Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc.
P.O. Box 345
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
www.summerseat.org
info@summerseat.org
February 28, 2000
For immediate release
Contact: Dick Myers, 301-475-8383
Press Release
Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. today announced, florida land sale, that bond bills have been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly for the purchase of historic Summerseat in Oakville, St.
Mary’s County, MD.
Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. is a non-profit organization recently formed for the purpose of purchasing the 127-acre Summerseat farm and then establishing an animal sanctuary and environmental education center there. They are currently seeking funds for the purchase of the property. Once purchased they will be seeking funds for the day-to-day operation and for special projects.
Summerseat farm’s history has been traced back at least to 1773 when a large Georgian-style mansion was constructed there. It is reported that Dr. Gustavus Brown, one of George Washington’s attending physicians during the last days of his life, owned the farm at one time. That home was destroyed by fire in 1874 and a replacement was constructed which also subsequently burned. The current manor house is believed to have been built in 1910.
Robert and Shelva Davis purchased the property in Oakville, St. Mary’s County, MD, in the mid 1980′s and have turned it into a showcase. Mrs. Davis has raised sheep and goats on the property, but has also rescued a number of other animals, included llamas, donkeys and horses. Several buffalo also live on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Davis also have constructed an aviary and a small dog kennel.
The property is filled with amenities, including two rental houses (one dating from 1883), a three-room workshop which could be easily converted to an office and gift shop, numerous barns and miles of exterior and interior fencing (much of it electrified).
The manor house has been totally restored.
St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League, Inc. (SMAWL), a 10-year-old non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, has been trying throughout its entire existence to establish an animal shelter in St. Mary’s County, which is only one of two (of 24) counties in Maryland without a shelter.
Negotiations with the local county commissioners to divert monies now going to another county for sheltering proved unsuccessful.
The league decided to pursue other options to establish a private, no-kill shelter.
Lorraine Greenleaf, newly elected SMAWL president, has long had the dream of establishing an animal sanctuary. She noticed that the Summerseat property had been advertised for sale by auction last summer and inquired if it had been sold, and if not, if it was for sale. The owners stated that the high bid at the auction, by a developer, had been rejected.
They said another developer was interested in buying the property. The farm is in a rapidly growing area within commuting distance of, florida land sale, Washington, DC and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
The property owners allowed SMAWL representatives to tour the property. Those who saw it recognized the potential immediately, not only for animals but also humans. At that point members of another non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust (PTLT) were told of and became interested in the project.
Two members from each of the two organizations became the founding directors of Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc.
The sanctuary’s vision was developed through a series of meetings. The farm lends itself to a variety of uses. The league proposes to build a dog and cat shelter using its own monies. Other rescue organizations, such as horse, rabbit, greyhound, and feral cat groups, have expressed an interest in leasing space on, florida land sale, the farm for their efforts.
Animals would be adopted when ready. The land is currently being sharecropped. That would continue, to provide feed, florida land sale, for the animals.
The aviary could be used by organizations involved in wildlife rehabilitation., florida land sale, There are extensive woodlands, a farm pond, a natural spring, and an adjacent stream, which provide natural habitat areas for a variety of wildlife.
Near the main house there is a decorative garden pond, a perennial herb garden, and a fenced organic vegetable garden. Opportunities abound for nurturing and studying the wildlife residents.
Thus, a total nature-focused and animal-related experience would be available, florida land sale, for visitors of many types, particularly children of all ages and adults with challenging life situations.
One barn in particular is ideally suited for hands-on humane and environmental education programs. And, the land itself also provides, florida land sale, an ideal setting for a number of animal relationship and environmental education and enhancement programs aimed at adults.
The, florida land sale, manor house contains a downstairs master bedroom and five upstairs bedrooms. This could easily be used as visitor housing for persons desiring to experience life on a farm and wanting to either work with animals or to get in tune with nature.
The downstairs has several spaces, which could be used for small conferences and workshops.
Paid staff will be needed to operate the non-profit organization, take care of the animals and run educational programs. An extensive fund-raising effort is being launched to highlight the valuable opportunities at hand and to raise the required matching funds needed to go with the State funding to purchase the property.
In addition to individual donations, the organization will work to implement or continue a number of other revenue producing opportunities. There will be business sponsorships, large donor recognition programs, scientific research projects, visitor accommodations and/or meals, additional animal rescue organization participation, contributions, and fund-raising, on-site events, tie-in products, and property rental for special occasions such as weddings.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis have given Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. one year to raise the agreed
upon purchase price of $700,000 (almost $200,000 below appraised value). The bond bills introduced into the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates call for funding one-half of the purchase price. Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. is also seeking a bridge loan for $250,000 from the Maryland Environmental Trust.
Funds to repay the loan might be available from the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation program. Various foundation grants are also being sought for that purpose and to fund the remaining $100,000 of the price.
However, significant numbers of individual and family member donations will be needed to enable Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. to acquire, and maintain this terrific natural and historical working farm property.
Initial annual memberships in the amount of $10 for students, $20 for individuals, and $30 for families are now available. For the year 2000, membership funds will go directly to fund the property acquisition and will be 100% tax deductible. Large donor participation is also encouraged and the Board of Directors needs to identify additional enthusiastic and self-motivated, working directors. Volunteers to help with the fund-raising and administrative tasks during the first stage of the project are also welcomed.
As soon as the property acquisition has been completed, the organization will begin funding projects and utilizing volunteers to work at the site. Mr. and Mrs. Davis will continue to reside in the main house for up to 12 months after settlement of the property transfer. After that time, projects involving that building will commence.
Please give us your support and donations to help make this wonderful project succeed.
Direct all, florida land sale, contributions and inquiries to:
Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc.
PO Box 345
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Founding organizations of Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc.
Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust, Inc
The Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust (PTLT) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of agricultural, forested and open space land along the Patuxent River and within the Southern Maryland, florida land sale, region.
The Trust recognizes that Southern Maryland’s natural beauty, rural character and its environmental and historical treasures, florida land sale, are a heritage we must protect for future generation.
Through use of conservation easements, land purchases and donations, and the purchase and donation of development rights, the PTLT is working to reduce sprawl and redirect development that is, among other things, decreasing siltation in surface Waters and diminishing the quality of the area’s drinking water, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.
The Trust is committed to working with landowners, florida land sale, to address individual needs and circumstances in ways that best preserve their land and common heritage.
The Land Trust, in cooperation with St. Mary’s County Government, proposed and developed the state funded Rural Legacy project in the northeast area of St. Mary’s County. The Huntersville-Patuxent River Rural Legacy Area covers 2,597 acres along the Patuxent River between Golden Beach and Horse Landing.
PTLT received $3 million of Rural Legacy funding during the first round of funding in 1998. In 1999 PTLT received $1.5 million for the second round of Rural Legacy funding and $250 thousand in matching funds. This money will go towards protecting over 1,500 acres of land along the Patuxent River.
St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League, Inc.
St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League, Inc. was founded in ~99O.
Since its inception SMAWL has been active in the fostering, rehabilitation and adoption of unwanted dogs and cats. Operating without a shelter and with all volunteers, the league has found homes for more than a thousand dogs and cats. It has also launched a successful low-cost spay-neuter program and operates a lost and found hotline. The St. Mary’s County Health Department recognizes SMAWL as the organization for administering rabies shots.
Low-cost rabies and distemper clinics are operated by SMAWL nine months a year.
Education has also been a prime responsibility for SMAWL. Through a two-year grant from William Snyder Foundation for Animals,, florida land sale, SMAWL has distributed humane education material supplied by the Humane Society of the United States.
In cooperation with the St. Mary’s County Office on Aging and local veterinarians, SMAWL has launched Pet Share.
This program will, florida land sale, give senior citizens the opportunity to adopt a pet at no cost and also receive reduced cost veterinary care.
The lack of an animal shelter in St. Mary’s County has been a major concern for SMAWL. Efforts to get local officials interested in ending their long association with a regional shelter in another county have been unsuccessful. With that lack of interest, SMAWL recently voted to pursue a private, no-kill shelter using the $40,000 already raised, plus an additional $45,000 in pledges.
After additional fundraising, it is SMAWL’s intention to build that shelter at the Summerseat Sanctuary.
BIOGRAPHIES
Summerseat Sanctuary, Inc. Board of Directors
1. President – Linda Murdock
2. Vice President – Dick Myers
3. Secretary – Lorraine Greenleaf
4. Treasurer โ” Jim Conrad
Linda Jennings Murdock is currently President and CEO of her own computer and environmental consulting business, WLP Consulting, Inc.
Linda was born in Oklahoma and, florida land sale, has a mixed heritage, which includes some Native American blood. She grew up in a US Air Force family, florida land sale, that lived in Europe, Arlington, Va., and then Tampa, Florida during her High School years. She got her BA in Humanities with an Emphasis in Literature from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.
However, mathematics and computers were a primary interest, florida land sale, even early in her life.
As a junior in High School, she won a National Science Foundation grant to study mathematics and computers during, florida land sale, the summer of 1965 at the University of Oklahoma. Once in the working world, Linda excelled in mastering various forms of business information systems from basic bookkeeping machines, early paper punch technologies, into mini-computers and mainframes, and then the latest client/server networked computer systems.
After 30+ years of working on computers for companies such as WETA Channel 26 (PBS), Visa International, and Comptek PR Associates, she now runs her own computer information technology consulting business.
The wonders of the natural world and its beauty have always been important to Mrs. Murdock. In 1996 she met her future husband, Paul, in St. Mary’s County and moved here. Mr. Murdock was born and raised in St.
Mary’s County, florida land sale, on his grandparents’ farm in Hillville. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Murdock and their son Mathew live on 15 acres of beautiful woodlands, ravines, and a stream in Mechanicsville, MD. This wonderful, natural, threatened wildlife habitat brought the urgency of protecting our natural legacy into focus for the Murdock’s over the last two years. Summerseat Sanctuary and other local environmental activities are now a large part of the family’s way of life.
Dick Myers is recently elected 1st Vice President of the St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League (SMAWL). He has been active with SMAWL for six years as dog adoption coordinator, operator of adoption centers, foster home for dogs, and publicity director. In those capacities he has seen the glaring need for an animal shelter in St. Mary’s County. He is also a member of the Southern, florida land sale, Maryland Kennel Club and is involved in obedience training for his own dogs and those he fosters.
Mr. Myers is a graduate of Georgetown University with a BA in Economics. He has worked for more than 30 years in all aspects of the news media including radio, TV, newspaper and newsletter. He is former owner of two radio stations and a radio station construction permit. Currently he is news director of Radio Stations WMDM AM & FM, Lexington Park, MD.
Mr. Myers is also the former legislative aide to Maryland State Senator Roy Dyson.
He handled the senator’s correspondence, constituent service and bill research and drafting and managed the senator’s Annapolis and Great Mills offices. While working for the senator, Mr. Myers took the lead role in securing passage of the bill sponsored by Sen. Dyson which created a special state license plate to promote spaying and neutering of, florida land sale, pets.
A call from Mrs. Greenleaf about Summerseat was met with lukewarm enthusiasm until Mr.
Myers saw Summerseat in person and came to understand its potential. He sees an opportunity to blend concerns about animals and the environment into a unique experience for Marylanders of all ages.
Lorraine Greenleaf is the newly elected president of St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League, Inc. (SMAWL). She will serve for the next two years and hopes to see an animal shelter become a reality during her tenure.
She has been involved with animal, florida land sale, welfare and humane organizations most of her adult life. For the past eight years Lorraine and her husband, Rich, have been members of SMAWL, the last three, florida land sale, years of which she was 1st VP and he was secretary and newsletter editor.
Lorraine retired from the federal government, florida land sale, in 1993 after 20 years in the administrative and,, florida land sale, florida land sale, management analyst fields.
For the past six years, Lorraine and Rich have owned and operated a feline boarding facility, “The Purr-fect Place” in Hollywood, MD. The Purr-fect Place receives the highest praise from clients and local vets as a top-quality feline-only boarding facility that provides the cats in their care with all the comforts and amenities of home.
Lorraine has had a long-time vision of a safe place for all domestic animals, whether young, florida land sale, or old,, florida land sale, healthy or not, to live a life of comfort and love until a new home is found, or if not adoptable, until their dying day.
When Lorraine found Summerseat, she knew it was the place of her vision.
Jim Conrad is a cofounder, first president, and the current executive director of Patuxent-Tidewater Land Trust, a non-profit land conservancy. He lives in Leonardtown, MD. Mr. Conrad developed and wrote the St. Mary’s County Rural legacy proposal seeking to protect over 2,000 acres along the Patuxent River. Co-sponsored by the Patuxent-Tidewater Land Trust and St.
Mary’s County government, this project has been awarded $5 million for the purchase of easements. The centerpiece of the project is Cremona Farm, a 960-acre property with significant environmental, archaeological, agricultural, and wildlife habitat values to be conserved in perpetuity.
Mr. Conrad is also chair of the St. Mary’s County Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory, florida land sale, Board and Southern Maryland representative for the Maryland Environmental Trust.
During his tenure on the advisory board, the county’s farmland preservation program was certified by the state, allowing the county to retain all of its agricultural transfer taxes for preservation activities in the county. And, an agricultural tax credit was proposed by the board and adopted by the county, helping to keep land in farming.
Mr. Conrad earned his master’s degree, florida land sale, in International Relations from Claremont Graduate School, a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the Food Research Institute of Stanford University, and a doctorate in Political Science, also from Stanford.
He has taught at Texas A&M University, Mt. Holyoke College, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. He has taught courses on agricultural trade and adjustment, political economy, foreign policy, international relations, and research methodology. He is an honorary Senior Fellow at the International Center in Washington, DC.
Source: free-articles