the wilderness center celebrates 50 years!...10 am. come to the next meeting, bring your project and...

The Wilderness Center 2014 1

Vol.7 No 8A publication for our Members August 2014

Inside:Education at TWC..............................................p.2N e w M e m b e r s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 2Volunteer News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p .3E n d o w m e n t G i f t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 3C l u b N e w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 4Benefactors and Life Members.......................p. 5ProgramGuideReg.Form... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .InsertTre e o f L i f e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 6 , 7G r e e n l i n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p . 8

Newsletter

The Wilderness Center Celebrates 50 Years! Celebrating 50 Years!

Gold Rush, Volunteer DinnerWed., August 6, 6:30 PM

Each year we host a “thank you” dinner for all our volun-teers, and this year we are having the Gold Rush theme to tie into our 50th anniversary. If you have volunteered for TWC in the past year, please join us for dinner and entertaimment.It’s free! We will be having North Carolina BBQ, cake, ice cream and beverages. Please feel free to dress as a miner or dance hall girl! We will also present our annual Distinguished Service Awards to outstanding volunteers. We do need a head count, so please let us know you will be attending by calling 1-877-359-5235. Hope to see you there!

The Wilderness Center’s 2014 Earthly Delights Celebration

To Be HeldThursday, September 25

The Earthly Delights Gala is a beloved and valued tradition at The Wilderness Center. Now in its 24th year, the celebra-tion has raised thousands of dollars toward the education, conservation and stewardship mission of the Center. The event has also helped raise awareness of environmental issues and honor outstanding individuals who have made positive changes in northeastern Ohio. This year’s Earthly Delights Celebration will be held at Gervasi Vineyard on Thursday, September 25th, 2014 and will honor Ed and Terri Roth and Todd Pugh. The event will also commemorate The Wilderness Center’s 50th year in the community. The theme for the evening will be “In Fields of Gold.” In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening will include a silent and a live auction, a delicious Italian buffet and a variety of street performers. Admission to the event is $125 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information about this year’s Earthly Delights Celebration, please call Barb Vitcosky at (330) 359-3235 x20 or email [email protected].

2 The Wilderness Center 2014

Welcome New Members!

Education at TWC

Education has always been important to The WiIderness Center. In 1963, college professor, Arnold Fritz, learned of com-munity nature centers at a meeting. He discussed it with his colleague, Dr. Charles King, and they both approached local school administrators with the dream of establishing an outdoor education center. He discussed it with the Canton Audubon Society and encouraged a group to visit Kalamazoo Nature Center. They were so inspired by what they found there, they decided to start a community nature center here. The Wilderness Center was born! The Center was incorporated on June 19, 1964. By June 24, those early volunteers had completed the first Wilderness Center document, entitled “Survey and Outdoor Education Plan for the Sigrist Forest, Wilmot, Ohio,” before they acquired the land that December. They began a member-ship drive in 1965 with 2 campaign flyers: “Stark Wilderness Center--Conservation--Education” and “The Stark Wilder-ness Center--A Step Forward in Community Program” The first staff member, Director Jerry Felland, began in June 1965, with Naturalist Bob Hawes joining him that October. Both were charged with education. Speaking en-gagements, by volunteers and staff, began in August 1964; before we had trails. Our offerings have changed dramatically since those early days to meet the changing demands of our community. We now offer 44 standing school programs geared toward elementary to high school students, correlated with current state standards. As time and funding for school field trips became more limited, we adjusted our offerings to provide more programs for individuals, other groups, and families. These programs create many opportunities for adults to grow in their love of nature and for parents and grandparents to share that love with their children and grandchildren. Our efforts extend from establishing a child’s first spark of curiosity to fostering and promoting life-long learning. These range from informal club activities to in-depth formal programs certifying volunteer naturalists. We endeavor to

inspire curiosity in all our interactions with the public – whether out in the community, at special events, in building displays, in passing on the trails, or at the new Nature Playspace, set to open this summer. In an effort to fulfill “nature on demand” needs of an increas-ingly DIY society, we have developed more individual learn-ing in multiple mediums. Our weekly Wild Ideas podcasts, social media posts, downloadable trailcasts, and geocaches/letterboxes take advantage of new technologies and are in-creasingly popular. We also collaborate closely with other organizations in our community. One example is the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) program we offer in conjunction with the Ohio State University Extension Office and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. OCVN promotes awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources through science-based education and community service. Through this program, we have graduated over 200 volunteer naturalists who each go on to give at least 40 hours of service, many here at TWC. Beyond striving in our mission to educate our community, the education program is a strong promotional tool, the first point of contact for many with TWC. Children who come here on a school field trip or host one of our naturalists in their classroom often return with their parents. Families who attend one of our many programs often become members. Adults who are members of one of our clubs are far more apt to donate time to the Center. Our success promotes success for the Center as a whole. The Wilderness Center was founded by 2 college educators, with an educational dream. About 10 years ago, while he was still serving on the Board, Arnold told me how good it was to see how their original educational vision has grown. The Wilderness Center’s mission is to connect people and nature. Education has always been and will always be important to The Wilderness Center. By: Joann Ballbach, Education Director

John & Linda BarnardPat BilderbackKathleen DickinsonNancy EckardEric & Julie HoffmanRobert KadunceDavid & Alma SpiresAden A. Yoder


Volunteers of the Month

“Ales For Trails”Volunteers

Join Us for Summer Hiking and Earn Your 50th Annivesary Pin

The Wilderness Center 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 eidtion 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 nuture memories of nature at the same time! See the program guide or call 1-877-359-5235 for more information.

Endowment Gifts

Annual Campaign Donors

James & Karen AndersonRoger & Jan BakerRon BarickmanBryant BartoloneDonald BeaneJerry & Esther BerlyoungBill & Marilyn BlanchardEleanor BoydJames & Elizabeth BraunClyde & Wanda BrechbulerMary C. BrownMartha BrundeletJoan BuehlerJoan BurroughsHoward & Jo Anne ByersMadeleine M. CherryStanton ColeKevin DieterAlan & Lee DolanCarolyn J. FingerJean FritzConnie GiltMartha J. GrayCharles W. GrellWilbur & Carolyn HaasLynn & Cheryl HamiltonMr. & Mrs. David E. HardingHelen J. HellerTom & Diane HertMr. & Mrs. William HewettJohn & Nina HilleryPauline F. JonesDorothy J. JonesDavid & Sherry KapesMike & Jeanne KeenanThomas L. & Judith A. KennyLola LewisJohn B. LindamoodRobert & Mary Lou LongDr. Britni & Jeffery LookabaughPeggy Mathias

Harold McCallKen McPeekDonna Jean MesserLarry & Janet NeeleyDale & Arlene NussbaumFred & Virginia OlivieriPat PickardMr. & Mrs. Tom PieperJohn PoundConnie & Jim PrestonBarb & Monty ReedRalph & Mary RegulaRev. & Mrs. Ralph RickseckerRoger & Margaret RiffleAlice RiniGene & Cathy RossJudith SaboVictor F. SchraderRichard SchultzJan ShafferMary K. ShafferRobert J. ShedlarzJean SinclairEric & Martha SmithElaine Smith SnyderRon & Mary StinsonWilliam J. StollarJames StutzMrs. Beverly L. SwihartKaren TooheyDaphne VaughanP. Dean & Alice WaltmanRaymond & Rossetta Wilkof

Jack FoltzRalph & Iris SuseyRich & Candy Ziegler

In memory of Ruth E. Glessner Keith & Emily Slusser & William DemskyIn honor of Gordon Maupin’s retirement Janice Petko Fellow Travelers on Yellowstone Trip

We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers who-helped with our brand new event “Ales For Trails” held on Saturday, July 26th. Our volunteers helped with bartending, setup, the nature store and office, greeting and so much more! Thank you “Ales For Trails” Volunteers!


Astronomy ClubAstronomy Club

Club NewsBotanizers Club

Needle Crafters

Nature Book Discussion Club

Bird Club News

Geocaching Club

Woodcarving Club

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

Cavers and Climbers Club

Backpackers/Dayhikers Club

The Book Club is looking forward to our next season. The first meeting will be September 6, 2:00-3:30 PM to discuss Life,Love, and Elephants: an African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrik. The author is a pioneer in the care of orphan animals and a tireless conseravtionist on behalf of Kenya’s wildlife. For November 1, we have chosen Drifting into Darien: a Personal and Natural History of the Altahama River by Janisse Ray. A complete list of titles will be available from our club’s page of TWC website Drop-ins are always welcome. Email questions to [email protected].

The Geocache Club has started making plans for the fall event. It will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Watch geocaching.com for details. For info on the club, questions, comments or geocaching in general, please e-mail Rita at [email protected]

Mars, Saturn, and the Moon will highlight the evening skies during the Public Star Watch on August 1, 2014. If the skies are clear, we will observe through telescopes after the planetarium show. Start time is 8 pm. As always this program is open and free to the public. All ages. Our monthly meet up will be on August 29 at 7:30 pm in the Astronomy Education Building. Also free and open to the public. Please turn off the lights and turn on the stars.

Come hike with us, or drop by a meeting and get acquainted. August 3, 2 PM: dayhike at Wooster Memorial Park, about 4 easy-moderate miles; August 15, 7:30 PM: meeting, movie night “The Way” at TWC; August 23: all day hike and bike on Kelley’s Island, easy; August 29-September 1 (Labor Day): backpack North Fork Mountain, eastern WV, moderate-strenuous. Spectacular high ridge, called the “best trail in WV,” “one of the most remarkable places in the eastern US”. Details of events at www.twchikers.com. Email questions [email protected].

TWC birders racked up over 90 species on their trip to Oak Openings NWR, including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager and Dickcissel to name a few. We had 8 species of mammals and two turtle species. It was a successful trip this year, and fun was had by all! By August, most bird species have nested and fed their young, and the fledglings are now on their own. It begins the fall migra-tion season. Birders’ favorite species will soon, if not already, be on the wing to their winter homes, and we will be anxious to see what ‘passes through’ on their way. They will be back next spring to enhance our lives. Migrating shorebirds are the highlight in August. TWC Bird Club makes an annual shorebird “trek” to wherever species are being reported, around the third week in August. Check our calendar and think about joining us. It is a great way to learn shorebirds! Until next month–May you always hear the whisper of wings…

The summer is passing quickly. We have met some great people as we have welcomed folks to join us for a “club member only” walks, to try out our club for a day. I’m sending information today for our fall hike, so you can mark your calendar for October18th. We will meet at 1 PM at Wooster Memorial Park. If main parking lot is full, go to the educational lot just down the road for additional parking opportunities. Wooster Memorial or “Spangler” Park is found off U.S. Route 250 just five miles west of town at 5197 Silver Rd.It has over three hundred and twenty plus acres of pristine woodland for hiking. There are over six miles of primitive trails, scenic overlooks, the Rathborn Run, picnic pavilions and public restrooms. If you have any questions, you may contact me at [email protected] Sandy Smith, Club President

For more information on how to join clubs, or upcoming club meetings,

please visit online at www.wildernesscenter.org

This month, one of our members brought an exciting project for us.It’s a caricature of a fish and each member has put their own spin to it! We’ve had so many different designs that we’ve decide to have a contest. You’re welcome to come in and join us; we meet the second and fourth Saturdays each month. We hope to see you. Our carving picnic is set for the end of August.

We had lots of fun in July with climbing adventures at McCon-nel’s Mill and Dundee Falls. We also welcomed new members. We have a beginner day trip planned for Aug. 2nd to PA and then Aug. 8-10 a weekend caving/climbing trip planned for Cooper’s Rock! Want to know more? Check outwww.facebook.com/ohiocaversandclimbers or contact Kara for more info, [email protected].


Thank you to Andrea Skirtich and Marlee Hannum for donation of a Nature’s Windows Plant and Animal Kingdom display and teaching set. Thank you to Jim Adams for a donation of botany books for The Wilderness Center and the TWC Botanizer’s Club.

Thank You!

Earthly Delights Item Donors

Earthly Delights SponsorsPlatinum SponsorAultman Health Foundation/AultCareGold SponsorsAultman Orrville HospitalThe Joseph A. Jeffries Co., Inc.The Karcher GroupSilver SponsorShearer’s Foods, Inc.Bronze SponsorsBeaver Excavating CompanyBeese Fulmer Private Wealth ManagementBruner-Cox LLPCanton Chair RentalFred Olivieri Construction CompanyH-P Products Inc.Joe & Nancy HalterJudith & Charles KrausWilliam & Sharon LuntzRichard J. & Nancy K. PryceThe R. C. Miller FamilyDavid & Ann Renkert Seaman Corporation

Akron SymphonyBellassai Massotherapy CareCanton BalletDesert Inn RestaurantAlan & Lee DolanDunkin’s DiamondsHairs to You SalonHarbor Shores on Lake GenevaHistoric Roscoe VillageIncognito Portrait DesignInn At Brandywine FallsStan Hywet Hall and GardensTrolley Tours of Cleveland, Inc.Waggoner ChocolatesZoar Community Association

Nature Photo Club Monthly Winner “Spring Wildflowers” by Rita Boyd.

Thank You Volunteers! 2014 was indeed a very busy and successful year for the Center in large part because of the dedicated work of our volunteers. Our volunteers answered our phones, worked the bookstore/office, handled several hundred thousands pieces of mail, entered membership information, greeted, filled birdfeeders, mowed, painted and trimmed, installed benches, pulled garlic mustard, collected prairie seed, taught nature classes, worked in the pond and gardens and so much more! The volunteers also enabled us to again have very successful special events including Foto Fest, Earth Day, Native Plant Sale & Gardening Seminar, Woodcarvers Show, Enchanted Forest, Nature Arts and Crafts Festival, Birdseed Sale, Earthly Delights and the Christmas Bird Count. I feel that this was an especially successful year for the volunteers because of increased attendance in family pro-gramming here at the Center! Almost every weekend brought a program from the Edu-cation Department, or a special event, and our volunteers were busy, busy, busy! We had very few days of quiet this year, especially on the weekends. It just seemed like a steady flow of traffic, and our volunteers were happy to have the people visit. They did such a wonderful job of interacting with everyone that came in the door and in talking with them about membership. The volunteer hours for 2013 were 716 volunteers at 16,765 hours at $22.14,(the volunteer rate) for a total of $371,771!!! Great job volunteers!!! You are the “heart and soul” of The Wilderness Center and what you do enables the Center to complete our mission of connecting our community with nature, educating people of all ages, conserving natural re-sources and practicing environmental stewardship. We could not do it without you!!! Vicki L. Whitt, Marketing Director,/Volunteer Coordinator


Tree of LifeJune Tree of Life

In memory of Keith AlbrightThe Davis/Knapp Families

In memory of Aaron ArneyBarbara Arney R.N.

In memory of Janet Asher-Humbert

Sam & Ann GetzIn memory of Samuel Auvil

The Ganz FamilyIn memory of Ruth Barton

John & SuzAnn TerryIn memory of Eleanor Baughman

Dorothy StutsmanIn memory of Margaret Beebe

Jan WeblerIn memory of Marie Alberta Bright

Warren & Carol HolderIn memory of William A. Brothers

The Christman FamilyLynda & Jim CusackPatricia GiannosRichard KempthornJudy KnapskiGeorge & Charmaine LangSamuel Picone

In memory of Donald James BushBob Johnston

In memory of Katie ChoateJudy Miday

In memory of Alice June ClarkLinda Davis, Bob Devita, Tom Wawrosch, Dave Ridgeway

In memory of Doris Nell Cromer Collick

Jeff & Gretchen GlasgowIn honor of the life of Mary Margaret Conricote

The PortersIn memory of Albert P. Costanzi Beverly, Saul & Esparza FamilyIn memory of Roger Crisp, Jr. Frank & Judy ProvoIn memory of Jeannette Dailey Barb Dailey

Tom & Dee Schlund & Family

In celebration of the life of Helen Palmer Davis

Singer’s CompanyeIn memory of Margaret DelBane Marty & Marilyn KuboffIn memory of Carl T. Derheimer Tom & Diana SpringerIn memory of Annabelle Getz Fleischer

Ann K. WolfThe Wilderness Center Staff

In memory of Annabelle & David Fleischer

Sam & Ann GetzIn memory of Russell Flynn

Nick & Mary Ann SantarelliIn memory of Arnold Fritz

Robert & Janet HawesIn memory of Dolores Gang

Mandy (Baker), Eric Cole & Sean Geiser

In memory of Ruth GlessnerThe Faulkner & Hari FamiliesDick & Patricia Glessner

Donald & Ruth GlessnerRobert & Janet HawesCindy & Harry Hill

In memory of Eileen GranvilleJudy Humbert

In memory of Santi M. Grasselli, Jr.

Buster & Birdie MetcalfIn memory of Rick Guleff

Niles HostetterIn memory of Greg Holbrook

G.L. BressonIn memory of Teddi Hudy

Card Club Friends: Betty Finley, Linda Van Meter, Annetta Horton, Kathy Harsha, Betty Broad, Gerri Anderson

In memory of Ted HuenkeJanet Berkowitz Keith

In honor of Jim IckesDon & Fran Gerber

In memory of Lily JohnsonPattie Cinowalt & Walt Mavracic

In memory of Joseph (J.R.) Jones Frank, Cin, Lauren, Ricky, Lacey, Larry, Jo, Peggy, Grams & Sweetie In memory of John David Katoll, Suzanne R. Katoll-Hodges & Ethel K. Muntz

Ethel G. KatollIn memory of Mrs. Florence Koegler

Carlene Starkey & Ed StavroffIn memory of Tom Kepler

Jeannette LackiIn memory of Lorraine M. Kohlmeier

Sonia Y. MeckIn memory of Helen Ellein Liberatore

Buster & Birdie MetcalfIn memory of Gary Light

Sonia Y. MeckIn memory of Anthony “Tony” Lopez

Calvin SimpsonIn memory of Erma Marinelli Shannon, Dianna & Seth YoungIn memory of Robert “Bobby” Mason

Barbara J. BartchyIn memory of Ida Mayle

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph MeadIn memory of Ross McCain

Larry & Tootie MillionIn memory of Joe Mihanovic, M.D. Bobbie & Hal DowellIn honor of Kathryn Minnich

Don & Fran GerberIn memory of Thelma Molnar Joyce Cirignano &

Dottie StutzmanIn memory of Josephine Moore Kim CaldwellIn memory of Richard J. Moulin Patty McAfee Yingling


We love when TWC gets press coverage in a newspaper article, but we don’t have access to all subscriptions. If you see an article in the news, please save it for us and drop it off or mail to The Wilderness Center, P.O. Box 202, Wilmot, OH 44689

Tree of Life

TWC HoursTrails: Sunrise to Sunset

every dayInterpretive Building and office:9 am to 5 pm Tues. through Sat.

1 pm to 5 pm SundayClosed Monday

The Wilderness Center, Inc.PO Box 202

Wilmot, Ohio 44689-0202Phone toll-free: (877) 359-5235E-Mail: staff page on website

Website: www.wildernesscenter.org

To connect people with nature, educate people of all ages, conserve natural resources, and practice

environmental stewardship.

President: Andy HaagExecutive Director: Dr. Jeff Corney

Editor: Vicki L. WhittProofreaders: Barb Bartchy, Brian Gray,

Sarah Douglas, Kitty Johnson

Foxfield MeetingSat., Sept. 13, 2 PM

Staff will 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 appoint-ment. Contact Sara Brink at [email protected].

Saving News Articles for TWC

In memory of Joseph NatalieMark & Beth Tully

In memory of James NyeFrances Stermer & Ken Snyder

In memory of Kyle QuinnLoretta & Tony Casasanta

In memory of Harry R. “Chip” Rennecker

Cathy ColleyIn memory of Daniel Rider whose love of nature trumped how he chose to live his life of 88 years.

Wooster Duplicate Bridge ClubCentral Christian Church

In memory of Dale RoseCalvin Simpson

In memory of Bertha RylandJim & Judy Sabo & Family, Frances Burger

In memory of Michael Saraci Michael & Deb Biss Deb PredaIn memory of Fannie Schlabach The Eric Geiser FamilyIn memory of our dear friend Bernard Schmucker Rest in Peace, we love you.

Butch & Donna ConnIn memory of Pamela Schoenberger

Rex & Gina MastIn memory of Donald Schott

Larry & Tootie MillionIn honor of Timothy Sekulaon his 35th birthday

Mom In memory of Tom Silverthorn Sandy NelsonIn memory of Jay A. Sommers

Jo Ann Bromley & Family Nancy L. Corbett & FamilyIn memory of Victor Sustarsic Mary Jo & Bob BoettlerIn memory of Angelina Hope Volpe Mark & Beth Tully

In memory of David D. Wilson Frank & Judy ProvoIn memory of Ted Wilson

G.L. BressonIn memory of Gerald “Jerry” Woltman

Diana BeldenThe R.L. Edwards CompanyThe N.A. Medical Affairs Team CSL Behring, LLCPatty & Tom RileyThomas R. Woltman & Liz Kitzler

In memory of Abraham A. Yoder Ed & Lois TuckerIn honor of Gordon Zeigler

Don & Fran Gerber

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long as I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;Then took the other, just as fair,And having perhaps the better claimBecause it was grassy and wanted wear,Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same,And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I marked the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to wayI doubted if I should ever come back.I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence;Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by.And that has made all the difference. By: Robert Frost


Date Mailed: July 17. 2014

P O BOX 202WILMOT OH 44689-0202Contains Dated MaterialPlease Do Not Delay

GreenlineGood Bye, Pledge!

Wood furniture cleaning recipe: In a spray bottle combine one cup olive oil and the juice of one orange

or one lemon. Spray, wipe, you’re done.

Golden Nuggets fromThe Wilderness Center

Costa Rica Birding Eco-tour with TWC-January 5-15, 2015

The Wilderness Center will travel to Costa Rica for an Eco-tour January 5-15, 2015. We will travel to Tapanti Rain Forest, Talamanca Mountains, Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara National Park, La Ensenda, Solimar, Sarapiqui Low-lands and La Selva Biological Station. We will also spend a day at the beach in the gulf for shorebirds and rest. We will be birding in the cloud forests, tropical rain forests and the dry forest and marshes. Cost for the trip, double occupancy, is $2,674.There are only a few spots left! There is an informational meeting on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. at TWC.For more information, please contact Vicki Whitt at [email protected] or 1-877-359-5235.

Mighty Old Bur came down in 1970 in a violent storm. The Bur Oak on Sigrist was 108 feet tall, 16 feet in

circumference and was estimated to be 400 year old.

Missed Foto Fest Winner It was brought to our attention that we missed an announcement with the Fofo Fest Winners. Janice Petko won first place in the Animals Category with “Purr-fect” Reflections.

the wilderness center celebrates 50 years!...10 am. come to the next meeting, bring your project and...

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