Season of busy-ness!

Well, I’ve decided to make the leap and actually start using this nifty WordPress site to do what it’s meant to do: blog. With a pinch of luck and a handful of determination, I’ll post all sorts of goings-on with regard to the Black River, our wonderful volunteers, terrific partners, and exciting projects. With the guidance of the awe-inspiring folks at Divergent Technology, I’ll actually do it well enough that visitors like you will be able and inspired to post your own comments! (Having issues posting photos, but I’ll figure it out…with DT’s help!)

That said, we’re looking at a good-sized list of projects coming up, so give a shout if you would like to lend a hand or a suggestion:

1) Removal and storage of the kayak dock at Riverside Middle School ~ probably within the next two weeks. The dock will be re-installed in early spring for the enjoyment of the whole community, for paddling, fishing, crayfish stalking, bird watching, and just plain chilling out.

2) Buttoning up the Japanese knotweed demonstration site. We’ll need to lay out more landscape fabric (which is in my garage at the moment), secure its edges with more stones (which are at the Gurney Brothers gravel pit at the moment), and take some photos. We’ll also need to make some plans for re-vegetating the site with sturdy native weeds and plants, so put your thinking caps on and send me suggestions! Trees are out, as we are close to the road and some power lines.

3) Creating our first ever newsletter! Yes, next year is the BRAT’s tenth anniversary, and I want to celebrate all the fantastic people who have made this group possible. Donors, supporters, volunteers, partners, all of you. One theme I’m thinking of for the inaugural newsletter is “10 Years, 10 Stories” and do a brief interview of ten different folks who have had a big impact on this team’s growth over the past decade. I have a LOT more than ten people in mind, of course!!!! Other themes or suggestions are extremely welcome.

4) Planning next year’s events, including a very special Volunteer Appreciation Potluck Picnic. I’ve a wealth of ideas on this one, and would love to hear suggestions and have a little help in planning and execution.

So give me a shout in e-mail, as I practially live in cyber-space these days! blackrivercleanup@yahoo.com

Thanks so much for your support,
Kelly