[MNCA-Notices] Friends of Mason Neck State Park November 2017 Newsletter

November 2017 Newsletter Registration is open for  SWANFALL 2017:  "Intriguing Waterfowl of Mason Neck"        Sunday, December 3, 2017 2:00- 4:00 p.m. Join us on December 3, 2017 for the Friends of Mason Neck State Park's Third Annual Swanfall holiday celebration.  Once again, the Jammes House, a former hunting lodge in Mason Neck State Park, will be decorated for the holidays.  You can enjoy a light buffet in this unique home situated on the banks of Occoquan Bay, followed by a fascinating presentation by Paul Bacich, a renowned author, editor, and conservationist.  As the leaves begin to fall and winter approaches, the population of waterfowl swells on Mason Neck. More than thirty species of ducks, geese, swans, and other waterfowl appear.  Drawn by the protected waters of the bays and the abundant plant and animal food sources, more than 30,000 waterfowl wintered in the nearby Potomac and adjacent waters last winter. Paul Baicich will introduce us to our winter visitors and discuss the importance of conserving wetlands such as those right here on Mason Neck. We will also learn about the Federal Duck Stamp, one of the most successful conservation tools ever created to protect habitat for birds and other wildlife.  Paul served as an editor for the American Birding Association, received the Ducks Unlimited "Wetland Conservation Achievement Award." He co-authored "A Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds" and the recently-published book "The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl". He is President of the Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp and has been a volunteer at Huntley Meadows Park's Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser nest-box program for almost 25 years. A silent auction will feature photographs by Randy Streufert, whose stunning pictures of birds on Mason Neck have graced the cover of Virginia Wildlife magazine and the walls of the Park's Visitor Center.  We will also raffle Duck Stamps and signed copies of Mr. Baicich's recently-published book. The program fee is only $10 and includes admission to the park.  You can register at  http://www.masonneckstateparkfriends.org/event-2692645           __________________________ WHERE IS THE EAGLE? You may have noticed that the concrete base for "Spirit of America," the Bald Eagle sculpture commissioned by the Friends of Mason Neck State Park, has been placed just outside the Visitor Center.  The eagle is waiting in storage until the concrete base has hardened sufficiently to support the 350-lb sculpture.     We will have a formal unveiling and dedication when the eagle has landed.  We'll send you an email providing information about the date and time in the near future.   _______________________________ MATTHEW BENGER --  MASON NECK STATE PARK VOLUNTEER Matthew Benger, his mother Mary, and the Enchanted Owl at Park After Dark Matthew, a seventh-grader, has been volunteering at Mason Neck State Park for about five years.  His first volunteer event was a Cub Scout Den project near the maintenance shed.  Matthew and his mother Mary have helped cook breakfast for young campers at Mason Neck State Park's Great American Campout for the past two summers.  When Matthew visits the Park, he often goes treasure hunting – cleaning trash from the Park's trails.  Most recently, he served as a "sweep" on two of the Enchanted Forest hikes during the Park After Dark event, then helped pick up the electric candles that guided the young hikers through the Park.   Thanks, Matthew, for making Mason Neck State Park better! __________________________________________ DAVID STAPLETON IS RETIRING  AS ASSISTANT PARK MANAGER It's time to say goodbye to the longest serving member of the Mason Neck State Park family. After serving Virginia State Parks for 34 years, David Stapleton is retiring.  David began his Virginia State Parks career as a Chief Ranger at Holliday Lake State Park in January 1984.  He then served at Hungry Mother State Park, Pocahontas State Park, and Douthat State Park. In 1992, David joined the Mason Neck State Park family as the Assistant Park Manager, and has been with us for the past 26 years.  David helped to design many of the trails that visitors love today, helped implement plans for the Visitor Center as we see it now, and has inspired dozens of naturalists to share their knowledge and love of nature with the community. The staff at Mason Neck State Park and the Friends of Mason Neck State Park will host a retirement party to honor David for his service on Saturday, December 2 at 12:30 p.m. at the Jammes House. Everyone is welcome to attend.   Please RSVP by calling 703-339-2385 by November 20, 2017. In lieu of individual gifts, we are collecting donations to put towards a retirement gift honoring David's service to the park. If you are interested in contributing to the retirement gift for David, please visit http://vspeba.weebly.com, then scroll down and click on "David Stapleton Retirement Donation."  Donations will be accepted on the website through November 20.  If you have any questions or would like to make a donation by check, please contact Reinhardt Gray by calling 703-339-2385 or emailing him at Reinhardt.gray@dcr.virginia.gov.  ______________________ WHAT WE DID LAST MONTH: Adults and Children Alike Enjoyed the  Park After Dark Event on October 21 On October 21, visitors had a rare opportunity to experience Mason Neck State Park after dark.  Park staff guided younger visitors through an Enchanted Forest, where they had an opportunity to learn about animals that live in the park.  They met: an owl,                                         an eagle,     a frog, and a raccoon who had found a picnic basket for its dinner.  Friends of Mason Neck State Park played the parts of the animals. Adults and teens took "no lights" hikes to experience the Park in darkness.   It's amazing to discover how well the eyes adapt to the lack of artificial light. (Naturally, there's no picture because it was REALLY dark.) We enjoyed yummy S'mores and storytelling around the campfire.                _____________________ Join Us! Are you a member of the Friends of Mason Neck State Park?  If not, we would love to have you join!  Memberships fund the many Park activities we support each year.  And for as little as $20 per year, you will enjoy monthly newsletters, emails about special events and priority registration for special events such as our annual Swanfall in December and other activities during the year.     Information on joining the Friends is available at:  http://www.masonneckstateparkfriends.org/join  The Friends of Mason Neck State Park, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation organized to conserve, enhance, and interpret the Park's natural, educational, recreational, cultural and historic resources.