UCF presents Monarch Award

Saturday at the Black Lake Golf Club the United Communities Foundation (UCF) held their sixth annual benefit dinner, art auction and celebrated the 2010 Monarch Award winner, Peg Herring.

The room was filled to capacity as guests from across northern Michigan enjoyed the beautiful fall evening and a special gourmet dinner prepared by chef Bill Novak. All of the proceeds from the dinner and the art auctions are placed directly in the UCF scholarship fund which supports those individuals seeking education in the arts; and provides grant funding to support artists, art organizations and cultural programs in Presque Isle County.

Northern Michigan artists included Dawn Barr, Betty Jane Godfrey, Julia Loiselle, Bob Peltz, Peggy Powell, Jerry Smith, Chris Supina and a young aspiring artist, 12-year-old Bailey Budnik, who donated select art pieces made from various mediums including metal art, stained glass, wood and photography. Julia Lewandowski, one of this year?s scholarship recipients was there to help in showcasing the art pieces to the guests.

This year?s Monarch Award recipient, Peg Herring of Onaway, was recognized for her contribution in the literary arts. In addition to her published works and sharing her knowledge about writing to aspiring authors through her writing workshops, she spent several years after retirement writing grants for local non-profit organizations. Included were the On

away Area Schools to secure funding to upgrade its elementary reading program, for the special education department, the music department and other school projects as well as the Millersburg Historical Society to help restore the old train depot.

Board members from the Presque Isle County Historical Museum joined in celebrating the evening of the arts and the metal work by Dawn Barr, the ?Victorian Man?. The seven-foot tall metal art piece greeted guests as they entered the clubhouse and following the evening will accompany the ?Victorian Lady? on the grounds at the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.

Since the formation of the United Communities Foundation in 2004, more than 36 scholarships and grants have been awarded. Each year the number of grant recipients and scholarships awards continue to grow exponentially with the continued support from the community, which benefits Presque Isle County.