The 17th Annual Bi-State Winter Wonderland at Wolf Lake found dozens of visitors to the Environmental Education Center in Hammond, as well as to the William A. Powers Visitors Center on the Illinois side of the lake, learning about history and nature in the Calumet region.
Similar events, sponsored by the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative (AWLI), a not-for-profit organization and land trust, took place during the morning and afternoon.
“Our mission is to involve many different people on both sides of the lake,” said AWLI executive director Michael Boos, as he greeted the audience during the morning’s session at the Environmental Education Center. “For instance, our poster contest reflects what Wolf Lake is all about.”
More Top Picks Best Tunisian Crochet Hooks
The first item on the agenda was the announcement and recognition of this year’s poster contest winners.
“This (competition) is great for the students,” said Taylor Elementary School science teacher Melissa Ramirez, who accompanied her students to the event. “They’re learning about the opportunities surrounding Wolf Lake — recreation, stewardship, and the environment.”
Indeed, the posters reflected the mission of AWLI — bringing awareness to Wolf Lake.
Ursula and Theodore Lopez of Chicago accompanied their daughter Maritza as she received her award — first prize in the in the 8-10th grade division. Her poster depicted winter activities — ice-fishing and skating,
“I’m happy because I won. But I’m also happy because I like to draw, and it feels good that they like my work,” the 12-year-old said. “And I got to be creative.”
Mom and Dad felt their daughter gained a new perspective from becoming involved in the contest at the center.
After the award ceremony, visitors took a tour of the center, which included the 50-foot-long, live rainbow trout stream, the Re-Use Room, a tree house and meeting area.
“I fish a lot, and I’ve driven by this Environmental Center many times and always wondered why it was here,” Theodore Lopez said. “Now, after taking the tour today, I see that this building is awesome. It’s a great learning tool for the children.”
The Re-Use Room stores donated recyclable items, which are available gratis for teachers, individuals and groups that need them for projects.
Following the tour, visitors had the opportunity to listen to historian and archeologist Les Marszalek, who set up a long table filled with Native American artifacts.
“Archeology is everywhere,” Marszalek told the audience, as he held up a rendering of what an ancient Indian Village looked like. “I continue to find items in (Illinois) and other places to put in my museum in Oak Lawn.”
Larry McClellan gave a presentation on history of the Underground Railroad, which wrapped up the morning session on the Indiana side of the lake.
The Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative (AWLI) is a bi-state, not-for-profit organization and land trust headquartered at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting. The organization’s mission is to promote bi-state cooperation for the protection and enhancement of the Wolf Lake watershed.
AWLI also will conduct poster competitions later in 2018 for its Wetlands, Wind and Water festival on May 26-27, and for its Active Living Faire on Sept. 29.
For more information about the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative (AWLI), call (219) 933-7149 or (312) 220-0120 or visit online at http://www.wolflakeinitiative.org.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
AWLI Poster Contest winners
First Place: Maritza Lopez, 8-10th grade division; Georjina Ceja, seventh grade; and Marco Barrera, sixth grade.
Second Place: Gustavo Tavares, 8-10th grade division; Jeremy Perez, seventh grade; and Keaira Jackson, sixth grade.
Third Place: Jackelin Ruvalcaba, (corr. Sp.) 8-10th grade division; Alejandra Lerma, seventh grade; and Jonathan Miranda, sixth grade.
More Top Picks Best Affordable Watches Under 200
Honorable mention: Mariana Martinez of Clark High School, and Sammie Tevenal and Luis Chavez in the 8-10th-grade division. Jose Vaca, Nathalie Escorza, and Alejandro Garcia in the seventh grade division; and Sofia Gomez and Leslie Magallanes in the sixth grade division.
All of the students, except where noted, attend Taylor Elementary School in Chicago. Winners received $25 for first place; $15 for second place; and $10 for third place.