Watershed Day Thank You

The first annual Blair Mill Elementary School Watershed Day was a tremendous success. I hope that this event will become a model for the local schools, and that in time every school in the watershed has a similar annual event.

We broke ground for the Clearbrook Park wetlands project - thanks to Donna Pitz, and the folks from the Beneficia Foundations. Horsham Township has agreed to do the work, and it looks like this project will begin sometime this summer. Shandor Szalay has done a great job keeping this project moving forward.

The Blair Mill Elementary community came through with a terrific performance. This event was all about cooperation, and the school staff went above and beyond.

Nancy Doherty - You led the way, and the day's success is due to your leadership.

Rachel Hartman and Luke Rhodes led the Stream Naming Contest. Now this pretty little stream has a name - Babbling Beagle Brook (after the school's mascot Biscuit the Beagle. Thanks Rachel and Luke.

Sharon Curtis and Carolyn Koch led the Children's activities, and did a great job. The face painting, relay races, and stream mural were big hits.

Jim Brant worked with Tony Federici of URS on the Rain Garden. The Phila.Water Dept. was instrumental in funding this demonstration project - thank you. I had the chance to see the Rain Garden before, during and after construction, and I'm impressed. What a great project. Hopefully the parents learned how they can incorporate a rain garden into their landscaping plans.

Jim also worked with Rich Terry on the Fish Tank. I'm not sure if you had a chance to see it in the school lobby, but it is fabulous. Great job.

Bonnie Mirarchi worked on the Sister School program. We're not there yet, but we'll get this going shortly. Thanks Bonnie.

Kathy Dick handled the food and the music, and it was terrific. Kathy thanks for all your hard work and support. We couldn't have done it without you.

Thanks to Mary who kept our feet tapping, and the children dancing.

Thanks to Bob, Joe and Jack who set-up the gym and the play area.

Thanks to everyone at Blair Mill Elementary for your help and support.

Thanks to the Hatboro Horsham School District for your support.

Thanks to Horsham Township for your support.

Thanks to Susan Harris and Kristina Henderson from the Montgomery County Conservation Dept. Susan coordinated the TreeVitalize Grant that paid for the 190 trees and shrubs that we planted along Blair Mill Run, and designed the planting scheme for the trees. Great job Susan.

Kristina brought the interactive watershed display that captivated the children. Thanks Kristina.

Jeanne Waldowski from PWD coordinated the Rain Barrel program, which was sold out. We gave away 59 rain barrels to local residents, and will install one at the school. Great job Jeanne.

Jason Cruz and Gerald Bright from PWD have helped all along the way. Jason is the Project Headwaters webmaster, and Gerald has been working with the school during the year. Plus they set-up and manned the PWD display Saturday - the bugs are always a big hit. Thanks for all your help.

Bob Lyon from the PA Fish and Boat Commission was on hand, and apparently got more that a few people interested in giving fishing a try. Thanks Bob.

David Burke - thanks for joining us, and supporting this event.

Paul Racette has supported Project Headwaters from the start, and he came through again Saturday. Great display on Lawns to Meadows. I saw Paul talking to a number of local residents, who hopefully will give the lawns to meadows concept a try. Also, Paul is leading a project to put a Lawns to Meadows BMP on school property. Let us know how we can help.

Thanks to Tom Flannery and the TU crew - you know who you are. We got 190 trees and shrubs in the ground. Great job.

A special thanks to Kevin Spearing who provided the water truck and the dingo. Kevin, please thank the contractor who so graciously provided the dingo to drill the holes for the trees. It really made the tree planting job much easier. We really appreciate it. Also thanks for the water truck - each tree got a drink to start their new life along Blair Mill Run.

Kevin and Ken - thanks for your help both Friday and Saturday. You guys really came through for us, and we thank you.

Thanks to everyone who helped and participated. I apologize if I missed you. You made the day a tremendous success. See you next year.

Mike Wilson
Project Headwaters
SEMC Trout Unlimited