Donation: The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin has made a donation of over $313,000 to support the conservation programs of the Department of Natural Resources.

The funds will be split among 20 programs identified as conservation priorities by DNR and Foundation staff. The largest gifts are: $146,000 to support rare and endangered species; nearly $120,000 for invasive species control and land management at state natural areas; about $30,000 to support community conservation and property management programs; and $20,000 for conservation education projects.

In addition, the foundation made $10,000 in small matching grants to community conservation projects through it’s C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants Program, named for "Buzz" Besadny, former head of the DNR and a co-founder of the foundation.

Honors: The Madison Mannerchor, the oldest German men’s choir in Wisconsin, won the traveling trophy at the Wisconsin Sangerbezirk (singing district) during their annual competition March 28 in Kenosha. The Mannerchor, under the direction of John Mysliwiec, finished first out of the state’s eight groups.

Awards: The John Bell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently announced their scholastic honors.

Patrick Keeler, of Middleton, was named outstanding teacher of American history. DAR good citizens for the 2008 through 2009 school year include Vernon Johnson of Madison’s Abundant Life High School, Tim Emerson of River Valley High in Spring Green and Melanie Ulrich of Madison Memorial High School. And the Christopher Columbus essay award winner was Matthew Russell, also of Abundant Life.

Scholarships available: The Cross Plains Area Chamber of Commerce is offering two $500 scholarships to area high school seniors. Eligible applicants must work, or have a parent who works, in the village of Cross Plains, town of Cross Plains or town of Berry and must plan to attend a technical school, college or university.

Applications, which are due by May 1, may be obtained at Madison Edgewood High School or at the high schools in Middleton, Mount Horeb, Verona, Waunakee and Wisconsin Heights. For more information, contact Amy Hansen at cpbaexecdir@yahoo.com or 608-843-3166.

Class reunions: The DeForest High School Class of 1959 will celebrate its 50th reunion June 13 at Rex’s Innkeeper in Waunakee. For more information, contact Bill Noltemeyer at 608-233-4677 or June Gilbertson at 608-846-8999.

Madison East High School Class of 1974 will hold its 35th reunion on July 10 and 11. The Friday gathering will be at Pooley’s, 5441 High Crossing Blvd., at 6:30 p.m., and the Saturday event will be at the Bridges, 2702 Shopko Drive, at 6:30 p.m.

Make reservations by contacting Barb Kluth at 608-698-6181, Jean Campbell at 608-241-7164 or Tom Gullickson at 608-244-5670, or e-mail info@madisoneast1974.com. More information is available at madisoneast1974.com.

Scrapbook welcomes news of academic honors other than dean’s or honors lists, scholarships, class reunions, service club officers, honors to volunteers, military promotions and decorations and other special recognitions. Please type or write clearly, and include a phone number. Submissions must be received at least one full week prior to publication. All items received may not necessarily be used. Please send contributions to Scrapbook, Wisconsin State Journal, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708; or by e-mail to kcrary@madison.com.