A Special Conclave Gathering of the SW RiverLands OCVN Chapter was held at the Caesar Creek State Park Nature Center on Sunday, November 10th to honor Barb Mills on the occasion of her retirement from The Ohio State University Extension. Barb has been the driving force behind the success of the OCVN program in SW Ohio. She began the program in 2007 and has provided certification training and volunteer opportunities for over 100 SW RiverLands Chapter OCVN's. These OCVN's volunteer their time and talents in over 35 federal, state and local parks in nine SW Ohio counties (Butler, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Greene,Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble, Warren ). From Oct. 16, 2012 to Oct. 15, 2013 they donated 9134 volunteer hours and attended 2006 hours of advanced training.
A variety of Family Oriented Activities were held including Tree and Shrub Identification, Fall Wildflowers with Bob Henn, Archery Instruction, Pond Life, Scarlet -the Red Tailed Hawk, Nature Center Tours, Corn Husk Doll Making, Fall Crafts, Hands on Cast Iron Cooking, BullSkin Inn and the Caesar Creek Pioneer Village, Woods Walk, Bird Blind, Pond Fishing, Pioneer Demonstrations - Corn husking, Corn shelling, Corn grinding, Cider making, Flint fire making, and Caramel Apple dipping.
A home cooked meal of roasted BBQ pork, chicken stew, smoked rainbow trout, pumpkin soup, glazed carrots, green bean medley, bean soup, oven baked bread, pumpkin cake and apple dump cake was prepared on site over open fires using cast iron Dutch Ovens.
Barb and her husband Gayle enjoyed the afternoon with their many friends and OCVN's.
BEST WISHES to BARB in her RETIREMENT! We thank her for all of her leadership and contributions to the OCVN Program in SW Ohio and across the State. Barb, You will be Missed!
More Conclave photos courtesy of Marlon Carr added Dec. 6, 2013.
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