Conservation awards presented in Carbon County
Three awards were presented by the Carbon County Environmental Center to individuals who assist at the center. The awards were presented during the annual Conservation Awards Banquet on Thursday. From left are Regina Carl, naturalist; Elise Reabold, one of the award recipients; Susan Gallagher, chief naturalist; Lisa McCarty and Katie Griesener, award recipients, and Franklin Klock, program assistant. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Georgia Farrow, center, 4-H Program Assistant in Carbon County, introduces Rachel W. Hoffmeier 4-H Scholarship Award recipients. They are Madeline Tonkin, left, and Katherine Aaron, both Lehighton Area High School seniors and both members of the Mahoning Valley Community 4-H Club.
Two Lehighton Area High School seniors were honored Thursday for their involvement and service to the Carbon County 4-H program.
Katherine Aaron and Madeline Tonkin were presented with Rachel W. Hoffmeier Memorial 4-H Scholarship Awards. Each of them was given a $250 check and a certificate.
Aaron and Tonkin received the honors during the annual Carbon County Awards banquet held at the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Association hall.
Awards were also presented by the Carbon Conservation District, Penn State Extension Service and Carbon Environmental Education Center.
The Rachel W. Hoffmeier Scholarship Awards are presented in memory of Hoffmeier, who served as Carbon County Home Economist for many years.
Georgia Farrow, 4-H program assistant, said the scholarship is available to eligible 4-H members for the purpose of self-improvement.
Both Aaron and Tonkin are members of the Mahoning Valley Community 4-H Club and are 4-H Ambassadors.
Aaron is the daughter of Robert and Mary Aaron. This past summer she completed an internship at 4-H camp.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and is active in high school sports. She also has done volunteer work for the Carbon County Fair.
Tonkin is the daughter of Jack and Shawn Tonkin. She also is a member of the National Honor Society.
She is active in the high school band and volunteers as a mentor in her church. She is also a member of the Lehighton Ambulance.
Twelve new Master Gardeners were recognized. Master Gardeners must have completed the course and logged 50 or more volunteer hours.
The new Master Gardeners are Christopher Anthony, Shannon Arndt, Marion Berger, Mariangela (Angie) Cales, Kathleen Conrad, Veronica Dominic.
Also Thomas Ferrence, Patricia Kramer, Ann Marie Marie Oblas, Mary Soto, Leonard Steigerwalt and Chelsea Rose Weyhenmeyer.
Five-year Master Gardener pins were awarded to Bob Hipp, Dee Ford, Roberta Lee Robbins and Janet Minnich.
Given awards for volunteer hours as a Master Gardener were: John Kupec (2,000 plus hours), Eileen East and Maryann Serafini (1,500 plus hours), Diane Giffels (1,000 plus hours) and Marlene Green, Janet Minnich and Roberta Lee Robbins (500 plus hours).
Susan Gallagher, naturalist with the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, recognized three individuals for their service to the center.
Katie Griesener was given an award for her involvement in working with stray birds the center receives.
Lisa McCartney was praised for her work as a caretaker.
Elise Reabold got an award for helping feed animals and do other work on weekends at the center.
Also introduced were members of the USDA Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Penn State Extension in Carbon County, Carbon County 4-H Program Development Committee and Carbon Conservation District.
The invocation was given by Audrey Wargo. The benediction was offered by Georgia Farrow.
Aaron led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance while Tonkin led the 4-H Pledge.
