2011 FRIENDS OF CROWDERS MOUNTAIN, INC. SCHEDULE
June 7, Tuesday – General and Board meeting
October 4, Tuesday – General and Board meeting
January 3, 2012, Tuesday – Annual meeting, elections, and Board meeting
· Following is a schedule of 2011 events in which Friends is participating or supporting (we could use your help with any of the following events). All events take place at Crowders Mountain State Park, unless otherwise noted:
May 14 & 15, Saturday and Sunday – Dave Cone Memorial Campout
July 4, Monday (holiday) – Music Festival & Fireworks, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Linwood Access (our special event)
October 15 – Fall Festival at the Farm, Kings Mountain State Park - exhibiting
November 5, Saturday – Kings Mountain Gateway Trails anniversary – exhibiting
November 12, Saturday – Fur, Fangs, and Feathers Festival - co-sponsoring and participating
December 4, Saturday – Gastonia Christmas Parade - participating
MINUTES OF GENERAL/ BOARD
MEETING, FRIENDS OF CROWDERS MOUNTAIN, INC.
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011
The April 16, 2011, General/Board Meeting of Friends of Crowders Mountain, Inc., was held at Crowders Mountain State Park Visitors Center, 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
President Don Clapp called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M.
BEGINNING BALANCE: $14,972.48
Memberships $ 995.00
Walking stick sale 24.00
Pay Pal .21
Bike Ride* 1,445.00
*($200 from Club included in this amount)
TOTAL: $2,464.21
EXPENSES:
Classroom improvement
(Jane Conolly) $ 200.00
Postmaster Box Rental 70.00
Reimbursement to
Don Clapp for Kings
Mountain City Hall Display: 25.00
Food for Emergency Trainers,
To Larry Hyde 125.00
Walking Sticks
192.00
TOTAL: $612.00
ENDING BALANCE: $16,824.69
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
Don showed an example (8 x 10 photo) of an email service entitled, “mailchimp” which Friends may use for emailing and newsletters. Don explained that it is a very interactive service. The FRIENDS’ emails will also have youtube links with videos.
FRIENDS also plans to have a bimonthly newsletter in near future.
Don stated that because of severely reduced funding at both state and national levels, the Park is in for some difficult times. Trust Funds (such as PARTF and NHTF), as well as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) that have greatly protected our lands in the past are now threatened by such possible funding unavailability. Information about two bills now pending in North Carolina Legislature to reduce funding to PARTF and NHTF, as well as instructive accounts from Bill Ross, Former Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and David M. Pearson, President of FRIENDS of STATE PARKS, INC., were made available to all meeting participants. In addition, Superintendent Larry Hyde had itemized a list of PARTF funded projects at CRMO for perusal.
Larry expanded upon Don’s introduction of the pending legislation that threatens to decrease park funding (giving PARTF about half of what it usually receives). He said that it was time to speak up as private citizens to our respective legislators and support CMSP. Both Boulders and Linwood are here because of such funding. Don interjected that a good web resource for information is: www.landfortomorrow.org. This website shows viewers how these funds specifically help CMSP.
Larry described the need for the monies from FRIENDS for the annual meeting with PARTF. [The FRIENDS Board had voted to allocate $150.00 for food for two days of annual meetings with law enforcement and EMS agencies.] Larry explained that it gets complex because two counties are included in these meetings. The Park would like to offer the participants something when they arrive for the meetings. Whatever the Park offers, including the meals, helps to attract participants and helps to ensure their help for CMSP at later dates. (example: additional Gastonia Police helping at CMSP functions such as the annual Bike Ride). Larry said CMSP could use $35.00 over the initial $125.00 in answer to Don’s question about the amount needed. *Larry also said he could combine the two meetings for one day, having one in A.M., then lunch, and second one in P.M.
*[Don discussed in more detail the need for the $125 plus $35 and then requested Fred to make out a check for this amount.]
There are no vacancies at this time. The seasonals are good through June. Boulders is staffed at 40 hours/week. Larry has requested equal staff from July-December 2011 and Boulders through October and/or November. Larry believes that compared to other agencies, CMSP is doing quite well.
.5 MILE TRAIL MARKERS/CARSONITES (provided by FRIENDS):
All the markers are on the trail. The first batch of decals however, is peeling off. The Eagle Scout is looking into a metal type of replacement for them. These markers are excellent for an injured person who would only have to remember the mile marker number when calling for help. Rita Pasour suggested that when CMSP makes new maps, perhaps this information (mile markers) could also be included; Larry agreed.
SOLAR POWERED PUSH BUTTON CROSSWALKS:
The foundations, begun April 15, were completed as of April 21, 2011. DOT still has to approve the exact system of lights. The entire installation should be concluded soon.
CAMPGROUND TRAIL RE-ROUTE PROJECT:
This trail is about 90 % complete. (There were a couple delays due to unforeseen bridge construction.) The re-route should be functional by early May. Meanwhile, temporary signs will be erected for hikers.
IRON RANGERS:
The iron rangers (cost: $2,000) have been ordered and approved and are due to be installed at Boulders and Linwood by park staff. Don showed us photos of these rangers which will be installed close to the respective offices where there would be a high level of security. He added that we still have to find a way to create informative signs for the public.
CAMPGROUND RENOVATION PROJECT:
Larry described the plans for a renovated campground. The addition of at least two more group campsites, larger than the current ones, the possible addition of two new family campsites, vault toilet buildings with four total toilets per campground, well improvements and the possibility of an amphitheater outside of the group campsite are all items being considered in this renovation project. Larry added that the designer has camped at CMSP and agrees that the backpack experience not be changed.
PARKING LOT EXPANSION:
In conjunction with the campground renovation, the expansion of the current parking lot is being considered. Because CMSP does not want to change the backpacking experience to the campsites, a unique situation exists in the parking lot whereby hikers and campers are both using the same parking area. Larry has suggested that we could have a division of parking: those cars of campers (up to 30) in one spot and those cars of hikers in another spot.
BOARD REPORT:
Vote Results:
$150 for food for two days of annual meetings with law enforcement and EMS agencies;
$350 approved for the Catawba Nation to exhibit as well as performs at FFF Festival;
$50 to reimburse for exhibiting at the KM Business Showcase.
OLD BUSINESS:
Logos:
Don presented the wording on two differing logos to get ideas for choice. He also asked participants to decide whether we should use the wording, FOCM State Park or FOCM, Inc. The Board voted to utilize the former.
[The meeting was suspended to allow time for the very successful event, FUN WITH WILD FOODS, to start on time, as scheduled, at 11:00 A.M., led by Kay Moss and Suzanne Simmons.]
CONTINUATION OF MEETING:
Store Items:
We will be ordering 24 fandex card items @ $6.00 each and will sell them for $11.00 each. Birds, wildflowers, and trees will be their themes. Oval bumper decals with slogan, “Take A Hike” will be ordered, minimum of 250 @ $.50 each. There are be four choices of hiking sticks/canes: those by George Ball, by Warren Colby, by D & D Biddix and those donated by Ben Wilson.
Music Festival:
We will be using the same two groups as last year and will be spending $400.00 for music. We will not provide free food; people may bring their own picnics, and we will sell drinks and baked goods. The festival will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. and, at 8:00 P.M., we will hike up the mountain to view the fireworks from the surrounding area.
NEW BUSINESS:
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING, FRIENDS OF CROWDERS MOUNTAIN, INC., TUESDAY, 1/4/11
The January 4, 2011, General Meeting of Friends of Crowders Mountain, Inc. was held at Crowders Mountain State Park Visitors Center, 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
IN ATTENDANCE: Don Clapp, Josh Clawson, Jane Conolly, Becca Kirlin, Mina Lavendol, Kent Lupton, Marti Morris, Fred Moss, Kay Moss, Rita Pasour, Suzanne Simmons, Ed Veasey, Cherish Wilson
President Don Clapp called the general meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Secretary Mina Lavendol reported that the December 7, 2010, Board Meeting minutes were emailed and sent to all members of FRIENDS. Copies will be emailed/sent to new members; hard copies can also be distributed to interested parties at this meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Fred Moss reported:
BEGINNING BALANCE (12/1/10) $6,842.48
DEPOSITS: MEMBERSHIP: 130.00
DOCTOR FOUNDATION: 8,000.00
TOTAL: $8,130.00
ENDING BALANCE: $14,972.48
Both the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were approved.
PARK REPORT: (from Superintendant Larry Hyde, presented by President Don Clapp):
STAFF: Currently, there is no funding for seasonals from 1/11 to 6/11.
.5 MILE TRAIL
MARKERS/CARSONITES (provided by FRIENDS): All markers are finished and set
for emergency services.
SOLAR POWERED PUSH BUTTON CROSSWALKS: Larry gave an estimate of $10,000 for the crosswalks system without statistical equipment and another $2,000.00 with statistical equipment. The total cost will be between $12,000 to $14,000. The Doctor Foundation has contributed $8,000.00 towards this project. The road crossings under consideration are Rt.161, Bethlehem, Pinnacle, and Sparrow Springs. The state should fund two of these intersections, according to Don; however, Ranger Jane Conolly added that DOT has to justify each intersection for crosswalks. She added that it is up to the State and DOT as to which ones they fund. If we have an option, FRIENDS will fund the top priority crosswalks. Highway 161 is considered as first priority, then Bethlehem as the second one.
CAMPGROUND RENOVATION PROJECT: Jane added that the new trail will not be ready until a bridge is finished on one of the trails. Josh Clawson said that CMSP is waiting for the contractor to arrive and finish construction. All is in place for the contractor. The bridge completion date was first set for before the end of October; now we hope for its completion by the Spring of this year. As soon as this bridge is completed, the rest of the trail can be finished within one month’s time.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS:
Slate:
President: Don Clapp
Vice President: Becca Kirlin
Secretary: Mina Lavendol
Treasurer: Fred Moss
Board Members: Kay Moss, Rita Pasour, Dennis Patterson, Suzanne Simmons
A motion was made to accept this slate and those nominations are closed; it was seconded. The slate was approved and passed.
STATE OF THE FRIENDS REPORT: (By Don Clapp):
Don reported on the progress, plans and activities of FRIENDS for the past year, 2010. He said that the concept of more family-oriented activities has succeeded very well and we shall continue with these activities.
Don thanked the following individuals for their work over the past year:
Mina as Secretary;
Larry as Superintendant of CMSP and helper of FRIENDS;
Chris Lewandowski at the CMSP Visitors Center for all her ideas, extra time and help for FRIENDS;
Verna Neal for her excellent fundraising; she is a go-getter and a big asset to the FRIENDS with all her extra time spent working for FRIENDS.
All the Board Members for the wonderful work they have done and continue to do.
Don added that George Ball and Bob Muhl will no longer serve on the Board. They have been a valuable asset and have made may contributions to the FRIENDS and CMSP over the years.
Don announced that Mike Peters has decided he won’t be able to serve on the Board at this time.
Don spoke about some 2010 funding: $1,000.00 had been donated for FFF festival by Bridgestone Foundation through Firestone. The Gaston County Cyclists had donated the proceeds from last year’s annual Bike Ride to FRIENDS and will donate the proceeds from the upcoming 2011 Bike Ride, April 3. Proceeds from the upcoming 2011, 50 K Trail Run, March 12, will also be donated to FRIENDS.
There have also been signicant changes to FRIENDS’ scheduled meetings. We are decreasing the number of meetings by combining some Board and General meetings. In that way, we can increase the amount of quality time spent at each meeting and keep time spent discussing business to a minimum.
We will have some new store items for sale. 4x6 decals will be for sale and will have the wording: “Get Lost…..at Crowders Mountain State Park”. Fandex nature guides will also be available. Other items for sale will be new hiking sticks supplied by two new, vendors (20% discount to members).
Due to time allotment problems, George Ball can no longer supply the visitor center with his special carved hiking sticks.
There are three special events as part of FRIENDS’ revised schedule:
1. April 16, Saturday: “Fun with Wild Foods”. Kay Moss spoke about this event. She said there is a meeting before the event (10 AM)and then the event will begin at 11 AM. There will be a “show & tell” about wild foods found around the park, Suzanne and Kay will also host a picnic at the end of the event. Larry is checking about the “tasting” part; Kay said she always gives a talk about the safety issues and offers a gourmet approach. There should be no obstacles.
2. May 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday: “Dave Cone Memorial Campout”. Don described Dave Cone as a key person, along with his Dad, in helping advance the establishment of Crowders Mountain State Park. He was a gifted naturalist, photographer and writer. Dave had instituted annual gourmet campouts for the FRIENDS. In memory and in honor of Dave Cone, FRIENDS continues this tradition of an annual campout, albeit not necessarily gourmet!
3. July 4th, Monday (Holiday): Music Festival at the Linwood Access Contact Station followed by viewing fireworks from the top of Crowders.
OLD BUSINESS:
REVISED SCHEDULE:
REMAINDER of meeting schedule for 2011 at CMSP:
June 5, Tuesday: General and Board Meeting;
April 16, Saturday: General and Board Meeting at 10:00 AM;
October 4, Tuesday: General and Board Meeting;
January 3, 2012, Tuesday: Annual Meeting, Elections, and Board Meeting.
SCHEDULE of 2011 events which FRIENDS either supports and/or participates in at CMSP unless otherwise noted:
February or March, TBA: Cultural History of Crowders Mountain: co-hosting;
March 12, Saturday: 50K Trail Run to benefit FRIENDS: providing support;
April 3, Sunday: Gaston County Cyclists bike ride
April 9, Saturday: EARTH DAY at the Schiele Museum: exhibiting; some details:
There will be a parade again this year from Grier Middle School to Schiele
Museum. The Schiele is working with two schools on creating an entire coral
reef for the parade participants. FRIENDS will also participate in this parade. April 10, Sunday: EARTH DAY at Organic Marketplace: exhibiting;
April 16, Saturday: FUN WITH WILD FOODS, Show and Tell, 11 AM: hosting;
May 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday: Dave Cone Memorial Campout;
July 4, Monday (holiday): (small) Music Festival & Fireworks, 5:30 Pm on at
Linwood Access (our special event). Details: up the Mountain at 8:30 pm to
view fireworks. Becca Kirlin asked what the budget would be. We are not
sure yet. Fred has found a group for music. We chose Linwood since it is an
easy hike from there, and transportation is easily accessible for those in need.
October 15: Fall Festival at the Farm, Kings Mountain State Park: exhibiting;
November 12, Saturday: Fur, Fangs, and Feathers Festival: co-sponsoring and
participating;
December 4, Saturday: Gastonia Christmas Parade: participating.
Don asked if there were any questions or comments about the revised schedule. He added that he would have inserts with this new schedule placed in the brochures; Becca offered to help Don with the inserts.
WISH LIST: Don also distributed a prliminary WISH LIST at this meeting. He told attendees to feel free to give it out to any interested parties. Rita Pasour commented on the first item, whether or not the owners of the tracts would indeed accept the amount of money offered. “We won’t know until it is offered” was the answer. Becca asked if we could revise this list according to importance to FRIENDS as well as funding possibility. The answer was that this is a WISH list only. Kay added we should be thinking of more current items needed for FRIENDS, for example, places for the Bike Ride water/food stations.
REIMBURSEMENT FOR STATE FRIENDS MEETING: (January 21-23, 2011): Don and Mina have both declined to accept such reimbursement.
Don asked if there was any other old business to discuss. He added his appreciation for the work that Kay and Fred Moss did in sending out membership letters to many of the old member addresses on file. Kay asked that current members please look over returned envelopes to see if any names are familiar as well as new/ more current addresses.
GRANT WORK: Rita introduced Marti Morris; Marti will be willing and able to help with Grant
work/requests.
LOGO: Cherish Wilson has volunteered to work on the logo, a newsletter, and social networking. Cherish said that
she could write press releases for local papers. She also has links to media and photography.
Rita made a motion that we create a “media and public relations” position for Cherish.
There was no NEW BUSINESS to discuss. Jane thanked all the FRIENDS for being friends this past year.
She also gave a big “thank you” to Don for his role as President of FRIENDS as well as for all his dedication and hard work for CMSP and FRIENDS of CMSP.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.
SUBMITTED BY: Mina Lavendol, Secretary
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