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Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District
Thursday, November 08, 2012
Geauga SWCD's Annual Meeting and Dinner Celebrates Commitment to Conservation
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) celebrated its 68th year at the annual dinner meeting held on Oct. 25 at the School Building of the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds. With 92 people in attendance, the meeting began with the election of two members to the Geauga SWCD five-member Board of Supervisors. Dee Belew and Mike Blakeman were elected to serve a three-year term and will help set the direction for the district.
Leaving the board are Dick Balazs, who served six years, and Ken Folsom, who served 12 years. The district sincerely thanks Dick and Ken for their years of dedication and genuine service.
Throughout the evening, Geauga SWCD celebrated the county's commitment to conservation and reflected on the highlights and accomplishments of 2012, including two special presentations. The first was the video viewing of the brand new film, 'Agriculture, The Geauga Way,' created as a cooperative effort of the district, the Geauga County Farm Bureau, the Geauga County Planning Commission and The Cleveland Foundation. Also, Amanda O'Reilly reflected on her experiences at the 2012 Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp, having received a scholarship to the weeklong camp from the district.
In addition, the poster contest winners and Conservation Teachers of the Year, Cyndi Chanou of St. Helen School and Marilyn Rohr of Chardon High School, were honored. Joe Lausin was also recognized as Best of Show winner in the Hay & Grain Show at the 2012 Geauga County Fair.
Eight decorated rain barrels from the 2012 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign were showcased by Ken Folsom and Carmella Shale. The sale of all eight barrels successfully raised $1,478 for the district's environmental education programs. Thanks to all who painted and purchased rain barrels. The evening concluded with a Chinese auction raffle of various themed baskets, which helped raise $180 in ticket sales.
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District wishes to thank all of its supporters, especially Mangia! Mangia!, Petronzio Management Company, Alpine Valley, Patterson's Fruit Farm, Mary Yode's Amish Kitchen, WalMart- Chardon, Sunrise Springs Water Company, Buckeye Chocolates, DS Cakes, Sharon James Cellars, Coffee Corners, JC's Restaurant, Zeppe's Pizzeria- Middlefield, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Creative Corner Hair Salon, Fowler's Milling Company, Grand River Cellars, Gutoskey Associates, Inc., Cleveland Gladiators, Lake County Captains, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lake Erie Monsters, Western Reserve Historical Society, Hess & Associates Engineering Inc., JTD Landscaping, and the Shale Family for their generous donations and continued support.
