O’Conner speaks to Kiwanis

The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday night, January 2, at 7 p.m. at the Rustic Grille. With President Cheryl Goodman presiding, they had 20 in attendance, including guests Lt. Governor Trish Tootle, Joelle Romanchik-Cerpovicz, Richard Torpin Smith II and Matthew O’Conner. The Italian Crème Cake donated by Gary Couse and baked by Petite Garrett was won by Dess Smith. The Dominos pizza donated by Dominos was won by David Gribbin. David Gribbin and Paul Cerpovicz won “Git-R-Done” mugs and Will Barber won the gift basket. The program for the evening was hosted by President Cheryl who introduced Matthew O’Conner, Management Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). Matthew grew up on a tree farm and he currently covers Emanuel, Treutlen and Johnson counties to assist landowners as they manage their property and forestland. In Emanuel County last year, GFC handled 164 cases (top 2 or 3 in the state), covered 36 wildfires, assisted with 34 prescribed burns, plowed over 390 miles of firebreaks and did 25 Community Outreach Programs. Forest Management Services provided by Matthew include advice and planning for timber land, timber sales and harvest advice, timber security, stewardship planning, state nursery and seedling production, prescribed burning and cost-sharing options. He also assists GFC with forest protection, burn permits, fire weather reporting, installation of fire breaks, prescribed burning, emergency response, and wildfire prevention. Lt. Governor Trish Tootle presented a 2022-2023 Outstanding Kiwanian Award to Cheryl Goodman. The award requires bringing in a new member, at least six months perfect attendance, and completing two interclubs. Congratulations President Cheryl.