Announcements: Doug Fuller announced that the next Kent Historical Society presentation would be next Tuesday, October 18, at 7 p.m. at North Water Street Brewery. The topic is how the old train station was saved from demolition in 1972. Contributing to the program are Jim Myers, Howard Boyle, Sandy Halem and John Flynn. Brad Ehrhart asked for volunteers for Lord’s Lunch at Trinity Lutheran Church on October 22 from 10 am to 1 pm. Contact Brad if you can help. President Dave reminded the Club that the Rural Relief people would be in the parking lot next Tuesday collecting personal hygiene items and money for gas and fresh food purchases. He also reminded Board members that they would meet in person Thursday October 20 at 7 p.m. at the Kent Free Library. Happy Bucks: were contributed by President Dave, Todd Kamenash, Ann Moneypenny, Brad Ehrhart, Asad Khan, Randy Smith, Lee Higgins and Kathy Myers. Birthdays: Jeff Roeger reminded the Club that this year’s birthday question is: What was your first concert and what was your favorite concert? October birthdays: Laing Kennedy 10/1; Kathy Myers 10/4; Bob Lohman and Jeff Roeger 10/5; Nitha Venkataraman 10/8; Tom Larkin 10/10; Laura Martin Miller and Bridget Susel 10/11; Bill Childers 10/16, and Mike Lewis 10/19. Laing Kennedy’s answer to the question drew the biggest applause. His first concert was the Rat Pack. Kent Rotary Foundation Presentation: Foundation Chair Carol Crimi and Asad Khan presented a check for $2,640 to Tina Clark for support of t-shirts for the 11th annual Race for Education which raises funds to assist Walls School students and programs. New Member Induction: Sandy Reid introduced and President Dave inducted Jennifer Lennox into the Club. Jennifer is a member of the strategic leadership team and heads public relations efforts for Davey Tree. She and her husband Randall have four children, two dogs and three cats. She also serves on the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce Board. Speaker: Program Chair Rachel Kerns introduced Christine Craycroft, Executive Director of the Portage Park District. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in teaching biology at the secondary school level from Kent State. Before becoming the park district’s first executive director in 1996, she worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Chris described the park district as the “metro parks of Portage County” just formed many decades later than Summit and Cuyahoga counties. The park district celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. The district’s focus is land preservation and is governed by a nonpartisan Board appointed by the Probate Judge. There is currently one vacancy on the Board. She has 12 full time and three part time staff. The main income source is a ½ mil levy passed in 2014 that brings in about $1.7 million annually. The park district manages 2,700 acres with 35 miles of hike and bike trails. The district’s projects for 2022-2023 include Seasons Road Fen, Bird Family Bog Preserve in Rootstown, Dix Park improvements, Trail Lake picnic area, Towner’s Woods trail realignment to coincide with the Ravenna Road bridge replacement, another Headwaters Trail link from Mantua to Chamberlin Road, and the sale of Camp Spelman which should close by year’s end. Chris said the parks are always looking for volunteers and are currently seeking donations for the Reforest Portage Parks Program. Response was by David Dix, Portage Parks Foundation Board member, who said Chris is one of the most influential people in the County over the past 30 years. |
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