Grand Opening
Sugar Grove Park
The grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the new Sugar Grove Park was held on Saturday, Aug. 21. The dedication of the park began at 4 p.m. with Mayor Carl Strand introducing the many individuals who had a hand in the project and helped dedicate the park.
Article Photos
Photo by Candis Rieder
Park dedicated
The new Sugar Grove park and gardens were dedicated on Saturday, Aug. 21.
Those present for the ribbon-cutting with the mayor were council member Bob Snyder, borough secretary Karla LoPresti, County Planning Director Dan Glotz, Dan Morgan, Jeff VanArsdale, State Rep. Kathy Rapp, County Commissioner John Eggleston, project manager Chris Brown, Regional Main Street Coordinator Kathy Reitinger, and council members Kevin Nicholas, Jerry Bloomgren and Neal Hoisington. The crowd was treated to a close-up look at the new pavilion, sidewalks, lights, tables, and landscaping that has all been added to the existing park.
Long-time residents commented on the new handicap access to the park.
Many residents also commented on the new gardens planted throughout the park. The Hill and Dale Garden Club volunteered to design and put in the garden areas in the park along with donating some of the plants. The members and other volunteers worked through July and August to begin the gardens. Many plants were donated from Sugar Grove area residents. The club planted a variety of hardy mums, autumn joy sedum, thyme, lavender, lime green and dark green large leaf hostas, salvia, peony plants, coreopsis, floribunda rose bushes, crazy daisy plants, liatris, phlox, penstemon, and pink dianthus, as well as some new trees.
Additional planting will happen in the spring. The Hill and Dale Garden Club has always been a help to the community since its organization in 1937. The object of the club is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native plants, trees and birds, and to encourage civic plantings.
Sugar Grove Borough choose Derck & Edson Associates as the architects for the park due to their experience with actual DCNR grants which have many additional rules not normally involved with a grant. The work was done by ICM Innovative Construction Mechanical owner Thomas Eaton and his crew.
This project was possible due to the Sugar Grove Borough working with Growing Greener Funds distributed through a DCNR grant, a gift from the Pearl Manross Estate, Sugar Grove Borough funds, and volunteer work.
Completion of the park and opening event were also supported with donations from the Sugar Grove AMVETS, Sons of the AMVETS, the American Legion and Sons of the American Legion.
Additional items such as benches will be funded and added to the park in an ongoing effort to keep expanding and improving the park. Strand indicated that there will be opportunity for the community to make donations for more improvements to the park.
Bluegrass entertainment during the event was provided by The Northern Railroad Bluegrass Band formerly known as the Goodfellas. Residents brought along chairs and blankets to sit around the pavilion and enjoy the music.
Sugar Grove resident John VanDorn brought his Prinsen Book Organ, built in Belgium, and he played it as people gathered for the event.
Back to School
Reminder the first day of classes for Warren County School students will be Tuesday, Aug. 31. Students will have off Monday, Sept. 6, for Labor Day.
Phase III Sewage
set to begin
The Sugar Grove Area Sewage Authority board recently announced that Phase III of Sugar Grove Area Sewage Project has been funded and is set to begin this fall.
This latest phase received funding totaling $3.3 million with approximately $2 million coming from loans and $1.1 million received in grant funding. Phase III will provide opportunity for 125 more homes in the area to be hooked on to the existing sewage system. Notices will be mailed to those home owners who live in the areas affected by the upcoming Phase III.
Open bids for the project will be posted by Aug. 30. Tap-in fees and monthly user fees for Phase III will remain the same those charged in Phase I and II.
We Are Bookin
The Sugar Grove Free Library will be holding a 1 Mile and 5 K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 18. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sugar Grove Free Library. All ages are welcome to take part in the fun time.
Race time will begin at 10 a.m. and registration will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The start/finish line is in front of Sugar Grove Library on School Street. Check in the library for the route of the event. Cost for each participant will be $5 for registrations if received by Sept. 13 or $8 if register on race day. Snacks will be provided to all participants.
Registration forms are available at the Sugar Grove Free Library. Contact Carrie Guiher at 489-3242 or carrieguiher1@verizon.net with any questions or for a reservation form. Also check out the race information at the Sugar Grove Library website: www.sugargrovelibrary.org.
Go Blue and Gold
The Eisenhower Knights varsity football team will take on Conneaut Valley at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 in a scrimmage. They will open their regular season with their first away game on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. against Sharpsville. Monday, Aug. 30 the boys varsity golf team will take on Warren in a match.
Upcoming
School Events
Some dates to remember will be the Eisenhower Open House on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Picture Day for students at EMHS will be Sept. 22. Senior Pictures are due to the yearbook staff on Oct. 1. The Homecoming Dance will be held on Oct. 2. There will also be an All County Band Show at Eisenhower on Aug. 28.
Freedom Walk
The Sugar Grove community will be participating in the Nationwide America Supports You Freedom Walk on Sept. 11 to remember 9-11 victims and honor military past and present who protect American's freedom. Saturday, Sept.11, is the ninth anniversary of the Sept.11 attacks against the United States
The 2010 Sugar Grove America Supports You Freedom Walk is sponsored each year by the AMVETS (American Veterans) and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary. Everyone, all ages, are encouraged to attend. The route for America Supports You Freedom Walk will begin at 5 p.m. at the Sugar Grove Town Park and the walk will be less than two miles. The purpose of the Freedom Walk is to establish a national tradition to reflect on the lives lost on Sept. 11 and to renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country and to honor our veterans, past and present.
Nyla Luvison
Walk Update
The Nyla Luvison 5K race and fun walk on July 11 was a success with the fund-raiser donating $2,492.21 to the Warren Cancer Care Center. Paul Tutmaher recently presented a check for that amount to Jim Fiscus, who represents the Cancer Care Center at the event.
Sugar Grove
High School Reunion
The Sugar Grove High School Reunion will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Bucket Cafe. Anyone who at anytime attended the school is welcome to attend and reminisce with former classmates.