Clark Community Center enjoys Father’s Day fun
A classic car show was one of the highlights of the Father’s Day celebration at the Clark Community Center on Sunday, June 21. The center also used the time to talk about upcoming events and celebrate several huge dedications.
Clark Community Center welcomed back many of its supporters with a Father’s Day Cruise In, which accompanied a community meeting that allowed people to gain some insight into where the center has come from and where it plans on going in the future.
It also gave the center board a chance to dole out some certificates of honor to the people who have been integral in building the center and keeping it running.
“I want to give you all one gigantic thank you,” said Cheryl Seabright, CCC board president, to those in attendance. “Thank you for coming out today, spending your Father’s Day with us.”
One of the main reasons to celebrate was the announcement that CCC is now a full 501(c)(3) organization, meaning donations are tax deductible, something Seabright said they worked very diligently on even as COVID-19 reared its ugly head. The board also showcased the new logo it created for the center.
Seabright also asked those in attendance to give the board their thoughts on how they can best stay connected with the community and what they would like to see taking place in the center.
“We are listening, and we want you all to feel safe, comfortable and able to enjoy our programming that we offer,” Seabright said.
Certificates of appreciation went to Terry and Betty Logsdon for their ongoing support and service; Tom Abraham and Kevin Vaughn, who have done a ton of work on the water-treatment plant; Meyer’s Service Gas Station, which was honored for doing the bulk of the advertising for the center; Ruth Ann Brenly, who was honored for her support and watching over the center as its closest neighbor; and media members Kevin Lynch of The Daily Record and Dave Mast of The Bargain Hunter for their support.
Special recognition was given to Dale and Catherine Lahm. Dale Lahm was the man who stepped up and purchased the building when it went up for auction, allowing the community to eventually create a game plan to make the former school a community center.
The CCC presented Dale Lahm with a plaque that commemorates the naming of the gymnasium in both his and his wife’s honor. The two met at the school many years ago and were together for many years before Catherine’s passing.
The plaque and a photo of the couple will be placed above the door to the gymnasium. Lahm said it was an honor to be recognized, and he is pleased to see the community getting behind the CCC board’s efforts.
“This project has taken on a life of its own,” Lahm said. “I just try to let them do their thing and stay out of their way. It’s a great group of board members. There is so much history here, and the fact that my wife and I met here is special. I really think she would have been thrilled to see this kind of thing taking place, and it’s an honor to be recognized.”
Board member Mike Schlegel spoke about the CCC library, something the entire group was excited about seeing happen. Thanks to a large number of donations of reading material, movies and more, the library is ready to be a resource for families in the area.
Schlegel then presented Joyce Croskey, who was librarian at Clark Elementary for 42 years, with a plaque that will be placed in her honor in the library. She also was presented with the CCC library card number one. The library card revealed something else special.
“It reads, ‘The Joyce Croskey Lending Library at the Clark Community Center,’” Croskey said.
“We knew from the start what we were going to name the library,” Schlegel said.
The celebration itself included the cruise-in car show, a barbecue chicken and French fry meal by Crazy Nate’s BBQ, and a raffle, but it was the fellowship that showcased the tight-knit community of Clark and the support people there are giving to the center’s hopes and dreams.
The other important message the center wanted to share was that the center is open and available for rentals, be it a single classroom, the gymnasium or the entire facility.
“Each and every one of you has an opportunity to rent our center,” Seabright said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for families or groups to gather together and have a good time.”
Other news included the closing of the give-and-take Little Free Food Pantry for the summer months, Seabright noting they will post signs and messages on Facebook when the pantry does reopen this fall.
Seabright also said the CCC applied for and received an economic disaster loan that became available to organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The center received $2,500. Those funds and the money received during a recent pancake and sausage breakfast will be earmarked for replenishing the kitchen with equipment, which will benefit groups renting the facility.
“We are excited about getting that part of the center ready to use again,” Seabright said.
Seabright said because of the ongoing COVID-19 issues, the center is in great need of cleaning supplies, should anyone feel the desire to donate in that capacity.
Anyone seeking more information about the center or having a desire to volunteer can visit the CCC Facebook page. If anyone is interested in donating to the center on a one-time or ongoing basis to help take care of the monthly utilities, they can call Jes McConville at 330-231-5499.