July 2016

A publication of The Friends of Peak Creek, Inc. Vol. 3, No. 2

Creekside

The Friends of Peak Creek, Inc. is an non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, historical nature, recreational and commercial value of Peak Creek for the benefit and enjoyment of all. 1

President’s Ponderings

Board of Directors Cathy Hanks, President Morgan Welker, Vice President Linda Hall, Secretary Sybil Atkinson, Treasurer Clark Payne Cheri Strenz Vickie Houk, Past President Ron Hall Jeff Worrell Town of Pulaski Representative

Bill Pedigo Pulaski County Representative

Michael Solomon Pulaski Co. Chamber of Commerce Rep.

Brooks Dawson Friends of Claytor Lake Representative

Laura Walters

By Cathy Hanks

There’s a buzz around the Town of Pulaski these days and I’m not talking bees. The humming is coming from an excitement, an increase in activity and an ever growing pride of accomplishment as new civic groups, committees for improvement, new businesses and investors continue to pop up. Each new group, new resident, and new business owner comes with varying interests but their talents and abilities that are all aimed at the same end goal….to make Pulaski the best place it can possibly be. As I finished compiling the Friends of Peak Creek Annual Report for 2016, I was, as usual, awed by the accomplishments of a small group of dedicated and concerned citizens. And I realized we are a part of the buzz, too. Our particular emphasis is the waterway that runs through Pulaski and what a tremendous asset it is to the community. One of the missions of our group is to help in educating our citizens about the importance of environmental stewardship. What better way than to start with the young ones. We now have coloring books: one that depicts the “critters” of Peak Creek and one that talks about the necessity of clean water. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Claytor Lake and developed by our own artist, Cheri Strenz, these booklets are available free at our booth. When you see us at the MarketPlace or a local festival drop by and pick one up.

Photo Credits

A special thanks goes to the Town of Pulaski Parks and Facilities Department for keeping Heritage Park in such great shape. They were a big asset in the preparation of our picnic before and after. We appreciate the help. Thanks to Mayor Nick Glenn for taking on the grilling duties and Ron and Linda Hall for literally lugging a pickup load of paraphernalia including a grill, coolers, drinks, etc to make the picnic a success. Thanks to Food City and Virginia Eagle Distributing for donations of food and drinks.

Linda Hall, Cathy Hanks

See you at the Creek!

CONTACT US: P.O. Box 1024 Pulaski, VA 24301 540-994-3300 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.friendsofpeakcreek.org FB: www.facebook.com/peakcreekfriends

Cathy Our cover photo was shot by Linda Hall showing our newest Adopt-a-Stream Sign located at Heritage Park on Dora Highway. Heritage Park is a great place to enjoy Peak Creek. It has easy access to the stream to wade and fish, the Dora Spur Trail meanders along the edge of the park and creek, and it’s a great place to bird watch.

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Special thanks to the Weigel Family for representing FOPC at the Annual Claytor Lake Clean-up. Izzy, Quinn, Eric and Ali spent a morning helping to gather trash and debris from Peak Creek where it enters the lake. Special kudos go to the Friends of Claytor Lake for doing such a great job of lake stewardship and mentoring FOPC as we continue to grow.

Live Stakes at Valley Branch

What Does A Healthy Streambank Look Like? Stabilization: A green lawn or well mown vegetation may look nice, but that type of streambank does not provide enough resistance to flowing water. Removing trees, and shrubs and substituting shallow rooted grasses can lead to bank collapse, erosion and sedimentation. Streambanks are stabilized by riparian buffers of shrubs and trees that anchor banks and prevent erosion.

With a successful live stakes planting and lack of mowing, Valley Branch has a recovering and healthy riparian buffer.

Habitat: A riparian buffer can be a well-traveled corridor for wildlife connecting one waterway or forested area to another. Turtles, muskrats, snakes, frogs, birds and other animals and reptiles thrive among the buffer. Fishes also need well vegetated banks for food and resting places.

Top Photo: Signs remind crews not to mow along the stream banks. Bottom photo: A mallard has taken advantage of the extra growth to lay her eggs.

2016 Annual Meeting What better way to hold a meeting than to have a picnic at the same time? FOPC decided to hold a member and volunteer appreciation picnic as our annual meeting. Our guest speaker this year was Blaine Keesee, Landscape Architect, of Draper Aden Associates and creator of the well received Peak Creek Corridor Study for the Town of Pulaski. He gave a brief overview of the study and concentrated on the areas that are directly adjacent to the Creek. After a bit of business, presentation of the annual report, and Blaine’s talk, attendees enjoyed hot dogs, sides, water melon and Lydia’s famous brownies. The 2016 Annual Report is available on our website or you can easily access it here.

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Storm Drain Marking Project

FOPC members Ron Hall, Cathy Hanks and Mike McMillon affix the test markers on a downtown street corner.

Our storm drain stenciling program has turned into a storm drain marking program. While acknowledging the tremendous amount of effort that went into the stenciling effort, led by member Cheri Strenz, it was decided to switch to metal markers and utilize the grant received from the C.E. Richardson Foundation. On June 4, test markers reading “Drains to Creek” were affixed to drains in downtown Pulaski. After these markers have been in place without any problem for a couple of weeks, the main order will be placed up to the $1000 amount of the funding grant.

Stream Assessment Update by John Randolph, Master Naturalist

On April 11, Sandy and John Randolph with assistant Ron Hall conducted a stream quality survey of Peak Creek at Heritage Park. The survey involved collection, identification, and counting of macro invertebrates following Virginia Save Our Streams protocol. The final result was a score of 9 on a 12-point scale with 0-7 unacceptable ecological condition, 9-12 acceptable, and 8 in the “gray zone.” Previous survey of the creek resulted in a score of 11 in September 2015. We will continue to survey the Creek on a quarterly basis.

Clean Up Report Our bi-annual spring clean up on April 14 and two subsequent activities led by Daniel Doolittle (Beans & Rice, Inc.) with Americorp volunteers resulted in the following being no longer being in or around Peak Creek and its tributaries: 67 bags of trash, three mattresses, two lawn chairs, one television, one toilet, and one shopping cart. Special recognition goes to Jamie Radcliffe and Pulaski County inmates for cleaning up dead trees and debris along Sproules Run. Thanks to the Town Crew for the tremendous job supporting our efforts by hauling away what we gather. It’s a team effort! 4

Volunteers gather for a safety meeting before dispersing to gather debris in and around the creek in downtown Pulaski.

Thank you to all our sponsors! We exist because of you! Guardian $5,000 and up

Webb Donald Insurance Shelor Motor Mile

Patron $1,000 to $4,999 Town of Pulaski

Friend $50 – $199 Downtown Exxon Nelda Pearson SWVA Pawnbrokers LLC Ron Hall Linda Hall Vickie Houk Sybil Atkinson Laura Walters Cheri Strenz Clark Payne John McElroy Nick Glenn (Glenn Insurance) Cathy Hanks

Sponsor $500 – $999 Mike McMillion (Pulaski Bikes LLC) Draper Aden Associates Robert McNichols Advocate $200 – $499 Brian Bartholomey Conrad Brothers Andy Owens Stephen Critchfield

Jeff Worrell Bob Conner Barbara Conner Pam Austin Becky Waller Lydia Hickam Andy Owens John Randolph Sandy Randolph John & Jan Woodward (“Contentment on the Creek, LLC”) Gem City Management Morgan Welker A. K. Runyon Carol Runyon Charlotte Audas Mike & Yvette Fleenor

Janet Jonas Tim Jonas Paul Haaf Lydia McCallister K & K Floor Coverings Kings Tire Service American Legion Post 7 Auxillary John Whilte Bill Pedigo

Appreciation List (donated services) Christ Episcopal Church Virginia Eagle Food City Pulaski Co. Sheriff Rock House Marina Friends of Claytor Lake

Member $25 Bill Opengai Tony Damerel Connie Damerel Cary Sutherland Lee & Pam Chitwood Mary Roop

If we have omitted anyone, please accept our sincerest apologies and email a correction .

Support the Cause! Stay current and watch for upcoming activities and news on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ peakcreekfriends

Buying merchandise helps support our good works and shows your pride in the local community. A FOPC cap is $15 and a tee is $20. Shirts and caps are available at our MarketPlace booth at the Historic Pulaski Train, all meetings and activities.

FOPC Meetings – open to the public 6 P.M. on the 4th Thursday of every month. Join us for our monthly public meeting at the Pulaski Train Station to: discuss FOPC’s accomplishments to date; review ongoing waterway issues; hear committee reports; special guest environmental presentations and civic speakers; work on and plan future activities & community based events.

Caps are also available at Conrad Brothers and Rock House Marina. All proceeds go to the work of Friends of Peak Creek.

I want to help FOPC pursue its mission of Peak Creek stewardship! Name ____________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ Phone _______________ Email________________________________ Participation Level: ____ Member $25 ____ Friend $ 50 - $199 ____ Advocate $ 200 - $499

____ Sponsor $ 500 - $ 999 ____ Patron $ 1,000 - $4,999 ____ Guardian $ 5,000 and up

I am willing to:  Do volunteer work

 Serve on a Committee  Serve on the Board

Make checks payable to Friends of Peak Creek and return to FOPC, PO Box 1024, Pulaski, VA 24301. 5

P. O. Box 1024 Pulaski, VA 24301