A wine and cheese party planned Sept. 25 is bringing people from throughout the community together to
"Save the Woods."
The party is an annual fundraiser sponsored by the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation to
support Wintergarden Park/St. John’s Nature Preserve. But this year, the local Rotary, Kiwanis and
Exchange clubs are lending a hand. Club members are gathering donations of food, drink and items to
auction at the party as well as selling tickets to the event itself.
It is thought to be the first time the service organizations have pooled efforts to support a single
community-wide project, according to Michelle Grigore, director of Bowling Green City Parks and
Recreation.
"Bowling Green residents continue to amaze me in the support they give to the parks. It’s that kind
of support that makes this such a wonderful city in which to work and live," she said, adding,
"This will be a great event."
WTOL-TV newscaster Jerry Anderson, a Bowling Green native, will be on hand to auction an array of donated
items. Objects up for bid range from tennis lessons, rounds of golf, works of art and catered meals to
accommodations at a cabin and in condominiums in popular vacation spots in Michigan and North Carolina.
In addition, a silent auction will feature an assortment of themed gift baskets.
Proceeds will be used to purchase and preserve the last large wooded parcel within Bowling Green. Adding
the nearly 20 wooded acres to Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve will enlarge the popular park on
the city’s southwest side to 100 acres. Plans call for creating walking trails through the natural
terrain.
Approximately $301,800 in gifts and pledges has been contributed to date toward the purchase through the
Save the Woods campaign. About $178,200 still needs to be raised.
The wine and cheese party will be held from 5-8 p.m. at Simpson Garden Park. Tickets are $30 per person
and can be purchased from any member of the Exchange Club, Kiwanis or Rotary Club.
Tickets also can be purchased by calling Rachel Blickensderfer at the City Parks and Recreation Office,
phone (419) 354-6297.
