BLW PERMANENT COMMITTEE
Edie Dyke-Conley
Edie first attended BLW in 1976 when she was working for OSU Extension in Lucas County as a 4-H Program assistant. Edie and other BLW participants founded SUPER Camp in Lucas County. Over the years she has taught many classes at BLW, including Teddy Bear-making, Scherensnitte, Calligraphy, and many classes on quilting. Edie is a certified Quilt Judge, and has judged shows all over the US. She has four children and seven grandchildren; two of whom have also served on the BLW committee. Edie lives in Toledo, Ohio.
John Fark
John originally hails from a St. Marys, Ohio dairy farm and was a ten year 4-H member in Auglaize Co. He received his Bachelors and Masters from The Ohio State University, followed by 8 years in the Army reserves, and 32 years as the OSU Extension 4-H Agent in Marion County. John and his wife Estelle have two children and four wonderful grandchildren. John first attended BLW in 1972, was elected as Trustee, served as President for several years, and is currently serving on the Permanent Committee. He has taught games leadership, camp counselor skills, team challenge and Exploring the Wild Outdoors. He loves to see the excitement of young and old as they grow in knowledge, skills, and leadership confidence.
Bill Henderson
Bill grew up in Old Washington, Guernsey County, Ohio. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University in Athens, OH. He and his wife of 50 years, Patricia, have a son and a daughter. Bill returned to Ohio University in 1969 to complete his Master’s Degree. Bill attended his first Buckeye Recreation Workshop in 1980, was elected to the BRW Committee the same year, and was later elected to the BRW Permanent Committee (before the name was changed to) Buckeye Leadership Workshop. Bill teaches classes focused on woodworking and is also the leader of our daily Song Circle.
Barry Jolliff
Barry has been involved with BLW since 1975. He and his wife, Amy, live on a small farm north of Wooster, OH, where they raised three children, and many dogs, cats, goats, and chickens over the years. Over the years at BLW, Barry has led Recreational Dance, Team Building, Song Leading, Outdoor Cooking, Games Leadership, wood crafts, and more. He is a professor for OSU/ATI in Wooster, owner of Teamplay LLC, and author of Teamwork & Teamplay. He holds a bachelors’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a master’s degree in Agricultural Education, both from The Ohio State University.
Dave Kalkbrenner - Registrar/Treasurer
David's first workshop was the 50th Anniversary event in 1993 and he has been back every year since then. His involvement with Templed Hills church camp led him to BLW. He has served in various officer roles, and was elected to the Permanent Committee in 2019. David has taught Paper Crafts, Basketry, Paper Quilts, Things That Fly, and Nest Boxes. David is passionate about the opportunities that BLW provides to an inter-generational audience. The activities, the community environment, and the friendships forged at BLW keep him involved with the planning and facilitation of the annual workshop.
Christy Leeds - President
Christy describes herself as a 4-H Educator, Pumpkin Farmer, wife, and mom. She is currently the 4-H Extension Educator for Union County. Christy enjoys camping, fall season on the farm, dancing, raising goats, growing things, outdoor cooking, and building things for the farm. Over the years at BLW, she has taught classes on Camp Staff training, outdoor cooking, dance, and many other topics. Christy loves learning new things, and is currently excited about developing her talents on the ukulele, and learning woodworking. She is passionate about supporting AG literacy and supporting great community events and causes.