Subject: Summer hot! River cool!

Vote for your favorite Cleanup Mascot by replying to this email.

Middle River Sharkie? Or Middle River Pumpkin Dude?

Both found and rescued from Middle River!


Annual Middle River Cleanup


When: Saturday, August 13 through Sunday, August 21

What: Middle River Trash Cleanup

Sign Up to Cleanup: HERE!


Notice to all paddlers of all abilities who would like to join like-minded volunteers for the annual Friends of the Middle River (FOMR) Watershed cleanup: Each August, we form teams that paddle the river--or walk smaller tributaries-- to collect trash, tires and an amazing array of miscellaneous refuse that have found their way into our otherwise pristine waterways. For the uninitiated, prepare to get wet and dirty! Then leave with a big smile and satisfaction for giving nature a big boost.


You can learn more generally about FOMR annual cleanups HERE. We look forward to having your help for another banner year of ridding the river of trash. 

Clean the Bay Day Recap


On June 2-4, FOMR volunteers joined up with Shenandoah Green, Valley Scholars, Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee, Tiger Solar and Skyline Connections Rotary Club to participate in Chesapeake Bay Foundation's statewide Clean the Bay Day.


We held three separate stream cleanups utilizing 44 volunteers who collected 20 bags of trash--725 pounds! Good work folks: Lewis Creek, a tributary of Middle River, is the healthier and prettier for your efforts!

Family Paddle Trip


Registration is open for the Family Paddle Trip!


What: Family Paddle Trip

When: Saturday, August 6, 8:30am-noon

Approximate length of trip: 3 hours or about 5.8 miles

River: Middle River, approx. Mile Marker 5.5 to Mile Marker 0

Cost: Free

(Backup Raindate: Sunday, August 7 )


This is the furthest downstream section of Middle River—the last 5 miles to where Middle River enters North River. There will be a few riffles to spice up the trip. There are channels you will need to navigate, but they are easy. This is a pretty float with farmland on both sides of the river.


This is a good trip for families with kids, but is not limited to families. Anyone is welcome to sign up!

 

FOMR will:

• get permission from the landowners​

• provide volunteers to paddle as front-runners and to follow behind the group​

• give you written driving directions to the put-in and to the take-out

· coordinate the shuttle of the group’s vehicles

 

 PARTICIPANTS will:

•  provide your own boats, paddles, fishing gear and required life vests and required whistles/horns


Read more and sign up HERE!


Gear Sale/Swap at FriendsFest


Announcing a Gear Sale/Swap this year to be held at our FriendsFest picnic and raffle on Sunday, September 11. We'll tell you more about how the sale/swap will work next month, but if you clean out your shed/basement/attic, hang on to the river and outdoor items you'd like to sell!


Consider Joining the FOMR Board of Directors!


Volunteering as a Director on the Board of Directors is one (of many) ways to get more involved with leadership in Friends of the Middle River. Every year some of our Board Members complete their terms and rotate off the Board and new persons come on. We are always seeking persons interested in being considered for Board service.

Board Member terms are three years. Our recruitment and interviewing process is June to October. Board terms start January 1. We aim to create a diverse board, with the skills and experience that we need at any given time represented. Remember, there are many ways to provide leadership besides Board Directorship, including volunteering for Committee Chair roles.


If you would like to speak to someone about the possibility of Board or Committee Chair service, please start HERE. The information you give us will be added to an applicant pool for use in filling future leadership vacancies. We will then be in touch with you to further the conversation!

Virginia Bass Slam Challenge


Here's a fishing contest being offered by the Department of Wildlife Resources. From their website: "The Virginia Bass Slam is a challenge to anglers to catch three species of Bass (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Striped Bass or Hybrid Striped Bass) in one year. Both stocked fish and wild fish of any size count toward the slam, but catching all three in the same resource and in the same day is the ultimate trifecta. Chasing the bass slam offers a new challenge to anglers, and adds adventure to a fishing trip by forcing the angler to explore new resources in an attempt to complete the slam."


Read all about the contest, submissions and rules HERE!


Left to right: Nancy Owens, FOMR Board Chair; Kate Guenther, Watershed Administrator; John Bauman: Board Vice-President

FOMR is grateful to the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and its donors for awarding us a $2500 grant on June 15, 2022.This "unrestricted" grant can be used as the Board of Directors sees fit. In our application, we mentioned our 2022 goals as being Water Quality Monitoring, expanding our educational activities, and focusing on board development. 

This year we will be completing the first year of a two-year E. coli monitoring project, on the main stem of Middle River from Churchville to its confluence with North River - a distance of 46.2 river miles. We are holding two riverside education events at the Shenandoah Valley Campground for campers of all ages, we have been invited to participate in the Augusta County Library's Summer Reading Program at two library branches and we have agreed to partner with the Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind to offer an educational seminar streamside to students. FOMR has always been a small, grassroots, hyper-local, volunteer-driven organization. A goal in 2022 is to continue to improve the procedures and protocols for recruitment and training of Board and committee leaders to assure increased diversity and skillful leadership while enjoying the community, camaraderie and fun of a smalltown nonprofit.


FOMR was one of 119 community non-profits to be awarded a grant, and we are thankful to the Community Foundation and the generous community members who donate to the Foundation.

Raffle Tickets for Sale!


Yes, the kayak and stand-up paddleboard will be won at our raffle, but there are lots of other great prizes, like these custom-made ceramic mugs by FOMR member, Mary Murray! The drawing will be held September 11, at our FriendsFest picnic, but you do not have to be present to win. You can buy any amount of raffle tickets to get in the drawing HERE!

Current RAP Booklet Version 6.29.22

Upcoming

July


24 Deadline to sign up for the Cleanup in August

26 FOMR Board Meeting, in-person and via Zoom, 6:30pm

30 River Roundup, an education event at Shenandoah Valley Campground for campers


August


6 Family Paddle Trip

13-21 FOMR Annual Middle River Cleanup, various teams on various days


September


11 FriendsFest Raffle and Picnic: SAVE THE DATE!

Friends of the Middle River

P.O. Box 131,

Verona, VA 24482

540-609-8267

Web: www.friendsofthemiddleriver.org

Email: info@friendsofthemiddleriver.org

Friends of the Middle River, PO Box 131, Verona, Virginia 24482, United States

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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of All Members (fka fomrmccue) (Friends of the Middle River, PO Box 131, 24482 Verona, United States) and sent via GetResponse on 2022-07-15. Report abuse