RYLA attendees report experiences to Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Victoria Dunlap, Claudia Echard, and Matt Stemmer—Interact members, Rhonda Stemmer, Meadow Brook Interact Adviser.

Three Meadow Brook students who are members of the Interact service club attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) leadership conference this summer. Victoria Dunlap, Claudia Echard and Matt Stemmer shared their experiences at the 2 1/2 day event with club members. The students were sponsored by the Byesville Rotary

RYLA gives students from Guernsey County a chance to meet other students from central and southeastern Ohio while spending two and a half days learning about themselves, learning from others and having fun. The RYLA program gives young people an opportunity to explore and develop leadership skills with other students with similar potential.

The Meadow Brook students described participating in group learning activities, discussions, speakers, and interaction with peers. These hands-on activities helped the students to explore their own leadership styles and strengths, to learn skills that will enable them to be aware o their community’s needs, to learn how to work to meet the needs of their community, and to develop and appreciation for community service.

Victoria displayed the goody bag and the learning materials the students received at the conference. She described a learning activity which involved learning about the six pillars of character. Victoria pointed out that once the students were familiar with these concepts, they were asked to write and perform a skit that illustrated a character trait.

Claudia was interested in all the people she met. She was surprised that many of the conference attendees were not Interact members. She enjoyed letting these students know about Interact. Her roommate was an Interact member and also a Rotary foreign exchange student Claudia was excited to learn about this program which sends students abroad for a couple of months to a year.

Matt Stemmer described one of the last programs of the conference—a presentation entitled “Because I Said I Would. The speaker gave practical advice about how to keep a promise. Matt explained that when you make a promise, you write your promise down on a card and give it to the person you are making the promise to. When you keep your promise, you will get the card back.

Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

Pictured: Victoria Dunlap, Claudia Echard, and Matt Stemmer—Interact members, Rhonda Stemmer, Meadow Brook Interact Adviser.

MWCD updates Byesville Rotary about plans for Seneca Lake

Pictured: Barbara Bennett, Director of Administrative Services, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, and Chuck Fair, Speaker Host. 

Barbara Bennett, Director of Administrative Services for Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), stated that the mission of the MWCD are conservation/land management, recreation, and flood reduction. Recent MWCD projects at Seneca Lake involved shoreline stabilization. Bennett reported that dredging projects at Seneca Lake are currently scheduled to take place after dredging at Tappan is completed.

Bennett explained that a master plan for development and improvements has been developed for all the MWCD lakes. The complete plan for Seneca Lake is available on the MWCD website-- http://www.mwcd.org/upload/documents/parkmasterplan/finalmasterplans/Senca_Lake_Master_Plans_Final_9.17.2013.pdf 

Bennett went on to provided an overview of the changes and upgrades being developed for each of the MWCD lakes. Plans for Seneca Lake are ambitious. Details of the planned changes are currently being completed. Implementation should begin sometime next year. MWC’s goal is to complete all changes by 2022.

Before any dirt can be moved, staff must identify infrastructure requirements and engineering designs must be completed. Part of this process will include the sequencing of projects to minimize disruption to current lake and campground users.. MWCD expects to have the preliminary design and sequencing completed by the end of 2015

According to the master plan, changes to the camping areas will include larger campsites, parking pads for campers and RV’s, upgraded electric, water and sewer. MWCD plans to add landscaping to campsites to create a natural setting and add privacy. Plans can include new welcome centers, recreation centerc, and shower/restroom facilities. Some areas may have options such as yurts, tree houses and cabins added to offer choices for overnight stays. Cabins will be larger and can include fireplaces, hot tubs, and decks. Beaches will be upgraded. Some may have splash pads installed.

Bennett pointed out that MWCD is also planning to expand recreational programming. At Seneca Lake, these activities will focus on a water park theme and could include programs such as learn-to-swim, water sport leagues, competitive swimming and diving events, and kayak and paddleboard lessons and excursions.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.