Conversation Station has seagoing theme party

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

July 01, 2008 07:51 pm

— ORWELL — Roasted octopus (hot dogs) treats, blueberry punch served in a fish tank, pseudo jelly fish (paper streamers) were part of the July birthday party theme Tuesday for area youth at the Conversation Station. The village downtown kids hangout center was filled with lots of laughter for the “Under the Sea” theme event.
Everybody with a July birthday were among the dozens of youth having fun in games, art work creations and getting into the spirit of the theme. The CS center is open all day during the summer months on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, according to Pat Hunter, a founder and board member of the center located on East Main Street.
“During the morning hours from 10 a.m. to noon we do special programs where some are free and others have a small charge. The center is open to kids from 4th grade to high school age,” Hunter said.
During July in the morning hours retired teacher David Strong of Orwell is doing special math related projects. Art classes are held on Wednesdays and on Thursdays a small replica of the Doyle Road covered bridge in Ashtabula County is being built.
Cleveland Institute of Art student, Maggie Pierce is helping out this summer with arts and crafts projects. Pierce and other volunteers came up with the seagoing theme for Tuesday. Kids made paper scuba goggles complete with a candy cane resembling a breathing hose. “I told Maggie we had all these candy canes and how could we use them up. She came up with this idea,” Hunter said.
Special cakes designed like fish and an aquarium were baked and iced by the cake decorating class group. “It’s been fun and kids really got into making the goggles. The candy canes they could eat,” Pierce said.
“We still need adults with special skills or hobbies they would like to share with the kids or just be a mentor. They can volunteer a day a week or once a month. We are in our fourth year here in Orwell,” Hunter added.