Harford County Parks & Recreation celebrated more than 50 longtime volunteers – plus two volunteers with over 50 years of service each – at their annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner held June 9 at Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood. With a celestial theme of “Out of this World Volunteers”, the event was hosted by the Emmorton Rec Council and drew nearly 250 attendees. Overall, more than 13,000 volunteers gave over 550,000 hours of service in 2016. County Executive Barry Glassman offered his thanks on behalf of the many citizens who benefit from programs and activities offered through the county’s rec councils.
“From coaching sports and dancing, to rock climbing and swimming, you bring hours of enjoyment to Harford County citizens of all ages,” County Executive Glassman said. “Without you, these opportunities would not be possible. Thank you for your energy, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to improving our quality of life.”
Shortly after Harford County’s rec councils were first formed, Lester “Earl” Lee and John Narvell began their respective 50 years of service.
Lester “Earl” Lee brought his talents to the Dublin/Darlington Rec Council, serving as a coach and chairman of the basketball program. He is a 2005 winner of the Mid-Atlantic Recreation & Parks’ Sports Alliance Sportsmanship Award, and still organizes the program, conducting registrations, recruiting coaches, setting up practice sessions and leading by example.
John Narvell serves in the Havre de Grace Rec Council, and began by coaching flag football for a program he started before the county’s rec councils were formed. Over the years, he has coached soccer, men’s basketball and has served for 30 years as the rec council’s president. Among his many projects, he helped get lighting for the outdoor fields.
Volunteers with 30, 25, 20, 15, and 10 years of service were also recognized as follows:
30 Years:
Robert Hudson – Bel Air
Diane Edwards Moore – Equestrian Center
Shelly Sheppard – Equestrian Center
Tim Battaglia – Hickory-Fountain Green
25 Years:
Joe Watters – Aberdeen
Tim Brooks – Aberdeen
Tressie Polek – Bel Air
Marjorie Roberts – Bel Air
Nelson White – Forest Hill
Bill Plantholt – Forest Hill
20 Years:
Aubrey Edwards – Bel Air
Cheryl Edwards – Bel Air
Richard Hicks – Bel Air
Charles Higdon – Bel Air
Brian McLaughlin – Bel Air
Glenn Shaw – Bel Air
Katrina Smith – Bel Air
Wendy Baur – Forest Hill
Tom Barnaba – Hickory-Fountain Green
Rich Siejack – Hickory-Fountain Green
15 Years:
Ellen Hickey – Aberdeen
John Campo – Bel Air
Billy Conley – Bel Air
John Cooney – Bel Air
Lyndsay Davies – Bel Air
Rudi Horner – Bel Air
Rich Pfingsten – Bel Air
Stacie Sawyer – Bel Air
Sandra Sharnetzka – Bel Air
Deborah Titzler – Bel Air
Clare Owings – Equestrian Center
Rob Hosza – Forest Hill
Lewis Fillinger – Havre de Grace
Sharyn Spray – Otter Point Creek
10 Years:
Jacinda Ewing – Aberdeen
Rob Keesling – Bel Air
Christopher King – Bel Air
Randy Loiland – Bel Air
Chris Redding – Bel Air
Joan Schlegel – Bel Air
Holly Keith – Churchville
Tony Coscia – Forest Hill
Scott Kalista – Forest Hill
Lori Lagan – Forest Hill
Mike Lechner – Forest Hill
Chris Lynch – Forest Hill
Shannon Hitchings – Havre de Grace
Joe Cartelli – Hickory-Fountain Green
David Brehm – Joppatowne
Sherry Brehm – Joppatowne
Bonnie Martin – Joppatowne
Julie Ramage Huether – Joppatowne
Deb Mosley – Otter Point Creek
