what they provide will be presented through stories, show and tell items, and hands-on-activities. WHO LIVES HERE? (Grades1–3) Animal homes are diverse in the construction, placement, and use of natural resources. Each is a reflection of the special adaptations wild creatures make in order to survive in their habitats. Participants will become aware of the basic needs of survival (food, shelter, water, and space), and examine how different animals use resources to meet these needs. Discussion, show & tell items, a game on “intrusion” and the need for space, will be used to reinforce concepts. FEASTS, FAMINES, & FOODWEBS (Grades4–7) Examine the relationships between predators and prey; what happens when animal populations explode and crash; what makes animal food sources unstable; and the elements of an ideal balance in these interrelationships. Life cycles, interdependence, and food webs will be presented through stories, displays and several lively games that involve students in role-playing and problem solving. OWL PELLET DISCOVERY (Grades5–8) Who, who, whoo-ever knew that the habits of owls could be learned in examining their pellets? In this class students will have the opportunity to dismantle owl pellets (dry regurgitated leftovers from owl meals) to discover what makes up an owl’s diet, and re- construct the important elements of habitat that contribute to an owl’s survival. INCREDIBLE INSECTS (Grades4–8) Discover the amazing world of insects in this workshop that reviews, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores, special adaptations, metamorphosis, camouflage, and more. Students will go on a scavenger hunt for camouflaged insects, learn the body parts of an insect, engage in an insect craft, and watch a brief but very entertaining Eyewitness video on the world of insects. To register your class for a discounted fieldtrip, contact Julie Lerczak at: jlerczak@pekinparkdistrict.org .

Amazing Hibernators! Have you ever wondered exactly why some animals hibernate in winter and others don’t? Or how their bodies can go into such a deep sleep and survive on little or no food for so many months? Well, animals that hibernate are those that simply can’t find any, or enough, of the special foods they require in their diets. If an animal's main source of food (such as insects or green plants) is scarce or absent in the winter, the animal may solve their problem by hibernating. The deep sleep of hibernation then allows them to conserve energy, and survive the winter with little or no food.

Hibernators prepare for the long winter months, by storing food in the burrows and dens, to eat when they awaken for short periods of time, OR by eating extra food in the fall, storing it as body fat to be used later for energy.

Hibernators possess two kinds of fat: a regular white fat and a special brown fat (called brown adipose tissue). The brown fat forms patches near the animal's brain, heart and lungs. The purpose of this is to provide extra body heat and protection for these vital organs. Brown fat also provides a quick burst of energy to warm these organs first when it is time to wake up.

There are two kinds of hibernators. True Hibernators and Light Sleepers. True hibernators are those that go into such a deep sleep that they can be difficult to awaken. They may even appear to be dead. Their body temperature drops and breathing and heart beat slow down significantly. For example, a hibernating woodchuck's heart rate slows from 80 to 4 beats per minute, and its temperature drops from 98 F to as low as 38 F. If its temperature falls too low, it

will awaken slightly and shiver to warm up a bit. Other examples of true hibernators include the

jumping mouse, little brown bat, the eastern chipmunk, and some species of ground squirrels. There is even a bird that appears to be a true hibernator-- the gray and white poorwill, which is related to the whippoorwill and lives in the mountains of Colorado.

When hibernating animals live in areas that experience mild winter, their hibernation periods may be brief, or not at all. Even when weather is severe, hibernators may still wake up for short periods every few weeks or so, to use their "toilet rooms" and eat if food is available.

Other hibernating animals, such as skunks, raccoons, and some chipmunks, do not experience major changes in temperature, heart rate and breathing., and are considered the light sleepers, easily awakened. They may sleep during the severe weather, but will wake to roam and eat during milder weather conditions. Bears are the largest of hibernating animals. A grizzly or black bear's heart rate may drop from a normal of 40-50 beats per minute down to 8-12,

however, its temperature drops only slightly, thus making it possible for the animal to wake up quickly. Bears are also unique hibernators because they do not eat, drink, or excrete at all while hibernating, which can be as long as six months!

So how do animals know when it is time to hibernate? Hibernating animals have something in their blood called HIT, or Hibernation Inducement Trigger. Recent research suggests that it is some kind of opiate, chemically related to morphine. As days become shorter, the temperature changes, and food becomes scarce, HIT triggers a hibernation response. How and why it happens are still a mystery.

Many other animals hibernate, or become dormant, daily. Tiny warm-blooded animals have huge energy requirements. So, it is difficult for some of them to consume enough food to maintain themselves. To conserve energy, animals such as hummingbirds and little brown bats become dormant for part of each day.

Just as there are places where food and water are scarce in winter, there are also places where resources are scarce in summer. To survive, some animals aestivate ('es-ti-vat). For example, northern ground squirrels spend the summer eating and preparing for winter hibernation, but ground squirrels living in the southwest desert avoid extreme heat by aestivating in their burrows.

Cold-blooded animals like fish, frogs, snakes and turtles have no way to keep warm during winter. Snakes and many other reptiles find shelter in holes or burrows, and spend the winter inactive, or dormant. Water makes a good shelter for many animals. When the weather gets cold, they move to the bottom of lakes and ponds. There, frogs, turtles and fish hide under rocks, logs or fallen leaves, and even bury themselves in the mud, becoming dormant. Frogs and turtles can breathe this by absorbing it through their skin.

Insects look for winter shelter in holes in the ground, under the bark of trees, deep inside rotting logs or in any small crack they can find. Each type of insect has its own life cycle. Different insects spend the winter in different stages of their lives. Many insects spend the winter dormant, or in "diapause”-- a time when growth and development cease. The insect's heartbeat, breathing and temperature drop. Some insects spend the winter as worm-like larvae. Others spend the winter as pupae. Other insects die after laying eggs in the fall. The eggs hatch into new insects in the spring and everything begins all over again. (*Source: “Hibernation- How Animals Survive the Winter” from www.sciencemadesimple.com)

Soldwedel Birthday

Parties & Kits

Soldwedel Program Center offers themed “Birthday Party Packages and kits for children ages 4 to 10. These party kits take the hassle out of party planning by providing a variety of fun activities and decorations. The fee to rent a birthday party kit and use of the Soldwedel lodge for 2 ½ hours is just $80. (This allows for a ½ hour of party prep time, a 1 ½ hour party, followed by ½ an hour of party clean-up.) If instead, you prefer to have a party facilitator decorate, present party activities, and clean-up afterwards, the fee is $105. Up to 20 guests may attend. Party hosts just send out invitations and provide cake and refreshments. Upon registration you will be provided with a copy of the instructions on how to play the party games or lead craft activities. All materials for activities are provided. Themed birthday party choices include: On the Farm. Call Carrie at 309-347-PARK (7275) to book your party today.

A Winter Warm-Up Recipe After your next winter walk or snowman-building session, why not warm up with a cup of home-made Russian Tea! This easy-to-make mix can be stored in a Mason jar, served hot (or cold if you prefer), and makes a wonderful gift to give a friend on a cold winter day. Ingredients:

2cups Tang powdered orange drink 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup instant tea 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients together and store in a container with a tight fitting lid. To serve, add 2 heaping teaspoons per cup of hot water (more or less to taste).

Host Your Own Event at

Soldwedel! For those planning to celebrate a graduation, birthday party, family reunion, baby or bridal shower, Soldwedel Program Center can suit your needs! This beautiful facility is available for rent, and consists of three buildings with showy vaulted pine interiors, and lots of windows to view the prairie habitat, woods and meadows and large stone fireplaces.

The larger of the buildings is the 1700 square foot lodge, which comfortably accommodates up to 40 people, tables, chairs, kitchen with stove, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, dishes, pots, pans, and coffee pot.

Two, 1300 square foot cabins have baseboard heat and can sleep approximately 20 people each. Beds are not provided so bring your own sleeping bags or air mattresses. A large wooden deck encompasses all three facilities. Below the lodge area is a covered sitting place with a fireplace. Outside the facility there is a large fire pit and grassy meadow areas surround the woodlands. Check out available dates on-line at www.pekinparkdistrict.org, then click on Soldwedel Program Center in the left column. To view the facilities and grounds, take a virtual tour as well. Day Use Fees: Lodge $35 per hour Lodge and one cabin $60 per hour Lodge and both cabins $80 per hour The lodge is available for 6 – hour day use for $175. Overnight Fees: Lodge and one cabin $175 Lodge and both cabins $195 *Note: a $100 deposit is required upon reservation for overnight rentals. To rent Soldwedel Program Center, you can download a copy of the rental contract from the park’s website at www.pekinparkdistrict.org . Click on Soldwedel. Fill out the form and e-mail the contract to Carrie at csmith@omnilec.com, mail it to 1701 Court St., Pekin IL 61554, or you may drop it off at the Veterans Memorial Arena, Monday thru Friday 8am to 5pm. Questions? Call Carrie at 309-347-PARK (7275).

Explore & More on

McNaughton Park’s

Potawatomi

Trail!

If you’ve never hiked the hills and trails of McNaughton Park, then you’ve been missing out on some of Pekin’s most incredible scenic beauty. Winter, is a wonderful time to grab your walking stick, family, or friends, and check out McNaughton’s Potawatomi Trail. McNaughton Park is located on approximately 700 acres of woodland and meadows, bordered by Route 98 on the north, Sheridan Road on the South, McNaughton Park Road on the east, and Parkway Drive on the west. The park is home to about 15 species of animals, 80 species of birds, and a wide spectrum of plant life. A large portion of this park is registered as a Land and Water Reserve with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Hiking the designated Potawatomi Trail, is recommend-ed. The trail is approxi-mately 7 miles long. It begins and ends at the Totem Pole, located behind the horse stables. The average hiking time is about 4 hours. This trail is shared by hikers, as well as mountain bikers, and in some places, horse- back riders. Users may discover short cuts or alternate trails used by the mountain bikers and horseback riders. But to keep from

becoming lost, please stay on the main trail (indicated in RED), until you become more familiar with the park. The Potawatomi Trail was originally developed in the summer of 1970 and completed in the spring of 1971, through the combined efforts of John and Betty Yentes, T-P Hikers, Boy Scout Troop 194, and the Pekin Park District. In the early

1990s, Mr. and Mrs. Yentes volunteered as trail guides and helped to maintain the trail. “ “Potawatomi” means “we are making fire.” Potawatomi Indians once lived in the Lick Creek bottoms from 1718 until 1837. The Potawatomi were closely associated with the Ottawa and Chippewa tribes, who called themselves “the three fires.” McNaughton Park also contains two lakes, several teepee shelters, comfort stations, an 18-hole professional Frisbee golf course and a public/private horse stable. Public trail rides are available through the Rockin’ “P” Riding Stables. (Note: Horseback riders from outside the park must first check in and pay fees at the Rockin’ “P” Stables, prior to using the park. All horses are limited to trails indicated with orange markers. Parking is available at several points, including: at the Rockin’ “P” stables, off McNaughton Park Road from Lake Zuercher to the turn around, off Route 98 near the Archery Range, and on Sheridan Road in the parking area south of Lick Creek. Visitors are reminded to secure their vehicles and belongings while parking.

Stop by the Veteran’s Memorial Arena Recreation Office at 1701 Court Street, to pick up a trail map for McNaughton, or print a copy from our website at: www.pekinparkdistrict.org/mcnaughton.html