MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 7/7/04

"Riverball Race to Benefit Youth Conservation Corps"

Each summer since 1994, the City of Sylvania has operated the Sylvania Youth Conservation Corps. The Conservation Corps offers Sylvania junior high age students an opportunity to work in our parks while learning new skills and earning pay. The program is supported by many community organizations and area businesses, and also by the Annual Riverball Race, this year on Saturday, July 17^th at 1:30 p.m.

The Riverball Race is held on Ten Mile Creek in Harroun Community Park. Numbered tickets are sold ($2.50 each, 5 for $10.00) that match numbers on plastic balls released into the water. The balls float downstream to the river deck where they are caught. The first balls caught win prizes donated by local businesses. Over 100 prizes have been donated this year, including a first prize of 4 tickets to Cedar Point with a one night stay at the Breakers Inn. Tickets are available from the City Zoning Office, the Parks and Forestry Building, Accents N' Antiques, Brieschke's Bakery, Country Mouse, Garden Delight's and Lily's on Main.

All the Riverball Race proceeds go to support the Sylvania Youth Conservation Corps, which is a wonderful program for our community. Each summer, 30 junior high students who live in the City or Township are selected for the program based on their written applications. For most, it is their first job, and they are taught new skills working in our parks while earning pay. They are introduced to soil and water conservation, wildlife, birding, butterfly preservation, landscaping, forestry, composting, recycling and carpentry.

In addition to developing a work ethic, building self-esteem, working in a team effort and taking on responsibility, the Corps members are also improving the environment and quality of life here in Sylvania. Over 7,000 flowers are planted each year together with other environmental projects like park rangering, signage installation and forest products processing. The many flowers, donated by Creque Greenhouse, Lehman Greenhouse and others, are planted in our parks and at public buildings including schools, Tam O'Shanter, Centennial Terrace, Sylvania Historic Museum, Burnham Building, Sylvania Administration Building, Sylvania Court and others.

My thanks to all in the community who have supported the Sylvania Youth Conservation Corps and the Riverball Race including Sylvania Township, Sylvania Schools, SJARD, SCAT, Sylvania Rotary and the many local businesses donating prizes and materials. This is a program unique to Sylvania benefiting our most important community asset – our young people. Come out and support the Riverball Race on Saturday, July 17^th!