Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee (a subcommittee of Friends of the Middle River) runs the annualĀ CleanĀ theĀ BayĀ DayĀ event for the City of Staunton.
This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th, 2025 from 9 AM - Noon.
A group of volunteers from FOMRĀ is all set to cleanĀ up a stretch of Lewis Creek along Commerce Drive, from Columbia Gas to New Hope Road.
Following all of the cleanups that morning, everyone is invited to the meet together at noon for a pizza lunch, provided by Skyline Rotary.
If you would like to join the FOMR group inĀ cleaningĀ up Lewis Creek along Commerce Drive, please let Mason know atmknly4g49@hotmail.com
You Could Be Our Next Board Member!
(Picture from a recent Board & Friends Potluck)
Volunteering on theĀ BoardĀ of Directors is one of many ways to get more involved with leadership at Friends of the Middle River. Every year, a few ofĀ ourĀ BoardĀ Members complete their terms and rotate off theĀ Board. That's where you could come in -- we are always seeking folks who might be interested inĀ BoardĀ service!
BoardĀ Member terms are three years.Ā BoardĀ terms start January 1st, andĀ ourĀ recruitment and interviewing process is June to October. We aim to create a diverseĀ board, with the skills and experience that we need at any given time represented. Remember, there are many ways to provide leadership besidesĀ BoardĀ Directorship, including volunteering for committee Chair roles.
If you would like to speak to someone about the possibility ofĀ BoardĀ service, please start by filling outĀ this form.Ā The information you give us will be added to an applicant pool for use in filling futureĀ boardĀ vacancies. We will then be in touch with you to further the conversation!
Float Trip Season Is Ongoing
Our next float trip will be focused on fishing and will occur next Saturday, June 14th. Sign up for the June paddle trip by emailing info@friendsofthemiddleriver.org with the subject "June 14th Float Trip."
Meet a Friend of the Middle River: Deborah Patton
Deborah learned to swim while growing up in Northeastern Pennsylvania because her family lived near a tributary to the Susquehanna River. This creek had one deep, shale-lined swimming hole. Deboah fondly recalls her time spent there and attests that "there was nothing like sitting in that creek, up to [my] midsection, with the water rushing past." Later, as an adult, she went rafting with friends on the Youghiogheny River and that ignited her love of spending time rafting and floating on rivers. When she first moved to the Shenandoah Valley, Deborah was seeking a river to float on and, though it took her a while, she eventually discovered the Middle River. Deborah borrowed a boat from one of FOMRās founders, Joe McCue, and set out on her first Middle River float. She had so much fun that she bought her own kayak soon afterward. Unfortunately, Deborah had to take a break from float trips during the COVID era. Lately, despite being quite eager to get on the water, she has been too busy to take her kayak out for a float.
Hopefully Deborah will join FOMR on a group float trip soon!
A New Way to Support FOMR
In case you missed it -- in April, we rolled out a brand-new way to support Friends of the Middle River in 2025!
Like you, weād rather be paddling than putting stamps on envelopes and pestering you for money, so weāre excited to create an easier way for you to show your support. With YOUR help, our river-themed membership - ranging from our Riffle tier at $30 to our Watershed tier at $240 - will help us continue and even expand our work. Our local community has always played an essential part in our organizationās ability to be the voice of Middle River - YOU are Friends of the Middle River. Weāre looking forward to the ways in which this new membership program will help us to continue to connect and grow locally.
Please check out our FAQs on our "Join FOMR" landing page to learn more about how our new model works and become a Supporter. And we hope to see you on the water!!
Find the Join FOMR landing page by clicking the "support" button below!
Maybe we met you at a festival recently or you signed up after you saw us collecting tires, but you still wish you knew more about our organization... First of all, welcome! And just so you know, we do have a slightly more detailed sign-up form that tells us some more about you - like any potential volunteer interests you might have - and also gives you the chance to sign up for our River Access Program.
