A beautiful fall evening drew 350 people Sunday to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Environmental Education Center in Boston Township for a clambake and auction. April Walton chaired the event, which benefited the center’s Residential Environmental Education Program. She was assisted by committee members Lisa Mandel, Rory O’Neil, Liz Remmel, Dianne Squire and Libby Upton.
Guests hiked to the November Lodge, where Hey Mavis provided music during cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Sam Burton served clam chowder that Elizabeth Whelan proclaimed “delicious on the fall evening.”
Chris Ziska said a solar panel provides all the power for the lodge, which is used for school programs, summer camps, teacher workshops, conferences and family events.
In a large white tent on the lawn, a lobster and clambake was prepared by chef Bill Rini and his staff at Taste of Excellence Catering.
Barbara Kalavsky and Courtney Luensman sold raffle tickets; Mike Sherman and Jeff Hyde took photos as the sun set.
Deb Yandala, chief executive for the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, welcomed everyone and introduced Park Superintendent Stan Austin. “There’s a chill in the air, but a lot of warmth in here,” he said, and he thanked the crowd for providing scholarships so all kids can enjoy a nature experience at the park. He proudly introduced his daughter, Gia, who had flown in from Alaska, as “just one of the many kids I introduced to nature.”
John Debo, conservancy director of development and former park superintendent, attended with his wife, Cyndee, along with Fran Buchholzer, Bernice Jackson, John and Bonnie Childs, Mary Briggs, Ellen Otto, Mary Ann and Tom Deveney, Dan Moore, David Kopkas, Mike and Colleen Miller, Wes and Susan Riffle, Gregg Simpson, Gainer Davis and Kelly Falcone-Hall.
Craig Tallman, president of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, said the railroad was getting ready for the Polar Express.
He dined with Siegfried Buerling, George and Nora Snider, Peter and Cindy Buerling, John and Christine Scheatzle, Robin Davenport, Scott and Georgia Lehman, John and Diane Fusco and Jennifer and Chris Geer.
