Norma Johnson Center recognizes volunteers
The goal of the Norma Johnson Center is to provide affordable outdoor family fun year round. There are many people who help make that happen, and at this year’s annual banquet and silent auction, several individuals were recognized for their efforts.
Though the dinner was held indoors at the Union Hill United Methodist Church in Sugarcreek, it wasn’t hard to imagine all the fun that goes on at the center year round. A slide show of the many events at the NJC played during the event and showed many popular activities including Adventure Camp, the Butterfly Exhibit with All A Flutter, making concrete garden stones, crafting, hiking, fishing and Santa’s Workshop, among others.
Winning the highest honor bestowed, the Golden Oak award for 2019, were Randy and Koral Clum of Dover.
“They are passionate about work, passionate about fun and passionate about education,” said Shirley Everhart, who presented the award to the couple who had worked with the late Norma Johnson and shared her vision of the importance of having a green space in the area.
Randy and Koral Clum are both professional consulting foresters who own a 152-acre tree farm in Harrison County called Hepatica Falls Tree Farm, which was named the 2017 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year by the Ohio Tree Farm Committee. Their expertise has been invaluable to the Norma Johnson Center.
Three members of the Boy Scouts were honored for work at the NJC in completing their Eagle Scout projects. Honored were Mikey Blauch of Troop 91, which is based in Sugarcreek; Nathan Ruggeri of Troop 95 of the First United Methodist Church in Dover; and Kasey Rowland of Troop 87 of Grace Lutheran Church in Dover.
Blauch completed an outdoor playground at the center on the conservation side. “It took six months to get the money and materials set,” said Blauch, who then, along with his fellow troop members, completed the playground over two weekends.
Fun memories of visits to the NJC when he was younger prompted Blauch to complete his Eagle Scout project there. “I went there a lot as a kid and enjoyed it. I hope more kids can get out and enjoy it,” he said.
Rowland completed the fishing deck on the Conservation Pond with members of his troop over four weekends. Rowland and his troop have spent time at outings at the NJC in the past. “It’s a beautiful area to walk,” he said.
Ruggeri completed the building of a boardwalk on the Accessible Trail at the Conservation Pond.
Taking first place in the grade 3-5 essay contest was Kortlynn Miller of Port Washington with a creative piece titled “The Hickory Tree.” The essay was written from the point of view of the tree.
“I have a hickory tree outside my window,” Miller said of her inspiration for writing the essay.
Second place in the grade 3-5 essay contest was won by Arizela Tecum-Box, a fourth-grader at Dover Avenue who wrote about her cat. She was unable to attend the event.
Freeland announced a new event for 2020. “The board thought we needed to have an open house and get other people out to the center and let them know they can come visit us,” she said in announcing Food Truck Friday to be held on April 17.
Participating in the event to be held on Conservation Drive will be Bahler Street Pizza, Miller’s Creamery and Three Lil Piggies BBQ; all will offer food from 4-7 p.m. Music, hikes and games also will be held from 4-7:30 p.m. A movie and popcorn will be held in the red barn at 7:30 p.m.
Freeland also reminded attendees of the upcoming Spring Plant Sale and Chicken BBQ fundraiser coming up on May 9. More information about the events and online ordering are available at the website.
Other events planned are April 18, Rain Barrel Workshop; June 5, Ag in the City at Tuscora Park; June 20, Family Fishing Day; July 9-19, Butterfly Exhibit; Aug. 22, Adventure Camp; Oct. 10, Fall Fest; Nov. 7, Santa’s Workshop; and Dec. 5, Celebrate the Season and Luminary Walk.
Visit the newly updated NJC website at www.normajohnsoncenter.com for more information. Donations and memberships can be made through the website.
