No updates sense 2016.

I do not know your interests or what you are doing in your spare time. However, let me suggest you find a place to volunteer. I do not do a lot of volunteering, but in the past have volunteered for Jupiter High School band, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, The First Methodist Church of Jupiter Tequesta, Partnership for Environmental Education, The New Gardens Band, and others.

Another thing to remember, if you have any expenses connected with your volunteer work, the expenses can be deducted as a charitable contribution on your income tax. Examples of deductible expenses are mileage, tolls, uniforms, uniform cleaning, supplies, etc.

Bus Driving for the Jupiter High School Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA)

I started volunteering with the JERFSA at Jupiter High School (JHS) in 2002 when Pratt & Whitney sent my full time job to CT. My daughter had graduated from JERFSA and really appreciated the program so I went over to JHS and asked the JERFSA director what he needed. He said he needed a bus driver for field trips. So after some training I became a volunteer driver for field trips with JERFSA. I had to become a substitute teacher so I could drive a school board vehicle. JHS is always looking for volunteers – the band, the sports teams, help with various projects – I get an email from JHS at least weekly looking for volunteers.

As a bus driver for field trips I have been as far south as MM 39 (Newfound Harbor Marine Institute) on the way to Key West and to the Everglades, as far west as the Corkscrew Swamp in Ft. Myers, as far North as Walt Disney World, and as far east as the ocean.

2014-2016. Due to a change in administration, I am no longer driving a bus for the school board and thus my volunteer bus driving has ended.

Enviroservice is three hour field trip the sophomore class takes about 6 times a year. The class is divided into groups where one group works with ERM in a natural area, another travels up the Loxahatchee river taking water sample measurements, another counts fish in the intercostal waterway, another manages the recycle project at JHS, and another works with other local environmental groups on various projects.

03Sep14 – Enviroservice - at 08:30am with 9 sophomores we went the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA). There we worked in planting saw palmettos in an ares recently cleared of invasive vegetation. We also picked up trash and picked up parts of a sprinkler system previously used use on new plantings. All of this was done under the supervision of Ann Mathews, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM). It was hot, dirty work. We also had the site manager, a representative from the federal bureau of land management (they own the land), an environmentalist, and an archeologist (there could be American Indian artifacts in the area we were planting). JERFSA Students at JILONA - the bus trip was 12 miles total.

17Sep14 – Enviroservice - at 08:30am with 8 sophomores and another volunteer we went the Juno Dunes Natural Area. We spent most of the time collecting 1500 golf balls. It seems some of the residents just north of the natural area used it as a driving range. Our 1500 golf (collected after the area had a controlled burn) brought the total count of golf balls collected to 15,500. Later we collected trash in an intercostal inlet area. I have never seen as many hermit crabs. As we approached the retreat of the hermit crabs up the bank looked like a river flowing uphill. JERFSA Students at Juno Dunes - the trip was 14 miles total.

21Oct14 – Grassy Waters – at 7:30am with 23 sophomores and one instructor we went over to the Grassy Waters Preserve (GWP) west of Beeline Highway on the south side of Northlake blvd. The students, volunteers, instructor, and staff from GWP loaded into 10 canoes and headed out into the swamp to study the animals and vegetation. GWP web site is www.grassywaterspreserve.com and GWP is well worth a visit to walk the boardwalk and see FL before man polluted it. GWP is looking for volunteers to help with their programs. The bus trip was 22 miles total.

24Oct14 – Grassy Waters – at 7:30 with24 sophomores and one instructor went over to GWP to do the same study the other half of the class did earlier in the week. As the class was returning a slight rain started but ended quickly. The bus trip was 22 miles total.

31Oct14 – Enviroservice - at 08:30am with 7 sophomores and another volunteer we went the Jupiter Ridge Natural Area. The bus was unavailable for the trip so I drove the JERFSA truck with some of the students and the JERFSA secretary drove her van with the rest. The natural area is along US #1 south of Indiantown Road on the West Side. We spent the morning cleaning trash from the natural area, mostly along the intercostal waterway on the west side of the natural area. We collected 175 pounds of trash and 50 pounds of recyclable, most of which seemed to have fallen of boats. JERFSA Students at Jupiter Ridge - the trip was 14 miles total.

18Nov14 – Enviroservice – with the anticipation of rain, which did happen, the trip was cancelled.

02Dec14 – Enviroservice - at 08:30am with 9 sophomores and another volunteer we went the Pine Glades Natural Area. The natural area is along Indiantown Road west of most of the Jupiter Farms area. We collected 375 pounds of trash, mostly along Indiantown road.. JERFSA Students at Pine Glades - the trip was 28 miles total.

04Jan15 – Japanese Exchange students – Eight Japanese juniors from Sagano High School in Kyoto, Japan, visited Florida and Jupiter High School this week. On Sunday, 04Jan, I went with Ms. Noxon, a 1997 JERFSA graduate and current English and Science teacher in Kyoto, Japan, to the FAU campus in Jupiter to meet the students and help them get settled into the FAU dormitories. The students, with head teacher and principal arrived by van from Orlando where they spent the night after arriving from Japan. After they were settled into their rooms, we drove to Blowing Rocks Preserve in Hobe Sound. The students had never seen the Atlantic Ocean and we spent several hours there. Later we drove to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse where we toured the museum and climbed the 100+ steps to the top. In addition to staying in the FAU dormitories for the week, they also ate meals in the FAU cafeteria.

05Jan15 – Leaving FAU at 6:30am we went to the beach to watch the sunrise – it was overcast. We returned to FAU and the students changed into their school uniforms and we headed to Jupiter High School. It was a teacher work day without students so after greetings by the JHS and JERFSA staff, the students toured JERFSA, JHS and received student identification badges. After leaving JHS and changing out of their school uniforms, we went to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. The staff prepared a tour and led a discussion on the work they do. The next stop was at Florida Power and Light where employees in the environmental group, including another graduate of JERFSA, presented the FPLs work to provide power with minimal environmental impact. After stop at Walgreens to buy gifts, we went to the Palm Beach Gardens Mall for dinner in the food court and shopping.

06Jan15 – Leaving FAU early we drove to Riverwoods Field Laboratory on the Kissimmee River north of Lake Okeechobee which support research and educational activities related to the restoration of the Kissimmee River and greater Everglades ecosystem. While there the students took a boat tour of the river identifying changes to the river and the return of wildlife. After a presentation on Florida wildlife and dinner we drove to the 7k acre Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Following a presentation on managing the park, we went on a walk looking at the wildlife. By the end of the walk it was dark and the view of the sky, with no impact from local lights was amazing.

07Jan15 – After spending the night at Riverwoods we drove to the Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for a tour and discussion of their activities in saving injured and abandoned animals. Among the unique animals at Arnold were a camel and a small pigmy kangaroo. We returned to FAU where the students prepared for tomorrow spending the day with students at JERFSA

08Jan15 – We arrived at Jupiter High School where the students attended classes with JERFSA students.

09Jan15 – We left FAU at 5AM to join the students in the JERFSA junior class for a trip to Everglades National Park. The day was spent studying the environment and animals in the Everglades. Returning at 7PM the students went home with guest families to spend the night.

10Jan15 – The students spent the day with guest families and in the afternoon returned to JHS where the prepared a presentation on their activities and enjoyed a picnic with JERFSA students and families. In the late afternoon the students took a van to Orlando for the night.

11Jan15 – The students spent a day touring the Kennedy Space Center.

12Jan15 – The students left Orlando for a flight back to Kyoto Japan.

2012-2013 School Year - Due to a policy change, all substitute teachers must substitute at least 10 times a year (up from 2) to remain a school board employee.

07Sep12 – Enviroservice - at 08:30am with 9 sophomores and one volunteer we went the Paw Paw natural area. On the way over and back we stopped by Abacoa Community Garden to drop off a group of 9 sophomores and volunteers who were working there. The natural area is located about 2 blocks north of PGA Blvd on the east side of Ellison Wilson road. Paw Paw is about 3 acres big and under the direction of Ann Mathews, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM). we picked up over 100 pounds of trash and pulled love vines off of several trees. It was hot and dirty work. The bus trip was 21 miles total.

2011-2012 School Year - Due to a policy change, only full time school board employees could drive school buses. However in November that policy was changed – at least it was changed for my field trip bus driving.

11Nov11 – School Board bus driver recertification.

12Nov11 – School Board required bus driver physical.

07Dec11 – Cyprus Creek - at 08:30am with 7 sophomores and one volunteer we went to Cypress Creek Natural Area. On the way over and back we stopped by Riverbend Park to drop off a group of 8 sophomores who were working there –The natural area is located about 2 miles west of I95 on Indiantown road. Cypress Creek is near the end of the restoration process and will soon be open to the public. The east boundary of the natural area is Taylor road which seems to be a magnet for beer cans. We spent the morning cleaning up the west side of the Taylor road - http://www.pbcgov.com/erm/volunteers/pdf/cypresscreek_12.7.11.pdf . The bus trip was 12 miles total.

12Dec11 – Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge – at 07:30am with 20 sophomores and a teacher we drove to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach. The refuge consists of more than 221 square miles of Everglades Habitat The students studied the birds, animals, soil, and swamps in the refuge. There are several hundred national wildlife refuges in the US including one on Navassa island – a 1344 acre island about 35 miles west of the southern peninsula of Haiti. The bus trip was 71 miles,

13Dec11 – Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge – at 07:30am with 19 sophomores and a teacher we drove to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach again. Today’s trip covered the same studies as yesterday’s trip with a different group of students. The bus trip was 43 miles – shorter than yesterday’s because the odometer and other gages on the bus quit working on the way back to the school. Even when the speedometer was working, the bus would not go faster that 54 mph – the speed limit is 55 for school busses in Florida,

12Jan12 – Everglades Youth Conservation Camp at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Commission’s JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area - at 7:30am with 49 freshman we drove to the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp . The freshman class spends 3 days and two nights in a learning experience called the freshman intensive. The intensive is basically an outdoor classroom on Florida wilderness including wildlife, vegetation, and hunter safety. The students are picked up by parents on Saturday. The bus trip was 16 miles to the camp and 23 miles back – the odometer on the bus quits working at times.

2010-2011 School Year – There was really about 30 trips I took – I just never got around to entering them all – The trips I’ve taken in 2011-2012 (above) were removed from this list.

01Sep10 – Enviroservice – at 08:30am with a group sophomores we went over to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area to work with Ann Mathews, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM). We removed 67 pounds of trash from the west bank of the Intracoastal Waterway, just north of the Jupiter Island bridge, and collected 68 pounds of red mangrove seeds which will be used to restore a natural area scheduled for later this year. Pictures can be viewed at www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/action.htm by selecting the 9/1/2010 date. Other dates we have worked this year are 5/6/2010 and 4/9/2010. Ann Mathews is always looking for volunteers to help her at various ERM locations. The bus trip was 8 miles total.

14Sep10 – Grassy Waters – at 7:30am, in the rain, with 25 sophomores and one instructor we went over to the Grassy Waters Preserve (GWP) west of Beeline Highway on the south side of Northlake blvd. As the rain stopped, the students, volunteers, instructor, and staff from GWP loaded into 10 canoes and headed out into the swamp to study the animals and vegetation. GWP web site is www.grassywaterspreserve.com and GWP is well worth a visit to walk the boardwalk and see FL before man polluted it. GWP is looking for volunteers to help with their programs. The bus trip was 22 miles total.

15Sep10 – Grassy Waters – at 7:30, without any rain, 26 sophomores and one instructor went over to GWP to do the same study the other half of the class did yesterday. The bus trip was 22 miles total.

21Sep10 – Camp Welaka – at 07:30am with 50 freshmen and one instructor we went over to Camp Welaka. Camp Welaka is the local Girl Scout camp - www.gssef.org/camps-and-facilities/camps-info/camp-welaka.aspx. (Many years ago I was a life guard at the swimming pool for many Girl Scout events.) The purpose of the trip was to cover various aspects of the local environment. These include surveys of the forest vegetation, studies of the local scrub area, and aquatic studies of the fish and vegetation in two local ponds. With the help of two instructors and another volunteer all activities were completed. The bus trip was a 14 miles total.

08Oct10 – Riverbend Park - at 11:30am with 20 seniors and one instructor we went over to Riverbend Park. Riverbend Park is one of many Palm Beach County parks and is located about 2 miles west of I95 on Indiantown road - www.pbcgov.com/parks/nature/riverbend/ . Riverbend in one of the many places use to create the Northeast Everglades Natural Area (NENA). NENA features trails in Martin and Palm Beach County which stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee. The purpose of the trip was to familiarize the seniors the park and with the duties of park rangers, other employees, and volunteer opportunities in the park. The bus trip was 11 miles total.

22Oct10 – Cyprus Creek - at 11:30am with 16 seniors and one volunteer we went over to Cypress Creek Natural Area. The natural area is located about 2 miles west of I95 on Indiantown road –

www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/natural/natural-areas/cypress-creek/. Cypress Creek is still in the process of being restored and access is limited. The purpose of the trip was to familiarize the seniors the area restoration activities in the natural area and tour the 2000 acre site in a large swamp buggy. The bus trip was 12 miles total.

29Oct10 – Enviroservice – at 08:30am with a group sophomores we went over to the Jackson Riverfront Pines Natural Area which is along the northeast fork of the Loxahatchee river to work with Ann Mathews, Senior Environmental Analyst with the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM). We removed 1980 pounds of debris which had washed up along the water front and other building materials which had not been removed. During our visit, the previous owner of the natural area came by and discussed his family’s decision to give the land to Palm Beach County. Pictures can be viewed at www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/action.htm by selecting the 10/29/2010 date. Ann Mathews is always looking for volunteers to help her at various ERM locations. The bus trip was 12 miles total.

02Nov10 – Training – Each year the school board requires in service training and a physical. The training updated us on the latest rules and regulations. I took the required annual physical the next day.

15Nov10 – Gumbo Limbo - at 07:30am with 48 freshmen and two teachers we drove down to Boca Raton’s Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - http://www.gumbolimbo.org/ . The students toured the facility and grounds and had classes in the activities and events taking place in the center. The bus trip was 74 miles total.

19Nov10 – Loxahatchee River District – at 12:30pm with 18 seniors and a teacher we drove over to the Loxahatchee River District ( http://www.loxahatcheeriver.org ) Wastewater Treatment Facility. One of the seniors who works here as an intern set up a tour of the facility. When we arrived two Sandhill Cranes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_Crane) were sitting on the grass next to the parking lot. Located next to the Loxahatchee River District is the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary www.buschwildlife.com . The sanctuary is well worth a visit. The bus trip was 8 miles total.

Work Crew with the New Gardens Band (NGB) http://www.newgardensband.org/ and Indian River Pops (IRP).

During high school, my son who was in the Jupiter High School Band started playing with a local community volunteer band – NGB. During the years he played with them, in addition to many local concerts, the band toured Russia and Brazil playing concerts at various locations and in Florida they also played in Gainesville and EPCOT. While he was with the band, Donna started handling the ticket sales, and I started helping with concert setup and equipment. The band transports its own equipment including tympani, drums, music stands, and risers (which weigh a ton).

Starting with the 2011-2012 season, the NGB and IRP are playing most of their concerts at the Eissey Campus Theatre and the Lyric Theatre in Stuart. These locations have their own set up crews so my services are required only for special events. These locations sell their own tickets so Donna no longer spends time volunteering as ticket salesman.

2013 The new gardens band has suspended playing for now and thus my volunteer work with them.

2011-2012 Concert Season –

11Nov11 – Veterans day concert at the Mizner theater – Each year the New Gardens Band has travels Boca Raton to play a special veterans day concert in the Mizner Park Theater. The theater features a large outdoor area for concert goers and the concert is well attended. Boca Raton’s recreation special events web site is http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/specialevents/. The theater staff was very helpful in setting up and taking down the band’s equipment.

2010-2011 Concert Season –

There were many concerts which I was just too busy to record all of them.

11Nov10 – Veterans day concert at the Mizner theater – Each year the New Gardens Band has travels Boca Raton to play a special veterans day concert in the Mizner Park Theater. The theater features a large outdoor area for concert goers and the concert is well attended. Boca Raton’s recreation special events web site is http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/specialevents/. The theater staff did most of the work.

13Nov10 – Concert at Centennial High School – The IRP presented a concert featuring Copeland Davis - http://www.copelanddavis.com/. The POPs program featured “Theme from “Exodus”, “an American in Paris Suite”, “A Salute to Rogers and Hammerstein”, and many other musical pieces. There is no theater staff at the high school so other volunteers and I do the setup.

The next day IRP presented a very similar concert at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/EisseyCampusTheatre.xml. The theater provides setup staff so I do not attend.

20Nov10 – Concert at the Lyric theatre in Stuart – The IRP presented essentially the same concert as the one presented on 13Nov10. Tonight it was presented at the Lyric theatre in Stuart http://www.lyrictheatre.com/. The theater staff had set up their own risers, chairs, and stands so there was little for me to do.