FALL 2015 - Geauga Park District

A publication of Geauga Park District
PHOTO BY BILL BERGER
Volunteers Sue Berger and Ryan Sauder
at the 2014 Greens for Giving event
W
ow! Where did the summer of 2015 go? The kids are back in school, we see a
few leaves beginning to change, and Fall is on our door step.
As I write, the Great Geauga County Fair is poised to begin. The Fair will be over by the
time this hits your mailbox, but I thought the topic of the fair was worth revisiting. As
a 20+ year employee, I am always impressed with the dedication of our volunteers at
our Fair building. Whether the topic is the Monarch Butterfly or how bats and snakes
can be a homeowner’s best friend, you are eager to communicate the excitement of
nature. You have preempted the opening of a new park or a new nature center exhibit
with zeal, excitement and dedication. You inform thousands of visitors over the course
of five days. Your commitment to sharing your passion for Geauga Park District at the
Great Geauga County Fair is appreciated. I personally want to say a big Thank You!
In this issue, you will see many exciting opportunities to assist the Park District in
reaching hundreds, if not thousands, just like many of you did at the Fair. As the new
Executive Director, I have cast a vision to our great staff to set the same goals for
park visitation through new and exciting programs and special events. The Holly Days
craft event makes its return. Fall Fest returns to celebrate the seasons and the Maple
Highlands Trail. We are excited to engage you for another season of great programs
and special events. Geauga Park District would not be as successful as we are without
our volunteers. Thank you!
John Oros
FA L L
2015
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Mary Ruth Shumway
Bill Gertz
Jeffrey Orndorff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Oros
VOLUNTEER
COORDINATOR
Holly Sauder
Volunteer Opportunities
Beginning Botany Part III: Woody Trees
Monday, October 5, 1-3 PM
The West Woods, Nature Center
Judy Bradt-Barnhart continues her plant training with
a look at our native woody trees. Before the leaves
fall for the year, learn how to recognize many native
trees. An indoor presentation will introduce you to tree
characteristics, followed by a hike to see what we can find.
Fall Fest & Maple
Highlands Dedication
Ceremony
Saturday, October 10, 3-7 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
Let's celebrate autumn with
hands-on activities for all
ages: live music, kayaking, fishing, face painting, balloon
art, wagon rides, harvest bounty treats and much more!
The event begins at 3 PM with a dedication ceremony
for the much-anticipated Maple Highlands Trail and
ends with a Naturalist-led night hike at 7 PM. We are
seeking volunteers to assist staff in making the day run
smoothly. Can you help?
Program Assistants (4) - Assist the Naturalist staff
with fall activities
Campfire/SMORES Attendant (1) - Keep the fire
burning and assist visitors with making SMORES
Greeter (1) - Count visitors as they arrive
Wagon Ride Ticket Distributor (1) - Distribute tickets
for the horse-drawn wagon rides
Kayak Rescue (3) - Assist visitors on the water
Volunteers should arrive by 2:30 PM and park at the
Lodge parking area. A shuttle will transport you to
on-site orientation at the Woods Edge Shelter area.
Instructions will be sent prior to the event.
Family Event: Ice Age Ohio’s Paleo People!
Sunday, October 18, 1-4 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Six volunteers are sought to assist with “Paleo Skills”
activity stations, including spear-throwing with atlatls,
a caribou hunt game of stealth, an essential materials
barter game, a simulated archaeological dig and
rudimentary flint working. This should be a fun and
exciting volunteer opportunity for sure!
If your atlatl or caribou hunting skills are a bit rusty,
contact Chris Mentrek or Dan Best at cmentrek@
geaugaparkdistrict.org or dbest@geaugaparkdistrict.org
to schedule a practice!
2 chit chat • www.geaugaparkdistrict.org
Holly Days Artisan Boutique Returns!
Saturday, November 1, 10 AM-5 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Geauga Park District is
excited to bring back
this popular holiday craft
boutique, which ran for 10 years
between 1994 and 2003. Holly
Days will feature high-quality
nature-inspired handcrafted items.
The event will also include the
“Alternative Gift Fair,’ where visitors
can connect with service agencies and learn how they
can assist in their efforts.
We are seeking several volunteers to make this event a
success. There will be two shifts, 9:45 AM-1:30 PM, and
1:30 PM-5:15 PM. Can you help?
Greeters - Count and welcome visitors
Front Desk Volunteers - Assist with visitors and
artists
Zone Patrol - Tend to issues in exhibit
areas, give artists lunch breaks
We hope you will join us as we “SHOP
LOCAL” and kick off the holiday season!
Winter Solstice Training
Sunday, December 13, 4:30-5:30 PM
The West Woods, Nature Center
Attendance is recommended for volunteers to review
changes to this annual December 21st event. We will
review the various volunteer roles and walk the intended
route of the program. Volunteers interested in acting
roles, please contact Denise Wolfe by November 20th at
dwolfe@geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Cookie bakers are also needed. If you can share 4-6
dozen cookies, we’d be very grateful! Cookies can be
dropped off at the Meyer Center until noon on 12/19,
or at The West Woods until the time of the event.
Family Ice Age Escapades
Sunday, December 27, 1-4 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Six volunteers are needed to facilitate multi-age activities
including: a Paleo-Indian barter game, Ice Age animal
ink block pictures, an exhibit fact finding challenge,
creating pebble collections and to be a puppeteer
for Harry the Mammoth. This is a last chance to gain
volunteer service hours for 2015!
olunteer opportunities
Reminder: Program start times are listed below.
Volunteers should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes earlier.
November
October
December
10/3 Techno-Nature 2 PM
The West Woods
11/7 Autumn Discovery Hike 2 PM
The West Woods
12/5 Greens Workshop 9 AM & 1 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
10/4 Cuyahoga Color Kayak 12 PM
Eldon Russell Park
11/8 Waterfowl Canoe 1 PM
Burton Wetlands
12/5 Greens for Giving 12 PM
The West Woods
10/9 Homeschool Days 2 PM
Big Creek Park
11/8 Backcountry Hike 1 PM
Big Creek Park
12/5 Mistletoe Market 12 PM
The West Woods
10/9 Tour Nassau Observatory 7 PM
Observatory Park
11/13 Meet the Meteorites 7 PM
Observatory Park
12/6 Mistletoe Market 12 PM
The West Woods
10/10 Fall Fest 3 PM
Swine Creek Reservation
11/14 Holly Days Craft Boutique 10 AM
The West Woods
12/6 Timbertots 2 PM
The West Woods
10/11 Observatory Park Fun Day 1 PM
Observatory Park
11/14 Timbertots 10 AM
Sunnybrook Preserve
12/7 Timbertots 10 am & 1 PM
The West Woods
10/11 Fall Color Canoe 1 PM
Bass Lake Preserve
11/15 Planetarium Show 2 PM
Observatory Park
12/10 Art Takes A Bough 6 PM
The West Woods
10/17 Fall Color Hike 1 PM
Headwaters Park
11/18 Timbertots 10 AM & 1 PM
Sunnybrook Preserve
12/11 Weather Training 7 PM
Observatory Park
10/17 Amazing Owls 7 PM
The West Woods
11/21 Cub Scout Program 1 PM
The West Woods
12/12 Ho Ho Hike with Santa 1 PM
The West Woods
10/18 Ice Age Ohioans 1 PM
The West Woods
11/21 Night Hike & Campfire 6 PM
Orchard Hills Park
12/13 Planetarium Show 2 PM
Observatory Park
10/20 Gulls 101 7 PM
The West Woods
11/25 Full Moon Program 6 PM
Observatory Park
12/13 Nature’s Ornaments 2 PM
The West Woods
10/23 Meet the Artists 7 PM
The West Woods
11/27 Meet the Meteorites 7 PM
Observatory Park
12/19 Snowshoe Hike 10 AM
Frohring Meadows
10/23 Tour Nassau Observatory 7 PM
Observatory Park
11/28 Furry Fauna Fun Day 11 AM
The West Woods
12/21 Winter Solstice Hike 7:30 PM
The West Woods
10/24 Nature Explorers 10 PM
The West Woods
11/29 Ice Age Game Show 2 PM
The West Woods
12/23 Grandparents in the Park 2 PM
The West Woods
10/25 Winter Wildflowers 2 PM
The West Woods
11/29 Planetarium Show 2 PM
Observatory Park
12/26 Full Moon Program 7 PM
Observatory Park
10/25 Planetarium Show 2 PM
Observatory Park
10/25 Horseback Ride 2:30 PM
Headwaters Park
10/25 Timbertots 3 PM
Big Creek Park
Jan Hodakievic
volunteering
at the annual
Winter Solstice.
12/27 Family Ice Age Escapades 1 PM
The West Woods
12/27 Planetarium Show 2 PM
Observatory Park
12/29 Nature Drawing 11 AM & 1 PM
The West Woods
10/25 Moonlight Horseback Ride 6:30 PM
Headwaters Park
12/30 Nature Explorers 10 AM
The West Woods
10/27 Timbertots 10 AM & 1 PM
The West Woods
12/31 New Year’s Nature 11 AM
The Rookery
10/27 Full Moon Program 7 PM
Observatory Park
10/31 Geauga Cemeteries 1 PM
offsite--Burton
10/31 Hound Hike 1 PM
Chickagami Park
Tina McGuire
and Georgie
Steigerwald
helping with
popcorn
and cider
at Fall Fest.
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • chit chat 3
Geauga Uplands Fall Color
Forest Ecology Jaunt
Saturday, October 17, 9 AM – 12 PM
Big Creek Park, Deep Woods Picnic Area
Roadtrip! Reserve you seat on the bus
for a colorful visit to Big Creek Park and
Thompson Ledges Park. With naturalist
Dan Best as your guide, experience a
variety of forest types and their ecology
at the peak of autumn color the Northern
Rich Mesic Forest, Great Lakes Hemlock
Beech Hardwood Forest and Mixed Oak
Forest types. Some moderate inclined
walking. Firm reservations please, sign up
online.
Citizen Science & Natural Resources Updates
PROJECT FEEDERWATCH
PHOTOS TAKEN AT
SWINE CREEK RESERVATION
BY SISTER JULIE BOEHNLEIN
A dedicated “winter-bird-identificationsavvy” volunteer is needed to conduct winter
bird counts at the Swine Creek Lodge Feeder
Station for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
This nationwide survey takes place from
November through March. Volunteers must
monitor 2 days in a row every two weeks. You
choose the dates and the amount of time you
want to spend. Very flexible! Contact Tami
Gingrich at tgingrich@geaugaparkdistrict.org
or 440-279-0811.
Volunteer of the Month Recognitions
To show appreciation
for our dedicated
volunteers, Geauga
Park District’s Board
of Park Commissioners
now recognizes a
Volunteer of the
Month. Nominated
by staff for special
recognition, these
volunteers are
recognized with a
certificate at the
monthly Board
meetings.
December—Sister Julie Boehnlein, for her energy at the Mistletoe Market,
Winter Solstice & Grandparents New Year’s Eve event.
February—Jane Hall Nemeth, for her help at the inaugural Frozen Fest
and for embracing our new snowshoe programs with enthusiasm.
March—Marissa Fleming, for her dedication to the maple sugaring seasonal programs.
April—The West Geauga High School Interact Club, for a commitment
to support Geauga Park District programs throughout their school year.
May—Mike McGuire, for his support of the Nature Scopes program during
the busy Binocular Blitz season as well as the start to the canoe season.
June—Ted Berman, for his commitment to the Bike Patrol and providing
emergency first aid to an injured cyclist on the trail.
July—Kevin Morgan, for his dedication to the canoe & kayak programs by coordinating the volunteer
and staff trainings as well as volunteering each week as a rescue volunteer at summer day camp.
August—Susan Sifritt, for her green thumb support in keeping the gardens at the West Woods
Nature Center and the Geauga County Fair building looking their best for visitors.
We value the contributions of ALL of our volunteers but highlight these dedicated people for their
commitment to Geauga Park District. THANK YOU!
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • chit chat 4
thank you!
Adams, Julie
Allen, Kathy
Allenson, Stephen
Armbruster, Debbie
Arndt, Bill
Bellitto, Rita
Bennett, Bruce
Bennett, Susan
Berger, William
Berman, Ted
Black, Linda
Bloch, Barbara
Boehnlein, Sister Julie
Bowman, Debbie
Bradley, Cyndi
Braford, Daniel
Brozovic, Nicholas
Bryant, Gary
Callahan, Joyce
Cook, Patti
Cooney III, Edward
Cverna, Fran
Dahlhausen, Joe
Desantis, Alan
Dively, Fred
Dively, Jean
Doudican, Mike
Drockton, Dottie
Fath, Joan
Fath, Mike
Volunteer hours for May, June and July are 1,725!
Ferreri, Fabian
Fish, Bonnie
Fisher, Annie
Fisher, Maddie
Fisher, Simon
Fleming, Marissa
Fletcher, Charles
Fraser, William
Galdun, Dan
Gazley, Cindy
Gdovichin, Joe
Gentile, Don
Hartz, Kathy
Hayes, Lois
Heckler, Jerry
Henry, Jeanne
Hickox, Grace
Hickox, Jeffrey
Hodakievic, Jan
Holland, Kathy
Holm, Ruth
Hughes, David
Hunt, Neil
Keco, Joy
Kievets, Clara
Kovacevic, John
Koza, Cheryl
Liptak, Andrew
Mast, Keith
Mathiott, Bryceson
Mathiott, Rachael
Mcguire, Mike
Mcguire, Tina
Mckinney, Rachel
Miller, Marlene
Morgan, Kevin
Moster, Sandie
Murphy, Anne
Murphy, Kevin
Murphy, Nancy
Nemeth, Jane Hall
Nestor, John
Noble, Kathleen
Noland, Robert
Norton, Richard
O’Donnell, John
Owens, Carol
Pennell, Savanna
Perlic, Laura
Pistell, Peter
Podojil, Genie
Podojil, Roy
Rabb, Sheldon
Rainsong, Lisa
Rasmussen, Barbara
Rauch, Stacey
Robbins, Allison
Rossman, Michelle
Sauder, Brad
Sauder, Rachel
Sauder, Ryan
Schiemann, Lee
Sedivy, Mary Ann
Sickling, Kathryn
Sifritt, Susan
Simon, Marsha
Skinner, Iola
Spear, Linda
Stanton, Nora
Stehli, Frank
Steigerwald, Georgie
Sterlekar, Tom
Strong, Rebecca
Szego, Ron
Szuter, Keith
Tretera, Don
Tretera, Fran
Turpin, Steve
Tvergyak, Jerry
Ullman, Catherine
Wagner, Michael
Weinrich, Amber
White, Alaine
Wieland, Don
Winton, Don
Wohlken, Shane
Wolfe, Timothy
Woolf, Sandy
Zack, Al
Zrinyi, Gene
Thank you to all the volunteers! Geauga Park District truly appreciates your time and hard work.
PHOTOS BY STACEY RAUCH
Can you make a bow
like this? If so, we
need you!
Volunteer Bill Berger creates an evergreen
decoration at the 2014 Greens for Giving event
Greens For Giving
Saturday, December 5, 12-4 PM
The West Woods Nature Center
Our goal at this ‘make-and-GIVE’ event is to create 250
evergreen decorations for Geauga County Department
on Aging’s home delivered meal program. Volunteers are
needed to assist visitors by trimming evergreens, pack
finished projects and be a part of this joyful holiday event!
Can you make bows? We’ll need to create 250 bows prior
to the event; all supplies provided. Do you have accent
greenery in your yard, such as pine, fir, holly, or berries
that you can donate? Please contact Holly at hsauder@
geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-279-0802 for details. Thanks!
www.geaugaparkdistrict.org • chit chat 5
Geauga Park District
9160 Robinson Road
Chardon, OH 44024-9148
2 AWESOME EV
3
ENTS COMING
Winter Solstice
Celebration &
Candlelight Walk
Saturday,
October 10, 3 - 7 PM
Swine Creek Reservation,
Middlefield Township
Horse-drawn wagon rides,
kayaking,fishing, cornbox,
face-painting, balloon art,
treats, s’mores and more!
Also featuring a 3 PM dedication
of the new south section of
The Maple Highlands Trail
UP!
Saturday,
November 14
The West Woods
Nature Center
Russell Township
A unique, Nature-themed juried craft
show and a way to discover different ways
to “Connect with Giving” with regional
organizations at the Alternative Gift Fair.
Monday, December 21
7:30 - 9:30 PM
The West Woods
Nature Center
Russell Township
Celebrate the longest day of the
year by walking a candlelit trail
to learn about the ancient roots of
modern holiday celebrations.
For a detailed list of volunteer opportunities, visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or check the current issue of
Geauga Park District’s public newsletter, Voices of Nature. The volunteer logo appears by programs requiring
volunteers. Or call Holly Sauder, volunteer coordinator, at 440-286-9516 or 440-279-0802 (direct).