The Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort (CARE) had their annual workshop on Jan. 12 to plan and prioritize projects for 2019. They began by discussing the importance of local culture, the necessity of knowing your community and the value of knowing and helping one another. CARE is committed to those activities that will foster economic growth, remember the area’s history and develop trust and pride within the community and surrounding area. Projects for 2019 dabble in all of that.
Ongoing or recurring projects include the Cochranton Founders Day Auction slated for April 6, at the Cochranton Community Church. The auction serves as a fundraiser for the group. This year Cindy Phelps, CARE president, and Melissa Mack Maruska, CARE communications, will co-chair the event. The Undercover Girls, a local quilting group, have already donated their quilt to be raffled the night of the auction and Wyattville Country Gardens have donated an Amish-built lawn swing and frame. The co-chairs have been busy coordinating with community members to help organize the event, soliciting donations and auction items, and start publicity.
The French Creek Heritage Event (FCHE) is another ongoing function that CARE will oversee. The 2-day event will feature noted speakers, games, demonstrations, period sutlers selling their wares, battle reenactments and Native American encampments in order to tell the story of the French Creek Valley as it was just prior to the Revolutionary War. This year FCHE is planned for July 14 and 15 at the Cochranton Fairgrounds. As always, it promises to be fun, family-friendly and free.
The CARE Golf Outing at Mt. Hope Golf Course in Guys Mills will be August 18 and, of course, the H. L. Moore Christmas Display will light up the town in November. The group is excited that this display will continue to grow and involve more of the town.
Projects to be maintained by CARE include the Lions Community Park playground. In order for the playground to remain a viable asset, periodic maintenance will be necessary. Painting, repairing and mulching areas beneath the equipment will need monitoring. The French Creek access areas will also need upkeep. Adding more gravel to the parking area and finishing the tie-ups for kayaks and canoes will also be addressed this coming year.
New for 2019 will be the first Poker Float on French Creek. Although still in the planning stages, the float is on the calendar for Saturday, June 22, and will run the 7 miles between Cochranton and Utica. The group welcomed Katie Wellmon, our local branch manager of One Federal Credit Union and CARE board member, as organizer for the event. CARE is proud to recognize French Creek as an asset and plans to make use of it to develop community awareness.
CARE is also working on a community welcome package for new residents and visitors. Working with local businesses and real estate agents in the area, the group hopes to reach out and involve more of the community in their projects.
Wrapping up the workshop was discussion on new and upcoming projects that are in the works but not ready for launch. Two thousand nineteen promises to be a very productive year for CARE. Stay tuned.