Chimney Swift Tower
The Chimney Swift Tower is finished! It took two work days to get it set up but with a bit of initiative and hard work, the Chimney Swifts have a safe place to breed in the Spring. Thank you to Harry Goosen who put the foundation in and to those helping to set it up and and get it finished: Missy Zimmerschied, Marge Lumpe, Ryan Steffens, Andrea Goldstrom, Roxanne Stockdall, Bobby Duckworth, Tom Stockdall with check-ins from Rita Brown, Ruth and Gerald Schlomer. The tower is located in Cole Camp at the park across from the high school's practice fields.  Drive by and check it out.
Native Garden Completed
It is said, "Many hands make light work."  That was certainly the case when many hands showed up to remove and replant the garden at Ezekial Williams Park in Cole Camp.  In just a couple hours, all the old plants and dirt were gone and new dirt and plants are in and ready to grow.  Thanks to everyone who helped, including Roy Wagner from the City of Cole Camp.  Roy took the time on his Saturday to bring us the dirt.  It will be exciting to see the beautiful native plants that will be growing here in the Spring.
How To Help Monarch Butterflies?
Bring Them Inside!
By Roxanne Stockdall

As long as you have milkweed available to you, you can bring them in, feed them and watch them transform. I use quart size canning jars, bigger is better but quart will work. Do not use anything smaller unless you move the caterpillar to a larger one before it needs to change. I use netting/mesh over the opening and a canning ring to secure it. Each morning you need to remove any uneaten leaves and grass. Furnish fresh milkweed leaves. May need to add more if it's a big eater. I place a stick in the jar although none have ever used it to make their chrysalis from. Keep them out of direct sun. Depending on the size of caterpillar you bring in, it will be a few days to 2 weeks before it will stop eating and head to the top. It will adhere it's bottom to the curvature of the jar or the mesh, hang upside down, making a J form. Then, usually within 24 hours it's a chrysalis! After 1-2 weeks the chrysalis turns black and you know, you soon have an adult butterfly emerges. It will hang upside down while their wings spread out and dry. Then, you can release him or her.
New Website Features Time-Keeping Tools
Have you been to our NEW website? Have you logged in and checked out the Volunteer Opportunities and the Advanced Training options?  Have you recorded your time? It is very easy to keep records and never miss anything that the chapter or other organizations are doing or offering.
Thank you to Jerry Barnabee for creating this efficient and easy website. If you need help, there are tutorials on the website.  Or, contact Jerry for more help.