november 2006 friends of white clay creek state park newsletter

8/9/2019 November 2006 Friends of White Clay Creek State Park Newsletter

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At this time the trail can best be accessed by foJlowing Yeatmans Station Road (aka YeatmansMill Road) from Doe Run Road into Pennsylvania. Where Quartz Mill Road goes off to the left. stay tothe right (No Outlet) and follow Yeatmans Station Road to the point where it is closed by a gate. Parkin a small parking area on the right. The trail exits the north side of the parking lot and is well marked.

The new trail adds approximately one mile to the five-mile loop hike fi'om the Delaware WCCSPOffice reported in the August 2003 Friends Newsletter. Note: Previous newsletters are available on theFriends website (whiteclayfriends.org).Be Aware of Lyme Disease from Infected Deer Ticks in the Park

With the large population of deer in White Clay Creek State Park, visitors should be diligent inreducing their exposure to deer ticks as the best defense against Lyme disease (LD) and other tick-borneinfections. One of the many useful websites for learning about Lyme disease and its prevention is thatof the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):.

Delaware is one of twelve states that reported an incidence of LD that was higher than thenational average in both 2001 and 2002. According to a study by K.L. Curran and others from WesleyCollege, "Delaware has one of the highest incidence rates for Lyme disease in the U.S. Despite this.there is little data concerning the distribution of the deer tick Ixodes scapularis within the state, orinfection rates for Borrelia burgdorferi in questing ticks." Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete which isthe causative agent ofLyme disease.

The authors of that report sampled for 1. scapularis in six state parks distributed within all threeDelaware counties in November 1999 and June 2000. "Adult infection rates for B. burgdorferi rangedfrom 62% in New Castle County, to 13% in Kent County and 40% in Sussex County. Nymphalinfection rates ranged from 14% in New Castle County to 9.5% in Sussex County." To assess humanrisk of Lyme disease, for each park they calculated an entomologic risk index (ERI) based on densityestimates of Lyme disease spirochete-infected nymphal deer ticks. The White Clay Creek index of 1.95was second highest of the six parks; Brandywine Creek was the highest at 5.60 and Killens Pond thelowest at 0.12. The risk for LD is high at White Clay Park; therefore, be aware of this, especially whenout on the trails.Restaurant at Deerfield Open for Lunch and Brunch

During the winter months, the restaurant at Deerfield - known as "The Grille at the D" - is openfor lunch and cocktails during the hours of 11 :00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week. In addition,brunch is served in the ballroom on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. For further information or forreservations go to www.deerfieldgolfclub.com or call 302-368-6640.

In addition to the regular schedule, special events are planned for holidays. There is a specialbrunch on Thanksgiving Day, and on December 3 there will be a Santa brunch with a special visit bySanta himself.

The food is great and the surroundings spectacular. Give it a try!

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/Friends Make Commitment for Repair of Twin Ponds

Recently the Friends' Executive Committee voted to commit up to $8,000 toward therepair of the twin ponds, which are located on the heights behind the Park Office. Considered by manyto be one of the most beautiful areas in the park, the ponds have recently been almost completelydrained because the standpipes for water level control have corroded through. The Friends commitmentis intended to expedite the repair process and represents about half the total estimated cost of the repair.Friends President Receives Audubon Conservation Award

In July, Friends President Andy Urquhart received the Delaware Audubon Society'sprestigious Conservation Achievement Award for 2006. One award is given annually to recognizesustained special efforts on behalf of the environment in Delaware.

For many years Andy has been active in land conservation work throughout the state,representing the Friends. He has served on the Advisory Committee for the Preservation Coalition, agroup representing more than 300 Delaware environmental, civic, labor, and governmentalorganizations. He has been one of the leaders in efforts to conserve special properties, the most recentof which resulted in the state's purchase of the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club as an addition to ourpark.Bolocan Scholarship Fund Enables Park Programs for Disadvantaged Children

Using a generous donation from members David and Sarah Bolocan, the Friendsestablished a scholarship fund to enable economically disadvantaged schoolchildren to participate innature education programs at the park. The scholarship underwrites half of the program cost forchildren receiving free or reduced-price lunches at their schools.

To date, two school classes have used the scholarships and a third one is scheduled,involving a total of approximately 350 students. Of these, approximately half are economicallydisadvantaged. Each of the schools have said that they would not have come at all without thescholarship support, so all of the students are benefiting from the opportunity to enjoy these excellentnature-related programs.Superintendent's Corner - Nick McFadden

To begin I would like (on behalf of Angel and myself) to thank the Friends' volunteers who ranthe Nature Center for us from May through October. Without their commitment and dedication theNature Center just would not be open on a regular basis. It allows the park to provide a great service toour visitors.

Another great volunteer activity with more dedicated people is the Trail Watch program. Trailuse is the most popular activity in the park. Having volunteers monitor trail conditions, perform minormaintenance, and do damage assessments after storms helps us keep the over 35 miles of trails safe andin great shape.

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The Judge Morris house and grounds is now available to rent for business and social functions.Since January we've hosted 6 business meetings and 6 weddings and/or rehearsal dinners in addition toAngel's great programs. It 's becoming a really busy facility.

Deerfield is also bustling with activity. You'll be able to see the extensive renovations that havebeen completed at the Friends Fall meeting on Nov. 29

th . The clubhouse has been transformed from acorporate annex into a beautiful country club facility. Forewinds has done a great job bringing inbusiness meetings, corporate golf outings, huge wedding receptions, and other special events. Since thecourse reopened in April over 20,000 rounds have been played.

Deerfield has been a great addition to White Clay Creek and the whole Delaware State Parkssystem.Special Newsletter Supplement Gives Story of "Dutch BiJly"

In collecting oral histories of the park area, one person frequently mentioned is "DutchBilly," a local character who lived as a squatter for many years in what has become the Possum Hillarea of the park. Andrea Cassel has summarized these recollections in an interesting article included asa special supplement at the end of this newsletter.Park Program Schedule Available on the Web

Over the past year or so, the Friends have been forwarding e-mail notices of parkprograms to members for whom we have e-mail addresses. If the notice is lost, much of the sameinformation is also available on the state parks website - www.destateparks.com. Simply go to the site,click on "Things to Do", and follow the menus to the page for programs at White Clay Creek StatePark.

Unfortunately, we are not able to send program notices to our members by regular mailbecause of the cost and effort involved.Nature Center Staffing Project Completed for 2006

October 29 marked the last day of2006 during which the Friends kept the Nature Centeropen for weekend visitors. For several years we have had volunteers present on Saturdays and Sundaysto welcome visitors, hand out maps and other information, answer questions about the park, and, astime permits, help with minor maintenance needs. Since park visitation is lower during the coldermonths, we have focused on the months of May through October for this project.

This year we had 580 visitors during our open hours. In addition to getting informationabout the park, many visitors spent time enjoying the exhibits at the center. One of the highlights wasthe Friends' nest cameras providing live videos of two active bird nests, an Eastern Phoebe nest on theporch rafters (two broods) and a House Wren nest in a bluebird box near the center (one brood).Everyone finds it fascinating to watch these birds raising their young.

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CalendarDecember 3 Trail WorkDecember II Executive Committee MeetingJanuary 8 Executive Committee MeetingFebruary 12 Executive Committee MeetingMarch 12 Executive Committee MeetingMarch 17 Trail WorkApril 9 Executive Committee MeetingApril 14 Trail Work - Christina River CleanupMay 5 Trail WorkMay Migratory Bird Walk - Date TBDMay 14 Executive Committee and Advisory Board MeetingsJune 2 Trail Work - National Trails DayJune II Executive Committee Meeting

Projects and Project LeadersAdopt-a-Highway: Dee and Dick Benson, Nature Center Exhibits: Andy Urquhart, 239

410-398-4180 247]Adopt-a-Trail: Mike Ott, 738-6652 Newark Community Day: Ken Daws, 737Advocacy: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471 8120Birders Guide: Gene Hess, 738-4690, and Oral Histories: Andrea Cassel, 737-3319

Andy Urquhart, 239-2471 Park Office Plantings: OpenBluebird Boxes: Open Reforestation: Christa Stefanisko, 369-1933Bolocan Scholarship Fun d: Angel Burns, 368 Trail Benches: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471

6560 Trail Improvement Work: Wendel Cassel,Judge Morris Garden Maintenance: Doug 737-3319

Kelley, 368-6562 Water Ice Sales: John Thomas, 456-3242; JohnKestrel Boxes: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471 Schwander, 737-790 IHistorical Booklet: Debbie Keese, 369-9128 Wayside Historical Markers: Wendel Cassel,Light Construction: Nick McFadden, 368- 737-3319

6900 Website: Rick Hall, 831-1295Member-led Park Programs: Angel Bums, Wildlife Habitat Protection: Andy Urquhart,368-6560 239-2471

Nature Center Staffing: Jim Ries, 239-1658Executive Committee

President: Andy Urquhart, 239-2471, [email protected]: Marilyn Sweeney, 235-2548, [email protected] and Newsletter Editor: Dick Benson, 410-398-4180, [email protected]: Ken Daws, 737-8120, [email protected] Chair: Lisa Wool, 562-9788, [email protected] Committee Chair: Jim Ries, 239-1658, [email protected]

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Membership ApplicationJoin us! If you are not already a member and would like to join, please return this form with your checkmade payable to Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. Annual dues are $5.00 for students, $10.00 forindividuals, and $15.00 for families. Any extra donation with your dues would be appreciated and put togood use.Name(s)AddressPhone L J _ E-mail

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Inc.P.O. Box 9734, Newark, DE 19714-9734


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Dutch BillyBy Andrea Cassel

Every area has unique legends that are passed down to younger generations. One ofWhite Clay Creek Valley's was about Dutch Billy. Many long-time valley residents reminiscedabout the stories they had heard about him.

William Losien, his real name, was born in Germany in February of 1858 andimmigrated to America in 1882. Long-time area resident Eugene "Dick" Robinson said thatthough Dutch Billy did not go into Newark much, he did see him once. He described him asheavyset with a full beard.

Dutch Billy lived alone with his hunting dogs in a small cabin in the woods on the southside of Pleasant Hill Road. Evidence of the lane that went by his cabin is barely visible today.Long-time resident Norman Dempsey remembered that Dutch Billy's cabin was where severalfarms (Harkness, Niven, Hopkins, and Lamborn farms) came together near the Nine Foot Roadand Lovers Lane. Every few years local men would move his small cabin to an adjacentproperty so he would not have to pay rent.

Besides growing some vegetables in a small garden, keeping chickens, and hunt ing,Dutch Billy was a respected handyman and butcher for area farmers. His renown as a hunterwas widespread. He used his two or three hounds for hunting small game such as raccoons,squirrels, and rabbits. Dick Robinson said that at night one could hear his coon dogs running upand down the valley. The dogs had harmony and were wonderful to hear. They had differentways of barking depending on what was happening. They had one sound when they weretrailing an animal and another when they treed it. It was a long bray, then a yap, yap, yap. Billywould follow the sounds to get his quarry.

In late February 1927, the residents near Pleasant Hill Road did not hear the soundsof the dogs for several days so they went checking on Dutch Billy. IIe had shot his dogs andthen himself. He had been ill and people assumed that he feared for the future of his dogswithout him. Since he was poor, his normal burial plot would have been in a potter's field. Hewas so beloved by his neighbors that a collection was taken, led by J. Leslie Eastburn, so hecould be buried in a marked grave by the Mill Creek Quaker Meeting House. The stone is stillstanding today. His only possession, a rifle, was buried resting in his arms. It is this gun thatneighbors believe they hear fired at midnight each February 28, the anniversary of his death.

november 2006 friends of white clay creek state park newsletter

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