Washington County Extension Association Honors Volunteers
Machias, Maine — The Washington County Extension Association (WCEA) honored several volunteers April 1 during its Annual Meeting at the Rose M. Gaffney School in Machias.
Ron Pesha of Lubec was honored with the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award for his contributions to the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association. Since 1998, Pesha has played a vital role in developing and maintaining the association, visitor center, museum and gallery. His volunteer roles have included writer, archivist, exhibit developer, graphic artist, video producer and narrator, historian and greeter. Pesha has also volunteered for the Lubec Consolidated Schools by developing the first official website, serving as director of the school board and assisting in several school projects, including an oral history project with eighth grade students.
Marilyn Ness was awarded the Leon E. Look Distinguished Volunteer Award. The award honors those who volunteer in more than one program area of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Ness volunteered her skills on the board of the Washington County Extension Association and with the 4-H Youth Development Program and currently with the Senior Companion Advisory.
Also honored were Jane Bell, Marilyn Randall and Richard Shaw, who all received the University of Maine Volunteer Pen Awards. Bell received her award for volunteering for the 4-H Youth Development Program. Randall was honored for her work with the Senior Companion Advisory Board. Shaw was given his award for his efforts with the Washington County Extension Association Executive Committee Board.
The evening also featured a program by Extension Educator Alan Majka about his new program, Dining with Diabetes Down East, offered to those with type 2 diabetes and their family members. More information about this program is available by contacting University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 207.255.3345.
About University of Maine Cooperative Extension: As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production,processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.
