Fundraiser Benefits Churchville Nature Center

The s fundraiser and annual meeting were held amidst the hills and dales of Richboro's lovely countryside. Attendees enjoyed expansive vistas of horses roaming, a meadow, and endless panoramic scenery at the Wasserstrom home at Water Stream Farm. Dan Wasserstrom is the current board president.

Guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and wine as well as each other's company last evening. About 75 members and community guests attended the event to raise funds for Churchville Nature Center's many programs. The group Acoustical Signal provided music throughout the evening.

Various items were auctioned off by Joseph Ceccoli, auctioneer. Some of the items included: a one-person Old Towne Dirigo kayak, a week's lodging for your pet at the Richboro Ritz, an Apple iPad, a round of golf at the Spring Mill County Club and a Crossings Vineyards wine tasting. In addition, guests bid on restaurant dinners, spa massages, mini-golf, karate lessons, artwork, jewelry and other items.

During the brief annual meeting, Chris Stieber, director of Churchville Nature Center, commented on the nature center's green building progress. The project was started last fall, with Phase One completion expected by this fall, Stieber said.

Phase One is the largest part of the project that involves framing and wall construction. The project will meet LEED Gold Certification parameters. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system where buildings accumulate points for energy-saving features, reducing waste and mitigating stormwater runoff.

"While the economy has hurt non-profits across the country, we are moving forward," Stieber said. The nature center is supported by nearly 800 members. It received federal and state funds for Phase One building projects and a state grant for Phase Two. However, more funds are necessary to complete Phase III, renovation of the existing building.

Stieber discussed summer events at the center including the program. Stieber credited Peg Mongillo, director of environmental education, for the revised camp schedule and activities. The summer camp is geared to children ages four through nine, with weekly themes such as "Prehistoric Times," "A Bugs Life," and "The Arts in Nature."

Kids ages 10 to 12 can also enjoy the nature camp and sign up for activities that involve arts in nature, woodcarving and woodcrafting and other activities. Special Lenape Village activities are open to everyone throughout the year.

Stieber thanked everyone for their supportive efforts and ended by saying that the upcoming year will be a very exciting time for the nature center and the community that it serves.