Rentals, like EPIC Soccer’s regular rental of Morgan’s Grove Park’s soccer field, have helped the SCC stay financially secure throughout the pandemic. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The annual meeting of the Shepherdstown Community Club was held at the War Memorial Building on Nov. 10.

During the annual meeting, the club provided a recap of its past year. It also took time to elect new officers and board members, who will oversee and guide events and activities throughout the coming year.

In addition to that routine club business, guest speakers were welcomed to share information in the meeting, as well.

Shawn Walker, of Trees 101, gave a presentation on the history of the trees at Morgan’s Grove Park, the park owned and operated by the SCC. Walker drew special attention to the ash trees in the park that have been battling the Emerald Ash Borer over the past several years. Walker has treated the trees at Morgan’s Grove, efforts that have proved highly successful.

Steve Wabnitz, SCC secretary, reported the Cacapon Institute has matched funds for the ash borer treatments and has once again offered to partner with the SCC for the next scheduled treatment in 2024. It is not an insignificant amount of money, and the club will work to raise funds for the $12,000 project which, Wabnitz said, will help save one of the last mature groves of ash trees in the United States.

Also speaking at the annual meeting was Collin Guedel, a member of Boy Scout Troop 33, who is currently working on an Eagle Scout project at the park. Guedel has already installed 16 posts, set in concrete, strategically along the walking path to highlight the various trees within the park. Signage will be mounted on the posts in the near future. Guedel is currently composing the text for the signs that will also feature QR codes to allow donations from park-goers to help maintain the beautiful and diverse species of trees found within the park.

In addition, Guedel, along with a team of about 30 people — many from the National Honor Society at Jefferson High School — has planted a pollinator garden at the park, to support native plantings including flowers, milk weed and perennials that will be ready for the spring.

SCC President Jen Wabnitz made a point of sharing contributions made by the 2021 board members, which included Jenny Haynes, Karen Hacker-Kinnett, Steve Wabnitz, Mike Asutin, David Foglesong, Christy Kessler, Christy Kessler, Natalie Greene and Shannon Taylor.

Board member nominations for 2022 included both Jennifer and Steve Wabnitz, Taylor, Greene, Haynes, Hacker-Kinnett, Kessler and Austin. New nominees to the board, included Kevin Struthers, John Bryant and Labrell Guy.

While a vote to approve the nominations was called and received unanimous approval, a quorum of the 145 members was not reached. An email was sent to club members requesting they give their vote via email.

Additional business covered in the annual meeting included a financial report from treasurer Hacker-Kinnett. According to Hacker-Kinnett, while SCC revenues during 2020 were reduced due to all of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic, in 2021 the club has been able to rebound from that loss, through rental payments and traditional fundraisers.

New business was a focus on upcoming activities, as the club members will participate in the Shepherdstown Christmas Parade on Dec. 4. The club will host a Christmas luncheon and auction, along with a concert, featuring the Jefferson County Community Chorus on Dec. 11. Looking ahead, a return to dinner meetings is planned, with a Jan. 18 dinner.

For more information about the SCC, email duckrippler1@frontier.com.