The River View
A seasonal publication from The Friends of the Shiawassee River
P.O. Box 402, Owosso, MI 48867
989.723.9062
shiawasseeriver.org
Spring 2014
Vol. 17, Issue 1
Shiawassee River Provides Great Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Article by Guest Columnist, Zac Gilna
A relentless winter has come to an end,
and I’ve been thinking about smallmouth bass fishing on the Shiawassee
River. I wonder if many people in the
community are aware of the thrill of
fishing for smallmouth bass? And,
do they know what sustains a healthy
smallmouth bass population?
The Shiawassee River is great for
smallmouth bass. Considered to be the
strongest freshwater fish in Michigan,
pound for pound, the smallmouth bass
is a favorite for many sports fishermen
like me. It is a great fighter, known to
jump out of the water once hooked.
Because the smallmouth bass is so
valuable to river recreation, effective
management of this species should
be a high priority for the Shiawassee
River watershed. The most important
thing we can do for the smallmouth
bass population is to leave fallen trees
near the river banks, which lay in the
edges of the water flow. Time and time
again, I’ve been most successful catching smallmouth bass when my bait is
under or near one of the fallen trees in
the river.
Smallmouth bass photo courtesy of Eric Engbretson,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bugwood.org.
NEW! FOSR Business Sponsorships:
Connect Your Company to Friends
We’re all bombarded with ads about
new products and services. As a result,
traditional advertisements with catchy
slogans have lost their appeal. A more
effective alternative is to promote your
business as a community presence and
as a Friend!
Stand Out From the Crowd
Sponsoring an FOSR event can help
you to rise above a competitor with a
large advertising budget. Sponsorship
allows smaller companies to compete
with industry giants by making your
business locally relevant.
Enrich Business/Customer Relations
Your business’ link to the FOSR will
enhance your reputation as a good
neighbor. You’ll be seen supporting the
community, contributing to its eco-
nomic development, and promoting
environmental stewardship – three
powerful actions that create enormous
goodwill.
Target a Specific Population
FOSR events attract a particular kind of
person: those who are passionate about
our mission to care for, share, and enjoy
the Shiawassee River. FOSR makes sure
attendees know that your business is
helping to make our river work possible,
and this garners customer loyalty.
Increase Media Exposure
All FOSR endeavors have their own
marketing plans. When your business
decides to get involved, it automatically
benefits from our staff ’s event promoContinued on page 5
Continued on page 2
Inside This Issue
Smallmouth Bass
1
Sponsorships
1
New Board Members
2
GLRI Updates
2
Fundraising Updates
3
New Members
3
Membership Form
4
Sponsorship Opportunities
5
Photo Contest
6
Upcoming Events
6
Page 2
The River View
Spring 2014
Volume 17, Issue 1
Welcome New Board Members!
GLRI Updates
Betsy Hull is head librarian at the Okemos branch of the Capitol Area District
Libraries. She is a tried and true FOSR
volunteer, and views her environmental
service as a tribute to the many years of
conservation work practiced
by her father. Brad Kirkland
has worked for 15 years in
the banking industry, and is
now employed by Fifth Third
Bank in Owosso as a corporate
banker. He and his wife recently purchased a home along the
river, and enjoyed participating
in FOSR cleanups in recent
years. Matt Van Epps is an
attorney with the Van Epps and
FOSR Board pictured left to right: Brad Kirkland, Ken Algozin, Van Epps law firm, and over
Mike Goergen, Betsy Hull, Karen Kong, Matt Van Epps, Tom
the years has given back to the
Cook, Linda Beeman, Gary Burk, Bridgit Spielman, Lorraine
Owosso community by serving
Austin, Director Devin Gill, Mike Beaulac and Tony Newman.
on a number of local boards.
Linda Beeman is a professional artist
He too, has been a proud volunteer of
who draws upon her experience growing
FOSR for many years.
up along the banks of the Shiawassee
We are excited and honored that these
River as inspiration for her work. Her
talented and dedicated community
most recent gallery featured a series
members are new additions to the FOSR
of Japanese woodblock prints entitled
team!
Twelve Views of the Shiawassee River.
With funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, FOSR continues working
to improve water quality in the Shiawassee
River Watershed!
At our January annual meeting, Friends
of the Shiawassee River welcomed four
new members to its board of directors:
Linda Beeman, Betsy Hull, Brad Kirkland, and Matt Van Epps.
Thank you to our
newsletter sponsor!
Carol Vaughn
Certified Master Groomer, Owner
Web: HeavenlyScentPetResort.com
Phone: (989) 277-0740
Facebook: Heavenly Scent Pet Resort
As part of this effort, we held a series of
workshops in partnership with Michigan
State University’s Planning & Zoning Center. These workshops featured techniques
for promoting water quality that municipalities can adopt in their master plans and
zoning ordinances. The workshops were
held in Owosso, St. Charles, and Fenton.
It’s important to remember that how river water is treated upstream impacts the
water quality downstream. That’s why
FOSR will continue working with MSU’s
PZC to establish a watershed identity
among communites along the Shiawassee. Part of this initiative will include an
expansion of the Stream Team program
to increase our knowledge of water quality data and promote public awareness of
water quality issues.
To learn more, please visit the Shiawassee Watershed Project page on our
website, ShiawasseeRiver.org.
Natural Rivers and Bass Fishing
Continued from page 1
Fallen trees provide habitat not only to
smallmouth bass, but other wildlife populations as well, including wood ducks;
turtles; frogs; and other fish species.
Additionally, fallen trees along the edges
of the water flow help stabilize the riverbanks and reduce erosion. While some
trees need to be removed so that small
boats, canoes, and kayaks can safely and
effectively travel down the river; it is
important to remove only woody debris
that prevents traveling so we don’t take
away from the true, natural elements of
the river, as well as its beauty. To learn
more about smallmouth bass, visit the
following websites:
Michigan DNR Fishing: michigan.gov/
dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_53405-213979-,00.html
Game and Fish Magazine: gameandfishmag.com/2010/10/04/fishing_
bass-fishing_mi_aa072502a/
Zac Gilna grew up on a small farm
south of Owosso and Corunna. Zac has
worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a temporary biological
science technician at the Shiawassee
National Wildlife Refuge, and later at
an aquatic plant management company.
He credits his knowledge of the needs
of native fish species to his professional
experience as well as many enjoyable
hours spent fishing and studying field
guides.
The River View
Spring 2014
Page 3
Volume 17, Issue 1
FOSR Fundraising Update
The Friends of the Shiawassee River have big plans for 2014! But,
the only way we will be successful in expanding our watershed
conservation work is through the generous contributions of supportive community members.
In April, the Friends were awarded a $530 Employee Involvement
Grant by Fifth Third Bank. Employee Involvement Grants are
awarded to organizations “near and dear to the hearts of Fifth
Third Employees.” Our very own Brad Kirkland, who is an FOSR
board member and corporate banker for Fifth Third Bank in
Owosso, nominated FOSR for this award. J & S Tire of Owosso
contributed a generous $500 business sponsorship to support
the 17th Annual River Cleanup, which will take place on July 26th.
Heavenly Scent Pet Resort and Spa became our first communications sponsor after donating $250. We express our sincere thanks
to Fifth Third Bank, Brad Kirkland, J & S Tire of Owosso, and
Heavenly Scent Pet Resort and Spa!
The contributions of members, sponsors, grant funders, and volunteers help to ensure FOSR can continue to improve the health of the
beautiful Shiawassee River watershed.
Welcome and Thank You!
Our Newest Members and Renewing Members
Friends of the Shiawassee River is deeply appreciative of our members. Your efforts ensure the health of our watershed for
future generations, and support FOSR’s mission to Care for, Share, and Enjoy the Shiawassee River. For a complete listing of
members, visit the Our Members page on our website, ShiawasseeRiver.org/our-members.
Charles and Bonnie Agerstrand
Frank and Karen Corrin
Michael Kovich
James and Cheryl Peterson
Michael and Lisa Ash
Fred and Jeanne Curtis
Jan and Nancy Krause
Antony Poma
Doris Austin
Eric and Nicole Davis
Paul and Kit Kuhlman
Mike Raffaelli’s 4th Grade Class
Lorraine Austin
Kristina Ennis
Brandon and Stacy Kulhanek
Inez Ross
Lori Bailey
Michael and Ruth Goergen
Phil and Ruthann Liagre
Patrick Selleck
Richard and Connie Ball
Jerry and Deborah Gregoricka
Glen Love
David and Elaine Shepard
Michael and Linda Bazelides
Thomas and Kathleen Gross
Ludington Electric
Kevin and Mary Kay Smith
Linda Beeman
Russell and Beverly Hand
Debbie McCarty
Tom and Cathy Stevenson
Dean Braid
Phil and Rebecca Hathaway
Michael and Joan McCloskey
Baird Straughan
Craig Brehmer
Rosalyn Henry
David Miner
Tom and Beth Talbert
Bill and Jayne Brown
Justin Horvath
John and Karen Michalec
Susan Thorman
Michael and Nancy Brown
Joan Hughan
James and Christine Mitchell
Jerry and Connie Voight
Mary Jo and Daniel Calkins
Gregory and Jacklynn Kimmer
Mark and Christine Mueller
Waugh’s Culligan
Mary Alice Campbell
Bradley and Amy Kirkland
Sue Newcom
James and Lois Whalen
Mario and Erin Chaves
Ken and Judy Kirkman
Lonnie and Cheryl Paez
Robert Wilcox
Al and Mary Compton
Dana and Karen Kong
B.J. and Tracy Page
Randy and Molly Woodworth
Become a Friend of the River
Join Our Membership or Renew!
Become a member of Friends of the Shiawassee River and help protect our fresh water.
Your membership supports the Friends’ programs and educational efforts.
Name(s) associated with this membership:
Primary Contributor (author of this form):
Address:
Membership
Levels
City, State, Zip:
Phone (inc. area code):
(circle one)
Date:
Email:
Student/Senior
$15
Would you like to receive our e-newsletter and updates? If so, please provide
your email address. We promise not to overload your in-box!
Individual
$25
Family
$50
Great Blue Heron
$100
Painted Turtle
$250
No
Merganser
$500
Which FOSR activities would you like to learn more about?
Bald Eagle
$1,000
River Otter
$5,000
Preferred Newsletter Format (circle one): E-news
Payment Type (circle one): Cash
Hard Copy
Both
Check #
Are you interested in volunteering for FOSR?
Yes
Do you have certain skills or talents that you would like share
with FOSR?
Make checks payable to: Friends of the Shiawassee River
Submit completed form and payment to:
Friends of the Shiawassee River, P.O. Box 402, Owosso, MI 48867
All members at the $250 level and
above receive two complimentary
admissions to our annual wine-tasting
celebration.
Friends of the Shiawassee River is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and
your donation may be tax deductible.
RV 5-14
The River View
Spring 2014
Volume 17, Issue 1
Page 5
Business Sponsorships
Continued from page 1
follwing an event. Being recognized as
a sponsor often will communicate value
and support with the audience long
after the event has passed.
tion work, providing your business
with extended visibility in markets
you may not have tapped. This
kind of media coverage may often
be unaffordable if your company
were considering purchasing it
independently. The FOSR Facebook
page alone has 1,763 “Likes” and is
increasing our visibility daily!
Raise Brand Awareness/Recognition
Logo placement in flyers, direct
mail, brochures, websites, email
marketing campaigns, tickets,
signage, t-shirts, etc. will increase
awareness of your brand for weeks
Apply Tax Deductions
A portion of the sponsorship donation
to any FOSR activity is considered a
charitable donation, and therefore, may
be tax deductible.
Young Buick GMC of Owosso has generously sponsored past
FOSR wine-tasting celebrations. Their cars on display at
the events were viewed by numerous attendees.
If you are interested in becoming an
FOSR Business Sponsor, please check
out some of our event sponsorship
opportunities listed below! We’d love to
call your business a Friend!
River Clean-Up Event
Show your company’s support for this community-wide effort to care for our river. Gather your employees together and create
your own clean-up team to draw even more awareness to your company and its financial sponsorship!
Wine-Tasting Celebration
An annual favorite, the Friends’ Wine-Tasting Celebration is a great way to promote your business and get face time with
approximately 200 fun-loving, big-hearted attendees.
Stream Team River Monitoring
Here’s an opportunity for your company to provide support to the students and community members who collect aquatic
samples and identify the macroinvertebrates that help determine the health of our river. We soon expect to be broadening
this endeavor to include a larger region of the Shiawassee River watershed.
River Kayak/Canoe Launches
Consider naming one of the five, newly created canoe launches that improve recreational access to our river!
Newsletter and Friendly Updates
Associate your company with our quality publications that are distributed in both hard-copy and electronic formats.
For more information about becoming an FOSR sponsor, specific sponsorship benefits, or to sign up today, call 989.723.9062
or email [email protected].
P.O. Box 402
Owosso, MI 48867
Help Capture the River’s Beauty;
Join the FOSR Photo Contest
All Friends are invited to participate to in our first ever photo contest, hosted through
Flickr. It is free and open to the public, so make sure to submit your favorite picture(s)
featuring the Shiawassee river or its surrounding habitat, up to a maximum of 10
pictures per participant. Just follow these easy steps:
Mark your calendar for the following
river-related events! To learn more or
register, visit ShiawasseeRiver.org.
June 8th
Log In - To submit your photos via Flickr,
use your Yahoo!, Google or Facebook account to log in at flickr.com. If you do not
have an account, you can sign up for free.
Curwood Festival River Daze Races
Help celebrate Owosso heritage and
commemorate famed conservationist
James Oliver Curwood, by participating
in the River Daze races.
Join the FOSR Flickr Group - If you are
not already a member of the FOSR Flickr
group, click “Join this Group?” on the
group’s homepage. The group website is:
flickr.com/groups/shiawasseeriver.
June 12th
Upload an Image - Log in, then upload
your images using the «Add Photos» button.
Send the Image to Our Group - Browse to the image you wish to submit for
the contest, and use the «Send to Group» function above the image to add your
photograph to FOSR submissions.
Tag It! - Once added to the group, tag each photo with PhotoContest-FOSR14 through
the «tag» feature in the right-hand column of the individual photo’s page. That’s it!
We are still finalizing the details of the judging process, but will keep participants
posted. For additional information regarding legal details of the contest, please visit
the FOSR website, ShiawasseeRiver.org.
Care. Share. Enjoy.
Friends of the Shiawassee River is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax deductible.
Email: [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Web: ShiawasseeRiver.org
Phone: 989.723.9062
Saginaw Bay Watershed Conference
Learn more about what’s happening
with water quality in the Saginaw Bay
and its subwatersheds, including the
Shiawassee.
July 21st
Summit Sports Demo Days
Participate in a free demonstraton on
the use of kayaks and paddle boards at
Hopkins Lake.
July 26th
17th Annual River Cleanup
Join FOSR and the Shiawassee County
Health Department as we team up to
clean up the river!
August 23rd
Tour your Home Town
Learn more about great opportunities
for fun in your home town of Owosso,
including opportunities with FOSR!