Putnam County Conservation District celebrates 50 years of service

MCNABB — Putnam County Conservation District Board members would like to thank past staff and trustees for their tireless efforts to maintain and preserve the two Putnam County Conservation Sites (Natural Lands Area and Lake Senachwine Area) during these last 50 years.

From deer check-in stations, boating safety courses, hunter safety, cross country skiing, high school cross country, FFA land plots, astronomy, day camps, art classes, wildlife workshops, craft programs, music events, fishing, camping, horse camping and trails, hiking, graduation parties, weddings, family gatherings and canoeing — all these activities couldn’t have been achieved if the many past board members hadn’t pushed for them. So again thank you for all your hard work over the past 50 years.

Past founding members of the conservation district and staff in order of time served:

Past board presidents: Helen Marie Engelbrecht, Marvin McKirgen, Earl Buhn, Leonard (Bill) Pletsch, James Downey, Raymond Munson, Julia Edgerley, Charles Bassi, Margery Brown, Joe Eattoni, John D. Wilson, Dewey Wright, Frank Drennen, Wilhelmina Whitaker, Gary Naumann, Paul Read, Richard Ashdown, Adam Passini Jr., Jeannie Alleman, Robert Steele, Bill Klein, Irene Downey, James R. Debates, James Petersen Jr., Clarence Wilson, George Ziano, Karen Phillips, Greg Glenn, Dennis Sparr, Kevin Doyle, Rick Zimmer, Peggy Larson, Davis Mallery, David McMullen, Jeff Rodda, Scott Urnikis, Janet Rodda, Neal Glover, Dorothy Wilson, Mike Schrowang, Dan Kotecki, Larry Phillips, James Carey, Heidi Duffield, Jeff Greathouse and Kathy Zurinski.

Past staff: Director Dennis Ford, Director Bob Phelps, Director Brian Loges, Secretary Donna Walton, Programs Darcia Ferrari and Secretary Janet Rodda.

Current board of trustees and staff:

President Dan Kotecki, vice president Janet Rodda, secretary John Crist, treasurer Ronald Bluemer and trustee William Duke, site operations manager/program director Kristen Pantenburg, site maintenance Steven Phillips and seasonal maintenance Darnell Edens.

Another painting class has been planned for 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14. Anyone interested in attending should email pc_conservationdistrict@outlook.com or message the district on Facebook at Putnam County Conservation District. Reservations should be reserved by July 9.