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Beaver residents continue plans to mark bicentennial
NORTH LIMA
Beaver Township was founded 200 years ago, and residents today want to make sure its history isn’t forgotten.
Volunteers on the bicentennial committee have planned a weeklong celebration in July and already are gathering materials for it.
From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, volunteers will be available to scan articles or pictures from residents at the township administration building, 11999 South Ave.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say ‘Well, you can’t have that.’ We don’t want it, we’d just like to share it,” said Tom Molocea, committee volunteer.
The time also will be a chance for people to get more information about the celebration, said Scott Conway, park administrator and leader of the bicentennial committee.
“Don’t think whatever you have isn’t significant. We think everything’s significant,” Conway said. “This will be a celebration of our past but also a beginning of things to come.”
The celebration will begin July 25 with the opening of a historical exhibit. A concert, church service and safety day are planned throughout the week that will culminate with a Civil War re-enactment, teen concert and fireworks display July 30.
Trustee Ronald Kappler said residents will learn through the events.
“It’ll be an education for our township residents. Most of our township residents have no contact with the trustees or with officials or safety forces or anybody unless they’re having problems,” he said.
Conway called the township “fractured” because it encompasses multiple school systems and towns.
“You could have neighbors, and you may never have any reason to meet them. I’m hoping through the celebration we’ll bring everyone together,” he said.
Molocea recalled that his family moved to Beaver Township from Youngstown for “the quiet, down-home, the comfort of the area.”
The bicentennial will be like “a good, old-fashioned ice-cream social,” he added.