Funds Raised for the New Home Show Building

Members of the Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort [CARE] presented representatives of the Cochranton Fair Board’s Home Show Building Committee with a check for $8144.87 on Monday, September 19. The money will be used to kick start their fundraising efforts for a new home show building on the Cochranton Fairgrounds.  The check is the accumulated amount raised by CARE specifically for the Home Show Building project.  Marsha Rynd, president of CARE, said it was an honor to designate the proceeds of several fundraisers over the last 3 years to the group. Fundraising efforts began pre-COVID with a campaign through Crawford Gives, was halted during the pandemic and then resumed in 2021 with a charity golf scramble hosted by CARE. The amount also included a donation given to CARE by an individual and earmarked for the Home Show building.  Pattie Fields, chairperson of the Home Show Building Committee, thanked Melissa Mack Maruska, a CARE board member on hand, for the group’s efforts and the patience CARE has shown in holding this money for them until a plan was formalized and the associated bank account put in place. CARE would like to acknowledge all the donors who contributed to the fund and trusted them to work closely with the Cochranton Fair Board to see that the funds were delivered on request. The new fundraising efforts now reside in the hands of the Fair Board and the hard-working Home Show Building Committee. It is expected that $100,000 will be needed to see the project through.

L to R:  Melissa Mack Maruska, CARE board member, Marsha Rynd, CARE president, Pattie Fields, Home Show Building Committee Chairperson

Big Plans for Lions Park: 2022 and Beyond

The Lions Park Committee met on June 18, to discuss and prioritize plans for upgrading this community asset. There is much to do.  Landscaping, conservation and upgrades to the park proper have long been overlooked.  With the borough’s acquisition of the park, CARE’s commitment to fundraising and the formation of a dedicated Park Committee, Lions Park is in good hands.

This summer several projects have already come to fruition.  The downed sycamores from an earlier wind storm have been removed and the brush chipped and hauled away for later use on a proposed rustic trail system through the wooded area of the park grounds.  The damaged pavilion from the same storm has also been repaired and portions of the walking trail have been repaved.  An additional grant from the US Forestry Service has gifted the borough with 20 new trees which have been planted, many of which grace the park.

Additionally, the earthen dike along Little Sugar Creek has been cleared of debris and dead wood.  Calvin Ernst of Ernst Conservation Seeds had been working to reseed the bank with woodland plants native to the area. Working with the Extension Office, protected plant species will be identified and tagged. Habitats for small woodland creatures will be reestablished.

The playground sports a new Gaga Pit for the kids to enjoy.  The octagonal pit is used for a kinder form of dodge ball played with a foam ball. The new pit mimics the one placed at the elementary school so the game is not unfamiliar to the users.  New playground-grade mulch has been purchased by CARE and is currently being spread by local scouts. Mats have also been purchased to place under the swings. CARE has also secured six new benches through donations and/or memorials.  Each of these will be anchored to new cement pads and placed strategically around or near the walking path.  One has been set next to the new Free Little Library.  The community is asked to take a book or share a book; it has already seen some joyful use by park visitors.

Coming soon will be the new park Lions Memorial at the entrance of the park.  Deceased members of the former Lions Club will be added to the plaque and reset into new stonework.  CARE has contracted Wendell Horst to do the work.  Also on the 2022 To-Do list is repainting the picnic tables, installing lights on the north end of the trail along the creek by pavilions #3 & 4, painting the exterior of the old Lions Club meeting house, redesigning the rain garden and establishing flower gardens around the new memorial. This fall, forty more trees will arrive via a new grant from the US Forestry Service. Although the grant includes a variety of trees, it should be noted that sycamores have been requested for the park.

Long term plans include items that will require major fundraising efforts and grants.  The “big” plans set forth by the committee include remodeling the interior space of the Lions Club meeting house for community use, replacing the roofs on pavilion #3 & 4, building permanent ADA compliant bathrooms, designing an all purpose court for pickle ball and badminton, development of a second entrance, redesign parking along Race St, signage, development of the rustic trail system and the building of a stage/entertainment center for community events.

The Borough of Cochranton is proud of the little park. We invite you to explore and enjoy this charming green space known to all as the Lions Community Park

Annual Golf Outing August 21, 2022

CARE will run their annual golf outing at Mt. Hope Golf Course on Sunday, August 21. Registration begins at 8:00 AM with a shotgun start at 9. Using the 4-person scramble format, there will be line and skill prizes with skins and mulligans available for purchase at the course. Entry fee is $75 or $300 per team of four. All proceeds will be benefit the continued upgrades of Cochranton Lions Park including the renovation of the Lions meeting house, picnic areas, playground maintenance, trail improvement.

Mail entries and checks to CARE c/o Mike Dickson, PO Box 176, Cochranton, PA 16314. Inquiries can be made at dicksonfuneralhome@windstream.net or call Mike at 814-425-2895 to register. Entry deadline is August 13.

2022 FOUNDERS DAY AUCTION

Mark Saturday, April 30, on your calendar. After a 2 year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Founders Day Auction is back. Replete with raffle baskets and a myriad of auction items, new and used, the Founders Day Auction promises a fun night out for all.

Once again, CARE has selected a project to highlight the needs of the area: This year we have the revitalization of Lions Community Park in mind. Following a terrific wind storm last fall, the park lost an entire grove of ancient sycamore trees in addition to portions of the paved walking trail around the park. A tree planting program has begun but there is much to do. The old Lions Club building needs renovation, the installation of ADA bathrooms are needed, the pavilions and playground areas require maintenance, walking trails need repaired and expanded and designated conservation areas are being planned. The park will continue to be an area asset for all ages and through your generous contributions, the auction proceeds will provide seed money for all of these improvements.

Admission is free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there.

CARE Golf Scramble August 22

Get Swinging! The CARE Golf Scramble is Scheduled for August 22.

CARE will run their annual golf outing at Mt. Hope Golf Course on Sunday, August 22. Registration begins at 8:00 AM with a shotgun start at 9. Using the 4-person scramble format, there will be line and skill prizes with skins and mulligans available for purchase at the course. Entry fee is $75 or $300 per team of four. Meal and refreshments included. All proceeds will be benefit the new Home Show Building at the Cochranton Fairgrounds.

Entry deadline is August 14. Mail entries and checks to CARE c/o Mike Dickson, PO Box 176, Cochranton, PA 16314. Inquiries can be made at dicksonfuneralhome@windstream.net or call Mike at 814-425-2895.

Taste of Cochranton 2021

CARE will be hosting a new event on the Cochranton Fairgrounds, July 18., from 1 - 3 pm. The Taste of Cochranton will feature foods prepared by local restaurants, civic groups and churches. All tickets are $10 and must be purchased prior to the event. Tickets are available at local restaurants and at the Borough Office. Proceeds to benefit the Fair Board and the proposed construction of the new Home Show Building. Bon appétit!

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Thank You!

Many thanks to all who donated to Crawford Gives 2020 in the name of CARE. Totals are still coming in and the added pro-rated funds are still being calculated. CARE will announce the amount raised for the Cochranton Fair Board as soon as the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation notifies us of the totals — just shy of $2400 has been raised so far. Again, thank you!

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