NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL 

Oct. 27, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 497

For more information, contact Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Kent Conservation District’s 11th
Annual Barn Dance Is a Big Success

On Friday night, Oct. 17, approximately 350 guests filled the Dover Building at the Delaware State Fairgrounds for the Kent Conservation District’s (KCD) 11th Annual Barn Dance. Participants raised a little over $13,400 in net proceeds to support the Delaware Envirothon.

Guests were treated to a fantastic barbecue pork and chicken dinner cooked by KCD Equipment Operator Ron Argo, his wife Kaye and a few assistants. Other events of the evening included a silent auction, a live auction by Bruce Betts and dancing to Just Kidding Around Entertainment. Many volunteers helped to serve food, drinks and desserts and assisted with photography, the auctions and cleanup. 

“Without the support of our partners and the community in making this event such a success, we would not be able to make such a generous donation to the Delaware Envirothon,” said Tim Riley, District Coordinator for the KCD. “We are very appreciative of the volunteers, those who provided financial support, and those who donated auction, food and other items to the event.” 

The funds raised will be used by the Delaware Envirothon, a competitive problem-solving, natural resource challenge for high school students, to provide training opportunities throughout the year, to host the state competition next spring, and to send the state winning team to the national competition. More information about the Delaware Envirothon can be found on their website at www.delawareenvirothon.org.

Also during the evening, Terry Pepper, KCD Board Member and Policy Advisor for Governor Ruth Ann Minner, presented a tribute signed by the Governor and Lt. Governor John Carney to Lauren Bleakney, representing the Charter School of Wilmington, for her team’s accomplishment in winning first place in the Canon Envirothon. In August, Lauren and her team mates, Justin Kurian, Rebecca Roelofs, Erin McMillan and Matthew Fischel, beat out teams from 45 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces to win the 2008 Canon Envirothon, North America’s largest environmental education competition.

For more information about the Barn Dance or the Kent Conservation District, please call the District office at 302-741-2600, ext. 3.