FHSP Spring 2013 Newsletter - Friends Of Harmonie State Park

Joining together to protect the place we love...
A newsletter brought to you by the Friends of Harmonie State Park Spring 2013
MISSION
The mission of the Friends
of Harmonie State Park
is to develop, support and
fund projects and events
that help preserve,
restore, manage and
interpret the natural and
cultural heritage and
recreational opportunities
of Harmonie State Park.
BOARD MEMBERS
Ed Knapp II, President
eddie@pioneerplastics.com
Steve Moll, Vice President
stmoll@sit-co.net
Marilyn Hirsch, Treasurer
fmhirsch@gmail.com
Fred Hirsch, Secretary
fmhirsch@gmail.com
CONTACT INFO
Friends of Harmonie State Park
P.O. Box 217
New Harmony, IN 47631
812-682-4821
friendsofharmonie@gmail.com
www.friendsofharmonie.org
Shannon Hoehn, Newsletter
shoehn@gmail.com
Thanks to Old National
Bancorp for helping fund our
FHSP newsletter. It is our most
effective way to communicate
about FHSP. We appreciate
their sponsorship.
After talking with HSP Administration, it was determined that a
shade structure for the Kiddie Pool would be a welcome addition to
the current Harmonie State Park Pool. The FHSP Board brought it
to a vote at a FHSP meeting and the project began gathering steam.
The picture above shows the completed structure for the shelter.
The structure in the image will be covered in fabric similar to the
existing shade structure at the pool. The shelter is 16’ x 32’ long
and will be great for keeping the babies out of the sun!
Thank you to all of the workers that came out to build the shade structure for the Kiddie Pool: David
Donner—our construction manager, Jerry Wheeler, Dave Richter, Steve Taylor, Rick & Sherri Allen,
Robert Robb, David Robb, Eddie Knapp, and Fred, Marilyn, & Michelle Hirsch. After the materials
rebate we received from Menard’s, our out of pocket expense for the shade structure was roughly
$2,200. The FHSP will also be providing funds to purchase paint in order to have some fun new
images painted on the Kiddie Pool surface! Make sure you make room in your summer schedule to
come visit the HSP Pool and check out these great new features! We hope to see you there!
The FHSP are saddened by the passing of one of our founding members and
first Vice President—JC Egli. JC was a fine man and a good friend to all of us.
It was his inspiration to start the Bluebird Trail at Harmonie State Park so we
will be naming it the JC Egli Bluebird Trail in his honor. We are honored his
family chose us as the benefactor of his memorial contributions. We have
received nearly $600 so far in remembrance of JC.
As of May 13 there are 38 boxes with 14 volunteers checking them. A bad
storm killed several of our Bluebird babies—there were 6 nests with dead
babies and 2 nests with live babies and one with 5 eggs. There were over 10
Chickadee nests with 41 live birds and 9 eggs and one Titmouse nest with 4
babies. Only one English Sparrow nest was found and that was near the office.

What is your favorite thing about Harmonie State Park? Is it the
campground? A quiet spot by the river? A favorite trail? Maybe
you just enjoy sitting by the campfire —hanging out with friends,
telling stories and making memories. Whatever it is, we hope
you will consider joining forces with us to make sure future
generations can make those very same memories. We would
like to see the following projects completed this year:
Heating and A/C for the Nature Center $4,000
Bobcat/Otter Mounting/Display at the
Nature Center
American RV Stage improvements, including fire
pits and a sound system — we would like to see
lighting and a roof for the stage in coming years
Multi-use Shelter in the Campground—we hope to
raise the funds to build this by next year
$1,300
$2,000
$15,000
We have accomplished a lot in a very short time but we need your
help to continue what we have started. To date, we have raised
$3,000 for these projects and are very close to having enough
funds to complete the HVAC and Bobcat/Otter Display projects.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us
accomplish these exciting improvements.
Thanks to all our volunteers Trail 2 & Trail 5
got cleaned up on April 20-21 during the
Trail Work Days. Thanks to Walter Kalesia, Rod
Douglas, Glenn Hile, John Hirsch and
Fred & Marilyn Hirsch. Park employees Vince
Morton, JC Crews, Ben Igou, John Gates,
Colin Wasson and Jim Eagan.
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$3,000
$1,000
Please consider making a
tax-deductible donation to help
complete the projects listed and
many, many more!
Make Donations to:
Friends of Harmonie State Park
P.O. Box 217
New Harmony, IN 47631
If you have questions, would like
more information or have a great
project in mind for Harmonie
State Park, please contact us at
812-682-4821 or via email at
friendsofharmonie@gmail.com
We are happy to introduce the American RV Stage!!! We have many great plans
for improvements to it and the amphitheater, but the first phase has been
completed. Special thanks goes to American RV for donating $5,000 to build it.
We truly appreciate the gift and know that this stage will be enjoyed by many
people for years to come! For a complete write-up on the stage, please visit our
website at http://www.friendsofharmonie.org/news/.
We are excited about partnering with American RV for the official American RV
Stage Dedication during Welcome Back Week-end! The American RV Stage
Dedication and Customer Appreciation Campout will take place the week-end of
June 7-8 at the Harmonie State Park Campground. Saturday night the FHSP will
host a BBQ Cookout & Potluck Dinner and there will be live Bluegrass/Country
music on the American RV Stage—including David Donner and the Bluegrass
Creek Old Tyme Music Society, Inc. For more information or to sign-up for the
American RV Customer Appreciation Campout visit the American RV website at
http://arvcustomercorner.com/customer-campouts/customer-appreciationcampouts/harmonie-state-park-june-7-8-2013/.
Please email
friendsofharmonie@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the Potluck!

@ HARMONIE STATE PARK
May 24-26 Memorial Day Week-end
(Live Bands and more!)
June 1-2 Extra Free Fishing Day @ HSP
(no license required)
June 8 Jammin’ on the Wabash &
American RV Stage Dedication
June 15 Johnny Nevada & the Rockets
June 15-16 Trail Work Days**
July 4-6 Trailside Treasure Tromp
July 20 FHSP LUAU
August 10 Star Party (Stargazing Event!)
Sep 28 Wild Turkey Week-end
Oct 12 Harvest Craft Fair in the Park
Oct 26-27 Haunted Harmonie
Tickets:
Adults: $10
Ages 4-10: $5
Under 3 = Free!
Family Saver
Pack: $35
(immediate
family only!)
More Information @ the Trail
Work Days: Please call the
Park Office at 812-682-4821
for details on what to bring to
the Trail Work Days.
Dinner: 4:30-6:30pm
Free Swim: 6:00pm
Friday, July 19
6:30-8pm
Special late swim for
those who have
pre-purchased tickets.
Meal: pork pit, baked beans, potatoes,
corn on the cob, fruit (pineapple & melons),
tea, lemonade and water!
We anticipate another sellout! Tickets
are limited so get yours early! They will be
at the HSP Office, at Rick & Sherri Allen’s
campsite near the Nature Center &
with FHSP members!
Door Prizes Available!!!!
Harmonie State Park is home to 11 miles of
mountain bike trails. The trails are multipurpose,
with cyclists, hikers and trail runners
using them. These trails were started in 2008
and have become a popular destination of
many mountain bike enthusiasts! Currently,
there is a four mile beginner trail and seven
miles of intermediate trails to challenge about
any level of rider. Another two miles of
intermediate trail has already been marked
for construction. Their trailheads are located
in the Sycamore Ridge area of the park.
To find out more about the Hoosier
Mountain Bike Association (HMBA)
and the Evansville Mountain
Bike Association (EMBA) “Like”
their pages on Facebook!
We are excited about the new design for the
Tree Cookie Shelter! This exciting design was
created by Bogusia Dabrowski from the DNR
Engineering Team and features a metal roof
that replicates a Black Oak leaf. The FHSP are
very excited about the opportunity to build
such a unique structure to showcase the
cookie. The Tree Cookie itself is waiting on
nature to take its course and finish drying so
we can do a final sanding and finishing.
The trails were designed and created by the
Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) in
conjunction with the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources. This joint venture is
responsible for HSP getting these trails. Since
its creation three years ago, the Evansville
Mountain Bike Association (EMBA) is
supporting both maintenance and new trail
construction at Harmonie State Park along
with HMBA. Thank you to all that have made
these trails possible!

Become a Member—Join FHSP!
We would like to invite you to join us in an exciting nonprofit
group with the primary goal of supporting Harmonie State Park!
We all love Harmonie State Park and are hoping you feel the
same. If we all join together we can make it a park our children
and grandchildren will use for years to come. We have a lot of
great things planned for our group and are looking for supporters
to make them happen! Please consider joining FHSP and you can
join the campaign to protect this place we love!
Amphitheatre & Stage Projects
Maintenance of Playgrounds
Events/Entertainment @ HSP
Full Hook-up Campsites
Educational Programs/Grants
New Nature Center (one to
rival other park’s—LT Goal)
Improved Bike Trails
HVAC for Nature Center
Multi-use Shelter House
Improvements to Ponds
Walnut Ridge Restoration
Walking/Bike Trail to
New Harmony (LT Goal)
Please consider making a tax deductible donation to support
Friends of Harmonie State Park:
___ $20 Individual
___ $30 Family
___ $100 Friend
___ $250 Patron
___ $500 Benefactor
___ $1000 Harmonist
___ $$ Other
NAME: ______________________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: ______________________________________
PHONE: _____________________________________________
EMAIL: ______________________________________________
AREAS OF INTEREST FOR VOLUNTEERING:
Bluebird Trail
Research/Write Grants
Fundraising
Event Volunteer
Communication/Media
Park Work Days
Project Coordinator
Other:_______________
If you are interested in joining Friends of Harmonie State Park,
please fill our this form and attach the appropriate donation
amount for your desired membership and mail to:
FRIENDS OF HARMONIE STATE PARK
P.O. BOX 217
NEW HARMONY, IN 47631
812-682-4821 (phone)/friendsofharmonie@gmail.com (email)
Visit our website at: www.friendsofharmonie.org
“Like” us on Facebook!
We’ve got some great free gifts with membership/donation!
“Let Nature be your teacher.” ~ William Wordsworth
This year, with the help from the Friends of Harmonie State
Park and possible local grants, Harmonie State Park is offering
two, two-day camps for children entering grades 6-8 in the fall.
Due to the conditions of the grant, this day camp is currently
open only to residents of Posey County. This is the first youth
camp held at Harmonie State Park and the FHSP hope to
continue to grow this program! The camp will focus on native
wildlife and the incredible success stories of the Eastern
Bluebird and the Monarch Butterfly and non-native and
invasive species that are threatening the State Parks in
Indiana, including the Ash Borer and it’s hunger to destroy the
Ash Trees! Campers get to build their own Bluebird Box to take
home and monitor in their own backyard and will participate in
the removal of non-native plants from HSP! The FHSP look
forward to a successful first year and are committed to continue
to bring more educational programs to Harmonie State Park!
The FHSP would like to thank
members Rick & Sherri Allen for
organizing the Smoked Chicken
Sale and to Danny Wilson from
the Hawg ‘N Sauce Grilling Team
for helping them smoke all of
those yummy chickens! Our
profit from this fundraiser was
$1,522—this will help fund our
next project—HVAC in the Nature
Center! Great things happen
when we work together!
The FHSP would like to thank
Stan and Becky Egli from
Peckenpaughs Garden Center
in Evansville, IN for donating
some of the beautiful flowers
and plants you see at
Harmonie State Park. We
appreciate their dedication to
protecting, maintaining and
improving this place we love.
Check out the latest FHSP t-shirts!
The full-color logo looks great on khaki
colored t-shirts! Check out our website and
visit our booth at HSP events and be the
first of your friends to get a FHSP t-shirt!
Send us an email or message us on
Facebook to get yours! T-shirts are only
$12 for S-XL and $15 for XXL and larger.
We will be offering gifts to our donors this year as a small token of
thanks for lending FHSP your support! Donations of $99 and under
will get a FHSP window decal; donations of $100—$499 will receive
a FHSP window decal and a FHSP t-shirt; and donations of $500 or
more will receive a FHSP window decal, a FHSP t-shirt, AND
an annual park pass to HSP!