DEDICATED TO THE RESTORATION OF THE MAJESTIC AMERICAN Chestnut Tree THE CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION Volume. 2 No. 6 January 1998 Newsletter News In March 1995, ‘Barney’ President’s Message Barnhart published the first Chestnut Tree Outgoing President Ann Leffel. Incoming President Al Eelman. My for the Chapter and initiated a column Working for the newly reorganized membership in the PA Chapter of the called “The Chestnut Stump.” He climbed Pennsylvania Chapter of The American TACF has been an exciting and rewarding onto the stump and appealed for a Chestnut Foundation (PA-TACF) for the experience for me as I am sure it has been takeover. He was 75 at the time. Well, last three years has been one of the most for all of you. It has been an honor and a almost three years later ‘Barney and wife challenging and rewarding experiences privilege for me to have been selected as Charlotte have been replaced as editor, of my life. We started as a group of your president. layout, typist, printer, producers of interested people at the TACF Annual My education mailing labels, sorters and mailers. Health Meeting in October 1994. We have was in the technical problems have prevented them from grown into an active chapter with 362 fields of manufacturing. I continuing in the active production of the members. We have a strong extension worked for many years as newsletter. What a fantastic job they have program to bring the American chestnut a railroad supervisor on done! The membership has been kept well story and mission to Pennsylvanians and Penn Central and Conrail informed of Chapter activities. nearby out-of-state as well (calls actually lines. I presently operate my own business came from Alaska and Germany!). as a Mfg. Rep. selling equipment to RRs Thanks and best wishes for good health We have had significant media and Highway Departments. Charlotte and Barney! coverage, and have developed an An article in the Philadelphia ongoing breeding program — all of Inquirer led me to join TACF two years It is the good fortune of the which has been done by active ago, and the wonderful people that I have Chapter to have Warren H. Lauder from volunteers. met while working with this chapter has Kennett Square as the new editor, Dave increased my enthusiasm. Armstrong of Hanover to prepare the copy It has been a My interest in American for printing, and Ron Stanley of privilege to serve chestnuts comes from a longtime love for Clearville to prepare labels and to mail. my two terms as American history, and especially for the Ron has also taken on the responsibilities president. story of the pioneers and those who helped of Membership Coordinator formerly carve a nation out of the wilderness. carried by Charlotte Barnhart. The I thank each and As in the past, our goal and biggest Barnharts have generously agreed to every one of you for the opportunity, for challenge is to continue backcrossing provide for the printing by The News your cooperation and support, and for breeding efforts, and recruit new Printing Company. The logistics are your friendship. members. If you wish to take part in any complicated, but hopefully the Chestnut I look forward to continued involvement of these programs, please contact me. I Tree will continue to arrive on time. in as many ways as possible. look forward to working with all of you. This newsletter is your voice in Sincerely, Ann Al the organization as well as your source of information. If you care to climb on the stump and let go, be our guest. Send your contributions to Warren Lauder, 405 What’s in this issue Fall meetings - pg. 4 Pierre Drive Kennett Square, PA, 19348. Newly elected board - pg. 2 Who’s Who - pg. 5 The next deadline for items is March 1. TACF annual meeting - pg. 3 Boy Scouts help - pg. 6 Origins of chestnuts - pg. 4 Regional breeding program - pg. 7 Chestnut Tree 2 January 1998 The Pennsylvania Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation Board Members 1999 Blair Carbaugh, Montour Co. 1999 Phil Gruszka, Chester Co. 1999 Chandis Klinger, Snyder Co. 1998 William Peifer, Ohio 1998 Rich Polini, Berks Co. 1998 Tom Pugel, Bucks Co. Officers Al Eelman, President, Chester Co. 610-358-1077 610-358-9308 fax Dan Heacock, Vice President, Perry Co. 717-957-2733 717-232-5300 work 717-232-1885 fax Bob Summersgill, Secretary, New Jersey 908-647-5864 Tracey Coulter, Treasurer, Cumberland Co. 717-486-8935 Committee Coordinators PA TACF Executive Board of Offisers. Former and new officers pose during their meeting at the home of History, Bill Lord, Ann and Bob Leffel. Back row, left to right are: William Peifer, Tom Pugel, Bob Summersgill, Tracey Coulter 412-793-0255 PA Farm Show Exhibit, Dan Heacock, and Al Eelman. Front row: Chandis Klinger, Phil Gruszka and Dan Heacock. 717-957-2733 717-232-5300 work Newly Elected Executive Board Meets 717-232-1885 fax dinner and a planning districts, i.e., NW, NCentral, NE, SW, Membership, Ron Stanley session. We met and ate SCentral, SE, as a way to encourage 814-784-3652 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 participation and to increase membership. Education, Mary Stanley 814-784-3652 p.m. There was no Currently have 14 Area Coordinators Tree Location and Identification, scarcity of ideas. As the serving 30 counties and 362 members Blair Carbaugh chapter grows and word spread all over the state. For Finances: 717-275-7848 Grants, Larry Patchel of the chestnut restoration Preparing a budget and tracking in-kind 412-824-5019 project spreads, so the contributions of our members will be Tree Breeding Program, Bob Leffel needs grow for better tackled in 1998. Up to now, most operating 717-927-9557 717-927-8410 fax communication, expenses have been covered as in-kind Communications, Ann Leffel education, record contributions of our members, and other 717-927-9557 keeping, financing, and expenses have been approved by the board 717-927-8410 fax Fund Raising Auction, Chandis Klinger planning. Many on an individual basis. The budget will 717-837-0457 suggestions were offered identify spending needs and priorities in Newsletter, Editor, Warren Lauder for investigation, advance. The bylaws grant the Executive 610-388-6944 consideration, or Board power to commit necessary funds to Newsletter, Print Preparation, Dave Armstrong 717-632-8669 Printing, News Printing Co., H.A. Barney Barnhart 814-224- initiation. For education implement projects adopted by the 2271 and public relations: membership. Tracking in-kind donations Newsletter Mailing, Ron Stanley additional displays for will also give prospective donors and 814-784-3652 The Chestnut Tree is published four times a year by The Pennsylvania environmental education grantors a clear idea of our total operating Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation. Printing is donated by centers, schools, special expenses and the willingness of members News Printing Co., Inc. of Claysburg, PA. (Thank You!) Founded in events, etc.; incorporate to support its mission. F o r r e c o r d 1983, TACF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its sole goal is to restore the American chestnut through co-operative research and a our educational materials keeping: a breeding program is only good scientific breeding program. on a web-site, possibly as as its documentation. The data collected on The bylaws provide for an Executive Committee composed of four a sub-page of TACF web- our nursery plantings need to be properly Officers and six Board Members. The Committee Coordinators participate in meetings. At least once a year, the Area Coordinators are site. We need the help of recorded. One of our members, Dave also present. If you, as a member, wish to attend please advise and you a web page designer. Armstrong, has agreed to enter our will be notified of the next meeting. For education: developing accumulated data on pollinating and nut educational materials for collection into a computer data base. Ron school programs and Stanley will investigate a program which environmental education can track every tree in the breeding The executive board of former and new centers. We need teacher input to the program. For the breeding program: officers met at the home of immediate past education committee. For membership: contacting professional plant breeders president, Ann Leffel and Bob Leffel for investigate dividing the state into six remains a priority for the integrity of the the combined purpose of fellowship, districts corresponding to tree breeding program. Chestnut Tree 2 January 1998 try to understand this very highly Genetics; James O. Mills from Cattanooga, TACF Annual technical science) and Kevin Scibilia from New Brunswick, Next the Science and New Jersey. The newest staff members Meeting Development Cabinets met to prepare for include Marshall Case, Executive Director, at the the Board Meeting. The Board met and Kelly Grundman, Membership Director; BILTMORE ESTATE received committee reports and proposals. and Shelly Stiles who is part-time A task group headed by president Bud Communications Director and editor of the Coulter will research proprietary rights Bark and Journal. agreement suitable for cooperative work In August, Dr. Yen Shi reigned with institutions, individuals, and from his position at Meadowview Research chapters. Elections were held and the Farms. A search for a replacement $432,000 scientist for Dr. Shi is in progress, as well budget was as a search for a farm manager to allow Dr. accepted. Fred Hebard more time for research. The The work of the Board completed, American the general meeting began with registration by Ann Leffel Chestnut and reception at the Winery of the Biltmore Foundation has Estate.