Tributes to Winnie on her 90th Birthday!!
August 5, 2001

Woodland Dunes Nature Center began submitting weekly articles to the Herald Times Reporter under the heading Ripples From The Dunes in 1974. At that time the by line used was A. G. Olius.

Who was this myssterious writer - A. G. Olius? The name is part of the scientific name of the saw-whet owl. It sounds somewhat like "All of Us."

The articles were written by many people. The author would research each subject and submit it to Woodland Dunes for review. Consequently readers noted a variety of writing styles.

Currently the majority of articles are researched and written by Winnie Smith. Winnie's dedication to Woodland Dunes Nature Center has provided information to many readers. You are also able to view these articles on the Woodland Dunes Web page: woodlanddunes.com.

We would like to introduce you to Winnie who is now celebrating her 90th birthday.
This talented lady has influenced many people through her love of nature and willingness to learn. In 1985 Woodland Dunes saluted Winnie in an article in the September Dunesletter (the newsletter of Woodland Dunes.)

Even though 16 years have passed, the following collection of articles still very appropriately describe this wonderful naturalist.

By Helen Dicke-Krivacek
Friend, tireless worker, avid conservationist, happy person, dedicated teacher - all describe our newly retired Chairman of the Board of Woodland Dunes, Winnie Smith.

She has worked as a volunteer for Woodland Dunes since its beginning. One of her specialties has been the education program where she chaired the committee that developed exciting sensory awareness classes on the Cottonwood Trail, Habits and Habitats and Marsh Trek programs.

Winnie constantly attends seminars: Riveredge Nature Center, George Williams University, Youth Science Foundation, Bird Banding and Ornithology conventions, CEI workshops, to name a few. She always comes back with new material to incorporate in Woodland Dunes programs.

She is a lecturer for many clubs and classes, a writer for newspapers and magazines, a doer for such groups as Girl Scouts, 4-H, Maritime Museum, school groups, and an award winner honored by Fort Howard, Isaac Walton, Gen. Fed. of Women's Clubs, Outstanding Elementary School Teacher, etc.

One of my first contacts with Winnie took place many years ago when, in her own way, she introduced our children to stones at Point Beach Day Camp.

The girls came home soaked and thrilled with the new world they had found.

Stones, birds, other animals, plants, water have been all-consuming interests, but last year she decided she should study butterflies.

Winnie now has a lecture and slides ready to share. There is no stopping this intellectually curious woman.

By Walter and Betty Dennis
We are happy to be able to add our two cents worth to Winnie's send-off as chairperson of the Board of Directors of Woodland Dunes and to tell the Dunesletter world what we feel about Winnie Smith.

We could go on and talk about her knowledge of the birds and the bees and the wildflowers, etc., her graciousness, her leadership, her cooperativeness, as we have seen all of these qualties displayed.

We would, however, rather just tell of the excitment, enjoyment and the knowledge in the world of Mother Nature that she has generated in us as we joined forces on the "Cottonwood Trail," on wildflower hikes, in basket-making workshops, on the Board of Directors and in other important projects related to Woodland Dunes.

"Thanks for this serendipity and many many thanks for all the good you have done as chairperson of the Board of Woodland Dunes, Winnie."

By Hazel Eisemann
A special tribute is truly in order to Winnifred Smith for her many years of dedicated devotion to the world of nature study. My first acquaintance with Winnie was as a classroom teacher in the Mishicot Community School System.

Just a few minutes of conversation with her immediately told me that the knowledge, enthusiasm and love for the natural environment is at her total command.

The volumes of her own knowledge are always shared with others. Any new encounter is always exploited by her to gain and share with everyone.

Being in the out-of-doors with her is an exciting experience as her eyes sparkle and her face lights up with true joy at the sight of the tiniest fragment in the natural world. It is truly a prvilege for children and adults to be in her presence.

One is always left with a happy, excited thirst for knowledge when Winnie is in charge. The lives she has touched and the enthusiastic knowledge she has shared have made the world a better place to be.

Through the life of Winnie we can see that God is alive and well in this world!

With great respect to Great Woman.

By Bernie Brouchoud
My bird book was sufficient until I learned that a better guide was on the market. It was the early 1950's and I discovered that the Winghaven Craft Shop in Two Rivers had the Roger Tory Peterson bird books for sale.

The first day I met Winnie Smith (the proprietor of the shop) the "on" switch was set on the magical hat of influence. Through the years this outpouring was continuous.

Not only did she introduce me to the Peterson Field Guides but also helped with advice on binoculars, started me in bird banding, taught me how to make bird skins, sculpt birds with clay, etc., etc.

As Woodland Dunes Nature Center developed, she was one of the first to be asked to help - and help she did! She was instrumental in trail layout, educational program development, coordinator of various workshops.

She served as Chairman of the Board for several years. Under her guidance the old farmhouse headquaarters was greatly improved with display panels and exhibits. She put artists and carpenters to work.

She continues to help as coordinator of writers of the weekly newspaper column Ripples Fron The Dunes and is working on a third grade program.

Thanks, Winnie.