By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - When he was a student at Marcellus High School, Cass County Parks Director Scott Wyman was a finalist for Capt. Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution's annual Good Citizens award.
Wyman found himself in DAR contention again Monday, and this year's outcome more than made up for any disappointment then.
Wyman was one of three Michigan Conservation Award recipients who also garnered national recognition.
The DAR recognized Wyman's role in reforesting county parks with the help of $500,000 secured in state grants.
Wyman manages the largest park, Dr. T.K. Lawless, southeast of Vandalia. He is active in Cass County Conservation District's spring educational outing at Russ Forest, which has exposed a thousand county students to conservation and ecology.
Wyman is active in MEANDRS - Meeting Ecological and Agricultural Needs of the Dowagiac River System.
He is a member of the MRPA, the Michigan Recreational Parks Association.
One of the testimonials written for his nomination came from CCCD Executive Director Amy Druskovich, who stated, "Scott always volunteers without being asked and carries through until the job is done."
In February the CCCD featured him as a speaker for its Backyard Conservation series.
In 2003 he received the district's environmental stewardship award.
Wyman was one of three people honored Monday afternoon at Cass District Library by the DAR.
Amanda Tafunai of Edwardsburg, selected as one of six Good Citizens from area high schools in December, read her winning essay.
The DAR also recognized Iola Holtz for community service.
Virginia Bontrager of Dowagiac said Holtz taught for more than 20 years at five rural one-room schoolhouses in Cass County.
Holtz has poured her energy into Friends of Cass District Library, Cass County Historical Society, Cass County Historical Commission and The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College.
When the 150-year-old Jefferson Red Brick School was acquired, "Iola volunteered for the restoration process," Bontrager said. "She found old texts, pictures and other artifacts from other abandoned country schools. She conducts tours."
Holtz has also been instrumental in collecting antique furnishings to preserve the 1868 Newton House on Marcellus Highway between Dowagiac and Marcellus as a mid-19th century farmhouse.
Holiday decorations are an annual attraction right before Christmas.
She was honored in 1987 for her role in preserving county history.
Another plaque awarded in 1988 recognizes her citizenship.
But "I enjoyed every minute of it," Holtz said.