The 2011 Annual Meeting of the Opacum Land Trust was held this evening at the elegant Fins and Tales Restaurant in Southbridge’s Delahanty Building. Members and friends started gathering around 6 pm to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, while chatting and listening to West Brookfield folk guitarist Gary Blanchard.

At 6:45, the meeting was called to order by President Jen Ohop. Next, Nominating Committee Chair Alan Smith read the slate of officers and directors, then Treasurer Jennifer Morrison presented the Treasurer’s Report. She emphasized that membership dues and unrestricted donations help support the organization’s day-to-day operations, which are vital to its mission of land conservation. Finally, Vice-President Leslie Duthie gave an update on the Flynt Quarry Project; the Trust is within a thousand dollars of the sum needed for the acquisition of the 165 acres in Monson (total project cost is $395,000).

Ms. Ohop also introduced historian Larry Lowenthal, Stewardship Director Howie Fife, and forester Scott Gerrish who has been working on obtaining baseline data for the Opacum properties. Mr. Fife reported that in 2010, maintenance work was done at all of the Trust properties, including Opacum Woods, the Thompson Family Forever Wild Preserve, the Claire Birtz Wildlife Sanctuary, and May Brook Glen.

Local artist Anna M. Ozolins was the featured guest this evening; she unveiled her watercolor painting depicting the Lost Village of East Brimfield and talked a bit about what inspired her to create this work.

Finally, a raffle was held for various door prizes. I kept hoping they would call  my numbers but luck was not with me tonight.  So I’ll continue my membership and look forward to next year.