PRESIDENT'S REPORT
by George Buckingham, President of the Board

The Friends of Crater Lake National Park completed its twelfth year with the Annual Meeting of October 1, 2005. About twenty people showed up for a nice get together. This is far less than earlier meetings. The draw then was the newly renovated Lodge, which was, and is, quite a sight. Still, we had a good meeting and most got a sneak preview of the renovated Science and Learning Center (old Superintendent's residence, House 19). The Center is due to go active next summer. Stay tuned. This is a major milestone in the history and development of Crater Lake National Park. If you want to contribute to this effort and are an Oregon resident, buy a Crater Lake license plate. Only costs $20 more than a regular plate (and it is yours for life) with almost all of that going to the Science and Learning Center endowment. They are very attractive and demonstrate your commitment to the Park.

Our two big projects this summer went quite well. Some 40 garbage bags of exotic plants were pulled and sacked up at Spruce Lake in July. This will be an on-going battle for years to come. The August project weekend was devoted to installing two of the three safety signs the Friends donated to the park. On Sunday we also walked down to Lightning Springs and had a great time rehabilitating backcountry campsites.

Backcountry Campsite Rehabilition.

We are in the process of solidifying our volunteer activities by establishing fixed dates for some activities. Hopefully, this will enable members to plan well ahead and thus increase participation. The new resource management project (exotic plant removal at Spruce Lake) will be the third weekend in July and the annual project weekend is the third weekend in August. Our annual meeting is always the first Saturday in October.

On November 5, 2005 at 10 AM we meet with Interpretive Specialist Pete Peterson at the Steel Information Center for some training on winter desk operation, including operating the cash register. While very helpful, if you can't make this training date, you can still sign up for desk duty. Housing is available. Spending a weekend at Crater Lake in the winter is an experience everyone should have. This is a chance to experience the park as it really is, not the glorious, but atypical summer experience most people remember. The pace is slow, giving everyone a chance to relax, have good long conversations, read, and maybe do a little skiing or snowshoeing if that is your thing. Call Pete at 541-594-3093 to sign up for the training and/or desk duty. We would like to thank outgoing Board members Mike Piehl and Sandie Seifer for their service. And we welcome new Board members Bob Snyder and Bob Marlow. See their biographies elsewhere in this newsletter. Tom Dew and Larry Smith were re-elected to three-year terms. John Salinas, Nona Donahue and Greg Reddell's terms end next year. Larry Wright, Bob Snyder and my terms end in 2007.

In early February, the Board meeting will be devoted to ³visioning². This is a brainstorming session to look at where we are and where we want to be in five years. If you would like to join us, let me know. If you can't make the meeting, we always welcome your input. Drop us a note. The next Board meeting will be November 5, 2005, after the Desk Duty training and any Friend will be welcome to attend.

MEET THE FRIENDS NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Robert Marlow

Hello - I'm Robert Marlow, one of the newly elected board members. I was born and raised in Herrin, Illinois. After attending both grade and high school in Herrin, I attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, receiving a BS in Agriculture (Forestry major). With formal education behind me, I served in the US Army as an artillery officer with a tour of duty in Vietnam. After working several jobs in Southern Illinois upon my Army discharge, I moved to Medford, Oregon, accepting a job as a forester with the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Holding various forestry positions over the years, I retired from civilian federal service with duty in both the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. Since retirement, I stay busy with routine house hold and yard work projects in addition to working part time for Harry and David during the holiday season and for the Grange Coop in the spring and summer. I'm a member of Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society.

About five (5) years ago, along with my grandson, I joined FOCLNP. With a natural resource and land management background, FOCLNP was a natural fit for me to stay connected with the natural world - especially a national park. It also provided an opportunity to provide Branden with an educational basis to experience nature at a young age. Having worked on various park projects (trails, bridges, bear food boxes) we both have a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing that the finished project(s) will be used and enjoyed by all parks visitors along with helping park staff achieve their resource and management goals.

I'll do my best to serve with the other board members to build upon the current framework.

Thank You
Robert L. Marlow

Bob Snyder

I moved to the Oregon coast after retiring from the Miami Florida School system in 1998 with 34 years experience. After moving to Ashland in 2004 I spend as much time as possible at Crater Lake exploring and just marveling at the complexity and beauty of the place.

I found out about the Friends and joined this past summer. I spent the summer volunteering as often as I could, and look forward to volunteering in the Winter as well. I love the Park and am delighted to be part of the Friends of Crater Lake.

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