Augusta County Fishing and Outdoor Expo Even though it doesn't feel like it yet, fishing season will be here soon! Come out to the 11th annual Augusta County Fishing and Outdoor Expo on February 10th and 11th at the Augusta Expoland in Fishersville and get your gear ready!
Friends of the Middle River (FOMR) will have a table and begin our 2024 raffle ticket sales for a 10 ft. Pelican Angler kayak, courtesy of Charlie Obaugh's RV and Outdoors in Staunton. FOMR would benefit from the help of a few Friends to volunteer and help us greet visitors. Volunteers can sign up for a morning or afternoon shift on either day HERE!
We hope to see you!
When: Saturday, Feb. 10, 8:30am -5pm Sunday, Feb. 11, 9am-3pm Where: Expoland, 277 Expo Rd., Fishersville, VA 22939
| | | Lecture: The Past, Present, and Future Water Quality of Virginia’s Native Trout Streams What: Free Science Lecture When: Tuesday, January 16, 7:00pm Where: The Wayne Theatre, 521 W. Main St., Waynesboro, VA 22980 Who: Dr. Ami Riscassi, Research Scientist and Projects Coordinator for the Shenandoah Watershed Study - Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study at the University of Virginia Cost: Pay what you will.
Dr. Ami Riscassi will discuss the impact of decades of historic acid deposition, originating from unregulated fossil fuel combustion, on Western Virginia’s forested mountain streams, which provide habitat for naturally reproducing populations of the region’s native brook trout and other fish species. Future concerns concerning climate change and other stressors will also be included.
The Science Talks are a partnership with the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the Center for Coldwaters Restoration. The 2019/2020 theme is “The South River-Transformation to Sustainability.”
| | | Photo above: Headwaters SWCD | 2023 Clean Water Farm Award
From the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District's website: "The Clean Water Farm Award Program was established by the General Assembly to recognize farms in the Commonwealth which utilize practices designed to protect water quality and soil resources. Virginia farmers who are exemplary in their protection of the state’s soil and water quality deserve recognition and thanks. These individuals are role models who encourage others’ stewardship.
The Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District has named its Clean Farm Awards for Augusta County. Winner in the Shenandoah River Watershed category is JMD Farm Market and Garden Center. From the farm's website: "JMD Farm Market & Garden Center (formally Driver Brothers Garden Center) has been operated by the Driver Family for over 30 years. What started as a small operation by two brothers has blossomed into a moderate retail garden center and a large wholesale nursery.
In recent years we have taken a more comprehensive approach and linked gardening and farming through our retail store which provoked the name change to JMD Farm Market & Garden Center. Now in additional to our amazing pottery and plants we also carry local meats, produce, eggs, honey, and artisan crafts. Our meats and produce are sustainably raised on a locally without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides and insecticides. We have completely stopped the use of neonicotinoids across all of our production on both the farm and in the greenhouses." Congratulations to Millard Driver and his team! | | | Welcome New FOMR Board Director
FOMR is delighted to welcome Mason Kilbourn (above) to our Board of Directors. A retired farrier with a lifelong personal and professional connection to horses, Mason is an angler, outdoorsman, traveler, kayaker, biker, and mandolin player! He has been active in many leadership positions such as the school PTA, local political party, Ruritan clubs, and for equestrian events. Welcome, Mason! | | | Appreciation: FriendsFest Volunteers
In the past year we had 145 individuals who volunteered some portion of their time to help with something that FOMR did. Since we are a small nonprofit with only one part-time paid staff person, everything else that happens is done by volunteers. We will highlight monthly the work so many of you are doing on your respective projects and committees, and hope a few more of you will get curious and inspired to volunteer for the first time in an activity that appeals to you in 2024. Ever since our earliest days as a nonprofit, we have held our annual FriendsFest BBQ picnic to bring our community together, celebrate our members, eat good food and have a late summer excuse to wade in the river once again. A LOT of kayaks have been won in our raffle over the years! A picnic for over 100 folks takes a lot of volunteer planning and coordination. This is the month we send our love and appreciation to our FriendFest volunteers who plan and organize for months, the people who donate prizes, bring yummy foods, the folks who set it all up and then take it all down and those who haul away trash, recycling and compost. And we appreciate the Webster family who generously allows us the use of their wide-open riverfront property to celebrate! Thank you all for giving us an excuse to have fun! | | | | Rent Online Paddle Films!
Winter is a great time to stay connected to the feelings and inspiration rivers bring you. Watch short films from the Paddling Film Festival in the comfort of your home (50% of the rental fees go to support FOMR ).
This month we highlight a film called A River Out of Time. Watch its preview HERE:
Synopsis
In 1869, a small group of surveyors led by John Wesley Powell set out to map the unknown extent of the Colorado River Basin. 150 years later, a team set out to raft in Powell's footsteps to reevaluate Powell's legacy, absorb the power of place and articulate what the future may hold for water in the American West.
This film-- A River Out of Time-- is one of seven short documentary films in the Adventure Program 2023. You can rent the whole package for $18.50—which runs 3 hours and 29 minutes and you have a 10-day window to view them. Watch on your phone, tablet, computer or cast to your TV using AirPlay, Chromecast, Miracast, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick or HDMI.
For FOMR to earn the donation, rent your films through the following link: https://paddlingfilmfestival.com/?ref=MIDDLERIVERVA To see the package that includes A River Out of Time 1. Go to https://paddlingfilmfestival.com/?ref=MIDDLERIVERVA 2. Scroll down to “Ways to Watch” and click on the “Rent Films” button 3. When the new window opens, scroll down and click on the “Adrenaline 2023” block 4. Then click on the “Rent Now” button. 5. Click “Check Out,” double-check your order, and pay.
Thank you for supporting FOMR, and happy viewing!
| Current RAP Booklet Version 3.16.23 | January 20 FOMR Board Strategic Planning Retreat 23 FOMR Board Meeting
February 10-11 Augusta County Fishing and Outdoor Expo | Friends of the Middle River Web: www.friendsofthemiddleriver.org Email: info@friendsofthemiddleriver.org |
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