Foch Update, August 4th, 2014

It’s a new era in the history of Crowell Hilaka. 

The very talented, energetic board of the Richfield Joint Recreation District has embraced preservation of Crowell Hilaka.  They have been working pretty much non-stop to get Crowell Hilaka on the ballot in November.   The conservancy, township, village, and FOCH have all been working along with them.  It’s an impressive group of people, and it has been an honor to be on the team with them.

The RJRD  board members are: 

Bob Lucas   [email protected]
Bill Taylor   [email protected]
Donna Skoda  [email protected]
Floyd Ostrowski  [email protected]
Kelly Clark  [email protected]
Pat Norris  [email protected]
Ralph McNerny  [email protected]
 
The board’s work so far:  http://www.richfieldvillageohio.org/VillageHall/RichfieldJointRecreationDistrict.aspx
RJRD meetings for August will be Mondays, 7:30 at Village Hall.  They are open to the public.   
 
As awesome as this is, the future of Crowell Hilaka won’t be secure unless the people vote for it.  By law, the RJRD board can’t use public money to campaign for passage of the levy.  What we need is a campaign committee.  The job of the campaign committee is to let people know about the levy and encourage them to vote for it.  It is an absolutely crucial role.  If you are interested, contact Bobbie Beshara ([email protected]) for more information.   It’s not yet clear how much FoCH as a nonprofit corporation can be involved in the political campaign. We’re looking into that.  Meanwhile, we ARE allowed to educate people about Crowell Hilaka: Ohio’s Hidden Treasure. 
 
Other opportunities to help:
 
Friday, August 8.  March with FoCH in the RIchfield Parade  6:00 pm 
Parade forms at the old Richfield Elementary School (across from the Village Town Hall, 4410 West Streetsboro Road, Richfield, OH 44286).  Please wear a shirt promoting Crowell Hilaka (a FoCH shirt, an old Crowell Hilaka camp shirt, a homemade shirt promoting Crowell Hilaka, etc.) If you would like to order a new FoCH shirt, please contact Lucy:  [email protected] 
 
Sunday, August 10. Community Days.  RHS booth   10am – 5pm 
A perfect opportunity to talk with people! In addition to our display,  we will have a kid-friendly activity.  Plus, if we have enough people volunteering to demonstrate and teach lemmi sticks,  we can keep that going throughout the day.  If you can  be in the parade or take a shift at community days,  contact Corey  [email protected] 

TBA  Trail clearing & housecleaning; work party at CH
 
TBA   Open house docents
 
October 11  Music for the Millwheel  7 pm at Farm Flanagan  A fund and friend-raising event.   Tickets are  $25 for adults,  $10 kids 12 & under.     


Performers include:

• Cleveland Jumping Fleas ukulele band
  
• Gary Pruett’s Bluegrass Band
  
• Tina Bergmann & Bryan Thomas, hammered dulcimer and upright bass
  

 
Follow the link above for more details and ticket info.
 
- The next Friends of Crowell Hilaka meeting is Tuesday August 12,  7pm at Richfield Historical Society Museum.   We should have dates and details on the work party & open house by then.  Things are moving so fast,  it’s hard to say exactly what else we might be talking about.  We hope to have a member of the RJRD board talk to us about their work and what else we could do to help.  Visitors and new members welcome!