The Friends of Lincoln State Park met for the first time in 2010 earlier this month to organize and begin planning for the upcoming year. The annual membership meeting was held at the same time. Bonnie Hohl, Shirley Begle, and Linda Wilkinson were re-elected to two year terms on the board of directors. An election of officers for the board was also held and the current officers were re-elected to their positions: President, Dan Wilkinson; Vice-president, Bonnie Hohl; Secretary, Shirley Begle; and Treasurer, Linda Wilkinson.

   Following the elections, the 2010 budget was presented and discussed. The members present approved $5,000 to support the new nature center which is scheduled to open later this spring. The funds will be used to purchase supplies and materials needed to complete the construction of exhibits and also to purchase a big screen television and surround sound system that will be installed in the nature center for the presentation of special informational programming at the nature center. Also approved in the budget was an additional $3,000 to go toward other park projects in 2010 including the installation of some new trail benches.

   We would like to thank all of our members for their financial support and support of our events and activities not only last year, but since our beginning. It is only due to the support of our members that we are able to provide $8,000 in financial support to projects at Lincoln State Park in 2010. We hope that you will continue to support us through membership dues, volunteer hours, and attendance at our events and activities.

Michael Crews
Interpretive Naturalist

   Lincoln State Park is a diverse habitat for animals and plant life. The environment has undergone many changes over the past 90+ years since the arrival of the Lincoln family and other pioneer settlers to Spencer County. Many plant species are native to the area and have adapted and survived over time. Still others immigrated to the area much like the early pioneer settlers and have brought about change to the surrounding environment.

Good Guy:   Jack in the Pulpit

   Jack in the Pulpit is also known as Indian Turnip and is a herbaceous plant. It is a perennial which can reach 65cm in height (25inches). The plant has basal leaves only, usually two but sometimes just one. Each leaf is divided into three almost equal parts.

The plant produces flowers that are irregular in shape and are up to 8cm long (3 inches). They are green with purple or brown stripes, sometimes brownish. The blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. The spathe (pulpit) is most often green streaked with purple. The spadix (jack) is covered with tiny male and female flowers. The Jack in the Pulpit also produces a cluster of bright red shiny berries.

The Jack in the Pulpit grows mostly in rich moist woods ranging from New Brunswick, Canada south to Florida. They are a common plant found in Lincoln State Park. Populations of the plant were down, but have recovered as a result of efforts to manage the deer population.

Bad Guy:   Tree of Heaven

   Introduced by a Pennsylvania gardener in 1748 and into California by immigrants during the gold rush years, Tree of Heaven, also called stinking sumac, was available commercially by 1840. Widely distributed across the United States, Tree of Heaven can be found in 42 states, from Maine to Florida and west to California. It is an extremely common tree in urban areas where it can cause damage to sewers and structures, but it poses a greater environmental threat because of its invasiveness in cultivated fields and natural habitats.

   A prolific seeder, Tree of Heaven grows vigorously, establishing dense stands that displace native plants. It produces chemicals that kill or prevent other plants from growing in its vicinity. Lincoln State Park has its very own population of Ailanthus deep in the woods on an old homestead and at the Col. Jones Home. The park has tried several control methods, but has not been totally successful yet. The park has partnered with the SICWMA (Southern Indiana Cooperative Weed Management Area) to try and establish the best method for control. The tree is common and exists within the National Park as well as on private land. And yes, you may have some of your own. Foresters are extremely worried about this plant because it is so resilient and difficult to control.

Bonnie Hohl
Friends of LSP Vice-president

   Well folks, here we are in the year 2010 and how many of you made a New Year's resolution to get fit. Like always, it is my resolution each year to get more exercise. They say one of the easiest and cheapest forms of exercise is walking. What greater place to get that exercise than at Lincoln State Park. Not only can you enjoy the great outdoors, but you can also get fit at the same time.

   Just a few years ago my mother, who was 70 at the time, started walking at Lincoln State Park. At the time, I was working part time, walking with a friend in the afternoon, and I had joined a weight loss group to help lose some weight. One day I joined her on her walk. As we walked, we stayed on the main road of the park and walked around the campground, back to the cabins, around the primitive campground, to the boat ramp, and around the Butterfly Picnic Area for a total of about 3 1/2 miles. I was hooked. Why? It was a great cardio workout and walking up and down the hills helped me lose inches and pounds. I also got to enjoy nature through every season. Yes, I even walked at the park in the winter.

   Unfortunately, knee surgery in March of 2009 has kept me from walking at the park, but I have made it my resolution to get back to the park and start walking again. The Friends of LSP hosted the first Honest Abe Trail Run last October and it is my goal to be able to walk that course by October 2010. Of course, I must start from the very beginning and find areas that have little incline and fairly smooth surfaces to build up my muscles.

   Recently, I drove around the park to find where I can start my walking program again. The Lincoln Amphitheater parking lot is the perfect spot for beginners. The lap around the outside perimeter of the parking lot is about 1/4 of a mile. Walk around 4 times and you can walk a mile. It's a smooth, flat surface having recently been paved.

   Once I get my stamina up, I can enjoy my walk back to Weber Lake. The Weber Lake Trail (Trail 6) is easy, taking you along the remnant of the old Troy-Gentryville Road and begins at the rear of the Troy Road Picnic Area . The road is graveled with small rock, easy on the footing. On the way, there are small hills and inclines. Take your time and you'll be there before you know it. There is a dock to walk out onto the lake and a picnic table to sit and rest. The trail takes you around the lake and back to the starting point for a hike of 1.8 miles.

   Join me next month and I'll update you on my progress as I experience new walking paths.

   2010 promises to be another exciting year at Lincoln State Park. Many events and programs will be taking place and many of these activitgies are dependent on volunteers to make them successful. This year we are asking all of our local members to commit to volunteering at least 2 hours at the park. Some event dates are listed in this newsletter and others will be announced in the future. If you are contacted and asked to volunteer, please say "Yes!" However, you don't have to wait for us to contaact you. Send us an e-mail:   info@lspfriends.org, call Dan Wilkinson at (812) 362-7954, or Bonnie Hohl at (812) 937-4934, or call the park office at (812) 937-4710 if you would like to volunteer. See you at the park!

  Last October, the Friends of LSP hosted the first ever Honest Abe Trail Run which consisted of a marathon and 14K Run on the trails of Lincoln State Park. Thanks to the hard work of event organizer, Beau Wendholt, and a host of volunteers the event was a very successful one. Over 80 runners registered for the event, including local runners and some from as far away as Connecticut and Alaska! Following the success of the run, Wendholt plans to organize the event again this year in cooperation with the Friends of Lincoln State Park. The Friends of LSP would like to offer our sincere thanks to Beau for organizing the event and for generously donating $2,000 consisting of the net proceeds from the event.

   This year's run is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, October 10th. Stay tuned for more information or visit the official race website at www.honestabetrailrun.com.