News & Notes February 2005

Letters of Support Needed for Engineering Technical Assistance Program

For the past four years, PACD has provided engineering technical assistance to eligible entities for stream corridor restoration, abandoned mine drainage treatment, agricultural best management practices, and other projects pertaining to environmental concerns.

As you may recall from an article in this newsletter last fall, the PACD received a grant to provide technical assistance through a federal contribution agreement from the USDA. These funds were used to expand the services of the PACD Engineering Assistance Program beyond Growing Greener and 319 projects to engineering assistance related to comprehensive nutrient management plan implementation. In order to obtain the federal funds, they must be matched, dollar-for-dollar, with non-federal funds. PACD utilized its Growing Greener (state) funding to match the federal funds.

In order to continue the PACD Engineering Technical Assistance Program beyond the current year, the PACD will submit another Growing Greener grant application on March 4, 2005. This Growing Greener grant is vital to the continuation of the Engineering Assistance Program to provide the required nonfederal matching funds.

We need your help to provide letters of support from conservation districts, watershed organizations, Resource Conservation & Development Councils, and other partners for the PACD application.

Please help PACD to continue this important program by sending a letter of support for the PACD Growing Greener grant application for the PACD Engineering Technical Assistance Program to the PACD office at 25 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17101, by February 28, 2005. Thank you for your support.

PACD Auxiliary Activities Set for JAC

The PACD Auxiliary has many interesting activities planned for the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, July 24-27, 2005 in Erie, PA. All accompanying persons are invited to attend, and many are open to all attendees - including families! Here is a preview of the activities:

Sunday, July 24, 2005
Auxiliary Welcome and Quilt Display (6 to 8 pm)
All attendees are welcome. Visit the Pennsylvania Apple Queen, Grape Princess and Grape Queen, see the patriotic Pennsylvania quilt before it goes home with a lucky winner during the Host Night Banquet Tuesday evening, and enjoy refreshments. (Raffle tickets for the patriotic Pennsylvania quilt will be on sale all during the Joint Annual Conference in July, as well as during the upcoming Legislative Conference in Harrisburg in March. Proceeds from the Auxiliary Patriotic Quilt Project benefit the Annual Scholarship Award Fund.)

Monday, July 25, 2005
Auxiliary Meeting and Day Trip (9:35 am to 4:30 PM)
In the morning, the Auxiliary will tour Troyers Farms Potato Chips in Historic Waterford, then join a local historian to learn more about Waterford's interesting history. The Auxiliary Luncheon and Business Meeting will be held at the Riverside Inn (which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and Gardens with a tour of the grounds to follow. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent browsing and shopping at the Campbell Pottery Store & Gallery.

Fresh Floral Arranging and Design Seminar (7 to 9 PM)
Presenter: Mrs. Dorothy Yard, Master Judge of Flower Shows, Master Gardener, Horticultural Instructor, First Vice President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Garden Clubs
All attendees are welcome. Mrs. Yard will begin by demonstrating the creation of a beautiful arrangement with flowers from her own gardens at home in historic Waterford. Watch a Master Judge at work, and learn what judges look for in winning entries from County Fairs to State Garden Shows each year. Then, during the hands-on portion of the seminar, create your own arrangement to enjoy in your room during your stay at the Conference! Containers, flowers, and all necessary materials will be provided (a reasonable fee will be charged to cover materials).

Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Memorial Breakfast (7 to 8:30 am)
This special program will honor those we have lost over the past year. We will celebrate their lives through inspirational music, pictures, a devotional speaker and a special memorial tribute. Mrs. Luetta A. Gross, PACD Auxiliary President, will be presiding.

Extreme Make-Over Tips and Presentation (9:30 to 11:30 am)
All attendees are welcome to participate as senior students from the local cosmetology school demonstrate therapeutic neck and shoulder massage on participants, and provide personal beauty tips on make up, hair style and color, nails, etc. Watch a volunteer transform before your eyes.

Auxiliary Maritime Tour (2:30 to 4:30 PM)
All attendees are welcome. Tour the Maritime Museum, including the flagship The Niagara if in port. The tour will close with a lovely view of downtown Erie and the entire bay from the tower at the Dock (an elevator is provided). Expected cost is $7.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful region of Pennsylvania through these guided tours, seminars, and shopping trips. To participate, please complete an Auxiliary Registration Form which will be mailed with the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference materials in early May. Prices will be included on the registration sheet. Start making plans to bring your loved ones to Erie to join in the fun.

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