Filled with the Centennial and Christmas spirit, I dreamed of taking the Centennial message to the streets in the Christmas Parade. So I put out a call for help and a hearty group of Refuge Volunteers responded. Their enthusiasm was only outshone by the multitude of lights that they used to decorate every nook and cranny of the flatbed trailer. Hard work and dedication transformed the trailer into a mobile Centennial message with a Christmas twist - A Hundred Years of Conserving Natures Gifts.

The magic of nature and wonder of the National Wildlife Refuge System was captured in lights, glitter, and sequins. A five-foot silver-sequined "100" with an eagle soaring above, dominated the float. Down below an "animated" TR Bear, snow goose, and deer greeted the parade watchers lining the street. A papier-mache piping plover and Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, along with a carved great blue heron, gazed at the brightly colored lit tree. Nature's gifts of habitat were colorfully wrapped beneath the tree. Taylor Tracy represented the future generation for whom these gifts are being conserved - a fitting tribute to the over 95 million acres of habitat managed under the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Thanks to Glenn and Carole Aldinger, Jean Leoffert, Leland and Gerry Woltman, John Schmidt, Bob and Carole Marz, David Fernadez, Charlotte and Ted Thomas, Madeline and Bruce Hoffmann, plus Inge and Krista Veneziano for making my dream come true.

Jill Van Scoyoc
Outdoor Recreation Planner