Dedicated to increasing & protecting the bluebird population of Bella Vista, AR
For a PDF of this document, click here.
The volunteers meeting was held from 10-11:30 AM at the Presbyterian Church in Bella Vista.
I. Thirty Nine (39) members were in attendance: Jerry Butler, Laura Claggett, Elaine Cobb, Bill Davis, Carolyn Dickson, Craig & Carlyn Ferguson, Carmen Greenup, Linda Guthrie, Judy Lathan, Earl Lehman, Jodi & Frank Lombardo, Cynthia Marshall, Ray Matkowski, Ken Ness, Nancy Ortman, George Pickell, Rosalee Rainbolt, Harrison Ramey, Ron Rear, Marcia & Bob Sayles, Buzz Schoenhard, Troy Shaffer, Ed & Claudia Shelton, Steve Skaggs, Lorna Sterrett, Bill & Rose Theiss, Grace Turley, Katy Van Note, Carol Wallis, Leon Wehmeyer, Susan & Brian Woodruff, Myrlene Zimmerman, and Kathy Zumbro.
II. Leon Wehmeyer presided over the meeting, with help from Laura Claggett, Lorna Sterrett, Nancy Ortman and Buzz Schoenhard.
New volunteers were introduced, and monitors who are no longer participants were mentioned.
New Monitors/Trail Bosses: Elaine Cobb (Glasgow Car Trail), Linda Guthrie (Scotsdale), Dick Hogan (Loch Lomond Marina), George Pickell (Scotsdale), Diane Jenkins (Berksdale), Bob & Marcia Sayles (Highlands), Pat Schrad (Highlands), Ed & Claudia Shelton (Scotsdale).
Previous Monitors/Trail Bosses: Joe & Marge Bowen (Scotsdale 8 years), Ron Rear (Kingswood 20 years), Maureen Seymour (Highlands 3 years), Gretchen & Michael Syverson (Berksdale 9 & 3 years), Jim Wojahn (Kingsland 1 year)
Acknowledgements were given to two people who are box builders, trail bosses and monitors. Harrison Ramey built 60 boxes and box kits, added 11 boxes to the Glasgow Car Trail with 55 bluebirds, and in the last three years increased the bluebird boxes at Branchwood from 15 to 30 which increased the bluebirds from 65 to 142. Gracie Turley built 60 boxes and provided 27 boxes to The Bluebird Shed, the Scotsdale bluebirds increased from 192 to 242. Joe Bowen assisted.
III. Service Awards were presented:
2 years: Kathy Allen (Tanyard Creek), Jerry Butler (Country Club & Dogwood), Bill Davis (Dogwood), Carolyn Dickson (Berksdale), Al Melton (Short Trails), Charlie Murray (St. Bernard), Nancy Ortman (Highlands), Glenna Pickens (Loch Lomond Marina), Shari Reed (Lake Bella Vista), Gracie Turley (Scotsdale), Katy Van Note (Highlands), Kathy Zumbro (Berksdale)
5 years: Ken Ness (Box Builder)
15 years: Leon Weymeyer (President)
20 years: Doug & Marilyn Adamson (Dogwood), Ron Rear (Kingswood)
25 years: Mickey Weddell (Branchwood)
IV. Birds Fledged: 1,752 bluebirds from trails (165 more than 2017); 190 from home boxes (11 less that 2017); 345 from neighborhoods; 2,287 Total Bluebirds reported; 46,204 bluebirds have fledged from 1980 through 2018. See all 2018 statistics.
V. Bluebird Boxes: 523 Boxes on 17 Trails are monitored (27 New Boxes)
VI. Other Information: Bluebird Box Kits: 8 kits were assembled and delivered to The Bluebird Shed to sell for $15.00; the BVBBS is now a 501(3)(c) nonprofit and TH Rogers had donated $2,500 in wood supplies; the BVBBS is now eligible for donations from the Bella Vista Recyle Center; as a thank you to volunteers, each was presented with a 5 X 7 notebook with the BVBBS logo that can be used for monitoring and other notes; the BVBBS partners with The Bluebird Shed in Bella Vista, Embroidery Design in Rogers and NABS (North American Bluebird Society) for educational materials; concern was expressed that people were removing nests from the boxes at the Highlands golf course and screws were used to open the doors and monitors must carry screwdrivers; new monitor sheets will be distributed before the February meeting; monitors were reminded to remove their nests if not already done so; it was suggested that cactus could be planted around poles to keep critters out of the boxes; the BVBBS board has two openings as a vice president and public relations persons are needed; Laura Claggett is responsible for the web site and is looking for an assistant.
VII. Table Discussions and Wrap-Up: Attendees were given an opportunity to get to know the other monitors for their trails. Boxes need to be renumbered and Harrison Ramey stated that he would like us to use plastic numbers and he will check into purchasing a machine to do so. Buzz Schoenhard was wearing a tee shirt with a bluebird picture taken by John Craig. If members are interested in purchasing a shirt, the print is at Big Frog in Bentonville under the name of Louween Schoenhard.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Rasberry