White Pine Needle, 2019 White Pine Group, Northeast Iowa Sierra Club (Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, Delaware,

Dubuque, & Jackson Counties.) This Needle “prods” us to

“Explore, Enjoy and Protect” the Northeast Iowa Environment.

Volume 39, No. 1] 1/26/19

White Pine Hollow, Luxemburg, Iowa

In this 2019 White Pine Needle:

*EXCOM Election; *White Pine Events Calendar:

*Program/Meetings & Outings; *Other Events;

*2018 Turkey Dinner Fundraiser Report;

*Backbone Cabin Outing: Feb. 8-10, 2019;

*2019 Fundraiser Dinner: Nov. 2, Swiss Valley;

*Membership Report; *Outing reports & photos.

*Project AWARE, River Clean-Up, July 7-12, 2019.

Post events of interest onto your wall, electronic,

or other scheduling calendar. In that regard:

A few 2019 Sierra Club Wilderness Wall and

Engagement Calendars are available: 563-582-2580.

Participatory Camaraderie inspires and motivates

ACTION. As Sierra Club founder John Muir

implored, “The battle we have fought, and are still

fighting . . . is a part of the eternal conflict between

right and wrong, and we cannot expect to see the end

of it.” (January, 1896) Join the ongoing battle.

Needle Publication and Distribution.

Only this full-year Needle and an Autumn Update are

distributed to ALL members via mail and/or email.

Occasional Updates are distributed only by email. If you got

this Needle by mail and are okay with receiving full-color,

email delivery, send an email to raworm@msn.com including

your name and full mailing address including Zip Code.

Dubuque County Energy

District On January 23, 2018, the White Pine Group contributed $100 to support the new Dubuque County Energy District. Its mission is to have the county be 100% sustainable with renewable energy by 2050 and would be the 4th Iowa county to set such a goal. Winneshiek County has had such an energy district for over 10 years. White Pine EXCOM Chair, Charlie Winterwood, represents Sierra Club interests on the District’s Board. This January, the White Pine Group’s financial contribution was renewed.

The Sister Water Project Following the “Sister Water Project” program by Project Volunteer, Brian Gilligan, at the October 23, 2018, White Pine Group program/meeting, the Group EXCOM contributed $50 to the project. On November 3, the Group received the following: “It is with deep, heartfelt gratitude in which we acknowledge White Pine Sierra Club’s gift of $50…. Your sharing with us on this most important Ministry will make it possible for many people to daily receive fresh, clean water. Your gift will touch and enhance a countless number of lives for many years. “We promise to remember you and your intentions….with an abundance of faith, hope, and love as we strive to live in a more peaceful and just world.” “Gratefully, Sr. Cathy Katoski, OSF, President, Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa, USA.” The video we watched documenting the water project was honored with a Lumen Award in September by the National Catholic Development Conference, and can be viewed by visiting www.osfdbq.org/sisterwaterproject. Loras College created the video about the project in 2017. In Tanzania, 1700 pound, concrete tubes with filter rings have been buried to collect clean water at $5264 per ring well, with 202 installed so far as a “hobby” by volunteers. In Honduras, costly pipes ranging up to 16 miles bring water from higher elevation springs. These clean water projects have changed everyone’s life. “No one lives without water.” Donations continue to be accepted. Over $1.2 million has been received.

Kihnzel Pulley Memorial (PAGE 2) A memorial bench at the Mines of Spain is to be installed in memory of Kihnzel Pulley, who was an active participant in the Future Talk Teen Empowerment Program, becoming an Americorps crew leader, via the Multicultural Family Center in Dubuque. For years, Kihnzel spent his summers clearing paths in local parks and helping with neighborhood beautification projects. Dana Livingston, the program director, praised Pulley’s leadership and hard work as a positive role model that earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. Kihnzel passed away this past summer due to an asthma attack at age 20. The October 24, 2018, Dubuque Telegraph-Herald featured Kihnzel as someone who, with his welcoming and inclusive spirit, would befriend anyone, particularly those who felt out of place. His peers have helped create a leadership award in his name for the Future Talk program to now be called the Summer Teen Empowerment Program. The program has an environmental education component that includes outings at Swiss Valley County Park and work at the Mines of Spain. His love of camping and a serious willingness to do the hard work of conservation encouraged the White Pine Group EXCOM to make a $50 contribution to the Mines of Spain memorial bench project. An additional memorial of a tree planting is to occur at Northeast Iowa Community College’s Peosta campus where Pulley was a student when he died. Donations may be mailed to the Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001; or on line at mfcdbq.org. Phone 563-582-3681.

Puzzle Prizes at Eagle Watch During the Bald Eagle Watch on January 19, the White Pine Group exhibit included three jigsaw puzzles for kids or anyone to put together. Young folks who completed a puzzle or two could add their name and phone # to a list for a prize drawing… the prizes being a stuffed toy eagle and a 2019 Cat calendar (sadly realizing cats like to catch birds. Oh, well.)

First 2 names drawn were sisters who live near Chicago: Beth & Lily Miller. The eagle & calendar will be mailed. Wanting someone locally to be a prize winner, 2 more of 14 names were drawn & 2 more eagles will be acquired. Yes… Madison Wilgenbusch lives in Peosta. Jordan Gay lives in East Peoria, IL. This special needs young lady will enjoy a mailed eagle!

Turkey Dinner Fundraiser

Swiss Valley Nature Center

November 3, 2018, Report

Welcome: Donated by White Pine. Displays set-up

Displays included photos from outings.

Program Momentos: “British Isles on the Edge: Waterfalls, Sea Cliffs, Beaches”

Buffet Dinner Dessert tables! Jay Wickham

Thanks to the 62 paid reservations, cash donations, and Sierra Calendar sales, net proceeds from the Fundraiser have come to nearly $1200, with a few calendars still available.. at a $5 New Year discount!! FOOD: Turkeys were roasted by Jane Worm and Charlie Winterwood. Potatoes were donated by Cindy Recker; mashed and cooked by Jane Worm. Desserts (that we know of) were contributed by Cinda Welu, Jan Kirschbaum, Loretta Gray, Jim Fahrion, Troester family, Ann Ernst, Cathy McDermott, and Jane Worm. Dressing was prepared by Kevin Kane. Cranberries by Margaret Ryan and Jane Worm. Cornbread by Linda Schroeder. Rest purchased by Jane Worm and prepared with kitchen help from Carol McClenahan and Linda Schroeder. Cost to White Pine: $200. Set-Up: Dick Worm, Jan Kirschbaum and Jim Fahrion. Clean-Up: Kitchen & storeroom crowded!! THANKS!! To Swiss Valley: $50 donation/environmental usage! Door Prizes: Listed by recipients included 4 Guest Passes to the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, bird feeder, screw driver set, beanie hat, sage, wine with glass, mini-mixer, t-shirt, etc.! THANKS donors.

2019 White Pine Needle: PAGE 3. Long-time Turkey Dinner Fundraiser donor, Ron Myrom, passed away July 25, 2018. Our Group became personally acquainted with Ron when he asked for a presentation about the Sierra Club and the White Pine Group to be given at a community gathering in West Union many, many years ago. It was and he was a loyal contributor almost every year since then. This “In Memory” was posted at this year’s Dinner.

Another environmental friend of the White Pine Group and

Northeast Iowa passed away in 2018:

Howard Higley: Long-time member of (at least) the Sierra

Club, Audubon Society, Mississippi Trails Hiking Club, and

Friends of the Mines of Spain. I first got to know him when I

was looking for a wilderness area for the first backpack trip I

planned to lead totally on my own for Hempstead High School

kids back in 1974 after being introduced to such adventures by

an Iowa Junior Academy of Science backpack trip in 1973 in

Colorado’s Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. His Iowa

Mountaineers background helped him suggest Wyoming’s Jim

Bridger Wilderness in the Wind River Mountains. The

following 24 years of such trips (1975-1999 missing just one

year) are now history! Howard was also an expert about local

areas to explore. He regularly attended our Turkey Dinner

Fundraisers with his extended Higley and Hiking Club families

in tow. Howard would often bring a pumpkin he had decorated.

His recent door prize selection was the Sierra Club cap.

2019 White Pine Calendar Explore, Enjoy, and Protect with White Pine Group

This listing includes White Pine Group

Program/ Meetings and Outings and other

events of Sierra interest. For questions about

details or cancellations, or to RSVP for an

outing, CONTACT Newsletter Editor, Dick

Worm, (H 563-582-2580; C 563-590-2557);

raworm@msn.com); or the outing CONTACT. Program/Meetings are held at the former

parsonage for St. Peter Lutheran Church,

3200 Asbury Rd., Dubuque. The walk-in,

ground-level meeting room is at the back of

the home on the right when entering the

church parking lot. Meet/Greet at 7PM.

Program: 7:15. Adjourn business by 8:45

PM.

OUTINGS: Participants sign a liability

waiver. ---------------------------------------------------------

WINTER:

Jan., Feb., March, 2019. .

***Jan. 29 (Tues): Postponed White Pine

Program/Meeting. (This printed copy will arrive too

late for this meeting, but an emailed update to 203

members and friends and a Facebook notice were

distributed in time.) Program: “The Devil We Know” 88 minute movie is

about PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) that

can get into water and food supplies during or after the

production of Teflon, fire-fighting foam, fabrics, and

food packaging. The Sierra Club has a fact sheet about

the ongoing uses of PFAS chemicals.

(We may go ahead and elect the EXCOM for 2019

at this meeting, as the only “willing” candidates are the

three current members whose 2-year terms are to

expire. Maybe one of the years…. SOON! Lifetimes

are running out!

(3200 Asbury Road, parsonage back door.) 7 PM.

“Things have to fall apart for them to fall

together.” (Dove Dark Chocolate)

2019 White Pine Needle/Event Calendar (PAGE 4)

February 8-10 (Fri-Sun): “Backbone State Park

Cabin Outing.” 4 PM Fri. to Noon Sun. White Pine

Group: Deluxe, 2-story Cabin #11. Cedar-Wapsie Group

(Cedar Rapids) Cabin #12. Each cabin has a Full-kitchen

(refrigerator, electric stove, micro-wave), 2 bathrooms, 1

shower, 2 bedrooms each with a double bed, 2 fold-out futons,

a single bed, and a listed capacity of 11. Share indoor and

outdoor activity and the Sat. evening potluck dinner with

Cedar-Wapsie Group. Snow shoe, x-country ski, hike,

crevice slide, table games and socializing camaraderie.

Besides miles of trails, the park attractions include the

Backbone, Devil’s Oven, Richmond Springs, and a cave. A

nearby eagle’s nest and Bixby Park’s ice cave and Steamboat

Rock at Edgewood are other possible destinations. Treks can

begin from the cabins near the lake.

Each private bedroom for 2, preferably, is $50 for 1 night;

$80 for 2 nights. The cost for open area usage (futon, single

bed, floor, porch) is $20/person for one night; $30/person for 2

nights. First reserved/first served is the reservation policy

for accommodations. A Saturday, day-use fee of $5/person

is charged for non-overnighters. Potluck participation is okay,

but please RSVP. Meet at Cabin #11 by 8:30 AM Saturday

to enjoy a day-outing! RSVP so arrival is expected. Dick

Worm: 563-582-2580 before noon Friday, or Cell 563-590-

2557. Or, MikeWyrick: 319-350-1063. (Deluxe Cabin rental

is $216.) Other cabins MAY be available: Reservations (877-

427-2757) or later by concessionaire booking (563-933-2273).

Overnight participants provide their own towels,

toiletries,bedding/sleeping bag, and mattress pad/cot for floor

space. Hand sanitizer & soap, hand towels, and a night-light

will be provided in the bathrooms, but a head-lamp or

flashlight is helpful. Meals (Fri. night, Sat/Sun breakfasts &

lunches are by personal provision or partial potluck with

sharing) and beverages are of personal provision. Saturday

night’s potluck will be in Cabin 11. The potluck encourages

provision of a main course item, salad, or dessert.

Refrigeration, micro-wave, electric stove, and cupboard space

are available.

For the potluck, silverware, plates, some bowls, small cups,

kitchen sink washing/drying supplies, and additional potluck

tables and chairs are provided. A personal mug/cup is

recommended. Slippers or house shoes are suggested for use

after leaving wet or muddy boots on rugs by the front or back,

lower level door. Only the South Gate into the park is open

in the winter (via Dundee), and via which the cabins are

accessed after a quick right turn to go past the beach.

CONTACT: (raworm@msn.com). Home: 563-582-2580;

Cell: 563-590-2557 for even more outing details by

email or mail and a park map & directions.

***Feb. 26 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting. Program: “Review of 2018 White Pine Group

Outings.” This will review the limited coverage given

on www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup .

Jan. 20: Bald Eagle Watch

Feb. 16-20: Backbone Cabin Outing

March 17: White Pine Hollow Hike

April 28: Bixby Park Outing

April 30: John Muir Home, Dunbar, Scotland.

May 19: Troester Farm Wildflower hike.

June 2: National Trails Day Work/Mines of Spain

June 23: Iowa Chapter prairie hike/Annual Meeting

July 23: Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation Interns

Work on Faraway Farm Invasive brush.

August 25: Autumn Planning Picnic, Faraway Pond

Sept. 15: Motor Mill Woodland hike, Turkey River

Oct. 13: Paint Rock hike, Yellow River State Forest

Nov. 3: Swiss Valley Hike before Turkey Dinner

Nov. 17: Pine Valley Nature Area Bluff hike.

Dec. 15: Whitewater Canyon Winter Sunset.

Sierra Club Former Hempstead High Club

7 PM meet and greet, 7:15 Program. By 8:15 PM.

Business Meeting. 3200 Asbury Rd. (See page 3) March 8-10 (Fri-Sun): “Canoecopia”, Alliant

Energy Center, Madison, WI. (1919 Alliant Energy

Center Way, Madison, WI 53713.) GREAT exhibits,

programs, paddlesport vendors; outfitters/organizations.

Fri. 4-9; Sat. 9-6; Sun. 10-5. $15/day; $25 weekend.

Parking $7/day. Logistics: Wristbands before Feb.

28: 1 day $13; All days $23. I got the 3-day set of

wrist bands but will very likely not go on Sunday.

Give away! Parking $7 or 3-day Pass $19.50.

Outside chance of camping Friday night.

CONTACT: Dick Worm:

563-582-2580; 563-590-2557. raworm@msn.com

www.canoecopia.com or google “Canoecopia 2019”.

Or, www.Rutabaga.com

Project AWARE, 2018, Maquoketa River

2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (Page 5)

March 16 (Sat) OUTING: “Begin Daylight Savings Time

and Springtime Outing” Faraway Farm/Echo Valley

Pond Bonfire Dinner/Snacks 6 PM; Night Hike: Sunset

7:10 PM. Waxing Gibbous Moon (due to a 1:58 PM Moon

Rise.) More Bonfire (S’Mores, Pie Maker pies) ‘til 9 PM.

CONTACT: Dick Worm, 563-582-2580. Location: 3680

Echo Hills Drive, off St. Catherine Road via US 52,

6 miles south of Dubuque. RSVP Snacks provided.

March 20: First Day of Spring. How about a 7:06 AM

sunrise and/or 7:10 PM sunset at Whitewater Canyon’s

sunrise season post, weather permitting? Dick Worm

March, April, May, June ***March 26 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting, Program: “British Isles SCIENCE” including Geology: Marble

Arch Caves Global Geopark (N. Ireland); Dan-yr-Ogof

National Showcaves (Wales) including 3 caves and 250

dinosaurs on the grounds; rock gardens; Loch Ness

museum; National Museum of Scotland and Our Dynamic

Earth in Edinburgh; Glasgow Science Center; Ichthyosaur

fossil in York; mountains of the Isle of Skye and Glencoe’s

Three Sisters. Biology: Pitlochry Fish Ladder; various

Botanical Gardens, and maybe more…..

7 PM, 3200 Asbury Rd., to right near back of the church

parking lot to back door of adjoining house.

March 30 (Sat.) OUTING: “John Deere Preserve” hike.

9 AM. Located on West John Deere Road just north of

Heritage Pond off US 52/IA 3 north of Dubuque. Go about

1.1 mile east to the parking lot on the south side of John

Deere Road. There is a shelter and a toilet up the drive.

The initial trail is a gradual climb. A testimonial from

members who have checked out this new preserve.: “It’s

gorgeous. Wide hiking trails lead to overlooks. We were

surprised that the majority of the trees were oaks.”

CONTACT: Jim Fahrion (563-556-2878) jlfahrion@gmail.com

April 13: “Fayette County Attractions” OUTING

8 AM: Meet at Heritage Pond off IA 3/US 52 just north of

Dubuque. Then, by around 9:30 AM meet at Gilbertson

Conservation Education Center, on the east edge of Elgin on

County Road B67 (south of US 18 at Clermont via W51; or

north on W51 or W55 from IA 56 between Elkader and West

Union.) Major stops will include Dutton’s Cave, Echo Valley

State Park, and Volga River State Recreation Area with a stop for lunch along the way at a local eatery or Bring Your Own.

CONTACT: Charlie Winterwood (563-588-2783)

cwinterwood@yahoo.com .

April 21: Easter and John Muir’s Birthday

April 22: Earth Day in our hands!

April 23 (Tues.) Program/Meeting: Program:

“Introduction to the April 24-28 (Wed –Sun)

Julien Dubuque International Film

Festival.” Julienfilmfest.com The festival brings to downtown Dubuque the

finest in independent features, documentaries,

and short films from across the country and

around the world. Preview film scheduling

logistics and categories. Discover,

HOPEFULLY, environmental examples.

*May 4 (Sat): OUTING Catfish Creek and/or Mines

of Spain Clean-Up. 9 AM: meet at the Catfish

Creek boat launch parking lot near the north end

of Mines of Spain Road (from Julien Dubuque

Drive off Grandview Avenue.) 2 canoes can be

provided or bring your own. RSVP to determine

if additional canoes may be needed. Some

REQUIRED PFD’s can be provided or bring your

own. Wear long legged pants and sturdy shoes in

case shoreline or trail clean-up becomes a useful

option Gloves and insect repellant are strongly

suggested. A mid-morning snack and a beverage

may also be a good idea. Be ready to work in the

spirit of Kihnzel Pulley! Sort Recyclables!

CONTACT: Dick Worm (563-582-2580)

Cell (563-590-2557.) raworm@msn.com

2019 Calendar of Events (Cont.): (Page 6)

*May 18 (Sat): OUTING: “Sunnycrest Manor Goat

Prairie Hike.” Meet: 9:30 AM at the Sunnycrest parking lot.

Sunnycrest Entrance is at 2375 Roosevelt Street, near the

junction with Rhomberg Avenue in Dubuque’s northeast Eagle

Point District. “The goat prairie has been identified by County

Conservation Board Director, Brian Preston, as a unique prairie

with rare plants.” Public access to this prairie is limited. A

Sunnycrest Board Member and White Pine Group treasurer

will provide access and lead this outing:

CONTACT: Mike Muir smmuir99@gmail.com

***May 28 (Tues): White Pine Program/Meeting.

Program: “The 2018 Project AWARE on the Maquoketa

River, July 8-13.” This 16th Annual AWARE began in

Manchester with two nights in Tirrill Park. The first short day

on the river went from below the Whitewater Park to Bailey’s

Ford Park and then included a tour of the Fish Hatchery and

whitewater experiences. A tour of the new dam for Lake Delhi

started the next very busy day of clean-up of debris still

remaining from the 2009 flood and breach of the former dam.

That overnight was on the grounds of the former Lenox

College, now the home of the Delaware County Historical

Society in Hopkinton. Country School building, Milo #7 was

moved to there from the corner of the farm where Dick Worm

lived and from where he attended that school through 4th grade.

He returned the painting of his “hero,” Sir Galahad, to its nail

in the rear right corner of the school house for this overnight

stay. A night at the Pictured Rocks United Methodist Camp

and Retreat Center across the road from Camp Courageous and

the final night at Eden Valley Park rounded out the Project. A

variety of evening programs always add an educational

dimension to every Project AWARE. Our White Pine Group

contributed $150 to this Project due to its location mostly

within our Group’s region.

(7 PM, 3200 Asbury Road, behind home at the right.)

*June 8 (Sat): National Trails Day Service Project (a week

late) at a location yet to be determined. CONTACT Dick

Worm to be put on a list of volunteers to be reached once the

nature and location of the project is determined. 563-582-2580.

www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup and/or a Spring Update

email may also provide project details.

July 7-12: 17th Annual Project AWARE on the Boone

River in Wright and Hamilton counties from Goldfield passing

Eagle Grove and Woolstock before going through Webster

City to reach the Des Moines River. For insight, CONTACT

Dick Worm, who plans to participate in this, his 14th , full

week, Project AWARE. Or, check www.iowaprojectaware.org

(You may have seen a Project AWARE ad during an Iowa

Hawkeye Women’s or Men’s basketball game! Cool!)

August 3 or 4 to August 18: A LOCO Folks

Colorado Trip Offer:

August 3 or 4: Departure depends on whether a Rocky

Mountain Repertory Theater production or two in

Grand Lake is attractively available in August on the

evenings of August 4 and/or 5. That schedule has not

yet been released. If one or two are of interest,

camping along the way (before going up, over, and

through Rocky Mountain National Park) and near

Grand Lake will occur, with a possible day-hike for

acclimatization in or near Rocky Mountain NP or near

Grand Lake.

August 6-8. Creede Repertory Theater productions:

8/6: Camp Marshall Park, National Forest site along

the Rio Grande River; “Pride and Prejudice” 7:30 PM.

8/7: Day hike; “Little Shop of Horrors” 1:30 PM ;

“Ripcord” 7:30 PM.

8/8: Break camp; “Peter and the Star Catcher” 1:30.

Drive to camp: KOA remote site Buena Vista.

August 9-15: Backpack Base Camps and KOA

camping to aid the climbing attempts of three Colorado,

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Fourteeners: Columbia,

Yale, and Princeton in that order.

August 16: Back to Marshall Park near Creede for the

7:30 PM, “Hazardous Materials” opening night

production, completing attendance at all five major

productions.

August 17-18: Drive back to Dubuque in time for the

August 18, 2 PM, Grand Opera House, “Lion King, Jr,”

Participating in only the week set aside for the climbs

arriving via your own transportation is an option.

CONTACT: Dick Worm 563-582-2580

raworm@msn.com. For insight if interested.

August 24 (Sat): White Pine Group Autumn Calendar Planning Potluck/Cook-Out

Picnic” at Dick & Jane Worm’s Echo Valley/Faraway

Farm Pond. Hiking Mississippi River bluff, woodland,

and prairie trails; pond swims, canoeing, fishing; &

camping are options. Meet: 11:30 AM for noon picnic

with a bonfire and charcoal grill available. RSVP.

Autumn Program & Outing suggestions are always

welcome. Location: Down the hill from 3680 Echo

Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA, 52031. Cross cattle guard and

continue straight on down through the metal gate. Off

St. Catherine Road 2 miles from US 52, 6 miles south

of the US 151/61 and US 52 intersection, Dubuque.

CONTACT: 563-582-2580 or 563-590-2557.

SEPTEMBER: ALL members will receive an

Autumn Update Needle, Volume 39, No. 2. Autumn meetings: Sept. 24, Oct. 22. Nov. 26. .

White Pine Needle 2019: Page 7

AUTUMN OCT, NOV, DEC, 2019

Until receiving the Autumn Update, here are a couple of

expected Autumn dates to save on your calendar now:

Oct. 5, Saturday: Outing to tour the homesteads of John

Muir and Aldo Leopold in Wisconsin.

Nov. 2: Fundraiser Dinner. Swiss Valley Nature Center.

Program: Not yet determined. Volunteers Make It Work!

*If you noted the number of times you saw Jane Worm’s

name and the nature of her contributions in the 2018 Turkey

Dinner Report on page 2, there is going to be a NEED for

much more volunteer effort because she is stepping aside for

the biggest share of those duties. If those jobs are to be turned

over to a commercial caterer, the cost will go up and/or the

degree of Group income will go down. Think about how you

might be able to help out: roast and carve a provided turkey,

make the gravy, fix the mashed potato recipe, prepare the sweet

potato dish and the vegetables in the Swiss Valley kitchen,

prepare a cranberry sauce. Some of these duties COULD be

taken care of in a potluck sort of way: simply bring a

vegetable dish; add salads to the menu; obtain and prepare the mashed potato recipe, bring some crackers to go with the apple

juice. Milk has always been provided by a volunteer donor, as

has the dressing. Change menu? Dessert provision has been

no problem as my waist line can attest! Set-up and take down/

clean-up has always been handled efficiently by volunteers.

None of us old timers are getting any younger! Some of us

are concerned about the future of the White Pine Group and its

presence in Northeast Iowa… if it is to be. The Group

COULD be doing much more on behalf of environmental

concerns in our region. But, for a few of us on the EXCOM,

there are only so many hours in a day and lives to live. We do

not BEG for help. None of us were asked to do what we try to

do. We just volunteered.

We have never had much of any regular attendance at our

monthly program/meetings. Providing our own programs

relieves the embarrassment of only four or five in our “crowd”

for a guest presenter. And while providing our own programs

gives us the opportunity to share and organize our experiences,

attendance is still disappointing; but we do not want to cease

all the sharing of our Explore, Enjoy, and Protect experiences.

I was wondering how I was gonna come up with something

to fill this column! Well, that something just rolled off my

hunt and peck finger tips. (Dick Worm, since early 1970’s)

Occasional Updates will be delivered by email only.

www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup will often

have updates, outing photos, & other event details.

For more general and political topics:

www.facebook.com/richardworm35

On the emailed, full-color, newsletter you can zoom in to

enlarge photos for better clarity and detail.

TWO OTHER LOSSES IN OUR REGION

Examples to Emulate

Jerry Neff passed away July 19, 2018, at age 81

due to a brain hemorrhage after nearing recovery from

an earlier ailment that had him in hospice care. From

hospice care in a matter of months to leading exercise

classes five days a week at an independent senior living

facility!

Jerry was not a member of our White Pine Group but

was one of the founding members of the Eagle View

Group in the Quad Cities. Our Group’s direct

association with Jerry dates back to several years when

he and other Quad City Group members would travel to

Backbone State Park to participate overnight in our

Backbone Cabin Outing. Jerry even went down the

crevice slide!

Jerry also joined my Loco Folks backpack trips in

Wyoming’s Bridger Wilderness and in Isle Royale

National Park in Lake Superior. He very reluctantly did

break down and had a roasted marshmallow during the

Isle Royale trip. We were not to tell anyone.

The Quad City Times also reported that Jerry

actively promoted conservation at the local, state, and

national level. He biked to government offices

through-out the Quad cities to talk global warming and

sustainable energy practices, quite recently served as

Chair of the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, and lobbied in

Washington D.C. against commercial logging in

national forests. In fact, Jerry and a companion gave

the program at one of our Turkey Dinner Fundraisers

about the logging issue.

Jerry was instrumental is promoting the Eagle

View’s annual Environmental Film Fest and always

greeted me there with is infectious smile and

encouragement to eat the healthy snacks provided!!

“In 2010, River Action Inc, Davenport, awarded

Jerry an Eddy Award for stewardship. The

environmental nonprofit organization credited him for

installing a permeable driveway at his home, chopping

wood for his stove, and using a push lawnmower

among other accomplishments.” Jerry explored,

enjoyed and protected the planet with travel all over the

world “with great heart and passion.” Emulate.

Tim Mason died September 12, 2018, at age

67. Tim was not directly associated with our Sierra

Group but was an environmental force to be reckoned

with in Northeast Iowa from his life in the McGregor

area. From exposing desecration of Native American

graves in Effigy Mounds National Monument to saving

the Sny Magill trout stream from a Resort project,

Tim’s shanty boat life on the Mississippi River is

remembered as a hero for Driftless Area landscapes.

EXCOM ELECTION BALLOT: Vote for 3. Send to Jane Worm, 3680

Echo Hills Dr., Bellevue, IA 52031 by January 29 (postmarked by Jan. 28,

if possible) or bring the ballot to the Jan. 29 White Pine Group meeting at 7

PM. Include your complete return address on the mailed envelope for

verification of Single or Joint membership. Use or copy this form OR just

mail no more than 3 printed names. Each Joint membership has two votes.

Print Write-ins. Sierra Club requires grassroots elections, rare among

national conservation groups. NE Iowa needs more enviro activists. _____ Charlie Wimterwood

_____ Jim Fahrion

_____ Dick Worm

Write Ins: __________________________________________________

Last year, Jane Worm got appointed to the EXCOM vacancy.

2018 Membership January – December,: (White Pine Grp.)

*Total Adds: 202 Memberships / 233 members.

Total Drops: 239 Memberships / 258 members.

1/23/19: Total: 452 Memberships; 545 Members. Net -37 / -35

*Some Adds are Reinstated Drops who renewed. Thanks!

PLANET EARTH THANKS ALL LONG-TIME & CURRENT MEMBERS.

White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa Sierra Club

“The Needle” Newsletter Editor 2019 Needle

Richard Worm January - August

3680 Echo Hills Dr. Volume 39, #1

Bellevue, IA 52031-9557

2019 Calendar of Program/Meetings & Outings

2019 EXCOM Selection Opportunity

Backbone Cabin Outing, Feb. 8-10, 2019

2019 Fundraiser Dinner, Nov. 2, 2019. Swiss Valley

Mark Your 2019 Scheduling Calendar

EXPLORE ENJOY

PROTECT

White Pine Group, N.E. Iowa

PEXCOM (2018) *Expires Chair: *Charlie Winterwood, 563-588-2783 cwinterwood@yahoo.com Vice Chair: *Jim Fahrion, 563-556-2878 jlfahrion@gmail.com

Member/Newsletter: *Dick Worm, 563-582-2580 raworm@msn.com

Dave Hansen: Masonville, dhansen187@gmail.com

Jane Worm, 563-582-2580 jworm924@msn.com

Appointed:

Fundraiser/Sec: Jane Worm

Treasurer: Mike Muir

Conservation: Gretel Winterwood Publicity: (open)

WEBSITE: www.sierraclub.org/iowa/white-pine-group

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTION

Green Dubuque presents DAR3N

Dubuque Area Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Network

For families, individuals, institutions, and businesses.

No membership fees. www.greendubuque.org

DAR3N (the R is cubed) is a grassroots campaign to inform and

empower the Dubuque community to manage its resources better.

DAR3N’s goals are waste minimization and beneficial diversion

of materials that would otherwise become landfill.

Our White Pine Group in conjunction with Keep Dubuque

County Clean and Green (KDCCG) has stickers to aid the cause.

NOW… Where to stick them?

Sierra Club Membership:

For a New Member brochure contact Dick Worm; or

membership brochures are in the SIERRA magazine; or

go to: www.sierraclub.org.

Membership renewal notices come from the national

headquarters. No $$ from national dues go to Local Groups.

Mailing labels on Sierra Club mailings may include

membership expiration date reminders: 1019 (Oct., 2019).

On magazine labels: J/A19 = final issue July/August, 2019.

S = Single; J = Joint memberships.

“3707” is the Identification Code for our White Pine Group.

A “Wilderness Guardian” membership of at least $10/month

reduces the amount of the Sierra Club, $ seeking, junk mail.

Like us at: www.facebook.com/whitepinegroup

Action: www.sierraclub.org/sierra-club-email/insider

Your membership is vital to carrying out Sierra

Club goals…which are seriously challenged by the

current U.S. Senate & President. Iowa? Not good.