VOLUNTEERS BRING ‘CANDY LAND’ TO LIFE

Group takes over Nature Center, turns it into winter wonderland

Since 2002, a group of Eaton Corp. retirees known as REV’d UP — Retirees of Eaton Volunteering to Do Useful Projects — have been assisting the staff at Penitentiary Glen Reservation set up its annual winter exhibit, “Candy Land has gone Wild!”

However, when the group announced that 2017 would be its last year facilitating in transforming the Nature Center into the winter-themed wonderland, the baton was passed to a group of 20-plus Lubrizol Corp. volunteers.

And the decision to step in for Eaton was immediately made, said coordinator Mary Jane Sanders, who simply requested to bring a group out to actually see what went on preparing the life-sized popular game board with a natural twist.

“They called and I was positive it was something we could handle,” Sanders said. “After we came out and watched, I knew we’d do it. All they needed was three hours. It’s just another way to come out and

“We’re happy to have them, definitely, because they know how it works the easiest, where to start and how to get things done efficiently,”

— Coordinator Mary Jane Sanders

help the community.

“Plus, we think that Lake Metroparks is a very worthy organization to help, and our volunteers elected to participate in this kind of thing as a group. We’re from two different plants, Wickliffe and Painesville, so we don’t normally get to see each other, so it’s also another way to build relationships not only with each other but also with the park system.”

Pat Morse, assistant chief of interpretive services, said finding volunteers to pledge to the project, which includes putting together craft kits, wrapping “fake” gifts, hanging corrugated wallpaper and assembling the giant game board, didn’t present all that large of a challenge.

“When we found out that Eaton was having its last year, we as a staff reached out to our volunteer department who has contacts with corporate groups and we heard fairly quickly that Lubrizol was in,” Morse said. “And our staff is there for them. Prior to the day the volunteers

arrive, we do a lot of preparation, about three weeks, and it’s all worth it. This is a rallying of the troops to get the exhibit ready.”

This year, 25 total volunteers are participating, including Marilyn and Fran Raishart, two Eaton retirees who chose to return to help.

After it was confirmed Lubrizol would be the source of the volunteers, Marilyn asked Sanders to give her a call when the group was ready, a fact Sanders said she was glad to oblige.

“We’re happy to have them, definitely, because they know how it works the easiest, where to start and how to get things done efficiently,” Sanders said. “When you first come in, you’re not too sure what’s happening, but after you start to learn the tricks to get the exhibit set up right, things go smoothly. We all have a good time, both staffs, and everyone works hard.

“Over three-fourths of the volunteers have never been to Penitentiary Glen before, so getting them to appreciate what we have here in our own backyard is a huge thing. They, too, can learn about what we

have here in our community.”

Sanders added that the relationship assisting with “Candy Land” also partially stems from a longstanding educational partnership with Lake Metroparks’ Trees for Wildlife program, where area first-graders are taught about the importance of trees.

Concord Township resident Joe Rinella, who retired from Lubrizol in March after 38 years, said he’s happy to donate his time to help the group.

“I volunteer for everything,” he said. “So when Mary Jane called me up, I said, ‘Absolutely.’ Whenever they need, I’m there, and I teach my kids the importance of giving back, too. It’s great.”

“Candy Land has gone Wild!” opens Nov. 17 and runs through Jan. 1. The exhibit is open daily from noon to 5 p.m., excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road.

Visit https://bit. ly/2qAEJRm or call 440-256-1404 for more information.

CHAD FELTON — THE NEWS-HERALD Volunteers work together setting up “Candy Land has gone Wild!” at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland on Nov. 7. Joe Rinella, center, of Concord Township, was one of three Lubrizol Corp. retirees who dedicated time to prepare the lifesized board game classic “come to life” for its Nov. 17 opening.

CHAD FELTON — THE NEWS-HERALD Rosemary Krupar “fluffs” a tree on Nov. 7, setting up one of the many decorative elements of Penitentiary Glen’s annual winter exhibit, “Candy Land has gone Wild!”