GWS Trip Report 19 August 2019

GWS Dames Ferry Picnic 17 August 2019

About twenty-five members, guests and some late stragglers came out for our annual picnic party & meeting at Dames Ferry Campground. Bud & Niki, Barnard & Genise, Tom & Holly, Bonnie Gehling and Terry & Rosemary made it a weekend event and camped two nights to enjoy the beautiful lake and an almost full moon. At lunch time we had a short meeting to discuss the campground rules, the October 15th meeting at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (show & tell for the members), Officers & Directors for next year, and a discussion about coming back to Dames Ferry for the picnic next year. The picnic next year will probably occur later in the year (late September or October) when we can still swim, float, canoe, kayak & paddle board, but not roast at 90 degrees. We had fun boating and floating. Some even got on a paddle board and puttered around on the lake. Bud made three rounds on one board before dumping overboard. He was able to stay up on Debbie’s & Jim's board without falling and is primed to try again next year. There was an abundance of shared food and some great dishes along with the shrimp and watermelon. We did not lack for calories. Next year we will just do a covered dish picnic for all to share.

Overall, a great weekend with friends and nature. Thanks to all for sharing & helping with logistics.

Bud Queen, Pres.

GWS Meeting
October 2, 2021

Today we had our annual picnic at Dames Ferry Campground in the pavilion on the point at Lake Juliette. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze blowing. There were 27 members and guests in attendance. In addition to everyone bringing their own lunch, there was a dessert table with brownies, donuts, blueberry/apple cobbler, along with other goodies.

Bud Queen, President, called a brief meeting before we ate. Tom Payne, treasurer, reported that we have approximately $2,800 in the bank. Bud believes that, as it seems right now, we’ll have the Christmas party this year. Hopefully the pandemic will settle down rather than rear its ugly head again.

Margaret Clay, Secretary, had a few t-shirts to give away. These were extra GWS river cleanup t-shirts from previous years’ Ocmulgee Alive!. They were gone in a flash!

After an officers’ meeting, Bud called another brief members’ meeting to inform everyone that it’ll soon be time to elect officers for next year. Candidates are needed to run for the President and Vice President positions. The Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary have agreed to stay on next year. However, any GWS member in good standing may run for any of these five positions. Anyone interested in running for any of the above offices should contact Bud at bud4monroe43@yahoo.com. 

Throughout the afternoon, GWS members put in kayaks and canoes for a beautiful paddle on Lake Juliette. Bud and his dog, Katie, got in the water and enjoyed a game of fetch the stick. Katie did the fetching, not Bud!

Thanks, Bud, for changing the annual picnic to the Fall. The weather was perfect.

Submitted by Margaret Clay, Secretary
Georgia Wilderness Society
Annual Picnics

2022 Picnic was cancelled due to weather

2023 Picnic