The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) celebrated its 73rd year at the Annual Dinner Meeting held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Geauga County Fairgrounds School Building. With 95 people in attendance, the Annual Meeting began with the election of one member to the Geauga SWCD five-member Board of Supervisors. Robert Lausin and Robert J. Rogish, Jr. were this year’s candidates. Bob Rogish was re-elected to serve a 3-year term and as a member of the Board of Supervisors, will continue charting the course for natural resources management in Geauga County.
Throughout the evening Geauga SWCD celebrated our county’s commitment to conservation. After a welcome and introductions by Board Chair Bob Rogish, Carmella Shale, District Director, kicked off the evening by reflecting on the highlights and District accomplishments of 2017. Paul Pira of Geauga Park District presented a special program entitled There’s No Place Like Home: Geauga County’s Special Plants and Animals. The conservation awards began with Ron Rzeszotarski being recognized as the 2017 “Best of Show” winner in the Geauga County Fair Hay & Grain Show.
The District also honored the Geauga County BIG Tree Contest winner, George Lanesky of Auburn Township, for nominating the champion Northern Red Oak Tree. This tree stands on the property of the late Mike Munn and was nominated in his honor. In addition, the following 2017 Poster Contest winners were also acknowledged:
- Grades 2-3: 1st place – Natalie George, 2nd place – Natalie Gerstenberger, both of St. Anselm School;
- Grades 4-6: 1st place – Caitlin Ford, 2nd place – Jamie Graham, both of St. Mary’s School;
- Grades 7-9: 1st place – Isabella Cerimele, 2nd place – Faith Tomsick, both of St. Mary’s School; and
- Grades 10-11: 1st place – Sarah Spector of Gaitway High School.
The evening concluded with a Chinese Auction raffle of various themed baskets. Thanks to a generous donation from Western Reserve Land Conservancy, all attendants also received a reusable plastic water bottle.
The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District wishes to thank all of our supporters, especially Mangia! Mangia!, Geauga Credit Union, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Cleveland International Film Festival, Gutosky & Associates, Cleveland Orchestra, Lake Erie Monsters, Akron Symphony, Lake County Captains, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Messenger Century Farm, Western Reserve Historical Society, White House Chocolates, Fenders Fish Hatchery, Quill Corp., Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Patterson Fruit Farm, Great Lakes Cheese, Petronzio Management Company, and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for their generous donations and continued support!
Pictured In Cover Photo: During Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Meeting, Board Chair Bob Rogish (right) presented Ron Rzeszotarski (left) with the 2017 Geauga County Fair Hay and Grain “Best of Show” Award.
