Well, two to be exact. And their names are Sherlene & Karen.

After running the successful Member Social and Silent Auction each spring for the last 11 years, Marilyn Gabert and Tom Joseph have turned in their tin badges and side-arms. Graciously stepping up to take over organizational responsibilities are two well- qualified - not to mention talented, gifted and fine looking - women. Karen Cramer and Sherlene Schmidt are the new co-chairs of this perennial, fun, fund-raising event.

Successful organization of an event like the Social requires a lot of work - and as firm believers in the tenet that "many hands make light work" our new sheriffs are looking to "deputize" some more folk for various small tasks. So if you get a call from either Karen or Sherlene to assist in some way, please say yes. The bigger the posse, the less work each of us will have to perform.

The Social is still three months away but already we are looking for items to put on the auction block. If you have an item you think would generate some healthy bids, we'd love to hear from you. Among the items that always attract attention are travel packages, sporting and recreational goods, tickets for performing arts and sporting events, wine, meals, home accents and antiques. Of course, if you have another idea - we're all ears.

Thanks so much to Marilyn and Tom for creating the event and nurturing its growth over ten+ years. And to Sherlene and Karen - good luck my friends - onwards and upwards!

Discovery Center staff members are a multi-talented lot. Sometimes we lead interpretive nature hikes; sometimes we teach basic sea-kayak skills; and sometimes, we find ourselves walking the runway. Pictured modeling the latest in designer outerwear is our own Licia Johnson. Our green hooded sweatshirts are available in sizes adult S through XL and sell for just $35.00 each. Discovery Center members can take 10% of that price. Makes a great Ides of March or St Patty's Day gift! Limited number available. Get yours now.

Need to do a little gift shopping? In addition to the new sweatshirt featured above, don't forget we have a small collection of quality goodies for sale in the Discovery Center Office. Bird books, note cards by Terry Daulton and Sara Muender, framed Sara Muender prints, T and polo shirts, books by local authors John Bates, Mary Burns, Buckshot Anderson, and photographer Jeff Richter.

And another gift idea - how about a Discovery Center gift certificate? Your loved one can use the voucher any time they like to enroll in the class or program of their choice.

So... whatever the occasion, if you need gifts please keep the Discovery Center in mind. The gift recipient will know you care for our wonderful Northwoods, and you will be supporting our continuing efforts. Everyone wins!

I want to extend early kudos to Program Director Maggie Ortlieb and her program committee for the development of a wonderful summer/fall program. It is currently in draft form and subject to some minor revisions prior to sending it off to the printer. Like me, I am sure you will be suitably impressed when the guide arrives in your mail box sometime in April. Along with old favorites like FisherMentor Day; Sailing Lessons; Bird Hikes; and Wolf Howling; are new programs like Northwoods Gardening; Monarch Butterfly tagging; and Canvas Canoe Restoration. Also sure to please are enhancements such as twice- monthly FREE guided nature hikes. Regular participants in our kids' Discover Your World and Adventure Club can qualify as Junior Supermembers that will entitle them to discounts and free Bring-A-Friend passes.

Elsewhere in this e-pistle, you will read that Gabert & Joseph have handed over the reins (there's a pun here - read on) of our annual spring member social. On behalf of this entire organization, we extend to them our sincere and heartfelt thanks for creating, building and nurturing this wonderful event over 11 years. I know Tom and Marilyn would be first to say they couldn't have done on their own. They would no doubt acknowledge their various and respective sidekicks - family members and friends who always answered the call to help them pull off this first class event. In addition to creating a great social occasion, with your participation, they also raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Discovery Center. To Marilyn, Tom and your helpers, a huge THANK-YOU!

Oh and by the way, Marilyn and Tom will not be going quietly into that dark good-night. No, they have simply moved onto something else - creating and growing our annual Dinner & Derby. So when they call you, be prepared to break out the silks and riding crops.

"Look and see, (oh yeah) if there's a letter, a letter for me"

Any day now, all Discovery Center members and friends will receive a letter from us. Please look out for it. Among other things, the letter will ask you about your interest in the Discovery Center's volunteer program. A brief survey form will ask you to declare your interest level, availability and specific areas of endeavor to which you might like to contribute. Please take the few minutes it will take you to complete the form and return it to us in the return envelope that will accompany the letter. This is a great organization with a short but proud history. We're on the move. Please join us on the journey - and meet some wonderful, like-minded folk along the way.

Yes in mid-winter even critters hit the snooze button. Do you know which? Do black bears hibernate or just sleep?

True hibernators, such as the 13-lined ground squirrel and the woodchuck experience significant body changes. The squirrel's heart beat will drop from 350 beats per minute down to 5 beats per minute and the woodchuck's will drop from 80 to 4. Similarly, their body temperatures will drop from around 98F to 38F. If such critters are woken they will expend so much energy "correcting" their internal controls, they may die. Their bodies are in true hibernation as opposed to a "sleeper" such as black bear.

Bears will breathe a little more slowly and lower their body temperature slightly, but are better described as taking a long winter nap. They will sometimes wake up for short periods, do a little foraging, enjoy a bit of a scratch, and then return to deep sleep. Not unlike you and me on a cold Saturday morning - except we forage in the refrigerator!