The following invitation was received from Lisa Haderlein, the Executive Director of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

She says, “Yo’all come!”

Well, those were not her exact words, but that’s the gist of the message.

On Saturday, August 4th, we hope you will be able to join us at Glacier Oaks Nursery near Harvard to (in part) launch the creation of the Third Generation Oak Endowment Fund at TLC! Mary McClelland & Joe Beeson are also celebrating three decades together, and their good friend Suzanne Malec and her son Jonah are celebrating his third birthday. In lieu of anniversary or birthday gifts, Joe, Mary & Suzanne are asking their friends to make a contribution to the Third Generation Oak Fund instead.

This is an exceptionally generous idea to kick-off this Fund. These two families decided that they want an occasion for celebration to become an opportunity to create a lasting legacy that will affect the lives of many future generations.

McHenry County’s oak woodlands are a mere shadow of what they once were, but through the tree planting, preservation and stewardship efforts of the local oak conservation collaborative, we have a good opportunity to ensure that future generations of local residents will experience the majesty and wonder that is found in an oak grove! The Third Generation Oak Fund will be an important tool to ensure that there are resources dedicated to the preservation, regeneration, and restoration of our McHenry County oak resources forever.

So, join the party! Come celebrate with Joe & Mary, Suzanne & Jonah! Dust off your bib overalls and big skirts, and plan to dance the night away!

And if you tell me that you came to the party because of this email invitation, I’ll even dance a square dance with you (or, if you’d rather, I’ll promise NOT to dance a square dance with you!)

Lisa