Dear Editor:

As mayor of the city of Spanish Fort, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the many volunteers responsible for making the first Delta Woods & Waters Expo in Spanish Fort a successful and memorable event.

The event was held May 7, 8 and 9 at the enjoyable 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Mobile Bay Causeway.  Approximately 550 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Rockwell and Spanish Fort Elementary Schools, as well as attendees of Saturday’s Family Day, participated in environmentally friendly activities intended to heighten awareness of the intrinsic wonders and benefits of the beautiful Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Though expo activities were aimed toward developing and honing the skills of today’s youth for lifelong enjoyment of outdoor recreation, attendees of all ages enjoyed a variety of hands-on activities, with informative and entertaining presentations and exploration areas. 

Orchestrating an event such as the Delta Woods & Waters Expo would not have been possible without the benefit of an organizing committee that worked tirelessly to reach our goals and make the expo a fun, positive and informative experience for students, volunteers and sponsors. Our chairperson and facilitator, Claudine Andress, envisioned an event which would draw our community together, focusing on a wonderful asset “right here in Spanish Fort’s backyard,” the beautiful and unique Mobile-Tensaw Delta.  Her purpose was to educate youth, as well as people of all ages, in the knowledge and skills of outdoor activities, with the hope that these skills will stay with them and positively influence them throughout their lives.  I would say that she far exceeded her goal. 

Joining Mrs. Andress in this worthy undertaking were the dedicated volunteers serving on our steering committee:  Becky Naylor, Hal Brunaugh, Lee Heppner, Carolyn Walthall, Chris Golemon, Larkus Smith, Jon Nobles, Gene Boothe, Gretchen Schapker, Hank Burch, Cindy Renkert, Mike McMillan, Sharon Cain, Carolyn Donnell, Jay Hasting, Karen Kennedy, Joe Bridgforth and Medley Curry. Without their hard work and can-do attitude, the expo would still be just an idea in Mrs. Andress’ mind. Their many hours devoted to getting the work done, along with their belief that our goal was a worthy and attainable one, humble me and make me proud to have worked alongside each and every one of them. 

The Delta Woods & Waters Expo would not have been possible without the cooperation of the many knowledgeable and enthusiastic activity leaders who willingly shared their information and skills.  We were very fortunate to have them join in our efforts and I would like to thank each one by name: Dr. John C. Hall, curator of the Black Belt Museum, University of West Alabama; Gene Booth, canoe and kayak instructor; Keith Williams, NOAA meteorologist; Alan Sealls, chief meteorologist, WKRG News 5; Jason Smith, chief meteorologist, Fox 10 News; Jené Young, meteorologist, WKRG News 5; Gordon Andrews, Bass Pro Shops; Anita Bryant Salinas, Audubon Adventures authority on Red-Bellied Turtles; Nancy Martin, ornithologist; Dauphin Island Sea Lab staff; Charlie Moore, kite maker; Officer Rick Miller, Alabama Marine Police; Jon Nobles, Boy Scout Troop 177; Shirley West, authority on native wildflowers; Liesa Myles, Baldwin County Extension Service; Roger Clay, ornithologist; and Dr. David Nelson, University of South Alabama Department of Biology.

The expo could not have been organized and held without the cooperation of the Spanish Fort City Council and the hard work by employees of the city of Spanish Fort.  I would also like to thank Boy Scout Troop 177 for their coordinated efforts in setting up the wonderful campsite and suspended rope-bridge, which so many attendees enjoyed and I commend them for a job well done. Many volunteers from organizations such as R.S.V.P. and Westminster Village participated and their time spent with us was most appreciated.

When we began considering the possibility of planning and hosting this event, we were quite aware that our country was experiencing an economic downturn and thought long and hard about whether to proceed with our plans or to wait for better times. Many less enterprising groups might have backed down, but we decided to proceed with planning the expo, refusing to let life come to a standstill as a result of a shortage of funds.  We are especially appreciative of our many sponsors, large and small, for their generous contributions and support which helped us to present such a well-received event. A heartfelt thank-you to each of the following: Advanced Disposal; Chairman David E. Bishop, Baldwin County Commission; Baldwin Area Transportation System; Baldwin  County Sewer Service; Bay Rivers Art Guild; Blackburn & Conner, P.C.; Barry Lee Booth; Bunny Bread-Flowers Baking Company; Cain’s Grocery; Carell Corporation; Chick-Fil-A, Malbis location; the city of Daphne; the city of  Spanish Fort; Sonny Middleton and Dog River Boat Works; Janet English, photographer; Felix’s Fish Camp; 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center; Jim Golemon State Farm Insurance; Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc.; Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, P.C.; Hutchinson, Moore & Rauch, L.L.C.; the Jubilee Pickers; Karen Kennedy, publicity; Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott at Spanish Fort Town Center; McMillan Sales; Mobile Gas; Mobile Popcorn Company, Inc.; Original Oyster House, Battleship Parkway location; Martin Pitts, P.E.; Emily Romero, logo designer; Spanish Fort Fire Department; Stauter Boat Works; Vision Bank, Daphne location; Volkert & Associates; Walgreen’s, Malbis location; Westminster Village; Wilson’s Service Center; the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; and J.D. Stubbs. 

When it came to getting the word out about the expo, we couldn’t have had a better journalist than our Spanish Fort Sun reporter, Kelli Dugan, working on our behalf.  Kelli wrote several wonderfully informative articles of how the idea of the expo was conceived, what we hoped to accomplish and who was involved in its organization.  Thank you, Kelli, and the Spanish Fort Sun for your support. 

Donna, without your dedication to this city and this event, it would not have been the success that it was.

Lastly, I would like to thank those students, teachers and parents who attended the expo as a school-affiliated field trip and let them know that we welcome and appreciate their helpful feedback on how we might improve the Expo in the future. Many skills enjoyed by past generations are becoming something of a “lost art”—skills such as throwing a cast net, forecasting the weather just by observing the sky and how to build a kite. Our aim was to highlight these skills, especially to young people, and perhaps instill in them a love of the natural resources which surround us. 

Hopefully, all who attended took home a new skill or a new perspective on how to enjoy and protect this beautiful area. We look forward to seeing the students again next year on Thursday, April 29 and Friday, April 30, 2010 and welcome everyone to attend Delta Woods & Waters Expo’s Family Day on Saturday, May 1, 2010. 

Spanish Fort Mayor Joseph C. Bonner