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View Full Version : Volunteer weekend at our place, Oct. 25-26


Jeff Hathaway
10-10-03, 06:54 AM
Hello everyone,

Later this month, Oct. 25-26 to be exact, we will be hosting another volunteer weekend at our 'unique' property in Orillia. Participants will be engaged in a number of tasks ranging from seed collection and dispersal, transplanting of wetland plants and tree seedlings, creating a snake hibernacula trap/fence, completing and fencing an outdoor turtle pond, and various other things depending upon the weather and the number of people who arrive. Preliminary numbers indicate at least a dozen people coming so far, but hopefully there will be more!

Of course, we won't be working the entire time- we'll be sure to play with some snakes and turtles, and there will be the requisite BBQ and pool party on Saturday night. Yes, it is an indoor pool!

Food and drink will be provided for the weekend. This will include limited quantities of beer, though if you plan to drink heavily you'll probably be disappointed. Please let us know if you have any particular food sensitivities or allergies.

For those coming from a distance, tenting is the preferred option assuming the temperatures are reasonable. There is also lots of floor space and even a couple of beds. Feel free to make your pitch as to why you need a bed, but generally I make them available by age in descending order. There are also hotels and some great B&Bs not far away if anyone wants to go that route.

Despite the occasional joke about me recruiting people to work on our house, this is a very valuable contribution to getting our planned educational facility up and running. If you aren't familiar with our plans to convert the property into a conservation education centre focused on Ontario's reptiles, amphibians, and fish, check out www.scisnake.com/scales/scales.htm to see some more details and some pics. The pics are all about a year or
more old; lots more has been done at this point!

Please let me know if you are interested in participating, and feel free to pass on the invitation to anyone you think might be interested in helping out.

Thanks,

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

Beejay
10-10-03, 07:59 AM
See you there!!!!!!!!!! And to all those who are questioning the "fun" content of the expedition...well...come find out for yourself! And with any luck we'll get to see Jeff and Jenny on video once the Stylin' Gypsies get a hold of them *LMFAO*

HUGS!
~Bj

Jeff Hathaway
10-12-03, 06:36 AM
Hey BJ,

I'm sure we can find the Stylin' Gypsies episode from wherever Jenny has hidden it:-)

It should be a fun weekend! I'll make sure the pool is nice and warm...

Jeff

Shane Tesser
10-12-03, 08:04 AM
Sounds like fun, ive moved it to this part of the site as this is where it belongs :)

Jeff Hathaway
10-12-03, 03:24 PM
Your call, Shane, though I don't know that many people would see it here- heck I didn't even know there was a Canadian events forum...

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

icex19
10-13-03, 05:48 PM
Wow, it sounds like fun :D

Damn, if i could only get a ride to Orillia :( I guess I won't be making it

Is this an annual event, Jeff?

Jeff Hathaway
10-13-03, 07:33 PM
It will probably become an annual event. We did one in the spring and everyone wanted to do it again in the fall, so we may actually have both spring and fall annually.

If you want to come, I may be able to find a ride for you. Let me know.

Jeff

JonD
10-14-03, 11:21 PM
Hi Jeff, I'm living in Barrie....My girlfriend and I could probably make it out. Let me know if you need a couple extra.........;)

Jeff Hathaway
10-15-03, 09:48 PM
Hey Jon,

No such thing as 'extra'... that would be great if you could come out!

Jeff

LadyHawke
10-15-03, 10:02 PM
this sounds really great, any specific times? and are kids welcome to come too??

Jeff Hathaway
10-17-03, 06:46 AM
No specific times- basically all day Saturday and Sunday. Some people may even arrive Friday night which is fine too. Some people are only coming for Sunday. Really, any participation is better than none, so people are welcome to come out for just Sunday morning, etc. as their schedules allow.

Kids are welcome, and it is generally a kid-friendly weekend. In the spring we had 6, 8, and 14 year olds, plus the more mature 17 & 18 year olds:-) There are lots of things that an 8 year old can do to help out, such as collecting and planting seeds. Obviously, close supervision is required. Besides various construction activities in progress, there is a significant stream and a deep pond as well.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

JonD
10-20-03, 01:17 PM
Can you post directions Jeff?

Jeff Hathaway
10-20-03, 10:01 PM
Jon,

I'll email them to you tomorrow, when I send out an 'official' update to everyone who is coming.

Jeff

JonD
10-20-03, 11:07 PM
Originally posted by Jeff Hathaway
Jon,

I'll email them to you tomorrow, when I send out an 'official' update to everyone who is coming.

Jeff
Thx Jeff

JD@reptiles
10-25-03, 06:33 PM
i cant make it tomorrow :( . Sorry.

icex19
10-27-03, 09:25 PM
So how did it go? :o

Jeff Hathaway
10-30-03, 09:26 PM
It went very well. We got quite a bit accomplished- tree planting, pond work, retaining wall bracing, truss painting & moving, and had a good time overall, not to mention in the pool...

See BJ's journal at http://www.saltinemonkey.com/orillia
for extensive details and pics.

Jeff

icex19
10-31-03, 12:45 AM
Wow! That sure looks like alot of fun, Jeff. Bj's journal was both funny and extensive :D

When will the next one be? I'll be sure to make it this time. It'd be nice to finally meet some more herpers :cool: