At the end of 2009, the group was able to purchase a Penny Press Machine. It was installed the last week of 2009 and throughout 2010 it proved to be a crowd please for all of our visitors.
This year the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship to Cody Coffey of Jamestown, KY. Cody is attending Lindsey Wilson College pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Fish & Wildlife Management.
(L to R) Jerry Coleman, President of the Friends group, Roger Dale Coffey,
Cody Coffey, Sherry Coffey, and James Gray, Project Leader at WCNFH
At the beginning of the year, the Friends Group made a $200.00 donation of books to the Russell County Public Library. All of the books were nature related and have been a big hit among the children that frequent the library. In November, the Friends Group voted to donate $200.00 to each of the 4 local elementary schools, which will be placed in each of the school's libraries. All books have a bookplate with our information in hopes that the parents will log on to our website and learn more about our many wonderful Environmental Education programs at the hatchery.
(L to R) Jerry Coleman, President of the Friends Group, Glenda York, R.C.P.L., Fillamay Cowell, R.C.P.L., James Gray, Project Leader at WCNFH
On April 9th-11th Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc President Jerry Coleman, wife Betty Coleman and Project Leader James Gray attended the Southeast Region Friends Conference in Crystal River, Florida. While there they attended four seminars on different topics, as well as met members from other friends group in the Southeast Region. These conferences allows for the groups to be able to find out about the other friends group and what they are doing within their groups, as well as to discuss ideas on ways to increase their group sizes and effectiveness. There was also a list of vendors to help the friends group that operates Gift Shops to be able to look at and possibly expand their inventory.
(L to R) Jerry Coleman, President of the Friends Group and James Gray, Project Leader at WCNFH
Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc. Board Member Barry Begley and Wolf Creek Deputy Project Leader Sheila Kirk attended the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fisheries Friends Group Conference held in Washington D.C., April 20th-22nd. The national conference was an opportunity for Fisheries Friends Groups from across the country to network and share ideas. While on Capitol Hill, Begley and Kirk met with staffers of Senator Mitch McConnell, Congressmen Ed Whitfield and Congressman Hal Rogers.
On April 29th, Project Leader James Gray, Office Assistant Teresa Devore, and Friends of Wolf Creek NFH, Inc Administrative Assistant Johanna Spencer attended the annual Russell County Chamber of Commerce Banquet. During the event, the Friends of Wolf Creek and hatchery staff manned a booth covering the work of the hatchery, outreach information and information focusing on the efforts of the Friends Group in support of the hatchery. Approximately 300 people attended the event.
On May 11th, the Friends of Wolf Creek NFH, Inc participated in the 1st Annual Russell County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. With over 400 attendees the event provided the group a great opportunity to continue their outreach efforts in support of the hatchery. The feedback from those in attendance was extremely positive.
Camp Earl Wallace is a summer camp held for children in grades 4th-6th. This camp promotes and educates children on outdoor recreation. The Friends group was able to send 4 local area children from Clinton and Pulaski Counties to Camp Earl Wallace in 2010.
Due to such positive feedback received from our donation of children’s books to the Russell County Public Library, the Friends of Wolf Creek NFH, Inc continued this effort of inspiring a connection with nature in children by presenting $200.00 in children’s books to each of the four elementary school libraries in the Russell County School District. All of the books relate directly to fish, fishing, animals, plants or another nature facet. The books will be used for everyday check out along with being utilized for story hours, special themed programs and more. The Friends Group placed book plaques inside each book with the Friends Group information. Librarians at each school set up a display to highlight the Friends Group donation.
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