By Topf Wells

Thirty SWTU members and friends gathered for our picnic on Saturday, August 22. Don Golembiewski proved to be the master of brat grill, Linda Dorazio the queen of key lime and pecan pies, and Michael Westbury the pork smoker in chief. Many other Board Members helped and a good time was had by all. Plenty of fish stories, reacquainting with old friends and making some new ones.

We were happy to honor Jack and Bonnie Lawton, stalwart SWTU members and supporters. They had just sold their family property on the Wolf River to preserve it and enable the public to enjoy it. This is the best DNR trout stream purchase in years: 120 acres with over a mile of double bank frontage on one of the best parts of the Wolf River. Don’t take my word for it; read some of the letters to the DNR Board supporting this purchase. (ed. Note: these are well worth your time and we’d in particular point you to the letter from Bill Stokes starting on page 10.)

State TU strongly supported the acquisition. The Lawton family had owned and enjoyed this land since 1955 and had been wonderful stewards. They’ve now enabled all of us to experience the richness and beauty of the Wolf and the surrounding forest, wetlands and tributary streams.

With two successful years of picnic accomplished, the Board intends to make this an annual event.