Chamber Lunch And Learn April 2026 Recap
Four speakers presented information about ways their business or agency worked to enhance and preserve the environment at the April 21 Morrow County Chamber of Commerce meeting held at Cote Winery.
Mount Gilead State Park Manager Lora White opened the program with the news that Ohio State Parks were named the best park system, No. 1 in the nation. The state received the gold award because of its recreation programs and park services.
White spoke about the programs for students at the Mount Gilead State Park with 200-600 school children visiting the park for special programs during the spring and fall seasons. This year, many trees have been planted at the park with the state Buckeye Nursery supplying the trees.
Dixie Shinaberry spoke about the Morrow County Park District’s six county parks. The largest park is Flying Squirrel Preserve, located north of Chesterville, with 338 acres, a lodge and several hiking trails. This year, 60 bluebird houses were made for the park along with several new benches around the trails. This year the county park district will celebrate 30 years with a pancake breakfast June 27 at Flying Squirrel Preserve.
Faith Kunze listed details for the Mid-Ohio Sanitation and Recycling business. She noted that it is a family-operated business with nine routes, 20 drivers and an office staff. The company serves Morrow County primarily and connected areas of neighboring counties. The business recently took over the services for the Village of Mount Gilead. The company has EPA licensing with a license for demolition and construction debris as well.
OSU Morrow County Extension Educator Ashley Huffine talked about the many ways Extension works with conservation in soil and water. She is the 4-H educator and works with many youth programs. Numerous 4-H clubs help with collection of trash on country roads in the spring “Trash Bash.” Last year, 2,197 tires from the county were recycled. This helps cut down on the breeding of mosquitoes and other vermin. She commented on how respecting animals and the environment are important lessons OSU educators work with every day.
In other chamber business, Director Mindy Groves introduced the Student of the Month, Navaeh Crow, and Mount Gilead High School Dean of Students Jason Ross.
Upcoming chamber events in May include:
• May 19: Lunch and Learn at the Morrow County Hospital
• May 29: Friday Coffee Chats at Edison Depot
Groves thanked Chamber platinum sponsors Cardington Yutaka, Lubrication Specialties, Inc., and OhioHealth Morrow County Hospital; Gold sponsors Open Roads Renewables and Consolidated Electric Co-Op.; Silver sponsor Sheetz; and bronze sponsor Heartland Promotional Products.
Alberta Stojkovic is a correspondent for The Morrow County Sentinel. She can be reached at albertaellen16@gmail.com.
