Newsletter
In Memory of Maryann P. Borden
In Memoriam
Authored by
Newsletter: Fall 2024
Maryann (1944-2023) grew up in Evart in a farm house that sat on Twin Creek. Her mother, Charlotte, would take her and her brother down to Twin Creek to cool off, building little falls with rocks, and picking watercress for little tea sandwiches. Maryann would practice her clarinet or read a book on the little bridge that crossed the creek. At night she loved listening to the bubbling of the creek. Years later, Maryann moved back to the farm house with her two children; she would walk them down to Twin Creek and let them cool off, build waterfalls, and pick watercress. Generations have loved Twin Creek and have also respected what it offered and supported.
In 1999, Maryann got wind of a new industry that was interested in coming to Evart; a spring water bottling company named Ice Mountain. Maryann and her daughter, Rhonda Huff (former Vice President of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation), started researching the project. They looked at where Ice Mountain was pumping and the pros and cons of having Ice Mountain in our community. Maryann called various groups that were fighting Perrier (Ice Mountain’s name at the time) and became fast friends with grassroots groups in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin groups sent Maryann roadside signs which screamed, “Go Away! Perrier!” Maryann and Rhonda concluded that this type of industry could ruin both their beloved Twin Creek and Chippewa Creek (Rhonda’s home sits on Chippewa Creek and Shore Ponds).
Maryann began a crusade to inform residents of the possible, if not certain, destruction of the two creeks. She attended township and city meetings, she passed out informative fliers, and wrote numerous letters to government officials. Maryann and Rhonda began to meet with Mecosta area residents who eventually became Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC).
Maryann was not only a member of MCWC but, following her retirement, chaired the yard sales, stuffed envelopes, attended rallies, did TV and print interviews and continued to write letters to government officials. She hosted media tours and interviews showing the damage to the two creeks. Maryann P. Borden was a Water Warrior until the end and is more than likely still fighting the fight from above!