Behind the Waterfall
A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF SILVER FALLS MEMBERS
Winter Festival
By Kim Maley, Park Interpreter
An estimated 1600 visitors came out to enjoy the activities, the presentations, and the beauty of the park in winter! 60 volunteers and staff teamed up to make a great experience for the public! Thank you to every one of you!
Things were done a little differently this year but there were a couple of the favorite traditions offered - the Wreaths being the most popular, followed closely by the Bird Boxes.
The new focus on nature in winter was very well received by park staff and visitors! Short presentations were offered every hour on seasonal nature related topics. Interpretive Ranger Matt Palmquist’s Bird Talk was a big hit!
Discovery Tables and Guided Walks offered visitors a fun way to highlight nature’s seasonal changes.
Upon arrival, visitors were given a passport. A stamp was awarded each time they participated in an activity (hike, wreath making, discovery table, bird house building, etc.). After receiving four stamps, the passport could be exchanged for a special centennial ornament! The ornaments were made from different woods found in the park and came with information about the tree species.
Smith Creek Village hosted gingerbread cookie decorating with edible paint!
Ransom Notes
By Susan Ransom, President, Friends of Silver Falls
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FRIENDS!
This is my favorite time of year: the falls are bursting – the leaves are turning – and the air is crisp. The picture shown here requires a bit of explanation: each year the staff and volunteers decorate a wooden gingerbread cookie to represent themselves, and these are hung on the large Christmas tree in the South Falls Lodge. So I put this one together with just what I had on hand. The hat is one that I crocheted myself (but it looks like a very interesting hairstyle here). And everyone who knows me knows that I love dogs! I keep treats in the store so I can greet the dogs that come to visit; and it’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m working in the store. And I had to include my ever-present red glasses. This was a lot of fun to do – and would be a great family project.
I recently attended a mushroom workshop here that was so informative; and we went for a short walk and identified several types. I was amazed though at the following quote: ‘There are more species of fungi, bacteria, and protozoa in a single scoop of soil than there are species of plants and vertebrate animals in all of North America.’ (Paul Stamets)
We had the Winter Festival Dec. 10th and 11th. It was great engaging with our visitors as they made pinecone bird treats and bird nest boxes, decorated gingerbread cookies and/or took a guided hike. After suspending events during the COVID restrictions, it is great to start bringing some of them back.
I hope you all had healthy and happy holidays!
Let me leave you with this quote:
‘Spend more time wandering…..and less time wondering’
New Member Discount
By Chelsea Sims, Administrator
Friends members can now enjoy 15% off at Smith Creek Village! Use code FOSF2023 for online bookings or show your FOSF membership card at Big Leaf Coffeehouse + Grill.
Check the Member Benefits page for discounts and perks!
Workshop Invitation
FOSF hosts educational workshops for volunteers and staff. We'd like to extend an invitation to our wonderful supporters, YOU! Join Kim Maley for a discussion on hibernators of Silver Falls.
February 23rd 2:00pm at South Falls Theater
Be sure to check the membership portal for more details and upcoming invitations!
First Day Hikes
By Chelsea Sims, Administrator
First Day Hikes have become a tradition for locals to start the year off out in nature. Many state parks host first day hikes and we were excited to offer two hikes this year to around 120 visitors!
South Falls Geology Hike: This one-mile hike was led by Ranger Paul, who took visitors behind South Falls. Visitors learned about the lava flows that created the canyon, looked for tree casts, and discussed the fossils still visible in the stone work throughout the historic district.
Hike Through History: Kim Maley led visitors through the South Falls Historic District. They learned about the once-upon-a-time ghost town of Silver Falls City, the historic orchard, and had a real-life stone splitting experience at the Stone Kitchen Shelter.
Team Silver Falls Gatherings
by Chelsea Sims, Administrator
This past November, we had a fun-filled evening celebrating all the hard-work our volunteers put in this year. This appreciation event included a taco bar, Silver Falls themed jeopardy, and volunteer awards. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers!
Staff and volunteers gathered for a lodge decorating + potluck. We made paper bird ornaments, hung garland, made wreaths, and decorated the lodge trees.
Next time you’re in the South Falls Lodge, you may notice a new addition near the fireplace. The large bench was moved to the main room. Park hosts, Peter and Dawn, made custom cushions from Pendleton fabric. Ranger Matt’s intent is to give visitors a communal space to gather and warm up by the fire.
