Make plans now to attend the Watershed Association’s Annual “Toast To The Swamp” Gala, Award Ceremony and Silent Auction

This year’s Great Swamp Watershed Association “Toast To The Swamp” gala event will take place on Friday, November 11, 2005 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. After the wonderful feedback received for last year’s event, it will again be held at the Basking Ridge Country Club on Madisonville Road in Basking Ridge.

The reception and Annual GSWA Meeting commence at 6:00 P.M. with ample hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a Silent Auction from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

This year the recipient of the Marcellus Hartley Dodge Memorial Award will be James G. Gilbert of Morristown.

Mr. Gilbert is a trustee of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and a former member of the NJ State Planning Commission, where he helped write the current State Development and Redevelopment Plan. He also was instrumental in drafting the NJ Fair Housing Act and he is a recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Planning Association.

Currently, in addition to his responsibilities as First Vice President for Investment at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Gilbert is active in forming the Great Brook Greenway, a project to help protect the headwaters of Great Brook, on of the main feeder streams into the Great Swamp.

Mr. Gilbert will be introduced by David Moore, last year’s recipient.

Ruth Kerkeslager, GSWA Development Director announced, “The Silent Auction is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet. We will be offering a large selection of getaways and outings, vacation homes in the US and Europe, sailing, horseback riding, fishing, golf outings (including historic Muirfield, in Scotland), and Disney World passes. Bidders can get fit, beautiful and fashionable with spa and fitness certificates, or jewelry from Tiffany’s.”

If participants want to spruce up, there will be beautiful home items, flower arrangements, landscaping services, garden items, and nature photographs. There will be lots of items for the kids—including a bicycle trailer “Skoot” and the Kool Stop Stroller, children’s parties and educational programs. There will be items featuring the latest technology, including an underwater digital camera and the hottest new gadget on the market--virtually unattainable--the iPod Nano! Add to all of this gift certificates to all of the top restaurants and entertainment in the area, and there will be a great opportunity to find gifts for the whole family.

According to Michele Blanchard, GSWA Board Member and Chair of its Education and Outlreach Committee, “Now is the chance for people get their holiday shopping done early. They will find the perfect item for themselves, their families and their friends, plus they will be helping a wonderful cause!”

According to Kerkeslager, “the Silent Auction raises critical funds for the Association’s operating budget, enabling us to continue in our mission to protect drinking water and preserve land to maintain the natural beauty and enhance the livability of your town.”

Another unique item being offered, said Kerkeslager, is a professionally shot and edited video by a multiple Emmy Award-winning videographer, that can be used to record the personal history of an elder family member, an honoree’s life story, or wherever your creativity leads you.

For more information about this very special evening, contact Sharon McCann on 973-538-3500 x 15, smccann@greatswamp.org.

Tickets are $75 per person and this year the public can register online at www.greatswamp.org using the Association’s new secure server technology.

#######
Great Swamp Watershed Association was created in 1981 to protect the Great Swamp watershed basin. Celebrating more than 20 years as a non-profit organization, the Watershed Association relies solely on membership and contributions to protect the continued health of our watershed’s area. If you’re not already a member, become one today. For more information and a listing of other events, visit the Watershed Association website at www.greatswamp.org.
#######