Chipmunks. We know there are a number of Illahee residents who have chipmunks in their yards. We snapped a photo of one during a recent walk.
Deer. We heard about a big 4 point buck that got hit and killed on McWilliams last week. The county hauls dead deer away if they are aware of them. In past years there are usually 2 or 3 local deer, that we know of, that get hit by cars during the rutting season.
More Wildlife Comments Soon. We realize that we need to report on some pressing matters and will continue later with more wildlife photos and information.
Illahee Creek Culvert. Of concern to many in Illahee is the status of the Illahee Creek Culvert. It has filled to a point where a major storm could cause major problems and possibly wash out the culvert and road. We took a couple of photos this week to give you an idea just how much sediment has accumulated. This is one of the possible agenda items that could be brought up at the upcoming Illahee Community Club (ICC) meeting.
ICC Quarterly Meeting 11/29/10. The Illahee Community Club (ICC) has scheduled its quarterly meeting for next Monday evening (11/29/10) at the Port of Illahee's meeting room at 5560 Ocean View Blvd from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. They were unable to find available times at the library and are thankful that the Port of Illahee has a place within the community where they can meet, though it may be a little crowded (it is a big room but not as big as the library meeting room) and there are currently not enough chairs (if anyone knows where they can get some folding or stacking chairs, the ICC would like to talk with you). Parking is also limited and people will probably need to park at the Illahee store or along Madrona. We will send out a reminder of this meeting and hopefully an agenda later in the week.
Saturday's Preserve Work Party. We really should have let people know about the amazing work party the East Bremerton Rotary scheduled this past Saturday (11/20/10) but we knew it was going to be big and didn't want to flood the area with too many people. We aren't exactly sure how they do it, but they keep getting bigger work parties each time they schedule an event. So how big was this event? If you count just the people who signed in there were 32 from the aircraft carrier John C Stennis, 14 from Naval Base Kitsap, 19 from the East Bremerton Rotary, and 8 from the Illahee Community, which totals 73. We have attached a group photo that was taken at the end of those who were still there.
Piles of Wood Chips Moved. Over the past 5 months tree companies have been dumping chips at the Preserve. When they filled the normal chip delivery area, they started dumping them in the parking lot, and we had to move some as it is an offense to block the handicapped parking areas. The goal was to get rid of all those chips by placing them on the trails and around the parking lot, which they did. See the picture of them loading chips and then realize the group photo was taken were the chips were previously.
Dedication Comments. We have been told a number of times about how those who attended the Illahee Preserve dedication (on October 26th) enjoyed it in spite of the rainy weather. We were also told that the dedication was so special for one family that they donated $500 to the Illahee Forest Preserve (IFP), which is the support non-profit group for the Illahee Preserve. It was the IFP that paid to have the dedication rock moved into place, and paid for the dedication plaque and installation. If any others are interested in contributing, the IFP is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation and gifts are tax deductible, as allowed by law, as is the Illahee Community Club, PO Box 2563, Bremerton, WA 98310.
Volunteer Supported. We should note that the Illahee Preserve is a Kitsap County Heritage Park that is an experiment in which primarily volunteers plan, support and maintain the Preserve. This is possible because of the support of the East Bremerton Rotary, who not only supports with work parties, but also has paid for the signs at Thompson Lane and the Almira parking lot; along with support from the IFP, the Illahee Preserve Stewardship Committee, the Illahee Community Club, the Illahee Community, and the Port of Illahee. The experiment is working as more and more volunteers show up to help and support the Preserve. Thanks to all involved!!!
Jim Aho
Another Chipmunk. On Monday we saw a chipmunk scouring for food in the snow, and wondered why it wasn't hibernating. We think by Monday evening it was wondering the same thing. We have heard that chipmunks hibernate in the winter and expect that is true, but we were told by the property owner that this guy was back at his bird feeder on Tuesday in the frigid weather.
Young Deer. We also watched a young deer on Monday as it seemed fascinated by the snow. Unfortunately is was snowing hard at the time and the photo of the deer at the side of the road is obscured.
