With the enthusiasm generated last year in finding the Eastern Panhandle’s largest tree, Del. John Overington announced he is continuing the contest. For 2010 he is looking for the largest oak tree in Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties as a way to encourage the identification of different species of trees. Similar to last year he will donate $500 to the person or landowner who can find the area’s largest oak tree measured by its height and its diameter a few feet off the ground. The winner will also receive a copy of the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer.

In last year’s contest 56 people submitted over 60 entries in seeking to find the largest tree in the Eastern Panhandle including Dan DeSarno who submitted the winning entry, a huge sycamore tree outside of Ranson, that was over 20 feet in circumference.

Conservation District Education Outreach Specialist Sara Wuertenberg (contact her 304-263-4376 ×116 with your entry) and Forester Herb Peddicord will again assist in compiling and evaluating the entries. Submit your entry by June 15, 2010 with the circumference of the tree at 4 feet above the ground and estimate the height.

Over the years Del. Overington and his wife JoAnn have planted thousands of trees. His grandfather Fred W. Besley was Maryland’s first state forester. He served in that capacity for 36 years (1906-1942) becoming the nation’s longest serving state forester, launching the Maryland Big Tree Contest.

Delegate John Overington presented his 15th “Winners Award” to Barry R. Rude at the Spring Mills North Berkeley Library on December 3, 2009. The award is given to a person or group committed to helping others, who gives time and energy to make the community a better place. Barry was nominated by Cheryl Rodgers.

“Barry has provided many hours of volunteer service using his professional expertise in architectural and engineering building projects to assist in making the Spring Mills-North Berkeley Library Branch become a reality. I am convinced that without his assistance we would not be standing here in this library filled with books, computers and staffed five days a week,” Overington stated.

“We are indebted to Barry’s spirit of community service that has helped make this happen. That dedication is what this Winners Award is based on: seeing a solution as a way to overcome a problem for the benefit of all.”

Barry has also been active in assisting Boy Scouts and in promoting local areas with community identification signs such as the one on Rt. 11 for Marlowe. He and his son were instrumental in getting the welcome sign installed and assisted with signs in other communities as well.

Barry and his wife Susie live in Falling Waters. He epitomizes the motto of “Good, Better, Best, Never let it rest, ‘Till your good gets better and your better gets best!’” .

Since being elected to public office, Delegate Overington has established and awarded the Winners Award every year or two to an individual or group that has shown exceptional volunteer effort and community service. Winners show positive leadership in dealing with problems. They find solutions in ways to help people and improve the community.

In the past individuals and groups including volunteer firefighters, Crimesolvers, musical groups, those helping with litter cleanup, animal welfare, road improvement efforts, community beautification, water protection and food bank organizations have been nominated and awarded the Winners Award.

The last Winners Award was presented in 2007 to Cheryl Rodgers, tireless advocate and volunteer for library services for the northern part of Berkeley County, a regular volunteer for the Berkeley County Historical Society, and an active officer and supporter of the Falling Waters Battlefield Association.