Volunteers who work with the public at Humboldt Redwoods and Grizzly Creek State Parks were honored at a luncheon sponsored by the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Interpretive Association (HRSPIA) on Oct. 31 at The Groves restaurant in Myers Flat.
June Patton of Weott, who has greeted, informed, and assisted visitors at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitors Center for 24 years, received the State Parks Golden Medallion for Service for over 11,000 hours of volunteer time.
Northern Division Chief Scott Wassmund, who traveled to Humboldt County from Sacramento for the occasion, presented the award. In thanking June for her outstanding dedication to the park and its visitors, he declared, “I’ve given out a few Golden Medallions, but never for someone with 11,000 hours until now.”
HRSPIA board president Susan Pritchard O’Hara and Visitor Center Executive Director Dave Stockton presented pins and certificates of appreciation to several other local volunteers who serve the public at the Visitor Center. Honored were Allen Aitken of Weott, 500 hours, Lori Brandt of Weott, 250 hours, and Virginia Graziani of Redway, 250 hours. Meryl King was also recognized for her work compiling and organizing the Visitor Center’s library.
Over 90,000 visitors came through the Visitor Center this year, Stockton explained. The Visitor Center, which is managed by HRSPIA, relies on volunteers, both local people and the seasonal volunteers who live at the park during their service to connect with the public, answer questions, and run the museum and gift shop. Besides Stockton the only paid staff person at the Visitor Center is Manager Sandy Bartlett, who does many office and housekeeping tasks as well as supervising the volunteer staff.
Ranger Emily Petersen, who advises Humboldt Redwoods’ Mounted Assistance Unit, presented awards to the MAU. She described these local volunteers who patrol the remote areas of the park on horseback, as the “eyes and ears of the rangers,” who have assisted visitors in the back country, cleaned up campsites, shoveled horse manure, and made sure all was well along the trails.
MAU members receiving awards for time served included Dennis Sousa, 500 hours; Joyce Sousa, 250 hours; Todd Barnum, 250 hours; Terri Tinkham, 250 hours; Susan Combes, 100 hours; Cindy Conover, 100 hours; Jeri Murrell, 100 hours; and Bob Sizoo, 100 hours.
Peterson expressed her appreciation as well to other members of the MAU: Cathy Mathena, Kathi Poarch, Gail Jenner, Ruth Hoke, and Cheryl Stone.
Campground ranger Allan Weigman also presented long-time Burlington Campground hosts John and Troyce Wetz with pins honoring their 750 hours of service. The Wetzes live onsite at Burlington for several months each year to assist campers with any questions or problems that occur during their stay in the campground.
PHOTOS BY SANDY BARTLETT
1. June Patton, who has volunteered over 11,000 hours of her time for the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, receives the Golden Medallion for Service from State Parks Northern District Chief Scott Wassmund.
2. Members of the Mounted Assistance Unit at Humboldt Redwoods State Park: back row, from left: Ranger Emily Petersen, Ruth Hoke, Marilyn Renner, Jen Murrell, Kathi Poarch; front row: Bev Harvey, Gail Jenner, Susan Combes, and Cathy Mathena.
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