HAPPENINGS
TPI Family Mourns Loss Te extended TPI family joins past president Bob Weerts’ family as they mourn the loss of Bob & Jennifer’s youngest son.
Daniel Donavon Weerts, age 37, of Blue Earth, MN, passed away April 23, at his home. Daniel was born August 21, 1980, in Blue Earth, to Robert (Bob) and Jenifer (Wendt) Weerts. Dan graduated from Blue Earth Area High School in 1999. After graduation, he went to Tulsa, OK, for aviation training for one year before transferring to the University of North Dakota where he finished in 2005. On July 5, 2005, he married Taylor Wagner of Blue Earth in Hawaii. Tey lived in Aitkin, MN, from 2005-2012, where he worked for Blue Valley Sod and sold and owned Central Boiler Wood Stoves.
On October 8, 2008, they had their son, William. On January 18, 2012, they had their daughter, Amelia. Tey then moved back to the Blue Earth area where he continued to work for Blue Valley Sod. For the past three years, he has been a pilot for Adam’s Office out of St. Paul. Dan had many interests. He loved being outdoors and photography. His greatest joy was being with his family.
Daniel is survived by his spouse; Taylor Weerts of Blue Earth, children; William "Will" and Amelia Weerts of Blue Earth, parents; Robert "Bob" & Jenifer Weerts of Winnebago, sister; Elizabeth (John) Schavey and their children Luke, Joseph, Adam of Winnebago, brother; Jonathan (Carol) Weerts and their children Gabriela, Donavon, Rhionna of Winnebago, in-laws, Jim (Carla) Wagner of Blue Earth, sisters-in-law; Kelsie (Tim) Garry and their daughter Kaydence of Fairmont, and Rylee Wagner of Woodbury.
Daniel was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Donavon and Nadene Weerts, and maternal grandparents Don and Lavon Wendt. Funeral services were held on April 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth.
Bob and his family appreciate your thoughts and prayers. A memorial fund has been established in the care of the Weerts Family for Will and Amelia’s future endeavors. Donations can be sent to Patton Funeral Home, 400 East 14th Street, Blue Earth, MN 56013.
Turf Connections Wins TOCA Award An article written as part of the overall marketing campaign for TPI member Turf Connections, a sod farm based in Cheraw, South Carolina, was awarded First Place in the Writing for Company Website category at the 2018 Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Awards event held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stacie Zinn Roberts of What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public Relations created the award-winning article and is the agency of record for Turf Connections.
Te article, posted on
TurfConnections.com, was titled 74
“Secret Weapon: Notre Dame Golf Team Proves Practice on Live Grass Indoors Leads to Wins.” It tells the story of how Marc Marsh, owner of Turf Connections, helped the prestigious Notre Dame University men’s golf team by sending them live sod to practice golf swings on during the winter. In the article, Notre Dame Golf Coach and former PGA Tour player Scott Gump, sings Marsh’s praises and reports the addition of real grass made a difference in the team’s performance, even winning their first tournament after practicing on the live grass.
“Our goal at Turf Connections is to grow, harvest and install high-quality turf,” Marsh said. “Who knew from our small corner in Cheraw that we’d have the opportunity to help the Notre Dame golf team win some tournaments? It means a lot to us to see our grass contribute to their success.”
Detroit Mayor Named the 2018 TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year Te Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) and Project EverGreen announced Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as the recipient of the 2018 TOCA Environmental Communicator of the Year Award. Project EverGreen is the sponsor of this annual award. Te award recognizes individuals for outstanding communications efforts regarding green space and environmental issues. It was presented during the TOCA Annual Conference in Cincinnati. Mayor Dugan is the 20th recipient of this award.
Mayor of Detroit since 2014, Duggan announced an investment of $11.7 million to improve 40 neighborhood parks across the city of Detroit in 2016-17. Project EverGreen worked with the city, local businesses and community groups to renovate Pingree Park starting last November.
Te city’s parks had been in decline due to budget constraints, but as downtown Detroit experienced a renaissance, Duggan wanted to make sure the neighborhoods didn’t get left behind. Te 40 parks were chosen based on key criteria including those with the highest concentration of children and senior citizens close by.
Accepting the award for the mayor, Bradley Dick, director, general services department, said, “Parks are the heart and soul of the city. Te mayor’s progressive initiative to renovate 40 parks across the city helps to reduce blight and restore community pride.”
Promoting and communicating the substantial value of establishing a greener, cooler Earth through the creation, renovation and revitalization of managed recreational and athletic green spaces that result in healthier, happier people is at the core of Project EverGreen’s mission. Former TPI Executive Director Doug Fender was the fourth recipient of the award in 2002.
pp TPI Turf News July/A2 August 2018
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