On Saturday, April 20th, the 25th Anniversary of the Marietta Earth Day Celebration kicked off with blue skies and sunshine at Armory Square. We had a record breaking number of close to 500 attendees 225 of which were children! This event was sponsored by Peoples Bank and the Marietta Area Recycling Center. There were 26 local and regional organizations that participated with free arts and craft activities, hands-on displays and information to make us more aware of the environment. The melodic rhythm of the kettle drum beat played by Kat Hawbaker from the First Unitarian Universalist Society was the backdrop of festival sounds.

Laurel Fork Falconry, through the continued sponsorship of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta, brought a Peregrine Falcon, Red Tailed Hawk and Barred Owl. All of these birds of prey were rescue birds that are used for educational purposes. A series of ½ hour presentations showcased each of the raptors and their story. Birds of a different feather also were seen as an appearance was made by Woodsy the Owl (Give a Hoot Don’t Pollute!) from the Wayne National Forest ably done by Jennifer Ortt as well as a rare sighting of the Blue Goose from the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

A living educational hive was brought by the Mid-Ohio Valley Beekeepers Association and pollinator planting packets were donated by Walmart to hand out to all attendees. The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge brought a soft-shelled river turtle as well as pelts of different animals that live along its shores. Bruce Wunderlich answered birding questions and provided information on BWD and local birding trails. The Senecaville Fish Hatchery returned with fish raised at their hatchery and provided hands-on education on catfish and bass. The Marietta Tree Commission and the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District gave out tree saplings and information on storm water.

Information on solar panels was provided by ARP and Pickering Electric provided information on home modifications to save energy. A new local solar company, Murphy Brothers, also had a solar display. The 4 R’s, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle were featured in an exhibit done by Jenny Bruce. Rethink/Reduce was focused on point of purchase decisions to reduce items sold in plastics such as laundry detergent or soap and alternate products and samples were provided. This was followed by examples of Reuse through the Trash to Art & More Show as well as the Pioneer Ladies Civitan overseeing the ever popular shrinky dink craft table that reused #6 plastics. Recycling was covered by information provided by the Marietta Area Recycling Center and showing some of the end use materials made from our local recyclables such as guardrail blocks made by Mondo Polymers. The Trash to Art & More Show had entries that were artsy, functional or both made from materials that would have been thrown away or recycled. Entries ranged from “Irene the Ironing Lady” made by Chris Wilden out of, you guessed it, an ironing board, cans and reused items such as galoshes, apron and sunglasses; Michelle Dehnart created wind chimes out of fishing line, a coffee lid and bottle caps; Pauline Lee made a multicolored flower bouquet out of plastic water, juice and pop bottles; Carolyn Hawn entered examples of Eggery made from Ostrich, Goose and chicken eggs with highly detailed decorative interiors. A diorama created by Alayna Garst called “Environmental Hero” depicted a human hand taking plastics out of our ocean waters and Ashlynn Jordan made a wonderful milk jug bunny planter. Participation prizes for the contest were provided by Greenleaf Landscaping and Wendys.

Peddler of Dreams had a special craft surrounding the making of a bead hanger for handmade gourd birdhouses. Special thanks to Carol & Joe Lang for raising and donating the 50 gourds and to Jenny Bruce for having the vision and fortitude to dry them all out in her family barn all winter, clean them, harvest all the seeds to be handed out, cut holes and insert dowels to make all 50 into birdhouses ready for this craft activity. She even went to the effort of making the envelopes the seeds were handed out in from old calendars – 200 of them!

Peoples Bank presented a check in the amount of $1000 in continued support of the Marietta Area Recycling Center. They also provided specially designed 25th Anniversary Marietta Earth Day Celebration T-Shirts as activity station completion prizes. The T-shirts were designed by local artist, Bijou Burgardt, and depicted Earth cupped in human hands with children playing among the leaves at the top representing the ownership we must take in nurturing and protecting earth for future generations to enjoy.

The Earth Day Celebration requires planning and effort by volunteers and even more volunteers show up on the day of the event. Words cannot express how grateful we are to Marietta Civitan for their enduring support in helping set up and tear down the large event tents and providing the tables and chairs. Everyone’s efforts and continued support are greatly appreciated. We’re looking forward to next year!

Connie Grimes (Peoples Bank), Prudence Burgardt, Vic Elam (Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge and FUUSM Green Sanctuary Committee), Jody Kohler, Jenny Bruce, Joyce Robinson & Meredith Pickerell (Marietta Tree Commission) and Kathy Ortt (Marietta Area Recycling Center)