Opinion / Randolph / Around Randolph
Around Randolph: Imagining futures
- Sandy Engle
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Balken Young
After having lost three loved ones, Chastity Baldwin felt like a shell of herself. A heavy fog filled her which made daily living and parenting joyless. All she wanted was to feel joy. After a challenging day she asked God to help and said she would do anything he asked of her. The response that came forth was not what she expected. However, she followed through and started Waterloo Community Helping Hands (WCHH) along with Jodi and Colleen to support the residents of Randolph and Atwater. Her first project was stocking a supply closet at Waterloo schools to provide free school supplies. Next, she linked local youth with seniors who needed help with raking leaves, weeding, or snow shoveling. Last spring WCHH organized an arts and crafts show and the profits went towards purchasing comfortable chairs for the senior center and paying for a senior luncheon.
Last fall, a tragic incident at Waterloo High School left Chastity grief-stricken. She contacted Representative Heidi Workman, who calmly listened to Chastity’s concerns. Now, Heidi and Chastity frequently converse regarding ways to help teens be more resilient and by engaging in service work Chastity has rediscovered joy!
To learn how WCHH is expanding, please attend the public meeting on March 3, at 6 p.m. at Atwater Community Church.
Waterloo seniors can pick up an application for a WCHH Community Service scholarship in the High School Guidance Counselor’s Office.
Local happenings
Proceeds from a soup fundraiser https://fundraising.happyvalleysoupcompany.com/?fund=704 will help pay for an uplifting Waterloo mural that is designed by University of Akron art students.
The Community Yard Sale will be May 15-17. Call or text WCHH at 330-808-3199 to have your sale listed with the community map
Spring into Health is on March 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Randolph Community Center. This free event is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of farmers and gardeners. With support from Heron Hill Farm, Portage County Beekeepers Association, and Dirt-road Organizing there will be five speakers. At 11 a.m. Bill Pleucker, farmer and Maine State Representative, will be sharing what the state of Maine is doing to Protect Pollinators and Farmers. From 12:30-1:30 p.m. share your concerns and suggestions with Representative Heidi Workman, County Auditor-Matt Kelly and other elected officials. At 1:30 p.m. Scott Myers, who has a degree in Agriculture Finance and farms 2500 acres, will speak on Regenerating Farms, Families and Communities. From 3-4 p.m., Megan & Mike Massoli and Jared Phillip will speak on growing and marketing with humor and joy. Food for purchase will be available thanks to Wagler’s Food Truck and Portage County Master Gardeners.
Randolph Easter Egg Hunt— March 29th, 1 p.m. at the Randolph Fire Department.
Randolph and Marlboro Historical Societies will meet on March 19, 6 p.m. at the Randolph Townhall
Randolph Ladies Cemetery Association— March 4, Noon at the Randolph Senior Center. New members are welcome.
Randolph Garden Club— March 16 at 6 p.m. at the Randolph Senior Center. Kara Bond will be presenting “Growing Mushrooms.”
Township Trustee Meetings at 6 p.m. at the Randolph Senior Center on 2/26,3/12, 3/26
Randolph Library events
- Winter Family Storytime-Tuesdays 11-noon
- Winter Baby & Toddler Storytime-Weds 11-noon
- How to do research, 2/21, 11-noon
- Gardening for kids, 2/24,4-5 p.m.
- Kitemaking for kids/tweens, 2/26, 4-5 p.m.
- Teen Art Jam, 2/28, 1-2 p.m.
- True Crime Club, 3/3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Wonder Women Trivia for kids/tween, 3/7, 1-2 p.m.
- Book Bingo Bonanza, 3/9, 11-noon
- Randolph Book Club for adults, 3/10, 5:30-7 p.m.
- Acrylic Paint Party for tweens/kids, 3/12, 2-3 p.m.
- St. Patrick’s Party for kids, 3/17, 4-5 p.m.
- Computer class for adults, 3/17, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Spring Slime Time for kids, 3/18, 4-5 p.m.
- Watercolor Workshop for teens, 3/19, 4-5 p.m.
What if we can elicit change? Rob Hopkins, author of From What Is to What If asks us to ponder questions such as: What if we followed nature’s lead? What if schools nurtured imagining healthy vibrant futures? What if our community could grow the majority of its food? In 2014 Leige, a small town in Belgium asked this last question and within 4 years 14 food cooperatives, a mushroom farm, a seed saving coop, a brewery and 2 vineyards were established!
On March 21st from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Randolph Community Center you have the opportunity to share your concerns, suggestions and 'What If' questions with your elected officials. You may be amazed at how much can be accomplished with imagination and working with those who represent us. Personally, I’m talking with my township trustees about “What if we could help our youth eat healthier by installing an edible food forest at one of our playgrounds?” What If….
“It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that we are in a world in which society is huge and the individual is less than nothing. But the truth is, individuals change their world over and over, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining things can be different.” Neil Gaiman
For news, events, stories you want to share call or text 330 -569-4801. Thanks!
Sandy Engle