Dune News A quarterly newsletter sponsored by The Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc. Spring 2005

LEARN MORE, ACT MORE! NatureScaping 2005 — Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. What kind of native plants are good for Special Interest my yard? Why is recycling important? Articles You can find answers to these and many other questions at NatureScaping 2005. Turtle Naming Contest Winner.3 Also, you will encounter unique vendors and artists who are Student Artists in Residence..3 environmentally conscious—many even A BIG Thank You!...... 3 use recycled materials. The spotlight this Awarding Volunteers...... 4 year is an “Animal Art Demonstration.” Edward Royal and Renee Headings will Summer Camps...... 4 draw and sculpt live raptors. Both are Volunteer Appreciation Day....5 members of the Society of Animal Artists Volunteer Holiday Party...... 8 and have won various awards. What about “saving the planet?” Isn’t it a little too big? How about by Junko Nomura saving your yard? Please join us at

On April 22, 1970, Dennis Hayes NatureScaping! We guarantee you will and Senator Gaylord Nelson held the have a great day. first national teach-in to educate the Regular US public about environmental issues. Highlights Twenty million people participated that day. Since then, April 22, now officially Thoburn’s Thoughts...... 2 known as “Earth Day,” has spread across the nation and the world. Shorelines...... 3-4 Thirty-five years have passed since that first Earth Day celebration. Under the Hammock...... 5 Despite progress, we still face many of the same problems. Many environmental Volunteer Spotlight...... 6 acts have been established; however, we should keep striving to restore and Up-n-coming...... 7 improve our environment, and most of all, we should keep questioning, “Is our environment getting better?” NatureScaping 2005 at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park will feature many local environmental organizations like the Audubon Society, Native Plant Society, and Solid Waste Authority. They are willing to answer your questions and provide information. What’s going on in the Everglades?

Newsletter design and layout by THE INKLING PATCH (772) 285-8865. Call now for all your design needs! John D. MacArthur Beach State Park Thoburn’s Staff Park Rangers Mike Watts Honza Rokyta Barry Stevens Thoughts Rob Matriscino Linda Gabelmann After much effort on the part of • Redevelop Support Staff the Park management, the extensive r a n g e r Celia Barrett Stephanie Diaz hurricane storm damage to park and intern Charlie Hein vegetation has now been cleared. That h o u s i n g Park Services Specialist effort completed provided time to address facilities Program Directors and update the Park’s Ten Year Unit Plan to better Art Carton that was published in 1999. suit current Junko Nomura Secretary Specialist With the cooperation and n e e d s Tiffany Peavy assistance of members of the Department of Park Assistant Park Manager of Environmental Protection staff in staff. The recent hurricanes placed a Patrick Rash Tallahassee, several changes were made high degree of need to complete this Park Manager Terry Coulliette to the Recreational, Interpretive, and Park enhancement in a timely fashion. Administration Goals sections of the plan. Friends of MacArthur Specifically, they are as follows: While we await the final approval Beach State Park, Inc. of the Department of Environmental • Redesign and replace Nature Protection for these additions to the Board of Directors Center interpretive exhibits. Unit Plan, the Friends Executive Board Ted Thoburn, President • Expand and improve Nature is beginning to estimate costs, prioritize Morris Aherne Paul Aleskovsky Center to provide expanded educational the projects, and study the feasibility of a Leni Bane and meeting facilities, as well as a larger Capital Campaign to fund them. Terry Coulliette gift shop. I am sure that you will agree with E.J. Crittenden • Extend electrical service me that all of these additions will comprise Mary-Therese Delate Rebecca Doane across lagoon to beach area to provide valuable improvements to the Park’s Deborah Drum vending facilities at the beach side and physical plant and programs. We are very Debbie Fell electrical service to the restrooms. This excited about them and hope that the Lynn Focht enhancement will take into consideration community will join us in contributing the Susie Fruehauf the need for total darkness during turtle funds necessary to complete them. Melba Hardy Larry Harjehausen nesting season. Janet Heaton • Extend electrical and water Dr. John Marr service to the kayak launch at the southern Ted Debra McCloskey end of the Park. Dr. Bill Mech Kitty Omura • Redesign Park entrance Ted Thoburn, President Andrew Pineiro appearance and road sign. Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc. Patrick Rash Paul Thomson Gilda Vogel Stephen Wigal Welcome New Members! Scott Zappolo Maura Ziska Aagerstown-Mathis Family Steve Kelson Honorary Directors William J. Hyland, Jr. Mark Bates Mary Pizello Bill Nolan David Brandwein Dr. Marilyn Raymond Dan West Administrator Margaret Burkhardt Lisa Somerfleck Martin A. Shiffman Newsletter Coordinator Elizabeth Hall Carol and Larry Uhlick Leni Bane Clair Heise • • •

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eggs, and the turtles nest 2- A BIG 3 times per season. Females only nest every few years. Thank You! Around 60 days after the eggs are laid, the hatchlings will The Friends of emerge from the sand. If MacArthur Beach State the hatchlings are lucky Park extends a BIG thank enough to make it to the you to Jaye Boswell, sea, they will spend the who, on behalf of the next few months camou- Boswell family, gave a flaged among Sargassum generous donation to weed. the Midge and Robert As for Yoshi, he Boswell Memorial Thirteenth Annual Sea Turtle (or she) will stay at the Scholarship Fund. This Naming Contest — Winner! park until this fall. At that fund is for scholarships Congratulations, Wellington Christian School! time, Yoshi will be trans- to the Park’s “Touch ferred to another facil- the Earth” summer day by Art Carton plaque, which hangs next to ity until big enough to be camps (now taking MacArthur Beach the aquarium. released into the Atlan- registrations). State Park is home to a Yoshi was trans- tic Ocean. Don’t be sad, Jaye’s mother, rescued sea turtle hatch- ferred here from the that might not be the last Midge, was the very ling, and every year we Juno Beach Marinelife you see of Yoshi. Sea turtles first person to volunteer host a naming contest for Center on December return to the same beach in the Park’s Nature our baby loggerhead. Each 9, 2004 at the age of where they were born Center, beginning in elementary school from three months. At that to lay their eggs. So, if 1989. Midge also Palm Beach County is invit- time, Yoshi weighed a you are walking along made wonderfully tasty ed to submit one name to be whopping 110 grams and our beaches 20 years cookies each summer placed on the ballot. Due measured 8.9 centimeters in from now and spot a famil- for all of the day campers to hurricanes Frances and width. Yoshi is thriving in this iar looking sea turtle lay- to enjoy—which they Jeanne, this year’s voting new environment and now ing eggs it might just be and the Park’s staff didn’t take place until weighs 270 grams. Yoshi… if Yoshi is a female. certainly did! February. For three weeks, Loggerhead sea tur- visitors to the Nature tles are named for their large Center were asked to vote head with strong jaws for Student Artists in Residence for their favorite name. crushing mollusks, crabs and The students of This year the winning other prey. They average local artist, Laurie Hein, name is Yoshi, a favorite three feet in carapace length at Lost Tree Village, will character from a popu- and weigh up to 300 present their works of lar Nintendo video game. pounds. They live in tem- art at John D. MacArthur Congratulations go to perate and subtropical Beach State Park Nature Candace Marchstein- waters worldwide, and many Center from April 10 until er’s fifth grade class at come to the southeastern May 15. Wellington Christian to nest from The proceeds of School, who won the 13th March through September. the sale of these paintings Annual Sea Turtle Naming Last year there were about will benefit the Friends of Contest. They will be 1,000 loggerhead nests at MacArthur Beach State invited to the Park to the Park. That is a lot of turtle Park. So, come and enjoy meet Yoshi and see their eggs, considering each nest the view... and feel free to “Mama” ©2004 name engraved on the has a clutch of about 100 buy one to take home! Acrylic by Susie Fruehauf 3 Shorelines

Awarding Volunteers Volunteers who gave 100 hours 1500 hours or more of their time to the Park were Bill Nolan, Tram Driver invited to the annual Volunteer Awards Serge Goyette, Maintenance Dinner on February 26 at the North Palm Beach Country Club. Sponsored 2500 hours by the Friends, this celebration is an Alicia Didia, Nature Center Docent opportunity for the Park staff to thank George Southworth, Electrician the volunteers for their many hours of 250 hours hard work. Volunteers and their families, Phyllis Zaccaro, Nature Center Docent Volunteer tram drivers who along with Park staff and their families, Ashley Hein, Animal Care have been with the Park since 1997 enjoyed food, friendship and laughter. Donna Tighe, Moonlight Concert Organizer are Dick Weiser, Bob Lanen, Bob Park Manager, Terry Dottie Williams, Nature Center Docent Frazier, Don Bottaro, John Murray, Coulliette, presented awards to the Bruce Kay, Kayak Tour Volunteer Trainer Don Russell, Larry Harjehausen, Dick following volunteers: Goodwin, Bill Leimbach, Bill Nolan, 500 hours Garry Mansfield, Joe Hughes, Mort 100 hours Stanley Rubin, Tram Driver Green, and Ron Gerson. Roucoumany Gilmore, Nature Center Docent Morton Green, Tram Driver Thank you to our smart, loyal, Kelley Hein, Animal Care dependable, resourceful, friendly Mary Magil, School Tour Guide 1000 hours volunteers! You are the best, making Bob Severin, Tram Driver Ron Gerson, Tram Driver us a better park!

Touch the Earth! Summer Day Camps Marine Biology Junior Ranger Summer Day Camp Summer Day Camp

Offers rising 6th, 7th and 8th Offers rising 4th and 5th graders the graders a rare opportunity to learn opportunity to learn about the biological about marine environment of our communities in coastal southeast Florida. Park through snorkeling, kayaking Campers will explore the beach, hike, and mudflat explorations and laboratory snorkel the reef in search of tropical fish. activities. Campers must come with an Snorkel equipment will NOT be provided. enthusiasm for learning, willingness to A lifeguard will be present for all snorkeling explore, and be confident swimmers, activities. Snacks will be provided daily. who are comfortable in the ocean. Cost: $80 per session. Snorkel equipment will NOT be provided. A lifeguard will be present for Session 1: June 13-17, 8:00-Noon all snorkeling activities. Snacks will be Session 2: June 20-24, 8:00-Noon provided daily. Cost: $95 per session.

Session 1: June 6-10, 8:00-Noon Space is limited, please register now! Session 2: July 18-22, 8:00-Noon Call the Nature Center to ask for a registration form. Session 3: July (561) 624-6952 25-29, 8:00-Noon 4 Under the Hammock

Gift Gab Manager’s Musings

The gift shop has new items! The seasons are changing Directors is seeking a way to increase once again, bringing longer days to the opportunities for members to have • If you had fun with Grow a Fish, then enjoy the wonderful weather. There free access to the Park. Otherwise, you you will love the new Grow a Shell. seem to be more visitors every day and need to be prepared to pay the regular (Put it in water and watch it grow!) we are again very lucky to have such a admission fee. I regret if this causes • Try these on for size: sunglasses support team of volunteers to help us any inconvenience. that can be used as clip-ons and provide continued service. Many Park activities are on rolled up into a container the size of a Strong east winds and higher the horizon. Besides our traditional roll of camera film! tides have continued to sculpt and concerts, guided walks, and ranger- • The gift shop is a great place for change our beaches. Much of the sand led kayak tours, our recreation user Mother’s Day and Father’s Day piled on by the hurricanes have been program will present something for gifts with designs that are special to washed away. It is fascinating to watch nearly everyone. Do you want to learn MacArthur Beach and Florida. as the sea brings and takes away about kayaking, cast-netting, making • We have a terrific selection of t-shirts, literally hundreds of tons of sand over art from the things found on the beach? towels, figurines, jewelry, books and a fairly short period of time. One day Or have you been curious about the even salt and pepper shakers. it’s surfer’s paradise, followed only a many native and exotic plants found few days later by glassy calm waters, in this part of Florida? Perhaps you From educational items and toys and perfect for snorkeling and swimming. have wondered about the abundance knicknacks to hats and other apparel, Our MacArthur Under of beautiful birds migrating through there is something for everyone. Moonlight concerts continue, and I the Park. Here is your chance to join Come on by and browse about! would like to remind the members of rangers and volunteers as they share The Friends that their membership their love and stories about the REAL entitles them to a discount for some Florida found here at the John D. marty of the monthly concerts. Just show MacArthur Beach State Park. Join us, Gift Shop Guru, Administrator, your membership card at the check- as we explore the coming seasons. in table. Presently, your membership Please contact the Nature Center at Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park entitles you to 12 free days at the Park (561) 624-6952 for more information. each year. The days that apply to free All profits from the gift shop go to admission for Friends members are the the Park to support the programs first Saturday of each month—upon Terry and activities that you, your family presentation of a valid membership and your friends enjoy all year long. card. At this time, the Friends’ Board of Terry Coulliette, Park Manager

Volunteer Appreciation Day a Treat! by Millis Keegan A beautiful, cold and windy morn- water and enjoy the environment again. We ing greeted us for Volunteer Appreciation passed a turtle—he lifted a front leg and Day, January 29, at Jonathan Dickinson waved at us. The boat captain said it took State Park. MacBeach’s Ranger Linda them years to train him… arranged the event and she was there The birdlife was spectacular, as to direct us—happy as always, with a it typically is in Florida. The boat captain cheerful smile and a joke. Some of us pointed out interesting plants, too, but being went for a guided nature walk, and some on a boat among Nature Guides from our of us went on a trip along Loxahatchee Park was like being in a living encyclopedia. River to Trapper Nelson’s Camp. I learned still more from them. I was a traveler on the boat Trapper Nelson Camp was shown After the morning activities, a trip. The scenery along the river was to us by a knowledgeable JD guide, Ranger great barbeque waited for our starving absolutely beautiful; I vowed to go back Barry; he had a lot of interesting stories and souls. Linda had anticipated that coffee someday to kayak slowly through the made the experience worth the trip. could be a treat, too. She was right. 5 Volunteer Sp tlight The Hein Family

On Sunday mornings, with myO aunt, and they both help out Park, we all have learned a lot about between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., you can with kayak rentals. When I began Nature that we did not know before. find three generations of volunteers volunteering, I mostly vacuumed and It’s a bit like going to school, except from one family at the Park. My straightened things, although now much more fun (and interesting). cousin, my grandmother, my aunt I am proud to say I also help take As junior volunteers, Ashley and I and I work in the Nature Center. care of the animals with help from my thought that the senior volunteers My name is Kelley Hein, cousin. We change the hermit crabs’ and staff might find our need to ask and I have been volunteering and snakes’ water, cleaning their questions annoying, but actually they at MacBeach for about a year. cages, and feeding them. I also feed love it. Everyone at the Park treats My aunt, Vicki Hein, has been the fish and turtle. Ashley vacuums, us with respect and acknowledges volunteering for about six months; cleans the display cases, and washes our importance in getting the job while my grandmother, Nita Hein, the windows. She also helps feed the done. I think all families would and my cousin, Ashley Hein, fish and clean the tanks. Occasionally benefit from working together as started volunteering in 2002. My we switch tasks, so that no one gets volunteers at John D. MacArthur grandfather, Charlie Hein, also bored with just one task. We both Beach State Park. As a matter of started volunteering at the Park love taking care of the animals in the fact, both Ashley and I agree that it in 2002, and now he is a Park Nature Center. One of our favorite jobs would be a great place to work when employee. is exercising the snakes and hermit we graduate. Please come and visit In the Nature Center, my crabs. us at the Nature Center. You will grandma runs the gift shop counter Since going to work in the have fun there.

Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc. Membership Application A not-for-profit Citizens’ Support Organization

❑ Benefactor... $500+ ❑ Patron... $100-$499 ❑ Family... $75 ❑ Individual...$40 ❑ Student... $20

Name: ______

Address: ______

City: ______State: ______ZIP: ______

Email: ______Phone: ______Please send this application along with your donation to: The Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park, Inc. PO Box 32395 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420 For more information on the “Friends” please call (561) 776-7449 6 A copy of the official registration and financial information of the “Friends” may be obtained from The Division of Consumer Services by calling 800-435-7352 Up-n-Coming Sp tlight April

02 Saturday 8-12:00 p.m. Beach Clean-Up O 03 Sunday 2:00 p.m. Introduction to Kayaking by Adventure Times Kayaks 09 Saturday 11-12:00 p.m. F.U.N. Program: Butterflies and Gardening 10 Sunday 1-3:00 p.m. Volunteer Orientation 16 Saturday 10-3:00 p.m. NatureScaping 2005 – Earth Day Celebration, free admission 17 Sunday 1-5:00 p.m. Bluegrass Jam Music Session 23 Saturday 2:30 p.m. Birding at MacArthur Park 23 Saturday 7-9:00 p.m. MacArthur under Moonlight Concert: Grant Livingston

May

01 Sunday 2:00 p.m. Introduction to Kayaking by Adventure Times Kayaks 07 Saturday 11-12:00 p.m. F.U.N. Program: Mother’s Day Card-making 15 Sunday 1-5:00 p.m. Bluegrass Jam Music Session 21 Saturday 1:00 p.m. Birding at MacArthur Park 21 Saturday 7-9:00 p.m. MacArthur under Moonlight Concert: Band TBA 22 Sunday 1-3:00 p.m. Volunteer Orientation 31 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Turtle Walk Tours reservation begins: call (561) 624-6952

June

04 Saturday 10-12:00 p.m. Recreational Skills: Introduction to Snorkeling 05 Sunday 2:00 p.m. Introduction to Kayaking by Adventure Times Kayaks 11 Saturday 10-12:00 p.m. Guided Reef Tour (limited space) 12 Sunday 1-3:00 p.m. Volunteer Orientation 18 Saturday 10-12:00 p.m. Guided Reef Tour (limited space) 19 Sunday 1-5:00 p.m. Bluegrass Jam Music Session 25 Saturday 10-12:00 p.m. Guided Reef Tour (limited space)

NatureScaping 2005 • An Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 16 • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • FREE!

Food & Music Native Plant Sale Snake Talk & Florida Live Animal Shows Presentation: Native Plants for the Home Landscape Presentation: Florida’s Wacky History and Why You Should Care Environmental Champion Award Animal Art Demonstration Silent Auction Kids’ Eco-craft 7 Volunteer Holiday Party a Hit!

by Millis Keegan When I first met The Friends administrator, Marty Shiffman and Park Manager, John D. MacArthur Terry Coulliette, both of them Beach State Park commented on the fact that 10900 State Rd. 703 (A1A) the volunteer force at John North Palm Beach, FL 33408 D. MacArthur Beach State Park is multicultural, more Office Phone: (561) 624-6950 so maybe than any other park. On top of that, the Renate Nature Center: American volunteers here Fisher from (561) 624-6952 represent a huge cross-section Germany, Honza Rokyta Fax: of this country, representing many states, from Czech Republic, Junko Nomura from (561) 624-6954 and bringing to the table influences and Japan, and Celia Barrett from . It Friends Office: experiences of great value. was a great conversation piece and brought (561) 776-7449 When the Park invited the volunteers people together from the start. And with the Websites: to celebrate the Holidays last winter, Park help of the dancing and singing students www.macarthurbeach.org Services Specialist, Junko Nomura, wanted from the Department of Performing Arts www.floridastateparks.org the event to reflect our multiculturalism, so of the Benjamin School, the Holiday Spirit More than just a beach! she asked some of the volunteers to present surrounded us that evening. a display, showing how Christmas and other After a nice dinner and an Newsletter created by Holidays are celebrated in their country of overwhelming dessert table, Junko had a THE INKLING PATCH • (772) 285-8865 origin. Seven countries were represented; small surprise up her sleeve. She brought Roucoumany Gilmore from Vietnam, Reva out the Fukuwarai which is the Japanese Datar from India, Millis Keegan from Sweden, version of pin the tail on the donkey!

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park NONPROFIT 10900 State Road 703 (A1A) U.S. POSTAGE PAID North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO. 4941