Annual Meeting 2007
On February 1 SFEG held its Annual Meeting and Silent Auction fundraiser. Guests were treated to a grilled salmon dinner, donated by Ken Urstad and prepared by some of our resident chefs and board members, a silent auction with great artwork and services form local artisans and businesses, and a presentation by UW Professor Emeritus Dr. James Karr, "Attaining a Sustainable Society: The Twenty-first Century Challenge." Students from the Cascades Job Corps Culinary Arts Program, under the direction of instructor Michael Landwear, prepared and served delicious side dishes and dessert. The Skagit River Brewing Company and Fidalgo Bay Roasting Company once again donated beverages for the event. We’d also like to extend thanks Lee Mann for donating the use of his beautiful sockeye image for our invitation, and to Gail Hopley for coordinating the silent auction. To all the artists, businesses, and individuals who donated to this year’s silent auction, we are indebted to you for you ongoing support. As with any big event, we couldn’t have pulled it off without the many volunteers who helped make this event a success. Thank you!
Welcome New Board Members!
Two new board members were elected at this year’s Annual Meeting. Pat Hayden and Elaine Lease fill the seats vacated by retiring Board members Arn Thoreen and Lyn Bishop.
Pat Hayden, elected to a 3-year term, is an attorney who lives and works in Sedro-Woolley. He represents private clients, as well as municipalities, and is most interested in land use and environmental law. His non-work interests include fly fishing, hiking, and music. Pat has previously served on a planning commission, and has represented non-profit organizations. His favorite salmon habitat is the Cascade River.
Elaine Lease, of Mount Vernon, retired from Verizon Communications after spending 31 years teaching, supervising, and managing projects for the telecommunications industry. Last year she served as Director for SCEA (Skagit Conservation and Education Alliance). Elaine volunteers for The Skagit Stream Team and participates in the Shellfish Monitoring Program for the Skagit County Health Department. Additionally, she serves as an Executive Board Member for the Skagit Parks Foundation. Elaine was elected to a 2-year term.
We’re thrilled to have Pat and Elaine on board, and look forward to their input and energy for Skagit salmon habitat restoration in the next few years.
Artist Steve Seymour (left) presents former SFEG Board President and founding member Arn Thoreen with one of his original steel salmon sculptures at a party to celebrate Arn’s retirement from the SFEG Board of Directors. Arn was also presented with the “Full Circle Award”- he worked as a commercial salmon fisherman in the 80’s, then migrated to salmon conservation in the 90’s by helping to create the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups. Since then, he has been a constant source of inspiration and energy in SFEG’s efforts to restore Skagit salmon, and he truly cares about the resource like few others. We will miss your passionate input and guidance, Arn!
