CALENDAR

Plan Ahead for these events:

Thursday, September 15:  September general membership meeting.  The program will be presented by Casey Sullivan, LaPorte City Park Director.  The meeting will be 7:30 p.m. at the NIPSCO Training Center on Zigler Road.  Casey will discuss the pass, present and projected future of the LaPorte City Park system.

Friday, October 7:  Deadline for Birdseed Sales.  Call Mary Jo Pflum for more information, 219-324-0649 or e-mail at mjpflum@csinet.net.

Thursday, October 20:  October general membership meeting.  The program will be presented by James Cole, Audubon’s IBA (Important Bird Area) coordinator for the state of Indiana.  The meeting will be 7:30 p.m. at the NIPSCO Training Center on Zigler Road.  Mr. Cole’s topic will be the establishment of IBAs within the state of Indiana.  He will discuss the criteria required for a site to be named an Important Birding Area and explain the process by which the IBA status is assigned.

Friday, October 21:  Fieldtrip led by James Cole, IBA Coordinator for Indiana.  Details to be arranged.  For more information, call 219-324-0649 or e-mail at mjpflum@csinet.net.

Saturday, October 22:  Birdseed sale pickup.  When making your order specify desired pickup site, either Kabelins Hardware in LaPorte or Michigan City.  Audubon members will be available at both sites between 10 AM and noon to assist you with your order.

Sunday, November 6:  Fieldtrip to Jasper-Pulaski Game Preserve to observe sandhill cranes.  Meet at 3:00 at the NIPSCO Training Center to carpool.

Thursday, November 17:  November general membership meeting.  The program will be presented by Steve Winicker.  Steve is the head of the Department of Private Landowner Assistance within the Indiana DNR.  Mr. Winicker works out of the Kankakee State Fish and Wildlife Area.

The Potawatomi Audubon Chapter lost one of its founding fathers this summer.  Lee M. Parsons, 93, of LaPorte, Indiana, died at 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at LaPorte Hospital.  On May 2, 1943, he married Celia C. Wakeman, who survives.  

 Lee had been affiliated with Audubon for 75 years.  He was one of the charter members responsible for establishing the Potawatomi Chapter of the National Audubon Society in LaPorte County in 1983.  Lee was recognized throughout Indiana as one of the most knowledgeable birders in the state.  He and Celia were recipients of the National Audubon Society’s prestigious Dutcher Award in 1997.  He and Celia were also recognized with the Earl Brooks Award in 1992 by the Indiana Audubon Society for contributions to conservation efforts in the state of Indiana.  
 
Lee and Celia operated a grain farm in southern LaPorte County.  He was active in many local organizations.  He was a staunch supporter of the Potawatomi Chapter, having served in all capacities.  He and Celia have contributed many hours over the years to preserve and enhance the natural environment of LaPorte County and promote the Audubon ideals.  Their commitment to the natural world personified the heart and soul of the Audubon cause.   

Our sympathies are with Celia and all of Lee’s family.  He will be sorely missed by all of us associated with the Potawatomi Audubon Chapter.   

Please share sightings with us.  With your permission, we will post some of these pictures on this website.

SIGHTINGS:

Glen Richardson, a member of our local group took this photo of an immature Cooper’s Hawk.  It was taken on December 11, 2004 in the Fairfield Subdivsion which is within the city limits of LaPorte.  Thank you Glen.

Picture taken on Feb. 26 at 2:30 pm using an Olympus digital camera.  Location:  Along the Yellow River just west of Hwy 39 at the Yellow River bridge in Starke Co.   Picture taken by Marie Mareska from southern LaPorte County accompanied by her sister, Donna Shidler, from Indianapolis."

See the Projects Page for updates on bluebird trails, the bird count and the butterfly count.