Outdoor Adventures Klub of South Florida

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES KLUB (OAK)

NEWSLETTER, VOL. 8, No. 2

FEBRUARY, 2009 Page 1

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THE OUTDOORS IS NATURE’S WAY OF SAYING "WELCOME TO MY HOME".

Come on in and please respect and keep it well.

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OAK Officers and Directors:

President - Tom Fierros (Klub Leader)

Vice President - Gary Rogers

Treasurer - Nancy Lamson (Says she loves to handle money.)

Secretary - Jordan London (Still in charge of nothing - thank you)

Rest of the Board

Webmaster - Lori Bembanaste

Publicity - Gary Rogers

Program - OPEN

Outings - Jordan London

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WEB SITE: WWW.OAKONLINE. ORG

TELEPHONE: 954-966-2152

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YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PAID OAK MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR OUTINGS, EVENTS, OR ADVENTURES.

If you don’t subscribe and you are not a Member, you have an expiration date on the mailing label which will be the final issue you will receive. Of course, you can continue to check us out on our web site. If you wish to receive the newsletter by e-mail, we must have your current, correct e-mail address. Please contact Jordan at jordanlondon1@bellsouth.net.

Membership is $30.00 per year for one person, and each year ends either June 30 or December 31. Your Membership year will end as to when your check is received. For checks received September 1 through December 31, the year ends December 31 of the following year. For checks received January 1 thru February 28, the membership year ends December 31 of the same year. For checks received March 1 thru August 31, the membership year ends June 30 of the following year.

New Members, Couple: $50.00

Member’s Children Over 21, Living At Home: $15.00

Renewal, 1 Person, 2 Years: $50.00

Renewal, Couple, 2 Years: $90.00

($50.00 first year, $40.00 second year)

To be eligible for discounted rates, renewals must be received within 14 days of the date of first Renewal Notice.

MEMBERSHIP: OAK is a voluntary non-profit corporation organized in the State of Florida. We are Federal tax exempt.

Unless we state that net proceeds are for the Wildlife Sanctuary, all net income for the Klub (dues, Outings) goes into the Klub’s Treasury. No one receives any payment, etc., for leading an Outing or for any auto travel to check out potential Outing sites. The Klub uses this money to help support the Flamingo Gardens Wildlife Sanctuary, have a free Annual Anniversary BBQ Party, provide a 40% subsidy for our Annual Meeting/ Dinner, and buy equipment.

The equipment we buy is LENT out to people who want to participate in an Outing but don’t have the gear. Tents, bicycles, mattresses, sleeping bags, back packs, etc.

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For Outings, Member’s children Under 21 is same price basis as Member’s. All canoe or kayak Outings are started either from an Outfitter or OAK brings along a rack of boats. You do not have to own or borrow a kayak or canoe in order to go on an OAK Outing.

If a paid Member sees a need for any additional equipment, it can be suggested at any meeting and the Board will consider having the Klub buy that item.

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Advantages of Membership:

1. A funtastic Membership Certificate

2. Discount on almost everything the Klub does or sells

3. Able to organize and/or lead any Outing

4. Discount cards on jewelry, BJ’s and Costco’s discount stores, bicycle stores

5. Helps support the Klub’s costs in acquiring equipment and gear to lend to members and for things like Postage, State reporting, Anniversary Party, Booths at Shows, Printing, Wilton Manors Canoe Race, Subsidizing Annual Meeting/Dinner, etc.

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OAK Is A Proud Sponsor and Fund-Raiser for the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens in Davie. OAK has pledged specific funds for this excellent organization and is pleased to be able to participate in its programs.

We will periodically hold Outings and events from which the net proceeds will go entirely to the Sanctuary. Watch out for them and participate in them. That portion of the Outing or event cost which is not used by the Klub to pay for the event, and which goes directly to the Sanctuary, will be tax deductible.

A WIN-WIN-WIN TRIPLE PLAY- you participate in an OAK Outing, you help the Wildlife Sanctuary and Flamingo Gardens, and it’s tax deductible. How Cool Is Life.

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OAK Newsletter

FEBRUARY, 2009 Page 2

Volume 8, Number 2

Editor and Outing Coordinator’s Column

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To receive this Newsletter by hard copy, you can subscribe for $12.00 per year without being a Member OR become a Member and then you can request hard copy to be sent by mail. If you’re on the mailing list, you get it free by e-mail.

Of course, you can continue to check us out on our web site. If you wish to receive the newsletter by e-mail, we must have your current, correct e-mail address. Please contact Jordan at jordanlondon1@bellsouth.net

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For Outings, Member’s children Under 21 is same price basis as Members.

All canoe or kayak Outings are started either from an Outfitter of OAK brings along a rack of boats. You do not have to own or borrow a kayak or canoe in order to go on an OAK water Outing..

OAK owns bicycles, backpacks, backpack tents, full-size tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, and soft coolers which we will LEND to you in order for you to participate in an Outing when you don’t already own the gear. We will lend the gear to you twice; after that it’s up to you to buy your own. One of us will be pleased to go with you to either Bass Pro/Outdoor World or Sports Authority to consult, review, and try on gear.

OAK owns bicycles, backpacks, backpack tents, full-size tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, and soft coolers which we will LEND to you in order for you to participate in an Outing and you do not own the gear. We will do this twice for any individual.

If a paid Member sees a need for any additional equipment, it can be suggested at any meeting and the Board will consider having the Klub buy that item. To receive this Newsletter by hard copy, you can subscribe for $12.00 per year without being a Member OR become a paid OAK Member and if you do not have email then you can request hard copy to be sent by mail. If you’re on the mailing list, you get it free by e-mail.

Of course, you can continue to check us out on our web site - oakonline.org. If you wish to receive the newsletter by e-mail, we must have your current, correct HOME e-mail address. Please contact Jordan at jordanlondon1@bellsouth.net
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MACCHU PICHU, PERU: Our $300.00 discount deadline has expired. Checks must be made payable and sent to O.A.K. We are now told that there is one space left for this trip.

This is an 11-day trip, of which first and last days are spent traveling by air to/from Miami.

We will visit and tour Lima, Cuzco, Macchu Pichu, Sacred Valley of Urubamba River, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, we can raft the Urubamba River, train ride to Aguas Calientes (entrance-way to Macchu Pichu), Qenko, Sacsayhuaman. A full and complete experience..

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Our Officers’ Elections were held at the Annual Meeting in January.

Elected were:

President Ruby Allman

Vice President Gary Rogers

Treasurer Nancy Lamson

Webmaster Lori Bembanaste

Secretary Jordan London

Publicity Gary Rogers

Outings Chair Jordan London

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REMEMBER THE OAK SECOND ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER IN JANUARY. ***********************************************

February-March, 2009

Volume 8, No. 2

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Note: We report only those meetings which have had their minutes reviewed and approved at a regular monthly meeting.
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Review of Annual Meeting and Dinner, January 16, 2009

We had a small but highly interested turnout.

Our bank account as of that date was $8120.73, subject to review of Jordan London’s expenses, expected to be received in early February.

As usual, the service, food, and courtesy at our host Grampa’s was exceptional.

We discussed falling Membership and participation. No single cause could be determined, and after considerable debate we determined that the single greatest contributor was MeetUp - the Groups generally have no Membership dues, and they generally do not charge fees for their Outings. However, neither do they offer the support and services that OAK does.

The Members suggested a reconfiguration of our basis of paid Membership, which will be carried out for both OAK and Meetup OAK. We will reduce our regular dues, and institute MeetUp Membership dues, and waive all nominal fees for paid Members. Jordan suggested that his own participation was causing a problem, but those attending stated that was not so. In addition, no one was stepping up and volunteering to lead the Outings.

Our Monthly Meetings are no longer drawing the numbers we used to. It was moved and seconded that we change the Bylaws to have meetings as and when called by the Board of Directors, and not to have mandatory monthly meetings.

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REVIEW OF PAST OUTINGS:

NOVEMBER 2008

Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2 - 5 people went kayaking at Turner River off the Tamiami Trail. No one elected to stay at the Ivey House B & B as it’s was too expensive and they brought their own boats, except one person who rented a kayak but was charged a fortune to have it transported to the put-in point. The paddle was fantastic - the mangrove tunnels are as impressive as ever, tho the Park Service should pay more attention to maintaining the trail properly.

Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2 - Camp at Koreshan State Park and visit the Ford and the Edison summer homes nearby. We had a great time exploring the old settlement, and visiting the over-priced Edison and Ford homes. Ruby was given a deep discount from the admission price since she’s in the military. Next time we will camp there and kayak to the Bay and visit the Indian Mound.

Sunday, November 9th - 7 of us went by car and foot to explore the old logging sites, fishing and camping cabins, and defunct housing development in Picayune Forest, as well as the boardwalk off the Tamiami Trail. Had a great time finding and visiting these sites. Next time out we’re going to the old camping grounds as well.

Friday-Saturday, November 21st-22nd - Camping at Oscar Scherer State Park near Sarasota. 7 of us went hiking, but had to quit when two people could not make the full route. It’s a wonderful location, tho just a tad far for some to drive.

Thursday, November 27th - THANKSGIVING. A Total Success. 23 people participated in the Open house Thanksgiving Dinner, and we stretched the walls to accommodate. But it was so worth it.

We had a wonderful time, the people, including kids, were exceptional; the food great. Mark Lundblad came in from Nevada to be with us, and a whole bunch of new folks came by.

Friday-Sunday, November 28-29th - Backpack into Jonathan Dickinson State Park. 6 of us did the 4 mile hike and had a super time. This trail is exceptional, the flora super, and is well marked. We got our primary site, near the water source, and it was a treat to backpack but still have access to a closed, clean compost toilet. With plenty of toilet paper.

DECEMBER 2008

Saturday-Sunday, December 6th-7th - Camp at Dupuis Wildlife Preserve. Cancelled - no interest.

Saturday-Sunday, December 6-7th - Mystery Train Ride out of Fort Myers. FANTASTIC. 6 of us took the ride, and one of us actually guessed the malefactor and got a prize.

Saturday, December 13th - Miami Beach Bicycle Ride. 4 of us went on the ride, and we found a couple of other OAKers who had gone on their own. A windy day, and the riders kept up a pace of about 15 MPH, which is faster than some of us like.

Sunday, December 14th - Bicycle From Tree Tops Park to Mount Vista View. Unfortunately, the beginning of rain when we were at Long Key Nature Center caused us to cancel the rest of the Outing and return to Tree Tops. Should have waited it out - the sun came out when we were a couple of minutes into the return trip, but everyone wanted to go back to Tree Tops and have lunch. The new Nature Center is the same as all the other Broward failures - lots of hype, charge people to look at some of the exhibits, a single uninteresting concrete path (not even packed dirt), no signage. But Vista View is nice, and Tree Tops is great.

Wednesday Evening, December 17th - Monthly Dinner , at the Floridian Diner on Las Olas Boulevard. 13 people came by to have dinner at the Diner. Great service, food, good prices, and decent parking.

Saturday Evening, December 20th - The Annual Holiday Party. Some 20+ people came by, and we had a totally wonderful Gift Exchange. Since swapping and stealing were encouraged, everyone had a great time, and some people actually wound up with stuff they actually wanted. The food was, as always, great and the evening great fun.

Saturday-Sunday, December 27th-28th - Backpack at Hickory Hammock. 4 hardy souls made this Outing, and OAK lent its backpacks in order for the other couple to participate. When we got there, we discovered that in the past year, some one had supplied a new shovel, and people we used to know had spent their Thanksgiving there. While one of us napped, the other 3 went on a prolonged hike to the horse camp, about an hour away. The weather was perfect, and the Outing super.

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MORE OF “WAYS TO CARE FOR THE EARTH”:

6. Save Paper - Use a lunch box or reusable sock, not a paper bag.
7. Save Water - Take short showers instead of a bath.
8. Save Energy - Turn off lights when you arent using them.
9. Save the animals - pick up plastic at the beach and throw it away so animals don’t eat it and get sick or die.
10. Be a friend to the Earth. Care for our planet every day of the year.

Thank you.

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For the new folks joining us - Come on out, PARTICIPATE, enjoy the Outdoors with us.

Please remember our cancellation policy:

If you don’t cancel, and there’s a fee for the Outing, you’re responsible for the entire Outing fee. If you cancel too late, and the Klub has invested money, and there is a fee for the Outing, you owe that part of the fee that the Klub has paid for. The policy is designed to encourage people to show up when they have reserved a space on an Outing.

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As OAK expands its community awareness, we seek new and interesting activities to benefit our world.

Six years ago, we volunteered at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park to help clear out the Australian Pines. Veterans recall that Carmine would chain saw the trees into manageable logs and we would carry the logs, debris, etc., and load it all onto trucks to be carted away. We never did find out where they took the stuff. The Park then got a grant from the State and hired a contractor to do the whole job in one swell foop. We were offered the opportunity to maintain the trails, tried it twice, and declined thereafter. We searched out a new venue and found Secret Woods Nature Center, where we continued to volunteer in a quid pro quo for a meeting space.

About six months ago, we lost the meeting space due to budget cuts but have continued our volunteer efforts - we are now the proud sponsors of the Laurel OAKS Trail.

Since then we have undertaken to help support the Wildlife Sanctuary with Flamingo Gardens, and our front page reflects that. More on that soon. Finally, we are now embarking on adopting a street in Broward County to clean every three months.

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PLEASE REMEMBER - PAYMENT BY CHECK IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF SIGNING UP OR MAKING RESERVATIONS. Your check should be left in the folder pertaining to the Outing or mailed to OAK. One Check per Outing, please.

For Kayak Outings you will generally get a $25.00 per person discount if you bring your own boat. You also get a discount for most Canoe Outings if you bring your own boat.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

February 2009

The Environmentalist

WYFR, the Okeechobee tower of babble

Hello My Fellow OAKers,

Thank you again for the confidence you expressed in December when I was elected President of OAK. As one of my first official duties, I attended the audit of OAK’s finances last week, observing and learning only, not as an active participant. The audit, at Bud and Nancy’s house, proved interesting to me as OAK Environmentalist also.

Bud, a very busy astronomer, and Nancy showed us some gorgeous photos of distant galaxies taken on a recent expedition. One photo, taken near Okeechobee, shows what appears to be acres of tall telephone poles with complex arrays of wires between the poles. A sign touting WYFR Family Radio Stations stands prominently nearby. Google Earth, said Bud, blocks out the area. Very Suspicious. We concluded that “Family Radio” means “Christian organization”, but we remained suspicious: What is the Real Nature of the mysterious array? What is Big Brother hiding behind a fake Family? What is so toxic/secret/experimental that requires subterfuge of the Family magnitude??? Would this audit never end? How long before Google revealed answers to me??

I couldn’t wait to investigate WYFR. Turns out it really is a radio station—Christian, as we surmised—and they own multiple stations. The one in Okeechobee is a shortwave radio station, useful for getting signals into countries where censorship is an issue. Their website is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WYFR. So far I haven’t found them on my radio—to do so would almost certainly require actually changing the radio from NPR, and I doubt WYFR, or FamRad, scintillates like NPR scintillates, especially like the Science Guy when he gets on a roll. Wonder what Science Guy would say about the weird science going on at the FamRad array?

Just to be sure that the sign for WYFR wasn’t placed near all the towers as a decoy for something more sinister/interesting, I Googled “aerial views of shortwave radio stations” and found a site with photos of lots of old shortwave stations towers from around the world. The towers are less involved/extensive than those in Bud’s photo, but they are from older stations and I’m guessing they didn’t try to reach all way around the world! The website is http://www.filatelia.fi/dx/. And they also aren’t hidden out in some empty fields along a lonely road near Okeechobee, Florida. No, they’re in cities. Because they aren’t Big Brother Decoys beaming mind-control rays across all of Florida and beyond.

Why is WYFR pasted over in Google Earth? I don’t know, but it would be interesting to look at towers for other radio stations, TV stations, etc. to see if they are also hidden by Google Earth. Suddenly, my suspicions reached religious fervor! As though my fingers were guided by--dare I say it?--radios signals, I navigated to http://www.zillow.com and entered our address. Verified! All my suspicions Verified! Most of the 2008 value of our house has been pasted over. Google and Zillow are simply part of Big Brother’s FamRad WYFR Paste Over and Short (change) Wave. Most likely I’ve only uncovered a tiny fraction of the story. However, on behalf of OAKers worldwide, I hereby lay claim to being the 173,906th person to expose the brash Governmental use of Radio Waves to control our minds, destroy our personal wealth, and hang all manner of wires between tall telephone poles in scenic areas such as our own Okeechobee, Florida.

Questions remain. Is this part of Homeland Security? You know, is Big Brother (or Big Google) protecting us from losing our daily dose of divine devotions by dastardly destruction by our determined enemies??? And pretending that our houses have gotten cheaper—how does that play into this mystery? Tune in next time for the answers to these and other devilish questions, all divinely inspired of course.

Fondly,

Ruby, your OAK Environmentalist

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