2018 OMS Fall Foray
Dates: Oct 6-7, 2018
We look forward to returning to the rich and unique, 500-acre James H. Barrow Field Station of Hiram College, located in Portage County, for our annual Fall Foray. This living laboratory supports over 200 acres of mature Beech-Maple forest, along with other forest types and riparian habitats.
Our ongoing partnership with Hiram College has been very beneficial. It could even be considered symbiotic if that wasn’t such a corny mycological analogy! Seriously, engaging with Hiram students on this foray injects a great energy into the event, and the college faculty and staff have been wonderful hosts. The Field Station is just three miles away from the Hiram College campus.
In addition, we’ve secured permission at a private property, Camp Asbury, for our Sunday foray. Composed of a variety of mature and nurtured habitats, Camp Asbury always yields interesting and many different finds from those at the Field Station, which is only four miles away.
We are very fortunate to have author and outstanding field mycologist Walt Sturgeon as this foray’s mycologist and presenter. His illustrated program about “Edible Mushrooms on Wood” will be of interest to everyone. Winning national awards for his mushroom photography, Walt takes care in putting together presentations that are beautiful to look at, but also richly document the key features and habitats of the mushrooms that are included.
The Kennedy Observation Building at the Field Station will be our headquarters for this foray on Saturday. It can be accessed at 11305 Wheeler Road in Garrettsville, OH 44231, between State Routes 82 and 305. To download a map and directions, go to http://www.hiram.edu/academics/support-services/field-station/map-and-directions/
On Sunday we will commute by car caravan over to Camp Asbury to meet with camp director, ecologist, and foray guide, Rev. Bill Graham.
Space for those seeking on-site accommodations at the Field Station is very limited. Advance registration for those wishing to camp onsite is required by contacting foray coordinator Debra Shankland between August 30 – October 3 only. You can call 440-263-2334 or email dks@clevelandmetroparks.com to register or get additional information.
Schedule of events
Friday, October 5
Limited primitive camping at the Observation Building available beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 6
9 a.m. Registration and coffee at the Observation Building
9:40 a.m. Welcome and orientation
10 a.m. – 12N Morning forays
12:15 – 1 p.m. Potluck lunch (please see “What to Bring” below)
1:30 – 2 p.m. Illustrated discussion of “Edible Mushrooms on Wood” by Walt Sturgeon
2:15 – 4:15 Afternoon forays
5:15 – 5:40 Table talk concerning noteworthy collected specimens
6:10 p.m. Dinner at The Brick in Garrettsville (go to FreddyBurger.com to see the menu)
Sunday, October 7
9 – 10:30 a.m. Coffee & light breakfast at the Observation Building; review collections
10:30 – ? Clean up
11:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. Final foray at Camp Asbury in Hiram
1 – 1:40 p.m. ID & discussion of finds
2 p.m. Farewell!
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Limited, primitive on-site camping at the Observation Building is allowed free of charge on October 5 & 6 only. There are no developed camping facilities here, so you must be self-sufficient. There is a single restroom in the Observation Building. Showers are available for our group at the athletic center on campus. Contact Debra for more information, or to reserve a spot.
The Hiram Inn (http://www.thehiraminn.com) is right on Hiram’s campus two miles from the Field Station. This beautifully renovated century-and-a-half home is located on the corner of SR 700, SR 82 and SR 305.
Bed and Breakfast accommodations in picturesque Burton include the Red Maple Inn and Goodwin House. Plan to spend $125+ per night.
Unique and affordable places to stay may be found on airbnb. Begin your search in Garrettsville, Hiram, and Burton.
WHAT TO BRING
Please know that the Kennedy Observation Building is a learning lab for the Field Station and was not built with banquet facilities nor large groups in mind. Space will be snug but with everyone’s help and cooperation in changing room setups, we have found it to be adequate. Thanks in advance for remembering this! That said, you’ll find these supplies very helpful to bring along:
- Refillable water bottle
- Reusable coffee/tea mug
- Food/drink to share at the potluck; please make sure it’s ready to serve–there is just one dorm-size refrigerator and one sink, but there are plenty of electric outlets available.
- Utensils and knives needed to serve your potluck item; cooler if necessary.
- Cash for a donation (Forays are free, but your generosity buys coffee, paper products, nametags, goodwill for our hosting institutions, speaker expenses, and more. Thank you!)
- Basket (paper bag can do in a pinch)
- Sharp knife
- Mushroom field guide(s)
- Notepad and pencil/pen
- Magnifier
- Camera
- Hat, rain gear, change of shoes/boots
- Compass
- Whistle
