Conservaton banquet held

Thursday, May 1, 2008 2:35 PM EDT

The Mason County Conservation District held its 48th annual cooperator’s dinner on April 12 at the Mason County Extension Office with Jane Poe, chairperson, presiding.  The meeting was well attended by local students, farm cooperators and public officials alike. The dinner honored the art and writing winners from school aged children in Mason County. After Mrs. Poe welcomed the guests, she led the group in the pledge to the American flag and Fred Chumbler Jr. gave the invocation prior to the meal.

Jane Poe introduced the evening’s guests and John Kelley, vice chairman, expressed appreciation to the supporters of the annual dinner and other projects sponsored by the district during the year. The dinner was catered and served by Friends of Minerva and expenses were underwritten by donations from the Bank of Maysville, Security Bank and Trust Co, Citizens Deposit Bank, Farm Credit Services, Integra Bank, Peoples Bank and US Bank.

The theme of the 2007 conservation art and writing contest was “Kentucky Wildlife.” Approximately 325 students participated in this contest. The county winner in the art contest was Gabby Merrill, a fourth grader at Highland Christian School. Other winners in the art contest were; second, Gracie Kurtz, third grade student at Highland Christian, third, Landis Pasley, second grade student at Straub Elementary, fourth, David Neff, second grade student at Straub and fifth place, Nicole White, second grade student at Straub Elementary School.

Ashley Wentworth, a seventh grade student at Highland Christian School, was the first place writing winner.  Other writing winners were; second place, Madeline Towner, sixth grade student, Mason County Middle School, third place, Elizabeth Heller, sixth grade student at St. Patrick School, fourth, Emily Sticklen, eighth grade at St. Patrick School and fifth place, Sarah Clos, seventh grade student at St. Patrick School. 

Homeroom awards for 100 percent participation in these contests were given to Ms. Tammy Cline, Ms. Kerry Hunt and Ms. Amy Horn from Highland Christian School and Ms. Donna Phillips from Mason County Middle School. Chris Scott and Michael Miller, members of the board of supervisors, presented these awards.

Daniel Collins, vice chairman of the board, introduced Robert D. Vance, secretary of the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, as the speaker for the evening. Then Anthony Wenz, member of the board, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Mrs. Lillian Rice in recognition of her dedication and leadership in Mason County.

Joseph Ulrich, conservation technician for the district, gave a slide presentation showing farming practices on a local farm that was to receive an honor award from the district and Jeffrey Brown, District Conservationist with NRCS in Mason County, presented this conservation honor award to the Garrison Family Farm.

Door prizes were awarded by Anthony Wenz and John Kelley. These prizes had been donated by Peoples Bank, Wal-Mart, Southern States, Rips Farm Center, Fleming County Farm Supply, Richmond Insurance, May’s Lick Dinner Bell Restaurant, May’s Lick Mill, Moyer’s Greenhouse, Heritage Honda and Pat McKay.

Chris Scott announced an upcoming hay field day sponsored by Mason County Conservation District to be held at the George Gripshover farm across from the Germantown Fairgrounds. The tentative date for this field day is June 19. The meeting closed with Karen Fulton leading the group in singing “God Bless America.”

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