A very heartfelt thank you to our generous supporters.

Governmental Funders Lake County Lake County Schools Lake County Water Authority

Sustaining Sponsors Eagle Promise Habitat Services Osprey Mt. Dora Community Trust Hawk United Southern Bank Bay & Lake Pharmacies Florida Food Products Kingfisher Dr. Robert W. Ladley, PA John Roberts Realty, Inc.

Grants Charles B and Mary M McLin Found. Educational Foundation of Lake

County LCWA Drop by Drop Mount Dora Community Trust Sarah George Charitable Trust US Fish & Wildlife Service, Partners

for Fish & Wildlife Program

New Members East Lake County Chamber of

Commerce Dorothy Haase & Robert Comotto –

Eustis Susan Hooper – Eustis Taylor Jones – Mt. Dora Kathy & John Parks – Tavares

The Kingfisher

President’s Message ... Joan Bryant

would like to introduce you to our three new board members: Stuart Anderson, Stan Napier and Pat Thomas. Stuart Anderson, Director, is currently teaching

Astronomy at Lake Sumter State College. He was a physics teacher at nine colleges in CA, NY, and FL for 15 years. For ten years Stu worked as a software engineer at NASA in CA and at private firms in CA and NY. He describes himself as an amateur naturalist, bird watcher, and butterfly gardener. Stan Napier, Secretary, has been volunteering at TLNC for many years. He serves as an educator and is also responsible for our critter cams. Stan, along with Bill Bygrave, has produced a video presentation on the fauna of TLNC. Stan holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology & Chemistry and a Master of Science in Aquatic Ecology. He is an inventor of many green products for industry. Pat Thomas, Director, serves as a habitat management and facilities maintenance volunteer at TLNC. Pat did his graduate work in political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before moving to Florida in retirement, he worked for over 27 years in city, county, and community management––managing cities up to 60,000 in size. Pat was also owner and editor of a community newspaper for ten years. I am proud to add these three very knowledgeable people with such diverse backgrounds to our Board of Directors. Their fresh voices will ensure continued sound guidance to TLNC for many years to come. Welcome! Recently we celebrated the lives of two people who were dedicated to the work we do. They will be missed.

Fran Yokel, wife and friend to Bernie Yokel, Director Emeritus. Fran was a dedicated volunteer to TLNC and an ardent supporter.

Fred Michaels, past president and a valuable friend to TLNC.

I

Trout Lake Nature Center Sept.–Nov., ‘15

Exciting Upcoming Fall Events!

National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26: TLNC will be conducting several service activities such as removal of invasive Caesar’s Weed, painting projects, trail mulching and more. Dress to work outdoors, bring gloves, bug spray, sun screen and hat. Please call to let us know if you will be coming for planning purposes.

Springs Video Screening with Bill Belleville, Oct. 9: By invitation only, TLNC will co-host a special screening of Bill Belleville’s upcoming springs video.

Paradise Lost, Oct. 16: University of Florida environmental historian Jack Davis discusses the natural side of Florida’s history. Dr. Davis is the author or editor of several books on Florida. This presentation is funded through the Florida Humanities Council.

Halloweed, Oct. 31: Invasive plants can be as scary as any Halloween creature! Teams compete to map the location of our top invaders—Brazilian pepper, Chinese tallow and air potato. Points are given for the number of locations mapped, number of exotics identified correctly, types of invasives found, and costumes worn. Bring your smart phone and wear a costume, and we’ll supply the apps for mapping and data input.

Halloween Nights, Oct. 31: Join us to learn about some of the scary things found in nature. Dress in a costume, collect some candy, and enjoy crafts and games. This is a fun, educational alternative to trick or treating. Children should be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required.

Rain: A History for Stormy Times with Cynthia Barnett, Nov. 14: Journalist and author Cynthia Barnett presents an engaging natural and cultural tour of rain. We’ll take a look at everything from the first raincoat to the new water ethic in America. This special Saturday afternoon presentation will be in addition to our regular Friday Night Naturalist program. This presentation is funded through the Florida Humanities Council.

Lights in the Woods and Christmas Concert, Dec. 12: There is nothing more magical than a lighted trail through the woods on a Florida winter night. Our trails and buildings will be decorated for the holiday season and music will be playing. Join us for a holiday drink and snacks at this after-hours fundraising event for TLNC. Check the calendar, page 3, for more information.

Advisory Council Members

Skip Babb, Public Defender, retired Virginia Barker, Lake Community

Foundation Fred Hunter, Scrub Habitat Mgr. Chuck Kegley, American Lung Assoc. Peter Kehde, Lake-Sumter State

College, retired Charles Mojock, Lake-Sumter State

College Mike Perry, Lake County Water

Authority Colleen Rotella, consultant, Seminole

County Director, retired Mike Stephens, United Southern Bank

Board of Directors: Officers

President: Joan Bryant Vice President: Jim Rafferty Secretary: Stan Napier Treasurer: Dee Bender

Directors

Stuart Anderson Sharon Hillebrandt Margie LaRoe Morris Pelham JoAnn Ryan Pat Thomas Horace Thompson Director Emeritus Bernie Yokel

Staff

Executive Director: Eileen Tramontana tlnc.director@gmail.com

Program Assistant: Laurie Peterson tlnc.info@gmail.com

Committee Chairs

Finance: Dee Bender Environmental Ed.: Trina Raether Habitat: Jim Thorsen Hospitality/House: Sharon Hillebrandt Maintenance/Safety: Morris Pelham Membership: Nadine Foley Museum: Donna Kelley Newsletter: Margie Sigman Website: Kevin Chandler

Trout Lake Nature Center was established in 1988 by the Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society (OVAS).

Call 352-357-7536 or visit online calendar at www.troutlakenature.org for information on events. .

Environmental Education . . . Trina Raether

“Duck, Duck, Goose” was probably a game you played as a youngster. At TLNC, pre-kindergarten children play “Duck, Duck Armadillo,” to help them learn the names of different Florida animals, as well as how they move and why they move. Each child pretends to be an animal and gets to use that animal’s puppet, so if you are an alligator, you use the alligator puppet. You can have your alligator chomp his jaws and pretend to wiggle through the swamp. And if you are an eagle, your eagle puppet can help you flap your wings as you move through the game. Pretty soon there are jumping frogs, slithering snakes and perhaps a swooping owl vying for a chance to become the armadillo that will choose the next animal to chase. During the game, children move from place to place to find food and water, or shelter and a safe place to raise their babies. And sometimes they move to escape another animal that is trying to eat them. Everyone has a wonderful time playing “Duck, Duck, Armadillo” while learning some important facts about our Florida animals.

TLNC’s mission is to preserve and protect the natural environment and educate the community about its importance.

TLNC Regular Open Hours through Oct. 25: Tuesday–Saturday 9:00 AM–Noon. Closed Sunday and Monday. Other hours are available on request.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID ORLANDO, FL PERMIT NO.

26070

Trout Lake Nature Center 520 E. CR 44 Eustis, FL 32736-2518