FOC Newsletter, President's Letter, Summer 2022
Greetings Friends!
Hello Friends! Over these past few months, I have been to Connetquot almost daily, and I am amazed at how quickly the seasons change at Connetquot Park Preserve! The light green growth of spring quickly turns into robust greenery shading the understory. What were cool spring breezes only a month ago are turning into the hot humid Long Island weather we know too well! As the warmer weather approaches, a calm falls over the preserve. The peepers are silent again. The bright yellow daffodils are only an Instagram memory. I hope you had a chance to see them in full bloom!
Spring was a very active time for the Friends. We hosted several Earth Day projects, “Fishing with a Friend” and “I Love My Park Day.” We had a lovely Women's History lecture and exhibit and a fantastic Studebaker lecture and car show. Many thanks to the many hands that helped make these events possible!
We put out a call for volunteers interested in history and had a great response. The History Team, as we affectionately refer to them, have spent hundreds of hours learning how to handle old documents and catalog them for proper storage and, ultimately, digitization.
I'm delighted to report that the Friends of Connetquot were awarded a $41,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund's Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to create the Educational Interpretive Center at the Historic Connetquot River State Park Preserve Trout Hatchery. The Interpretive signs will provide historic information about our hatchery and the Club Members that built it, as well as pertinent information such as water conditions, “match the hatch” for fly selection, and a basic “how to” on fly fishing. Our video equipment purchased as part of the LILRC Grant has finally arrived, and we will begin reaching out to those that expressed interest in our Connetquot History video project. Please contact us if you are interested in participating! The construction bidders’ walkthrough for the tin ceiling restoration work was held in May, and I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of the bids.
The summer months bring smaller crowds to the preserve, which permits my mind and soul to find reflective hiking by the river, hearing only the rushing waters and the sounds of waterfowl. House tours and lectures are on summer break, which gives us time to work on creating some really exciting fall programs. Stay connected, and I'll keep you updated on the volunteer opportunities, our Members Only Open House, Women's Fishing Clinic and other programs we are working on. Not on our email list? Let us know!
Wishing you well.
Tight Lines!
Janet
Past President's Letters:
Fall 2023
Summer 2023
Spring 2023
Winter 2023
Fall 2022
Summer 2022
Spring 2022
Winter 2021
Fall 2021
Summer 2021
Spring 2021
Winter 2020
Fall 2020