"Samara" owner named Outstanding Hoosier Preservationist

Dr. John Christian of West Lafayette, owner of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house called "Samara" in West Lafayette, yesterday received the annual Outstanding Hoosier Preservationist Award, presented by the Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA).

The presentation was made by DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr., Indiana State Historic Preservation Officer; and Dr. James A. Glass, director of the DHPA. The award was presented to Christian at Samara during a tour of the residence that was being conducted for Benton County High School interior design students.

The award, which has been presented since 1999, recognizes local Hoosier advocates of historic preservation and their work. It is the highest honor given by the Indiana State Historic Preservation Office.

Christian and his wife, Catherine, who died in 1986, met Wright in1950, and soon after received his consent to be their architect. In January 1955, Wright presented the Christians with his design for their home, which Wright named "Samara," meaning "winged seed." 

The Christians cared for their home with the respect and honor due any great work of art. Repairs were made with strict adherence to Wright's design and when they could, the Christians added elements of the original design, including furnishings that they could not afford as a young married couple.
 
The owner has devoted his retirement years to ensuring that the home will be cared for well into the future. Recognizing that he is the steward of one of Indiana's greatest architectural landmarks, he has shared the story of Wright and Samara with any interested. He has generously given his time and knowledge to make the home available to preservationists, architects, students, and Wright enthusiasts from around the state and nation.

Past recipients include: J. Reid Williamson, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana president for more than 30 years, and Jon Smith, former director of the DHPA, both in 2006; former Indiana first lady Judy O'Bannon, for her national and state preservation leadership for over 30 years, 2005; Bill and Gayle Cook for their support and dedication to the preservation of the West Baden Springs Hotel, 2001; Ann Windle of Madison, who helped develop Historic Madison, Inc., into one of the premier local preservation groups in the country, 2000;  and John Oxian, president of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, 1999. 

The Indiana DNR has passed a temporary rule establishing an experimental 2008 February Canada goose hunting season in selected areas in an attempt to control the population of breeding Canada geese in and around urban areas of the state.

Counties where geese can be hunted during that season, which runs Feb. 1-15, include Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.

According to Adam Phelps, Indiana DNR waterfowl biologist, populations of breeding Canada geese in Indiana appear to have leveled off during the past few years at about 125,000. The DNR's target population for reducing human-geese conflicts in urban areas is 80,000.

"We chose February because it's when geese are most likely to leave cities and towns," Phelps said. "Urban ponds are most likely to be frozen in February, and grass is most likely to be covered with snow.

"These two conditions may force urban geese into agricultural fields outside of town to feed, where it is usually safe and legal - in season - to hunt them."

Indiana has used a September season on locally breeding geese for many years. The new "late" season gives wildlife managers another tool to manage local goose populations, and gives waterfowl hunters more days afield.

The bag limit for the experimental season is five Canada geese per day, with a possession limit of 10, same as for the September season. Shooting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

The same regulations and restrictions that apply during the September season apply during the February season. In addition to a valid hunting license, signed Indiana waterfowl stamp (unless exempt), a federal duck stamp, and an HIP (Harvest Information Program) number, a free permit is also required. Free permits are available at (812) 334-3795, goosehuntingpermit@dnr.in.gov, or any state Fish and Wildlife Area, field office, or reservoir during regular January hours.

Hunters must check all geese harvested at a check station. Geese must have the head, a fully feathered wing, and reproductive parts still attached when the bird is checked. Check station staff will age and sex each bird, and will remove and keep the head of all adult birds checked. These heads are measured to determine whether each bird is a Canadian migrant or a local breeder.

This process is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether more locally breeding geese are being harvested than Canadian-breeding ("migrant") geese.
Data collected during the season will be used to determine whether the late season will continue to occur in future years. Even if Indiana's season meets federal guidelines, the season may be closed in future years if local Canada goose populations are sufficiently reduced.

This temporary rule also establishes a one-year Feb. 1 to March 31 season for the lesser snow goose and Ross's goose. The HIP number and federal duck stamp are not required to take a lesser snow goose or a Ross's goose.

The DNR director has exclusive authority to adopt temporary rules regarding such issues. Such rules are valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed by the director for an additional period not to exceed one year. 

Ring in the holiday season with the folks at Salamonie Interpretive Center during their open house, Dec. 16, 1 to 5 p.m.

Attractions include music, a live reindeer and talk about reindeer, Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, and refreshments. Visitors are invited to bring a gift for the Interpretive Center wildlife or operation. The first 50 families to drop by will receive a gift.

"Volunteers from our seniors and bird-watching groups will make holiday treats and we'll have live holiday music," said Marvin McNew, director of Upper Wabash Interpretive Services. "The center will be decorated inside and out, and visitors often bring cleaning or office supplies, bird food and suet cakes as gifts for the center."

Visitors may want to pick up gifts for others while at the center's Otter Run Tradin' Post's 10 percent-off sale. From 2 to 4 p.m. during that event, kids can make and take "magic reindeer food," get their picture printed with Santa and his reindeer, and enjoy the live music. The "All about Reindeer" program is at 3 p.m.

The center is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. This barrier-free building features exhibits, floor-to-ceiling windows in the wildlife viewing area, and staff to answer your questions. The center is located in Lost Bridge West Recreation Area on Highway 105 in western Huntington County.

If it's second nature for you to blaze the state's trails in vehicles, on horseback or afoot - or you know someone who fits that description - DNR director Rob Carter wants to hear from you.

The DNR seeks six people with this type of passion to fill open positions on the 16-member Indiana Trails Advisory Board. These volunteers, who are expected to serve a three-year term, must be involved with a trails-oriented organization that represents one of the following trails-user groups:

• Environmental Groups
• Mountain Bikers
• Sportsmen and Sportswomen
• Trail Support Groups
• Users With Disabilities
• Hikers

Not only does the TAB advise the DNR director on trails-related issues, the board's existence meets a federal eligibility requirement that allows the state to receive funding from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The fund source is a yearly portion of federal taxes on gasoline purchased by off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles. The state uses these funds to acquire and develop multi-use trails for both motorized and non-motorized use.

Nominations and letters of support indicating why a nominee best represents a particular trails-interest group will be accepted by the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation until Jan. 11, 2008.

To receive a nomination form or learn more about the board, please see the TAB Web site, www.in.gov/dnr/tab/.  Interested parties can also obtain the form and additional information by contacting Dale Brier at (317) 232-4072, dbrier@dnr.in.gov; or by mail or in person at DNR Outdoor Recreation, 402 W. Washington St. Room W271, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2782.

"January observations can be almost as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold.  There is time not only to see who has done what, but to speculate why".
                                                                                                -Aldo Leopold
Winter has long been a special time for nature lovers. Just as summertime nature study need not end for us as the sun goes down, or discontinue due to seasonal changes, we now eagerly look forward to another time. Like January for Leopold, we wonder at the signs and ask, among other things, is the "risk" worth it? That is, for the opossum or any other animal to venture out of a den for food during this frigid time may mean survival; if caught by a storm before getting back, it can also mean extreme exposure, sickness, death?

Our bookshelves at the Nature Center contain several field guides and handbooks that help us understand winter and nature's (sometimes merciless) response: winter botany, trails, tracks and signs, winter birds, snow and ice, winds, storms, blizzards, etc.  You'd be surprised how many animals and birds are active now as temperatures plummet and ice crystals form.  And another Brown County State Park Winter Hike is planned for us to enjoy the great winter outdoors!

On Saturday, January 19, 2008 beginning at 9am, one of two hiking routes can be chosen by all hikers, Friends, park visitors, lodge guests and local residents.  Beginning at the Nature Center, the "Southern Loop Hike" takes all walkers along a closed park road past breathtaking Hohen point, into Strahl Valley then around Lake Strahl. Return to the Nature Center via Trail #6.  It is 3.5 miles in length. At the Lake Strahl Shelter, local Boy Scout Troop 190 will prepare "s'mores" for a welcomed hiker snack.  Hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available from the Abe Martin Lodge.  The scouts can also offer first aid, (blister pads, sunscreen, etc.), doggie snacks and helpful hiking tips. Donations accepted.

Another hike route is the "Woodland Hike".  It starts at the park's Recreation Building, proceeds through Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve (Trail #5), around Lake Ogle (Trail #7), and return; it is 2.75 miles in length.  At the Lake Strahl shelter, there'll be more scouts, s'mores and hot drinks. Hikers from years past have commented it's a nice treat to be greeted by warm refreshments offered by happy scouts.  Fires will warm hikers at both lake shelter houses.  Drivers are available at both shelter houses to return any hiker who does not wish to complete the hike.  

Along both routes, DNR interpreters will greet hikers with winter wildlife facts.
Get a warm, hearty start to the Winter Hike with "Breakfast with the Naturalists" at the Abe Martin Lodge dining room, 7 am. Nature Center staff will visit with hikers over breakfast before heading out. Following the hike, a "Hiker's Buffet" will be served in the dining room starting at 11am til 2pm. Both costs are $8.99/meal. As in past years, a Craft Fair with local crafts will be held in the upstairs lobby at the Abe Martin Lodge, 9am-5pm.

The Winter Hike is another opportunity for the park to partner with the Brown County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  More information is available on a link to their website at browncountywinterhike.com   A small user fee of $1/hiker is charged, plus gate fee or annual pass. Children under five years, free.  

The Friends will again sell the Winter Hike patch and accompanying year chevron for collectors at the Abe Martin Lodge starting at 11am.  For a great day outdoors, enjoying friends, food and nature, mark it down now on your new 2008 calendar:  "Winter Hike, 9am", and we'll see you there.