July’s meeting was held at the Red Horse Restaurant to celebrate Larry winning the Greydon Tolson Award for Service to the Forestry Board. On hand for this meeting was, Larry and Blanche Sharpe, Mel Noland, Pam and Charlie Kelly, Jim and Nancy Arnold, Keith Schoonover, Lynne Marquess, Jean Blake, George Lewis, Ginny Brace, Tom Anderson, Keith Schoonover, Tom Anderson, Tyson Rose, Paula and Marc Rehr and Mike Kay.

1. Keith called the meeting to order. The June minutes were approved with a correction noted that Lynne published an article on NRCC Camp in the MFA Newsletter and not on “Hickory Tree” as was mentioned in the minutes. (My mind must have been drifting about then.)

2. Treasurer’s Report: Tom noted that we have a balance of $10,125.86 in the Treasury and we will be receiving an appropriation of $1,950 from Frederick County.

3. Timber Harvest Reviews: Mike indicated that no plans arrived before the meeting.

4. NRCC: Lynne reports that 36 confirmed students, potentially 40, will be at camp this year. Lynne will participate in the camp again. Lynne made a motion to appropriate the $600 we sent for tuition for two students or the camp’s operating costs whichever is necessary. The motion was seconded and approved by all those present.

5. Nature Notes: Ginny thought that the column is going well now that we submit abbreviated articles on a weekly basis. Ginny said that it allows us to be more up to date with our entries.

6. Catoctin Forest Alliance (CFA) Mike attended a meeting to discuss implementation of a Hemlock Restoration Initiative. This was well received by the Executive Committee of the Alliance and it was decided to produce an action plan to implement in early fall. Tyson put some notes about the restoration project on the CFA and Forestry Board Web sites.

7. EAB traps: The purple rectangular boxes you see on trees throughout the county are not wrecked box kites; they are traps to monitor whether or not emerald ash borer is in the vicinity. These traps have the odor of weakened ash to attract the bugs. A section of the MD Department of Agriculture has placed these traps throughout Western Maryland.

8. Gypsy Moth: We finished our spraying, being able to assist 300 landowners on nearly 6,000 acre. This total along with MDA’s 17,000 acres allowed a large area to be treated this year. The spraying along with wet weather could cause a significant collapse in the moth’s populations.

9. PATH: Lynne mentioned that the PATH project could impact a sizable section of Sugarloaf Mountain destroying hundreds of acres of forest.

10. Larry: Keith concluded the business part of the meeting so that we could recognize Larry and enjoy the dinner. Tyson took a number of photos that will be placed on the Forestry Board web site. Mike presented Larry with the plaque and everybody got to reminisce with Larry and thank him for his fellowship and hard work in promoting trees and forestry for the last 37 years. Thanks Larry it’s been a great 37 years and here’s hoping we’ll be working together for many years to come.