On Tuesday, June 14, the Washington Lakes Watershed Association held an Honorary Breakfast for Charlotte Henderson,  former Board Member and President, at the Blueberry Fields B&B. 

Past and current WLWA Board members, board members from  Medomak Brook Connection, and friends were there to acknowledge Charlotte’s  contributions, her many gifts and ways that set  both organizations on a path to persist and make a difference.

Charlotte attended her first WLWA meeting in 2011. Her enthusiasm and experience was quickly recognized and she was recruited to join the  Board. Charlotte rolled up her sleeves and dug right in. She willingly shared her curiosity and experience to involve the community in the stewardship for the waters of Washington and its watershed.

Charlotte is an Ambassador of Education employing  the written word as well as in person conversation. Charlotte wrote emails, pulled together the  WLWA Newsletters, utilized  her Washington News Column to keep people informed, and arranged  guest speakers for public forums. 

Jeff Grinnell, WLWA currant president, said that aside from the significant projects and organizational functions and priorities, Charlotte always put people at center. It is her gift to our community. 

Charlotte was presented  a MOVA globe, “Your WLWA colleagues and the entire Washington community think the world of you and wanted to give you something to remind you of that fact every single day.” 

Charlotte said, “I’ve always tried to inform people. They don’t have to buy into it. But at least they have been informed of what is going on…It is the people of this town that make it so special. Being with the lakes association, well I have just loved it. The people just seem to get it. They have kept our lakes clean.” 

Referring to the alewives program, Charlotte and Medomak Brook Connection’s Sam Chapman told the grassroots history of the reintroduction of  alewives to the Medomak River and most recently into  Washington Pond. Both Charlotte and Sam emphasized the importance of an informed local community and community input into projects and the need for them to continue to have a voice at the larger table.