Marsh Madness Kick Off Dinner

Saturday, March 2, 2013

By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor

The Fourth Annual Marsh Madness Festival kicked off Friday night with a dinner at Shakamak State Park near Jasonville. More than 175 individuals turned out for the event sponsored by Peabody Energy. Michael Sertle, Regional Biologist with Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office, was the featured speaker. A live and silent auction were also highlighted the event. The live action raised more than $2,700. All proceeds from the dinner and actions will go towards the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area's Visitor's Center. A full array of Marsh Madness events are scheduled on Saturday (today) in Linton and at Goose Pond FWA. All venues are within Humpreys Park in Linton unless noted. Saturday Venue: Linton Fire Department 7-10:30 a.m. -- Pancake & Sausage Breakfast sponsored by Linton Rotary Club. Tickets: $5 advance; $6 at door; children 10 and under $3. Buy tickets at Linton Chamber Office or Richard Brown Insurance. Proceeds will benefit Rotary student scholarships. Venue: Roy Clark Community Center 9 a.m. - 5 pm ---- Art & Craft Fair 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ---- Birds of Prey 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. ---- Lunch available Venue: Scout Cabin 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m Speakers/Workshops 9:30 - 10:10 a.m. ---- Travis Stoelting: Happenings at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area 10:20 - 11 a.m. ---- Adam Phelps: The Mississippi Flyway, Rivers & Waterfowl Migration 11:10 - 11:50 p.m. ---- Lee Sterrenburg: Migratory Birds of GPFWA: Do the Local Wetland & Grassland Restorations Have Global Impacts? LUNCH BREAK 1-1:40 p.m. ---- Dan Kaiser: Adventures of a Crane Fanatic 1:50 - 2:30 p.m. ---- Amanda Wuestefeld: Take Pride - It's YOUR Nature 2:40 - 3:30 p.m. ---- Michael Sertle: 75 Years of Wetlands Conservation & Still Going Strong Venue: Carnegie Heritage and Arts Center 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ---- Art Show Reception featuring Art from the Wild by Robin Johnson Myers. Meet the artist, see her work and enjoy the historical Carnegie Heritage & Arts Center Venue: East Cabin 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. ---- Bus Tours 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. ---- Self-guided tours (maps available) 9 a.m - 6 p.m. ---- Exhibitors Venue: West Cabin 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ---- Kids' Activities, includes birdhouse construction, picture coloring, handouts and other activities Venue: Humphreys Park (near front) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ---- Earth Joy Tree Climbing, brought to you by McDonald's and Greene County General Hospital Venue: Humphreys Park Stage 4 p.m. ---- Retriever Demonstrations Venue: Shakamak State Park Youth Camp Dining Hall 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. ---- Ducks Unlimited Sportsmen Night Out Fundraiser. Overnight lodging is available at the Group Camp or cabins of Shakamak State Park.

Keynote speaker Michael Sertle, regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional office in Ann Arbor, MI, called the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area the "perfect conservation storm' and credited a host of partners with teaming up with Ducks Unlimited to develop the project to where it is at today. Ducks Unlimited has been responsible for more than $3 million that has been used in acquisition and development of the more than 8,000 acre wetlands project to date, according to Sertle.
This painting by rural Bloomfield wildlife artist Robin Myers drew a high bid of $575 at the live auction. Myers will have an exhibit of her work available to view at an exhibit which opens today (Saturday) at Carnegie Arts and Heritage Center in Linton.
Ducks Unlimited biologist Michael Sertle. Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and managed wetlands and associated habitat for North America's waterfowl.
Part of the crowd of supporters who attended the kick off dinner for the 4th Annual Marsh Madness Festival Friday night at Shakamak State Park.

Friends of the Goose Pond member Bruce Moore, at left, looks live auction items and discusses the proposed visit's center with a dinner patron.
District 39 State Senator John Waterman talks with Barb Simpson, of Zionsville, who serves as executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, at Friday night's Marsh Madness Dinner. Simpson also served as master of ceremonies for the dinner.
Barb (Wall) Simpson, of Zionsville, who serves as executive director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. She was the master of ceremonies for the Peabody Energy Marsh Madness Kick-off Dinner Friday night.
Linton musician Kade Puckett entertained at Friday night's Marsh Madness Kick-off Dinner at Shakamak State Park.