The Board of the Friends of Old Halfway Prairie Schoolhouse held their annual meeting and picnic in May and June. The school was open in the spring for schoolgroups, who were greeted by Cleo Brockmann. She taught them about school in the 1930's, including old songs and some games. Members of the Friends group hosted visitors to the school each Sunday afternoon through Labor Day. If you haven't visited this little gem yet, you'll have to wait till next Memorial Day.

The Friends of Lakeview Woods held two workdays over the summer to spread woodchips on the trails at Lakeview Woods. A vegetative and habitat survey of the woods is being conducted by Applied Ecological Services. Decisions regarding future management will be based on the data collected along with other local considerations. Thank you's to Nelson Eisman and his volunteers, and to Park Ranger Jeff Gregersen for his assistance.

Oscar Mayer READI volunteers continued their burdock control efforts at Token Creek. This is a project they've done over the last few years and the results are really starting to show. READI volunteers at Token Creek are coordinated by READI member Elaine Herritz. READI volunteers also collected seeds at Goodland Park, coordinated by Earl Strutz.

Twenty-three first year UW Law School students collected seeds in the Ice Age Trail Junction Area as part of a school-wide day of community service. Over the

next three years the law students will do more projects like this with the same team. Wayne says they were just wonderful! Thank you also to MAYSA for the use of their shelter and bathrooms.

Employees of US Cellular and the Social Security Administration collected seeds in the Nine Springs E-Way during the United Way Day of Caring in early September. They had a perfect day with gorgeous blue skies. The Day of Caring is the annual kickoff for the Combined Campaign. In all 25 people took time off from work to collect seeds.

Campground Hosts at Babcock, Token Creek, Brigham and Mendota Parks had a wonderful summer. They handled power shortages, a Good Sam "Samboree" with thousands of RV's from around the country, and the usual questions and minor problems. Our thanks to the Schuemans, Abernathy's, Bernhards, Wagners, Berlins, Dammens, Bertschy's, Davies, Rices and Sawyers.

The Bluebird Trails at Walking Iron Park have produced a large number of fledglings. Some breeding pairs laid two and even three clutches of eggs, according to Ann Wick, who runs the trail. She also reports that moving the bluebird houses at Indian Lake to more open habitat has improved results. She is experimenting there with locating pairs of houses together and facing different directions. Bluebird houses are also monitored at Token Creek Park Megan Yost.

1999 "Celebration of Volunteers"

On a windy evening in July about 120 volunteers, staff members and Park Commission members gathered at Lake Farm Park to celebrate the accomplishments of the Adult Conservation Team volunteers over the previous year and a half. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk stopped by to chat with volunteers and to personally thank them for the wonderful work they do. Park Commission Chair Bill Lunney also thanked the volunteers on behalf of the whole Park Commission, and highlighted some of the many successes of the volunteers.

Volunteers were entertained by the "Old Time Country Music" of Bill and Bobbie Malone, playing guitar and mandolin. Many joined in a rousing chorus of "Just Because," which seemed to be a familiar crowd pleaser to many of our guests. Volunteers received a set of note cards with original art by local artist Rachel Fon, who specializes in drawings of wildlife in a pointillist style.

We had many sponsors to thank for contributions of food and door prizes. They are: the Midwest Coca Cola Bottling Co., Stella's Bakery, Breadsmith at the Homestead Shoppes, Copp's Food Stores East and West, Calabash Gifts, Johannsen's Greenhouse & Gifts, Maurie's Candies, Prairie Oak Press and the Madison Civic Center.