Dec 9, 2012 - Ted with his mound of strawToday, a Lily Fan sent this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEOk1ygA8WE that triggered a flood of good memories. It’s a video of the occasion Donna Andrews found her voice for bears. It was the day the person who had been unsure of herself in front of audiences and TV cameras discovered a talent she didn’t know she had. She found that in front of friends she naturally was a passionate and compelling speaker for bears. The occasion was the first Hinckley Gathering of Lily Fans in 2010. There, she could speak with the kind of passion and enthusiasm that makes people want to be part of it all. She told her experiences in a way that endears bears to the audience. Few people could speak like she did. She made everyone want to know more, to make bears part of their lives, and do something for them.
The next year, she established the Bear Keepers Courses that were so successful. I remember standing just out of sight during one of her presentations, hearing her words, and hearing the reactions of the participants. Everyone was having fun. I glowed. Donna Andrews had truly found her calling.
What followed was people telling me that her passion and enthusiasm gripped them. They had to be part of it. They had to spend time with bears. Donna Andrews made them love bears simply by sharing her love of them. Soon, a new group of volunteers—Bear Keepers—were working at the Bear Center. We knew we needed people to circulate and answer questions from visitors. These people had the passion and a big head start toward doing that and more. Donna Andrews was solely responsible for this leap forward. I thought it would grow and go on forever.
We don’t fully understand what made her let us know on November 15 that she would be leaving the Bear Center, but I am certain that I am speaking for the entire staff and board when I say we all wish her the very best in her next endeavor.
Last night’s video of Ted raking straw into his Chalet Den triggered a second good memory. It was Donna Andrews who saw the need for the Chalet Den and oversaw its completion. Thank you again, Donna.
We loved the video last night of Ted taking only 5 minutes to rake a bale of straw into his den. The picture shows his monster mound of straw he can now arrange for maximum insulation. If he is still visible at all when he is done arranging, we hope to install a Den Cam so we can all watch him through the winter.
Thank you again to all the Lily Fans who are sending us expressions of support as we move forward with bear education through the Hope Learning Center, the Den Cams, and the many other ways Lily Fans are making possible.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center