Darling honored

The Friends of Lake Darling has received $4,500 through the 2013 Washington Soil and Water Conservation District Grant Program. Fay Vittetoe, center, president of The Friends of Lake Darling, accepted the check Tuesday from Aaron Meader, left, and Stan Simmons, both of the soil and water conservation district. The program annually seeks applicants in Washington County that promote, protect, maintain and improve the natural resources of the county and its residents. The Friends? project ?Darling is Back? will promote conservation education. The Friends of Lake Darling received more good news this week when they learned the Washington County Board of Supervisors approved a request Tuesday to rename a portion of Highway 78 to Jay N. ?Ding? Darling Memorial Highway. The portion of the highway that would be renamed would be from Highway 218 to Highway 149. Lake Darling State Park was named after Darling, who was present at the park?s dedication in 1950. Darling won two Pulitzer prizes for his editorial cartoons. He also was an early conservationist in the United States. He was the first president of the General Wildlife Federation, the creator of the National Duck Stamp program and the Sanibel National Wildlife Refuge.