The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) celebrated its 71st year at the Annual Dinner Meeting held on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Geauga County Fairgrounds School Building.
With 64 people in attendance, the Annual Meeting began with the election of two members to the Geauga SWCD five-member Board of Supervisors. Dee Belew, Robert Lausin, and Mary Slingluff were this year’s candidates. Dee Belew and Mary Slingluff were elected to serve a 3-year term and will help set the direction for the District. Leaving the board is Mike Blakeman who served three years and Ken Folsom who served fourteen years. The District sincerely thanks Mike and Ken for their years of dedication and genuine service.
Throughout the evening, Geauga SWCD celebrated our county’s commitment to conservation. After a welcome and introductions by Board Chair Ken Folsom, Carmella Shale, District Director, kicked off the evening by reflecting on the highlights and District accomplishments of 2015. The evening’s presentation featured Soils: The Wonder Down Under, followed by this year’s conservation awards. Joe Lausin was recognized as the 2015 “Best of Show” winner in the Geauga County Fair Hay & Grain Show and this year’s Poster Contest winners, Anya Parsons of Kenston Middle School and Teagan Farley of Berkshire Junior/Senior High School, were also honored.
In addition, Conservation Teachers of the Year Tammy Schreffler of Hambden Elementary School and Rachel McKinney of Hershey Montessori School were recognized for their efforts, accomplishments, and commitment to conservation education. Seven decorated rain barrels from the 2015 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign were showcased and special recognition was given to rain barrel artist Yvonne Thomas, who has contributed to the program by painting barrels for five years. The sale of the barrels successfully raised over $1,000 for the District’s community education programs.
Thanks to all who painted and purchased rain barrels!
The evening concluded with a Chinese Auction raffle of various themed baskets. Thanks to a generous donation from Forrest Keeling Nursery, all attendants received Bur Oak seedlings to take home and
plant.
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District wishes to thank all of our supporters, especially Mangia! Mangia!, Patterson Fruit Farm, Messenger Century Farm, Tannenbaums Christmas Trees, Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, Claire Zurbuch, Hess and Associates Engineering, Inc., Akron Rubber Ducks, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Lake Erie Monsters, The Pro Football Hall of Fame, Severance Hall, John Robert’s Spa, Pickle Bills, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, African Safari Wildlife Park, Cleveland CAVS, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and the Lake County Captains for their generous donations and continued support!
