A whole lot of people deserve credit for making Shepherdstown’s 2014 Fourth of July parade and community picnic a success.

First, we want to thank the literally hundreds of people who organized, and participated in, the 65 different units that marched in the parade, from AMVETS Post 30 in Inwood to Shepherdstown’s Whistling Wind Farm. This was the biggest Fourth of July parade we’ve had, and it’s clear that a lot of people put lots of time and effort into the parade’s many entries.

We also want to thank the hundreds more who turned out to watch the parade and attend the picnic. It’s great to see so many people take an interest in our town, and support its events.

And we want to thank our town officials: Mayor Auxer, Recporder Lori Robertson, town council members, and Police Chief Ranson and the town’s volunteer fire department for being so supportive of these events.

Finally, we want to thank the following individuals for volunteering time and donating funds and materials to help with the overall organization of the parade and picnic. Most, but not all, of these individuals are members of the Shepherdstown Rotary Club.

Volunteers: Holly Morgan Frye and Peter Smith, who directed the parade.

Todd Coyle, the parade announcer, and other parade volunteers: Rick Caruso, Rachel Crum, Julia Flocco, Felix Gouanette, Austin Hovermale, Tom Jones, Kris Knott, and Kaitlyn Snyder.

Chef Miriam Conroy, who planned and directed all the food and drink service at the picnic, and her husband, Chris.

Tom Miller and Dana Orsini, who helped plan and staff the rest of the picnic.

Terry Anderson, who also helped with planning and did all the heavy grilling, and his wife Geiselle.

Brian Erickson and Jenny Seeley, who directed the children’s games at the picnic, and Maria Brown, Dave Miljour, and Paul Kradel, who tended the children’s waterslide.

Other picnic volunteers: Bill Gaestel; Elizabeth Graznow; Walt Eifert and his wife, Kim; Connie Hammann; Gary Heichel; Bill and Libby Howard; Tom Jones; Monica Lockett; Salle Mickey; Peter Smith, Kaitlyn Snyder; Paul Woods.

Donors: Irwin Asam, Maria Brown, Bill Gaestel, Elizabeth Graznow, Connie Hammann, Gary Heichel, Rob Hoxton, Monica Lockett, Dave Miljour, Jim Price, Peter Smith, Paul Woods.

Shepherdstown is a wonderful little town, in no small part because it includes so many enthusiastic, community-spirited people! Let’s all do our best to keep it that way in the years ahead!

Sincerely yours,

The officers and members of

The Rotary Club of Shepherdstown