CASSOPOLIS — National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Conservation Medal Award winner Frank Eugene McKaye has championed Cass County natural resources for more than half a century.
“As director of the Cass County Parks and Recreation Commission, it is essential that I surround myself with individuals who are truly passionate about conservation, not only here in Cass County, but throughout Michigan and the United States of America,” Scott Wyman said Monday afternoon at Cass District Library. “I can honestly say that no one fits that description more than Frank.
“Whether it is as a member of the Cass County Audubon Society and Historical Society, or a member of the Friends of Dowagiac Woods, Frank has been and will continue to be at the forefront when it comes to environmental issues that face our community. As a local historian, people gather from all walks of life just to listen to him speak as the history of our land unfolds through his spoken words.
“As the founding member of the Friends of Russ Forest Park, Frank McKaye taught me at a young age what it means to be a steward of the land and to lead by example,” Wyman said. “For many years I have had the pleasure of working side by side with him as he shaped the future of our community through environmental activism.
“Through the years, Frank has acted as the liaison for the County of Cass whenever dealing with Michigan State University on issues that impacted Fred Russ Forest and Newton’s Woods. Thanks to Frank and many of his loyal supporters, over three miles of roadsides were cleaned of trash every year around Russ Forest and Newton’s Woods. Even as it became too painful to do so, Frank walked monthly over miles of hiking trails picking up trash so those who visited the forest could truly enjoy the beauty of the surroundings,” Wyman said. “Mr. McKaye will proudly and passionately represent this award with all his heart. He was a bulldog who wouldn’t let something go until he could find a suitable compromise.”
Carol LeMarbe delivered McKaye his state conservation award.
McKaye, who joined the Merchant Marines at 17, later worked at Tyler Refrigeration in Niles and at Ball-Band Co. in South Bend, Ind.
He loved to dance and taught ballroom dancing.
He married Mildred Short and had a daughter, Kathy.
He spent many years at companies that built mobile homes, American Coach and Westwood in Cassopolis. Then McKaye became co-partner in Park Estates Mobile Homes of Dowagiac and Admiration Homes of Elkhart, Ind.
He retired at 47 and wanted to stay busy, so he contacted Bivouac Van Conversions and offered to deliver vans on one condition — where he delivered to had to be near either a national park or national forest or a state park or state forest.
They were happy to oblige him and kept him on the road at least twice a month for many years.
Norton Barnett, who first came to know McKaye as a teenage Boy Scout with Frank as his Scoutmaster, “taught me and other Scouts about the natural world of nature while camping, as we saw how he loved to be out in it.”
“As a Scout, Frank took us out to Russ Forest and described the various trees, plants and animals in the woods,” Barnett recalls. “He wanted us to respect, preserve and be grateful for the trees and green environment we had around us. He wanted nature to be natural and protected for the generations to come. That areas of nature had to be wild and not destroyed, because people of the future have to know how the wilderness used to be.
“Frank also took our troop canoeing down the stream that runs through the land he donated to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. The land had been in his family for many years and by this conservation easement it would be protected. He felt if a tree fell across the stream it should be left there. That was nature and real.
“Later, as a young married man,” Barnett was offered a job working for Frank when he was part-owner of Park Estate Homes of Dowagiac.
“During this time my wife Barbara and I saw and heard how Frank and Millie traveled, and he photographed their many journeys. They shared their films and experiences with any clubs or groups wanting to see them. Frank hoped it would further everyone’s interest in the preservation of the world in which we live. Frank became more vocal and protective of the natural world he had shown  me as a Boy Scout. Others will not know how Frank fought for and donated money and time to save it for future generations unless he is recognized.”
McKaye traveled to Africa, Alaska and Canada many times. He especially loves the redwood forest in California, which he spoke to the DAR about in 1972.
An avid photographer of nature, he is known for getting up before dawn and staying up after dark taking pictures, saying he can sleep later.
Frank especially enjoyed giving school children tours in the Dowagiac Woods.
He would show them different wild flowers and ask them to find some in the woods. They loved looking and he praised them for their efforts.
In 1981, he was on the fund drive committee to purchase the Dowagiac Woods property on Frost Street.
He received Cass County Conservation District’s 1999 environmental stewardship award.

Ann Biek, Volunteer
Ann Biek, who taught at Justus Gage Elementary School for 30 years, recently reached 2,000 hours of volunteer service at Southwestern Michigan College.
She is also active with the Business and Professional Women’s Club and Sarett Nature Center in Berrien County’s Benton Township.
She is president of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 1855 in Dowagiac, treasurer of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) in Cass County, president of the Cass County Audubon Society, secretary of the Lee Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church.
“Volunteering kind of fits me,” says Ann, whose reward is the friendships she makes. “I don’t volunteer to be showy, and I certainly don’t expect anybody to think I’m wonderful. I just do” what her parents instilled.
Biek has also traveled extensively to seven continents, most recently visiting Borneo.
“I taught 18 years of second grade and 12 years of third grade at Justus Gage,” she said. “Being a single person, I was very lucky to live in the family home where I was born — 64 years next month. I’ve always been interested in nature. The first place I went foreign was the Galapagos Islands, and the travel bug hit me. Antarctica was one place I never thought I would see. I swam in all the oceans.”
She has three brothers and a sister.
Her oldest brother, Carl, attended the ceremony.

Taylor Mettiford Brandywine H.S.
Taylor Mettiford of Brandywine High School was one of seven high schoolers honored by the chapter Dec. 13, 2010, as Good Citizens for dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
Those seven candidates submitted two recommendation letters, a transcript and an essay for review by three non-DAR judges.
Representing Cass County at state competition, Taylor returned to read her winning essay on “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It”:
“All around the world, America is known for the large amount of cultural diversity it has. The United States of America is commonly referred to as a melting pot of nationalities, beliefs, customs and values. This sets America apart from other countries around the world. It is because of the many nationalities that created our nation that we have more than one American heritage. Centuries ago, people from all across the globe ventured to find a place to build their lives. These people were explorers, men, women and children, all looking for a place to settle and call their home. These pioneers left their original homes for different reasons, but they all wanted to better their lives. Many of these people settled in a place full of opportunities, potential and freedom. This place would later be known as the United States of America. When people traveled here, they brought more than their families and personal possessions. They brought their beliefs, values and customs with them as well, so naturally, settlers began to share and trade their personal values and things with people they encountered. Without even knowing it, these pioneers were creating the very beginnings of a diverse heritage. As the years passed, America grew and developed as a nation. During this same time period, the values and beliefs that were brought to the country years before were becoming ways of life for everyone. Though people still held on to their personal values, they also accepted and even adapted to the ways of others, thus creating many different heritages across the land. America would soon become known for diversity and would continue to draw people in from all over the world for many years to come. If you ask someone to describe the American heritage, they more than likely will give you a wide-ranging answer. That is what the American heritage is  — a wide range of beliefs, customs, values and people. Many different nationalities helped shape America into what it is today. America is known for its diverse people, cultures and ways of life. Americans should take pride in being part of such a great and unique place. After all, it is our job to preserve our nation’s many different heritages.”
On Thursday Taylor will be performing with an honors choir at Western Michigan University.

Jennifer Wyant, Edwardsburg Outstanding teacher of American history
A 2008 winner of the Best of the Best readers’ choice, Wyant was discouraged by her guidance counselor from majoring in social studies because “only boys majored in that because they coach” so that gave her impetus to show him.
She will be the state Teacher of the Year for DAR.
“Actually,” Wyant said, “I had gone to college and taught for seven years before I got a job at Edwardsburg High School, where I went to high school, and he was still guidance counselor. I was relishing going in and speaking with him. But he quit a week before I started.”
“Certainly after hearing all about Frank, I feel less deserving,” Wyant said. “I teach world history, which gives me an opportunity to give my students a perspective on the uniqueness of our nation and its heritage.”
Regent Paula Johnson added, “When I got my first teaching assignment in Illinois, I was told I would only teach elementary level. I would never teach secondary level because I couldn’t coach sports because I wasn’t a guy. I also majored in social studies.”
“Cass County should be on the map in big print,” Johnson said, “for what we have provided the world from our small county. It’s amazing. I’m so proud to be a citizen of this county and to have these people around and doing for us and representing what we are about.”