Just like last year, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Annual Membership Meeting came with a surprise twist! The night before, a storm raged through the area and took out our air conditioning and refrigerator. With those units down for event, the ice cream was more of a soft serve situation. Thankfully, our members took it in stride, enjoying sundaes and Painterland Sisters yogurt, while catching up with each other.
Standing from left: Dr. Mohammed Khalequzzaman (Board), John Schaeffer (Board), Terry Johnson (Board), Mary Baumunk Blondy (Board), Stephanie Radulski (Board), Jesse Walker (Staff), Lisa Strouse (Board), Susan Martin (Staff).
Sitting from left: Sara Schlesinger (Staff), Renee’ Carey (Staff), Holly Byers (Staff).
During the meeting, members:
- Re-elected to the Board, Dennis Ringling, a retired forestry educator who continues to volunteer with the Society of American Foresters and serves with the Muncy Lions Club.
- Re-elected to the Board, Amie Penfield, a realtor with a background in biology education and early childhood development.
- Elected John Schaeffer to his first term on the Board. John, now retired in Muncy, brings decades of experience from a career in financial services that spanned New York, Washington, Miami, and Latin America.
Executive Director Renee’ Carey shared highlights from the past year, including:
- Celebrating the completion of the McMorris Conservation Easement and the acquisition of the Fitzgerald property.
- Continued stream and water improvement projects, from Bald Eagle State Park to farms and lands across the region
- A look ahead at upcoming conservation easement projects and community events.
As for the unexpected power loss two years in a row, the NPC team is keeping a sense of humor about it. Although, we still can’t decide whether it is a cosmic hint to change venues or just setting us up for a third-time’s-the-charm moment next year.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this year, and to all the members who make this work possible throughout northcentral Pennsylvania.