Author: Drew Algase

2019 KILA Annual Report

As the 2019 summer draws to a close, we are all making plans for the fall to spring season.  Some hardy folks will remain on KI while others go south or west (some even go north). 

KILA’s annual meeting was held on Saturday September 21st at 10:00 am at Estes school and attended by about 25 members.  We reviewed the high points from the year, reelected five board members, and discussed the future direction of KILA. 

The following is a brief summary of KILA activities since last year’s annual meeting.

  • The Family Hayride in October was a rousing success.  We had a record number (220 people) of families participating.  Chairperson Jennifer Pieratt and her team of volunteers from KILA and the 4H camp ably handled the surge with food, games, and of course, a hayride.
  • In May, KILA held a welcome back pot luck led by Wally Christy.  There were 55 attendees to great kick-off the 2019 summer season.
  • The main event for KILA was Homecoming.  From all reports, this was very successful and an enjoyable time for all.  Some highlights:
    • This year was the second time it was held a week earlier on the second Saturday of August.  This was to allow more families attend before the students return to school.  And, the weather fully cooperated.
    • The Friday evening session included a live band (Fuzzy Dice), snacks and beverages and seemed to be well received.  But, attendance was not as large as expected.
    • The parade, chaired by Tom Behlen, included several floats following the theme of “KI Roots”.  The parade marshals was  Laura Jean Pohorence, born & raised on KI for all her 90 years.  It also included the Elyria High School marching band with 44 young performers.
    • The pie contest, led by Vicky Finnegan, had 16 entries and all the pie pieces sold out.
    • Kid’s contests (Marshmallow golf, Twinkie eating), led by Janet Killam, were again popular with many kids, large and small participating.
    • The food, led by Caroline Jorski and her team of “green hats” and Beer & Pop, led by Frank Dodson, kept the many happy attendees satiated and hydrated, in a good way.
    • The entertainment was great; Frank & Dean and the Fat City Band were again very popular.
    • The KILA booth, headed by Wally Christy, sold shirts, glassware, and license plate holders.  They also accepted membership applications (5 new members) and sold Raffle tickets.
    • Speaking of the Raffle, we only sold 413 of the 500 tickets.  That resulted in over $3700 for our next project.
    • Other fund raising activities were very successful.  They included:  Silent Auction (led by Wally Christy & Drew Algase) to help fund next year’s marching band, 50/50 raffle (by Elliot Algase), Beer Slide (by Leslie Algase & Tim Arnold).  Thank you to all the auction item donors and those who purchased items and tried the raffle & slide.
    • All of this was possible because of the many volunteers in all areas.  A big THANKS to all.
  • The 2018-19 KILA project, funded by Homecoming revenues and donations, is to “improve and enhance the Pavilion Park”.  Initially, the expansion of the electrical service at the pavilion was considered.  This is still being evaluated.  Another potential project is for a “splash pad”.  This was wildly discussed in the Facebook KI yard sale as well as comments from members and residents.  This is also being evaluated. The KI Park Board is considering these and other projects for KI as part of their master plan for the parks.    At the annual meeting, your feedback on both projects is welcome.
  • KILA has 243 active members (13 new members) in 2019.  Big increase from 178 in 2017 but similar to the 252 members in 2018.
  • KILA’s website and domain name: www.kila.rocks.
  • KILA has had some great promotion and advertising in Kelleys Life thanks to Caroline Jorski and broad support from the KI Chamber of Commerce (Thanks Jordan).
  • The 2019 Candidates Forum was held on September 21st to hear from candidates for village council and mayor, school board, and issues & levies.  The audience heard from Mayor Ehrbar, school board member Herndon, Clerk Treasurer Brown, and clerk treasurer candidates Ahner and Klonaris.
  • The 2019 Family Hayride is October 19th at the 4H camp at 3 PM.
  • KILA Account Balances: 
  Dec. 2017 Sept. 2018 Sept 2019
Operating $19,109.51 $27,520.74 $ 29,214.42
Crime Watch $2,572.48 $2,632.65 $   2,642.92
“Legal” $16,596.00 $16,739.36 $ 17,147.67
     
Total $38,277.99 $46,892.75 $ 49,005.01

These are bank balances. The operating fund does not reflect a 2018&19  project donation (~$10,000 budgeted). 

  • 2020 tentative calendar:

April 18:  Board Meeting
May 16:  Board Meeting (& Welcome Back Pot Luck)
June 20:  Board Meeting
July 18:  Board Meeting
August 7 & 8:  HOMECOMING
August 15:  Board Meeting
Sept 19:  Annual Meeting followed by Board Meeting
October 17: Board Meeting
October 17: Family Hayride at 4H Camp 3:00 PM

Thanks to all KILA members whose volunteer activities and efforts make all this possible.  You all should be proud of how your helped KILA to “enhance & improve” Kelleys Island.

2019 Candidates Forum

Saturday, September 21, 2019 1:00 PM at Estes School Gym

All candidates for KI Village Council, Clerk-Treasurer and School Board are invited to share their views with the public.

Please plan to attend to learn about the candidates and local issues (Referendum and Levies).

This follows the KILA Annual Meeting at 10:00 am and the board of directors meeting

Sponsored by the Kelleys Island Landowners Association (KILA)

2019 Homecoming Summary

The KI Landowners annual Homecoming Celebration 2019 proved to be a huge success. The theme this year was “Honoring Your Roots” which brought out a parade of colorful floats, a lively 44 member marching band from Elyria High School, cars, scooters and a special parade Marshal, Laura Jean Pohorence, who was born on Kelleys in 1928 put the crowning touch on the event.

Parade float winners were: 1st Sheppard 81, 2nd Lentz, 3rd Beatty, 4th Leonard.


Food, games, music, dancing, pie contest, pictures, vendors, nature exhibits and a marshmallow golf tournament added to the festivities. The main raffle of $2500 was won by Stephanie Franklin. Islanders Rob Watkins won $1000 and Cindy Leonard won $500.


Mark your calendars now for next year’s Homecoming Celebration which will be held on August 7 and 8, 2020. See you there!
Check the Kelleys Life Newspaper for more pictures and more contest winners.

KILA Annual Meeting

The Annual membership meeting will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 10:00 am at Estes School community room. All KILA members and everyone interested in KILA and it activities are invited. You will hear the annual report from President Arnold, financial status from Treasurer Feagan, and help elect board members (KILA members only). You all will have an opportunity to ask questions and give suggestions for KILA to help improve & enhance Kelleys Island.

The KILA board meeting will follow immediately until about noon

The Candidates Forum will be held at 1:00 pm in the school Gym.

HOMECOMING – 2019

Please plan on participating in KILA’s 2019 Homecoming festivities on Friday evening August 9th and Saturday August 10th featuring “Honoring Kelleys Island Roots”.

KILA’s 2019 Homecoming Schedule
Friday & Saturday August 9 & 10
The KILA Homecoming Parade includes a high school marching band

Please support island improvement projects through buying Raffle tickets from any KILA Board member. You have a 1 in 100 chance of winning a cash prize (only 500 tickets sold).

Welcome Summer

First, wishing you all a happy Independence Day. It looks like summer has arrived with the typical Ohio high temperatures & humidity. But, that’s an improvement over our rainy spring.

All 2019 members (new and renewed) should have received their KILA Kards in the mail. They were sent last week to those who joined or renewed by June 8th.

KILA Raffle tickets are available for purchase from Board members. They are $20.00 for a chance at a $2500 first prize. Proceeds go to a project to improve and enhance Addison Park. KILA is working with the KI Park Board to identify a suitable project to benefit KI, its residents, and visitors.

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Welcome Back Pot Luck – Successful

The KILA Welcome Back Pot Luck was happy gathering yesterday, May 18th. Wally Christy and his team of volunteers welcomed 55 KILA members & friends to grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and an array of tasty dishes brought by the attendees. The weather was cooperative and we all had a chance to “catch up” with each other.
Thanks to all who attended and volunteered to grill, set up & clean up.
Remember to circle the dates for Homecoming on Friday & Saturday August 9 & 10th.

Dinner time
A happy crowd
Grillman Wojo

Welcome Spring

The snow is done (I hope), lake ice is gone, the ferry is running, so the seasonal folks are opening their cottages. Let the season begin.

KILA will have its first board meeting on Saturday April 27th at the school. And 2019 membership renewal is open. Your $10 annual dues helps keep KILA operating. Please renew by going to the “Join KILA” page this site and scroll to bottom to renew.

The Welcome Back Pot Luck is on Saturday May 18th at 6:00 PM at the Pavilion. Please circle the date. More details to follow…….
“Save the Date” It’s not too soon to remind you that Homecoming is Friday evening August 9th and Saturday August 10th.

KILA Family Hayride 2018

On Saturday October 20th, the weather looked awesome, the forecast looked dreadful, but the KILA Hayride and Halloween Party went off as planned. The 4-H camp was bustling with families there to enjoy the day.  Director Gary Leidheiser, Bev Huston and members of the 4-H Board were there to help us host this special day.  The Hayride with straw from Steve and Holly Miller’s farm was loaded on a trailer, courtesy of Jackie and Gary Finger, and many of our guests were delighted to a ride around, behind the 4-H tractor, seeing the  Camp’s gorgeous property decorated with Snoopy Halloween scenes painted by Robin Benvenuto.  The Boy Scouts built a fire to keep waiting guests warm while Jim Coleman took tickets for the ride.

Soon the wind started howling and the rain came so the party turned towards the indoor activities Over 220 guests came through the door, greeted by Tom Behlen and Drew and Donna Algase.  For just $10 a family they could enjoy everything we had to offer.  The crackling fire by the front door was manned by KILA President Chris Arnold and there were cookies to be decorated with the assistance of Kiki Arnold.

The 4-H Board provided hot dogs for everyone and there were coney fixings, fresh veggies and apples offered for some healthy alternatives. KILA volunteers June Campbell, Barb and Wally Christie and Joanne Schmoldt were busy in the kitchen serving guests and volunteers.

Halloween crafts are always a big hit with the able help of Sheree Herman, Linda Hostal, Holly Miller and Kim Watkins. Sticker art, jewelry, and sand art were favorites and children went home with a variety of decorations and toys.  The Snoopy Cartoon theme was continued with the crafts and toys.

Carnival games filled the end of the room. Popping balloons and squeals of children’s laughter filled the 4-H dining hall as Vicki Finnegan worked hard to keep up with replacing the balloons and Tom Pieratt’s fingers are probable still sore for tying all those balloons. Small stuffed fish and turtles were catapulted into a small wooden Lake Erie to will a prize with Zoe Leonard manning the launcher while her dad Bill Leonard ran a rousing roulette type game which was quite popular.  Jeanne Feagan worked the ‘plinko’  game where everyone won and Jim Zeller kept things interesting at the Black Cat bean bag toss.

This all comes together with community spirit from the 4-H Camp and the Kelleys Island Landowner Association (KILA) Volunteers who give a few hours of their time on a fall afternoon each year.  Without you, all those families could not have enjoyed such a wonderful time on the island.

The sincerest of Thanks

Jennifer Pieratt