Camp Friendship: Parent & Kid Approved!

With just a few more weeks left of summer break, Gahanna kids are staying happy, healthy and helpful at Camp Friendship. Over the past several weeks, campers have enjoyed playing games of knock-out and capture the flag, taking field trips to the Air Force Museum, COSI, the Columbus Zoo, and participated in games during before and after care.

Parents have shared some positive reactions about summer camp as well. One parent wrote, “Thank you so much for this program; my son looks forward to it every year. It's just as good for the parents as it is the children. Counselors are amazing, programs are amazing, field trips are amazing. Listening to my son talk about his day at camp...priceless.”

Other parents love the relationships the counselors develop with the kids.

 “This is our third year at the camp and I think this has been the best so far. We are so happy with all of the counselors. I love the relationships that the counselors have developed with my kids. Both of my kids have very different personalities. The counselors interact with each of them differently, in ways that are best suited to the kids.”

Camp Friendship really is the place for children ages 5-12 to be! With the new school year just around the corner, a week or two of camp may just be what your child needs to wrap up their summer, especially with weekly trips to Gahanna Swimming Pool, field trips to Groveport Aquatics and Gahanna Lanes, just to name a few.  Oh, and of course we can’t forget about the infamous talent show on August 16, the last day of camp!

Learn more about Camp Friendship and register for one of the remaining spots at Hannah Park today! Visit the Parks & Recreation page at Gahanna.gov and click on “Camps” for registration forms and more details.

What's Your Concert Personality?

Gahanna residents and visitors have a musical choice to make this summer—Music in the Park or Creekside Live @ 5. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays, but each is distinctly different. Of course, if you can’t chose, do both!

Tonight, the blue grass band, Death by Banjo takes the gazebo stage at Friendship Park for Music in the Park from 7-9 p.m. This event is hosted by the Gahanna Department of Parks & Recreation and sponsored by Strathmore Development.

Music in the Park is a free concert series every Friday that provides a fun, picnic-like atmosphere for all ages. Families may bring lawn chairs and a picnic blanket to enjoy the sounds of Blue Level, adult contemporary on August 2; Lords of Literature classic rock on August 9; and Fo/Mo/Deep, jazz funk on August 16.

The Gahanna Parks and Recreation Foundation hosts Creekside Live @ 5 the first and third Friday of each month, June through September, from 5-9 p.m. on the Rotary Stage at Creekside Park.

Tonight, the Foundation is excited for the Reaganomics, who will take the stage at 7 p.m. Be sure to get there early for happy hour specials beginning at 5 p.m. and DJ Brad Hudson. Proceeds benefit camp scholarships, community art initiatives and park improvements.

Upcoming bands include The Prodigals, Irish Rock on August 2; John Schwab Band, party variety on August 16; Grassinine, mountain rock on September 6; and Capitol Sound, soul/funk on September 20.

It’s time to choose, but, if you can’t, spend some time at each or rotate the weeks you attend. It’s your call. Either way, get out and enjoy all the parks Gahanna has to offer!

The full schedule and details are available at Gahanna.gov and GahannaParksandRecreationFoundation.org.

Meet Your City Staff: Emanuel Torres

Image courtesy of Paul Molitor, The Portrait House

Emanuel Torres has been working for the City of Gahanna since July of 2011 as the economic development manager.  In his time at the City, he has accomplished great things for the Department of Planning and Development, and people are beginning to take notice.

As the economic development manager, Torres’ primary function is to focus on the expansion and retention needs of the Gahanna business community.

“This position allows me to develop and cultivate strong relationships with businesses and property owners,” said Torres. “I am also responsible for the administration of the tax incentive programs and serve as the editor of the Connector, the monthly economic development newsletter for the City of Gahanna.”

The Gahanna Chamber recently presented Emanuel an award for being the top recruiter of new chamber members in 2012 at their State of the Chamber luncheon in early January.

“This is the first award I have ever received and it definitely reinforces my efforts and the appreciation from the Chamber is very humbling,” said Torres.

For the City of Gahanna, this award is confirmation that they are on track, but the City and the Department of Planning and Development are still looking for ways to improve. Torres said, “We’re constantly looking into and evaluating our partnerships and going out of our way to meet the needs of our businesses.”

In the coming year, the horizon for the Department of Planning and Development is always changing and relationships with the businesses are only getting stronger.

 “I am excited to focus on the needs of the local business community and the events throughout the year for those businesses,” said Torres.

If you want to receive the Connector newsletter or would like to get in touch with Emanuel, email him at emanuel.torres@gahanna.gov.

City Staff Teams Up for GRIN

By Nancy Savage

Administrative Assistant/Mayor's Office

As the Holiday Season comes to a close, I would like to send one BIG “thank you” to all my co-workers at the City of Gahanna who so generously gave during our holiday fundraiser. 

 As the coordinator of this effort, I am challenged to think of ideas to energize the staff yet keeping in mind that there may be those among us who may also be struggling financially.  So, I thought up a simple concept… bring in $5.00 worth of groceries PLUS a $5.00 monetary donation and called it “5 & 5 for the Holidays”.  My feeling was….make it simple and they will come, and they sure did!

How delighted I was to see my co-workers with their Kroger and Giant Eagle bags filled with canned peas, corn, tuna fish, soups, toiletries and so much more.  What stands out for me is the desire that everyone had to “help”, to chip in for an honorable cause.

I am so excited to report that our staff donated $466.00 in cash, plus a large quantity of canned foods and other non-perishable items to GRIN Gahanna Residents in Need. 

Needless to say, I work with a fine group of people who work very diligently throughout the year for the City of Gahanna and its residents and whose efforts and generous donations this holiday season are to be commended. I feel very lucky to be a part of this team!  

Thank you ALL!