2015 A Good Year for Tilly Jane Guard Station
Congratulations on a good year of 2015 for Tilly Jane Guard Station! An ad hoc committee was formed over a year ago to help the Gorge Chapter in managing the Tilly Jane Guard Station, or TJGS, and it proved effective. Despite an appallingly meager snow-pack and tinder-dry forest conditions in much of 2015, interest remains strong in the Gorge Chapter and in Tilly Jane and our activities look more attractive than ever. And over the course of 2015 much positive work was done for Tilly Jane Guard Station:
- Deciding and acting on management issues (extend season and boost rental fee, meet with our FS partners and update the Operating Plan, develop funding plan for repairs/ improvements, re-submit for a Use Permit renewal after the current 10-year term ends, improve the info on Reserve America site, etc).
- Taking care of the cabin itself (apply 2nd coat of exterior paint, replace broken window, refinish exterior doors, replace/ re-grade concrete slab outside Wood room door, repair hole in roof valley, get bids for larger repairs, acquire professional cleaning of both chimney flues (important!), replace rusty kitchen counter cover, tackle a troubling mouse/ rat problem, etc).
- I really appreciate getting more help this year on the cabin repairs and improvements that were capably offered by Pedro. The late season “rodent control rally” capped off by Dean and friend’s victorious efforts was a highlight.
- Dean’s addressing of the online presence of the TJGS on our rental front is precisely what is needed.
- Katy was great in keeping us organized and moving forward on priority issues – really valuable.
- Not least, but finally, Skip – with Janet of course – was wise counsel, master of ceremonies and on top of all things ONC, Gorge Chapter and TJGS. Be patient with us, Skip, we are just learning.
Looking forward to 2016, we should have a new permit in place for the TJGS cabin and “permit area”, a fresh list of “to-do’s” and plans including bigger repairs of the garage and all. In January I plan to meet with Mike Dryden of the FS-HRRD to prepare a grant application for help on repairs to the garage (due in March). Searching for other grants and cooperating with the Tilly Jane A-Frame folk will be needed. Opportunities for members and volunteers this summer is key, and requesting their help early on is very important. Next year – and next generation – will always involve help from others. Let it be fun.
Cheers to all, Kevin McGillivray