It is hard to believe that 2019 has come and gone and we are once again ever so grateful for the outstanding support from our community members and area foundations.  

• We continue to search for funding for the accessible trail and by doing so have made strides in our efforts to complete this great addition to the Norma Johnson Center.  We are thankful for the community members who supported this project in 2019 as well as the following community organizations:
  • Doris and Floyd Kimble Foundation
  • Ruth Carlson Starlight Foundation
  • Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation
• Two young men, Nathan Ruggeri and Casey Rowlands, who were working to attain Eagle Scout honors helped place two lifelong structures to the Conservation Pond area that thousands of people will enjoy for years.  The bridge over the spillway and the accessible fishing deck will allow visitors to enjoy the Conservation pond area with ease.  
• Three grants were received to help with new equipment along with one community supported resource
  • New Holland Front End Loader – Tuscarawas County Community Foundation
  • Cub Cadet Pro Z 972 SD Mower – Reeves Foundation
  • Pond Dipping Nets in partnership with Rural Action-Reeves Foundation
  • Wildflower, Tree ID, Insect ID, Bird ID guides and games – John Quimby
• Several grants and funding sources were attained in 2019 to help with events.
  • United Way of Tuscarawas County – Winter Hike
  • Dover Hydraulics and Sugar Valley Meats-Chicken Barbecue
  • Kimble Company and ODNR Step Outside Grant – Family Fishing Day
  • O’Donnell Family Charitable Foundation- Butterfly Exhibit
  • Kimble Company and ODNR Step Outside Grant – Adventure Camp
  • First National Bank of Dennison- Fall Fest
  • Farm Bureau – Fall Fest
  • Dover Phila Federal Credit Union-Celebrate the Season and Luminary Walk

We cannot express how grateful we are for the community support of our organization.

We are announcing our 2020 essay contest today! The prompt is: Nature is all around us. Pick a sense and describe an outdoor experience with it.This can be from your point of view or a plant or animal’s point of view. For example: describing a hummingbird’s sense of taste when it is eating nectar. The rules are as follows: 

• This contest is open to people in grades K – 8, and will be judged in age groups of K-2, 3-5, 6-8.
• Word limits are as follows: K-2, 100 words; grades 3-5, 150 words; grades 6-8, 250 words.  These limits are just guides.  Drawings will also be accepted in each age group.  In the drawing, the above mentioned items must be represented in artwork.  
• Judges will select a first and second place winner based on content and thought.
• Entrants are welcome to include a drawing with their submission.
• All entries must be postmarked or received by February 7, 2020. Entries can be submitted by mailing or dropping off essays to: Norma Johnson Center  85 E. Iron Avenue Dover, Ohio 44622
• All entries must state the entrant’s name, school, school number, grade, teachers name, t-shirt size, and a home contact number with parent name (This will help staff contact winners for banquet information).
• First and second place in each age group will be contacted by phone in mid February and announced on our website and Facebook page on February 14, 2020. In addition to a prize, they will also receive free admission to the annual meeting and an additional adult ticket.
• The top two winners of each category will read their essay during the Norma Johnson Center’s Silent Auction and Recognition Program on February 27, 2020  at the Union Hill United Methodist Church 7877 Union Hill Rd NW Sugarcreek, OH 44681.
• All entries become property of the NJC. The NJC reserves the non-exclusive right to use all entries in publications or for promotional purposes.
• All questions concerning the essay contest should be directed to Marsha Freeland at 330-339-7976.
• The Norma Johnson Center is a 501c(3) non-profit organization and the intention of this contest is to highlight the Norma Johnson Center.
• The US Dept. of Agriculture, Tuscarawas County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Norma Johnson Center prohibit discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.