Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Community is defined as joint participation, sharing or ownership. Mathews County exemplified all of these at the recent Kids Kayak and Conservation Camp held on the East River. The Mathews Maritime Foundation and Mathews County sponsored the camp. The Mathews Community Foundation graciously helped fund the camp through the Mary Watt Pulley Wildlife Preservation Fund. West Mathews Civic League donated use of their building and Dave Machen assisted every day. Thanks also go to Danette and Richard Machen, Donny White and Janet Rilee for use of the location.

I issued the call for presenters in January, and spaces were quickly filled. Volunteers included Nancy Grimstead who taught wildflowers and quail habitat. The children constructed their own wildflower and grasses habitat in flower boxes, which they took home. They also made flower presses from books donated by Mathews Friends of the Library and covered with wallpaper supplied by Jessica of The House Key ...