Another Great Spring Banquet

The 21st Annual Spring Banquet and Fundraiser on Thursday, April 28, 2016, was another huge success. More than 160 members and supporters gathered at Buck’s Run to socialize, have a delicious meal and raise thousands of dollars for conservation.

Our guest speaker, Jane Keon, captured the audience’s attention as she told the story of the first 16 years of the Pine River Citizens Superfund Task Force and the efforts to clean up the Pine River after years of industrial pollution. It was a story made even more special because it was told by an average person (though many of us would argue Jane is far from “average”) about a fight to clean up our own watershed. The story is a true testament to what a dedicated group of local people can accomplish by perseverance and hard work over a long period of time.

This year’s Robert Ball Award winner was Mike LeValley, Environmental Educator for the Isabella Conservation District, for his many contributions to environmental and nature education and other volunteer work with the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy.

Charlie Walmsley entertained again this year on the keyboard during the pre-dinner social hour. Andi Hofmeister led the entire audience in singing an original song she created about Bundy Hill based on many of the Bundy Hill memories posted by visitors to our social media and at other events. Norm Yoder led a spirited live auction session that included not one, but two Zulu Nayala Game Preserve Photo Safaris and an assortment of handmade baskets and gift baskets donated by the board of directors.

Congratulations to Mary Spence, winner of the raffle for a $400 gift certificate at Motorless Motion, and to Betty Wright, winner of the 50/50 raffle.

Thank you to everyone who made this event such a success, including our Banquet Patrons, whose generous donations covered most of the cost of sponsoring the banquet: