house. The building exterior is complete and tight. Landscaping and sidewalks are needed. The housing for our Program Coordinator is complete and resided in. The lower level is more than halfway to completion but the big steps are yet to come. Next on our agenda is commercial kitchen installation and classroom completion. As we go into March of 2020, we are rounding the final turn and hoping to soon wrap this effort up. Volunteers are always welcome. We meet at 8:00ish A.M. on Saturdays. Some come at 8, some at 9, some at 10 and we stay until we can. Usually early afternoon. The building is tight and well built. The rehab has gone well but the last bit is critical. Funding has been ongoing and resourced through our generous donors, community, and friends— including Crest Foods. Financial and in-kind contributions are also appreciated, if volunteer time is scarce consider joining us for a workday. Be sure and put Franklin Creek State Natural Area and the Franklin Creek Grist Mill on your list of places to visit in 2020. It’s almost 1,000 acres of park with one of the most beautiful, scenic, pristine areas in northern Illinois. Be sure to visit www.FranklinCreekConservation.org for an updated list of activities and programs hosted by the FCCA throughout the year including guided hikes, scout and homeschool programs, Jr. Naturalist programming, FCCA’s Annual Chautauqua and land stewardship days. The Grist Mill will be open Saturday and Sunday from Noon-4PM starting Saturday, April 4th. Fridays Noon-4PM through June, July and August. The last day to visit the mill this year will be Sunday, November 1st. Stop in to get a trail map, purchase locally grown, organic, stone-ground corn meal or to learn more about the history of Franklin Creek.
Eastern Bluebird (Photo by Ben Fichter)
Current FCCA Board Members which now includes our very own Dan Stumpenhorst & Ben Fichter
Rose breasted grosbeak
Franklin Creek Grist Mill
Project 1480 House Before
Project 1480 House After
Black throated blue warbler
April, May, June, July, August & September 2020 Crest Ink 21
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