Judy Borke, Schumacher Farm Coordinator

With assistance from the Marcella Schumacher Pendall Trust Fund, The Friends of Schumacher Farm are doing major chimney work to make the wood-burning kitchen cookstove functional. In addition, the 17-year-old furnace will be replaced and an electrical hot water heater installed. Next year visitors will experience the cozy warmth of wood heat and smell freshly baked bread.

Dane County Parks is having the roof re-shingled this spring. The Friends are selecting shingles to re-create the effect of a 1920's roof. Rotted floor joists under the corner of the house will be replaced. Last August, lightning struck and permanently eliminated the well; a new well will be drilled this spring. The 1960's kitchen decor has been removed. After wall repair and wainscoting replacement, final furnishing can be completed. If you know of sources for a pie safe, hoosier and crank-style wall phone, please let me know.

Plans for June and July include a lawn concert, hymn sings, and short plays performed in the farmhouse parlor by high school drama students. The Harvest Fest

has been scheduled for Sunday, September 20. Call the office at 849-4559 for information.

In addition to the heirloom, herb and Native American gardens, this year we will emphasize the restoration of period flower beds and orchards. And we really do need helping hands! Call garden coordinator Allen Holzhueter (238-0546) or Schumacher Farm if you can help in any way.

A big THANK YOU to Mary Tremaine for her generous donation of a slide projector and two carousels!

The Friends' Board of Directors encourages the use of Schumacher Farm and its facilities for public, social and professional use. Contact me at 849-4559 if you would like an unusual setting for an event, or if you have an interest in any aspect of Schumacher Farm's operations. Membership is open to all.

So, Who Are We, Anyway?

Nine Springs Network

The Nine Springs Network is a local group that developed out of a shared interest in and concern for Nine Springs Creek and the springs that feed it. The group wanted to do something that would directly effect the Nine Springs E-Way in a positive way. So, in November of 1997 they agreed to adopt a section of the E-Way along McCoy Rd. between the railroad tracks west of Hwy. 14 and Syene Rd. This highly visible section will get more use in the future, as the Capital City State Bicycle Trail will travel along its southern edge. It's a mixture of wetland, upland and honeysuckle, with some

beautiful oak trees. The Network has conducted several workparties to clear the honeysuckle and one of their members has become certified to treat the stumps. In the future, projects will include pulling wild parsnip, fence removal and wildflower seed scattering.

The Network recently received a grant from the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Fund (with the Friends of Dane County Parks Foundation as their fiscal agent) for an "Information, Education and Advocacy" campaign. Their goal is to publicize the Nine Springs E-Way, promote opportunities there, and inform the public how the E-Way can be protected. They are developing a Web site, brochures and a quarterly newsletter.

The Nine Springs Network consists of people of all ages. They are involved in this work "...for a greater purpose than what they can get out of it...", says volunteer Evy Kullerstrand. She's "tickled" to be working to restore the wildflowers she remembers bringing to her mother when she was a child.

The Nine Springs Network meets every third Monday at All Saints Lutheran Church in Fitchburg, on Chapel Valley Rd., off Hwy. PD at 7:00 p.m. They welcome you to join them.