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~~ President's Column '®~ by Susan Scribner ::. The good news is this is the last President's Column I will be writing to all of you, the bad news is that I will really miss the friendships and work- ing relationships I have enjoyed with the Board of Directors, and Ray and Peg Bohn. Because MAWD has athree-year term limit for officers, I will be stepping down as MAWD president at the end of my term in December. So, I think the time is appropriate to discuss some of what's happened during my tenure as President of the MAWD Board. The Board has enlarged the mission and scope of our organization. We are more active in training and develop- ment for new managers, and in drain- age education. We have worked closely with BWSR on Wetland Conservation Act Rules and continue to be involved in that discussion. And we are mare active at the legislature than ever. There have been new districts formed, and interest from other watershed areas about forming a WD is getting more intense as more people learn about the benefits of watershed districts in managing surface water. The Board voted to enlarge the scope of the newsletter, including mare technical information and WD success stories so that it would be of greater value to all managers and our water- shed district partners. The Board and I are committed to making our annual meeting and summer tour an opportunity to learn about issues and technology in surface water management. The Summer Tour hosted by Heron Lake, Kanaranzi- Little Rock & OkabenaOcheda Watershed Districts was a fine example Thanks to Ray and Peg Bohn for all of of agricultural and urban needs being -met through water management, especially considering the water shortages in that part of the State. Thanks to them for a wonderful Summer Tour and to all of the WDs that have hosted the Summer Tour during my tenure! I have personally enjoyed traveling throughout the state from Roseau to Worthington, meeting with managers and staff to discuss watershed district issues. The CREP Tour sponsored by BWSR in September with Governor Ventura and many county officials, watershed district officials, and SWCD board members and staff was a tremendous chance to see the program in action. Adjacent land, or upland from the Minnesota River will be returned to a natural or buffered state to slow runoff and control erosion, and hopefully improve water quality. We all should be proud for having been a part of that effort! their help. The past three years have been lots of fun, and with their help and fine work, I have really enjoyed my term as your president. Thank you also to the MAWD Board members who are such a wonderful resource, and for their support and hard work. Special thanks also to MAWD mem- bers for your assistance in making my job easier these past three years. I could not have done it without everyone's fine cooperation! The Resolutions Committee, thanks to the leadership of Kay Cook, met and reviewed and made recommendations for the membership and MAWD Board to consider for our 31st Annual Meeting & Trade Show. Thank you to the committee members for participat- ing in this important process. I look forward to seeing all of you in Alexandria on November 29th! Taste y i e os Zoos u eei s oses Tastefully Simple, a native Alexandria company, ranks number forty on the 2001 Inc list of America's fastest growing privately held companies. Jill Blashack, company leader, is a 2000 Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year. MAWD Annual Meeting spouses/guests will tour the Tastefully Simple facility, which has grown from 1200 square feet to 40,000 square feet since June 1995. Tastefully Simple is a national direct-sales company with over 30 upscale, convenience -driven gourmet foods. Products are marketed primarily through taste-testing parties in the home. Consultants offer samples, easy meal ideas, recipes, serving suggestions and "cash & carry" products. The bus to Tastefully Simple will leave Arrowwood at 9:15, main entrance. After the tour at Tastefully Simple, a consultant will offer taste-testing opportuni- ties at Arrowwood in the Lake LeHommeDieu Room. 2