PR E S IDENT’ S C OL UMN continued from page 6
OTHER EVENTS The OLA continues to host some of the best events in the state of Ohio for our profession! Setting up the garden at the Great Big Home and Show – held in Cleveland every year – is just one of the ways we continue to educate the public as to why it’s important to hire a professional. The gardens are designed, constructed and manned by member volunteers. The week-plus long event has tens of thousands of people attend, hopefully inspiring them to begin a project of their own. The Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala moved to a bigger room this year, but was still sold-out. Attendees were treated to a night of great food, networking and a presentation of the best landscapes designed, built, and maintained by some of the most talented companies in Ohio. Hats off to all of those who entered for the effort you put into making Ohio a desirable place to live. For 2019, we will be looking into a larger venue, so that we may accommodate even more members interested in this event. The OLA Scholarship Golf Classic was held in August this year, once again at Mallard Creek Golf Club. Golfers, sponsors, volunteers and other association members filled the course again – to the tune of over 230 participants – raising monies for our industries’ future stars. As usual, this year’s scholarship recipients will be chosen by the board of directors – prior to the Landscape Ohio! Awards event – based on their commitment to continued studies in the horticulture field. This year we were blessed to have past recipients volunteered at the Golf Classic as a way to thank our organization for believing in them. How cool is that?
OUR FUTURE The unfortunate sign of the times is that high school programs geared towards piquing studentss interest in horticulture continues to shrink. Many tech schools have been tasked with closing their program because of the lack of worth associated with choosing agriculture as a viable career choice. On a positive note, Tri-C’s Plant Science and Landscape Technology continues to thrive, with a record number of students in attendance this past semester. Eight of nin classes are at 75% capacity, so there is room to grow. If you are interested in learning more about the program or how to become involved, please see our board member Jim Funai for more details. While many companies can look back and reminisce over how the 2008 crisis was difficult, and about how if you survived, your future was bright – we all know some who weren’t as fortunate.
2018 Scholarship Golf Classic winners, CUI Services.
It took years to overcome; those of us who stuck it out can say we did it! 2018 is probably going to be viewed in somewhat of the same way. Granted we didn’t have a housing crisis, the labor crisis caught a lot of us off guard, yet we again picked up our boots, dusted them off and found a way to make it through. Well done faithful ’scaper! You deserve more than a pat on the back… but, alas… there is snow to be plowed! As I draw my last article to a close, I would like to thank each of our members for their continued support of the OLA. Without your time and efforts OUR organization would not be the shining star throughout the country that it is. I travel a ton through the Midwest, for work, and it’s very apparent that many companies are aware of the OLA and the efforts of our director, Sandy, our members and the volunteers put forth. As we enter 2019, I hope to see you all at many more events, including our January meeting, where I will pass the gavel to Adam Cappiccioni from Ohio CAT. Let us welcome him, as you did me, just 12 months ago. And let’s not forget about our friend Cathy Serafin, from Suncrest Gardens, as she leaves the board to join the elite club of Past Presidents. Thank you for all your efforts, advice and friendship, Cathy. My journey as President may end in 2018, but my experiences, friendships, laughter and, most of all, your kind words will be cherished for a lifetime. And thanks to Joe Twardzik for believing in me, encouraging me and being my friend. I pray I can be the light in another one’s life as you were for me. May you have a blessed Christmas and the happiest of New Years… as always, Marie The Growing Concern | December 2018 | 9