Features Editor

The annual meeting of the Pike County Chapter of the Alabama Treasure Forest

Association is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at Cattleman Park.

The meeting is open to all members of the association, to prospective members and to anyone who is interested in the woodlands, said Beverly Taylor, awards committee chairperson.

"The annual meeting is our biggest event of the year, therefore we chose this time to recognize our award recipients. This year, one of our landowners will receive the Pike County Treasure Forest Certification. We will also present three special awards – service to forestry, friends of forestry and volunteer of the year."

Taylor said the Pike County Chapter of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association is probably the largest in the state.

"We more than 240 members and there is a lot of interest in the association," she said. "Because so much of our row crop land is being converted to timber and because of the interest in longleaf pine program, our membership has steadily increased. We will be accepting new members at our annual meeting and will have information about the Alabama Treasure Forest Association available."

Taylor said she

would like to express appreciation, on behalf of the Pike County Chapter, to all of those who have been so supportive of the association since it was organized two years ago.

"We just want to thank everyone who has been a part of our Treasure Forest association and invite and encourage them to join us as our annual meeting, Feb. 28."

Prior to the official opening of the meeting, a silent auction will be held.

"We have a large variety of items and very high quality items," Taylor said. "

The money from the silent auction is used to support chapter activities, such as the annual meeting.

Taylor said a large number of "tree lovers" is expected and they will be treated with woodsy dinner including swamp greens with home-brew dressing, deep woods stew,

tatar roots and Pocosin baked loaf.

Throw in hickory grove smoked pork and you want be able to beat people away from the table with a oak limb, Taylor said.

"The dinner is just half the fun," she said. "Everyone enjoys the fellowship of others who have similar interests and our interest is the forests of our state and our county. We invite anyone who is interested in the Treasure Forest program or in forestry in general to join us.

Although reservations are no required, it will be helpful to those who are preparing the meal for those who plan to attend to respond by calling 566-0985.

Officers of the Pike County Chapter of the Alabama Treasure Forest Association are Malon Murphy, president; Malcolm McSwean, vice president; Gayle Foster, recording secretary; Terry Ingalls, corresponding secretary; Deborah Huggins, treasurer; and Carter Sanders, past president.