The 2008  annual meeting of the Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve was

held at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, on Oct. 25, at 5 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by President Brad Steinmetz. In attendance

were Chuck Reynolds, Chuck and Peggy Pasker, Butch and Bonnie Sterling,

Carmen and Katie Stout, Fritz Cushing, Chuck Hatfield, Sharon Miessnen,

Barbara Briggs, Brian Turner, Ben Johnston, Carolyn and Brad Steinmetz.

Marcy West, Jack Lee. Gwen Hatfield, Lois Miloncyzk, Rick Milonczyk, Janet

Kruk, Mark Katz, Harry and Sylvia Peterson.

 

Secretary Bonnie Sterling read the minutes from the 2007 annual meeting.

Motion was made by Brian Turner/Carmen Stout to approve the minutes.

 

Brad Steinmetz read the presidentÕs report.

 

The membership of the FriendsÕ currently stands at 112, which is back over

100 for 2008 and includes 32 new members for this year.

 

The FriendsÕ are selling several new items at their display table in the

lobby, including cards featuring watercolor prints of the Reserve drawn by

Bill Mapp, matted photo prints from the 2007 Between Fences photo contest

and our newest item – a stainless steel water bottle. We continue to sell

our three published books, COE appraisal photos, fair-trade coffee,

collector plates and T-shirts.

 

We currently are taking entries in our second photo contest, this one with

the theme, "Wonders of the Kickapoo Valley." This yearÕs photo contest is

sponsored exclusively by FriendsÕ members. There will be voting by the

public during the month of November on the entered photos and the winning

photos will be on display here at the Visitor Center through January.

 

The friendsÕ are currently planning for the participation in La FargeÕs

Small Town Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 6. On that day, we are holding a

Holiday Cookie and Candy Sale, an awards program to announce the winners in

the photo contest, and a performance by "String Ties" in the evening. For

FriendsÕ members renewing their memberships for 2009 that evening, admission

to the String Ties concert will be free.

 

The ReserveÕs Visitor Center served as host site for the SmithsonianÕs

Between Fences exhibit for six weeks in January and February of this year.

We were chosen as one of only six sites in the state to host this traveling

exhibit. The Friends served as host organization of the exhibit and helped

provide additional programming for its stay. This effort was a success as

more than 3,000 people visited the Reserve to see the exhibit or participate

in the run-up activities.

 

In September, the Friends released a third publication on Kickapoo Valley

history, a book titled "Here On the Kickapoo," which featured the writings

of Ralph Nuzum. Chuck Hatfield again shepherded another publishing project

from inception through the final printing. The Friends continue to conduct a

program on our second book (another one of Chuck HatfieldÕs publishing

projects), a reprinting of "The Kickapoo Valley: Gem of Wisconsin" in area

communities. The "Gems" book and the first book published, "The People

Remember," continue to sell well. Chuck is currently working on our fourth

publishing project, a reprinting of the "Kickapoo Pearls," which we hope to

have available to the public in the coming year. Many thanks to Chuck for

all of his work on these publishing projects.

 

The Friends once again helped sponsor a number of events on the Reserve

including the Winter Festival, the Volunteer/Clean-up Day in the spring, the

rendezvous, the Dam Challenge Triathlon and the Fall Trail Ride by the KVR

Horsepower group. FriendsÕ participation in these events included volunteer

efforts as well as monetary contributions.

 

FriendsÕ members continued to maintain and improve the Star Valley Memorial

and Community Garden sites on the Reserve. The Star Valley prairie project

continues and in its fourth year of existence actually looks like a prairie

now. Thanks to Bernice Schroeder and her continuing effort on our gardens as

well as all the other volunteers and KVR staff who help with these areas.

 

The Friends continued to support the educational programs at the Reserve. As

an example, Friends money was used this year to provide stipends for

students taking college-level courses here at the Reserve.

 

The Friends conducted fund-raisers during the year that included the cookie

and candy sale at the Õ07 Small Town Christmas, a brat and hot dog stand at

the Kickapoo Country Fair, the spaghetti supper on the night before the Dam

Challenge and a food stand the day of the Dam Challenge. Thanks to the

efforts of all of our many volunteers on these fund-raisers.

 

The Friends continued to work with various organizations on a variety of

projects, including the publishing grant from the Nuzum Fund of the UW

Foundation, the Wisconsin Humanities Council with the Between Fences

exhibit, the La Crosse Community Foundation with a grant from the Brian and

Karen Rude Fund and a donation from the Vance family for improving

handicapped facilities here at the Reserve.

 

Challenges for our organization in the future will again include harnessing

and utilizing our diverse and talented membership base as active volunteers

for our many projects and events here on the Reserve, improving

communication with our members through newsletters, e-mails and website,

maintaining our level of support for current and future projects and

assisting the Reserve in meeting its mission. In the October issue of the

Reserve Update, Marcy West had some kind words to say about my time as

FriendsÕ president. That time of leadership for me ends at this meeting. It

has been a pleasure to serve as the president of this organization in its

first years of existence. Marcy said that I had a

"never-heard-of-a-project-I-didnÕt like" leadership style. That style might

have been good to get this organization off the ground and running, but

might not be so good in the future. The Friends may have to be more

selective on what they are willing to take on as greater demands are made of

the organization. With everyoneÕs help, we can continue to grow this

organization successfully.

 

Submitted by Brad Steinmetz, President-Friends of the Reserve

 

Treasurer Chuck Reynolds gave the financial report. He reported a balance of

$11,345.17. A motion was made by Carolyn Steinmetz/Mark Katz to accept the

financial report.

 

Brand Steinmetz declined to run for a board position.

 

The nominating committee nominated for the three-year term, Chuck Hatfield,

Patti Knower and Fritz Cushing.

The motion to close nominations and vote by acclamation was made by Katie

Stout/Gwen Hatfield.

Chuck Hatfield talked about the publishing of "The Kickapoo Pearls." He told

about the format and looking for a publisher.

 

The next annual meeting is Oct. 24, 2009.

 

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn, Katie Stout/Chuck Pasker. The

meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m. followed by an appreciation dinner at Organic

Valley.

 

 

Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Sterling, secretary