April 02, 2006

Volunteerism

Yesterday, Doctor Lenny spend a good portion of the day at the Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park, a 1200 acre Douglas County owned park, that was donated to the public by an heirless Mrs. Kanipe. Our current county commissioner (and candidate) Dan Van Slyke has determined that according to the provisions of the terms of donation, he can eliminate the maintenance budget for the place, because they have loggable tree. Of course the terms of the donation expressedly prohibit thins, but y'know a Republican elected official doesn't have to play by any rules that he doesn't recognize as valid. An executive pronouncement is enough to be beyond the law.

So, as Whitman said - Good fences make Good Neighbors - and an adjacent fence into a 10 acre wildlife preserve was being encroached by ranch cows. So Lois Eagleton and Friends of Kanipe (like Micha and Elois and 20 other folks) split into two groups and repaired fence or cleaned up brush around the outbuildings near the old school. Eventually, the ranch will be a rural outdoor museum, catalogging history in Western Oregon. There is equestrian trails, running water and lots of areas to be interested in. Dr. Lenny will be part of the education team - which means GPS cache, disc golf and orienteering will become regular sponsored ranch events.

The next work parties are on the first saturdays of the next two months. During that time, we will set up a fundraising event called learn how to use your own GPS. This will be a fun day of pushing buttons, determining long, lats, waypoints and mapping. It is quite likely that this day will be on horseback for many of the participants. But - it will be a work day, with accomplishements before the fun starts.

Lois said " I love these work parties, because you get to meet the best people, the ones who are willing to give of themselves just because there is a need to get done." Dr. Lenny believes in rewarding the behaviors that we wish to encourage. Let me know if you wish to bRanch Howdt with Friends of Kanipe.


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