BEAVER TOWNSHIP Rain fails to dampen spirits at corn roast

This was the third annual event in Woodworth Park.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Folks at Saturday's community corn roast in Beaver Township didn't seem to mind waiting out the rain.
Gathered beneath several tarps, township residents had lots of food and company to keep them occupied during the afternoon downpour.
"It's not so bad," said Gary DeLost of Harvard Boulevard. "The food's great and the people are even better. This isn't a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon."
Despite the weather, nearly 150 people made their way to Woodworth Park for the third annual event.
Scott Conway, township park board chairman, said the event allows the township to extend some appreciation toward its residents.
"We have some wonderful people in the community who donate their time and services and energy," he said. "This is a way to do something to get the whole community involved and do something nice for them."
A taste of simplicity
People were offered their fill of hot dogs and sweet corn. There were plenty of cookies and other treats.
"When we first started talking about doing something like this, I said let's keep it simple," explained Edgar Guterba of North Lima Road. "How much simpler can it be than this? A summer picnic should have roasted corn and hot dogs."
Guterba, with help from his 16-year-old grandson, Kyle, spent much of his time roasting the corn. The corn, grown at Guterba's farm, was donated to the township by Mount Olivet Church in North Lima, where Guterba attends services.
"I love this," Guterba said. "People want to eat corn and they really like this. And most of them don't really seem to mind the rain this year. That's because they're good people who like being here with each other, helping each other. That's what it's really about, the community coming out and spending time together. The sweet corn just makes it all a little sweeter."