Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Lord,
We have many demands on our time: work, family, faith communities, and volunteering to name a few. Help us to realize we are not indispensable. You call for us to take a sabbath and even You took time to rest on the 7th day. We cannot pour from empty cups. May we give ourselves grace to take the time to care for ourselves so that we may serve you and those around us better.
Amen.
Volunteer and Social Event Signups Available Online with the Virtual Clipboard
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.
Announcements
TOP Soccer Season Begins
Bob Glavin shared the exciting news that TOP Soccer is back for its 25th year! Registration and opening day will be Sunday, August 18th, 2024, at Oak Grove Park from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM and volunteers are needed. Volunteer coaches are also needed on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and Sundays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM until mid-October. No soccer experience is required—just bring enthusiasm and empathy for the players. There will be 150 players across 8 fields. For more details and to sign up, please use the Member Calendar.
Summer Social on August 24, 2024
Beth Duncan announced that the summer social will be at the home of Bill and Kelly Stone at 5PM on August 24, 2024. There will be City BBQ pork and brisket, beer, wine, pop, and water. There will be a rubber duck race at $1 per duck and cornhole boards available. For more details and to sign up, please use the Member Calendar. The cost is $10.
Picnic Lunch on Tuesday August 13, 2024, in the Margaret Barclay Memorial Shelter at Yankee Park
Debe Dockins reminded us that the CNO Lunch meeting on Tuesday August 13, 2024, will NOT be at Yankee Trace. There will be a picnic lunch of chicken and frozen custard in the Margaret Barclay Memorial Shelter at Yankee Park. Show up around 11:45 and she could use some more volunteers to set up and clean up afterwards.
The Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks: Investing in Your Community’s Big Backyard
Kristen Marks introduced Brian Code, a foundation ambassador for the Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks.
Brian Code retired about five years ago from an engineering career in sensor manufacturing, serving the environmental, medical device and aerospace/satellite industries. Brian is actively involved in the community. For the Park District, Brian has led hikes for Hike for Your Health and contributed significantly to conservation efforts. At Donnybrook and Robert Athletes Parks, he’s removed nearly 400 invasive species, which has been immensely helpful.
We’re thrilled to have him as a foundation ambassador.
Slides
View the slides presented today here.
About the Foundation
The Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks (FCWP) was established to secure philanthropic funding for projects, programs, and conservation efforts directly related to the Centerville-Washington Park District’s mission, vision, and values. This fund is administered by The Dayton Foundation, the region’s leading community foundation. At the Dayton Foundation, the fund number is 1875 and the fund name is “Foundation_for_Centerville_Washington_Parks.”
The FCWP was created about a year and a half ago. While the Park District’s operating expenses are sustained primarily through tax revenue, the Foundation aims to provide a new source of revenue for parks, facilities, and programs. One of the Park District’s values is fiscal responsibility; they are intentional and creative in their pursuit of non-tax revenue to maintain the community’s top-class parks, facilities, and programs, ensuring their viability for years to come.
Mission and Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support and enhance Centerville-Washington Parks through three main facets:
- Conservation: Supporting conservation efforts to protect your parks’ natural assets.
- Impact: Progressing park improvements for maximum community impact.
- Connection: Developing strong community relationships to sustain exceptional parks, programs, and services.
Residents of this great community are fortunate to have access to hundreds of acres of native Ohio habitats within 10-15 minutes of their front doors. The Park District staff often meets new residents during community events, and they consistently express their excitement about the parks and programs. This enthusiasm is a testament to the unique and wonderful opportunities our community provides for all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in nature.
Community Impact
Brian Code is a dedicated volunteer and conservationist. He shared his experiences and the impact of the parks on the community. From removing invasive species to leading hikes, Brian highlighted the importance of community involvement and support. He also discussed the benefits of becoming a donor, suggesting that it creates a lasting relationship with the Park District.
Brian described a guided hike at Bill Yeck Park, observing various contributions to the park’s conservation and community connection. Examples included a new picnic shelter with an AED, a natural play area for children, and a controlled burn area that fostered wildflower growth. These initiatives demonstrate the park’s commitment to conservation, community impact, and connection.
Ways to Give
Donations, sponsorships, and gifts are vital to the Centerville-Washington Park District’s mission to deliver fun, healthy, and outstanding park experiences that connect the community with the outdoors. The FCWP has several meaningful ways to give:
- Support Specific Projects
- Yankee Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Renovation: Budget: $150,000-$180,000
- Village South Park Improvements: Budget: $150,000
- Grant Park Bridges: Budget: $650,000 (with $250,000 State Capital Funding)
- Become a Park Gem: A monthly recurring gift in the amount of your choosing.
- Kroger Community Rewards: Link your Kroger Shopper’s Card to the FCWP.
- Planned Giving: Leave a gift through your will or trust to benefit the parks, programs, and conservation efforts for years to come.
- Tribute Program: Celebrate a special person or event through a donation.
- Tree and Bench Dedication Program: Commemorate a person, group, or event with trees or benches in a CWPD park of your choosing.
Why Donate to the Foundation?
Supporting the Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks means making a positive impact on the community for years to come. Your contributions help maintain and enhance parks, facilities, and programs, ensuring they remain top-class and accessible to everyone.
To learn more, visit the Park District’s website or the Foundation’s Facebook page. Together, we can continue to enjoy and preserve our community’s big backyard.
Thank You
Thank you, Kristen Marks and Brian Code, for telling us about The Foundation for Centerville-Washington Parks.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Arline Danial | Tom Novak |
| Brian Code | Speaker |
| Mary Cozart | Ellie Parker |
| Tim McKenzie | Paul Boeckman |
| Tony Danial | Tom Novak |
| David Richart. | Paul Stull |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Diane Bradburne | Gary Smiga | 1st Reading |
| Zachary Winning | Tom Henderson | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Kristen Marks | The Big Backyard Party was a huge success. She appreciates CNO members contributing to the success that had over 1200 people and handed out 250 fishing poles. |
| Maha Kashani | Her kids just turned 5 and 2 and her oldest starts kindergarten at PVS this fall. She is also happy that she is getting more involved with CNO. |
| Ellie Parker | Her partner, Tom Stauffer, just celebrated his 86th birthday. |
| Mike Brubaker | Sue Brubaker’s shoulder replacement went well, but she is not happy about needing patience for the recovery. |
| Gail Aiken | Her oldest grandson turned 20 yesterday. |
| Debe Dockins | Had a great family day at the Ohio State Fair with her 93-year-old father, her brother and her sister-in-law. |
| Fred Polizzi | Just returned from his 51st family reunion in New Jersey. |
| Julie Walling Noeth | Her two oldest grandsons are starting kindergarten this fall, one in Columbus and one in Cincinnati. |
| Joan Cordonnier | Sergeant Art Hung did a pose that made her laugh. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Matt Goecke | Shameless self-promotion when introducing his wife. |
| Paul Boeckman | Last week, Stephanie Llacuna’s guest mentioned that she knows you from way back. Knowing that, Paul should have invited her to lunch before now. |
| Andy Higgins | Winning third place and the loner necklace at the Euchre social two weeks ago. |
| Debe Dockins | Reckless parking in the Yankee Trace parking lot. |
| Paul Stull | Impersonating his son Tim Stull because he grabbed Tim’s name tag by mistake out of the name tag box. |
| Scott Langer | He didn’t realize he grabbed and wore Stephanie Llacuna’s name tag by mistake. |
| Beth Duncan | Saying something in her announcement that could not be published in CNOtes. |
| Bob Duffy | Bob Duffy sponsored Art Hung who sponsored current sergeant and new member Brad Millward. |
| Zachary Winning | Welcome to the club! The sergeants, Brad Millward and Art Hung, want to give you a chance right away to help kids and improve the community. Pay up and you’re one of us now! |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Fred Polizzi | August 9, 2005 | 19 |
Birthdays
| Katy Barker | August 7 |
| Tyler Clark | August 7 |
| Judy DeMarco | August 10 |
| Art Hung | August 10 |
| Laurent Muvunyi | August 10 |
| Paul Stull | August 11 |
| Larry Lynde | August 12 |
| Dean Lundgren | August 12 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week