DAM PHUNSKI RESCHEDULED - The Dam Phunski Cross Country Ski Race event, to be held on the Reserve, has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 4. With snow once again falling in the Kickapoo Valley, the course should be ready to go. Three different length races will be available for Youth, Junior and Adult classes. A 10K race will begin at Rockton and follow old Highway 131 back down to the dam tower. Two different 5K races will begin at Bridge 14 and head south to the tower. A 1K loop course around the dam tower will be run by the younger participants. Check out the KVR website for details on registration for this fun event.

ICE CAVE HIKE - Join Chuck Hatfield for a hike to view some of the beautiful ice caves located on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. The fun begins at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 4. Wear warm clothes and hiking boots - for more details on this great outdoor adventure, call the Reserve at 608 625-2960.

DRIFTLESS DIALOGUE DISCUSSION - "People of the BIG VOICE", a nationally awarded book featuring photos of the Ho-Chunk people, will be the next Driftless Dialogue program at the Reserve. Join book contributors Tom Jones and Michael Schmudlach as they discuss the newly publicized book, which features the amazing collection of photographer Charles Van Schaick. Van Schaick photographed people of the Ho-Chunk in his studio for over fifty years and the photographs tell a compelling story. The program will be held at the Visitor Center on Wednesday evening, February 15 with socializing and refreshments beginning at 6:30 pm and the program to follow.

FRIENDS Photo Contest Winners! - The winners of the 2011 Friends of the Reserve Photo Contest were named on December 3. Gena Muller's entry, "Winter In The Valley" was the top photo chosen in the Adult category, while "Riverbend", submitted by Andrea Amelse, won the Student category. (In the photo, that's Gena on the left and Andrea on the right.) The Friends of the Reserve would like to thank all photographers who submitted entries in this years contest. 2012 calendars, featuring the top two photos and many others from the contest are now discounted at $5 each, while supplies last, at the KVR Visitor Center. Sales of the calendars are used to support future photo contests.

New FRIENDS Officers Chosen - At the board of directors meeting of the Friends of the Reserve held on December 12, the following officers were chosen for the upcoming year:

President - Brad Steinmetz

Vice-President - Joan Kent

Secretary - Janet Kruk

Treasurer - Fritz Cushing

Other board members are Nancy Foudray, Maureen Hysel and Maggie Lee.

KVR FRIENDS GIFT SHOP - The gift shop at the KVR Visitor Center continues to undergo renovation and expand its selection of items. A number of new items including wine glasses, Kickapoo Coffee combo packs, napkins and other linen items and walking sticks and canes have been added to the choices. Many books on local history are available, including a book on the history of the La Farge Dam Project, recently published by Brad Steinmetz. The book, "People of The Big Voice" is the shop's newest item. Stop at the Reserve's Visitor Center and visit the KVR FRIENDS gift shop for the best selection of gifts in the Kickapoo Valley..