The hotel will allow small pets [under 40 lbs] with a $25 deposit.

f you are thinking about RV’ing it, the following are nearby RV parks. All require credit card or a 2 nights deposit to hold.  For the same reasons as above, make your reservations soon!

• Camelot RV Park (Brevard) - 130 sites - Ph:  407-724-5396
• Lazy K RV Park - 60 sites - Phone: 407-724-1639
• Palm Shores RV Park (Brevard) -41 sites-Ph: 407-254-4388

he official events surrounding Pelican Island refuge will begin on the 13th with the dedication of a Refuge System time capsule. This project is collecting a historic object from each refuge. You will be able to view these items at the time capsule event which will be held at Indian River Mall in Vero Beach.

On Friday the 14^th, a VIP ceremony is planned for the morning, including the re-dedication of Pelican Island as a National Historic Landmark and the grand opening of the Centennial Trail Boardwalk and Observation Tower. In the afternoon, a public ceremony is planned, which will include speeches by official from the Department of Interior, a Refuge System flag ceremony, historical portrayal of Pelican Island history, Florida Junior Duck Stamp art judging and display, plus multiple refuge exhibits. Plans for evening ceremonies are underway, and may include an Arlo Guthrie concert and fireworks.

The Pelican Island Wildlife Festival on the 15^th and 16^th is sponsored by the Pelican Island Preservation Society (PIPS) and FWS. This 11^th annual event will include wildlife shows, boat and kayak trips to Pelican Island and Indian River lagoon, arts and crafts, and food and live entertainment.

he Pelican Island NWR celebration is not the only ceremonial event being planned to herald the 100^th anniversary of the NWR System. Throughout the year in 2003, numerous celebrations are being scheduled at National Wildlife Refuges throughout the U.S. in what will be a year-long celebration culminating in a national conference in Washington, D.C., in November 2003. To track just what the NWR System is planning and the planned activities at Pelican Island, the following excellent website is running regular updates on the centennial events. Check out this NWR Website:

complete agenda of the events will be available prior to the reunion. A rough schedule of events however, as they are now planned, but subject to change, looks like this:

• Wed. 3/12 -- Afternoon arrival for most folks
• Thurs. 3/13 -- Retiree workshops

Time Capsule Dedication

• Friday 3/14 --

Morning - VIP Ceremony - Celebration recognizing the

100^th anniversary of the NWR System and Pelican Island.

Secretary Norton and Director Williams to attend.

Afternoon - Piblic Ceremony Event

• Saturday — Sunday 3/15 & 16 -- Pelican Island Wildlife Festival

- Refuge & Lagoon tours

Additional retiree workshops and events.

espite the prominence and long history of the Fish & Wildlife Service, there has been no systematic and sustained effort to document, collect, and preserve important aspects of its past. Many objects related to the Service’s history have been lost or continue to deteriorate and there was no active program underway to document the institutional knowledge of its retirees. Preserving our heritage helps to enhance the Service’s identity and offers us opportunities to learn from our past.

Until the FWS Historian and a Museum Curator became part of the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), much of the important FWS heritage has been protected by interested individuals such as yourselves, resulting now as a large number of private collections. The museum at the NCTC is encouraging your contributions to its extensive archival collection of historical artifacts, documents and photos. This material can now be preserved in the Service’s state-of-the-art museum and storage space. This material serves as a basis for creating displays showcasing the history of conservation in America and historical research, all made possible by the oversight of the on-staff Historian and Museum Curator.

he Service Historian and Curator are always happy to advise and assist you. Just give a call to Mark Madison at (304) 876-7276 or Jeanne Harold at (304) 876-7285, and they will be happy to chat with you about any objects, preservation concerns, or heritage topics that you may have.

Denson, Lee & Barbara Divine, George & Billie

Duncan, Marv & Patty Ellis, Joe

Emrick, Don Filek, Larry

Fisher, Jim Frederick, K. C.

Garner, Ken Hawthorne, Billy

Heck, Berlin Julian, Bill

Langowski, Dave Lewis, Larry E.

McCartney, Keith McLaury, Eldon

Miller, Jim Oddan, Steve

Parenti, Bob Perry, Vern & Jeanne

Quam, John Smith, Karen

Stearns, Chuck & Lourene Stratton, Bob

Suhr, Martin Valentine, Joe

Wallen, George Wood, Jim & Linda

Ystesund, Kenneth & Ida

he retirees group is still adding to its mailing address database and to keep doing so, your help is needed. Of all the folks that have worked for the FWS and retired, we have so far accumulated only 1800 addresses. It just seems there must be a lot of folks out there to re-connect with. If you are in contact with former colleagues (your Christmas card list?), please pass on the word that if they haven’t heard about this retirees group we would like to establish contact. Just let one of the retiree contacts know, call the 1-800 number, and we will take it from there.

Also, if you have lost track of someone, Denny or I may be able to provide an address for you.

t the Spearfish reunion, timeout was taken at breakfast on Sunday morning to remember our former co-workers that have passed on. This was an enduring and moving event that has brought numerous favorable comments. Many folks just hadn’t heard about the passing of former colleagues. It is planned to have a similar session at the Pelican Island reunion. If you would take a thoughtful moment to let one of us know via e-mail or the 1-800 number about the passing of one of our FWS family, it would be appreciated.

here have been several inquiries about a website I forwarded several years back. It is to the weekly bulletin FEDweek edited by Don Mace. It contains short paragraphs on the activities of Congress and the budget battles, legislation, and proposed changes in current law; happenings at various Federal Agencies; and, Administration proposals. Content is on current subjects of interest to Federal employees and retirees -- pay raises, long-term care, thrift savings plan changes, retirement proposals, health benefits discussions, etc. Check it out. It is a free site (if you don’t mind some advertising) and best of all, it has an unsubscribe link if you decide you don’t like it.

nother area of inquiry has been on long-term care. There are two very useful websites that will help in comparing the new Federal program offerings with what is available on the open market.

The first is Long-Term Care Quote^SM , a national resource center and independent agency specializing in long-term care insurance. Computers monitor and compare the prices and features of the top long-term care insurance policies on the market today. Only large, highly-rated, experienced companies are surveyed. The results for your specific age, health, etc. can then be compared to the Federal offering.

The second site deals with locating a certified professional in your area. The Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification (CLTCC) has created the long-term care insurance industry’s only professional designation, "Certified in Long-Term Care" (CLTC). These folks are mostly independent insurance agents but they have completed specific certification requirements and are knowledgeable about a variety of long-term care policies.

toll free number is now available for FWS retirees to obtain or to pass on information about former colleagues or events. The number is 1 — 877 — 831 — 5591. It will connect with Denny Holland, retiree volunteer coordinating the colleagues’ reunions. He will also be able to answer most of your questions regarding the Florida reunion event.

This Newsletter information prepared by Jerry C. Grover