Geneva to celebrate Earth Day Saturday

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

April 21, 2008 11:54 pm

— GENEVA TOWNSHIP — It’s not easy going green, but Mike Blakeman is determined to clean up and clear out as much litter as possible.
A manager at Geneva State Park, Blakeman sees the dirty trail of litterbugs and depends upon volunteers on Earth Day to help bag the garbage.
“The volunteers are great,” Blakeman said. “They help pick up everything from aluminum cans and plastic bottles from roadside ditches, to tires along the waterfront.”
Geneva State Park and the State Park Lodge are hosting several volunteer-based events Saturday. Groups and individuals can meet at the lodge at 9 a.m. for registration and area assignments. Volunteers are encouraged to wear gloves and dress for the weather.
At noon, a hot-dog cookout and pot-luck lunch will be served. Beverages, table service and hot dogs will be provided in the cabin pavilion, just across from the campground. Volunteers are encouraged to take a dish or dessert to share.
Each volunteer will receive a seedling to honor Arbor Day.
All Geneva-area elementary school classes and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops are invited to participate in the aluminum can collection challenge. Winners of this year’s challenge will be the first group to celebrate in the lodge’s newly finished outdoor pool and kids splash area.
Groups are asked to collect aluminum cans and take them to the lodge 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. The winning school or troop will have a tree planted in its honor on lodge grounds. Cork Elementary School and Austinburg Elementary won the contest last year. The can collection is sponsored in part by Ashtabula Iron and Metal and Behm Monuments.
All Geneva-area junior high school students are eligible to participate in the annual poster contest entitled “How I Can Make an Impact on Saving the Environment, One Person at a Time.” Posters must measure 10 inches by 14 inches.
Students are asked to take their posters to the lodge 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. The winning posters will be displayed at the lodge.
For more information on Earth Day events in Geneva, contact Geneva State Park (440 466-8400) or Shari Wilson at the lodge (440 415-1507).