Peony Circle of Friends

Recognizing Members and Friends

Like the peony plants whose multicolored blooms open spectacularly every June at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth, the members of Maine Audubon’s Peony Circle of of Friends are a fine and dependable rootstock, a foundation for new growth.

We thank and honor the circle’s members. It is through their enduring generosity that Maine Audubon will continue to work for wildlife conservation to protect Maine’s great natural heritage.

Peony Circle Members

They are the nearly 1,100 people, businesses, and organizations supporting Maine Audubon for 20 years or more—in many cases, many more—through membership or other financial gifts. Maine Audubon owes its growth to their support.

Chuck de Sieyes

Chuck de Sieyes, M.D., a longtime family physician now affiliated with True North Health Center in his hometown of Falmouth, Maine, says he and his fellow-physician wife Carol Ward have contributed to Maine Audubon “since the days of our first paychecks during our residencies at Maine Medical Center.” He says their support is a natural consequence of a family history of land conservation and preservation of wildlife habitat. For this father of two grown sons “who have been outdoors all their lives,” it’s important that Maine Audubon makes outdoor experiences available to young people. In fact, he says, “Maine Audubon’s strong public-education and outreach programs are what set it apart from other organizations.” And Chuck’s impressed with the diverse inventory at the Maine Audubon Nature Store: “It’s a unique place we gravitate to—especially for my niece who loves hummingbirds.”

Margaret “Margi” Huber

Margi Huber of Windham, Maine was surprised last
year when she received a special cut peony flower as
a member of the Peony Circle of Friends. “I didn’t
realize it had been that long! But being recognized
as a longtime supporter means a lot to me. It wasn’t
always easy writing those checks back when I was a
student.” Back then, a friend of Margi’s registered them both for a Maine Audubon field trip, and Margi signed on as a member to take advantage of the discounts. Over the years, she became more involved, volunteering regularly to help lead Maine Audubon trips. Today, she’s on staff as Maine Audubon’s trips and tours coordinator.
An avid gardener, traveler, and story-teller, Margi continues her voluntary support for Maine Audubon by participating in events such as the annual Maine Audubon Birdathon. “I feel I can’t do enough for the global environment, so I just try to concentrate
on making a local impact—you get more for your money!” She especially values “the strong education component in everything that Maine Audubon does.”

Pat Perkins

Patsy “Pat” Ruth V. Perkins of Annandale, Virginia was delighted this spring when her Maine Audubon raffle ticket won her a week at Maine’s Sugarloaf resort. A “snowbird” with a camp in Wayne, Maine, Pat supports Maine Audubon through membership as well as the raffle, annual fund, and Maine Loon Project. The loon project’s annual loon count enticed her to actively participate in caring for Maine’s wildlife by serving as count coordinator on Androscoggin Lake. Pat still has a souvenir T-shirt from the first loon count in 1983. Decorative loons adorn her house, and she and her family launch an artificial loon nest where loons have laid eggs for 16 of 20 years. Pat enjoys the benefits of her Maine Audubon membership by reading Habitat “to keep up.” She continues her support because of “all the good work Maine Audubon does—but mostly for birds and loons.”

Lora E. Coffin

"I ask people, 'Do you belong to Maine Audubon?' And if they say no, I say, 'Why not?' " Lora, a former professional singer and founder of Lyric Music Theatre in South Portland, became a member because she and her brother wanted to get involved with the outdoors after they retired. When he died, she volunteered in the Nature Store and trip registration department. Lora stays a member because she likes the outdoors and feels people should be aware of the natural environment She takes advantage of Maine Audubon membership by using discount benefits for Christmas presents in the store and on trips, especially the trip "Bald Eagles of Merrymeeting Bay." In addition to her years of service to Maine Audubon - Lora was named Maine Audubon's "volunteer of the year" in 1999 - Lora is a volunteer for American Association of Retired Persons, the election polls, and knits for Mercy Hospital.

James W. (Jim) Hinds

"Maine Audubon's educational efforts are the principal reason it's so important to support the organization," says Jim, a member since 1973. A certified public accountant and audit partner, Jim enjoys birding, canoeing, reading, wilderness hiking and lichens (he and his wife have written a first-of-its kind book about macrolichens of New England). Jim learned about Maine Audubon through friends who took him on a Maine Audubon trip to Machias Seal Island. He became a member because that trip was so great! Soon Jim became active in his local chapter, eventually becoming treasurer of Maine Audubon's Penobscot Valley Chapter and helping to plan and build Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden.

Jenny Scheu

"I learn something new every time I'm at a Maine Audubon sanctuary or on a trip or even at a meeting." Jenny was introduced to Maine Audubon through friends and her mother, an excellent birder. Jenny became a member because Maine Audubon offers so much advocacy for wildlife as well as excellent trips and programs. She takes advantage of her Maine Audubon membership by attending programs and going on trips. Jenny also serves on the Board of Trustees as member and past president.

Thank you!

We are simply and sincerely thankful to those of you who are Peony Circle members—and to those who are on their way.