Fundraiser is brewing up to benefit the Zoar Wetland Arboretum
Zoar Wetland is located in Northern Tuscarawas County near Zoar. It is a natural wetland ecosystem with a 30-acre shallow marsh and 50 acres of woodland that supports abundant wildlife including long-eared owls.
The Zoar Community Brewery was operated by the residents of the village and was open for 79 years from 1819 until it closed in 1898.
The red fox makes its home in the Zoar Wetland, located in Northern Tuscarawas County near Zoar.
From new plant species propagation to dairy preservation techniques, Zoar has made significant contributions to the area. Now one of the village’s chief assets is getting a little funding boost as the Zoar Wetland Arboretum will benefit from a fundraiser at Lockport Brewery in Bolivar on Tuesday, April 10 from 5-9 p.m.
“Lockport Brewery approached us about doing this for us,” Sherrie Baughman of Zoar Village said. “We’re really pleased to be the focus of a day when the brewery is normally closed for brewing operations.”
Baughman said the fundraiser will be a membership drive for the Wetland Arboretum. “Anyone who signs up for membership in the Arboretum will be entered in a prize drawing.”
Membership for a family is $30 while a corporate membership is $100.
The event also will mark the retirement of Pam McWhorter as director of the Arboretum. McWhorter will be among the speakers for the event and will shed some light on a little known part of Zoar history.
“Zoar had a brewery and dance hall,” Baughman said. “They were located where the wetlands are now. Pam will talk about that, among other things.”
The tie-in to brewing is just a part of Lockport Brewery’s interest in helping out the Arboretum. Lauren Marburger, who with her husband Andrew owns the just over 1-year-old brewery, said the wetlands of Zoar are an important part of the local community with which she feels a personal connection.
“My husband and I grew up in the area,” Marburger said. “We’ve both enjoyed the wetlands since childhood. I love having that resource right in our backyard.”
Marburger said she recently spent a day there with her sister and two dogs.
“The remains of the brewery foundation and cellars have been partially uncovered also,” Marburger said. “So we think that’s really pretty cool. That was the first brewery in the area, and we are the only brewery in the area now. There’s definitely that connection.”
Marburger said the brewery will open about 4 p.m. on April 10 with the regular menu items available and all the craft beers as well.
“And a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wetlands Arboretum,” she said.
Marburger said the brewery has hosted a couple of similar fundraisers, but keeping up with heavy demand for the craft beer offerings has meant little available time to do more.
“We’ve added more capacity, so we should be able to do more of this kind of thing going forward,” she said.
Also featured at the event will be a slide show of blown-up images from the wetland and its history.
“The funds we are able to raise will help with our dock and shoreline improvement project,” Baughman said. “Many people like to fish from there, and we want to make access a little easier.”
Baughman said the area has been a protected nonprofit wetland park for more than 20 years. “In terms of wildlife, the area offers a lot,” she said.
The wetland consists of a 30-acre shallow marsh and another 50 acres of forest. Two miles of trails wind through the park.
“We really hope to make a lot more people aware of the wetlands,” Marburger said. “It’s a tremendous resource for the people of this area. We’re glad to help with the effort to preserve and grow the wetlands.”