FRIENDS OF SAPELO
FALL MEETING
SAPELO ISLAND VISITOR’S CENTER
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Hyde Post 6:31 pm
OPENING REMARKS: Hyde:
· Welcome
· Thank you to Ann Major and Ethel stepping down from Board – thank you for service
MINUTES OF SPRING MEETING APPROVED: motion by Pat Colvin, second by Phyllis Strange
TREASURER’S REPORT: Ann Majure
· $183.00 profit on Crab and Shrimp Day
· Membership goals met
· Balance of $22,352.28 total in account of which $15,006.54 is strictly FOS monies
BUSINESS:
Board Memberships:
· Board positions open: Vice-President, Treasurer, Member-at-Large
· No nominations from the floor
· Motion by Bill Barton with Second by Linda Daniels to approve Tom Tubbs as Vice-President, Eddie Leverette as Treasurer, Bill Lewis as Member-at-Large
· Motion carried - new board members installed
· Slate of officers:
President Hyde Post Sept. 2018 - 2021
Vice-President Tom Tubbs Sept. 2019 - 2022
Secretary Susan Fardy Sept. 2017 - 2020
Treasurer Eddie Leverette Sept. 2019 – 2022
At-Large Phil Graitcer Sept. 2019 – 2022
Dori Colvin Sept. 2017 – 2020
Bill Lewis Sept. 2019 - 2022
Welcome to New Members:
· Ken and Emily Anthony and Family (not present) from Savannah
· John and Beth Stevenson – members for many years, but now permanently moved here from Atlanta
FOS Software:
· Current hand accounting will be transitioned to QuickBooks
SINERR REPORT:
· Suzanne VanParreren – Stewardship Coordinator/FOS Liason
- Adopt a Wetland –
o EPD funded project in which FOS may be interested
o FOS previously participated until 2011 (funding ran out)
o Choose any monitoring site in McIntosh Co (except Darien waterfront – middle school site)
o Monitor 1 x mo for dissolved oxygen, PH, contaminants, etc. including biological parameters
o Submit findings 1 x mo
o Training available - quality assessment and control measures
o Let Suzanne know if interested
· Rachel Guy – Research Coordinator
- Thanks to FOS for work on phytoplankton monitoring project – ongoing til end of April
- New dedicated research vessel:
o 2019 Carolina Skiff with modified V hull
o 2 live wells
o 115 HP Yamaha
o Anticipate use for trawling - possibly juvenile fish research
o A couple FOS members may be able to participate
o Public naming contest “Research Vessel __________”
· Adam MacKinnon– Education Coordinator
- Turtles:
o Best year ever for sea turtle count since data kept in 1989
o Storm had minimal effect on turtle nest/hatchlings
- Erosion:
o Storm produced little erosion – just minimal on north end of Sapelo
o Picture posts very useful in assessing erosion/storm damage and re-deposit of dunes
o FOS Beach Slope Monitoring data done with simple equipment corelates highly with data collected utilizing high end equipment
- Contaminants in our waterways:
o PCBs have made it up into our waterways
o Fatty fish, in particular, accumulate PCBs
GUEST PRESENTER:
· Calan MacKinnon – re: Eagle Scout Project
- Nature Trail Extension to Ephemeral Pond:
o Represents significant habitat not currently represented on the trail
o temporary wetlands with unique plants/animals not found in other areas
o Calan to direct project as requirement for Eagle Scout designation
o FOS members can sign up to work under Calan’s direction
PROJECTS / EVENT SCHEDULE:
· Nature Trail Extension to Ephemeral Pond TBD
· Native Bee Survey
· Native Garden Wed. Oct. 16
· Beach Slope Monitoring Mon. Sept. 23
· FOS Beach Sweeps Sat. Oct. 19
· Weed control around tabby ruins at Chocolate TBD
· Phytoplankton Monitoring Ongoing (Rachel)
· Nature Trail clean-up/maintenance Tues. Oct. 8
· Sinner National Estuaries Week:
- Coast Fest Sat. Oct. 5
- “Essential Estuaries: Marshing into the Future”
Talk by Rachel Guy (SINERR Research Coordinator) Sept. 20 1:00pm
- Ida Hilton Public Library: “We Live in the Wetlands”
Preschool storytime and craft Sept. 20 12:00
- Public Beach Sweep on Sapelo Sept. 21
- FOS will be participating in national N.E.W. social
media campaign talking about estuaries
STATE PARKS – REYNOLDS MANSION: Tony Patronis (mansion manager)
· Mansion general info:
- mansion has a new boat 23’ Parker
- Guests in mansion were slack August and September, but, back to back October and November
- leaks developed in dining room again
- looking toward bond for mansion furniture and other upgrades
· Christmas Tour Info:
- Last year 2018 realized the highest ever profit margin for tours – $12,000.00
- Tours 2019 will be Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
- Saturdays, group will eat immediately - house must be turned around for guests arriving in afternoon
- Costs will be $35 tour and meal + $15 ferry and bus
- Oct. 1st registration opens for Christmas tours – anticipating filling within a few weeks, as last year
· Christmas Tour Schedule:
- Docent Training Nov. 12
- Decorating Mon. Nov. 18 - 20
- Docent Tours Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 12/3 through 12/31
- Take Down Mon. Jan 6 - 7
Meeting Adjourned: 7:20pm
Respectfully Submitted – Susan Fardy