Briefs: Richland County Foundation awards grants, Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend Oct. 5-8

Mansfield News Journal
·2 min read
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Richland County Foundation awards teacher grants

The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved almost $1,787,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations to meet emerging needs during its August meeting.

The board approved Teacher Assistance Program grants totaling close to $68,000. Funding was provided from the unrestricted grant budget as well as field of interest funds. TAP grants are selected by a committee for creative and innovative supplemental programs not covered by school funding. The grants are given to K-12 teachers in public or private Richland County schools to encourage them to develop new programs for their classrooms.

Richland School of Academic Arts Teacher Dan Jones received a grant last year to develop a program called “Creating Independent Learners.
Richland School of Academic Arts Teacher Dan Jones received a grant last year to develop a program called “Creating Independent Learners.

More than $16,000 was awarded for career technical education scholarships. The Scholarship Committee implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to meet various enrollment deadlines. In aligning with Ohio’s Attainment Goal, the foundation wants to help fill the gap between job openings and certified employees as well as lead the way to support workforce development through CTE scholarships.

Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend returns in October

PERRYSVILLE — A Bigfoot event is returning to Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s (MWCD) Pleasant Hill Lake Park this fall.

Seekers of Bigfoot (aka sasquatch, Grassman, Yeti, etc.) can mark their calendars for Oct. 5-8 to attend the second annual Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend. Matt Moneymaker, founder and president of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) and co-host of "Finding Bigfoot'' on Animal Planet Channel, will host a VIP dinner and community townhall event.

“The weekend will kick off with a VIP dinner and presentation by Moneymaker on Thursday, October 5th, along with campfire BFRO speakers, activities for kids, and movie under the stars,” says Louis Andres, program specialist at Pleasant Hill Lake Park. “Saturday’s activities will include a Community Townhall with Moneymaker, BFRO investigator presentations, Bigfoot author book signings, guided pontoon tours, Bigfoot T-Shirt tie dye, casting class, just to name a few.”

Pleasant Hill Lake Park is gearing up for Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend Oct. 5-8.
Pleasant Hill Lake Park is gearing up for Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend Oct. 5-8.

Ohio now ranks fourth in United States with over 321 BFRO reported sightings. Only Washington, California and Florida tallied more total Bigfoot reports. Locally, Ashland County has nine reported sightings and Richland County has four reported encounters. The most recent sightings were in Ashland County at Mohican State Park on June 18, 2021, and another Class A sighting occurring at Pleasant Hill Lake Park primitive camp area on August 18, 2020, according to the BFRO website.

The weekend will feature family friendly events, food trucks, Bigfoot souvenirs, a caricature artist and Bigfoot-themed movies at the lake. Reservations are required for the VIP dinner and select scheduled events. More information, detailed schedule and tickets can be purchased online at MWCD.org/Bigfoot.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County Foundation grants, Bigfoot Basecamp Weekend returns