The Leelanau Conservancy named its Volunteer and Business Partner of the Year at its annual picnic on August 6 at Chippewa Run Natural Area in Empire. Both of the awardees hail from Gills Pier. The two received their awards amid a crowd of over 700 attendees at the Conservancy’s annual event.

Mary Lyons received the volunteer honor and Biggs Construction was named as Business Partner of the year. “We are fortunate to have so many people who want to help us in our mission and are grateful to all those who give their time and efforts throughout the year,” said Brian Price. “But once a year we recognize those people who have really been exemplary in their dedication to the Conservancy.”

Mary Lyons served as a Conservancy Board member for nine years and also led hikes for many years as a docent. She sat on the Conservancy’s Outreach Committee and was also a founding member and chairman of the Stewardship Committee. She helped to create the popular Leelanau Preservers gift-giving program. “Mary has also been a passionate advocate for farmland preservation and has worked tirelessly toward the goal of protecting our working farms,” added Price.

Biggs Construction was chosen as the Business Partner of the Year. “Bob Biggs has helped us in innumerable ways over the years,” said Price. “He played a key role in helping us reach out to neighbors near our Narrows Natural Area and helped us successfully negotiate a way to convince Consumers Power to put their power line near the Cherryland Power line, thus avoiding much damage to the natural area.” Most recently Biggs and his crew have rebuilt the porch and put a new roof on DeYoung Natural Area farmhouse and waterwheel building. Biggs is also a longtime sponsor of the Conservancy’s Blues at the Bluebird.

“Both Mary and Bob are the kind of people who like to work primarily behind the scenes,” said Price. “They aren’t looking for recognition, but rather they simply want to give back to the community. We at the Conservancy are fortunate to have them care so much about our work.”

The event featured local foods, a live and silent auction and a number of field trips early in the day. Over $100,000 was raised from 150 auction items and unique Leelanau experiences that will help the Conservancy in its mission to conserve the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County.
 

Our founders Ed and Bobbie Collins dressed up to help promote Marlis Mann's German fest dinner.

The winner of the 2009 Mario dinner was Dudley Smith (left) shown here with grand- daughter, Paige and Sam Faught. Sam,
a Mario Batali fan, dressed up to help promote Mario's dinner and wine cooking class for 12.

Over 150 items and unique Leelanau experiences were offered at the event which raised over $100,000.

Andrea and Mike Muladore dressed up to promote the New York penthouse and sailing excursions.

Larry Mawby offered a tour of the Hadron Collider. Costume chair Gina Erb made his atom smashing hat and all of the signs carried by the costume wearers that night.