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Newsletter of the Prairie State Canoeists
January, 2001  - Vol. 33 # 2

From the Chair: 

PSC web site: http://www.psc.ctsserver.com

The 2001 canoeing season is almost on us – finish oiling those thwarts, fixing that dent from last year’s rock and let’s go (of course, Vic Hurtowy has already kicked off the season with the New Year’s Day Paddle). We had an excellent trip leaders meeting in January with more than 90 trips already proposed for the 2001 season, covering nine months of paddling, and more likely to come. Remember, late trips can be posted on the hotline or the PSC web site. The Club will have a strong training program for paddlers seeking to improve their skills. There will be a sequence of four training trips from intro to whitewater. In addition, there is a training trip for trip leaders. This is your chance to learn all the mysteries and secrets of leading trips so you can do it also. Trip leaders have listed 5 cleanups for this year (of course additions are welcome). They are scattered across the schedule from April into August. This is our Club contribution to keeping our “house” clean – please try to participate in a cleanup.
I am looking for ideas to rejuvenate the Fall dinner. Your thoughts and suggestions are welcome – please call me or talk to me when you see me on the river about what could be done to encourage attendance at this event. It is the only time that all Club members have a chance to get together and we want to make it an attractive occasion for as many members as possible. Finally, a reminder that dues are to be paid by Feb 22 to insure inclusion in the PSC Directory. See you on the river.


Dues, Web Site, For Sale

Are your dues current? 
Check the label for your dues status. A 00 indicates your dues are paid through the end of December, 2000. Please renew. We will have a new password for the members only section (Trip Announcements) of the next newsletter. Dues must be paid by 2/22 to make the next directory. 
PSC Web Site Check out the PSC web site. http://www.psc.ctsserver.com. Hot line for late trip postings: call Bob Kane at (815) 744-8129 if you are planning a last minute river trip and would like us to put an entry on the web for you. Include the details of when and where, with your name and a phone number to contact you. Send, address change to Bob Kane, sign-in to Vic Hurtowy, trip reports to Rick Fleming, 23 N. Emerson St., Mt. Prospect IL 60056, 847-253-9383, fax -5216, rfleming@ netconsulting.com (e-mail preferred). Trip leaders do not have to use the pre-stamped envelopes for trip reports – e-mail if you can.

PSC Items for Sale 
PSC T-shirts ($10) and sweatshirts ($20) are available from Christina Taylor at 708-445-0871; E-mail: peace4368@ aol.com. Christina can bring your shirts to a trip or send via UPS.

Canoes For Sale: 
Sawyer 17’9” cruiser fiberglass $675, Mad River 16’ solo large vol tripping fiberglass $300, alum john boat 10’ $250, raft white water rubber 8’ & 6’ $150 & $75. Bob Warren 630-739-6040. 

Wood strip solo canoe, 12'-10", made for my daughters who have out grown it. The canoe is 25" wide and 10" deep. It is intended for a person up to 100 Lbs. $350, Dave Johnson 815-634-2811.

Grumman, 18’ shoe keel, $450 John Fiorio 847-699-2895

Newsletter Issues and Deadlines:

Canoe Classes, Pool Sessions

Contemporary Solo Canoeing
Conant High School. Beginning Tues Feb 13
This class will cover the basics of solo canoeing. Classes start Tuesday, February 13. Students call H.S. District 211 Continuing Education Program, 847-755-6600, to register. Registration begins in mid-January and there is always a waiting list for this class. Helpers call Marge Cline after 5 PM - 847-359-5047 or email <rivermom@mindspring.com> Any PSC member who has solo canoeing expertise can help teach this class, if you are willing to bring a boat and allow the students to use it during the class. There will be time for you to paddle after the class and boat storage is available at the pool.

Master Trip schedule for 2001 - See separate web page

Trip Announcements

Trip # 2 Sun., Feb. 25
Elkhorn Creek, KY Intermediate
Frank Weider 502-244-5475
The National Paddling Film Festival will be held in Lexington, KY on Saturday, February 24. We plan to paddle Elkhorn Creek on Sunday, February 25. The Festival (on Saturday) is sponsored by ACA, American Whitewater and Bluegrass Wildwater Association. It features new and innovative videos produced by professionals and amateurs in the past year. Join us for a Class II/III paddle on Elkhorn Creek on Sunday morning. Appropriate gear and skills for cold weather whitewater paddling are required. Please note that we are on Eastern Standard Time. E-mail (weiderfp@msn.com) or call before 2/1 or after 2/12 if you would like more information.

Trip #4 Sun3/18/01
DuPage River Advanced Beginner
Bob Kane paddler@cbcast.com (815)744-8129 
A.J.Jabarim (219)662-1296
Carshift at 9:30 A.M. from the Hammel Woods access located 1/2 mile north of Rte 52 on Rte59 in Shorewood. Bring a lunch, plenty of warm clothing, and a happy face.

Trip #4a Sunday March 25th
Upper Des Plains beginner
Fengers 847-356-2171
Jon Gaut 847-299-4922
We will start in Wadworth and paddle through the wetlands restoration Project We are hopping to see waterfowl during their migration back north. This is a short trip we will take it slow and try to observe as much wildlife as we can. Due to the possible cold weather a dump bag it required. We may have some portages to make around log jams. Call leaders for details Car shift will be at 9:30am Put In- Take 294 north exit Grand Ave. east go to Rt 21 Milwaukee Ave turn left head north to rt 41 turn left at T intersection. Take Rt 41 to Wadsworth road. turn right and go over the river. Parking lot is on the right.

Trip # 5 Sun 3/25/01
DesPlaines River beginner
Bob Kane paddler@cbcast.com (815)744-8129 
Bill Koenig(630)682-3306
Maple Syrup Festival This is a short early spring trip. We will meet at the NE corner of the river and Dundee Rd. (Rte.68) in time to carshift at 9:30 A.M. We will paddle to dam #1, portage there and continue to the River Trail Nature Center where we will spend about an hour and a half eating pancakes and enjoying the syrup making and nature exhibits, followed by a short paddle to the takeout. Dress for the season - bring extra dry clothing in a dry bag.

Trip # 7 Thurs Mar 29
Des Plaines River Advanced Beginner
Joan Taylor taylorjrs@aol.com 630 495-1565, 
Allen Close 708-7482102
If you're ready to start your canoe season, here is an opportunity for an early spring paddle on the DesPlaines River. Car shift is at 10 a.m. Meet at Russell Road in the forest preserve canoe landing, down stream left from the Russell Road Bridge. Bring dump clothes, lunch, water and expect to have a good time on this 6.8 mile beautiful stretch of the Des Plaines that flows 
through a natural undeveloped environment. Please contact the leader to check on weather and water conditions. 

Trip # 31 May 15-30
Quetico Solo, tripping
Allen Close 708-7482102
For any hardy soloists. Route is†via Cache Bay thru the Falls Chain, Agnes R. to Agnes L., out Prairie Portage & back up Knife doing a big loop back to the Gunflint Trail. Limit about three or four other canoeists.


Trip Reports

Trip # 119 Nov 29-Dec 5 
Northern Florida Rivers
We paddled four rivers, The Withlacoochee, The Suwannee, The Santa Fe, and The Ichetucknee. Of the four, The Santa Fe was the most beautiful and had the most birds and wildlife, but the other three had their good points also. The section of the Santa Fe we did
had many beautiful springs. We had an energetic and good-natured group consisting of generous and non-complaining souls who enjoyed each others' company and were quick to help when needed and stay out of the way when not. We also were joined by a couple from New York who were in the campground and
who fit right in with our group. Some came and went, some stayed the whole time. The weather was pretty good, but many locals said it was the coldest late fall in 22 years. I didn't
particularly like to hear that. Nevertheless, most of the days were in the 70's until the last two when the temperature plummeted to the 50's. There were a couple pretty cold nights.
I realized my goals on this trip with were, one, to find a Wisconsin of the South, which we did in the Suwannee River. Its many sugar white sandbars make it a wonderful river for a camping trip. Another goal was to check out canoeable rivers within reasonable distance of Suwannee River State Park and O'Leno State
Park for day trips. The Withlacooche, Santa Fe, and Ichetucknee all fit the bill. It was a great trip. Ed Nelson

Where to send (e-mail preferred)

Trip Reports
Rick Fleming
23 N. Emerson St., 
Mt. Prospect IL 60056, 
847-253-9383, fax -5216, rfleming@netconsulting.com

Address Changes
Bob Kane
305 Westshore Drive
Shorewood IL 60431
815-744-8129
Paddler@cbcast.com

Sign-In Sheets
Vic Hurtowy
10408 M Todd Tr #GW
Glenview IL 60027
847-803-4575
vicccb@voyager.net


Prairie State Canoeists Application for Membership, Year 2001

Dues: $15. Make checks payable to Prairie State Canoeists. 
Complete, sign and mail to Bob Kane, 305 Westshore Drive, Shorewood IL 60431. 

__Check if this is a new address
Read and Sign Below
I agree that I will take part in Prairie State Canoeists activities at my own risk. I will not hold Prairie State Canoeists, it's officers, trip leaders and/or members responsible for any injuries or property loss I may incur while taking part in club activities. I UNDERSTAND PADDLING IS AN ASSUMED RISK SPORT AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SELF/FAMILY. I AM 21 YEARS OR OLDER. ALL ADULTS MUST SIGN.


signed date

signed date

Last Name, First Name

Spouse Last Name, Spouse First Name 

Street Address City State ZIP

First names of children under 21. Include age. 

Telephone E-mail Address 

Print Name/Address in Directory? Y N 
Print E-mail Address in Dir? Y N



Prairie State Canoeists
c/o Bob Kane
305 Westshore Drive
Shorewood IL 60431
Are your dues current? A 00 indicates your dues are paid through the end of December, 2000.

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