Calendar and Events News Page II
Sat, Sun August 2-3 Coldwater Picnic
Sun August 3 Coldwater Parade
Tue August 5 Commissioners, 9 .a.m.; Ground Breaking for Jail, 11 a.m.; Mercer County Teen Coalition, 12 noon at Orchard Tree
Thur August 7 Ag Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.; Commissioners 9 a.m.
Fri August 8 Mercer County Fair Open; Opening Ceremony 3 p.m.; Miss Mercer County, 4 p.m. 9-11 years old; 7:30 p.m. King and Queen, 7:30 p.m.
Sat August 9 Pie Contest, 2:30 p.m.; Tractor Pull, 7 p.m.; Jr. Showman, 5 p.m. Dog Show 5:30
Sun August 10 Harness Racing, 1:30; Go Karts, 5 and 7 p.m.; FFA Awards, 12:45
Mon August 11 Senior Day, 11 a.m.,; 12:30 senior king and queen contest; harness raclng, 7 p.m.; square dancing, 7:30 p.m.’ Veterans Ceremony, 6 p.m.
Tue August 12 Nursing Home Day, 10:30 a.m.; Cookie Contest, 2:30; Bubble Gum Blowing Contest, 3 p.m..Harness Racing, 7 p.m.
Wed August 13 Pedal Tractor weigh-in at 9:30 a.m.; Tractor Pull at 10 a..m.; School Bands, 7 p.m.
Thur August 14 Demo Derby, 7 p.m.; livestock auction 6 p.m.
Mon August 11 Coldwater Council
Tue August12 Commissioners 9 a.m.; Coldwater BOE, 6 p.m. Fort Recovery BOE, 7:30 p.m.
Thur August 14 Commissioners 9 a.m.
Mon August 18 St. Henry BOE, 7 p.m.
Tue August 19 Commissioners 9 a.m.
Thur August 21 Commissioners 9 a.m.
Mon August 25 Coldwater Council
Tue August 26 Commissioners, 9 a.m.
Thur August 28 Commissioners, 9 a.m.
********************************************************************************************Sat-Sun August 23-24 Governor’s Cup Regatta
Wed-Sun Aug 13-17 MD Tournament
Thur-Sun August 7-10 Yard Sale
NEWS UPDATE FOR AUGUST 18, 2008
Fort Recovery State Museum August, 2008 Newsletter
(Wow, Our Heads Are Spinning (So much going on!)
A. Restore the Fort Recovery Opera House!???
Have you ever visited the old opera house above Mike Brockman’s Appliance Store on the corner of Wayne and Butler? What an impressive place it used to be! It was there that entertainment and meeting space was provided for Fort Recovery from the 1880’s until well into the 1900’s. According to Mark Wangler’s report in our “purple history book,” the opera house had 18 foot ceilings and could seat 300 people (250 on the floor and another 50 in the balconies.)
One of the factors that seem to make the FR opera house so unique is the type of paintings on the walls. Another is the stage floor that is slanted so the audience could see the people at the back. (Risers were not used at that time.) Ten tracks were built in the ceiling at the rear of the stage so scenery (painted on screens) could be pulled on and off. Gas pipes with numerous orifices were installed at the foot of the stage and provided light. Imagine the effect!
The questions now are, “Is this grand ole opera house worth renovating? For what might it be used if it were restored? How much would it cost? Who would be responsible? Would it be good for our community?”
Mary Ann Olding and Joan Kaup of Cincinnati are working with Project Recovery personnel to address those questions. Those two knowledgeable gals believe this opera house could indeed be put on the National Register of Historic Places, and there could be grant money available to help.
What’s your opinion?
B. Progress on the State Museum!
Helen LeFevre, Chris Keller and I have been meeting throughout the summer with representatives of the Ohio Historical Society to delineate the plans for the updating of our museum. We have been working with topnotch people who are approaching this renovation very professionally and methodically. Our small committee of three reports back to the whole museum renovation committee (Jill Walter, Nancy Abels, Pat Hull, Neal Spencer, Mary Diller, Rich Wood, Bob Heitkamp, Steve Stone) and gets its input as we make progress toward the actual renovations. It is really very exciting to be part of the discussions deciding who the museum’s target audience really is and/or should be, and what we, the representatives of that museum, want the outcomes of this renovation to be!
C. Progress on the Indian Artifact Exhibits Upstairs
Intern Archaeologist, Chris Keller and several volunteers have made great progress in getting all of the artifacts recorded on the electronic “Past Perfect” program. Once this is done it will serve as documentation of our Indian artifacts for generations to come! What an accomplishment. In addition, within the month we will have on display a colorful professionally done (by OHS) timeline to accompany the points’ displays. Also of particular interest will be the addition, within the display, of a video demonstrating how the prehistoric points and tools were actually made. No doubt the Prehistoric Indian Artifact exhibits in our museum balcony will become a big draw for our museum!
D. A WELCOME Video and Podcast are Coming!
Chris and I are making plans with Fort Recovery High School CoLab teacher, Diane McClung, and fourth grade teacher/tech guru, Bob Heitkamp, to create a video which visitors can view before touring our museum grounds. This “welcome” video would give an overview of our history and the historically interesting things there are to see in Fort Recovery. The video would be created, designed and produced by the CoLab class, with support and assistance from our museum and historical society. OHS has also offered to be of assistance to the class. In addition, plans are being made to have that class create a podcast which can be downloaded from our website and can be used by visitors for a walking tour of our historical sites. What a wonderful cooperative activity for the students, the teachers, our museum, our historical society and our community!
E. Important People Want to Know!
John Winkler, (Winkler and Winkler Law Firm, Columbus) recently toured our museum and grounds to gather data for a series of books he is writing on different time periods of Ohio History. Through his research and his visit here, he is now concentrating on our particular events in history and the interesting people who took part in those events. He came back to our museum and met with several of our trustees to share information and to solicit input regarding the interest of the topics etc. How rewarding it will be to see the importance of the history of Fort Recovery documented in Winkler’s books! (By the way John is a graduate of Harvard in history!)
Winkler also mentioned that he is a friend of Alan Gaff, author of Bayonets in the Wilderness, (a book we carry at the museum) and that he might be of help to us as we decide how to focus our renovations. Since that time I have spoken (by email) with Gaff, and plans are being made for him to visit our museum and perhaps to do a presentation here later this fall. (If you’d like to read his book, do stop by and pick one up. Remember that as a patron you receive a 10% discount! J )
With A-B-C-D-E above all happening concurrently, life is truly exciting around the FORT!
Thank You! To –
-Kim Niekamp and Kathy Gonzalez for organizing and managing this year’s Fort Recovery 5K run! There was a good turnout of 260+ participants. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and participants eagerly took off with the firing of the cannon by Bill Bechtol. Unlike some of the other Mercer Challenge runs, there is no one who doesn’t hear the starting shot here at FR! Thanks to the many, many volunteers and community people who supported the race in one way or another, from sprinkling runners on the course to storing the bottled water in commercial coolers, to donating time, money, food, water, and runner’s gifts. What great cooperation we get in a small town like FR!
- Bob Hart for power washing the windows and window frames (inside/outside) of the Walk-By Museum.
- Carol Hart and Pat Wenning for redoing the window displays of the Walk-By Museum. Take a stroll down that beautiful and shady memory lane and enjoy the work done by those two ladies. Very interesting picture AND spinning wheel displays. Thanks also to Chris Kramer Ewry for her consultation and advice on the spinning wheels and providing samples of wool and flax, and to Pat Diller for making the placards!
-Jill Walter for mentioning to her sister that the museum could use the nice desk she no longer needed. If you stop by, you will notice that not only is the desk useful, it really dresses up our entranceway! Thanks Jill (and Mike and your sister, Jean, too!)
And the Answer is –
Last month’s true and false quiz on the monument? All true except the last two – More like 900 soldiers buried beneath the monument, and no – St. Clair is NOT buried with his men under the monument. He is interred in a public park in downtown Greensburg, Pennsylvania!
Happy Trails to You, until we meet again! nk
PS. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Historical Society Auction to be held this October 19th! If you have any items you’d be willing to donate, leave a message at the museum – 419-375-4649. Thank YOU!
Parkway FFA Students Receive State Degrees
By Danielle Matthews
The Parkway FFA would like to congratulate Travis Guggenbiller, Brett Sheets, Jenifer Thomas, Dee-Dee Knapke, and Brandon Riley for all receiving their State Degrees.
To receive your State Degree you must complete the following requirements: earned the Chapter Degree, have completed one year in an agricultural education course, have an approved SAE, be a junior, senior, or high school graduate, assisted in the development of our FFA Chapter’s Program of Activities, grossed earning exceeding $3,000, worked more than 1,000 hours, have a GPA of 2.0, and a 93% or better school attendance record.
Travis Guggenbiller is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Guggenbiller. Travis worked on Mullenkamp Farms and Monterey Fabrications.
Brett Sheets is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Sheets. Brett did numerous jobs at Sheet and Sons Farms and Heritage Farm Equipment.
Jenifer Thomas is the daughter of Deb Thomas and Larry Thomas. Jenifer did her work to earn her state degree on her family farm near Chatt doing field crops.
Dee-Dee Knapke is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Knapke. Dee-Dee did all her work on her family farm in Rockford where her family raises 200 Suffolk sheep.
Brandon Riley also received his state degree by working on Roger Farms. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Riley.
All of these students also completed numerous home improvement projects. They put an enormous amount of effort into earning their degrees. They all received their State Degrees on May 3rd at the 80th Ohio FFA Convention. Congratulations!
Two Members of Parkway FFA Complete Proficiency Awards
By Danielle Mathews
Danny Knapke
The FFA offers many opportunities for students to do well at many different areas of agriculture. These are called proficiencies. There are different proficiencies such as: Forestry, Floriculture, Sheep Production, and Poultry. Parkway was very lucky to have two students do very well at the state level with their proficiency.
To qualify you must fill out an application that tells the committee about your Supervised Agricultural Experience. The application is graded at districts and state level. The top four state qualifiers are interviewed and placed. Parkway had Danny Knapke and Brett Sheets place in the top four in their proficiency.
Brett Sheets competed in the Mechanics Repair and Maintenance. He received a gold rating and was 2nd place in his proficiency. He did his work at Heritage Farm Equipment and Sheet and Sons Farms. He has been working at Sheet and Sons Farms for four years and Heritage for one year. He would fix and repair farm equipment.
Danny Knapke received a 1st place in Sheep Production. He did his work at his family sheep farm. He raises around 200 Suffolk sheep each year and shows them at many different shows across state or in national shows. He has been doing this is whole life.
Danny for receiving first place will go on to nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana to compete. Results will be told at National FFA Convention in November.
The Parkway FFA Chapter would like to congratulate Danny and Brett for all their hard work and being one of the top in the state!
O.U.R. Home Food Pantry Needs Donations
O.U.R. Home Family Resource Center food pantry is very low and in need of donations of soup, spaghetti, rice, canned vegetables and fruit, pasta, spaghetti sauce. Please drop off your donations anytime Monday through Thursday 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. If you have questions, please call O.U.R. Home FRC at 419-586-home( 4663). Thanks for your help. Janice
John Miller receives the ABCD Award
Celina, Ohio – Celina Manor, 1001 Myers Road, named John Miller, of Celina, the ABCD Award winner for the month of June. John began at Celina Manor on May 22, 2006 and has now been chosen for this award for his work as a State Tested Nurses Aid and Nursing Scheduler.
He was chosen for this award through nominations from our “Helping Hands” and “Peer Pat on the Back” programs. “Helping Hands” is a program which gives residents and their families the opportunity to nominate employees that have gone Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. Co-workers also get the opportunity to identify great work of others through the “Peer Pat on the Back” program.
John will be married to Ashleigh Evans in June 2009. John has 2 cats, Marley and Maggie, a dog, Harley, a bearded dragon, Jaba, and six fish. In John’s free time he enjoys sports and hanging out with his friends.
John shared that Service Excellence is important to him because it holds us all to a higher standard which allows for better care for our residents. Before working at Celina Manor, John never really saw himself working in this field. However, since his employment began, he is now finishing his nursing degree and can’t see himself doing anything else! He feels that nursing is a very rewarding career! Congratulations John! Job well done!
DARE Booster Minutes for August 5, 2008
The DARE Boosters met on the morning of August 5, 2008, at the Mercer County Educational Services Center in Celina. The meeting was called to order by President Ken Obringer. The following members were present: Nancy Heppeard, Sue Miller, Ken Obringer, Shirley Pryer, Tom Pryer, Karen Sapp, and Karen Post.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Nancy Heppeard reported that the ending balance for July was $8,404.05, with $5,606.97 being available for our use. One scholarship recipient, at his time has asked for payment. Shirley Pryer moved the report be accepted , Karen Sapp seconded, and the motion carried.
SECRETARY'S REPORT: All members have received the minutes via e-mail. The minutes were accepted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: GARDEN TOUR: Nancy Heppeard reported that the total profit for the Garden Tour was $925.00. She also said that several of the homes for next year have been lined up. Nancy no longer wishes to chair the garden tour, so we need someone to take on that responsibility. One or two people need to step up and either chair or co-chair this program. Nancy has done a terrific job in the past and I am sure will help the new people out. Nancy also mentioned that Cheryl Ann is looking for some easy and simple flowers for the students to plant and maintain at their facility.
DISC GOLF: Ken Obringer has contacted the same Disc Golf company and person that he worked with last year. He has not heard from them at this time. Ken will call them if he does not hear from them this week. We are hoping to again use the fair grounds and the FOP building as we did last year. Nancy Heppeard will contact the fair secretary concerning this. The date for the Disc Golf outing is October 17, which is WOEA Day, and no school for the students. It will run from 9:00 until 2:30, with a $5.00 charge per person, a 4 person team and a best ball format. Karen Post will contact the high schools in the county and encourage them to give the event publicity such as announcements at football games, etc..
DARE DAY AT THE FAIR: The DARE Day at the fair will be held on Wednesday, August 13, at 1:00, with many activities scheduled for the kids to enjoy.
We would like to welcome new members, Dick Sapp, Kip and Mary Wright to the DARE Boosters organization. Welcome aboard.
The next DARE Booster meeting will be held on September 2, 2008.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Pryer
Mercer County Pheasants Forever #745 August 11, 2008 Minutes
Attendance: 13 members present at Bub Bomholt's. Pat Schmitt absent.
Minutes: (Brian) Distributed via email. Sean Finke made motion to approve minutes, Chris Niekamp second – motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: (Bill in Pat's absence) Current balance - $17,685.00. Rick Klenke motion to approve treasurer's report and pay all bills, Jonas Foote second – motion passed. Question was asked if FBB match of $5000 was paid yet. It also was discussed that Chapter is to have funds depleted at end of fiscal year.
Habitat: (Doug) All seed bills paid except for two. Approximately $3820 cost share to be paid out yet on habitat projects. Doug will be working with Mercer County Sportsman Club to get some of their acreage re-enrolled into conservation programs as they have had some expire. CP33 expires October 1st.
Farm Bill Biologist: Mitch has moved on to take a position with Indiana DNR. Discussion about expectations from next FBB. Bill Knapke to talk with Doug Bensman.
Youth Programs: (Jonas) Jonas gave below dates for upcoming youth events. He will be mailing out applications to all youth on file tomorrow.
Youth Dove Hunt (1/2 day)
Saturday, September 6th - morning hunt
Limited to 30 youth hunters
Hunter Education class required to apply.
Applications available by contacting Jonas Foote at (419) 375 - 2907 or jonas_h_foote@hotmail.com
Youth Trap Shoot
September 7, 2008
Sponsored by Mercer County PF & Ft. Recovery Gun Club
To register contact Jonas Foote at (419) 375 - 2907 or jonas_h_foote@hotmail.com
Ringneck Day
Saturday, October 11th - 4 hours
Ohio Progressive Sportsmen Club
Ages 6 - 10
Hunting Dog Demonstration, Pellet Riffle shoot, Archery and ??
To register contact Jonas Foote at (419) 375 - 2907 or jonas_h_foote@hotmail.com
Damon Klenke Memorial Youth Pheasant Hunt
Saturday, November 15th
Hunter Education class required to apply.
Ohio Progressive Sportsmen Club
To register contact Jonas Foote at (419) 375 - 2907 or jonas_h_foote@hotmail.com
Banquet: (Gary) Gary discussed idea of attendance drawings as well as new ideas for presale tickets. It was also suggested to check on White's for framing.
Fish Fry: Saturday, August 16th with skeet and trap at 4:00 and dinner at 6:30. Tickets availible at the door. We can use any and all help.
Old Business: Pat received the 2 David Mass prints (Hasty Accent).
New Business: Damon Klenke Memorial Hog Roast / Sporting Clays Shoot – August 23. Gary Steinbrunner made a motion to purchase a new Chapter banner, Byron Frank second – motion passed.
Action Plan: Bill to check with Matt Vantilburg on dove field
Gary to check on Ted Rutchy's field for dove hunt
Everyone sell presale gun raffle tickets for Fish Fry
Next Meeting: September 8th – 8:00 pm at Andy Stachler's - 4878 Ft. Recovery Minster Road.
Motion to Adjourn: Ryan Garrison made motion to adjourn, Chris Niekamp second – motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller
Police Chief David Slusser Announces Detours During Regatta
On Wednesday, 08-20-08, Lakeshore Drive will be shut down to allow crews to prepare for the 2008 Governor's Cup Regatta. Barricades will be placed at Lakeshore Dr and ElmGrove, Lakeshore Drive and Main St. and Ash St @ Logan St.
On Friday, 08-22-08, the four lane section of US 127 will be shut down to two lane traffic, using the two southbound lanes.
All of these detours will remain in effect through the 2008 Governor's Cup Regatta weekend.
Representative Jim Zehringer Completes Leadership Institute
New Bremen Senior Citizens To Meet
(New Bremen) The New Bremen Senior Citizens will hold their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Senior Citizen Center, 700 E. Monroe Street, New Bremen.
Nurses from Senior Independence will be checking blood pressures thirty minutes prior to the meeting. All members and guests are welcome to participate
The attendance drawing will be held (must be present to win) and free bingo with cash prizes will conclude the evening of food, fun and fellowship. Please plan to attend
Annual $10 membership dues will be received at the September meeting.
For further information, please call Ernie Phlipot at 419-629-1359 or Sue Hueker at 419-629-2206.
Generous Gift From Owen Hall and Associates, Realtors/Auctioneers
Wright State University-Lake Campus is
proud to announce that it received a $5,000 pledge from Owen Hall and
Associates, Realtors/Auctioneers. The donation supports the Lake Campus Capital
Campaign, which funds the construction project currently underway at the Celina
campus. Shown accepting a $1,000 payment towards the pledge are, from left,
Eldon Houts, Capital Campaign Committee Member; Dr. James Sayer, Dean of Wright
State University-Lake Campus; Madonna and Owen Hall, Owners; and Tom Knapke,
Western Ohio Educational Foundation Development Officer. Not pictured is Jon
Hall, Auction Division.
Call for photography entries issued
The Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington Street, has issued a call for entries for its 31st Annual October Photography Exhibit. This juried exhibit is open to any photographer of any age. Entries are due at the Wassenberg Art Center on September 13 and 14 from 1-5 p.m. Interested photographers will need a prospectus, which contains the rules and entry forms. The prospectus may be downloaded from the art center website, www.vanwert.com/wassenberg. Prospectuses are also available from the art center upon request: Call 419.238.6837 or toll free 1.888.238.3837, or e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com and provide name and mailing address.
Over $1,000 in awards will be presented.
Of special interest this year is a new award, The John Flagg Award, funded by the Miller-Warner Foundation, for youth 18 years old and younger. Any youth entry selected to be exhibited will be eligible to be judged in Color or Black and White for cash awards in addition to the other cash awards offered in the Photography Exhibit.
For more information, contact the Wassenberg Art Center. The October Photo Exhibit will run from October 5 through October 31. It is sponsored by Citizens National Bank and Time Warner Cable.
News Update for August 5, 2008
Groundbreaking Held for Adult Detention Center
Sheriff Jeff Grey, Bob Nuding, John Bruns, Jerry Laffin
Approximately 100 people, including county and city officials and members of the Jail Committee and Mercer County Sheriff’s staff gathered at the site along SR 127 for the ground breaking of the new Adult Detention Center.
Presenters were Jerry Laffin, chairman of the Mercer County Commissioners, Sheriff Jeff Grey, and architect Rick Axline of Shamshrock Architects. As Sheriff Jeff Grey told the media before the ceremony began, “This is the most exciting thing that has happened in his career. He said that “89 years ago on August 4, the Mercer County Sheriff opened what was thing the new jail to 13 inmates.
Mr. Laffin, in his fourth building project as commissioner, briefly traced the history of this project to date. In 2003 the Commissioners and Sheriff Jeff Grey began to explore the idea of a new jail. (At that time Representative Jim Zehringer who was on had for today’s ground breaking) was an important part of the early discussions.
The commissioners hired Ric Axline of Sharmschock to do an initial needs study followed by a site study. As Mr. Laffin pointed out, there was originally 7 possible sites that were eventually narrowed down to ground owned by the country near the Mercer County Home.
In the mean time Sheriff Grey formed a Jail Committee and the Court House Committee reviewed the needs and possibilities of a new jail. Part of the process was having the Sheriff, the Commissioners, and the Jail Committee visit all the townships and villages in the county. Although the vote for the ˝% of 1% Sales tax was close, the vote passed and the new jail started becoming a reality. Mr. Laffin acknowledged all involved including commissioners Bob Nudling and John Bruns; Pete Ross and Fifth Third with whom the financing for the 12 Million dollar project is completed.
John Bruns, Jerry Laffin, Bob Nuding, Sheriff Jeff Grey, RickAxline
Sheriff Jeff Grey thanked his staff and the jail Committee. He said thanks to his staff he can concentrate on the jail project. He said it has taken a lot of patience. He praised the commissioners and other county officials for their support of the project.
Architect Rick Axline praised the efforts of Sheriff Jeff Grey and the County Commissioners and handed over the Silver-plated shovel soon to take its place on the wall in the commissioner’s office.
