Volunteer Signups Available Online
Did you know that you can now sign up to volunteer or to take part in social events using a simple online registration form right from your phone or PC? The Member Calendar has a complete list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and social events.
Community Events
- Big Backyard Party will be on 7/29/2023 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Oak Grove Park. They are in desperate need of volunteers for the plastic fish casting station. It is an easy job and there are no worms or hooks to deal with. They also need volunteers to engage the community from the CNO booth to help explain what we do and why someone would want to join CNO. Signup online to help using the Member Calendar.
- The Optimist Kids Day in the Park will be on 8/5/2023 at Delco Park. They need many more volunteers. Signup online to help using the Member Calendar.
CNO 2.0 Venue and Details
The venue for tonight’s CNO 2.0 meeting was Mi Lindo Jalisco Mexican Restaurant and Bar, 520 Miamisburg Centerville Rd. Thank you to the team for the great food, drinks and space!
There were 25 people at the meeting (5 guests, 20 members).
Brent Richburg, CNO 2.0 Committee, said he was so thankful for all the guests and members that came to tonight’s meeting.
Brent Richburg said he is glad he relocated his family to the Centerville area. Where they previously lived, they had great schools, but the town only had one park. He likes how Washington Township/Centerville cares so much about things like the parks, the RecPlex and the library.
He also gave a recap of what our club is all about and that information is at the bottom of this article.
Community Updates
Brent Richburg introduced three community leaders who spoke tonight. All three are also members of CNO.
RecPlex
Mark Metzger, the Recreation Director, discussed changes and updates at the RecPlex.
The RecPlex’s plan is to use what they have and make the RePlex better.
Cleaning up and upgrading features for the ponds is currently RecPlex’s largest project. They are going to add docks and they will be accessible. There will also be a dock for kayaks. This should be done in 12 to 18 months. Funding for the ponds comes from significant grants. The front pond is going to be used for fishing again after a lot of work is completed.
The fitness center size has been increased from 1000 square feet to 5000 square feet. That project was supposed to already be done, but there are some challenges with installing the new windows that will overlook the park. This fall, after the building is re-enforced, the windows will be installed.
Some much-needed renovation to the women’s lockers rooms is about to start.
Centerville-Washington Park District
Kristen Marks, Park Director, updated us about the Centerville-Washington Park District.
The Park District operates eight community parks, nine nature parks and thirty-four neighborhood parks.
In the last seven years they have created a lot more programs. They don’t just build stuff and hope people will use it or like it. They do a lot of community surveys to ask what the community wants. More shade, for example, is a popular theme for requests.
All the community parks have a perimeter path except Iron Horse which has one under construction and will be done soon.
Grant Park improvements are happening at the McEwen Road entrance and the barn is being refurbished. A picnic area is going in.
In 2006 the sprayground was built and much of its equipment has reached its end of life. The sprayground has about 35,000 visitors every summer. They are going to renovate it and replace the worn-out parts.
Besides programs for kids, there are adult programs for archery, pickleball and yoga; there is something for everyone.
Washington-Centerville Public Library – The Wall that Heals and Creativity Commons
Liz Fultz, Washington-Centerville Library Director, spoke about “The Wall that Heals.”
There are lots of exciting things at the library. The library is not just about books. They are so much more than books now.
Creativity Commons
The library, in partnership with RecPlex, has opened a maker space called “Creativity Commons” inside RecPlex East. The library provides the equipment and employees and the RecPlex is providing the space.
It is a place where people can enter with an idea and leave with a completed project. The space has knowledgeable staff to assist patrons with the equipment and their ideas.
Creativity Commons has a laser etcher, a large format printer, 3D printers, a dye sublimation machine, computerized sewing machines and more. They are averaging 50 people each day during the 5 hours it is open.
On September 13, 2022, Bill Menker, the Patron Services Manager at Washington-Centerville Public Library, spoke at a CNO lunch about the library’s Creativity Commons. CNOtes from September 13, 2022 has many more details not listed in this article.
The Wall That Heals
The Wall that Heals is a traveling three-quarter size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. It also has a mobile education center and is a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, who are founders of the wall in D.C. The exhibit opens on July 27, 2023.
People will be coming from all over to see this exhibit.
The wall by itself is 374 feet long, and this is the only traveling wall replica that comes with a Mobile Education Center. The library doesn’t have enough space to hold all of this, so the Park District has graciously agreed to partner with the library and host the exhibit at Yankee Park.
There are lots of volunteer opportunities left. There is going to be plenty of training for volunteers.
The Centerville Washington Foundation awarded the library their community impact grant this year for The Wall That Heals. CNO also generously provided funding.
Just like in D.C., the names are etched into the walls. People will be able to do rubbings like they do in D.C.
Online Resources for The Wall That Heals
- Link on the Washington Centerville Public Library site. Includes volunteer opportunities.
- In Memory Program Application
- Informational video about the exhibit
- Liz spoke at a CNO lunch about the “Wall that Heals”. CNOtes from May 9, 2023 has many more details not listed in this article.
Motorcycle Escort
There will be a motorcycle escort from Sinclair Community College on Clyo to the final site at Yankee Park on Tuesday, July 25. The Wall will be set up on Wednesday, July 26, with it officially opening the morning of Thursday, July 27. The exhibit will be open continuously, 24 hours a day, until it comes down on the afternoon of Sunday, July 30. Throughout the exhibit, groups will be able to sign up to get a tour led by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund staff.
Some Featured Events
The opening ceremony is at 10 AM on Thursday July 27, 2023. After the opening ceremony it will be open 24 hours a day.
The featured speaker at the opening ceremony is Cindy LaPointe Dafler. She is the widow of Medal of Honor recipient SP 4 Joseph Guy LaPointe, Jr. She is a trustee at Dayton’s American Veterans Heritage Center and a member of its Member Events and Outreach committees.
There will be a band and Alexis Gomez will sing the National Anthem.
Each evening there will be a be a bugler playing taps. CNO member Bob Myers is the bugler on Thursday July 27, 2023.
There will be a closing ceremony at 1:30 PM on Sunday July 30, 2023.
Thank You to All of Tonight’s Speakers.
Thank you to tonight’s speakers, Mark Metzger, Kristen Marks and Liz Fultz, for updating us on our community.
About CNO 2.0
CNO 2.0 is a club within a club of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club. CNO (and CNO 2.0) is a world class service organization. Being a member of either club allows their members all the same opportunities to participate in fundraising and club activities. CNO 2.0 was created about 5 years ago and is very much a part of the 55-year-old Centerville Noon Optimist Club. CNO has given away over $2 million during its history. CNO is a group of like-minded members that are passionate about helping youth and having fun in the process.
Annual Fundraisers
- Christmas Tree Lot
- Avenue of Flags
- Golf Outing
Major Activities for the Youth in our Community
- Build-a-Bear at Children’s Hospital or for other child-related organizations
- Fishing Derby in June
- Kid’s Day in the Park in August
- Easter Egg Hunt