2011 Annual Report - Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

2011 Report to the community | A moment lived, a gift for generations
from the conservancy
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
A Year of Growth and Change
at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
We’re for your national park.
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We’re driven by an intense passion to help
Cuyahoga Valley National Park achieve its
full potential for the people of Northeast Ohio
and the nation. Our national park is vibrant,
captivating and holds a long-standing legacy
that’s woven into the historical fabric of the
Cuyahoga Valley. Our national park unlocks
a world of experiences; it’s a place to be
proud of and call our own. Our national park
is strengthened by the desire of its visitors,
supporters, volunteers and members who
strive to preserve, protect and enhance this
treasured civic asset for generations to come.
Your support of the Conservancy and Cuyahoga Valley National Park has resulted
in a year of growth as we fulfill our mission to help the park reach its full potential.
Whether you stop at Trail Mix, enjoy one of our concerts, send your children to camp
or volunteer in the park, you help us find new ways for the community to experience
the park. Consider these achievements:
•
We launched a new year-round concert series, Music by Nature.
•
A new summer Farm Camp was experienced by 48 campers,
including children from the Boys & Girls Club of Akron.
•
Trail Mix sales increased by 22% compared to the previous year.
•
There was a 40% increase in park volunteers.
•
Stanford House opened to the public in May and has already been
enjoyed by more than 1,700 overnight visitors.
•
e are widely viewed as one of the largest, most successful National
W
Park Service friends groups in the country.
All of this has happened because of YOU, our supporters and friends. We offer our
most heartfelt “Thank You” for helping us grow.
We are also grateful for the partnership that we have with Cuyahoga Valley National
Park Superintendent Stan Austin. His vision and energy and the hard work of his
staff inspire us. Members of our board of directors volunteer countless hours to
drive our success and we want to offer special thanks to board members whose
terms expired this year: Pam Carson, Mary K. Holmes, Lisa Mandel and Mike
Shuster. Our work is more successful because of our strong partnership with the
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the Countryside Conservancy; and we thank
their leaders, Steve Wait and Darwin Kelsey.
In the following report you will find stories that exemplify the support you give to
your national park.
There is much to look forward to in 2012. Stop by our office and see the photography
of our talented Cuyahoga Valley Photo Society members. Visit our new retail store
that will open this year in Peninsula. Attend one of our numerous programs or
concerts. Help us continue to support park initiatives and to bring children to the
park. YOU allow us to serve the community and make exceptional things happen in
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Deb Yandala
Chief Executive Officer
Chuck Mlakar
Chairman, Board of Directors
Deb Yandala
Chuck Mlakar
“You allow us
to serve the
community and
make exceptional
things happen.”
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Environmental education
from cuyahoga Valley national park
a letter from the superintendent
I am very pleased to finish my first full year as Superintendent of Cuyahoga
Valley National Park. It has been a wonderful year meeting everyone and
learning about this beautiful treasure in Northeast Ohio. As many of you
have heard me say, I am the envy of many superintendents around the
country for the tremendous support this park receives from the vibrant
partnerships, community engagement, and the thousands who volunteer
— like you, members of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
With this kind of support we will advance Cuyahoga Valley National Park
to the next level. We will continue to strengthen the connection to the
communities within and surrounding the park to embrace the idea of being
gateways to this national park. We will continue to create new visitor
experiences that one would receive at other national parks. I look forward
to working with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park on
these and other efforts in the years to come!
garden is tended at hale farm
New Farm Program is Educational Experience for Girl Scout Troop
Thank you for making a difference in your national park!
stan austin |
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photo by Bruce Ford
Stan Austin
Superintendent
blossom land |
It can certainly be a challenge to choose a camp in Northeast Ohio, especially when
there are so many fantastic opportunities available. Each year Lisa Englemann tries to
create diverse educational experiences for her daughter’s Twinsburg Girl Scout group,
Junior Troup 90182.
Lisa, however, recalled her family’s trip to the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental
Education Center for the annual Festival of Lights program and decided to take a
look at the Conservancy’s website. She searched the site and within a few minutes
discovered several new offerings at the EEC — one being the new Seeds of Learning
farming and food programs. After having the girls look over some options, they voted
to attend the Stone Soup Mystery Meal program offered in fall of 2011, to learn about
how their eating habits impact the environment and their own health and well-being.
“I wanted them to have the opportunity to do something they wouldn’t normally
get a chance to do,” Lisa said. “They learned about local agriculture and how they
can improve their eating habits while helping to sustain the environment.”
photo by Dennis Hamm
Blossom Music Center Lands Conserved for Park
On November 14, 2011, the Musical Arts Association (owner
of Blossom), The Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the
National Park Service announced the successful completion
of a two-phased effort to protect 568 acres of land
surrounding the Blossom Music Center. This acreage,
together with adjacent lands, now constitutes the largest
block of forested land in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The story began in 2007, as Musical Arts, facing financial
challenges, contemplated sale of its excess lands
surrounding Blossom for residential development.
However, discussions with the National Park
Superintendent, who was intent on protecting this acreage,
led the parties to engage the Trust for Public Land to
help find a conservation alternative to development.
With the enthusiastic support of Conservancy leadership
and its members, and the dedicated tenacity of the
Northeast Ohio congressional delegation, TPL was able
to engineer a brilliant conservation outcome utilizing
$9.247 million from the Federal Land and Water
Conservation Fund.
Congratulations to all involved for finding the right solution
to a serious challenge and threat to the integrity of
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Now, 578 acres of
important forested watershed surrounding Blossom
are forever preserved, just as Congressman John
Seiberling intended when he fought for establishment
of the national park in 1974.
The new Seeds of Learning programs include Farm School, where classes from area
schools stay at the EEC for a week; Farm Camp, a week-long summer camp; and
interactive programming designed for the general public.
“It’s made a difference for them. The girls take pride in maintaining small gardens in their
backyards and finding ways to implement what they grow at the dinner table,” Lisa added.
Education Coordinator Lori Smith, who is responsible for coordinating the
development of programming for the Seeds of Learning farming and food programs
with the troop, noted that it was easy to see a transformation with the campers by the
time they departed.
“They even enjoyed slopping the pigs with the leftover salad and soup that we had
prepared for lunch that afternoon,” Lori said. “The girls made several trips to the pig
pen with the table scraps, then watched the pigs devour the vegetable treats. I am not
sure who enjoyed the slopping more — the pigs or the girls!”
The EEC interns quickly developed a rapport with the girls, which made it easy for the
troop to learn in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Seeds of Learning
Seeds of Learning farming
and food programs are offered
in the national park through
partnership between the
Conservancy for Cuyahoga
Valley National Park,
Western Reserve Historical
Society’s Hale Farm & Village,
Countryside Conservancy and
the National Park Service. The
programs include a 4-day/3night course for schools, two
weeks of overnight summer
camp, and a series of public
and family programs. The
driving question of Seeds
of Learning is, “Where does
my food come from, and how
do my choices affect my
health, my community and my
environment?” Exploration of
this question takes children and
adults on farming adventures
in and around Cuyahoga Valley
National Park, highlighting the
valley’s farming roots and the
park’s role in good health for
land and people.
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Donor REcognition
Donor REcognition
When is a Garden more than a Garden?
When it contains a story of people who love their national park
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Philanthropic support for Cuyahoga Valley National
Park and its nonprofit partners has been essential to
creating and sustaining many important features of
the park. This support has come from individuals,
foundations, corporations and organizations and has
supported many exciting projects. Finding a way to
tastefully recognize these supporters and partners was
the next step for the Conservancy.
It took a talented volunteer to make this garden a
reality; Dedee O’Neil, longtime member of the Akron
Garden Club, worked to design a garden filled with
carefully chosen native plants. Dedee’s expertise
assured that the garden would both recognize donors
and demonstrate how the use of native, rather than
exotic, species can help protect the ecology of the
Cuyahoga Valley.
The Blossoming of Recognition
On a beautiful, sunny October day last year, 75 people
gathered under colorful foliage to reflect on the spirit
of philanthropy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The vision of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Donor Recognition Garden had become reality. While
celebrating donors, the afternoon also reflected the
greater mission of the park and its partners. Volunteers
and NPS staff helped with constructing and planting
the garden. Development staff installed the name
placards of more than 400 donors and coordinated and
executed the dedication ceremony.
In the years when Chief Development Officer John
Debo was CVNP Superintendent, he and Conservancy
CEO Deb Yandala envisioned a unique approach to
donor recognition. John’s idea was to create a garden
of native species, in an outdoor setting where people
could easily visit and enjoy viewing names in the
midst of a peaceful garden. A garden could recognize
donors to the park, the Conservancy, the Countryside
Conservancy and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
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Continued on page 8.
donor medallions catch the sunlight
Gardener Extraordinaire
dedee o’neil
steve and Connie Wait view donor garden
Donor REcognition
donor recognition
Joan and dick Ainsworth
sue and George Klein
Making a Garden a Sanctuary
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Steve and Deb Bures of Elements Gallery in Peninsula
created the gorgeous handcrafted medallions
recognizing extraordinary lifetime contributions
by individuals and foundations at the $100,000 and
$500,000 levels, respectively. For the Cuyahoga Valley
Scenic Railroad, medallions honor the contributions
of The Robert M. Warren Trust and Jerry J. Jacobson;
for the Countryside Conservancy, the George Gund
Foundation; and for the Conservancy for Cuyahoga
Valley National Park, Iris and Mort November, Dick
and Joan Ainsworth, George and Sue Klein, the George
Gund Foundation, the Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust,
and the GAR Foundation. Collectively, these generous
donors have made enormous contributions to the
mission of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and its
partners, and each of the partners are indebted to
them for their dedication and support.
Giving for a Lifetime
For the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National
Park, the devotion to our work shown by the
Novembers, Ainsworths, and Kleins is inspirational.
George and Sue Klein were part of the original effort by
community leaders, public officials and organizations
to protect the land that would become CVNP.
Sue wrote articles and led tours, advocating for
protection of the Cuyahoga Valley. While serving on
the board of the Cuyahoga Valley Association, George
later led a committee that oversaw the development of
the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
He became the first chair of the Cuyahoga Valley
“The garden represents the
investment of the public in this
wonderful national park.”
National Park Association (now the Conservancy) in
2002. Sue currently serves on the Conservancy’s board
of directors, and is a leader in several environmental
advocacy groups.
The Kleins’ love for national parks extends beyond
CVNP. It’s been a goal of theirs to visit every national
park in the U.S. They’re now only three parks away
from reaching this milestone!
George and Sue introduced Dick and Joan Ainsworth
to the Conservancy. The Ainsworths, whose daughter
is a National Park Service employee at Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, felt just as compelled to support Ohio’s
only national park in any way they could. Dick followed
in George’s footsteps and became the Conservancy’s
second chairman of the board. Dick now serves on
the governance committee and works with Joan to
introduce Clevelanders to CVNP, as well as recruit
other talented individuals for the Conservancy’s
board of directors.
Mort and Iris November discovered the Conservancy
in 1996 when a colleague active at Cuyahoga Valley
Environmental Education Center introduced them
to Deb Yandala. Mort expressed a desire to fund an
educational building in memory of Mort’s late wife and
daughter — now the November Lodge at the EEC.
iris and mort November
Their work with the Conservancy is only one part of
their overall mission of philanthropy in Northeast Ohio.
The Novembers strive to make a major impact on a
host of nonprofits in the region.
The Next Chapter
The donor garden represents the investment of the
public in this wonderful national park. It showcases
those who so graciously give of their resources to
support important park and partner initiatives. It
provides a way to honor and memorialize people who
love the park. We anticipate that the native plants, once
established, will bloom and beautify the Hines Hill
grounds. Each October a new crop of donor names will
sprout in the donor garden, reflecting the prior year’s
giving in support of these partner organizations.
Topography
In only its second year, Topography quickly became a
beloved tradition in celebration of CVNP’s trails. In 2011
this sold-out, evening event held at the Virginia Kendall
Ledges raised more than $70,000 for the TRAILS
FOREVER program. Topography occurs again on
Saturday, June 16, 2012. Please mark your calendars
to be part of this unique event and help us maintain
our national park trails for all people, for all time.
This garden speaks of the value of philanthropy and
symbolizes the vibrancy of a beloved park, protected and
supported by people who proudly say “I’m for CVNP.”
All photos by NPS/Ted Toth.
clambake
I’M FOR
CVNP
The 11th annual Cuyahoga Valley Environmental
Education Center Clambake this past September
raised more than $63,000 to help the EEC continue
to offer topnotch educational services to Northeast
Ohio children. The generosity of 219 guests and 15
corporate donors allowed hundreds of local children
to have a unique learning experience in Cuyahoga
Valley National Park. Mark your calendar for the next
Clambake on September 23, 2012!
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volunteerism
volunteerism
A Lifetime of Support in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Many of us volunteer for our favorite organizations
and causes because we care about their growth and
success. When we volunteer, we see ourselves as
advocates for that cause — and a cause is only as good
as the people who support and nurture it.
In that light, consider the amazing amount of time
that Janet Hutchison and Birdie Smith have devoted
to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. During more than
50 collective years, the duo has more than 33,000
combined volunteer hours!
In that same amount of time, you could drive from
CVNP to Yosemite National Park 917 times or watch the
Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America’s
Best Idea 2,750 times. But the number of hours spent
helping CVNP is just a small part of Janet and Birdie’s
story. What we know as Cuyahoga Valley National
Park might not even exist without the years of tireless
service they — and many other activists — have given
to this region.
An Activist for Change
Janet Hutchison came to Ohio from Boston to attend
Oberlin College where she studied history and art.
She was adventurous, traveling to Burma, Germany
and Austria with the Red Cross during WWII. In the
late 1960s, she began working on a water study with
the Cuyahoga County League of Women Voters. She
quickly became enthralled with the beauty of the land
and region, realizing its potential, and made it her quest
to promote it to everyone.
During the 1960s, she also spent time organizing bus trips
to Washington, D.C. where she and colleagues would
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meet with Congressman John F. Seiberling to advocate
for a national park in the Northeast Ohio region.
“Ohio is such a diverse state and deserved its own
national park,” Janet said. “It was such a breathtaking
area and I knew a national park would thrive in this
location.”
Janet has continued to contribute during the last
several decades by researching and archiving the
legislative history of CVNP. At 94 years-old, Janet is
recovering from a minor stroke that has prevented her
from making the drive from Oberlin, but she hopes to
continue helping in any capacity she can in the future.
“Even at my age there is still so much to learn and
discover,” she added. “I always liked working with
the archives because there are so many stories in the
Cuyahoga Valley. I never spent a day at the park where
I didn’t discover something that knocked my socks off!”
“…consider the amazing amount
of time that Janet Hutchison
and Birdie Smith have devoted…
more than 33,000 combined
volunteer hours!”
Supporting Science at CVNP
Birdie Smith has always been fascinated by the natural
world. As a child she would look forward to monthly
visits from the coal delivery man so she could spend
hours breaking apart chunks of coal to discover new
fossils. This curiosity remained alive and strong as she
went on to earn a degree from Mount Union College
where she studied pre-med, geology and music.
Birdie’s fascination with nature blossomed as she
started getting involved with as many facets of the park
as her schedule allowed. Birdie found many ways to
contribute: giving science talks to schoolchildren while
walking the Towpath, leading bird walks, helping with
various duties at concerts, and sharing her wealth of
knowledge about CVNP with guests at visitor centers.
janet hutchison |
photo by NPS
birdie smith
“I have done so many things here I can’t even remember
all of them,” Birdie said with a laugh. “Taking walks on
the Towpath to teach children was extremely rewarding.
I would always tell them they need to think about the
rocks they see, because that’s part of what determines
what grows in that area.”
Birdie has also been working on a project to build a
historic resource file that documents the natural and
geological history of the Cuyahoga Valley and other
Ohio areas. She visits the Hawkins Library weekly to
document various articles.
“I really have enjoyed all the time I’m able to spend
here. I think my work on the historic resources file will
have the most impact in the future,” she added.
As she approaches her 90th birthday, Birdie still enjoys
hiking in CVNP, especially around Oak Hill. Considering
her passion to teach others about the natural world, it’s
only fitting that her favorite trail is the one surrounding
the Environmental Education Center.
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volunteerism
arts & culture
Volunteer Program ranks among
largest in National Park Service
The goal of Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Volunteer
Program is to build a community of park stewards. It
includes programs for adults, youths, and corporate groups.
Always distinctive for the variety of activities and the depth
of involvement, this year our program saw five new groups
created, new accomplishments made, and a significant
growth in volunteers. Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s
Volunteer Program is co-managed by the National
Park Service and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley
National Park, building a community of park stewards.
TOTAL VOLUNTEERS
40% increase from 2010
=
5
INVASIVE PERSUADERS
MUSIC BY NATURE ASSISTANTS
PAW PATROL
QUEST CREW
new volunteer
groups
102,819
5,717
WETLAND/WELL MONITORS
$ 3,307,467.80
interpretation
VALUE OF DONATED WORK HOURS IN 2011
16,425
natural
resource
management
10,409
visitor &
resource
protection
12
14,810
maintenance
13
10,382
misc.*
a music by nature concert at happy days lodge |
fairmount minerals digs in
The largest corporate volunteer group day in the park’s
history took place on Aug. 30, 2011, when 425 Fairmount
Minerals employees visited Cuyahoga Valley National
Park to lend a helping hand. In a single day, the group
took on 11 essential projects, including the planting of
1,532 native hardwood trees on a previously mined site
and restoring two historic passenger coaches for the
Scenic Railroad.
“This global team of volunteers made a significant
impact on the national park,” Director of Volunteer
Services Lisa Meranti exclaimed. “We look forward to a
continuing relationship. We are grateful for their many
contributions.”
FAIRMOUNT MINERALS
LARGEST VOLUNTEER GROUP
IN CVNP HISTORY
425
VOLUNTEERS
11
PROJECTS
1532
TREES PLANTED
154,845 volunteer hours
*This category represents administrative, training
and cultural resource management
39
156
college students from
rebuilt
42
different schools &
youth organizations
8
universities
steps on Furnace Run Trail
1401
youth volunteers
116
photo by Larry Hunsicker
Music by Nature
A new arts series was launched in 2011 to attract new audiences to the park and
inspire them with innovative performances in beautiful settings. Music by Nature
joins with other music series — the Heritage Series, House Concerts, and Music in
the Meadow — in contributing to the vibrant arts scene in our region.
The series began in the summer with concerts at Hines Hill and Happy Days Lodge.
Local performers are featured and concerts are offered year-round with a variety of
themes and types of musical groups. Local musician and University of Akron faculty
member Jane Berkner coordinates the series.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Conservancy collaborate to offer an exciting
array of cultural arts programs, including: art exhibits, photography workshops
led by the Cuyahoga Valley Photo Society, dance performances, creative writing
workshops and the popular Lyceum Series. The arts provide an important way
to experience the park and connect with the natural and historical resources of
the Cuyahoga Valley.
musicians
Pizzicato 4
Northwind Trio
Helen Welch
Singers Companye
The Aron Duo
Warren Mailley-Smith
Panorámicos
Idle Twittering
venues
Happy Days Lodge
National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School
largest youth group
Hines Hill Conference Center
The Music Barn at Hines Hill
financial statements
extraordinary spaces & Retail
statement of activities
REVENUE AND SUPPORT:
trail mix growth
Temporarily
Restricted
Unrestricted
Program fees:
Environmental education,
net of scholarships of $137,546
Community outreach
$
652,198
Memberships
$
Permanently
Restricted
-
$
Trail Mix opened its doors this year with new signage,
an expanded assortment of food and gifts and its
classic Adirondack chairs on the porch — grabbing the
attention of regular visitors and new ones alike.
Total
-
$
652,198
432,968
-
-
432,968
263,776
-
-
263,776
Pamela Chinnici Good, director of retail operations,
saw that the changes from the previous year were
extremely helpful.
Contributions and grants:
National Park Service subsidies
-
299,832
-
299,832
Environmental education programs
-
210,252
3,400
213,652
Community outreach
-
15,500
-
15,500
Stanford House renovations
-
98,450
-
98,450
Volunteer programs
-
45,337
-
45,337
Park support
-
35,000
-
35,000
37,460
309,794
-
347,254
-
24,210
-
24,210
General operations
37,405
48,700
-
86,105
Investment income (loss)
1,447
38,656
48,870
88,973
-
7,893
Special events
Trails forever
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Other income
7,893
Net assets released from restrictions
Total revenue, support and reclassifications
1,175,250
2,608,397
$
expenditures:
$
(1,159,362)
(33,631)
$
Temporarily
Restricted
Unrestricted
(15,888)
36,382
2,611,148
$
Permanently
Restricted
Total
Program services:
Environmental education programs
$
893,165
$
-
$
-
$
893,165
Community outreach
911,640
-
-
911,640
Special events
281,900
-
-
281,900
Support services:
Management and general
265, 829
-
-
265, 829
Fundraising
290,245
-
-
290,245
Total expenditures
$
2,642,779
$
-
$
-
$
2,642,779
Changes in net assets
$
(34,382)
$
(33,631)
$
36,382
$
Net assets, beginning of year
$
237,759
$
742,640
$
300,183
$
1,280,582
Net assets, end of year
$
203,377
$
709,009
$
336,565
$
1,248,951
CONTRIBUTIONS
$ 865,508
33%
46%
REVENUE
& SUPPORT
46%
10%
11%
NPS SUBSIDY
$ 299,832
10%
MEMBERSHIPS
$ 263,776
11%
PROGRAMS
$ 1,182,032
(31,631)
CVEEC
$ 893,165
34%
10%
EXPENDITURES
11%
11%
34%
MANAGEMENT
$ 265,829
SPECIAL EVENTS
$ 281,900
FUNDRAISING
$ 290,245
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
$ 911,640
“It was so different than any of the previous years. This
store has a new sense of community,” Pamela said.
“The new look really gets the point across about what
we have to offer.”
Stanford House Draws People
to Northeast Ohio
The Stanford House opened in May 2011 and was well
received. Reservations Coordinator Patricia Clark can
attest to that first hand as the person who interacts with
people interested in booking a stay at the historic home.
“People have been so excited to stay at Stanford House.
I think it’s just the fact that it’s a unique experience
where you are staying right in the middle of CVNP and
are within walking distance of so many attractions,”
Patricia exclaimed.
That sense of community and new visibility helped
Trail Mix experience a major increase in traffic and
revenue during its fifth year in operation. Trail Mix
expanded its selection of fresh sandwiches, salads and
baked goods, which gave customers a wider selection
to choose from. The new collection of CVNP apparel
and gifts offered customers a chance to buy souvenirs
to commemorate their visit.
One prominent change that helped drive the increase
in sales was the placement of the freezer for Clevelandbased Mitchell’s Ice Cream in a more prominent
location in the store. People had a hard time passing
up fresh ice cream after a long excursion on the Ohio
& Erie Canal Towpath Trail. There are several plans
in motion to take Trail Mix to the next level in 2012!
Stop in and see for yourself this spring.
Stanford House has already added to increasing
tourism in Northeast Ohio by attracting guests from
across the United States, recently accommodating
visitors from Germany and France. The Conservancy
is also working with other partner organizations
throughout Northeast Ohio to further spread the word.
Whole-house rentals also have increased as word
gets out about Stanford House. Groups in town for
weddings, family reunions, and business seminars have
quickly fallen in love with the property, surrounding
trails and campsites.
The sky’s the limit with Stanford House. Its initial
launch and growth are nothing short of spectacular.
The past was renewed with the Stanford House
rehabilitation, but the future holds new and
magnificent possibilities.
photo by David Longfellow
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Thank you
membership
Through the generosity of the individuals, organizations,
corporations and foundations listed on the following
pages, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
is able to provide the many and varied programs, projects
and services that you have seen highlighted in this report.
Finding a New Home at
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
While space limits our
ability to list all donors’
names, we are grateful
for the support that
each of you provides, no
matter the size or type
of your gift. It is because
of your support that the
Conservancy continues to
flourish.
As children, we all seek a sense of comfort from the place
we live. Moving to another state and leaving behind the
home we’ve grown to know and love can be a bit scary
to a child. That’s what 13-year old Mike Ruttinger and
his family went through when they made the journey
from their home in Paducah, Kentucky, to Northeast
Ohio when Mike’s father went through a job transfer.
The stress and fear of moving, meeting new friends and
being in an unfamiliar place can be tough on a child; but
young Mike found something that quickly eased his fears
when he arrived — Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
His family started taking regular trips to CVNP to go
hiking and cross-country skiing. This gave Mike the
opportunity to immerse himself and truly explore
different areas of the park. It was official — Mike
had made a new friend and home in Cuyahoga Valley
National Park.
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“CVNP has been a big part of my life since I moved to
this area,” Mike said with a smile on his face. “I really
started to appreciate living in Northeast Ohio once I
became a regular visitor to the park.”
Mike, now 28, took the next step as a park visitor
and supporter by recently becoming a Conservancy
member. He gained membership as one of nearly 400
people to participate in the Conservancy’s annual Fall
Running Series.
“I really liked how the Fall Running Series had a totally
different type of race each week in a new location of the
park,” Mike said. “I had not been to Kendall Park in a
few years, and I was reminded that it’s one of the most
scenic areas in CVNP when we had our first race of the
series there. I’ve gone back several times since then.”
Since becoming a member, Mike has discovered
several new aspects of the national park to enjoy. He’s
suddenly found himself spending even more time
within the 33,000 acres of CVNP, participating in a
variety of fun and exciting activities.
“My fiancé and I took a wine-tasting trip on the train when
the leaves were at their brightest. It was a breathtaking
trip and made for a really fun and unique outing.”
Donor REcognition
Mike Ruttinger |
photo by Sue Simenc
“… becoming a member has helped
me find more and more new things
to do.”
Mike also took advantage of one of the most popular
membership perks — the annual Polar Express
member night.
“It was fun to see all the excitement coming from the
kids during the trip. It really put us in the holiday spirit.”
Mike is a lifelong cross-country skier and receiving
the quarterly schedule of events has provided him
the opportunity to learn about and take advantage of
all the other great winter activities the park and the
Conservancy offer.
“I’m looking forward to checking out the Heritage Music
Series. There are a few other events I want to look into.
A lot of people sit inside and watch TV once it gets cold
out. I’ve never been one of those people, so fortunately
becoming a member has helped me find more and more
new things to do.”
Giving levels are
representative of donors’
total contributions at
$100 and above made
between September 1, 2010
and August 31, 2011. Gifts
from family foundations,
donor-advised funds and
company matching gift
programs are reflected
in individual donor
contribution levels.
The Conservancy has
made diligent efforts to
ensure accuracy in listing
all donors at $100 and
above levels. Donor names
are listed in accordance
with the preferred
publication name provided
by the donor. Should you
wish to change the way in
which your name is listed
in future publications or
have any other corrections,
please contact the
Conservancy Development
Office at 330.657.2909.
LEGACY SOCIETY
We thank the following
individuals who have
remembered the Conservancy
through a bequest or other
planned gift:
Stanley & Hope Adelstein
Richard & Joan Ainsworth
Mary Bevan
Anonymous
Robert Briggs
William & Mary Ellen Carroll
Joseph & Lisa Cellura
John & Cyndee Debo
Gerry & Ann Findlan
Michael & Martha Hardy
Henri Pell Junod, Jr.
David Kopkas
Mimi Jackson Lewellen
Morton & Iris November
Ann Marie Rowlett
Ronda Russell
Kenneth Sabol
Anonymous
Kathleen Schlemmer
Thomas & Diane Tyrrell
Steven & Connie Wait
Anonymous
Dick & Jane Whitehead
Deb Yandala
& Sherman Bishop
Diana Young
Lifetime $100,000 +
Richard & Joan Ainsworth
George & Susan Klein
Morton & Iris November
eagle $5,000+
Abington Foundation
Audio-Technica U.S.
Bokom Foundation
Pamela A. Carson
Lee & Tuni Chilcote
Christopher & Sara Connor
John & Cyndee Debo
Fairmount Minerals
Forest City Enterprises
GAR Foundation
Marie & Charles Grossman
George Gund Foundation
Sandra Haslinger
Heidelberg Distributing
Company
Martha Holden Jennings
Foundation
Henri Pell Junod, Jr.
K.B. Compost Services
Kaiser Foundation Health
Plan of Ohio
KeyBank Corporation
George & Susan Klein
Diana Kunze & Buzz Brown
Jean Thomas Lambert
Foundation
Lubrizol Foundation
Marcus Thomas
Elizabeth Ring & William
Gwinn Mather Fund
S. Livingston Mather
Charitable Trust
Charles & Katherine Mlakar
Margaret Clark Morgan
Foundation
National Park Foundation
Nordson Corporation
Foundation
Ohio & Erie Canalway
Association
Ohio Environmental
Protection Agency
Rory & Dedee O’Neil
Parker Hannifin Foundation
PPG Industries Foundation
Reinberger Foundation
Fred E. Scholl Charitable
Foundation
Estate of Lynn Schreiber
Sherwin-Williams Company
Sisler McFawn Foundation
Kelvin & Eleanor Smith
Foundation
Richey & Sandra Smith
J.M. Smucker Company
Terry & Dianne Squire
Summa Health System
University of Akron
Steven & Connie Wait
Charlie & April Walton
Western Reserve Trail
Running
great blue heron society
$2,500 — 4,999
Richard & Joan Ainsworth
Anonymous
Buckingham Doolittle
& Burroughs
Cascade Auto Group
John & Bonnie Childs
Cohen & Company
Cuyahoga Valley
Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley
Trails Council
John & Betty Dalton
Deloitte Service LP
Dominion Foundation
Ruth Swetland Eppig
Ernst & Young
FirstEnergy Corporation
Firstmerit Bank / Akron
Guy & Catherine Gadomski
Frank Hadley Ginn & Cornelia
Root Ginn Charitable Trust
The Glenmede Trust Company
Gojo Industries
Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Company
Shawn & Marianne Grandon
Inverness Advisors
Greg & Lori Kall
Kastner Westman & Wilkins
Kohrman Jackson & Krantz
Kathy Leavenworth
Littler Mendelson
Diana Lueptow
Thom & Lisa Mandel
Dan & Marge Moore
North Central Ohio Adult
Music Camp
Morton & Iris November
John Paganini
John & Ellen Perduyn
Doug & Noreen Powers
Richey Industries
Thomas & Susan Strauss
Swagelok Foundation
Thompson Hine
Thomas & Diane Tyrrell
University Park Alliance
Jerry Welty
William Wendling &
Lynne Woodman
John & Margie Wheeler
WITAN
Deb Yandala &
Sherman Bishop
locktenders’ circle
$1,000 — 2,499
Akron Garden Club
Ameriprise Financial
Anonymous
Applied Industrial
Technologies
Sandra & Mark Auburn
Aultman Hospital
Banks-Baldwin Foundation
C. Blake, Jr. & Beatrice K.
McDowell Foundation
Joseph & Michelle Blanda
Robert Briggs
Siegfried & Heidi Buerling
Henry Butler
Candace Campbell-Jackson
& Mark Jackson
William & Mary Ellen Carroll
Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie
Memorial Foundation
Larry Chlebina
Classic Auto Group
George W. Codrington
Charitable Foundation
William & Deborah Currin
The Cyrus Eaton Foundation
Ray & Jan Dalton
Donna Drozda
ERM Foundation
Cynthia Flynn Capers
Gerald Filler & Carla
Mongelluzzi
Brian & Margaret Gothot
Carolyn Green
Todd & Barbara Greene
Michael & Martha Hardy
Henry V. & Frances W.
Christenson Foundation
Ross & Viki Henschen
John & Mary Holmes
Hudson Garden Club
Jeff & Suzanne Hyde
Nora Jacobs & George Snider
Glen Jenkins
Trevor & Jennie Jones
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
KeyBank Foundation
Bryan & Susan Kinnamon
W. Riley & Barbara Lochridge
Conrad & Peg Mamajek
Matthew & Missy McGinness
Edward & Lynn Metzger
Robert A. & Jean C.
Meyers Family Fund
Jeff & Cindy Miller
W. Paul Mills & Thora J. Mills
Memorial Foundation
Andrew & Kathryn Moock
Daniel & Carolyn Nagy
John & Anne Marie Najeway
OMNOVA Solutions
Foundation
Oswald Companies
Parma Community General
Hospital
Portage Trail Sierra Club
Elaine Price & Gordon
Landefeld
Michelle Primm
Betty Rider & Mike Sherman
RNDC General, LLC
Daniel & Anne Rudolph
Mary Jane & John Schremp
Joanne & Michael Schwartz
Shaker Lakes Garden Club
Smithers-Oasis Company
Linda Styer
Edwin & Libby Upton
17
donor recognition
18
$500-999
Dan Abrams & Nan Cohen
Paul & Kristina Alsenas
Anonymous
Stan Austin
Jody Bacon
Doug & Lu Bannerman
Geoffrey & Maryann Barnes
Caroline G. Barney
Fred & Laura Bidwell
John & Nicky Bloodworth
Tom Bouton
Ann Briechle
Theodore Bunevich
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Burnstine
Arthur & Susan Busch
Jeri Chaikin & Joel Newman
Elaine Cicora
Catherine Ciha
& John Despins
Citizens for Metro Parks
Cleveland Hiking Club
Grosvie & Charlie Cooley
Brian & Brenda Cummins
Teresa & Mark Davey
Gainor B. Davis
& Gregg Simpson
Donae & Robert Eckert
Robert Faber
& Vicki Resnick
Stephen & Dorothy Farkas
Gene & Marion Faubel
Fedeli Group
Robert & Christine Freitag
Adam Fried
Paul Gallmeier
& Evalyn Greene
Garden Club of Cleveland
Nicholas & Ruth George
Patricia Graves
Thomas Green
& Manju Gupta
Larry & Michelle Grewe
Steve Guba
Elizabeth & Mark Hamlin
Gary Hanson
Clark Harvey
& Holly Selvaggi
Bilas & Sandra Hazra
Stacey Heffernan
Tom & Jeannette Hejduk
Richard & Barbara
Herberich
Tom & Susan Hutchinson
Dale & Pamela Inkley
James & Marilyn
Jaroszewski
David & Sharon Klimm
William & Julie Kodatsky
Richard Kroczynski
Roger & Sue L’Hommedieu
Janice Matteucci
& Parnell Tillotson
donor recognition
Merck Partnership
for Giving
Donald & Sally Messinger
Stephen & Sonja Metzler
Diane Moffett
Laura R. & Lucian Q.
Moffitt Foundation
Morgan Stanley
Joe & Cindy Murphy
David & Inez Myers
Foundation
David Nash
Michael & Marcia
Neundorfer
Nancy O’Dell
On the Edge Films
Alexander & Tamara
Pendleton
Kristi Pielstick
Pliske Family
Roger & Judith Read
Timothy & Melinda
Remington
Christopher Rizzo
Marcia & Paul Sandstrom
Gary & Paula Savage
Joshua Schoenherr
John & Betty Seiberling
Scholarship Fund
Thomas & Deb Selden
Ruth Simonis
Lloyd L. & Louise K. Smith
Memorial Foundation
Brian & Caron Smith
Squire Sanders Dempsey
Brian Steere
Brock Steere
Gary Stonum & Marilyn
Shea-Stonum
Walter & Sharon Strotz
Brian & Mimi Sturgell
Michael & Gwendolyn
Summers
David Telfer & Ilona
Chambre-Telfer
Charles & Corrine Tennent
William Truog
Andy Tyson
Patricia Vance
David & Jennie Vasarhelyi
Mark & Joann Vosburgh
Deborah & Donald Wadden
David & Gwen Waight
Chris & Joe Williams
Libby Wolf
Joseph & Debbie Zarconi
$250-499
Akron General
Health System
Albert Augustus
Carol W. Awender, Ph.D.
David & Donna Axson
Bank of America
Lyle & Carolyn Barton
Roy & Juanita Beasley
Jonathan Becker
James & Karen Bennett
David Bergholz
Cornelia Bergmann
Patrick Blakeslee
Mary Bohn
Deborah Brindza
James & Eve Brown
Frances Buchholzer
Pamela Burda
Marc & Victoria Byrnes
Kelly & Mark Chaloupka
Dwight & Ann Chasar
John & Barbara Cochran
Stephen & Barbara Coles
Lisa Conklin
Charles & June Cook
Lauri Coyle
Dave Crain
Alice & Ralph Darr
Arnie & Maude Delaporte
Ronald & Nancy Dinger
Mary Pat Doorley
Michael Duff & Susan Black
Joyce Fair
Barry Feldman
Gerry & Ann Findlan
FirstEnergy Foundation
Ed Folts & Judy Knuth Folts
Mary & Anthony Foti
Peggy Fullmer
Michael & Diana Gabet
Robert Gadbau
Pamela & Mark Goldfarb
Grainger Matching
Charitable Gifts Program
Judy & Andrew Green
Bruce & Erica Greer
Craig Griffin
& Marie Morgan
Sean & Jacquie Grindall
Carrie Gynn
Dennis Hamm
Elizabeth Hagen
Peter & Anne Hastings
Beverly L. Haws
William Hiller
Duane & Pat Hills
Dan & Joan Holmes
Ben Hrouda
Dr. & Mrs. Jack Jacobs
Melissa Johnson
& Robert Kazar
Dawn & Alexander Joseph
Maureen Katanic
Michelle Kautz
Leo & Linda Kipfstuhl
Thomas & Carol Kloetzly
Rich & Linda Kolehmainen
David Kopkas
David Krause
Susan Kruder
Leonard Krysinski
Peninsula Garden Club
Betty & Joseph Lamusga
Aaron Lear
Fred Lefton
Walt Lemonovich
& Tanya Cady
Mimi Jackson Lewellen
& Dick Lewellen
Philip & Patricia Libassi
Lori Macso
Phil Maynard
Earlene McGonegal
John & Susan McKenzie
Jennifer McMahon
& Toby Oster
Gary & Christine Mikitin
Scot & Elise Miller
Deborah & Patrick Morin
Karen Moyer
Robi Murphy
Travis Neely
James Neidert
William & Jancie Newhouse
Kathleen O’Neill
& Michael O’Connor
Sean & Nancy O’Connor
Ohio Arts Council
Tim & Kelly Parkison
W. Stuver & Nancy Parry
Tim & Karen Parsons
Michael Petrik
Steve & Karen Petro
Polymer Valley Chemicals
& Minerals
Luis & Theresa Proenza
Dana Pulk
Bruce & Suzanne Rogers
Justin & Jane Rogers
Kathleen Ross-Alaomolki
Joseph Rustic
Ron & Kathy Schieber
Kathleen Schlemmer
Jim & Kathleen Schmidt
John & Barbara Schubert
Stephen & Katheryn Schultz
Jonathan & Amber Shulman
Judy Shuster
Bill & Karen Silver
Robert Sisson
Frederick & Elizabeth Specht
Starbucks Coffee
Tim Strope
Carolyn Sugiuchi
Hillary Sullivan
Charles Taylor
Patrick & Shirley Tchou
John & Linda Telzrow
Gayle Thompkins Agahi
& Ardeshir Agahi
Michael Towne
Donald Treap
Robert & Marti Vagi
Gregory Warren
Doug & Christine Weber
Gerry Weimann
Woodsy’s Music
Richard & Ruby Zatta
$100-249
Dave & Christa Jo Abood
Margaret Adams
William Addis
Kevin & Nagwa Ahlborg
Mitch & Suzanne Allen
Peter & Margaret Allen
Ron & Helen Alplanalp
David & Mary Beth Alspaugh
Alan Ambrisco
Robert Amsdell
Todd & Mary Amsdell
Ferris Anthony
Jim & Sandy Arbour
Agnes Armstrong
Carolyn Arnold
AT&T Foundation
Joseph & Carole Avella
Scott & Nancy Awender
Thomas Baechle
Mark & Cathy Jo Baer
Lowell Baker
Peter Balunek
Pat Barron
Rebecca Bartholomae
Joseph & Shirley Bartzi
Mary Basu
Steven Batdorf
& Brian Linder
Lisa Battista
& Paul Stranahan
June Baughman
Jeffrey & Sandy Baxter
Charles & Patricia Bell
Richard Bennett
Michael & Nancy
Biedenbach
Judith Bigelow
Christina & Charles
Bittenbender
Valerie Boaz & Paul Haridakis
David & Margaret
Bohn-Galas
Reynold & Mary Bookman
Bill & Pat Bourquin
Ellen & Steve Botnick
Kyle Bowman
John Bradshaw
Betsy & Eric Bray
Marcy Brazin
Luann Brenner
Adam & Vikki Briggs
Bill & Grace Brinker
Albert Brion
Bev & Robert Brockett
Arthur Brooks
Dave & Mary Brown
Debra Brown
Jennifer Brown
Thaddeus Brown
Robert Browne
Bill & Carol Bruml
Robert A. Bussey Jr.
Michael & Deborah Busta
William Busta & Joan
Tomkins
Chuck Byrd
William & Nancy Byrd
CA Technologies
J. Philip Calabrese & Mary
Rebecca Bynum
Kevin Calori & Family
Dick & Linda Calta
Larry & Kathy Campbell
Don & Jean Canestraro
Dirk & Diane Cantrell
Michelle Capdeville
Peter & Susan Caperones
Kim Carbaugh
Tom & Rani Cargo
Pat Carlson
James & Marcia Carsten
David Carver
Patricia & Richard Cassidy
Joseph & Lisa Cellura
Century Cycles
Daniel & Cynthia Chagin
Diane & Paul Chalfant
Robert & Caroline Chandler
Edith Chase
Sam & Jen Chestnut
Chimani LLC
Dallas & Irene Christian
Kristin Clark
Lynn Clark
Thomas & Karen Clark
Lawrence & Beverly Cole
John & Jennifer Conner
Gale Connor
Dale & Chris Cooper
Doug & Karen Cooper
Marjorie L. Cossin
Dale Cowan
Laurie Coyle
Dave & Carol Creps
Norm & Bonnie Crocker
Carol Crowe
Alex Csiszar
Keith & Pam Curnow
William & Sandra Currier
David & Robyn Cutler
James & Fran Dacek
Margit Daley
Amy Dalton
Lois Davis
Jeff & Kathy Day
Doug Delahanty
Jane Delcamp
Angela & David Devore
Tom Dillon & Rosemary
Reymann
Joseph & Patricia Dipre
Connie & Bozo Djukic
Henry & Mary Doll
Dominion Foundation
Pat & Jerry Donnelly
Donald Dornback
Lauren Doski
Wayne & Gail Douglas
Terry & Cynthia Dragan
Clarence & Connie Drennon
Christine Dresser
Carrie Dunn
Frank Dusek
Robert & Ginny Eckardt
Randy Ellis
Terry Ellis
Jon & Cindy Elsasser
Timothy Everett & Miriam
Lifsics
Martha Everhart
Laurie Facsina
& Chris Kraska
Bruce & Elizabeth Fahey
Theresa & James Fallon
Jennifer & Stephen Fazio
Kathleen M. Feskanin
Jeff Fesler
Michael Fiala & Mary Ellen
Eickman-Fiala
Marie Fiedler
Robert & Manhong Figler
Betsy Finley
Shawn & Karin Fiore
Robert & Rebecca Fischer
David Flanagan
Kirby & Virginia Flanagan
Toribio & Susan Flores
Nicole Florio
William & Karen Flowers
Tim Fogel
Paul Frank
Ken & Karen Frankenbery
Rita Frantz
John & Kimberly Freeman
Edward Fritz
Todd Fulmer
Susan Gaetjens
Gayle Gallupe
Eileen & Paul Gaston
Wendy Geaney
Jean Gent
Deborah Rex George
Lenny George
Louis Giesler
& Cynthia Tancer
Robert & Kay Gold
Kerry Good & Pamela
Chinnici-Good
Larry Goodard
David & Patricia Gram
Michael Graska
Robert & Cynthia Grayson
Marjorie Greer Howard
& Walt Howard
Gordon & Karen Griffiths
Edward Grossman
& Shelly Lazarus
Mary Grovemiller
Martin & Ann Gulbransen
Henry & Komal Gulich
Deborah Gustafson
Robert & Nancy Haake
John & Patricia Haas
Greg Hadgis
Brad Halderman
Kenneth & Kelly Hall
William Hall & Patricia
Eschbach-Hall
Ray & Dale Halliwill
John & Donna Halpin
Don Haney
Dennis & Lou Ann Hanink
Kate Hardulak
Jon & Pat Harper
Joan Harris
Linda Hartle
Micah Hatton
Tina Hauptner
Neal Hazen
Edythe Heaps
Nancy Hegler
Robert Heller
Eleanor Helper
Joe & Suzanne Henninger
Peter Henriksen
David Herbster
& Meredith Morgan
Martin & Ronda Hinterlong
Judy & Richard Hirschman
Brian & Marilou Hitt
Joellen Hoffman
Pat & Pitter Holland
William & Susan Holman
Carolyn Holt
Bonnie Horovitz
Michael Horvitz
George & Katie Hoy
Ray Hrbac
David & Carol Hudak
Court & Jean Hungerford
Steve H. Hunsicker
Kathryn Hunter
Wendy Hurd
& Edward Bartunek
Brinton & Julie Hyde
Marilyn & Richard Hyde
Jason Indorf
Betty Indriolo
Darlene Jacobson
Kristi Jalics
Chester & Lori Jarosz
Albert & Laura Jenkins
Phillip & Amy Jenkins
David Jesse
Vincent Johnson
Roger Jones
Tom & Bertha Jones
Bill Jordan & Laurel Winters
James & Janice Jorgenson
David Juchnik
& Germaine Polensek
Kenneth & Pattilou Judge
Bob & Mary Kay Jursich
Ann Kah
Dan Karchmer
Albert & Kathleen Kareyva
Hollis & Stanley Kaskey
James & Patricia Kastelic
John Kasunich
Merrill & Susan Katz
John Kauffman
& Thomas Wortham
William & Ardith Keck
Michael & Catherine Keith
Drue Keller
Heather & Ben Kelly
Dick & Pat Kemph
Jeffrey Kennard
Geoffrey & Patricia Kennedy
Winnetta Kennedy
Dan & Amanda Kephart
Mary Hickcox Kern
S. Casey Kerr
Cindy L. Kessler
Sarah & Robert Kessler
Raymond & Sharon Kimberly
Alan & Katharine King
Bill & Susie Kirchner
Jeff T. Kirkwood, Sr.
Cindy Klements & Denise
Lachowski
George & Phyllis Knepper
The Koebley Family
S. L. Kohrman
Frank & Pamela Kokomoor
Timothy & Carolyn Kollin
Dave Koncal
Jeffrey & Sandra Kornick
Michael & Jan Kosmyna
Dave & Tessa Kostansek
Charles & Judith Kraus
Abby Kreitzburg
Mike Krieger
Robert & Gina Kubec
Gerhard Kunze
Thaddeus & Margaret
Kurczynski
Irene Kusmierz
V. Michael & Karen Lahey
Kathleen & Donald Lastoria
James & Sandra Laurenson
Todd Lebowitz
Toni & Den Lecorchick
Ron Lederman
Susan & Bob Leggett
Hal & Barbara Leitch
Larry & Christine Levey
Michael M. & Ann M. Lew
Carol Lewanski
Harvey Litowitz & Joanne
Krontiris-Litowitz
Everett Logue
& Claire Bourguet
Nate & Brenda Loman
Richard Londraville
Joseph & Georgia
Loutzenhiser
William & Anne Lowery
Karl D. Lucas
The Luch Family
Fred Luckay
Walter & Ruth Ludwig
Marsita MacDonald
John & Anne MacWherther
Joel & Mary Makee
Elizabeth Mancke
Robert & Ann Mansfield
Stephen Markey
Richard & Dorothy Marsh
Kay Martin & Dennis Keating
Karen Martinko
Wilma & Carl Martino
James & Ros Mather
Martha & Thomas Matlock
Erika Maxel
Jim & Kathe Mayer
Brian P. McCafferty
Teresa & Michael McCombs
Marylou McCoy
Jane McDavid
Robert & Dana McDermott
Michael & Nancy McGrievy
Rick McMeechan
Greg & Mary McNeil
Lisa Meranti
Bruce & Gael Mericle
Joseph & Amy Michalski
Cheri Michel
Michael Mikolaj
Brian Miller
Elaine & Fred Miller
Dr. & Mrs. David Miller
Jay & Elaine Minkin
James Misak
John & Janet Mitchell
Katherine Moore
Kimberly & Bret Moore
Paul Moore
Scott Morrison
Larry & Sophia Morton
Paul Moser
19
donor recognition
20
Eliot & Michelle Mostow
Nancy Mumford
& Charlie Zonneville
Leonard Muni
Ellen Murphy
Thomas Musarra
Stephen S. Muskara
Richard Nabring
John & Kathleen Negrelli
Robert Nekic
Amy Nelson
Andrea Nelson
Dan & Lori Nelson
Louis & Stefanie Nerone
John & Ann Newby
Guy Newton
Roger & Gail Nicholas
Brenda Nichols
Julie Nitzsche
Richard & June Nosan
Michael & Susie Novak
Linda Ocepek
Barbara O’Connor
Thomas & Antoinette Oden
John & Carolyn Olive
Paul & Connie Omelsky
Gregory & Christine
Orlowski
Shannon Osorio
Denis Osowski
Margaret O’Toole
Steve Paddon
& Janet Perkins
C W Eliot Paine
Joy Pallotta
Ralph Palsha
Lynn Parmentier
Jennifer Paulus
Veronica & Hal Pavia
Barbara Paynter
Scott Pendergast
Barbara & Mark Pennington
David & Terri Perelman-Hall
Mark Perkins
Jim Petersen
John & Antoinette Pertus
Kathleen Pettingill
Mary & Donald Phillips
Carmen Pierson
Cynthia Pirie
George & Catherine Plude
Paulette Poklar
Ted Polcyn
Karen Powell
Chip & Laura Preston
Thomas & Theresa Pretlow
Patrick Primm
James & Mary Lou Puperi
Mark & Chesla Purtilar
Jean & John Questel
Steven & Julia Radwany
Mary Rafferty
donor recognition
Margaret Rakas
Rodger Ramsthaler
Ed Randall
Chuck & Kathie Rankin
Thomas & Geraldine Rask
Andy Rattray
James & Nancy Reed
Denny Reiser
Thomas & Connie Repko
Harold Rex & Nancy
Brown Rex
David & Hope Reynolds
Edward & Anne Robakowski
James & Alice Robb
Ian Roberts
John & Elinor Rodgers
Jim Roetzel
Donald & Karen Rohde
John Rohn
Christine & Albert
Rohn-Tielke
Diane Roman Fusco
Ronna Rondy
Olivier Roques
Rudy & Elaine Rosales
Mary Ross
Thomas & Melanie Ross
Arrye Rosser
& John Fitzpatrick
Donald & Pamela Rupert
Stacey & Mark Rusher
Laura Rusick
Matthew Rutherford
Dennis Sabol
Kenneth Sabol
Michael & Lynn Saddleton
Scott & Debbie Safcik
David Sagerser
& Christine Krol
Chris Saine
David & Laura Sangree
David & Karen Scheonlein
Joe & Kathleen Schindler
Donald & Rosemary Schmid
Juerg & Katherine Schmid
Lara Schmidt & Brett Baker
Dorothy & Melvin Schnacke
Richard Schneider
Arthur & Jean Schooley
Richard & Dina
Schoonmaker
Jeff Schrader
Susan & Chad Schraibman
James & Margaret
Schroeder
Marie Sciko
Sheri & Jim Scott
Paul Secunde
Oliver Seikel
Robert Seiler
Matthew & Kristen
Sermersheim
Deborah Sesek
Barbara Shagawat
Daniel & Therese Sheffer
Amy Sheldon
Barbara Sherwood
Vicki Shoup
Noel & Beth Shriver
Michael & Carrie Shuster
John & Debra Sideras
Michael Silvestro
Timothy & Susan Simenc
Jim Singer
Carl & Barbara Smeller
Bernard Smith
Donna Rae Smith
Erica Smith
Kay Smith
Michael Smith
Stan Smith
Anne Smykal
Jeff Snell
Marc & Suzanne Snelson
James & Diana Snider
Patricia Snyder
Peter & Mary Snyder
James Spencer
& Rebecca Davis
Shawn & Kristin Spindel
Cliff Stadler
Mary Jane Stanchina
Mary Starbuck
Gene Stepanik
Gerald & Agnes Stitz
Cheryl Storgard
Dan Sveda
Jane & Michael Swain
Scott Swierkosz & Linda Will
Bert Szabo
Anita Szegvari
Arno Szegvari
Nelson Talbott
Mary B. Tansky
E. & Fran Tartara
Barry & Karen Taylor
Dave & Reanetta Taylor
James & Geraldine Taylor
Stuart & Mary Terrass
Bryon Thomas
& Rebecca Reimbold
Lisa Thomsen
Martin & Catherine Timko
Paul Trettel
Peter Trimble
Martin & Marcia Trimmer
Doug & Kathy Trochelman
Zachary Van Brakle
Jeffrey VanWagner
John & Verna Vander Kooi
Chris & Kathleen VanDevere
Paul Vidal
Anne & Craig Vinkovich
Damian & Linda Vopat
Kris Wagner
John & Gail Walker
David & Janet Walkowiak
Paul Waltz
Mark Warner
Stephen Warth
Tom & Tracey Wathen
Norbert & Edith Weisend
Charles & Lucy Weller
Robert & Marlene Wells
Max Wendel
Lewis West
Ogden & Barbara White
Stephanie White
& Dana Cunningham
Dick & Jane Whitehead
Dickson & Ann Whitney
George & Betsey Wick
Duane Wiegand
John Wilkinson
Peter & Lois Wilson
Gene A. Wimmer
Bruce Winges
& Bonnie Bolden
Timothy & Kimberly Winter
Bob & Shoshana Wodzisz
Virginia Wojno - Forney
Sue Anne Wolf
David & Carol Ann Wolfe
Terrence & Barbara
Woodworth
Carl & Constance Wysocki
Lenore Yash-Cusumano
Timothy Yeager
David Young
Diana Young
David & Margot Youngs
Rosemary Zampelli
William Zavertnik
Joseph & Mary Zbasnik
Kathryn Zbinden
Bill & Pat Zeigler
Martha & Matthew Zelinski
Memorial gifts
Gifts to the Conservancy
were made in memory of
the following:
William Barney
Caroline G. Barney
Karen Beck
Polymer Valley Chemicals
& Minerals, Inc.
Joe Bendo
Bonnie Horovitz
Tom Bohn
Mary Bohn
Joan Box
Anonymous
Herbert Clark
Wanda Clark
Corey J. Cline
Bobbie Muhlbach
Andrew Dixon
Rick Hudak
Thomas Ellis
Cuyahoga Valley
Federation of Teachers
Walter & Sharon Strotz
Kathy Tompkins
Janet Trentel
Paul & Diane Turner
Timothy & Kimberly Winter
Ruth Fenstermaker
Ralph and Rothfusz
Shirley Gabet
Erik P. Sandstrom
Joey Mallin
& Laura Englehart
Bill Griffiths
Dudley Sheffler
Dick & Pat Kemph
John & Barbara Cochran
Michael & Diana Gabet
Bernard & Lois Clark
Anne Griffiths
Gordon & Karen Griffiths
Susan Kruder
Walter & Ruth Ludwig
John Mulhauser
Ruth Turley
Arvan Hammond
Ida May Hammond
Gloria Haynes Thompkins
Gayle Thompkins Agahi
& Ardeshir Agahi
Donald and Marion Jones
Beverly L. Haws
David Kah
Ann Kah
Annette Kerr
Andrea Mt. Pleasant
Brett Klein
Bokom Foundation
Timothy Petrus
John W. Petrus
Nancy Piltch
Lee Adams
Jon Andrus
Marcey Aronson
Lyle & Carolyn Barton
James M. Birt
Jeff Brenneman
James & Eve Brown
Robert C. Browne
Robert A. Bussey Jr.
James & Marcia Carsten
Bernard & Carm Charnas
Gayle Chryn
Gary & Marilyn Diefendorff
Marie Fiedler
Kevin R. Gandee
Thomas Geniusz
Thomas H. Geul
Michael & Donna Gigliotti
Gwen Heeney
Tim R. Jones
Robin & Mark Kirk
Richard Kroczynski
Judy Krutky
Walt Lemonovich
& Tanya Cady
Arthur L. Lieberman
Rebecca MacKay
Gregory Marchione
Michael Mikolaj
Lauren Moon
John & Ann Newby
Alan Ogle
Gregory & Christine
Orlowski
Judith R. Ramsier
Beverly & James Reed
Martin & Valerie Rice
Edward & Anne
Robakowski
Kenneth Sabol
Robert & Joan Scholl
Marcia & Paul Sandstrom
Robert & Pauline Hermann
Bruce Silver
Peter & Margaret Allen
F. Eugene Smith
Patricia & Ezio Basile
Siegfried & Heidi Buerling
George & Jan Conger
Tom Dillon & Rosemary
Reymann
R.A. Goodenberger
Linda Knoch
Audrey Lavin Ph.D.
Peter & Laurel Markovich Jr.
Carmen Pierson
Elizabeth Sandwick
Erica Smith
Sarah Vradenburg
Elena Weldon
Richard Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Kittinger
Mignon Steere
Reynold & Mary Bookman
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Burnstine
John & Kimberly Freeman
Albert & Kathleen Kareyva
A. Stratton & Lilda Orr
Brian Steere
Brock Steere
Lulu Tang
Martha Everhart
Holly Trimble
John Schenk
Ann Wittig
John & Barbara Cochran
Honor gift
Gifts to the Conservancy
were made in honor of the
following:
Roy K. Box
Anonymous
Bernadine Cackowski
Dale Cackowski
John Dalton
Amy Dalton
Evamere & Ellsworth Hill
Elementary Schools
Betsy Finley
Gerry Findlan
Anne Hoenig
Mora Elizabeth Gabet
Michael & Diana Gabet
Parker J. Gabet
Michael & Diana Gabet
Sean Grindall
Leonard M. Berkowitz
Eric Hudak
Anonymous
Paulette Suchan
Dave & Cindy Foley
Anthony Passalacqua
Dan & Amanda Kephart
Dan & Amanda Kephart
Patricia Koerner-Bailey
& Cassie Bailey
Mr. James F. Negrelli
& Ms. Ann Jackson
Robert Amsdell
Todd & Mary Amsdell
Donald Dornback
Toribio & Susan Flores
Michael & Catherine Keith
Michael Klavora
Stephen S. Muskara
John & Kathleen Negrelli
Amy Nelson
Tiffany Orlando-Weber
Paulette Poklar
Juerg & Katherine Schmid
Marvin Shie
John & Debra Sideras
Marc & Suzanne Snelson
Colleen & Francis Stack
April & Charlie Walton
Kathy White
Morton November
Bennett & Edythe Adler
Sandy & Evelyn Barcus
Morris & Bonnie Barron
Florence Bennett
Michael & Laura Bennett
Julie Berman
Art & Lenore Bletcher
Marsha Blond
Arthur & Ann Bregman
Dr. & Mrs. James Brown
Kate Brown
Susan Cargile
Donna Chernin Kurit
Anne Corrette
Lois Davis
David & Karen Day
John & Cyndee Debo
Harlan Diamond
Deborah Emrick
Jeff & Elizabeth Estep
Barry Feldman
Arlene Fine
Henry & Roasalyn Frank
Rabbi Bernard Frankel
& Barbara Miller
Rita Frankel
Patrick Galbincea &
Barbara Brucker
Galbincea
Daryl Ganger
Robert & Laura Geuder
Jeffrey Glebocki
Brett & Robin Goldberg
Barbara Goldstein
Bob & Rita Goldstein
Alvin Gray
Peter & Debra Guren
Pearl Hachen
Steven Harf &
Leslie Carno-Harf
Walter Harf
Bernard & Daria Henri
Anita Hollander
Fred Isenstadt & Sally
Weinberg Isenstadt
Sarah & Robert Jaquay
Lynn Kinnear
Dorothy Klein
David & Bonnie Krauss
Lee Lazar
Judy Lichtig
Belinda Lieberman
Gertrude Liss
Janice Matteucci
& Parnell Tillotson
Mike Milgrom & Hedy
Pufeles Milgrom
Barbara Miller
Richard & Deborah Miller
Paul & Sylvia Morrison
Marc Nathanson
Larry & Linda November
Ray & Sandy November
Richard & Sally Parker
Terri Pontremoli
James & Susanne Powers
Thomas Rathbone
& Susan Narten Rathbone
Deirdre Ream-Vukcevic
Gregory Reese
Rabbi Daniel Roberts
& Elaine Rembrandt
Stan & Mickey Roberts
Michael & Nancy Roizen
Christopher & Julie Shaw
Paul Siemborski
Ted & Natalie Silverberg
Howard Sobel
& Joanne Federman
Emily Speer
Nicholas & Sandra
Stupiansky
Steve Toth
Lita Weiss
Suzanne Wintner
Louis & Joyce Zabell
Burton & Sandra Zucker
Nancy Parks
Tammy Johnson
Myrtle W. Smith
Joy Banish
Jim Spayer
Patricia Spayer
Norbert Trocki
& Kathy Whelan
John Beaty
Matching Gifts
The following companies
matched their employees’
gifts to the Conservancy
Bank of America
CA Technologies
Dominion Foundation
Eaton Corporation
FirstEnergy Foundation
FM Global Foundation
Grainger
Johnson & Johnson Family
of Companies
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
KeyBank Foundation
Lubrizol Foundation
McMaster-Carr
Supply Company
Merck Parnership for Giving
Morgan Stanley
Progressive Insurance
Foundation
Starbucks Coffee Partner
Giving Programs
In Kind gifts
The following provided
items or services to the
Conservancy:
Akron Life & Leisure
Magazine
Akron Symphony Orchestra
Akron Zoological Park
Anonymous
Appalachian Outfitters
Arborwear
April & William Bachtel
Ballet Theatre of Ohio
Elizabeth Banks
Lisa Battista
& Paul Stranahan
Clurie Bennis
Blue Hole Productions, LLC
James & Eve Brown
Cascade Auto Group
Cavaliers Holdings LLC
Sophie Cayless
Dwight & Ann Chasar
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Museum of
Natural History
The Cleveland Playhouse
Cuyahoga Valley
Scenic Railroad
Discount Drug Mart
Eddie’s Creekside Restaurant
Fleet Feet Sports Northfield
Flying Fig
Guy & Catherine Gadomski
Robert & Diane Gadomski
Jean Gent
Nina Gionti
Good Nature Organic
Lawn Care
Great Lakes Baking Co.
Great Lakes Publishing
Great Lakes Science Center
Todd & Barbara Greene
Harry & Karen Grindall
Clark Harvey & Holly Selvaggi
Health Journeys
Heritage Farms
The Inn At Brandywine Falls
Andrea Irland
Jerry Jelinek
Bill Jordan & Laurel Winters
Robin & Mark Kirk
Kleidon & Associates
George & Susan Klein
Kreiger’s Health Food Market
Lake Erie Monsters
Lake Erie Nature
& Science Center
Laurice Skin Care
& Cosmetics
Lewis Massotherapy
LifeCenter Plus, Inc.
Little Tikes
Lucky Penny Farm
& Creamery
Main Street Gourmet
Marty’s Bike Shop
Lisa Meranti
Edward & Lynn Metzger
John & Anne Marie Najeway
New Leaf Home Design
North Coast Litho
Ohio Magazine
Old Trail School
Rory & Dedee O’Neil
Joseph Palko
Peninsula Art Academy
Petitti Garden Centers
Pump It Up of Hartville
Lisa Romaniuk
Chad & Christine Saladin
Marcia & Paul Sandstrom
Simply Swank
Terry & Dianne Squire
Peggy Taddeo
The Cleveland Orchestra
Towpath Tennis Center
Vertical Runner
Western Reserve
Public Media
Gary & Carol Whidden
Catherine Widemire
The Wilds
21
ecology news
CONSERVANCY STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Conservancy Welcomes New Members to Board of directors
We would like to welcome Betty Rider and
Alex Schmitt as the newest members of the
board of directors. Betty and Alex bring
extensive financial and educational experience
to the Conservancy. Their expertise and
passion for CVNP will assuredly help the
Conservancy continue to preserve, protect
and enhance our national park.
Executive STAFF
board of directors
Deb Yandala
Chief Executive Officer
Chuck Mlakar
Chairman
Janice Matteucci
Chief Operating Officer
Gayle Thompkins Agahi
John Debo
Chief Development Officer
Sandy K. Auburn
We would like to thank outgoing board
members Pam Carson, Mary K. Holmes, Lisa
Mandel and Mike Schuster for their years
of service. They each played a major role
in the Conservancy’s rebranding effort and
organizational growth.
Richard Ainsworth
Dave Bergholz
Cynthia Flynn Capers, PhD
Sam Chestnut
Lee Chilcote
Samuel Deshazior
Guy Gadomski
Thomas E. Green
Sean Grindall
Jeffery Hyde
Nora Jacobs
22
Greg Kall
Bryan Kinnamon
Sue Klein
Daniel Nagy
John Najeway
Rory O’Neil
John Perduyn
Betty Rider
The otters are back |
Alex Schmitt
photo by James Brown
Terry Squire
April Walton
Douglas J. Weber
Otters Return to Cuyahoga Valley
River otters have been observed from the Towpath at
the Beaver Marsh across from Howe Meadow and in
the Pinery Narrows area, just north of Station Road
Trailhead. This is exciting evidence that Cuyahoga
Valley National Park is a suitable habitat to attract
this key indicator species (otters require high-quality
water conditions). River otter sightings usually occur
in the very early morning when there is minimal human
disturbance. In general, these mammals are also very
active at dusk and throughout the night, feeding on fish
and at times, other aquatic animals.
Bill Wendling
John D. Wheeler
Once plentiful in Ohio, native river otter were
extirpated by the early 1900s. In 1986, the Ohio Division
of Wildlife began re-introducing the otter along several
major Ohio Rivers. Having made a great comeback in
2002 they were delisted as a state endangered species
and presently are found throughout eastern Ohio,
including their return to CVNP.
As with the recent return of bald eagles to nest by the
shores of the Cuyahoga, these animal species indicate
the increasing health of the river and its surroundings.
Scan this code with your Smartphone, or visit our
website at www.conservancyforcvnp.org/help/donate
to become a member or to donate today!
23
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Administrative Office
1403 West Hines Hill Road
Peninsula, Ohio 44264
conservancyforcvnp.org
Design by Kleidon & Associates
Paper donation provided by The Millcraft Group
Photography provided by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cover photo: Horseshoe Pond by Ed Toerek
© 2012 Conservancy for CVNP
Conservancy for CVNP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
permit no. 286
akron, oh