2021
The Wildflower Walk. In-person: April 25. Self-guided version using the clickable buttons below
Thank you to Beth for making the hike and virtual wildflower hike possible with Jennifer. It was a success. Thank you Cheryl for the trail mix, Cynthia for the water and bringing the trail mix and the decorative flowers, to Clive and Sandy for coming to make the fire and keep it going from beginning to end and Clive for holding all our fliers etc for the next hike. We made $60 in donations.
Thank you to Amy for getting Fred all set up for the bird hikes and keeping us informed about the Eventbrite totals. We are filled! Chris and Betty are leading the 2 groups and Clive will be there at 7:30 bringing supplies. We are not only putting out the water, trail mix and free FoCH pens but fliers for all our partner groups, FoCH membership applications, Kirby Mill fundraiser fliers, our map. These are topped by painted stones by Sandy to hold them down. The hikes are this Sat and we hope they will be successful.
- Joanie Gottschling
Just one of many positive responses: "..... The day was absolutely perfect! Cold weather could never put a damper on three of my favorite things...seeing friends, hiking and wildflowers! The property is really taking shape. It’s amazing how much you have already accomplished. Your dedication to its restoration is a true blessing to the Richfield-Bath area. I was thrilled to be included and learn more about the park and The Friends of Crowell Hilaka. Be well, Laura"
Thank you to Amy for getting Fred all set up for the bird hikes and keeping us informed about the Eventbrite totals. We are filled! Chris and Betty are leading the 2 groups and Clive will be there at 7:30 bringing supplies. We are not only putting out the water, trail mix and free FoCH pens but fliers for all our partner groups, FoCH membership applications, Kirby Mill fundraiser fliers, our map. These are topped by painted stones by Sandy to hold them down. The hikes are this Sat and we hope they will be successful.
- Joanie Gottschling
Just one of many positive responses: "..... The day was absolutely perfect! Cold weather could never put a damper on three of my favorite things...seeing friends, hiking and wildflowers! The property is really taking shape. It’s amazing how much you have already accomplished. Your dedication to its restoration is a true blessing to the Richfield-Bath area. I was thrilled to be included and learn more about the park and The Friends of Crowell Hilaka. Be well, Laura"
Tree planting
Thank you for hosting the bird walk this past weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful park and was inspired by the great volunteers that I met; so ambitious and friendly. The gift of trail mix was icing on the cake and hats off to the individual (s) that put it all together.
As a result of my positive experience on Saturday I decided to join the organization. Later this week you will receive a check for $20 along with my membership application. Thanks again for all that you do.
- Chuck J., Strongsville
As a result of my positive experience on Saturday I decided to join the organization. Later this week you will receive a check for $20 along with my membership application. Thanks again for all that you do.
- Chuck J., Strongsville
May 22. Collaborative Garlic Mustard Pull. FoCH and the Saturday Morning Volunteers
"One is Good. Two is Better" Mill wheel matching challenge launches May 31
The full video....
Together, We Have Met Our Match – and Then Some!
Thanks to your contributions to the “One is Good, Two Is Better” fundraising campaign, the matching goal of $20,000 – provided by two benevolent donors – has been met – for a total of $40,000. And then (wait for it) we raised another $10,000, making our grand total $50,000! That made a really big splash in our efforts to restore Kirby’s Mill! Today, because of your generosity, we can refurbish the waterwheel as well as replace the concrete wheel basin and support posts, while the wheel is being restored. When that's done, and Lake Jinelle is once again full, the waterwheel can turn again. Additional repairs will be needed to completely restore the Mill: the swinging bridge, exterior stairway, wheel deck, balcony, and flume.
Thanks to your contributions to the “One is Good, Two Is Better” fundraising campaign, the matching goal of $20,000 – provided by two benevolent donors – has been met – for a total of $40,000. And then (wait for it) we raised another $10,000, making our grand total $50,000! That made a really big splash in our efforts to restore Kirby’s Mill! Today, because of your generosity, we can refurbish the waterwheel as well as replace the concrete wheel basin and support posts, while the wheel is being restored. When that's done, and Lake Jinelle is once again full, the waterwheel can turn again. Additional repairs will be needed to completely restore the Mill: the swinging bridge, exterior stairway, wheel deck, balcony, and flume.

Friday Fundays offered fourteen weeks of crafts and activities for families. Projects Coordinator Amy Murphy organized both the on-line and in person programs
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Many of the Friday Funday activities were designed to be done by kids with parents at home or anywhere. Others were scheduled activities designed and led by Amy Murphy. The first of these was "Make Your Own Mill", held right at Kirby's Mill
TO ENTER
Adults- complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/b7riD4hj5eRnKvzCA
Children (grades K-12): complete this Google form https://forms.gle/e9yMGbtxguC5qR1F8
Upload your photo with your form and post your photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MyMillMoment to be entered into the contest.
Adults- complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/b7riD4hj5eRnKvzCA
Children (grades K-12): complete this Google form https://forms.gle/e9yMGbtxguC5qR1F8
Upload your photo with your form and post your photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MyMillMoment to be entered into the contest.
Abbreviated Rules:
By entering the contest, participants agree to the following:
1. Participants will follow the official method of entry to be considered. That is, they must complete the Google form and upload their photo when they submit that form, and post your photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MyMillMoment” – to be entered into the contest.
2. Contest runs June 14-July 10, 2021. Entries must be received by July 10 to be considered.
3. Photographs are the original work of entrant.
4.Entrants give FoCH the right to use the entered photo(s) in advertising; on social media and the FoCH website; in promotions, and any other media or communications. Entrants retain their own usage rights. Entrants have permission to use the photograph from all people depicted therein.
5. Entries will be judged and the winners chosen by our official photographer. All decisions are final and FoCH reserves the right to disqualify inappropriate entries.
6. Entries that do not adhere to all entry rules will be disqualified.
7. 1 adult and 1 child winner will be announced and contacted via email.
8. Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.
By entering the contest, participants agree to the following:
1. Participants will follow the official method of entry to be considered. That is, they must complete the Google form and upload their photo when they submit that form, and post your photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MyMillMoment” – to be entered into the contest.
2. Contest runs June 14-July 10, 2021. Entries must be received by July 10 to be considered.
3. Photographs are the original work of entrant.
4.Entrants give FoCH the right to use the entered photo(s) in advertising; on social media and the FoCH website; in promotions, and any other media or communications. Entrants retain their own usage rights. Entrants have permission to use the photograph from all people depicted therein.
5. Entries will be judged and the winners chosen by our official photographer. All decisions are final and FoCH reserves the right to disqualify inappropriate entries.
6. Entries that do not adhere to all entry rules will be disqualified.
7. 1 adult and 1 child winner will be announced and contacted via email.
8. Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.
FRIENDS OF CROWELL HILAKA “MATCH MY MILL” ART/CRAFT CONTEST
Create your own favorite Mill moment---with whatever materials you have on hand---in FoCH’s “Match My Mill” art/craft contest!
Maybe you have some leftover Peeps who would be delighted to visit a popsicle stick Mill. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to capture the Mill in watercolors. Is sculpture more your medium? FoCH would love to see your clay Mill mock-up. The possibilities are endless!
The contest will run from July 14 to August 10, 2021. Entries will be judged, and one prize will be awarded in each age division. Some submitted entries may be selected to be featured in future FoCH publications and on its social media platforms as well as its website.
Participants will need to complete a simple Google form and upload a photo of their creation.
There are two age divisions---one for adults and one for children (grades K-12).
Adults, access https://forms.gle/KDJS5Ky2ME5tpDAF9
Children (Grades K-12), access https://forms.gle/gPXZh1PQnc8hMDzu9
For complete contest rules and additional details, go to FoCH’s website www.friendsofcrowellhilaka.org. Participants should also post photos of their creations on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #MatchMyMill.
Rules:
By entering the contest, participants agree to the following:
1. Participants will follow the official method of entry to be considered. That is, they must complete the Google form and upload a photo of their Kirby’s Mill creation when they submit that form as well as post that photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MatchMyMill”.
2. Contest runs July 14-August 10, 2021. Entries must be received by August 10 to be considered.
3. Creations are the original work of entrant.
4.Entrants give FoCH the right to use the photo of their Kirby’s Mill creation in adv
Create your own favorite Mill moment---with whatever materials you have on hand---in FoCH’s “Match My Mill” art/craft contest!
Maybe you have some leftover Peeps who would be delighted to visit a popsicle stick Mill. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to capture the Mill in watercolors. Is sculpture more your medium? FoCH would love to see your clay Mill mock-up. The possibilities are endless!
The contest will run from July 14 to August 10, 2021. Entries will be judged, and one prize will be awarded in each age division. Some submitted entries may be selected to be featured in future FoCH publications and on its social media platforms as well as its website.
Participants will need to complete a simple Google form and upload a photo of their creation.
There are two age divisions---one for adults and one for children (grades K-12).
Adults, access https://forms.gle/KDJS5Ky2ME5tpDAF9
Children (Grades K-12), access https://forms.gle/gPXZh1PQnc8hMDzu9
For complete contest rules and additional details, go to FoCH’s website www.friendsofcrowellhilaka.org. Participants should also post photos of their creations on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #MatchMyMill.
Rules:
By entering the contest, participants agree to the following:
1. Participants will follow the official method of entry to be considered. That is, they must complete the Google form and upload a photo of their Kirby’s Mill creation when they submit that form as well as post that photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “MatchMyMill”.
2. Contest runs July 14-August 10, 2021. Entries must be received by August 10 to be considered.
3. Creations are the original work of entrant.
4.Entrants give FoCH the right to use the photo of their Kirby’s Mill creation in adv
July 25, The Invasive species crew assess progress of work done over the past year, and removed invasives in and around the Lake Jinelle basin
July Produced the Self-Guided History Tour of RHP, an annotated, fold out map available for visitors at park kiosks.

August 4. FoCH provided logistical support for " Censored, Deleted, and Off-the-Record", a benefit for Kirby's Mill held in The Lodge.
Sunday, September 19 Kirby's Marble-ous Mill 2021
October 2 -3, Annual Primitive Potluck
November 27- December 26. Trails and Trivia
Nov 27- Dec 26 Decorated Trees
December 4, 11, & 19 Winter Wonders
When the initial surge of covid 19 seemed to be relinquishing its hold in mid 2021, it seemed like we would be able to resume the traditional Winter Wonders. But as new variants of the disease arose in the second half of the year, we decided to host four small mini-events that would celebrate the season without the intensive indoor gathering.