A gathering was held on Thursday, October 15 at Wheatley Two Creeks Conservation Area as the Two Creeks Association took time to acknowledge and thank their donors, sponsors and most recently, their Together at the Table sponsors.
Together at the Table, the brainchild of Two Creeks member Sheilah Marans, brought the need for some new picnic tables together with some always welcomed fundraising for the association.
The program was launched this past summer and within two weeks, all 10 new tables were spoken for by various sponsors.
Association President Gerry Soulliere said that they needed to start replacing some of the old tables, which were at least 30 years old. He built each of the tables in his garage.
The sturdy steel tables with wood tops have all been engraved with the sponsors’ names on them — a lasting thank you to those who stepped up.
Soulliere said they used any leftover funds to rebuild a bridge at the conservation area, where countless volunteers pitched in to help. He also cited the numerous community members who showed up to help clear debris after the September 3 tornado.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Looking around today, seeing our community gathered among the trees. Each of these tables has a story and stand as beautiful memories of loved ones.”
Vicki Haley, whose late husband Ron was a member at Two Creeks, was one of the table sponsors in attendance at the gathering.
“Ron was such a big fans of Two Creeks, I thought it was only right to make this donation,” she said.
Geri Vary was in attendance along with many other Wheatley Swans members and she thanked Soulliere, Marans and all of the Two Creeks volunteers for their work in keeping the conservation area going for so long.
Soulliere also mentioned the support of the Wheatley Lions Club, who have been there every step of the way and said plans are underway for a Lions Club bench at the top of the hill overlooking the outdoor stage.
The new tables are available for people to use on their visits to Two Creeks, and the families, groups and businesses who participated are John and Donna Hyatt, Randy Omstead, Wheatley Legion Branch 324, the Schrade family, Southwest Outdoors Club, Taylor Fish Co. and staff, Vicki Haley, Weil’s Food Processing and the Wheatley Swans.
