BLW PERMANENT COMMITTEE
Tim Borton
Tim has been a part of BLW since 1990, and was elected to the Permanent Committee in 2024. He can trace his career in the Parks and Recreation profession directly to his experiences at Buckeye. Tim is the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Oregon, Ohio, teaches at Bowling Green State University in the Tourism and Leisure program, and provides consulting services to camps in the areas of recreational dance, games, and team building. Tim is the father of 10 children, ranging in age from 4 to 21, so it is often hard to keep his toys separate from the kids’!
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.
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.
Tim Reynolds
Tim was introduced to BLW by a work college who had attended as a 4-H High School student. In the first moments after I arrived I felt that I had come home. I have been fortunate to only miss a half dozen years since. The day job that keeps me busy is working at a small boarding academy north of Indianapolis, as one of their work-study supervisors. Outside of work, I am passionate about singing and spending time outdoors. One of the reasons I love Buckeye so much is that it mixes multiple generations, all working toward the goal of making the world we share a better place, and finding our piece in that puzzle. Tim was elected to the Permanent Committee in 2024.
Bill Henderson - In Memoriam
Longtime Permanent Committee member Bill Henderson passed away in 2024. He will forever be remembered for his incredible contributions to 4H and BLW. BLW lost a great man and we will do our utmost to continue making the annual workshop a welcoming community space where we share each other's talents to help enrich life through recreation. We will sing; we will dance; we will laugh; and we will play. We will continue the legacy of Bill and others who help form the annual workshop into a unique event that so many people have shared across the years.
Bill was the beloved leader of our Song Circle, and taught many classes over the years on music and song leading. He was also a talented woodworker. He taught woodworking classes, and contributed beautiful hand-crafted pieces to our annual auction.
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. Bill returned to Ohio University in 1969 to complete his Master’s Degree. Bill was married to the love of his life, Patricia, for more than 50 years.
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.
Although we sing, “You might forget the singer, but you won’t forget the song…” we know we will never forget this singer.