fer Be 7oe Ue ON BU il LD Ea TN ti 
THE 1969 FALL CAMPOUT 
by PAUL H. LOBIK 
-e than 145 members and friends of the Illinois Audubon Society gather- 
at the East Bay Camp Conference Center on Lake Bloomington, III. 
the fall meeting on Sept. 20 and 21. The weather was delightfully warm, 
spite of a Sunday morning fog that concealed landmarks and birds alike. 
Our hosts were the Cardinal Audubon Club of Bloomington, led by 
mic Mrs. LaRue Fairchild, president. Campout Chairman for the IAS 
; Mrs. Alice Webster of Minonk, who worked long and arduously for 
ths to arrange the thousands of details that must always be completed 
ssure that everything goes smoothly. She was ably assisted by her ener- 
ce husband, Robert. From the first arrivals on Friday night until the last 
ertures on Sunday afternoon, the Websters were involved in every- 
1g—including straightening out registrations, waiting on tables, and 
scting traffic! 
The setting was ideal, in a neatly appointed camp nestled in oak- 
sory woods at the edge of a sparkling lake, in summerlike weather. The 
ting opened with a Director’s luncheon and an all-afternoon meeting 
sanded by 19 board members. Under the guidance of President Raymond 
stek, a wide range of topics was covered. Administrative and conserva- 
1 problems were presented and discussed. Darlene Fiske reviewed her 
‘easingly successful program of establishing new IAS chapters. The 
‘dinal Audubon Club was commended for its outstanding record of 
ending hawks and owls in its area—carrying out the theme of our 
meeting, “Hawk and Owl Protection.” 
In the meantime, the other members of the Society enjoyed bird 
Iks at Redigers Woods, Dawson Lake, and around Lake Bloomington, 
jer the leadership of Drs. I. Birkenholz and Edward Mockford. At 6:30 
1., 151 guests sat down at the evening banquet. The Cardinal Audubon 
ib members were applauded for preparing the unique “owly” table 
orations and for posting brilliantly visible cardinal signs along the 
hways to guide newcomers to the campout. 
After the banquet everyone adjourned to the conference hall, where 
inklin McVey, former IAS director, presented a combination slide talk 
| color movie on our 49th state, Alaska. Stanley Lantz, Director of the 
‘klands Foundation and agricultural editor of “The Daily Pantagraph,” 
wed slides of the areas that have been acquired and are being proposed 
addition to parks and conservation areas in McLean County. 
Following the showing of IAS member slides, a large group followed 
er Dring and Karl Bartel on a “Hoot Owl Hike” through the woods 
dering the camp. Later, some 80 persons joined Darlene Fiske around 
oaring campfire for a singalong and popcorn fest. 
On Sunday three different caravans drove off through the fog to 
nk’s Grove, Dawson’s Lake, and other areas for more birdwatching. At 
yn everyone gathered at Three Bears Picnic Grove (joining the 20-odd 
ping families) to enjoy a hot lunch and listen to Bob Webster add up 
otal of 90 species of birds seen during the week-end. As a climax Tom 
nterroth, who set up a “What Is It?” display of plants, seeds, nests and 
me awarded a prize to Peter Dring for identifying the greatest number 
objects. 
The Websters, Mrs. Fairchild, and the Cardinal Audubon Club deserve 
ty thanks for making such a wonderful week-end possible. Well done! 
—22W681 Tamarack Drive, Glen Ellyn 
