The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) celebrated its 70th year at the Annual Dinner Meeting held on November 6th at the School Building of the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds.
With 63 people in attendance, the Annual Meeting began with the election of one member to the Geauga SWCD five-member Board of Supervisors. Bob Rogish and Mary Slingluff were this year’s candidates. Bob Rogish was elected to serve a 3-year term and will help set the direction for the District. Leaving the board is Mary Slingluff who served 6 years. The District sincerely thanks Mary for her years of dedication and genuine service.
Pictured: Bob Rogish was elected to the Board of Supervisors at the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Meeting on November 6
Throughout the evening Geauga SWCD celebrated our county’s commitment to conservation and reflected on the highlights and accomplishments of 2014. After a welcome and introductions by Board Fiscal Agent Mike Henry, Bill Zawiski of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency kicked off the evening with an informative and entertaining presentation about water quality monitoring.
Joe Lausin was recognized as “Best of Show” Winner in the Hay & Grain Show at the 2014 Geauga County Fair and this year’s Poster Contest winners were also honored. Claire Zurbuch was surprised by winning the “Volunteer of the Year” award for his generous commitment to education and service in Geauga County.
Six decorated rain barrels from the 2014 Rain Barrel Yard Art Campaign were showcased and special recognition was given to rain barrel artists Mary Samide and Karen Fortier of Berkshire High School, who have contributed to the program by painting barrels for five years. The sale of six barrels total successfully raised over $1,000 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 raised over $200 in ticket sales. Thanks to a generous donation from Forrest Keeling Nursery, all attendants received Swamp White Oak seedlings to take home.
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District wishes to thank all of our supporters, especially Mangia Mangia, Petronzio Management Company, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Patterson Fruit Farm, Messenger Century Farm, Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, White House Chocolates, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Lake Erie Monsters, Western Reserve Historical Society, Lowe’s Greenhouse Florist & Gift Shop, Forrest Keeling, Great Lakes Science Center, Lake County Captains, The Golf Dome, Ohio State Park Lodges, Geauga County Farm Bureau, and the Cleveland Gladiators for their generous donations and continued support.
