SUSSEX COUNTY LAND TRUST GEARS UP FOR TWO LARGEST FUNDRAISERS OF THE YEAR   Taryn Burris, Carly Miller, and Lori Schell Formed in December of 2001, the Sussex County Land Trust (SCLT) has just celebrated its third anniversary and is looking forward to an ambitious land preservation and education plan for 2005. To continue raising awareness, funding ongoing conservation needs and completing the restoration of the Wolfe House, the SCLT is planning two fundraising events for the spring of 2005. The 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk Race for Open Space will be held the morning of March 19 on the Junction and Breakwater Trail, located between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes on Wolfe Neck Road. On the evening of April 16th, the Baycenter at Ruddertowne in Dewey Beach will be host to the annual Sussex County Land Trust Ball. Many of last year’s corporate sponsors have returned for both events, including Carl M. Freeman Communities, Duffield Associates & Merestone, The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay, Caldera Properties, Villages of Five Points and Frank Robino Associates. In addition, Schell Brothers has agreed to be one of the Ball sponsors at this year’s event. Due to the positive response and support of the local business community, underwriting opportunities have been expanded to include room for a few more sponsorship opportunities. “Assistance from the community in terms of sponsorship will allow us to give 100% of our ticket proceeds and race registration to the land trust,” says Wendy Baker, president & CEO of the SCLT. Baker and her co-chairs of both the SCLT Ball and the Race for Open Space, Christine Strauss and John Snow, have been busy preparing for the events since last year. They have been thrilled with the number of new volunteers and the excitement they have brought to the planning process. Committee chairs include: Carly Miller, Decorations; Heather Gray, Silent and Live Auction; Kelly Sylvester, Entertainment and Roger Reed, Registration just to name a few. “It’s been wonderful to receive an outpouring of support from this community in donating time and money to land preservation in Sussex County,” says Baker. In addition to both events, the SCLT will recognize the efforts of individuals throughout the county by honoring a local individual with Sussex County’s second “Steward of the Land” award. Nominees should have demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving land and open space in Sussex County in the past year. The recipient will be announced the evening of the Ball. Please contact Wendy Baker (wobaker@sclandtrust.org) at 302-227-0287 with any questions on the SCLT Ball, nominations for Steward of the Land, or sponsorship questions. Please contact Tim Bamforth (tbamforth@prodigy.net) of the Seashore Striders (www.seashorestriders.com) at 302-644-8952 to register for the Race for Open Space to be held on 3/19/05.