FOHI News, Voluntary service

Three weeks, three milestones

Black-Throated Green Warbler enjoys the newly cleaned water garden

Week One

FOHI work week. See Julie Seifert’s second story from summer 2011 for more great work by our dedicated volunteers. Behind the scenes during the past three weeks, FOHI volunteers with good humor and smiles kept on top of the daily cleaning and cooking chores and whatever else needed doing.

Week Two, Milestone One

Joy of Birding. Despite three days of rain and unusually cold weather, 60 campers succumbed to the Hog Island spirit, Chef Janii’s food, and the boundless teachings and knowledge of Scott Weidensaul, Pete Dunne, Peter Vickery, Chris Lewey, Jerry Skinner, and Stephen Kress.

What could provide a more joyous ending to the Joy of Birding than FOHI presenting a check to Steve Kress for $50,000 in support of the operations of Hog Island for FY 11. This was the first of FOHI’s annual commitment checks, in itself a milestone since FOHI only received it’s tax exempt 501(c(3) status on February 17, 2011.

Steve Kress receives $50,000 from FOHI president Juanita Roushdy

Week Three, Milestone Two

Field Ornithology. Another brilliantly successful session, particularly so because the sun shone each day except the last!

But what really made it special was Janii’s oven failing during one breakfast and a group of campers led by Linda Ford responding to FOHI asking at breakfast if anyone had a Wolfe or Viking stove connection.

In less than 8 hours, Linda and her group raised more than $4,700 for the “Adopt a Muffin” Project for Janii’s stove from campers and FOHI volunteers. What a way to end a session – bonded in a common cause and achieving another milestone. Donations tagged for the stove are still coming in on FOHI’s website!

Elle McGee, a camper, responded to the wish list by ordering a VitaMix blender. We expect her donation any day now.

Milestone Three

One of FOHI’s goals is to gather, document, preserve,  and exhibit all historical materials of the Hog Island Audubon Camp.  Our very own Jay Collier agreed to take on this responsibility and chair the Historical Committee. He is our online publisher and posted all the items under “Legacy” on the site.

He has already started making an inventory of materials moved from Hog Island to a working spot on Keene Neck Road. More on this project will follow in another article.

The lesson - 1938
The lesson - 1938 (from the FOHI archives)

Stay tuned as the summer progresses, more sessions occur, and our capital and endowment campaign move into full swing.

Thanks to our volunteers

A special thank you to all the FOHI volunteers and the instructors whose dedication and passion breathe life into Hog Island and to the campers’ enthusiasm and smiles that make it all worth while.

FOHI Opening (May 25-28)

Volunteers

  • Phyllis Coelho
  • Eric Eichorn
  • Gaye & Robert Phillips
  • Juanita Roushdy
  • Julie Seifert
  • Lynn Stroud
  • Loretta Victor
  • Helen Walsh

Seabird Conservation (May 29-June 3)

Volunteers

  • Steve Berkowitz
  • Mary LaCreta
  • Gaye & Robert Phillips
  • Juanita Roushdy
  • Julie Seifert

Instructors

  • Stephen Kress
  • Kevin McGowan
  • Richard Podolsky
  • Pete Salmansohn
  • Sue Schubel
  • Iain Stenhouse
  • Jeff Wells

FOHI Workweek (June 5-10)

Volunteers

  • Steve Berkowitz
  • Mary Bennett
  • Bill Carpenter
  • Phillyis Coelho
  • Kira Ellsworth
  • Libby Hyatt
  • Monika Kirtland
  • Mary LaCreta
  • Martha & Hollis McBride
  • Kerry Rosenthal
  • Juanita Roushdy
  • Julie Seifert
  • Lynn Stroud
  • Steve Schellenger
  • Norm Stoltenberg
  • Helen Walsh
  • Emily Westcott

Joy of Birding (June 12-17)

Volunteers

  • Steve Berkowitz
  • Kira Ellsworth
  • Maddie Lesser
  • Juanita Roushdy
  • Amy Weidensaul

Instructors

  • Stephen Kress
  • Pete Dunne
  • Chris Lewey
  • Jerry Skinner
  • Peter Vickery
  • Scott Weidensaul

Field Ornithology & Teens (June 19-24)

Volunteers

  • June Austin
  • Charlotte Brown
  • Beth Bullock
  • Kira Ellsworth
  • Juanita Roushdy
  • Barbara Tucker
  • Donna Yorkston
  • George Yorkston

Instructors

  • Stephen Kress
  • Lang Elliott
  • Kenn Kaufman
  • Kim Kaufman
  • Sara Morris
  • Scott Weidensaul
  • Laurie McLaughlin – Teens
  • Doug Wentzel – Teens

Turnover Days

  • Jancie Olson
  • Kendra Marchii
  • Elsie Morse

FOHI Volunteer Coordinator

  • Sue Schubel