ROCKLEIGH, N.J.—On April 11, The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center held its annual volunteer recognition dinner at The Rockleigh, an extravagant gala attended by 160 people.
Mingling with the center’s staff, board members and volunteers were numerous honored guests and dignitaries, including state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, former Englewood Mayor Frank Huttle, Englewood Councilman Michael Cohen and leaders from many nonprofit organizations in Bergen County.
During the evening, there were four awards presented to honorees who have made outstanding contributions to Flat Rock Brook. The Trustee Award was presented to Serena and Robert Carson; the Volunteer Award went to Susan Klausner; the Community Leader Award was given to the Rotary Club of Englewood (accepted by Rotary President Janet Sharma); and the Outstanding Corporate Sponsor was presented to LG Electronics USA (accepted by Christine Ackerman and Sameera Rabai).
Flat Rock Brook Executive Director Steve Wiessner praised all of the honorees.
“Tonight we honor volunteers who have worked tirelessly for the Nature Center. Serena and Rob Carson have spent the last 45 years contributing to Flat Rock Brook in many capacities. Rob was treasurer for many years, and Serena has served as our Dinner Committee co-chair since its inception and helped organize the Sylvan Society Recognition dinners, too,” Wiessner said.
“Susan Klausner has been a trail guide for six years and she really stepped up last year when our Education Director Jill [Stewart Hunger] Bennetta became ill, by helping to organize our volunteer trail guides,” Wiessner said. “She is also our current board secretary and chair of the 5K Trail Run, which will be held on Aug. 4, 2019.
“The Englewood Rotary Club has contributed to Flat Rock over the years by financing various projects, and many a Rotarian has served on our board of trustees since the founding of the nature association,” Wiessner said.
“We are also delighted to introduce our relatively new but growing relationship with LG Electronics USA, who has committed to work with our nature association on education projects and with whom we continue discussions for expanding our partnership,” he concluded.
The evening began with an elegant cocktail reception and live music, a silent auction with 37 prizes and a 50/50 raffle.
As guests sat down to dinner, Trustee Scott Reddin and Wiessner welcomed everyone, and celebrity auctioneer Nick Dawes got down to business conducting a lively live auction that brought Flat Rock Brook $15,000.
Guests were impressed by a video that showed the wonderful programs that Flat Rock Brook offers.
Throughout the dinner, Jill Abbott, Flat Rock Brook president, called each honoree to the podium and presented their award, a Flat Rock landscape painting as well as an Englewood City Proclamation from Mayor Michael Wildes.
The recognition dinner’s program book included a special memorial for Joan Van Alstyne Johnson:
“Englewood has lost an iconic philanthropist with the passing of Joan Van Alstyne Johnson. A life-long resident, Joan was a caring, generous and powerful local force for decades. Raised in a family where community service was a part of life, Joan began volunteering at age 13 and continued to serve the public good through the entirety of her life. Joan was committed to many volunteer philanthropic efforts. She was involved with Flat Rock Brook Nature Association over many years. She served as a trail guide teaching young minds about the wonder and value of the natural world. Joan led our campaign to raise funds for the building that now houses our interpretive exhibit and administrative offices. She continued to contribute to our events supporting our preservation and education initiatives. Spirited and energetic, Joan was known for her outspoken manner, keen wit and unique personal style. Joan is legendary in the Englewood community and her absence will be profoundly felt.”
There was also a Memoriam for Bennetta, a 44-year-old staff member who died this past October.
“Jill was Flat Rock’s beloved Education Director for over a decade. Last year, she lost a heroic battle with cancer. During her time at Flat Rock, she positively impacted thousands of children and adults with her infectious love of the natural world and irresistible charm. Jill was particularly known for her love of our raptors—a group of non-releasable birds that call Flat Rock Brook home. We like to imagine that now with brave wings she flies and soars with the birds.”
Fourty-five and still a vital community asset
Now in its 45th year, Flat Rock Brook continues to be a cornerstone in Englewood and throughout Bergen County. Some 50,000 people a year visit the center and its lush forests, hiking trails and gardens. The center offers year-round programs and special events for people of all ages, including a summer camp for children. One of the most important initiatives of the center is it commitment to conservation and educating the public about the importance of preserving our environment for future generations.
It’s always busy at the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center! A number of projects have already been accomplished, such as the 45th Anniversary campaign (still ongoing), work at the Jones Road entrance, repair to the building’s exhibit room, raptor handling training, and botanical and wildlife surveys.
On the agenda for the upcoming year is work on the patio and the garden behind it, an outdoor classroom, opening up of the forest canopy, another deer drive and restoration of the center’s boardwalk.
Revenue from the 2019 Recognition Dinner will help Flat Rock Brook achieve these goals, and the public is encouraged to continue contributing time and money to this vital Englewood asset.
Photo by Hillary Viders