Press Release

Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.

November 5, 2008

For more information call Renee Brecht at 856-305-3238

 

Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. (CU) recently celebrated 29 years of volunteer service at its "Ah, Why Knot Awards Dinner" on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 at Union Lake Sailing and Tennis Club. Their volunteers typically devote thousands of hours of service to the community; this year, those hours totaled over 5000. There were four "Ah Why Knots" and one Presidential Award awarded this year. The awardees were Sue and Larry Merighi, Laurie Pettigrew, Greg Honachefsky and Presidential Awardee Tom McKee. Each recipient was bestowed with a red knot decoy.

Laurie Pettigrew, Senior Biologist, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has volunteered for a number of local non profit organizations. Additionally she has coordinated Wildlife Conservation Corps members in a wide variety of wildlife habitat projects on Wildlife Management Areas. She was instrumental in establishing a “Women in the Out-of-Doors” program that trains many women in a wide variety of outside endeavors. She does a wide range of interpretative work in the NJ Delaware Bayshore region including having compiled vast amount of materials to help visitors navigate wildlife based tourism. In her endeavors she shows great devotion, knowledge and enthusiasm.

Greg Honachefsky, Conservation Officer with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Greg is not only a very accomplished fish and wildlife game warden but also a great volunteer. He has put in countless hours for both CU and the Bayshore Discovery Project. It is not unusual to see him cooking, shucking oysters, steaming scallops, playing a fiddle, erecting osprey nests, lecturing or acting in a local troupe. Whatever his endeavor is, be it awaiting a poacher for hours disguised as a pile of leaves, or carving a fish decoy Greg gives life his all. This year, as in many past, he has solved many wildlife cases, bringing ne’er-do-wells to justice.

Larry and Sue Merighi were awarded as a couple for their contributions to CU and to the cultural community. Larry was cited for his work in planning that enabled CU to successfully advocate for preserved open space throughout our region. Both were commended for their service to Wheaton Arts. Suzy was specifically hailed for her service on the Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission. And both were thanked for their commitment to CU fundraisers.

Our Presidential Award Winner was Tom McKee. Tom is a consultant, having recently retired from the Division of Watershed Management at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. He brings to CU a host of expertise in Geographic Information Systems. He has done some mapping projects for CU. Tom has helped with the Osprey Colony Project, our River Reach Project, education of youth, fundraisers, and campfire folk music. As a guitarist and harmonic player, his love for folk music has added to many of CU’s functions.

Additionally, eight of our volunteers were recognized with President’s Volunteer Service Awards. In 2003, President Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. This Council spearheads The President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way of thanking and honoring Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Awards are based on total number of annual volunteer hours. Receiving the bronze (100+ hrs over a twelve month period): Diane Amico, Irene Bird, Sue Fenili, Leslie Ficcaglia, Karen Johnson, and Tom McKee. Receiving a silver award (250+ hours) was Tony Klock, and Allen Jackson was awarded a gold for over 500 volunteer hours in a twelve month period.

CU on the River!