250 conservation-minded supporters were welcomed to the 6^th Annual Bountiful Brunch benefiting Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) on a glorious fall afternoon this past Sunday.   This year’s experience was held at Boxwood Plantation. Our hosts, Beth and Jack Marchette along with their family shared their historic circa 1870 home and gorgeous surrounding property by inviting guests to tour throughout the afternoon. Boxwood Plantation’s 311 acres were placed under conservation easement with PDLT in 2012. The property is located just off Hoffmeyer Road where Florence and Darlington Counties meet.

Over the past six years, the Bountiful Brunch has become the fall’s most anticipated event in our region. Folks of all ages from across the Pee Dee gathered to celebrate the connection betweenpeople and land through a unique, elegant farm-to-table outdoor experience.  The event is particularly special because guests were treated to a fabulousfive course meal and exquisite wines, all in a beautiful, private setting on a lovely fall afternoon.

The afternoon began with a Gathering in the garden at noon which included appetizers and cocktails.  The seated five course meal began at 1:00pm on the Grand Avenue which looked out over the fields of soybeans and cotton, rows of oak trees, the perennial gardens and the magnificent front exterior of the original home at Boxwood Plantation.  The carefully planned menu included locally sourced ingredients from South Carolina farmers and purveyors, and paired with the perfect wines generouslydonated by Micky Finn’s (attached is the program providing the listing of the food, food sources and wine served). 

During the 3^rd course Seth Cook, PDLT Director of Land Conservation, presented  Billy Hinson with a handmade blue bird box in honor of his commitment to forever protect his farm, Hagin’s Prong, by placing a  conservation easement on this 1,722 acres of prime farmland in Marlboro County. Mr. Cook shared that with the Pettigrew Tract in Darlington being placed under conservation easement last month as the latest addition, Pee Dee Land Trust has now protected over 24,800 acres in the Pee Dee Region.  While remaining in private ownership, the lands protected through conservation easements held by PDLT ensure that special places will be available for farming, forestry, and recreation for future generations. 

Throughout the afternoon guests enjoyed meeting new friends and catching up with family and long-time friends while being serenaded by the musicians of Borrowed Time.  The silent auction featured 18 items and services that had been donated from individuals from all 9 counties in which PDLT concentrates its conservation efforts.  Thanks to Wells Fargo’s sponsorship each guest took home a 8”x8” reproduction of Uschi Jeffcoat’s painting of a Cherokee Rose to help them remember their experience and the important work PDLT is doing to preserve our past and ensure our future.

Dr. Alva Whitehead recognized the attendees present who have already pledged their leadership support by becoming a Steward of Pee Dee Land Trust’s Our Places endowment campaign.  This campaign has a goal to raise $1 million by the end of 2017 and currently has 100% Board support.  At this time we have reached 70% of the goal and Dr. Whitehead urged attendees to pledge their support to ensure PDLT will have the ability to steward all current and future conservation easements in perpetuity.  He highlighted a recent gift made by Snoots and Richard Howard as a Family Legacy Gift to honor the memory of Bill and Jolly Howard who gave much and sacrificed much to hold their land together through hard times.  Dr. Whitehead shared  a quote by G.K. Chesterton, “People did not love Rome because it was great.  Rome was great because The People love it.” and then closed by asking all in attendance “to help keep the Pee Dee great!”

Thank you to following 2016 Bountiful Brunch Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors:  Edwards Jones- Wendell Jones and Micky Finn's

Plantation Sponsor:  Wells Fargo Bank
Grand Avenue Sponsor: ArborOne Farm Credit
Reception Sponsor:  McLeod Health
Entertainment Sponsor:  Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.

Boxwood Sponsors: Diddy & Jim Anderson, Al & Lane Gilpin, Jane & Rex Huggins, Brian Sang DMD, Sonoco, Duke Energy, Carolina Bank, Grantham Properties and Development

Host Committee Sponsors:  Katherine & Jim Battle, Cindy & Eric Belk, Frances & Charlie Bethea, Janet & Buddy Brand, Ann Rodgers Chandler, Chase Oil Company, Inc., Ricky Coxe, Tim Cunningham, Linda & Eddie Drayton, Anne & Dan Ervin, Donna Goodman & Dewey Ervin, Kathi & Marshall Flowers, Jana & Christopher Goss, Edwin Haenni, Chip Helms, Jill & Joe Lewis, Bernice & Gordon McBride, McCall Farms, Joan & Michael Pavy, Laura & Tommy Phillips, Signature Wealth Strategies, Patricia Martin & Brad Turley, Mary Caroline & Wallace Vaught, Emily & Weave Whitehead, 
Ida & Alva Whitehead, WebsterRogers, Marguerite & Frank Willis

A special thank you to everyone involved with the planning and delivery of the Bountiful Brunch especially our Experience Coordinator- Jeff Murrie, Wine Expert- Dennis Fraley, Table Décor Committee- Caroline Dargan, Finley James and Deetz Mullins, Silent Auction Donors, Food Donors, Gathering Flower Arrangements- Diddy Anderson, PDLT Board Members, PDLT Staff and all Volunteers.

All the selected wines for our menu were specially ordered and will be available for sale for a limited time through the Micky Finn’s at 194 South Cashua Drive in Florence.

Please visit PDLT’s PDLT Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Pee-Dee-Land-Trust/to see all the photos from this year’s Bountiful Brunch.  Photos available for sharing upon request and proper photo credit assigned to Ivana Reay-Jones.