Here are a few thoughts from Folson, El Dorado & Sacramento Historical Railroad Association member Eric Olds. Keith Berry and Steven Karoly recently jointed the FEDSHRA so we can assist on the vegetation management project.

Our last work day occured Saturday, April 10.

Have you ever considered why parents bring their children along to volunteer functions?

My father brought my brothers and me to Saturday work days at the church building in Fresno. Michael, David and I almost always acquiesced and willingly assisted the men as they raked autumn leaves, mowed the church lawn and cleaned out the rain gutters.

This article was originally published in the winter 2008 edition of The Dispatch, the official newsletter of the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation. It contains many of the thoughts of our current president, Keith Berry

The past two weeks have been slow at the engine house of the El Dorado Western Railway. After a years-worth of activity this winter, all of our volunteers took last Saturday off.

Here's the crew of the El Dorado Western Railway:

Volunteers drive the El Dorado Western Railway Foundation—always have, and they always will.

Many volunteer trainmen, including several who've been involved since the project's 1993 launch, have patiently stuck with the project despite many setbacks. These men and women laid the foundation and set the vision for EDWRF and the proposed El Dorado County Logging and Railway Museum.

The Extra Board is a regular feature in The Dispatcher. We featured retiree and volunteer Bill Rodgers in the summer 2007 issue ...

How does it feel? Thinking to yourself "Kmart underwear is not so bad."

Wanting to paper clip your stack of papers together and having no paper clip, but then you find one under the bed of the house you are staying in and you are grateful.

Calling AT&T to change your mailing address and having them tell you they need the three-digit number after your phone number on your bill in order to talk to you. But your bill is in the ashes of your house, and they refuse to change your address because you cannot produce that ...

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department needs volunteers for the Sheriff's Team of Active Retirees program in South Lake Tahoe.

Have you always wanted to help others in our community? Can you spare one night per month and volunteer from the comfort of your own home? The South Lake Tahoe Women's Center is looking for volunteers.

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra recently awarded On Your Way Awards to three students at Zephyr Cove Elementary School. The award recognizes students who are working hard to achieve scholastic excellence in reading.

Each summer volunteers from all around the United States spend several weeks free of charge at the Tallac Historic Site. These fortunate folks camp under the towering pine trees, swim in Lake Tahoe and hike the many trails. The only catch is -- they also work without pay.

"Current restoration activities center on preparing the Shay No. 4 for her second 'coming out.' The first one was 100 years ago when No. 4 was delivered and started work at the Diamond and Caldor Railway. This time will be for her centennial birthday," said Eric Stohl, El Dorado Western Railway Foundation president.

On Saturday, June 16, 2007, railway volunteers will pull the 100-year old logging locomotive out of the engine house and onto the "tail track" for the El Dorado County Fair.

Here's a picture of the gang today. I snapped it at the conclusion of a very successful Saturday work day. We mounted the oil tank and the dynamo and acquired a new volunteer.

The Extra Board is a regular feature in The Dispatcher. We featured hospital administrator and volunteer Keith Berry in the fall 2006 issue ...