wilderness onnections c · 9/1/2013 · a member newsletter from the wilderness center connecting...

A member newsletter from The Wilderness CenterConnecting you with nature.

W ilderness Connections

September 2015Director’s Corner:Science To Go

Club News

Supporters’ Spotlight: Creating a Legacy in Harmony with Nature -Ten Things You Can Do

Nature Store News

Volunteer of the Month: Diane & Kevin Pete

Tree of Life

TWC Announces2015 Earthly Delights

Honorees The Wilderness Center (TWC) looks forward to honoring Joseph R. Halter, Jr. and Michael Mariola at its 2015 Earthly Delights Celebration this September.

This year’s honorees share a passion for community involvement. “Each demonstrates a desire to leave a lasting and meaningful impact on the community they call home,” said Dr. Jeff Corney, executive director at The Wilderness Center. “Much in the same way, the Center aims to enrich our community. We do so by connecting individuals with nature, conserving natural resources and practicing environmental stewardship. We are grateful to have honorees from two of The Wilderness Center’s primary service areas, Stark and Wayne counties.”

Joseph R. Halter, Jr., President and CEO of Solmet Technologies, is a native of Stark County and a graduate of Massillon Jackson High School and Ohio University, Athens. Halter is a member

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of the Aultman Health Foundation Board of Directors where he served as Chairman from 2013 to 2015. His other involvements include Arts in Stark, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Canton, Stark Development Board, Goodwill Industries of East Central Ohio, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Stark Community Foundation Capital Campaigns Committee and Northeast Ohio Medical University. He and his wife, Nancy Cumler Halter, have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Michael Mariola owns a restaurant company that operates four high performing restaurants in northeast Ohio. The restaurants include The City Square Steakhouse in Wooster, as well as The Rail restaurants located in Akron, North Olmsted and Canton. Mariola is an active member of the Wooster community, currently serving as a member of the Culinary Arts Advisory Committee at The Wayne County School’s Career Center. He also serves on the Main Street Wooster Board of Directors. He and his wife Emily live in Wooster with their four children.

TWC’s 2015 Earthly Delights Celebration will be held September 10 at Gervasi Vineyard in Canton. The theme for this year’s event will be “Swinging on a Star.” For additional information about TWC or the 2015 Earthly Delights Auction, please visit www.wildernesscenter.org or call Barb Vitcosky at 330-359-5235, ext. 20.

Director’s Corner

The Wilderness Center September 2015

Join us this fall for Science-to-Go,

a series of lunch-hour

presentations that focus on

specific ecological concepts.

Let’s Go Outside!Welcome! I want to provide outdoor activities that you can do with your child, grandchild or any young person who is important in your life! Here is one that works especially well at The Wilderness Center (TWC).

Pooh Sticks This is a great activity to do on a visit to TWC. The idea comes directly from The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne. The perfect setting is a small bridge over a slowly flowing stream or creek, like the one over the Fox Creek on the Wilderness Walk that leads to the Pioneer Trail. I have many happy memories of doing this activity with my children when they were very young and, yes, even now as adults!

The activity is very simple: two or more players drop their sticks at the same time from the upstream side of the bridge. The challenge is to see whose stick first appears on the other side of the bridge. It’s amazing how a simple challenge like this can engage children and even adults for quite a long time. The activity could be done from the creek bank if there is no bridge nearby. It’s a great way to take a break during a hike and to share a moment of exuberance while walking with your child

Herb Broda, OCVN, Professor Emeritus, Ashland University

Science to Go!Have you ever wondered: “What’s that critter doing here?” Or, “Why every time I watch one of those nature specials it seems as if all those plants and animals are out to get each other?” Being in the outdoors among the wildlife does have a tendency to raise our curiosity about just how does nature work! Well, we here at TWC ask these kinds of questions all the time. Matter-of-fact, most of us have spent a pretty good chunk of our educational upbringing studying how nature works and, in turn, we enjoy teaching others about what we’ve learned.

This fall I’m introducing Science-to-Go, a series of lunch-hour presentations that focus on specific ecological concepts. Taken all together, this is sort of like an introductory course in ecology; well, actually it is, as I’ll be offering these here at TWC in conjunction with a course I’ll be teaching at the College of Wooster. Don’t worry, there’ll be no quizzes, grades or mathematical

equations (not so for the college students). Instead, I’d like to present to you just some informative and hopefully fun material and discussion about how our natural world works and how interconnected we all really are.

Here’s a little sample of some of the things we’ll learn about (these factoids courtesy of the USDA): Did you know that one cup of soil may hold as many bacteria as there are people on Earth? The plants growing in a 2-acre field can have more than 30,000 miles of roots; that kind of mileage is greater than the circumference of the entire Earth. Every time you take a step in a mature forest, your foot is being supported on the backs of 16,000 invertebrates held up by an average total of 120,000 legs. There is an estimated one quadrillion individual ants on the planet; that’s approximately 150,000 ants for every one human being.

Did you know that during every second of direct sunlight, every square meter of the ground is receiving a steady stream of high energy light photons that would be the equivalent of two incandescent light bulbs lighting that square meter for one whole hour? Did you know that every bit of energy that you use in your body came from some of those photons? Yes, we are all solar powered!

I hope you’ll join me this fall for this educational and hopefully entertaining lunch-hour series of Science-to-Go. See our events guide and OAKS brochure for details.

Where goes the climate, so goes the ecology of the area, including what

plants and animals live there.


Volunteers of the Month

Natural Burial at Foxfield Preserve

Sept. 5, 2 PMJoin Sara Brink to discuss natural burial at Foxfield, nature preserve cemetery management, restoration of the site and more. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed, small-group setting. If you plan to walk Foxfield Preserve’s trails, be sure to wear suitable shoes and clothing. If you can’t attend a presentation, personal tours of the Preserve are available by appointment. Contact Sara at [email protected]

Diane and Kevin PeteThe Wilderness Center extends its thanks and congratulations to September 2015 Volunteers of the Month, Kevin and Diane Pete. Kevin and Diane recently chaired the Center’s 2015 Earthly Delights Celebration.

Kevin is the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Network Development for Aultman Health Foundation. Diane serves on the Aultman Woman’s Board and Co-chaired 2011 Angel Auction.

Former high school sweethearts, Kevin and Diane are involved with many community activities and enjoy spending time with their two daughters, Isabella and Danielle.

Volunteers Needed!TWC is currently in need of volunteers to help in our nature store on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. We would also love to have some OCVN volunteers to greet onthe weekend with a nature knowledge to answer questions at the greeters desk.

We are also in need of barn or field stone for use in the Nature Playscape. We are happy to arrange pickup! TWC is always looking for new members for our volunteer team! If you have an interest in nature and would like to work alongside other passionate individuals, this is the place for you! We have volunteer opportunities that range from working on trails and pulling invasive species, to helping with office mailings and working in our nature store.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at TWC, contact Vicki at [email protected]

Deb Erb’s favorites in our Nature Store

Nature Store NewsDear Members,

As the new manager of the Nature Store, I am looking for new ideas and products for the store. I can’t promise that everything will be put into the store, but I will check all ideas out. If there is an item or idea for me, please feel free to drop an email or stop in and see me. I look forward to hearing from you! Debbie [email protected]

Clu

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Geocaching Club The Geocache Club held a chat at El Campesino’s in Strasburg recently. We had 33 cachers in attendance and a good time and good food was had by all. There were a few new faces joining us this time. We are planning our fall geocaching event for Saturday, October 17, at TWC. Watch geocaching.com for details! Backpackers/Dayhikers’ Club Summer may be fading, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy a hike or paddle. Hope you’ll come with us. Sept. 5-6: Clarion River; Cook’s Forest, PA: Canoe with overnight camp, about 30 miles. Must have reservation. Sept. 13: 2 pm; Hike Honey Run, Highlands Park. five moderate miles in rolling hills of Knox County. Sept. 18: 7:30 pm; Meeting and social. Sept. 25-27: Backpack Roaring Plains, Monongahela NF, WV. Beautiful vistas. Easy/moderate. Sept. 26: 4 pm: Stroll to supper; Towpath Massillon area. Easy. Details/changes can be found on www.hikersoftwc.weebly.com. Questions go to Larry at 330.345.1727 or [email protected] Astronomy Club Join us on September 4, at 8 PM for some stargazing at The Wilderness Center. If the skies are clear, we will observe the Milky Way with its bounty of stars and nebulae. The icy giants Neptune and Uranus will be seen later in the evening. Our monthly meet-up is scheduled for September 25, at 7:30 PM. We will talk about astronomy, have a short meeting, and observe. Both events are free and open to the public. All ages are welcomed.

Woodcarvers’ Club Just a reminder our Woodcarvers’ Show will be September 19 and 20. Please try to make it. We have great carvings, refreshments and door prizes. You can vote for your favorite carving with our people’s choice award. We meet the second and fourth Sat. of the month and we’d love to see you. Remember, you don’t need to know how to carve; there are plenty of people to help you get started. Last month we carved miniature spoons. Each month we have a new project. It’s a lot of fun, please join us!

Needle Crafters The Needle Crafters are meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Come to the next meeting, bring your project and join us!

TWC Readers’ Club Welcome to fall and another season of the Readers’ Group. We have a diverse selection of books we are eager to read and share. We hope you will come with us on our book trails. Drop-ins are always welcome; come for any title which interests you. September 12, Saturday, 2-3:30 pm. Our book: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert. 2015 Pulitzer Prize, general nonfiction. Intended for a general audience, very readable. Throughout history there have been five mass extinctions. The sixth is unfolding before our very eyes. Complete book list available at TWC, GoodReads, Facebook.

Botanizers’ Club Mark your calendars for a walk through Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve, Sat., Oct. 10, at 1PM. Johnson Woods is one of Ohio’s largest and best remaining old-growth forests. Many trees rise 40-50 feet and several are more than 400 years old. Some are 120 feet tall with a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. Located in Wayne County approximately 4 miles north of Orrville on SR 57, then 1 mile east on Fox Lake Road. Address 13240 Fox Lake Road, Marshallville, Ohio 44645. Everyone is invited. David Wiesenberg and his daughter Julia will be our leaders for the day. His e-mail address is [email protected] Sandy Smith, Club President, can also be contacted at [email protected]

Bird Club Hello birders and/or wanna-be birders!! We are now in the “dog days of summer” and birders are still out there. This is the time of year that birds are heading for their winter homes. Birders will be out looking for fall warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl, etc. The TWC Bird Club will have its annual meeting at the Center on Wednesday, September 23. If you would like to join us to see what we are all about, bring a covered dish to share and join us for a tasty dinner, comradery and an informative meeting. Also, don’t forget to join us on Saturday, September 19, for our monthly birdwalk at 8 am. We meet in the parking lot at the center to bird/walk the Pond Trail. Until next month -May you always hear the whisper of wings...

Visit wildernesscenter.org for more club information.

Welcome &Thank You!


Supporters’ SpotlightCreating a Legacy in

Harmony with NatureTen Things You Can Do 1. Prepare a will. Surprisingly, 51% of Americans age 55 - 64 don’t have wills, according to a 2014 survey released by Rocket Lawyer, a website that offers low-cost legal services. Without a will, you lose control of the assets you worked a lifetime to acquire. 2. Remember The Wilderness Center in your will. It’s a common misconception that only wealthy people leave money to charity when they die.The reality is that most bequests are made by ordinary, hard-working people who want to make a positive difference to their community after they’re gone. 3. Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to your favorite charities. The provision can be part of a

new will or added to your existing will as a codicil. 4. “Endow” your annual gift to The Wilderness Center by making a bequest equal to 20 times that amount. 5. Name TWC as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan. 6. Name TWC as the beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy. You can also choose to designate TWC as the contingent beneficiary of your policy. TWC would receive the proceeds only if your other beneficiaries died before you did. 7. Make a gift of a new or existing life insurance policy to TWC. Do you have a policy that was purchased several years ago but the need for the coverage no longer exists? Instead of cashing in the policy, consider contributing the policy for the benefit of TWC. 8. Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts. The Wilderness Center’s Tree of Life program is a perfect

tribute to a loved one who has passed away. 9. Encourage family members and friends to remember TWC in their wills. 10. Consider natural burial. Imagine returning to the natural cycle, giving yourself back to the earth as generations have for thousands of years. At Foxfield Preserve, we provide natural burials – also known as ‘green burials’ – in harmony with nature.

New MembersTrevor ClatterbuckLarry FullerJoe GermanMark GorntoMegan GramseGerald GreerPatricia HuffmanMelody KingMark & Donna PhillipsRick RowlandJohn SecristDerek & Wanda ThompsonAdam & Whitney Zorn

Annual Campaign DonorsLinda AshbyRichard CorbanTom & Diane HertMary KirkpatrickMike & Barb MoserMr. & Mrs. Robert L. ShadleBertha SlabaughMarcus & Peggy Yohn

Earthly Delights SponsorsPlatinumAultman Health Foundation/AultCareGoldAultman Orrville HospitalThe Huntington National BankKarcher GroupSilverShearer’s SnacksWard J. & Joy A. Timken FoundationWheeling & Lake Erie RailwayBronzeBeaver Excavating CompanyBeese Fulmer Private Wealth ManagementBuehler’s Fresh FoodsCanton Chair RentalCanton Regional Chamber of CommerceMr. & Mrs. Robert DeHoffFresh Mark, Inc.Drs. John & Gerri HumphreyInnis MaggioreDr. & Mrs. Charles Kraus

Earthly Delights Sponsors BronzeEd & Louise MahoneyPomerene HospitalThe R.C. Miller FamilySeaman CorporationUnion Hospital

We remember Leslie Ann Wilson with deep gratitude. Her charitable bequest will support the work of The Wilderness Center for future generations.Endowment

In memory of Gladys Bellinski from Joseph J. Sommer

Tree of Life


July Tree of Life

In memory of Terry Ainsworth Char, Mina, Frank, Tom & Zoe In memory of Dorothy Applegate Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Bailey Mary & Ray BonginiIn memory of Darcy Barthel Brad & Sharon PriceIn memory of Gladys Bellinski Joseph SommerIn memory of Doris Irene Breckenridge Mike & Patricia LongIn memory of Grace Caldwell Kim CaldwellIn memory of Howard Calhoun Mr. & Mrs. Robert RegenhardtIn memory of Deborah “Debbie” Campitelli Nancy & Jeff PorterIn memory of Carol A. Carr Mrs. Nancy Chiofolo Jo Moock & FamilyIn loving memory of Cassie & Ronnie Jean SinclairIn memory of Christie Cathers Stephen & Louise BenedictIn memory of Edwin L. Clinger Robert & Judy CarrickIn memory of Dorothy Cromb Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. MullIn celebration of Denny DeGordonfor making God’s world better Ed & Nancy HareIn memory of Patricia DiNarda Patricia Kobzowicz YinglingIn memory of Elmer “Buddy” DiNino Michael & Deb BissIn celebration of the marriage of Natalie Steele & Phillip Elum Kenneth & Susan KellerIn memory of Helen Erdos Jennifer Grogan & Dru PachmayerIn memory of Fred Feit Kathy TatarskyIn memory of Shirley Geib Arthur GeibIn memory of Eleanor Getz Ann & Sam Getz

In memory of Shannon Ashley Gillmor Karen & Rick KnightIn memory of Richard (Rick) Grant Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. MullIn memory of Andrew Hadzinsky Mike & Deb BissIn memory of Leonard “Jake” Haines – His memory will last forever in my heart and a tree will grow in his honor. Susan MartinIn memory of Jake Haines Jo Moock & FamilyIn memory of Michael A. Hedrick Gayle NeagoIn memory of John R. Hillery Nina Hillery Mary SymbalaIn memory of Helen Iannarelli The Richard Gurich FamilyIn memory of Ruth I. Johnson Ken GloverIn memory of Marlyine Johnson Nancy & Jay PrideauIn memory of Danny Keefe Karen & Rick KnightIn memory of Howard W. Keith Sr. Mabel Putt - Julie, Jerry Alberts, Billy & Joan WellsIn memory of Roger Kirk Lynda & Jim CusackIn memory of Robert Ladd Rex & Gina MastIn memory of John Ley Gary & Nancy NeiselIn memory of Kathy L. Lynn Cathy A. ColleyIn memory of Mary Lou McKeen Jeff & Gretchen GlasgowIn memory of Barbara McKuras Patricia TeeterIn honor of the 80th birthday of Gil Miller Roger & Margaret RiffleIn memory of Wilbur Lee Monroe Mary MarchioneIn memory of Daniel “Tom” Moore Vicky, Loulene and Joan In memory of William Nesbit Victoria Farber

In memory of Marie Oak, a beautiful person John & Gerri HumphreyIn memory of Marie Elizabeth Oak Terry & Kathy Akers Debra Smith Spinning LadiesIn memory of James O’Connor Bob DawsonIn memory of William (Bill) Pappas Syl SteffenIn memory of Tim Pastroino Lillian Moreland & FamilyIn memory of TJ Perren Mike Holdford & Lisa StamfordIn memory of Virginia Ann Peters Sylvia Alexander Debbie KohlerIn memory of Virginia “Jinnie” Peters Jeff & Nancy PorterIn memory of Edward A. Rehfus Richard Genet & Terry Hooper Larry & Carol Gerzina Liz (Smith) & Michael MillerIn memory of Richard W. Rymeron the anniversary of his death July 17, 2014 Grace RymerIn memory of Robert (Sam) Samblanet Mr. & Mrs. Stanley HustedIn loving memory of George “Hogan” Shaheen Shafeek Jr., Patricia & Roman ShaheenIn memory of Ron Skalsky Ann & Jim HuffIn memory of Kent Smith Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. MullIn memory of William Snyder The Wilderness Center StaffIn memory of Richard Stratton April, Danielle, Carol, Diana, Leslie, Linda, Donna, Sarah, Dawn, Dawnetta, Chris In memory of Connie & Dick Stratton Susan BandiIn memory of Tracey A. Wardell James Porter


Tree of Life

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order John Burroughs

Views from Summer Days

In memory of Sara Watkins Judi & Tom MalinowskiIn memory of David Weis Robert & Mary Jo HarlerIn memory of Paula Wise Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. MullIn memory of the life of William “Bill” Workman The Porter’sIn memory of Katherine Zantopulos Shafeek, Pat & Roman Shaheen

Hands on learning

Oct. 9 & 10

6:30 & 7:30shows each

evening

save the date!

PO Box 202Wilmot, OH 44689-0202

Connecting you with nature.

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wildernesscenter.org

Earn Your 50th Anniversary

Hiking Pin TWC has sponsored the Hiking Program since 2002. Each year families and individuals sign up for the program, hike all of The Wilderness Center’s trails and earn a hand-carved hiking staff and a pin for each year they participate. This year you can earn a special-edition pin celebrating 50 years.

Summer is a wonderful time to hike with your children or grandchildren! Bring them down to participate, earn a hiking staff and/or pin and nurture memories of nature at the same time!

Members $20 for staff and pin/$9 for pinNonmembers $25 for staff and pin/$12 for pin. Call 1-877-359-5235 for more information.

save the date!

Earthly DElights

September 10

Gervasi Vineyard

6:30 p.m.

Earthly Delights Donors

Are you a member?

Please join!

Visit our

Observation Room

Akron Rubber DucksAmish Door VillageAndreas Furniture CompanyJoann BallbachBaylor Beach ParkCanton Quilters GuildThe Cleveland OrchestraFunny Stop Comedy Club Historic Zoar VillageKempthorn Motors, Inc.Lincolnway StampsThe Spa at AtriumWilliam B. & Sharon A. Young

Woodcarvers ShowSept., 19, 9-5

Sept., 20, 1-4:30The Wilderness Center Woodcarvers present their annual Fall Woodcarving Show this September 19 and 20. The show features carving exhibits, demonstrations, chain saw carving, People’s Choice award, raffle, and door prizes. This free show is open to the public from 9 AM -5 PM on Saturday and 1-4:30 PM on Sunday.

Stop by, enjoy the carvings, vote for your favorites, have a slice of homemade pie or a sandwich, watch folks carving, and maybe even learn to carve yourself by attending one of the demonstrations! For more information about the show, contact The Wilderness Center at 877-359-5235.

wilderness onnections c · 9/1/2013 · a member newsletter from the wilderness center connecting...

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