Awards Presented at OVEC's Annual Meeting on, Naturally, Earth Day

	Whitney Eskew adds a shovelful of dirt to the newly-planted tree as, from left, Janet Keating, OVEC board member Thomas Kincaid and Carol Warren look on. photo by Todd Garland

OVEC members gathered on Earth Day for our annual meeting, held at St. Cloud Commons in Huntington. Folks feasted on a fine Italian dinner prepared by OVEC board chair Eric Fout. Singer/songwriters Jen Osha (an OVEC member) and Tonya Adkins (on staff) entertained the group.

After the awards were handed out (see below), everyone joined in planting a Red Oak tree on the park grounds.

We chose the Red Oak because it is native to the area, vigorous and tenacious. As we planted the tree, we spoke of our vigorous, tenacious resolve to improve social and environmental conditions in our communities.

+ Outstanding Blair Mountain Battler – Kenny King.

+ Perpetual Hostest with the Mostest – Kathryn Stone.

+ Perpetual Hostest with the Mostest – Nanette Nelson.

+ Outstanding Volunteer in Defense of Mother Earth – Michael Morrison.

+ Outstanding Volunteer in Defense of Mother Earth – Elisa Young.

+ Outstanding Road Warriors – Joan Linville, Pauline Canterberry and Mary Miller.

+ Outstanding Community Leadership in Kanawha and Fayette Counties – Dwight Siemiaczko.

+ Outstanding Community Leadership in Mingo County – Carmelita and Ernie Brown.

+ Mountainkeeper Extraordinaire – Larry Gibson.

+ Raging Granny Award – Winnie Fox.

+ Mingo County Community Watchdogs – Walter and Carol Young.

+ Bill Moyers Defender of Democracy Award – Julie Archer.

+ Laura Forman Passion for Justice Award – Regina Hendrix.