The 17th Annual Hiwassee Watershed Gala is set for Friday, February 28, 2025, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Charles Suber Banquet Hall at Young Harris College. The Watershed Gala is an upscale social gathering that celebrates good water quality, still being measured in many rivers, lakes, and streams, and recognizes those who work to sustain it. The event is also the MountainTrue Western Regional Office’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting water quality monitoring and improvement programs locally.
This year’s event will feature the following menu of heavy hors d’oeuvres, along with wine, beer, sodas, and water. Popular local musician Troy Underwood will provide his bluesy, soul, and folk sounds for the evening. Join us for an evening of laughter, fun, and camaraderie…and to honor the winner of this year’s Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award: Johnny Strawn of the Cherokee County, NC, community of Hanging Dog!
2025 Gala Menu
Platters & Displays
Grilled Roasted Vegetables
Cheese Board with Various Cheese Spreads
Spinach Artichoke Dip with Assorted Bread and Crackers
Fresh Fruit Display
Chef Action Station
Shrimp & Grits Bowl
Fried Trout
Carving Station
The deadline for making reservations has passed; however there are still a few seats available. Please email Callie Moore at callie@mountaintrue.org if you would still like to attend the Gala.
Charity Auction
There are also auctions associated with the Watershed Gala featuring original art and craft items made right here in the Southern Blue Ridge, as well as services and unique opportunities to relax, dine, and play. This year’s online auction begins on Monday, February 17, at noon and continues through noon on Thursday, February 27. The online auction will then transition to the in-person event. Any items that are not up bid during the in-person event will be distributed to the online auction auction winners in March.
The Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award
North Carolina water quality giant is namesake for the annual award.
Bill Holman was born and raised in North Carolina, graduating magna cum laude from N.C. State University in 1978 with a degree in Biology. He was executive director of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (now NC Land & Water Fund) from 2001 to 2006. The NC General Assembly established the CWMTF in 1996 to help finance the acquisition and restoration of buffers and wetlands, wastewater improvements, stormwater controls, greenways, and other water quality investments.
Holman served as Governor Jim Hunt’s Secretary of the NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources from 1999 to 2000 and as an Assistant Secretary from 1998 to 1999. Previously, Holman helped pass the Clean Water Responsibility Act of 1997, the Brownfields Cleanup Act of 1997, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund Act of 1996, the Watershed Protection Act of 1989, and numerous other North Carolina environmental bills as a lobbyist for national environmental and conservation groups between 1979 and 1997.
Legislators, lobbyists, and news reporters ranked him among the top 10 most effective lobbyists in the NC General Assembly in 1985. Before beginning his career, he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1975. Holman directed Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions state policy program from 2007 to 2012.
Currently, he is Senior Advisor to The Conservation Fund in NC. He directed the Fund’s real estate programs from 2013 to 2023. His current projects include increasing funding for NC’s Land & Water Fund and Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, providing funding for state and local trails, and advocating for One Water strategies to protect drinking water and reduce flooding.
Holman has received many awards, including the Water Environment Federation’s Outstanding Contributions to the Water Environment for Non-Members Award in 2014. In 2000, Governor Hunt awarded Holman one of the state’s highest civilian honors, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Past Holman Award Winners
2025 – Johnny Strawn
2024 – John Kay
2023 – Mayor Andrea Gibby & the City of Young Harris, GA
2022 – Jason Chambers
2021 – David Liden
2020 – Brenda “BK” Hull
2019 – Dave Hering
2018 – Gilbert Nicolson
2017 – Bill Kendall & Barbara Mathis
2016 – Nancy Troxler
2015 – Tom Bennett
2014 – David Wood
2013 – Bonner Leaders & Nathan Hughues
2012 – Lucy Cole Gratton
2011 – Silas Allen
2010 – Lamar Paris
2009 – Jim Dobson
About the Holman Award Trophy
David Goldhagen of Hayesville, NC, was commissioned to create the Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award. Goldhagen’s unique painterly approach to art glass marries bold colors to brilliant, clear crystal in a clean, modern style.
Of the piece Goldhagen created for this occasion, former HRWC member and volunteer, the late Tom Bennett wrote: “The torso shape suggests the strength of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition and the power of water. The glass represents the fragile ecosystem of streams and rivers – the color of the living things in it that must be protected.”
Goldhagen’s work may be found in the permanent collections of numerous corporations, museums and foundations. More at goldhagenartglass.com ◆