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Fall 2016 | Volume 10, Number 4
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Inspiring people to connect with the Tillamook State Forest.
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Director
Fran McReynolds
Interpretation & Education Coordinator
Denise Berkshire
Lead Interpreter/ Educator
Luke Wahl
Interpretation & Education Specialists
Cam Amabile
David Pearson
Student Interns
Danielle du Plooy
Ben Post
Visitor Services Coordinator
Jen Warren
Visitor Services Assistant
Morgan Remington
Facilities Coordinator
Darryl Anderson
Executive Director, Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust
Ross Holloway
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Cultural connections at the TFC
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Grand Ronde blacksmith shop Circa: 1909 |
During September, the Center will host a unique exhibit highlighting the history, culture, and artistry of the 27 tribes and bands of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Features of this exhibit will focus on Grand Ronde logging history, tribal plant uses, and overall cultural history of the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde.
On Sunday, September 25th this special exhibit will culminate with weaving demonstrations, tribal craft vendors, film showings of a spiritual canoe journey, and a generous performance of traditional blessings and traditional song and dance. We will also be exhibiting the Stankiya forty-foot canoe that is utilized during the traditional journey, as well as contemporary carvings, baskets, and other items provided by the tribe.
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2009 paddle to Suquamish, Washington |
The exhibit will be shown throughout the month and the specific event on Sunday, September 25th will begin at 11 AM and run until 3 PM, ending with a closing ceremony. The Tillamook Forest Center welcomes the members of the tribes and bands, their esteemed elders, and members of the public to share in this celebration of our blossoming connection with the tribes of the Grande Ronde and the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center.
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From the Director
The TFC's 10th anniversary celebrations are helping us grow partnerships and relationships with new and old forest friends. Changing exhibits and special events have brought new and returning visitors out in record numbers.
 Whether you have made it out to the TFC this year or not, we hope you can join us for two of our largest events:the Root Ball event on the bridge September 17 and the Day of Celebration with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde on September 25.
Fran McReynolds
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News of the Trust
As the Tillamook Forest Center celebrates its tenth birthday this year, we have our eye on the future. Visitor numbers and educational program requests from teachers continue to grow, and we need to continue to grow as well. With that in mind, we have dusted off past plans for an outdoor education pavilion, and begun work to make that vision a reality. The design work on the pavilion is complete and we have started a capital campaign to raise funds for this special addition to the Center. Our $550,000 fundraising campaign is off to a good start, with early pledges of support from the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust Board, Tillamook County, Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Hampton Affiliates and Starker Forests. We hope that with the continued support of the many people, businesses, and organizations that have donated to the Trust in the past, we will soon be able to reach our goal and begin construction on the pavilion. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust and be our partner in growing the Center for the future!
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New special events along with old favorites this fall
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Throughout October, check out incredible images of fungal spores. |
In the final months of the Center's 10th anniversary, brand new special events and exhibits will join some of our annually anticipated programs.
In September, we celebrate the first people with a unique exhibit developed by the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center along with a special day of celebration with the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde.
Many forest visitors know that October is the best time to find mushrooms. The Mushrooms Magnified exhibit will feature mycologist Catherine Creech's strangely beautiful electron microscope images of fungal spores and structures along with mushroom illustrations by
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| In November, enjoy the photography of Ciel Downing. |
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returning artist Dorota Haber-Lehigh. Each weekend will feature fun fungal presentations and workshops.
As the rains return in November, the Center will round out its 10th season with an indoor exhibit of Pacific Northwest rainforest photography by Ciel Downing and a unique outdoor art installation featuring a special rain-activated paint. The month also includes our popular salmon release and holiday wreath-making programs.
Registration is required for many of the workshops. For more information, please visit our special events page.
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A huge THANK YOU
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Superb site hosts: John and Judy Shilling |
Our group of dedicated volunteers make it possible to provide a high level of service to our visitors and we couldn't do it without them!
This year we enjoyed working with returning site hosts Bill Kubicz and Donna Drury-Kubicz throughout the months of June and July.
Starting in August we joyfully welcomed the return of site host, Steve Miller, we're glad to have him back after a few years away. We are looking forward to welcoming back site hosts, John and Judy Shilling, starting in September.
In addition to these wonderful people, we continue to be grateful for the weekly help from long-time and new volunteers alike: Harold and Pearl Jensen, Jim Reeher, Clyde Monroe, Barb Casteel, Mitch Taylor, and Corky McReynolds.
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Sensational volunteer: Harold Jensen |
We are always looking for more incredible people to join our fun team and you might be just the person! Site hosts and day volunteers are highly valuable throughout our visitor season (March through November). Our volunteer schedules are flexible and we work with each volunteer to establish a schedule that works for everyone. Volunteers assist in all areas of our operations, from facility maintenance to environmental education to staffing the information desk; there's surely something that suits your skills.
Site host amenities include a spacious campsite with full hook-ups, telephone, internet, picnic table, laundry and shower facilities.
Interested in volunteering with us? Contact Jen Warren at [email protected] or (503) 815-6808.
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Two new additions to our team
 Mitch Taylor worked in the West Oregon, Santiam, Tillamook, and Forest Grove Districts during a 26-year career with the Oregon Department of Forestry that included positions in State Forests, Forest Practices, Forestry Assistance, and Fire Protection. While he was still working, Mitch says he "loved his job so much he often wondered why they paid him." He retired in October 2015 and volunteers for the Center for nothing but the fun of it!
Born and raised in Tillamook County, our new Visitor Services  Assistant, Morgan Remington, has a special connection to the Tillamook State Forest. Our beautiful, working forest has provided her and her family job security and put food on their tables for multiple generations. Morgan's background and interests include camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, recreational target shooting, riding dirt bikes, and most of all she enjoys running heavy equipment for her father's small, family owned CAT logging operation. Her love for the forest is deep, as it relates to everything she's ever known in life. Her dream and mission is to help maintain our healthy working forest for future generations while sharing her passion for the land.
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500,000th visitor!
 Benjamin Kawaguchi, Tracy Sawyer, and Cole Kawaguchi were headed to the coast on June 17th from their home in Portland when son Cole asked if they could travel Highway 6 to visit one of his favorite stops - the Tillamook Forest Center. So they did, only to learn upon arrival that they were our lucky 500,000th visitor! During the celebration, they received a bag full of goodies from our gift shop, including a copy of our award winning movie Legacy of Fire. Cole was so excited that he now owns his very own copy of the film, among many other Tillamook Forest Center gifts! We couldn't have asked for a more representative family for our milestone event!
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A look back...
On September 24, 2004 historians, foresters, donors and many others invested in the creation of the Tillamook Forest Center gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site where the Center now stands. Attendees wrote their hopes and dreams for the Center on river rocks that were poured into the cement foundation of the building. Attendees of the upcoming Root Ball event will also have the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the construction of the future Forest Education Pavilion. 
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Copyright 2016 © | Tillamook Forest Center
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(503) 815-6800 | (866) 930-4646
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