CREW 2022 Volunteer Recognition Potluck and Staff Update
by Judy Stewart
Table decorations by Sue Roenker
The Birds and the Bees was the theme of the 2022 CREW Volunteer Recognition Potluck and Staff Update. Mother Nature provided the day with extreme heat, so there was a last-minute change of venue from the new picnic shelters to the air-conditioned Treetops. Fifty-five volunteers and staff were delighted to see one another again and meet new folks as well.
CREW volunteers shared their favorite dishes in a potluck that resembled a feast. Scottie’s Taco Bar, manned by Scottie Fahey, featured an array of taco fixings supplied by the CREW staff.
Dr. Terri Roth, Director of CREW, welcomed guests to the first potluck since COVID.
She and Sue Roenker, Board Chair, distributed the honors. Certificates were distributed to twenty-eight volunteers. Those recognized for 100 hours or more were Rita Bell, Mike Biere, Becky Budke, Susi Charls, Regan Collins, and Linda Corbett. Others were Jackie Dieckman, Sheryl Grouse, Irene Hofmann, Ann Marchioni, and Meg Riestenberg. Also included were Sue Roenker, Erin Russell, Karen Schmidt, Gayle Smith, Samuel Smith, Judy Stewart, and Peggy Surface.
Lynn Blattman, Terri Brisendine, Mike Camery, Alsatia Corwin, Linda Finke, Patrick Martin, and Nancy Mitchell received certificates for 200 hours or more.
Janet Mott and Mary Lou Zins were presented with certificates for 300 hours or more.
Jan Dietrich was honored for 607 hours! However, the honors didn’t end there. Jan was the recipient of the Edward W. Wickemeyer Award, which is given to the CREW volunteer contributing the most hours to CREW in a fiscal year. Mairead Kennedy, Plant Lab Manager and Conservation Horticulturist, presented the award, however, Jan was unable to attend the potluck, so Mairead Kennedy, Valerie Pence, and Max Winklejohn presented the award to Jan in the new picnic shelter the next day.
The most wonderful part about Jan Dietrich receiving the Wickemeyer award is that Jan knew Ed Wickemeyer from when she worked in Education where Nancy and Ed Wickemeyer volunteered.
The CREW staff selected Mary Lou Zins to receive the Vicki Stidham Award. This award is given for the extraordinary care a volunteer shows through their work, accompanied by a willingness to go the extra mile to further CREW’s mission. Amy Thompson, Cat Colony Manager, presented the award to Mary Lou.
After the awards presentation CREW scientists presented their scientific updates to the volunteers. These updates are always full of amazing details.
COVID certainly did not bring a halt to CREW researchers’ progress. Volunteers are happy to be helping once again.
Many thanks to John Ray, pictured here, who is the official volunteer potluck photographer!
