The Mercer County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 9 to address several items of business. They heard a request from the Board of Elections to establish a new fund; held a Records Committee meeting;

Attending the Records Meeting were Jim Highley, Clerk of Courts and Tammy Barger, Recorder. Records from the various departments are reviewed regularly to determine which to keep and which to dispose of. Clerk Administrator Kim Everman led the review of the records.

They approved a request from the County Engineer to enter into a contract with Robert Marten & Associates to provide inspection services for the Deep Cut Road Project.

They also approved a contract with the Eagle Bridge Company for the Tomlinson Road Bridge Project for $412, 772.44.

They approved the purchased of pagers for local fire departments from McAfee Communications for $4,500.75 for 11 pagers to be distributed as follows: Chat Fire Department, 5 pages; Montezuma Fire Department, 2 pagers; Burkettsville Fire Department, 2 pagers; and Coldwater Fire Department, 2 pagers.

The commissioners approved an agreement with Mike Bernstein and EMS for consulting fees.

Approved the request from the Sanitary Department for the purchase of a 2010 Ford 250 truck through the state cooperative purchasing program with preferred options for $26,525.50.

Approved an agreement between the County Commissioners and Lakefield Airport to provide secretary/treasurer services. Kim Everman indicated that assistant clerk Kim Bell will fill his position.

Form a previous meeting, the commissioners approved a 2010 Tire Amnesty Grant described below. “The Mercer County Solid Waste District will combine with the Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District and Mercer County Health to conduct a one day “Tire Amnesty Day” for the residents of Mercer County.

The target day will be in May, 2011 and will be held at the Mercer County Fair Grounds Plans are to have R&R Tire Disposal to facilitate the project. He will bring his semi tractor trailers to the fairgrounds and transport the tires to White Pigeon, Michigan, where there is a licensed scrap tire processor in the state of Michigan.

During the last tire amnesty day in Mercer County, the county collected 126 tons of tires. The tire transporter quoted a price of $150 per ton of tires. Cost to remove ties estimated at $11,250 with $10,000 in grant funds to be used $9500 for contract services and $500 for prevention and awareness. Volunteers will assist in unloading the tires and directing traffic.

Coldwater Council has two new members. They are Don Ahrens and Kevin Brunswick. They replace Woody Wolters and Walt Weigel. Main item of business at the March 8 meeting was the report from Rob Fisher of the Environmental Committee and the followup discussion concerning the property of 412 West Main that needs to be cleaned up. Village Law Director Judy Koesters is working with attorney James Kesno who is representing the property owner. The Health Department has also been involved. After some discussion, the council agreed to let the attorneys resolve the situation.

Council member Don Ahrens said that there is also a property on Lilac Street that also needs to be addressed concerning cleaning it up.

In other business, Council approved contract to use MARCS radio. Village Manager Eric Thomas explained that the MARCS radio is going to be used throughout the area so it is not really a matter of choice.

Mr. Thomas, reporting for absent Finance Director Clyde Bellinger explained that the income tax receipts total $18,700 and that the annual Library Report is available for council to review.

Kevin Brunswick reported on the Safety Committee meeting. Council approved final reading of Ordinance #1575 Fire Protection agreement with Butler Township.

Mr. Thomas reported that the pad for the new generator will be installed as soon as the snow clears. Repair was made to a waterline leak on South Sixth Street. Rafters and roofing has been installed on the new Shack at the park.

Council approved the bid from Bonded Chemical to supply chemicals for the swimming pool for the next two years. Weather Spotter School will be held on March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Central Service Building.

Mr. Thomas explained that Coldwater was selected as a finalist for applying for ODOT Enhancement money with a 20% local match required.

Council paused for a moment of silent prayer for the recent death of Chickasaw mayor Virgil Puthoff and local citizen Gary Uhlenhake.

The first ever Mercer Healthy Living Expo will be held on Saturday, March 20, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Galleria in Celina. Featured at the event will be COSI on Wheels from Columbus, Ohio, plus exhibits and activities from over 35 Mercer County area agencies and businesses.

According to Ken Obringer, Director of Marketing & Communications at Mercer Health, the Expo is an extension of the traditional Health Fair that is always held this time of year. He says, “We had an opportunity to take a look at what we have done in the past and came up with a new event to include other organizations and businesses from throughout the Mercer County area. It allows us to make our annual spring health fair a family event with activities for children and adults..”

Part of the new Expo will be the addition of COSI on Wheels. Obringer says, “Thanks to the generosity of the Mercer County Chronicle, we are able to bring COSI on Wheels to Celina. They will be bringing in their displays that include 20 different interactive activities for children of all ages.”

Obringer states, “In addition to COSI, we will have nearly 50 other exhibits that will feature other fun activities for children as well as a number of adult health screenings and blood tests including the Lipid Profile for $17. There is a 12 hour fast required for that one.”

Other blood tests available include the C-Reactive Protein-hs ($20), Hemoglobin A1C ($25), Anemia Screening ($10), Prostate (PSA) Screening ($30), Thyroid Screening (TSH and Free T4 - $40) and a Comprehensive Metabolic Health Panel ($23 – includes Glucose with 2 hour fast required). Free colorectal cancer test kits will also be available.

A wide variety of agencies will be offering free screenings. Among those that will be available are screenings for oral cancer, vision testing, glaucoma, dry eyes, blood pressure, glucose, CO monitoring, dermascan, height, weight & BMI with body fat analysis, visual acuity screening, foot (including diabetic foot exams), osteoporosis, hearing, Alzheimer’s screening, and child development screening.

There will also be many different activities and demonstrations including free weight demonstrations, an obstacle course for kids, spring crafts, interactive educational games, free mini-massages, plus many sources of information on a wide variety of health care topics.

Obringer states, “This is probably the largest gathering of agencies involved in the physical and mental well being of people that has ever gathered in Mercer County. Mercer Health is proud to be able to take the lead in this effort and hopes everyone takes advantage of this unique opportunity. Admission is free, and we will be offering free food and refreshments.”

In addition to nearly 20 exhibits and screenings by Mercer Health, other agencies participating include Dentistry For You, Mercer County Department of Children Services, Lifetime Vision Care, Celina Manor, Gateway Outreach

Center, The Gardens at Celina and at St. Henry, Mercer County Head Start, Miller House, Mercer County Help Me Grow, Mercer County WIC, Mercer County OSU Extension Service, Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center, Innergy Fitness, Mercer County American Red Cross, Mercer County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Ft. Recovery Family Medicine, Grand Lake Podiatry, Family Audiology Associates, Mercer County Chronicle, West Central Ohio Regional Healthcare Alliance (WCORHA), Briarwood Village, Fort Fitness-N-More, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, OUR Home, Auglaize-Mercer Counties YMCA, Mercer County DARE, The American Cancer Society, Mercer County Health Department, Life Connections of Ohio, Chief Supermarkets, Dr. Sara Shockney, Snap Fitness, and Mercer County Week of the Young Child.

A Celina man is facing a third degree felony charge for engaging in sexual conduct with a 15-year old female. The charge stems from an incident that occurred in July of 2009. The original report was filed on July 5, 2009, by the mother of the victim. The ensuing investigation led to seizure of several items of evidence. Forensic tests on those items recently identified the suspect.

Craig A. Heiser, (39), 224 W. Anthony Street, Celina, was incarcerated in the Mercer County Jail this morning, March 8, 2010. He was picked up on a warrant issued upon a state complaint, when he reported to the Celina Police for mandatory breath testing. The breath testing order was issued as part of a family safety plan supervised by Mercer County Children’s Services. Heiser will be scheduled to appear in court later this week.

Community Organizations Linking Together

The Stateline Writers’ Club will resume its regular meeting schedule with its Saturday, March 20 meeting at the Celina Mercer County Library. Members will be treated to a special program and receive a unique handbook that offers tips and warnings – giving traps to avoid and gold mines to explore.

The group’s Christmas meeting was held in December at the home of member Margaret Goodwin. Gifts were exchanged, and members brought a dessert or snack.

Meetings are regularly held on the 3^rd Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. at the Celina Mercer County Library except for the winter months of January and February. Interested persons are sincerely invited and encouraged to attend. Anyone having questions may call secretary Gretchen Bollenbacher at 419-363-2692.

WHEREAS, Myron Hartings has contributed his time and expertise as Maintenance Supervisor and Facility Manager under the Mercer County Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Harting’s dedication, quality workmanship, and passion to preserve the integrity of the county’s historical buildings are evident in his many accomplishments. Over the years, Myron Hartings has completed restoration and preservation projects too numerous to list.

WHEREAS, Some of the projects spearheaded by Mr. Hartings include: the conversion of the Central Service Building from a training facility to offices, the restoration of the Courthouse Rotunda, Auditorium, and Courtrooms, and the design and craftsmanship of the bicentennial bell cradle.

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Mercer County, Ohio are pleased and honored to recognize Mr. Hartings for his devotion to serving Mercer County for over 20 years

Once a month the Mendon Union Class of 1946 meets for lunch at The Orchard Tree in Celina. Living members of the class are Don Dudgeon, Joann Dudgeon, Ned Baltzell, Dottie Kohler, Kathleen Pax, and Marjorie Bricker. Missing from the photo are Bill and Jan Albright.

Mercer County Pheasant Forever #745 Minutes for February 8, 2010

Minutes: (Brian) Distributed via email. Sean Finke made motion to approve minutes, Pat Schmitt second – motion passed.

Treasurer's Report: (Mort) Current balance – $25,325.66 Pat Schmitt made motion to approve treasurer's report and pay all bills, Gary Steinbrunner second – motion passed.

Habitat: (Sean Finke) Not much going on right now. Only 2 people have contacted him in reference to seed orders.

Banquet:(Gary) – 292 in attendance. Thanks to everyone for making it a GREAT banquet. Gary advised we should work on getting items sponsors earlier next year. Bill and Brian have developed thank you letters to go out to all attendees. Next year's banquet is set for January 29, 2011. Brian distributed a spreadsheet compiled of the questionnaire results.

New Business: Gary Steinbrunner explained that a conservation easement is being pursued on the Wilson property by the West Ohio Land Conservancy. Mark Lefeld explained the scholarship process. He also noted that we need to publish the scholarship opportunity earlier next year. Bill appointed Ryan Garrison as an one person nominating committee of which he will submit at next meeting with vote in April. Budget committee to be set at next meeting with budget to be submitted for approval at April meeting. Audit committee to be appointed at next meeting to be performed in March. Gary Steinbrunner gave report from State Council meeting.

Motion to Adjourn: Pat Schmitt made motion to adjourn, Mort Pugh second – motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller

SECOND TEAM:

HONORABLE MENTION

SECOND TEAM

NAME SCHOOL GRADE

HONORABLE MENTION

Midwest Electric, in conjunction with Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives (OREC) will hold a Campaign Academy on April 23, 2010 at OREC headquarters in Columbus (6677 Busch Blvd.). It is open to any candidate running for public office this fall.

The Campaign Academy was created jointly by OREC and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to help individuals seeking public office to sharpen their political skills and prepare for the rigors of the campaign trail whether it be for local school board, city council, county office, state, or federal office.

The school is open to candidates of any political party and will feature seasoned campaign veterans and professionals focusing on the following core areas: fundraising, campaign strategy, message development and communication skills. Attendees will also learn about campaign rules and regulations from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.

There will be a $25 charge for attending the Campaign Academy, which will include lunch. To register or receive more information, contact Marc Armstrong at (614) 430-7864 or via e-mail at marmstrong@buckeyepower.com.

“Each year, the Ohio General Assembly hires 20 interns through the Legislative Service Commission to serve a one year internship in Columbus. These young people, who are generally recent college graduates, serve full-time roles as members of the staff in legislators’ offices. My career in state government began as an LSC intern in 1990. This year, Kendra Kromer, a recent graduate of Ashland University, has been assigned to work a portion of her time in my office. I asked Kendra to write a column this week on her experiences so far this year in the Ohio Senate.” –Senator Steve Buehrer

It is hard to believe that it was just three months ago that I started my internship with the Legislative Service Commission. The LSC Internship is a 13-month program intended to provide college graduates with experience working in the Ohio Legislature. I was assigned to the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus and to Senator Buehrer’s office. At the time of placement, I did not fully realize how lucky I was to be placed in Senator Buehrer’s office. As time has progressed, I am continually thankful to work with Senator Buehrer and his staff. Reflecting on these past three months, I would like to share some of the experiences that I have had thus far.

The first time I met Senator Buehrer was when he came and spoke to my class of interns during orientation. We had many speakers during the week, but I remember Senator Buehrer standing out as a result of his honesty and sense of humor. A former intern himself, he was able to offer advice and encouragement for the year that lay before us. He told us that the internship experience is really what we make it. That being said, he encouraged us to take advantage of every opportunity that presented itself, even if this meant making sacrifices and putting in long hours. I took his advice to heart and during my time here, I have tried to be diligent in every task I have been given.

Working in Senator Buehrer’s office has given me the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and to meet a variety of people. One highlight was working with Senator Buehrer to tape an Ohio in Focus segment. The segment covered the newly-created War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and I had the opportunity to meet leading historians on the issue. These historians provided valuable insight on Ohio’s involvement in the War of 1812. The project also gave me a glimpse into the world of broadcasting and how it can be used in the legislative process.

Another memorable experience in my internship was when Senator Buehrer ran for a leadership position. I still remember standing in the South Hearing Room during Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee and nervously waiting to hear the results of the vote. I, along with the rest of his staff, were overjoyed when we heard that he would be the new Senate Majority Whip. The Majority Whip is responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for legislation on the floor for the majority party. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to stand with Senator Buehrer and his staff as he was sworn into his position on the Senate floor. Standing up there, I realized that we had become a sort of family. I know that each of us felt proud and thankful to be a part of Senator Buehrer’s team. The office is a place where I feel comfortable, welcomed and appreciated, and I am sure that if you have ever met Senator Buehrer, you have felt the same way.

In my three short months of working here, I have already developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for what the Ohio Legislature does. It amazed me how hard each Senator works for the people of their district. This is especially true of Senator Buehrer and he has shown me what it means to be a public servant. I hope that one day I can serve my community to the extent that he does everyday. I am looking forward to the rest of my internship, as I can only imagine the knowledge to be learned and the experiences to be had. That being said, I encourage any interested college graduates to apply for the internship program. It is a unique and rewarding experience for anyone interested in public service and government.

For more information or to request an application and instructions, please visit www.lsc.state.oh.us/internship or call (614) 466-3615. All applications should be mailed to Ohio Legislative Service Commission, Internship Coordinator, Vern Riffe Center, 77 South High Street, Ninth Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6136.

The Annual Minster community garage sales will be held on April 23-24 this year. Anyone interested in participating should send $5.00 and a list of ten items they’d like to have listed in the booklet. Send your money to Minster Garden Club PO Box 168 Minster, OH 45865 by April 10^th, 2010 in order to be included in the booklet. For more information call 419-628-4082.

The annual Palm Sunday Breakfast will be held at the Minster High School Cafeteria from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Sunday March 28^th. Buy your tickets at the door ($6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children) and enjoy all the pancakes sausage and doughnuts you can eat! Proceeds go to benefit various Minster community projects.

WHEREAS, an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Application has been submitted by JW Layla, LLC, Ohio, hereinafter called the “Recipient”; and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the Loan Application of the Recipient requesting the amount of $252,000; and WHEREAS, these funds will be used to purchase real estate known as CJ’s HighMarks, a restaurant located at 1211 Irmscher Boulevard, Celina; and WHEREAS, this project will retain 70 employees; and WHEREAS, the Revolving Loan Fund Committee reviewed said application and recommended approval contingent upon personal guaranties by owner and spouse; this contingency has been met; and WHEREAS, the Loan Application is on file in the office of Mercer County Community Development; Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Mercer County, Ohio that

1) The Board hereby approves a revolving loan for JW Layla LLC in the amount of two hundred fifty-two thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($252,000.00) for twenty (20) years at the rate of three 1/2 percent (3.5%) interest; and

2) Said loan is contingent upon receipt of release of funds and loan approval from the State of Ohio.

The New Bremen Senior Citizens Center will be hosting a preventative health event for local residents. The event is being offered by Life Line Screening and will take place at 700 E. Monroe St. in New Bremen on Friday, March 12, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm . Life Line Screening is the nation’s leading provider of community-based preventative screenings and scans for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries (a leading cause of stroke); abdominal aortic aneurysms (can lead to a ruptured aorta); hardening of the arteries in the legs (a strong predictor of heart disease); and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat, closely tied to stroke risk).

All four affordable, non-invasive, painless vascular screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. Register for a Stroke, Vascular Disease and Heart Rhythm Package for $139.00. You must register for the screenings. Appointments are limited, so sign up now by calling 1-888-653-6441, or visit Life Line Screening’s website at www.lifelinescreening.com.

These are the activity statistics for the Coldwater Police Department for February 2010. It is best viewed if it expanded to full screen. This format will give you a glance at the current month as well as the year to date statistics.
Thank You,

Chief Randy Waltmire
Coldwater, Ohio Police
303 W. Main St.
Coldwater, OH 45828
(419) 678-2356
waltmire@coldwaterpd.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio – March 4, 2010 – The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) joins other agencies and partners to provide consumers with tools to make wiser financial decisions during National Consumer Protection Week, March 7-13. The theme of this year’s activities is “Dollars & Sense: Rated A for All Ages.”

Consumers will learn how to file a utility complaint, how to avoid identity theft, understand the details hidden in the fine print of contracts, recognize and deal with predatory lenders, income tax scams, stolen social security numbers and sweepstakes offers.

“The OCC recognizes the importance of teaching consumers to protect themselves from scams designed to take their money,” Consumers’ Counsel Janine L. Migden-Ostrander said. “Many consumers are unemployed or have reduced income. Understanding their consumer rights and learning to protect the money they have is critical. Our office supports giving Ohioans access to the tools they need to make informed financial decisions and choices that can help them lower their utility bills.”

In addition to the OCC, some of the state and federal agencies staffing the fairs will include the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Social Security Administration, U. S. Postal Service, Consumer Credit Counseling, Better Business Bureau and Ohio Department of Insurance. An additional list of sponsors, scheduled events and speeches can be located at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/NCPW .

Several information fairs and speeches, which are free and open to the public, will be held in more than 40 cities in Ohio. Members of the OCC communications staff are available to share information with the media about scheduled activities.

A calendar of events that the OCC will staff is also available at www.pickocc.org or by calling the toll-free hotline, 1-(877) PICKOCC (1-877 752-5622). Consumers with concerns or questions about their utility bills or service also may access these resources.

Ohio's 4-H coaching legend, A.B. Graham, led the first 4-H club in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse. As superintendent of Springfield Township Schools, he established the earliest 4-H club (a Boys & Girls Agricultural Club) on January 15, 1902. One hundred and three youth learned production practices to improve corn yields on the family farm. The beginning of “Learning the 4-H Way” through hands-on activities began with this very first club. Members learned how to test the acidity of the soil with litmus paper, splice rope, and tie knots, identify weeds and insects and grow vegetables and flowers.

• 1902, one 4-H club in one Ohio county, today, 4-H is in every Ohio county, in every state in the United States and in more than 80 countries worldwide.

• 30 4-H projects in the 1920’s were your choice, today, over 200 4-H projects are offered in the 4-H Family Guide.

• 3,650 members in 42 Ohio counties were enrolled in 4-H in 1916 and nearly 300,000 members in 88 Ohio counties currently.

• 663,000 Ohioans were involved in 4-H by 1952, today one in every six Ohioans is a 4-H alumni with more than 45 million 4-H alumni nationwide.

• 47,453 youth participated in 4-H school programs in 1975, today more than 100,000 school students participate in 4-H in the Classroom Programs.

• Ohio 4-H camps were established in 1919, these camps serve nearly 60,000 youth today.

There are several Ohio 4-H History sources for you to read. Visit your local library or access information from the web.

• A.B. Graham, County Schoolmaster and Extension Pioneer, by Virginia and Robert McCormick, Cottonwood Publications, Worthington, Ohio 1984.

• Ohio 4-H Celebrating 100 Years of Youth Development. By Erin Shea Deel. Ohio 4-H Youth Development, The Ohio State University. Donning Company Publishers, Virginia Beach. 2002.

• 4-H A.B. Graham’s Dream, Robert W. McCormick and Virginia McCormick, The Ohio Historical Timeline, January/February 1996 (Volume 13/Number 1).

• 4-H: An American Idea, 1900-1980, A History of 4-H, by Thomas Wessel and Marilyn Wessel, National 4-H Council, Chevy Chase, Maryland

• A.B. Graham Memorial Park, A.B. Graham Building, Ohio Heritage Center in Springfield, Ohio of Clark County

4-H Cloverbud programs and activities that are happening in Ohio include: clubs, day camps, after school programs, fair activities, and school enrichment, some of which are happening right here in Mercer County. 4-H Cloverbuds is an age-appropriate program designed for children who are age five and in kindergarten until age 8 and 3^rd grade. Last year, more than 35,000 young children throughout the state participated in Ohio’s 4-H Cloverbud program. Since Cloverbuds began, its members have enjoyed many exciting activities and events such as Experimenting With the Senses, Ant Antics, Super Seed Fun, Digging Those Dinosaurs, Have You Eaten a Flower Today? and Fitness is Fun in the many formats previously mentioned.

4-H Cloverbuds is great because it is specifically designed to promote life skills in children enabling them to become the best they can be in the future as adolescents and adults. There are five life skills focused on in 4-H Cloverbuds: feeling good about oneself (self-esteem), making friends, making decisions, learning how to learn, and physical mastery. All of which are attained through the numerous activities and events preciously mentioned.

Scott Scheer, OSU Extension Preadolescent Specialist, reports that 4-H’s Cloverbud program may be just right for your child or yourself as a 4-H Cloverbud Volunteer. 4-H takes great pride in this program knowing that with your assistance we can help young children start off on the right track. Children in 4-H Cloverbuds experience a program that is fun, success oriented, leader directed, noncompetitive, broad based, and positively focused.

Barbara Phares, Mercer County OSU Extension Educator agreed. Phares said that the 4-H Cloverbud program is ideal to help children improve their life skills by sharing, learning, and achieving. For more information about the 4-H Cloverbud program, please contact the Mercer County OSU Extension Office at 419-586-2179 or visit us on the web at mercer.osu.edu.

Former President Bill Clinton once said, “volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds”. 4-H volunteers across the state of Ohio continue to give of their time, energy and talents to support young people as they grow and learn so that they may contribute in a positive manner in our society.

Volunteering for 4-H continues to be an important component to successful programs and continued growth. Nationally, 65 million adults volunteer, with over 550,000 volunteering their time on a yearly basis with 4-H programs in rural, suburban, and urban centers. Not only does the 4-H program benefit youth, but the volunteers benefit as well. According to David Reingold, Associate Professor and Director, Public Affairs and Public Policy Ph.D. Programs at Indiana University, it also provides opportunities for youth to develop skills, older Americans to remain healthy by being active and connected to their community, and adults to share their professional and work expertise.

Nationally, there are over 7.0 million young people in the 4-H program. The Ohio 4-H program has over 318,000 Ohio members and continues to grow by engaging more youth and adults from all communities across the state. While the target audience of this organization is youth, the 4-H Program functions and operates due, in large part, to the efforts of countless adult volunteers. According to statistics from the state 4-H office, more than 21,000 adult and teen volunteers serve the Ohio 4-H Program each year. Volunteers include 4-H club advisors, special interest leaders, 4-H Council members, project committee members, after-school volunteers, Cloverbud leaders, international county coordinators, fundraisers and a host of others.

Locally, Barbara Phares, the Mercer County OSU Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, also points out some 4-H volunteer statistics. More than 165 volunteers worked together to deliver the 4-H Program to 900 youth last year in Mercer County. "4-H could not function without the efforts of the volunteer staff," Phares said.

For more information on becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact the Mercer County OSU Extension office at 419-586-2179 or mercer.osu.edu

Since the fall of 2008, Mercer County 4-H has partnered with Ultimate Powersports of Celina and the Mercer County Sheriff’s department to offer the ATV Safety Institute Rider Course. Participants in the 4 hour class learn and practice riding techniques such as starting and stopping, quick turns, emergency stops and swerves, riding over obstacles, U-turn, and traversing hills, learn more about the rules of the road, become more aware of safety considerations while operating their ATV and receive some classroom instruction. The course is comprised of 16 lessons that require about 20 minutes each to complete. The class is taught by a certified ATV instructor.

Participants may bring their own ATV to the training or one will be provided for their use by Ultimate Powersports. The student riders also provide their own lunch and are to bring their own helmet, goggles and wear long pants and long sleeved shirt suitable for riding.

ATV is a 4-H project! 4-H members may take this project and participating in this additional training is a great way to complete a more through learning experience. Classes are limited to 8 riders in each session. Training is being planned for April and May and dates will be announced via the newspapers and radio stations. The training is open to any youth, not just 4-H members, ages 8-15. The class, valued at $ 75 per student, is offered free of charge through a grant provided by the Honda Corporation.

For additional information, contact the Extension Office at 419-586-2179 or via email to Extension Educator Barb Phares at phares.1@cfaes.osu.edu.

One of the really great aspects about getting involved with 4-H is the opportunity that involvement provides one to meet other people. Teen 4-H member can choose to become a part of county-wide 4-H groups through which they meet and work with other teens united in a common interest.

In Mercer County, teens may become a 4-H camp counselor through an interview process. From a very large pool of interested youth, teens are selected for positions on the 4-H camp staff. The counselors then meet and work together in planning activities for the campers to do and enjoy during the 2 week summer camp held in June. In addition to actually putting together the camping program, these teens learn how to compromise, how to work as a team and become friends while conducting an very important community service.

As a member of the Food, Fashion and Design Board, members learn more about career opportunities in these areas and make plans for the annual project evaluation of 4-H projects that fall within these subject matter areas. The members learn important information about possible careers, have the change to explore their specific interests and make lasting friendships with others on the board.

The Junior Fairboard is comprised on many 4-H members. These teens are united in a desire to plan and conduct activities during the junior fair. The group divides into the project area that best fits their subject matter interest. They practice many skills along this journey learning to keep records, make decisions, work together and have fun along the way.

Since all of these groups are comprised of teens from throughout the county and not just students from the same school, teens do get to interact and make friends with youth from around the entire county. What a great way to meet more people!

Teens also have the chance to attend state-wide 4-H activities. These events include conferences and camps. This is another way to meet new people and with today’s technology it is so convenient to stay in touch with these new friends.

A special teen opportunity that if offered to Mercer County 4-H teens is our interstate exchange trip. Any teenage 4-H member may choose to participate. The program involves hosting a teen from another state for 1 week in your home and then the following year our Mercer County group will travel and live with host families from that state. This summer, our Mercer County delegation will be hosted by a super group of people who visited us last year. We will be traveling to Eagle County, Colorado. The exchange trip program has been on-going for 26 years and has resulted in many long-lasting friendships.

For more information about any of these opportunities, contact your club advisors or Barb Phares at the Extension Office at phares.1@cfaes.osu.edu or via phone at 419-586-2179

Celina police officers qualify with firearms four times each year. The weapons each officer must qualify on include a duty handgun, off-duty/back up handgun, shotgun and patrol rifle. To help insure a balanced proficiency level throughout the year, the qualification shoots are staggered over the 12 month period. At each qualification shoot officers must satisfactorily complete a qualification course with one of the weapons and a practice course with another.

This year, officers found themselves performing shotgun qualifications during the heavy snow periods in February. Duty handgun practice was the secondary course each officer completed. The winter weather was actually a very good venue for the range work. It allowed officers to practice firearms techniques while wearing heavy coats, hats and gloves. Many times such conditions can only be simulated. While not everyone actually completed course during snowfall, the range conditions and temperature were fairly constant during qualification week.

According to OSHA, 6,000 people die from workplace injuries every year, and nearly 12 injuries occur in a workplace every minute. Are your employees prepared to respond to an injured co-worker or customer immediately and with the confidence that comes from being trained in lifesaving CPR and first aid? It can mean the difference between life and death.

Whether you need to train just a couple or many employees in locations across the country, the Red Cross can help. We can provide high-quality safety training when and where you need it, through one point of contact. Choose from the following training options:

Mercer Health Living Expo Saturday, March 20th 7:30am -11:30am at the Galleria, Celina

Please remember to keep all of our dedicated men and women that are serving our great country in your thoughts and prayers. The Red Cross is grateful that Kitt Compson will make a complete recovery after being shot by enemy fire during bridging operations and was wounded in the right arm which required medical treatment on February 13th. If you would like to send Kitt a card:

Thank you to everyone that supported the Kart Committee Bowling Fundraiser in any way!

40" FLAT SCREEN TV donated by the Kart Committee---MIKE POTTKOTTER, PRESSURE WASHER donated by Portland Tru-Value--CODY DUES, $300.00 RACE SHOPPING SPREE donated by Kart Committee HALIEGH STAUGLER, MOSSBURG 20 GAUGE SHOT GUN donated by Kremer Guns-LISA

FULLENKAMP $200.00 RACE SHOPPING SPREE donated by Gels IGA --ALAN HESS, GAS WALL HEATER donated by Buschur Refrigeration -NORA MOELLER, 1/2 HOG donated by Aaron Siefring -NORM KUNK, 1/2 HOG donated by Siefring processing by Winner’s & Sons AMY OSTERHOLT, CORDLESS HAMMER DRILL donated by Water Works-- KARLEE STAUGLER, 1 NIGHT STAY AT HOLIDAY INN donated by Holiday Inn -ALMIR FILADELFO, MEAT GIFT PACK donated by Werling and Sons -KELLY SIEFRING, MEAT GIFT PACK donated by Werling & Sons-GREG CASS

For their assistance and support with the Kart Bowling Fundraiser! It was greatly appreciated!!

Thank you to Miss Grand Lake Festival, Cayla Hellwarth & Sam Gudorf! They held a

Help Sustain Life Benefit Concert for the American Red Cross-Haiti Relief on Sunday, Feb 28th.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to Wright State University for supporting the American Red Cross!

Have you noticed the signs at Chief’s? While getting your groceries you are able to support the Red Cross by adding a donation to your bill. Every little bit helps. Those suffering in Haiti appreciate your help.

Summer will be here before you know it! Be one of the first to be ready for the pool!

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization & is not a government agency. Our chapter relies on the generosity of the citizens in Mercer County to fulfill the Red Cross mission

Address~909 E Wayne St. Suite 124, Celina, Ohio 45822 Phone~419-586-2201 Email~ redcross@bright.net

Websites~ mercercountyredcross.org or www.redcross.org or www.arckartracing.com 3/10

COLUMBUS – State Representative Jim Zehringer (R- Ft. Recovery) today announced the successful passage of an amendment to House Bill 414 that would eliminate the proposed fifteen cent fee increase on livestock feed to fund the Livestock Care Standards Board. House Bill 414 is the enabling legislation that seeks to implement the standards of state Issue 2, a statewide ballot measure that was passed overwhelmingly last fall.

“It was extremely important to me that we fund this board with general revenue funds rather than creating new fees,” Zehringer said. “With the current economic climate, it makes sense to allocate existing funds for this Board rather than asking for new money from our constituencies.”

Zehringer has been a major proponent for keeping the costs of the Board low and funding these expenses through existing revenue streams. Members of the Board will not receive compensation, but will be reimbursed for mileage expenses.

“The people of Ohio need to have faith that the Board will be funded and equipped to deal with any food safety challenges that confront our state,” said Zehringer. “The willingness of members on both sides of the aisle to propose and support this change shows how strongly all members in our committee feel about this issue.”

The Livestock Care Standards enabling legislation was reported unanimously from committee today and could come before the full House for a vote sometime in the coming weeks.

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 20502 would like to thank Gateway Outreach Center for providing space for meetings and special activities. Pictured bottom row left to right Sunni Cromwell, Aliviah Delzeith, top row left to right Aubrey Brinkman, Taylor Binkley, Ashtyn Huber, Samantha Jacobs Not pictured are Troop Leaders- Shannon Adams and Karen Cromwell

Photo caption: "Maumee Shack @ Winter," 24 x 32, watercolor by Robert Martin OWS of Toledo. This painting will be part of the OWS show on display at the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert March 7-27.

The Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio, will present the Ohio Watercolor Society touring exhibit from March 7 through March 27. Exhibit hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). Admission is free.

This exhibit features "the best of the best" watercolor paintings selected from the OWS annual juried competition. The show is sponsored by Central Insurance Company and Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency.

For information on Wassenberg Art Center exhibits and activities call the art center at 419.238.6837, toll free at 1.888.238.3837, e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com or visit the website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg.

The Mendon Lions Club will host their annual Soup & Sandwich Supper and Auction on Saturday, March 27th. Soup & Sandwich Supper from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Auction starts at 7:00 p.m. All events at the Mendon Fire Department building.

"The Sons of The American Legion Post 241 are holding a raffle this year at their annual Wingfest on April 3rd. We only have 500 tickets for this raffle. You do not need to be present to win. The raffle poster is attached. Click Here
The top prize is winners' choice between a 2010 Honda 4-wheeler or $4,000 cash. 2nd prize is a 42" LCD TV and third prize is a Nintendo Wii game system. We are purchasing more prizes as the raffle date is nearing.
The ticket cost is a $20 donation. On the ticket stub it shows that it is a donation so you will be able to save it for your tax professional next year to write it off. As I stated earlier there are only 500 tickets for this raffle so reserve yours today by calling or emailing me.
Cell phone: 614-579-4955
Email: aaadam606@yahoo.com

Thank you for your patronage,
Adam Suchland"

Bowlers wanted, it’s not to late to join the bowling event! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer Auglaize & Van Wert Counties will be hosting the 20^th annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake. The event will take place on Sunday, March 14^th at Plaza Lanes in Celina and Olympic Lanes in Van Wert on Sunday, March 21^st.

Individuals can participate by forming a five member team consisting of friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Each team member must raise $40 in donations in order to bowl and receive a free t-shirt. Many area businesses sponsor a 5-person team from their place of business. The cost of a business team sponsorship is $300. These businesses receive special recognition on the day of the event. Team packets are available by calling the BBBS office or you pick one up at any participating bowling alley.

There will be contests, prizes, and activities celebrating a “Sports Rally Tailgate Party” theme. The best part is you don’t have to be a good bowler to win the prizes!!! The grand prize this year is two airline tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. (valued at $1000) donated by AirTran Airways. Some other prizes include overnight stays, restaurant gift certificates, shopping gift certificates, and lots more!

The proceeds from the Bowl for Kids’ Sake events go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize and Van Wert Counties to help local youth. BFKS is fun for everyone. So …..Roll up your sleeves and put your game face on for some fun at the Bowling alley on March 14^th or March 21^st. Sign your team up today to support your local children by calling the BBBS office at 419-394-2990 or stop by any participating bowling alley for an information packet. You can also visit the BBBS web page at www.BBBSMA.com.

The Parkway FFA on Friday, February 19^th, sent two students to Upper Sandusky to participate in Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostics. The students who went were Mark Sheets and Jared Rollins. This used to be known as Tractor Trouble Shooting.

When Mark and Jared first arrived they took the written test. This was supposed to be taken online at school, but due to cancellations, it was postponed until the day of testing. The two of them then worked together in the four stations. Each station consisted of a different type of tractor. There were two Caterpillar tractors, a John Deere tractor, and a Massey Ferguson tractor. Mark and Jared had 20 minutes to find the problems. Many of the problems included safety locks, fuse boxes, switches, and wires hooked up wrong.

These two students placed 13^th in the district. Agricultural Diagnostics was a good team building activity and help students learn a great deal about the different tractors. Mark Sheets said that the experience would be “helpful in the future for he hopes to do something within this general idea.” Jared Rollins added, “This experience was exciting and really made me think. I hope to use this information in the future.” The Parkway would like to congratulate these boys on their job well done and would like to thank them for their hard work and effort.

The Parkway FFA Boosters has decided to have a strawberry fundraiser. This is the first year the Parkway FFA Boosters have tried this, and would like the community to be involved to make this a successful fundraiser. The money earned from this fundraiser will be going to the expenses of building a new food stand at the Mercer County Fairgrounds. Any Parkway FFA member is selling the strawberries thru next Monday, March 8^th. To place an order you can contact an FFA member, e-mail the Parkway FFA at FFA@parkwayschools.org, or call the school, 419-363-3045 ext. 636.

The strawberries are being sold by the flat or half-flat. A flat consists of 8 quart containers filled with strawberries. A flat cost is $24.00 and a half-flat is $13.00.

The strawberries will be delivered sometime around March 15^th. Thank you for supporting the Parkway FFA Boosters and its many activities.

The Crescent Players present Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" at New Bremen's James F. Dicke Auditorium (901 E. Monroe Street). Performances are April 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m.; and April 10 and 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased after March 15 at Western Ohio True Value Hardware in Minster, or by calling 419-628-4166. Presale tickets are $8 for seniors, children and students, and $10 for adults. Prices at the door will be $2 higher.

Thanks very much!

Wendy Rochotte, Secretary, The Crescent Players

The Mendon Lions Club is busy getting ready for the annual Soup & Sandwich/Auction which will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The Club spent most of the February 15 meeting getting ready as the attached minutes indicate.

Here are photos from the annual Soup&Sandwich/Auction from a couple of years ago.

The Mendon Lions Club met on Monday evening, February 15 at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Mendon United Methodist Church. Welcomed back were Dan Crouch and Matt Grunden. Members present for the meal were John Adams, Ned Baltzell, Dan Crouch, Don Dudgeon, Joanne

Dudgeon, Nancy Krugh, Ron Krugh, Merle Stelzer, Ivan Knapp. Other members who came for the business meeting were Bill Griere, Matt Grunden, and Jerry Rolsten.

Members were welcomed by Lion Ivan Knapp who led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lion Ned Baltzell led the club in song and in prayer. A delicious meal was prepared by Terri Crouch, Marcia Miller, and Lisa Shepppard.

Secretary’s report was tabled to the March 1 meeting. Lion Nancy Krugh gave the treasurer’s report which was approved by the Club. Focus of the meeting was on preparing for the Soup & Sandwich/Auction which will be Saturday, March 27.

Lion Nancy Krugh said that the tickets last year were $6 for adults and $3 for twelve years old and under and moved that the price be the same for this year. Club unanimously approved the motion. Tickets will be the same price as last year. Lion Ron Krugh will get the tickets printed.

Lion Nancy also moved that the time for the meal and auction be the same as last year: Meal, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with Auction beginning a 7 p.,m. The club unanimously approved the times.

Lion Nancy moved and the club approved that the menu be left up to the cooks, which she indicated last year were Cindy Grier, Ann Heppeard, and Olene Grieshop.

All members are to bring one pie, three dozen cookies, and 2 salads (i.e. enough for 25 people).

Lion Bill Grier confirmed that Tom Robbins will auctioneer the auction. Lion Jerry Rolsten indicated that David Shidler (sp?) will help auctioneer.

The club discussed the collection of items for the auction. Historically, various members have been responsible for contacting various businesses and individuals. i.e. John Adams contacts the merchants in Mendon. Lion Olene Grieshop will review the list of previous donors to confirm tentative donors and members who will make the contacts.

Lion Jerry Rolsten pointed out that a nearby organization recently had much success with baked goods, specifically gooseberry pies.

In other business, Lion Ivan reminded members that the next Zone Meeting will be Tuesday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. at McSobers in Coldwater. Bob Hare asked that the club reports be presented at the meeting and also said that someone will be in attendance to pick up eye glasses. Lion Ivan will pick up eye glasses from Lion Nancy at the Roebuck Insurance office before leaving for the meeting..

Lion Biil Grier indicated that he had talked with Galen Hesse who estimated the cost of materials to finish the ceiling and walls at $3000. Lion Bill said the plans are for members and volunteers to do the labor. Source of necessary funds not yet determined.

Lion Bill also discussed this year’s Tractor Pull to be held during the Firecracker Festival. He has contacted Michindoh Company in Michigan who may put the Tractor Pull on. Lion Bill is looking for sponsors and will be negotiating the price with Michindoh. Tenative ticket price for the pull to be $5.

Lion Dan Crouch said the same ride company will be contacted for this year. He explained the financial arrangement with the ride company.

Lion Dan said the next Park Committee meeting will be Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. He also said that Fanning’Howey and Ron Puthoff are looking into another grant for the purchase of playground equipment for the park.

Lion Dan said he will be getting a set of keys from Crailg Knapke of Fanning/Howey. Lion Ned Baltzell won the 50/50 drawing for the evening. Meeting adjouned.

Next meeting will be Monday, March 1, 2010 Lion Joanne Dudgeon will present the program.

Zone Meeting Minutes for February 23, 2010

The Coldwater Lions Pres. Opened the Zone Meeting with a pledge to the Flag.

Coldwater, Rockford, Celina and Mendon Lions Clubs were in attendance.

Minutes were read and a report was given about Todd Reigelsperger being
in a wheelchair since his accident. There is an account set up for any
donations to defer medical costs. Contact any Coldwater Lions for more
details of how to donate. The meeting was then turned over to Zone
Chairman Bob Hare.

He reported that the Membership dues are going to be going up. All clubs
should think about donating to the Todd Reigelsperger Fund.

Lion Bob asked each Club in attendance to read their Annual Activity
Report and then turn them into him.

1st Vice District Governor Sheryl Schlater asked for the List of new
Officers to be turned in sometime Mid April if possible.

Mendon Lions turned in 122 pair of eyeglasses to Barney Roll, State Sight

In conclusion, in the March issue of Lion there is a story about recruiting new members on page 46 from which I quote. “Invigorate your club by attracting young lions.” Suggestions include 1.access your club’s effectiveness. 2. Know how to market your club’s strengths. 3, Use technology including a website.

“Younger people with families are more likely to join if you provide a family atmosphere, such as providing babysitting during the meeting…Look at other ways and times to meet….Let Lions be in good standing without attending every meeting…Make the meetings meaningful. Make sure the meetings are run quickly, efficiently, and well.”

Note; More pictures of the Celina-Mercer County Chamber awards banquet are on the Pictures page.)

Our 2009 Citizen of the Year is a very busy person even outside of her fulltime job. This is a person who always has time to listen, and is always very respectful of others. Some of her accomplishments are: 40-year member of the Unity Grange and received Ohio State Grange Oath of the Sixth Degree.

Taught Sunday school and was Junior Superintendent and Senior Sunday School Superintendent.

Earned B.S. in Education and Organizational Leadership from WSU with LD Certification.

With all these activities, our Citizen of the Year still finds time to have a job. She could be taking life easy, but she became mayor. With an unforgettable smile, unique laugh, and a genuine caring for mankind, Sharon LaRue is the 2009 Citizen of the Year.

Our two humanitarians work for the same non-profit organization. Our more senior co-humanitarian has worked since the late 80’s to keep this organization going by working long hours and praying nonstop for help. All this as a volunteer. This year the organization is being stretched to the limits in these economically challenging times. Many people who volunteered their time for this organization are now having to use it through no fault of their own.

The younger of our co-humanitarians has taken on the task of filling the other’s shoes in the wake of a well-deserved retirement. He knew it would be a big undertaking but until he began he did not understand the magnitude. Again, he is a volunteer using he leadership ability to grow this organization, communication skills to get the message out, and his labor to do whatever needs to be done.

Both of these men lead by example in many facets of their lives in their service to God and their community. Our co-humanitarians have been the director of CALL Food Ministries. Our co-humanitarians are Rev. Kenny Baker and Rev. Tim Clutter.

About two years ago the chamber needed some new Christmas decorations at the Christmas House which sits on the Mercer County Courthouse steps November and December. I put the word out on my Tuesday morning radio report.

That week our award winner bounced into my office and offered to make a couple of Christmas decorations. These would be wood so that they would last more than one season. It wasn’t but a couple of weeks later and this person dropped off 12 six foot soldiers (each one named), a larger than life size Santa Claus, a jack-in-the-box, teddy bear, and several other decorations. They were fabulous and we were so excited for Christmas to get here so we could display them. That was not enough. This achievement award winner gathered old wreaths that hung on the court house windows during the holidays and refurbished them as they were probably from the 1960’s. This award winner restrung them with new garland, painted the candles, and put new lights on them.

Before we knew it, the fish float was pulled out of storage and a whole species change began. This float had been built in the early 70’s and needed some major TLC not only for looks but for safety. It went from being a crappie to a bass in the matter of a couple of months. Not sure why we did not call Guinness. The band spanking new “Big Bob” the bass was displayed as it was rolled through the Lake Festival Parade last year. The eyes now light up and there are extra lights for safety. Not only did our award winner fix it up, they went out and raised the money for the project.

We are not done yet. Our award winner and their family set their minds to remodeling the Santa house. Again, not only for looks, but for safety. This house had not been remodeled on the inside for some time. When you turned the heater on in the house, the lights dimmed extensively. Not a good sign. Not only did they spearhead the fundraising for this project, but worked for several months on the house at their home. This award winner got lots of things donated to the house like a fireplace, a Santa chair, and even new glare proof glasses for Santa. All this through the work of this energetic family.

I want to bring up Mike and Brenda Robinson, our 2009 Achievement Award winners.

After 5 years of service of the Grand Lake area, this business of the year is what you normally only see in much larger communities. This business has served over 700 people from Mercer, Auglaize, and Van Wert counties since is opened. It has made a tough situation for a lot of people easier.

Not only does this business possess state of the art equipment, but it employs top quality professionals who care about what they do plus take pride in it. This business of the year is a collaboration of several businesses who have come together for the good of their communities.

After reaching the 5 year milestone, they have not stood still. Recently several enhancements to services have been added and upgrading technology is a priority.

They employ over 15 people who are active local volunteers in such activities ass the Relay for Life. The staff has a heart for taking care of the community and it shows in their quality of care. Many, many lives have been touched by this business and their employees. This organization allows their patients to focus on their recovery rather than travel. I would like to introduce the 2009 Community Business of the Year, the Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center.

The Center opened in 2004. In 2008, the Center welcomed a full-time radiation oncology physician practice, Toledo Radiation Oncology and Heather Kaiser, M.D. as the primary radiation oncologist. Recently, significant investments into the state-of-the-art equipment technology were made at the
Center’s Radiation Oncology service.

In November, 2009, 16-slice General Electric CT Scanner was installed and put into service. In December, 2009, a new Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning Computer system was commissioned. The addition of the new equipment allows the Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center to remain current in the technology of radiation therapy and offer comparable services to those found in major metro areas

The Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center is also home to a 3 Medical Oncology physician services: Drs. Henry Gerad and Magid Amer, Dr. David Powell, and Dr. Ashok Tripuraneni, in addition to radiation oncology services.

Services at the Center offer employment to over 15 staff who are active in local volunteer services, such as Relay for Life and regional health fairs. The staff has a heart for taking care of the community and it shows in their quality of care and patient relationships.

Although the health care industry has seen some trying times in the past few years, the Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center has endured and is well-positioned for success in 2010 and beyond. Between the facilities, equipment, and the people behind the mission, Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center is recognized as the Community Business of the Year for all the lives that have been touches in the Celina Mercer County area.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Zehringer (R-Fort Recovery) was today awarded Watchdog of the Treasury Award for the 127^th General Assembly. The award recognizes key legislators or policymakers every year who work tirelessly to restore responsible limited government, lower taxes, encourage free enterprise and regulatory relief, and promote personal freedom.

"I am honored to receive this award, and I will continue to fight for smaller government, less taxes and more economic freedom for my constituents,"

The award was presented at a breakfast ceremony in Columbus, held by the United Conservatives of Ohio. The United Conservatives of Ohio supports the responsible spending of taxpayers’ dollars, the elimination of government waste, and the free-market system of competition among private sector firms.

Columbus—This is 2010, and Ohio's new job-rich economy is on the horizon! State Representative Jim Zehringer (R-Ft. Recovery) recently announced his candidacy to return to the 77th Ohio House District seat in 2011.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to continue my service to the citizens of the 77^th House District,” said Rep. Zehringer. “I look forward to representing the ideals and interests shared by the citizens in Mercer, Darke and Preble counties.”

Since the beginning of the 128^th General Assembly, Rep. Zehringer has fought to create jobs and boost Ohio's economy through viable, sustainable changes to the way government does business. He voted against all tax increases while supporting cost-saving efficiency measures, with the goal of making state government work better for the people it is intended to serve.

Specifically, Rep. Zehringer fought to preserve income tax reduction, protect Ohio agriculture and bolster small businesses. Among other proposals, he introduced bills to assist a small business in his district, stiffen penalties for assault on judges and to enact regulatory reform across Ohio.

“I feel so privileged to be able to serve my fellow citizens as a member of the state legislature,” Rep. Zehringer said. “I will continue to work relentlessly to earn the trust of my constituents, and I am looking forward to continuing my travels to meet with people all over my district.”

American Cancer Society Encourages Everyone 50 and Older to Get Tested for Colon Cancer

[Celina], Ohio, February 26, 2010 – This March, the American Cancer Society is encouraging men and women 50 and older to make getting tested for colorectal cancer a priority. Colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as colon cancer) is one of only two cancers that can actually be prevented through screening, which allows doctors to find polyps in the colon and remove them before they turn cancerous. Regularly scheduled colorectal cancer screening can help save lives and help achieve the American Cancer Society’s goal of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Screening for colon cancer has been proven to reduce deaths from the disease both by decreasing the number of people who are diagnosed with it and by finding a higher proportion of cancers at early, more treatable stages. Overall, colon cancer rates have declined rapidly in both men and women in the past two decades, due in part to early detection and removal of precancerous polyps. However, only half of the U.S. population aged 50 and older have been tested.

“We have an opportunity to significantly reduce death rates from colon cancer through regular screening,” said Marybeth Torsell, Health Promotions Coordinator for the American Cancer Society. “However, there may be barriers to screening such as a lack of health insurance. We hope that people will use this month – National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – as an opportunity to make screening a priority and talk to their doctors, family members and friends about getting tested. By doing so, they are taking a key step toward staying well.”

The American Cancer Society recommends the following tests to find colon cancer early:

· Annual guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) with high test sensitivity for cancer, or

· Annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) with high test sensitivity for cancer, or

Because of their greater potential to prevent cancer, the tests that have a higher likelihood of finding both polyps and cancer are preferred if patients are willing to use them and have access to them. In addition to screening, there are healthy lifestyle behaviors individuals can adopt to reduce risk of colon cancer. Studies show that being overweight or obese increases risk of colon cancer, and people whose diets include a high amount of red and processed meats are at increased risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on five or more days of the week; and consume a healthy diet that includes five or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day, whole grains (instead of processed grains and sugars), limited alcohol and processed and red meats, and controlled portion sizes (visit cancer.org/GreatAmericans for tips and ideas on how to eat healthy and exercise regularly). Smoking also increases risk of colon cancer. A 2009 study from the American Cancer Society found that long-term smoking (smoking for 40 or more years) increases colon cancer risk by 30 to 50 percent. Smokers who want to quit can call the American Cancer Society Quit For Life^® Program operated and managed by Free & Clear^® at 1-800-227-2345 for tobacco cessation and coaching services that can help increase their chances of quitting for good; or visit cancer.org/GreatAmericans for customized tips that can help with quitting smoking for good. An estimated 146,970 cases of colorectal cancer were expected to occur in 2009, and 49,920 deaths were expected. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. Risk factors for colon cancer include a personal family history of the disease.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, about 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Senator Buehrer (left) was presented with the Watchdog of the Treasury award from the United Conservatives of Ohio during a breakfast in Columbus.

COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) recently received the United Conservatives of Ohio’s Watchdog of the Treasury award for his dedication to fiscal responsibility and strong conservative voting record during the 127^th General Assembly. The award was presented at a breakfast yesterday morning in Columbus.

Senator Buehrer, who was recently elected by his colleagues to serve as the Ohio Senate’s Majority Whip, has long championed policy in the Legislature that respects individual freedom, promotes the responsible, transparent and efficient use of Ohio taxpayer resources and encourages development and job growth in Ohio’s communities.

As chair of the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee, he has fought against excessive business regulations and recent rate increases at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, which threaten to drive thousands of companies out of Ohio, while working to explore alternatives to Ohio’s government-run workers comp system. In addition, Senator Buehrer, who is also a member of the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee, recently sponsored legislation to eliminate much of Ohio’s traditional telecommunications regulatory framework and move to a more market-oriented, yet consumer friendly approach designed to encourage greater competition between telephone service providers, attract investment and create jobs.

“Government doesn’t create jobs, businesses do. For Ohio to compete for jobs and investment now and in the future, state leaders must work to better manage Ohioans hard-earned taxpayer dollars and support policies that are designed to encourage free enterprise, keep taxes low and limit the size and reach of government,” explained Buehrer. “I will continue to be a fiscal ‘watchdog’ for the families and businesses of this state and work to promote solid conservative values in the Ohio General Assembly.”

The UCO advocates for public policy that promotes free enterprise, low taxes and greater efficiency in government. This award, which is given on a biennial basis, is the fourth Watchdog of the Treasury that Senator Buehrer has won during his service in the Ohio General Assembly.

Senator Buehrer represents the 1^st Ohio Senate District, which includes Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams and portions of Auglaize County.

The tillage transect for the Ohio portion of the Upper Wabash River Watershed was completed for the winter season of 2009-10. This is a drive-by transect, with a site every half mile throughout the watershed. This is the third year this tillage transect has been completed. Using this transect and past transects, seasonal conclusions were made.

The watershed project encourages no tillage and reduced tillage practices. This is in accordance with the endorsed watershed action plan. This plan includes two objectives directly related to tillage and cover crops. These objectives are: 4,000 acres of cover crops and 5,000 acres of conservation tillage. Other objectives in the watershed action plan include more agricultural, residential, construction and lake related best management practices.

Cover crops are known to increase organic matter in the soil. Organic material is vital for good crops and improves the fertility of the hard clay soils in our area. Cover crops also provide a growing crop for winter manure application. The watershed project recommends avoiding winter manure application, but if it must be done, it is best to apply on a growing crop. For more information on best management practices related to winter manure application, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.

The tillage transect summary for the Ohio portion of the Upper Wabash River Watershed is as follows:

 Over half of the watershed had no fall tillage. This is similar to past years. This includes hay fields and areas which have a cover crop, including wheat.

 Just over two percent of the watershed was strip till. This is a small amount, but has increased.

 Reduced fall tillage covered 17 percent of the watershed. These fields have 15 to 30 percent field cover. Field cover is the amount of field covered by vegetation left from the previous crop or the current growing crop.

 Fall mulch tillage covered another 19 percent of the watershed. These fields have greater than 30 percent field cover.

 Almost 10 percent of the watershed had been fall plowed. This is any field with less than 15 percent cover. This is an increase from previous transects, but may be due to crop rotation. Often hayfields or fields with certain pest problems are fall plowed.

For more information about the tillage transect or other watershed related topics and questions, please contact the watershed coordinator, Laura Walker laura.walker@mercercountyohio.org or 419-586-3289.

The next Women in Business Luncheon will be held Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 11:30 am. The location of the meeting is the Galleria Banquet Room located at 909 E. Wayne St. in Celina, OH.

Teri Hirschfeld will be speaking on "Customer Service...Will it Make You or Break You?"

Lunch will be catered and costs $10.00. You are welcome to bring a guest, don't forget to add them when you RSVP.

8th Annual Youth Pork Leadership Institute
& Scholarship Program Announced

Pork enthusiasts from around Ohio will have a chance to learn about all aspects of the pork industry at the Youth Pork Leadership Institute, a three-day seminar to be held in Columbus in June. New in 2010 all current and past participants, age 21 or under, will have the opportunity to compete for a $500 scholarship.

Young men and women will be selected to participate in the event, which is sponsored by the Ohio Pork Producers Council, the Pork Check-off, and the Ohio Soybean Council. Last year thirteen individuals participated in the event. As an alumnus of the institute, participants will have the opportunity to be youth ambassadors for Ohio’s pork industry.

One goal of the institute is to make young people realize the pork industry has many facets, including packing, retail, food service, research and communications. In addition, the institute will teach leadership and communication skills that will assist participants in their future careers.

At last year’s event, the participants benefited from such unique experiences as touring a packing plant, learning about commercial hog farms, taste testing in Bob Evans test kitchen, and meeting with a legislative aide. The goal of the program is to offer a well-rounded curriculum that will allow young people to appreciate the broad scope of the pork industry.

The new competition provides an incentive for ambassadors to be involved in promoting cooking pork and modern production practices to consumers. The participant that earns the most points will be awarded a $500 scholarship. Awards for various tiers of participation include a t-shirt, cooler and jacket. More details are available at www.OhioPork.org .

The Youth Pork Leadership Institute is open to any Ohio youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who has an interest in the pork industry. It will be held June 13-15 in Columbus and all expenses will be covered by the Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Pork Producers Council and the pork check-off. Applications will be accepted until April 23, 2010.To apply, an application must be completed along with a resume. Applications are available on the OPPC website at <www.ohiopork.org>. For additional information or applications contact the Ohio Pork Producers Council at 5930 Sharon Woods Blvd., Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43229 or call 800-320-7991.

With the rise in communication via text messages and through portals like Twitter and Facebook, Grandma’s old black phone sitting on the front hall table seems but a distant memory. However, you wouldn’t know that looking at Ohio’s law books. In fact, the Ohio Revised Code still refers to the “telegraph” more than 50 times.

Technology will always move faster than lawmaking can keep up. However, with a slow economy and a desperate need for more jobs in Ohio, it is absolutely critical that the General Assembly act now to update its telecom regulations. These overdue changes will help ensure individuals and small businesses in Ohio will benefit from new and better services and that Ohio will be in a better position to encourage more investment in our telecommunications infrastructure, creating good jobs in the process.

I introduced the Ohio Telecom Modernization Act (Senate Bill 162) in August. Recognizing the complexity of this topic and the impact it could have on consumers, the Senate Energy & Public Utilities Committee (of which I am a member) spent four solid months, including seven public hearings and extensive work with consumer advocates to ensure the bill had the right balance. We listened and made numerous changes to the original draft. As testament to our hard work, the bill passed the Senate with strong, bipartisan support in early December.

The Telecom Modernization Act reflects the fact that the traditional phone companies now face competition from wireless phones, cable phones and internet phones and gives them a more even playing field so they have the ability to innovate and advance in a rapidly changing marketplace. That is good news for Ohio consumers. The bill also includes a rate cap for traditional wireline telephones – which are the only sector of the industry still regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Under the bill, the PUCO will retain appropriate consumer protections for basic local exchange service, again, for the benefit of Ohio consumers.

The bill is now pending in the Ohio House of Representatives and my hope is that they will take prompt action on the bill so that Ohio can join the ranks of the more than half of the states that have made similar updates to their laws to keep pace with the changing technology. I believe this law will help create and retain telecommunications jobs in Ohio, encourage increased infrastructure investment in our state and make the latest technology available to all of us.

I encourage residents from the 1^st Senate District to contact me with any questions, thoughts or concerns about state government issues. You can write me, Senator Steve Buehrer, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, or contact me by phone at (614) 466-8150. I can also be reached by email at SD01@senate.state.oh.us. In addition, for more information about my work in the Ohio Senate, please visit my page on the new Senate website at www.ohiosenate.gov/steve-buehrer.

Columbus – State Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina) announced that the State Controlling Board has approved a $100,000 roadwork development grant to Mercer County to assist in necessary upgrades to Vine Street in the Village of Coldwater to support the planned expansion of Basic Grain Products, Inc. As part of the expansion, Basic Grain plans to create 40 new jobs and to retain its existing 150.

Tastemorr Snacks, a division of Basic Grain, has grown to become a major player in the healthy snack industry using wholesome rice, corn, soy and wheat grains in its products. In order to house new production lines and warehouse operations, Basic Grain plans a multi-million dollar investment to expand its existing 200,000 square foot facility in Coldwater.

“I am pleased that through the cooperation of the state and local governments, Basic Grain has decided to expand and create jobs right here in Mercer County,” Faber said.

The state funding approved by the Controlling Board on Monday represents approximately half of the funds need to improve Vine Street to accommodate increased traffic as a result of the expansion. The state funding was made available through the state Transportation Budget – House Bill 2 -- which passed the General Assembly last year. Mercer County will fund the balance of the public roadway improvements project.

The actual renovation is about to begin! Nest Saturday, February 27 at 9:00 the dismantling of the present museum exhibits and displays will take place. All help is welcome! We will be using screwdrivers and crowbars and hammers to dismantle cases and display boxes and supports. We will dig and move the GROUND out of the center area (where the soldiers are standing) and wheel it outside. Glasses, soldiers, artifacts and the horse will be removed, The work will begin at 9:00, and with enough help, should be completed by noon!

While we are working we (and the OHS people who will be there) can share with anyone who doesn't already know, what will be coming into the museum and how it will be arranged. Lest you worry, we are saving our soldiers, horse and artifacts! They will just be displayed in new ways and new places.

If you have time to giive an hour or two, come on down! We're sure that after two months of snow, wind and cold, the Saturday of February 27th will be a beautiful one. Plan to spend a bit of your valuable time with us that Saturday! Questions? call Helen LeFevre who is coordinating this whole process? Or if the questions aren't too tough, you can call me - 419-375-4384!

The Parkway FFA sent a large number of State and American Degrees along with Officer Books and Proficiencies to District Evaluations on February 20^th. To obtain a State, American, or Proficiency Degree, the students must put many hours into completing books on the SAE’s that they have participated in. The officers spent long hours also working on their books for judging.

The students that applied to receive their State Degrees were Olivia Houts, Abby Evans, Zach Searight, and Garth Louth. All of them made it through districts and the books are now evaluated at the State level.

Dee Dee Knapke was the lone Parkway FFA member who applied for her American Degree. Her book passed at district level, and is now being re-judged at the state level.

The Parkway FFA Chapter also had two members apply for Proficiency Awards. Dee Dee Knapke and Samantha Beerbower both received a gold rating and have moved on to the state level. Dee Dee Knapke applied with Sheep Production and Sam Beerbower applied with her mums under Floriculture.

The three officers, treasurer, secretary, and reporter, each submitted a completed book to be judged. Abby Evans, treasurer, received a gold rating with her book. Destinee Guggenbiller, secretary, received a gold rating as well with her book. Danielle Matthews, reporter, received a gold rating and a 2^nd place finish with her scrapbook. Each officer will receive a gold pin on stage at the State Convention in May.

The Parkway FFA would like to congratulate these students for their hard work and wish them the best of luck at the state level.

Western Ohio Civil War Roundtable member Mark Dove will present his program “Strategic Use of Terrain - The Civil War: From the Ground – Up” in the roundtable’s meeting at Wright State University Lake Campus in Celina - Thursday, February 25 at 7:15 PM room 227 Dwyer Hall. Mark Dove is a retired combat engineer with the St. Marys Engineering Company of the Ohio National Guard.

His military background provided an excellent opportunity to study and teach terrain issues as they’ve been considered for hundreds of years of military history. Over the years, time and technology have changed warfare—but where combat infantry is concerned, terrain is still an important strategic and tactical factor. Whether at Kabul or Bull Run, intelligent use of terrain can and will affect military outcomes.

Dove was an instructor in the Regional Training Institute, Columbus, Ohio. He taught Instructor Training, Leadership Development and Accelerated Officer Candidate School. His duty stations put him in classrooms in Alabama, Minnesota, South Dakota, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

His interest in the American Civil War persuaded him to adapt his presentation to specific examples within the conduct of the war. This will be his first presentation to the Western Ohio Civil War Roundtable. This program should find a wide audience among Civil War buffs.

Mark and his wife, Sandra, have been married since 1970. They have two daughters, Sarah in Cincinnaiti, and Rachel in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa.

The Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the nominees and recipients for their 30th Annual "Citizen of the Year - Hall of Fame" Awards Banquet.
The 2009 "Citizen of the Year" has been awarded to Tess Kaup. Tess has been active for many years with the Fort Recovery Merchants Association, Fort Recovery Athletic Boosters, Fort Recovery Historical Society, has assisted with many other activities and events, along with being a local business owner. Tess has provided the leadership for many years in coordinating the very successful Christmas Open House and the publication of the local shoppers guide.
The "Hall of Fame" award recipients for 2009 are Cy LeFevre and Roger Lennartz. The Chamber of Commerce will recognize their many outstanding contributions and past service to the Fort Recovery community.
Also receiving public nomination for these annual awards were Linda Schoenherr and James Champ.
Mayor Roger Broerman will also be presenting the 16th Annual "Outstanding Community Service Award", with this year's award recipient being the "Cooper Family Foundation" for the organizations continued support of our parks, athletic facilities, school programs and community events. Also to be honored at the banquet is the annual "Home Beautification" award winners and the Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, which will be awarded to a Fort Recovery High School senior.
These 2009 Award winners and nominees will be honored at the Annual Awards Banquet to be held March 14, 2010 at the Fort Recovery Elementary / Middle School Auditeria.
Tickets for the banquet are available from any of the local Banks, Fort Recovery Insurance Agency or by calling 419-375-2530.

The February 11, 2010 meeting of the Galaxy Leaders 4-H club was called to order by Advisor Carol Westgerdes. Five members and two advisors were present. Roll call was answered by naming their favorite valentine candy.

Samantha Fritz led the Pledge of Allegiance and Brianna Wenning led the 4-H Pledge.

The secretary and treasurers reports were read and approved. Wyatt Fritz made the motion to accept and Sarah Brunswick seconded it.

Under old business the pork chop money and leftover tickets were collected. Members also turned in their project selections and enrollment forms to advisor Carol Westgerdes.

Under new business birthday candy bars went to Amber Freeman and Lauren Wenning for February birthdays. Quality Assurance dates for all livestock members are February 16, March 2, March 8, and March 15^th; horse is March 6^th and poultry is April 24^th. Ohio 4-H week is March 7-13 and articles are needed. The club also discussed setting up a display in Gross’s Floor Coverings window for 4-H Week. There will be a sewing clinic on February 15^th at Linda’s Sew & So in Celina for anyone interested. Members guessed the amount of candy in the jar and it was won by Brianna Wenning.

Under advisors reports it was mentioned that Cody, Amber and Nancy Freeman, Aimee Quinn, Brianna Wenning and Carol Westgerdes attended the Officer training at the Dicke Center at Wright State Lake Campus on January 18^th.

Brianna Wenning gave a health report on 10 tips for staying healthy, a safety report on sun safety and a demonstration on how to make fruit kabobs.

The meeting was adjourned by Lauren Wenning and seconded by Samantha Fritz. Refreshments were served by the Wenning family.

The activity for the night was tractor safety. Members completed a work sheet and then made a tractor out of candy.

The next meeting is on March 11, 2010 at 7PM at the Coldwater Library meeting room. Bobby and Kaleb Huser will have reports and Sarah Brunswick will have refreshments.

The February 8^th meeting of the Coldwater Explorers 4-H Club was called to order by President Brian Wellman. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Caleb Dippold and the 4-H Pledge was led by Brad Eckstein. Fifteen members answered roll call by stating their favorite song. Minutes were read by Vice President Krista Hemmelgarn. Under Old Business, Project Enrollment forms were handed in. Easter candy forms were also turned in. Members were reminded that we will be bagging Easter candy at March meeting. Due to limited snow on the sledding hill, the sledding was cancelled. If it works out, we will try to reschedule. Questions were asked about the club doing a club camp-out or going to a waterpark this summer. We will discuss this further when the weather is warmer. Under New Business the club voted to not have 2 fundraisers occurring at the same time and will to make a donation to the Mercer County 4-H Committee versus selling Pork Chop Dinner tickets. Quality Assurance information was discussed with the Livestock members. Seth Stammen, Health and Safety Officer, has arranged for a club tour of the new jail. The tour will be Thursday, February 25^th at 6:30, and last 1 to 1¼ hours. Please RSVP to Seth if attending. Recreation Officer Brad Eckstein led us in a game of Dude. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 8^th at 7:00 at the United Methodist Church basement. A motion to adjourn the meeting was given by Erica Stammen, and seconded by Blake Giere. Respectfully Submitted, Erica Stammen, Reporter

The January 11^th meeting of the Coldwater Explorers 4-H Club was called to order by President Brian Wellman. The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge were lead by Caleb Dippold. Thirteen members, and one guest, answered roll call by stating what their favorite Christmas present was. Minutes were read by Vice President, Krista Hemmelgarn. Under Old Business, the following members were congratulated for being awarded the following Club Offices: President Brian Wellman, Vice President Krista Hemmelgarn, Secretary Sarah Wenning, Treasurer Veronica Bruns, Reporter Erica Stammen, Recreation Officer Brad Eckstein, and Health and Safety Officer Seth Stammen. A reminder that club dues are$8. Family Handbooks were handed out to any members who have not received it. Under New Business Project Enrollment forms were handed out. Members were asked to complete them and return them at the February meeting. The club’s Easter candy fundraiser was discussed and order forms were handed out. Completed order forms should be brought to the February meeting. We will bag the candy in March. Any member having questions about the fundraiser should contact Advisor Cindy Hemmelgarn. Weather permitting, the club plans to sled at Four Seasons Park in Minster this Sunday, January 17^th. We will meet at 1:00 at Stammen’s and return at 4:00. Officer Training will be Monday, January 18^thfrom 1:00 to 3:00 at Wright State Lake Campus. All Officers were encouraged to attend. Spring branch and limb clean-up at the park was discussed. Advisor Karen Stammen will check with the Coldwater Park Board to see if we can help this year. Club members expressed an interest in doing story time at the Coldwater library this spring. We will discuss this further in an upcoming meeting. Recreation Officer Brad Eckstein led us in a game of Dude. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 8^th at 7:00 at the United Methodist Church basement. Caleb Dippold volunteered to bring drinks and Ross Wellman offered to bring snacks. A motion to adjourn the meeting was given by Justin Walterbusch, and seconded by Seth Stammen. Respectfully Submitted, Erica Stammen, Reporter

CELINA, OH -Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reports that his office took an initial report into an industrial accident that resulted in a fatality. On Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 1:38 PM, the Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call to Celina Aluminum Precision Technology at 7059 Staeger Road, in Jefferson Township.

The initial investigation indicated that the victim, Mark A. Fennig, age 58, 321 Race Street, Van Wert, OH, was a maintenance technician working on a water passage machine. It is unclear at this point exactly how Fennig became tangled in the machine, but his hard hat was knocked off and he had visible head trauma.

Celina EMS transported Fennig to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys where Fennig was pronounced dead on arrival. Deputies contacted OSHA who is expected on the scene this evening to investigate (Posted by Kevin Sandler, WCSM)

Generous Gift From Crown Equipment Corporation
Provides Assistance to Lake Campus Students

CELINA, OH – Katy Dicke, third from left, Western Ohio Educational Foundation (WOEF) Board Member and representative of the James F. Dicke family, offers her congratulations to the winners of the Crown Scholarships, which provide full tuition to select Wright State University-Lake Campus students each year. Sharing their appreciation of these awards with Mrs. Dicke are pictured, from left to right: Sandy Gilbert, WOEF Scholarship Coordinator; Dylan Correll, Celina; Katy Dicke, Crown and WOEF Board Member; Joanna Zwiep, New Bremen; Betsy Tobe, Ft. Recovery; Laura Anderson, Secretary to Jim Dicke and former Crown Scholarship winner, Elizabeth Lennartz, Ft. Recovery and Lake Campus Dean Jim Sayer.

For more information, please contact WOEF Scholarship Coordinator Sandy Gilbert at sandy.gilbert@wright.edu or 419-586-0376.

Celina Manor Honored for Employee Retention

Celina, Ohio – Rarely in today’s world of employment, can an organization boast of employee retention. Yet Celina Manor, managed by HCF Management Inc., Lima, Ohio, was recently honored for their 2009 employee retention statistics.

According to Lisa Chalk, administrator at Celina Manor, “employee retention is one of the unique characteristics of Celina Manor which results in the outstanding level of quality of care that is provided to the residents. We are honored to have such a dedicated team of care providers.”

Celina Manor took fifth place out of 25 HCF Care Communities in employee retention and was acknowledged with a special award honoring the achievement. Celina Manor’s overall annual turnover rate for 2009 was just 19%. Compare this rate to the following, “The annualized turnover rate is found to bethe highest among certified nursing assistants at 74.5%, followedby registered nurses at 56.1%, and licensed practical nursesat 51.0%. National retention rates reveal that between 62.5%and 67.3% of nurses have been employed at the same organizationfor more than one year,” according to the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

Celina Manor has been serving the community for over 31 years with excellent and innovative rehabilitative and skilled nursing services.

Here is a reminder of the upcoming meeting of the GLYP Grand Lake Young Professionals networking group on Thursday March 4th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Easy Restaurant & Campgrounds on US 33 east of St Marys. We'll have snacks and there will be a cash bar.

This is an excellent opportunity for folks from 21-40 (and yes, those young at heart as well!) to get together, do some valuable professional networking, and lay the groundwork for what will become a valuable new organization in Mercer and Auglaize counties!

We're interested in securing a sponsor or two for the event. This is an excellent opportunity for you to market your business to young professionals and those folks working to become young professionals in the area. Please call or email me for details.

The New Bremen Senior Citizens regular monthly meeting will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the Senior Citizens Center, 700 East Monroe St., New Bremen.

The Community Health Screening will be held at the Senior Citizens Center on March 12, 2010. Appointments are limited. To schedule an appointment call 1-888-653-6441.

Our “Spring Cleanup” will be held on Saturday, March 6^th at 9:00am. All members are invited to help in the cleaning of the building.

Any senior citizen in the area 55 & older is invited to attend any meeting and join in the fellowship. Guests are always welcome to any of the meetings. Following the attendance drawing, a light lunch will be served by Min Weiskittel, Lucille Schoch, Clarence Tuente & Yolanda Schmiesing. Music will be provided by Don Burns. Bingo will conclude the afternoon of fun & fellowship.

For information on rentals call Lowell Quellhorst @ 419-629-3352; quilts Mary Hespe @ 419-629-0704. All other information call Suzanne Heuker @ 419-629-2206 or Rita Heitkamp @ 419-629-2877

If you'd like to see about getting booth space for this year's Home Show (Sunday March 28th from 12-4 pm at the YMCA South Branch) there are still a few spots open. WCSM Radio in Celina handles all the booth sales. You can reach them at (419) 586-5133. The booth spaces are open to chamber members only, until Friday February 19th. After that, WCSM will open the booth space to non chamber members.

In honor of National FFA Week, the Parkway FFA will be holding an aluminum can drive on Thursday and Friday, February 25^th and 26^th. The students of Parkway are able to bring in as many empty aluminum cans to their homerooms on Thursday and Friday. Each homeroom will record how much they bring in each day. The winner in each level, Elementary, Middle, and High School, will be rewarded.

The community members may also bring in their aluminum cans as well. Throughout the day, you can pull around the back side of the school and drop them off by the Ag Department’s doors.

The money generated from this drive will be donated to the Children’s Medical Center in Dayton. The Parkway FFA thanks the community in advance for their involvement in this project.

LUMBUS – State Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina) today recognized the Minster Girls Cross Country Team, presenting them with an honorary resolution on the Ohio Senate Floor. For the second year in a row, the team won the Division III State Championship.

“Not only are these ladies fine athletes, they are excellent students,” Faber said. “We are very proud of this team and I am pleased they could come to Columbus and receive the Senate’s congratulations.”

Columbus – State Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina) was pleased today to welcome his constituent, Elizabeth Trisler, to the Senate floor. He presented her with an honorary Ohio Senate resolution that recognizes her first place finish in the National Right to Life Committee oratory competition last June. Trisler, from Russia, Ohio, placed first in Ohio’s contest and then competed with students from more than two dozen states to earn the top spot in the nation.

“Ohio is proud of Elizabeth not only for her outstanding oratory skills, but also for her passionate advocacy for the cause in which she believes,” Faber said.

Today, SCR 6, Prevention of Federal Expansion of Abortion Resolution, was heard on the Ohio Senate Floor. Ohio Christian Alliance commends State Senator Tim Grendell (R-18^thDistrict) and State Senator Steve Buehrer (R-1^stDistrict) for their sponsorship of this legislation.

OCA President Chris Long stated, “Pro-life Ohioans have been greatly alarmed by the attempts of Congress to push for public funding of abortion, both in the Health Care Bill and other federal legislation. Polls indicate that Ohioans by large margins oppose this type of legislation. SCR 6, as a resolution, makes a powerful statement t o Congressional members that Ohioans object to the federal government mandating that their tax money be used to pay for abortion, to which they morally object.”

State Senator Steve Buehrer made the following statement in objection to public funding of abortion: "The reckless, pro-choice policy currently being pursued by President Obama and some members of Congress would undermine popular efforts at the state and local level over the past several years to help limit abortions, promote women’s health and block taxpayer dollars from supporting the taking of human life. SCR 6 sends an important message to Ohio’s Congressional delegation and other leaders in Washington to reject this dangerous and misguided plan.”

State Senator Tim Grendell concurred by stating, “We need to do everything we can to keep the federal government from expanding taxes for abortion.”

March home show promises helpful information for residents looking to build or remodel

Area residents looking to build or remodel are encouraged to attend the “Focus On Your Home” home show - dedicated solely to home building and home improvement.

The ninth annual home show, sponsored by the Mercer County Builders Association (MCBA), will be held March 6 and 7 at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, Junior Fair Building, in Celina. Show times are Saturday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“’Focus On Your Home’ will give you access to everything you need to know for your new home or remodeling project,” said Tom Siegrist, of Home Builders Service (Ft. Recovery) and MCBA officer. “Whether you’re looking to add a sunroom, update a kitchen, find the perfect paint colors, buy the right generator or build a new home, this is the area’s only event dedicated solely to building and remodeling.”

Exhibitors typically include financial services, builders, remodelers, window and door experts, roofing professionals, exterior siding pros, standby generators, painters, kitchen and bath companies, heating and cooling, insulation and more.

“Focus On Your Home” is free and geared toward the general public. The home show also will have food and refreshments, and many exhibitors offer door prizes.

$356 Million in Funding Provides Jobs, Housing and Completes Local Infrastructure Projects

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Feb. 17, 2010 – As the nation celebrates the anniversary of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Ohio’s rural communities have been strengthened through more than $356 million in funding investments at the close of Fiscal Year 2009. Ohioans are joining the home ownership ranks, businesses are providing jobs and communities are completing much needed infrastructure projects.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on February 17, 2009. The objective of ARRA is to energize the nation’s economy through job creation financing and the development of infrastructure projects. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

"President Obama’s Recovery Act has helped create jobs and lay a new foundation for economic growth during the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has used Recovery Act funding to create badly-needed jobs and stimulate local economies, help farmers and rural businesses make it through tough times, ensure that struggling families can put food on the table, and build and revitalize critical infrastructure in rural communities across America.”

Warren County Community Services in South Lebanon, Ohio was awarded more than $1.8 million to help build a desperately needed head start facility. The new facility will provide community childcare services for children of working parents. The community’s childcare needs have increased dramatically and the capacity of the older facility cannot be upgraded.

Residents of Jefferson County, Ohio received more than $9.4 million in ARRA funding to finance a new wastewater collection system. That new system will serve

approximately 350 users in the Crestview and Belvedere subdivisions. The ARRA funding will help residents replace the failing on-site septic systems residents currently use.

The bulk of Ohio’s ARRA funding, more than $294 million, went to help more than 2,900 Ohio families become homeowners. Duane Dabney, a single father raising his two sons Cody (15) and Chase (14), is one of the many families who secured

housing through ARRA’s funding. The Monroe, Ohio family is ecstatic to finally have a home they can call their own.

These are just a few examples of how ARRA funding has enabled Ohioans to improve their overall quality of life through strengthened communities. More information about the Federal government’s efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.

The next Connect Ohio Mercer County Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at the location below:

Your attendance is appreciated, please extend this invitation to anyone you think would be beneficial to the meeting.

The Red Cross Kart Racing Fundraiser is Feb 26 & 27th at Miracle Lanes, Ft Recovery.

Hurry and call Alan Siefring at 419-852-0907 to reserve your time for bowling, beverages, prizes and a great time!

Also, be sure to contact the office 419-586-2201 to buy your chance to win some awesome prizes through the raffle!!

Would you like to sharpen your drawing skills, or learn new ways to use acrylics, watercolors and ink? The Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert has announced its Spring 2010 class schedule for adults. There is one morning class and two evening classes. Preregistration and prepayment are required for all classes.

DYNAMIC ACRYLIC PAINTING will be held Mondays, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $48 for art center members, $58 for non-members. The instructor is Pat Rayman. You will learn about the dramatic effects of light and shadow, and how to create mood using weather effects such as fog, mist, snow, etc. A variety of subjects will be explored. Contact the art center for a list of supplies needed.

FUN WITH INK AND WATERCOLOR will be held April 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $45 for members, $55 for non-members. Pat Rayman is instructor. You will learn new ink techniques to create a variety of surfaces and textures such as stone, wood and fur. Adding watercolor to your ink drawings will give beautiful depth to your work. Contact the art center for a list of supplies needed.

CREATIVE DRAWING will be offered on May 4, 11 and 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $45 for members, $55 for non-members. The instructor is Pat Rayman. This class offers a variety of ways to improve drawing skills and have fun doing it. A variety of subjects will be studied. Contact the art center for a list of supplies needed.

To register, send your name, phone number and check (with memo “Chocolate” on the check) made out to the Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio 45891. You may also call 419.238.6837 (toll free 1-888-238-3837) or e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com.

Mercer County Pheasants Forever #745 Minutes for February 8, 2010

Minutes: (Brian) Distributed via email. Sean Finke made motion to approve minutes, Pat Schmitt second – motion passed.

Treasurer's Report: (Mort) Current balance – $25,325.66 Pat Schmitt made motion to approve treasurer's report and pay all bills, Gary Steinbrunner second – motion passed.

Habitat: (Sean Finke) Not much going on right now. Only 2 people have contacted him in reference to seed orders.

Motion to Adjourn: Pat Schmitt made motion to adjourn, Mort Pugh second – motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller

Over the last month I have still been working on Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) promotion. There are a couple of sites in Mercer Co that look promising, we will know more after the state office reviews the application.

I have been working on the big project up on the county line. Things are going well.

I worked the Dayton Hunting and Fishing Show in Vandalia. Other FBB’s and I made some really good contacts for CRP and other conservation programs.

I attended the Private Land Partner’s meeting in Waldo, Ohio. Mid Contract Management and invasive species were 2 of the main topics of discussion.

The state PF meeting went extremely well! Mercer PF walked away with 2 very prestigious awards! The Ohio Grassroots plan award will be the award of awards for the next several years!

My friends and our wives had a great time at the banquet! I made a couple good contacts.

I had another new FBB shadow me this past week, Bill Kiser, will be covering Ross, Pickaway, and Fayette counties.

FYI – Miami County PF had to cancel their annual youth hunt this past weekend due to the snow. I am not sure if there is a make-up date or not…

I will not be able to make the meeting tonight due to a prior engagement. However, I am always available either by phone or email.

The poet said, “Oh Wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” I don’t think we can doubt that we have had some winter already, but at this point, it’s unlikely we are done with winter yet. Although, history shows that robins will soon return, having already done so in some years.

For the Mendon Lions Club our busy time is now upon us. There are only two meetings after tonight before we have the annual Soup & Sandwich/Auction on Saturday, March 27. Lion Ron Krugh has notified the public via the media that we are looking for donations for the Auction and he will have tickets for us to sell. Lion Olene reminds us that last year tickets were $6 for adults and $3 for 12 years and under with supper from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and auction to begin at 7 p.m. The real strength of the Mendon Lions Club is in the annual events and we will soon be at it again.

At the last meeting. Lion Olene Grieshop introduced our guests Patty and Barb Thees from the Choosing Life Pregnancy & Resource Center located at the Celina Church of God, 850 Fair Ground Road. As Olene explainded in the minutes, they opened their doors a year ago with clients as young as 13 and as old as 40.

They are holding a fund raiser on March 25 at the St. Anthony School. The supper is free followed by an auction to raise money for the Center.

As explained in the brochures they passed out, “the Mom 2 Mom program is designed to help women, men, and families in pregnancy situations to gain understanding and education on issues that will be vital to the health and care of themselves and their child.

They have a local speaker the first Monday of each month who speak in their field of expertise related to child rearing. Classes are for anyone and free to the public.

By attending the classes, participants can earn ‘life points’ which entitles the participants to shop in their boutique. For more information call Patty Thees at 419-733-4847.”

Hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and other hours by appointment at 419-733-4847. E-mail is choosinglife@bright.net, Website is choosinglife.us. Upcoming class is Self Esteem on March 1. All Mom 2 Mom classes are held at 6:30 p.m.

Parenting classes are held on Mondays at 10 a.m. and 6;30 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Services include pregnancy testing, parenting classes, Mom 2 Mom classes, counseling, adoption planning, and free merchandize.

Current needs include stationery, dressers, diapers, car seats, cribs. Call Patty Thees at 419-733-4847.

The regular meeting was held after the program. From the minutes recorded by Secretary Olene Grieshop.

The Minutes were read. Lion Merle made a motion to accept the reading of the minutes. 2^nd by Lion Nancy, motion carried.

Lion Nancy read the Treasurer’s report. Lion Bill made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report Lion Jerry 2^nd it. Motion carried.

The Soup and Supper and Auction is scheduled to be held on Sat., March 27^th. Lion Bill is confirming the date that the Fire station will be available for our use. Lion Bill reported that the Auctioneer is scheduled for the Auction.

Program Calendar is as follows: . Lion Joann on March 1^st Lion Ivan on April 5 and Lion Nancy on May 3.. Please check the schedule and sign up on all remaining available dates.

Lion Olene and Lion Jerry updated the information about the up coming Memorial Day Program

Lion Bill volunteered to check with Galen Hesse to get a quote of the cost of putting up a wall, ceiling and doing the Electrical work at the new Shelter House. Lion Don 2^nd it. Motion carried.

Lion Jerry suggested that a Lions member that live in town be present at the Town Council meetings to stay updated on the Grant Money. Lion Olene made a motion to have Lion Ned represent the Lions Club and report back on the grant money Mendon may receive and how it is going to be spent. Lion Jerry 2^nd it. Motion carried.

Tail Twister Lion Don collected fines from the Lion Members that were present at the meal.

Robert Hare reminds clubs that the next Zone Meeting will be Tuesday, February 23 at McSobers in Coldwater. Club reports will be given. PDG Barney and Darlene Roll will be attending and are asking clubs to bring eye glasses

Thanks to our cooks tonight who are Terri Crouch, Marcia Miller, and Lisa Sheppard.

(Note: the recent snows remind me of the years we raised sheep and the kind of weather we had when the new lambs came. I am reminded also of my friends Ryan and Cara who never have far to go with their home and barn attached as one as is true of many farms in Germany.)

It never fails—pick the coldest days of the year, either in late January or the first part of February and anyone who has raised sheep knows that these are the nights—the coldest—when the new lambs are born.

Although we don’t have many sheep this year, my sons and I have spent a dozen winters out in the barn on cold, cold nights with new lambs this time of the year.

So when I think of January and February I think of the new lambs and the ewes who not only give birth often to two lambs, and sometimes to three, but I also recall the mother instinct as the mother ewe paws at a new-born lamb who would rather sleep than eat; rather die than live.

I wonder about this marvelous behavior called motherhood—so strong that it will not let the weakest lambs die—not without much effort of the ewe.

It’s amazing how quickly a lamb that looked like death is, thanks to the mother’s insistent help, up on its feet drinking eagerly—with in a day or two and already what my youngest son said as he saw new lambs for the first time as they jumped into the air, “jumping for joy.”

I have never forgotten my son’s colorful way of describing this stiff-legged jump which lambs make. And once out of the pen and the barn into the spring meadow, the new lambs continue “jumping for joy” clear across the pasture.

One doesn’t see as many sheep across this area as there once were. One reader told me that there was a time when sheep were every where; every one had a few head on the farm that were “kept to pay the taxes with the wool.”

When I think of new lambs I also think of Jesse Stuart, regional writer from eastern Kentucky who passed away in 1984, but only after he had written several novels and collections of short stories. One collection of stories I remember was called, “Save Every Lamb.”

That was a motto every sheep farmer tried to follow. I remember my brother-in-law who was milk hauler once had a customer who gave him a lamb that “was sure to die.” But thinks to the efforts of himself and my sister, “Babs,” not only came out of it, but grew to be the strongest sheep in the lot. Many’s a time my sons and I brought weak lambs in by the stove to feed by bottle. Some we saved; some we didn’t.

Some say sheep are sheep and don’t have much smarts and don’t have much character. I think of the expression, “dumb as a sheep” whenever I see Etzler’s Van Wert team of sheep, pulling a wagon along the parade route. When there’s hope displayed by “these dumb animals,” then there’s hope for the rest of us.

I think if you can get to know sheep one at a time, you may find out that they’re not as dumb as they often appear in a group.

We had this ram for over a dozen years who first of all believed he owned the place, and secondly, thought he was a pony.

Once he had grown to over a couple hundred pounds, he and I went around and around for one of us was going to have to have “an attitude adjustment.” I threw myself into the task at hand; he did likewise. We went around and around for about half an hour, until he finally backed down and walked to the far side of the pen.

I figured he was going to come charging at me for the final kill from the distance across the pen. But no, he lowered his head and never turned back to me again. We had reached an understanding. I could have the last say, but only because he had agreed to it.

But it took better than a month for he and these two ponies we had to reach a similar understanding. There in the lot, he would get a running start, lower his head and run full speed ahead, striking his head into the side of first one pony and then the other. The ponies would kick and bite, but could not turn fast enough, short enough to really deter the ram.

After about a month of this, one day I went to the lot and the three of them were finally at peace. They had reached an understanding. After studying the behavior of the three animals for a couple of days, I finally figured out what the agreement was.

The ponies had concluded, “Look if this sheep wants to be a pony bad enough, let’s let him.”

So from there after we had three ponies—two medium-sized ponies and one small one that looked like a sheep. Things went pretty good with this arrangement until one morning about dawn the ponies found a weak spot in the fence.

We got a call from the neighbor that there were three animals heading up the road for SR 66. “Two of them’s ponies—we’re not sure what the other one is—sorta looks like a sheep, but acts like a pony.”

Time we pulled on our clothes, them three animals were running up along the fence row where Dorsten kept his dairy herd. Who says animals aren’t sociable?

It took some time and effort, but we got the ponies headed back toward home, but that old buck ram was plum tuckered out—pony or no pony, there comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to face reality and quit pretending you’re something you’re not.

Once we caught up with the ram, he was lying in the ditch along SR 66, breathing hard, more dead than alive. My son and I pulled the car up along side of him, raised the trunk lid, and lifted him inside. He gave us no resistance. We expected to find him dead when we got home and opened the trunk. But the rest was enough for him to jump out and join his “pony friends” in the lot where all the action had started that day.

Some of my students at school have done very well with their sheep at the fairs. One student who comes to mind is Eric Bruns, who has won several awards with his sheep, as has his dad, John Bruns. Eric went to Ohio State and became one of the top shepherds. He liked the field so well, that he is top shepherd as a farm somewhere today. His dad said that the sheep didn’t follow Eric to college, like in Mary had a little lamb, so he has to do the feeding at home now.

I had a student at Wapakoneta when I taught there who gave a speech about his favorite ram. “This ram was as mean as mean could be—and we kept him that way. My favorite trick was to invite home some kid I didn’t like, take him out to see the sheep, and then let the ram do this work.”

I don’t suppose too many of these kids made return trips to his farm, but they got the point while they were there.

The American Red Cross of Mercer County has been notified by a local serviceman’s family that their son, Kitt Compson was shot by enemy fire during bridging operations and wounded in the right arm which required medical treatment.

At about 5:30pm Saturday, February 13th a Marine at MCBQ (Marine Corps Base Quantico) called the Compson’s to report that at about 1200HRS Saturday LCPL Kitt Compson had been shot by enemy fire. Fortunately, he was wearing the proper equipment at the time that possibly not only saved his life, but prevented further injuries.

Lately, Compson and his fellow Marines of the 3/6 India Co. has seen a lot of action as they delve deep into the key terrain of HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan : http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=45173

Kitt is a Lance Corporal of 1st Combat Engineer Battlion stationed out of Camp Pendleton, CA and is currently attached to 3/6 India Company in Marjeh, Afghanistan with operation Moshtarak. Compson joined the military right after high school in August of 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan on January 13th.

The 19 year old serviceman is a graduate of Celina and is the son of Kevin Compson & Jane Sawmiller. The Lance Corporal would enjoy receiving cards and letters. Anyone wishing to do so may send them to:

The American Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family. Military members can have peace of mind knowing that when they are on a mission, in training or stationed far from home-and leaving cell phones and emails behind-they are still connected to home.

In addition, the Red Cross provides support, compassion, and resources for valuable information to members of the military, veterans and military families. Anyone wanting to receive information about Red Cross services, information regarding military discounts & special offers may contact the office at redcross@bright.net or call 419-586-2201 and provide your contact information. Contact information is kept confidential and would enable the Mercer County Chapter to further assist our local military members, veterans and their loved ones.

This morning, February 16, 2010, as I looked out I saw across the drive a lone robin, sitting in frozen silence as the snow came down and several cardinals and blue jays were busy eating from the bird feeder closer to our kitchen window. The robin stayed a few minutes and then was gone, wondering why he had returned so soon, though this is about the time he returns every year, snow or not.

(Note: Somewhere in all the recent cold weather, lives go on. And the robins (at least the scouts) have begun returning. Ah, yes, spring is closer today than it was last week.)

When spring comes I think about the late Norb Roessner whom I only knew for a short time, but who became a close friend and taught me some things about life before he died. One thing I remember about Norb was how much he loved the birds.

Norb had finished high up in his class at Fort Recovery and had called on me to help him write a book about his family. Unfortunately, he passed away before the project was complete. Nevertheless, he used to say to me as I sat with him in his living room taking notes, "Ivan, look there. Do you see that? Do you see that?" as he motioned across the room to a large picture window.

I wasn't sure what he meant, but I looked in the direction he was pointing. "Every window is a picture," and “isn't that some picture!" he said as first one bird then another came to feed from the bird feeder he had attached to a nearby tree.

Sometimes we would just sit and watch the birds come to feed. Norb dealt in livestock feed and shipped up all kinds of nuts and cotton seed from the south which farmers would then buy from him, so he always had plenty of bird feed on hand.

Norb knew all the birds, not just by species, but by individuals. Before I left that last time, he gave my wife and me two containers of mixed nuts for the birds back home. He was right about the window, he was right about the birds,

Last week I was sitting at the kitchen table thinking of Norb and looking out at a robin--not just any robin, but this robin that has been coming every morning to sit there under a nearby bush to peer up at us.

Over the years I've seen a lot of robins, especially in the spring, the first part of spring as they return often before the snow and cold are over. I've seen a lot of them even in February, and on some occasions in January-depending on the weather. First a scout or two sent ahead to check things out. Then several altogether, standing along the road on my way to town, so as not to get there feet wet in the snow that covers nearly everything else.

Like I said, I've seen a lot of robins, but I never saw one fatter than this fellow who is hollering for me to get up long before I'm ready and then when I go to the table for breakfast, he sits there under that bush all hunkered down,

poker-face like as if to say, "Well, it's about time you get up. I've been up at least a good hour before sun-up. Now, don't go blaming me for either waking you, or letting you sleep so long."

This robin is so fat, that he doesn't go "bob-bob-bobbin along" like most robins do. He sits there like a "bowl full of jelly" and then with much effort, first lefts one leg as high as he can--which isn't very high, beings he's so fat, but probably pretty high for him. Holds it out there, sorta of inspecting it and then tucks it down under one wing, sorta reminds me of an orange-colored flamingo.

Then after much to do about nothing, he repeats the process with the other leg. Now there isn't much time in the morning for most of us, so I'm not sure what routine follows this can-can kick. I'm most amazed that he keeps coming back every morning to repeat the same routine.

I guess birds are creatures of habit, just like we are. A lot of us, including me, have some mighty strange routines we go through every morning and every day.

A neighbor who has been watching birds a lot longer than I have and knows a whole lot more about robins pointed out to me that robins "take a likin to humans that treat them well; and even tolerate that not-so-sociable human beings if they have a nice lawn to hunt worms and bob on."

Another reader who is retired and lives with his wife, also retired, along the lake had a robin pair build their nest and raise their broods every year right there on their porch only a couple of feet from their living room window. He told me the robins don't even get too excited when my friend and his wife sit out on the porch in their porch swing. "Oh, they give us a lot of scolding all right. When we're out on the porch, one robin always sits on the nest and the others sits at the far end of the porch scolding the devil out of us."

One of the oddest robin stories I ever heard was about this robin that built a nest at the end of a shed that used to cover the table used to turn the interurban around at the end of the line. When the shed was turned in the opposite direction, the robins (same pair) built another nest in the other end. Soon she had two nests--one in each end of the shed and followed up with two sets of eggs, one for each nest.

One fellow I met, commenting of the robins' "song" said the last note with its break in tones "reminds me of a boy whose changing voice is cracking."

I've learned alot from what others have told me about birds in general and the robin in particular. I've been able to take some close-up pictures of nests, but not without a good scolding and the robins I know aren't afraid to swoop down on you, when you get too close. I've seen them go after a cat with great courage, especially if there are young robins nearby.

Speaking of great courage, the blackbirds, black and red-winged, who love the nest in the hayfields, give me holy heck during mowing time and once, one flew so close, he flew between my hand and arm and the steering wheel. I stopped the tractor for a minute or two and re-thought the whole situation. "Whose field was it anyway--I begin to doubt it was mine. I was the intruder. It didn't help me either that I had just seen a part of rerun of Hitchcock's classic,

Speaking of hayfields and mother courage, I am reminded of the story a reader told me about a strange sight he saw one spring as he walked across the hayfield on his way to supper.

There in the distance a giant bird of prey was dive-bombing the ground, only to shoot straight upward at the last moment. A strange sight to see, he went closer to learn what would cause a hawk to behave such a way.

There on the ground was a rabbit, a mother rabbit running full speed ahead at the hawk as he approached. It was the rabbit causing the upward flight--strange sight of rabbit on the offensive. But a few more steps forward and there a small ball of fur--and then kneeling nearby, a twinkle of eyes and the rest of the story. What a mother rabbit will do to protect her young.

Industry + Education = Manufacturing Success

NOTE: February is National Career-Technical Education Month. Ohio’s third annual Economic-Education Summit will be Feb. 22-24, 2010. The Summit will focus on economic success through industry and education collaboration. This story highlights one example of an industry-education partnership in western Ohio.

Small company in western Ohio garners international attention

Photo of Coldwater employees

Mutual Benefits – Josh Gelhaus, a recent Tri Star graduate and now a Coldwater apprentice, stands in front of a project with Fred Hemmelgarn, a Coldwater employee and mentor.

From throughout the United States, down to Mexico, across the Atlantic to France and Italy and halfway around the globe to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, major companies are partnering with a small manufacturing company in western Ohio.

Coldwater Machine Company in
Mercer County is bucking the nation’s trend of dwindling manufacturing. While Ohio lost 89,000 manufacturing jobs in 2009, Coldwater’s employment number (65) has remained stable and business is on the upswing after a decade of challenges among the manufacturing sector.

Coldwater builds machines to manufacture many of the items that people commonly use throughout the world each day, as well as specialty items that are produced for major aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, and appliance industries. Hanging from what Coldwater refers to as its “wall of fame” are such items as heating grates, dish washer baskets, automotive exhaust systems, engine cradles, car seat frames, ceiling grid t-bars and much more.

Coldwater President Jerry Meyer, who has been at the company for 40 of its 54 years, attributes Coldwater’s stability to strong local education partnerships with both academic and technical educational resources.

"Education is the cornerstone of our success."
-- Coldwater Machine President Jerry Meyer.

“If young applicants don’t have career-technical training, we generally don’t want to bring them into our apprentice program,” Meyer said. He noted that a recent study was done and they found that a growing number of employees – about one in four as of January 2010 – are graduates of Ohio high school career-tech programs. Most are from the Tri Star Career Compact.

Coldwater Technical Development Manager Vic Belna added that “career-tech training” means not only “hard knowledge” like applying high-level math and science to solve problems, but also the emphasis on “soft skills” like a strong work ethic, such as a willingness to put in more than 40 hours a week.

Photo of Coldwater MGT group

Business-Education Collaborative – Among the partnership team are (left to right, seated) Julie Schosker, Tri Star recruitment and placement coordinator; Jerry Meyer, Coldwater president; Vic Belna, technical development manager; and (left and right, standing) Rob Menker, Tri Star teacher; and Tim Buschur, Tri Star career-technical education director.

“Education is the cornerstone of our success,” Meyer said. “Some companies fear that if you educate your employees, they will leave you. That’s not our philosophy; we can never hope to become a better company then the knowledge and the skills of our employees allow us to become.”

Tim Buschur, career-technical education director at Tri Star, sees eye-to-eye with company officials, especially when it comes to the role Tri Star plays. “If we’re not preparing students for work, including removing limitations by making them aware of the need to adapt to the new work skill requirements as the technology drives change, we aren’t doing our jobs,” he said.

Tri Star provides Coldwater Machine with young workers who are still in high school or who have graduated with a diploma and certificate of completion in Precision Machining – a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. With the assistance of Coldwater’s seasoned company employee mentors and a postsecondary apprenticeship program, students learn needed 21st century skills. Many receive training through the state’s adult workforce education programs and community colleges, including nearby Rhodes State.

“These are students who quickly apply what they learn and can make good money doing it,” said Tri Star teacher Rob Menker, who added that students need to be prepared for postsecondary study, but not always at a four-year institution because a technical degree will meet the requirements of 75 percent of tomorrow’s jobs. Rob feels that the Mercer and Auglaize county area is fortunate to have students with high academic achievement and a desire to pursue a technical career, thereby increasing the odds that they will choose to remain as successful, productive members of the local community.

The average weekly wage at Coldwater is about double the average for Mercer County and well over the $790 a week average for all of Ohio, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (November 2009).

"The mentors have high expectations for us."
-- Josh Gelhaus, Tri Star graduate and Coldwater employee.

Long-time Coldwater employee Fred Hemmelgarn serves as one of the mentors for many of the new apprenticeship employees. Personal growth means engagement in asking questions, he said. Today’s workers need to question themselves and those around them to continue generating better answers for producing better products.

“You have to be ready to be thrown into the fire at a company like this,” said Josh Gelhaus, a recent Tri Star graduate and now a Coldwater apprentice. “You have to learn fast. This isn’t a place to be slow. The mentors have high expectations for us.”

Gelhaus, Hemmelgarn and two other recent Tri Star graduates – Travis Brackman and Matt Lochtefeld – worked as a team on one multi-million-dollar project over a nine-month period. Working with the customer and Coldwater’s engineering team, they constructed equipment that produces washing machine cabinets for a new line of washing machines that use less water and electricity and take less time to clean clothes.

“Most of the time, we’re the company that makes the machines and tools that make the parts,” said Belna, a 23-year Coldwater employee.

“Like many of our projects lately, this one was about ‘going green’ by providing new high efficiency products to improve not just the lives of the consumer, but also to make the environment better,” Meyer said. “We look at it as being a part of the economy that is getting smarter, better, greener.”

Photo of Coldwater Wall of Fame

Wall of Fame – Hanging from the Coldwater “wall of fame” are heating grates, dish washer baskets, automotive exhaust systems, engine cradles, car seat frames, ceiling grid t-bars and much more.

For the cabinet project, the team used their knowledge of trigonometry, geometry and metallurgy to arrive at the right combinations of manufacturing decisions related to force, cycle time, reliability and durability, as well as selection of materials and processes. They applied Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to define the boundaries for allowable variation in form and size of the many individual features as part of a process to develop a custom machine capable of making product to be produced by the equipment every 11 seconds.

“Any quantitative science needs mathematics,”
Belna said. “You ask questions like ‘How much
force will it take to get the formed sides of the
product to fold up?’ We know that and apply it
as a critical part of determining the structural
design of the system, but I suspect most people
think we’re just in here getting our hands dirty.”

Individuals with the perception of manufacturing as a dirty job that requires little skills aren’t looking at the current generation of manufacturing companies that have thrived on change, Meyer said. What he and the local education partners understand is the need to change while maintaining the tradition of quality, meeting client deadlines and facilitating a customer’s capital budget. It takes a broad range of linked skills in many different technical occupations to design and build the products that Coldwater markets.

In addition to reinforced partnerships with education, Coldwater’s changes within the past 10 years are primarily three-fold: integrate the use of more technology throughout the organization to support the faster-pace and multi-product specifications; prepare the team for supporting opportunities in areas like alternative energies such as wind and solar power; and broaden the market focus to find places to integrate the latest technology into a broader base of customers.

One example of broadening relates to automotive products. While Ohio is the second largest automotive output state in the nation, plant closures such as those by the Big Three have had a negative impact on employment in that industry. Since 2004, Coldwater’s automotive-related work has dropped from 85 to 20 percent of their sales. Company management and employees attribute a highly trained workforce and diverse knowledge base for the penetration into other market sectors during times of market corrections.

"A partnership isn't a one-time shake of hands."
-- Tim Buschur, Tri Star career-technical education director.

Kristina Clouse, Region 3 workforce director, applauded Tri Star and Coldwater for the ongoing and economically adaptive relationship that benefits both students and the economy. The result, she said, is that “Coldwater Machine has been doing some awesome things – by making the investment to move away from the traditional manufacturing methods, as a means of diversifying the company for supporting new opportunities.”

The broadened focus at Coldwater reflects what Ohio career-technical teachers and administrators are doing through programs in 16 career fields, according to Kathy Shibley, director, Office of Career-Technical Education (CTE) at the Ohio Department of Education.

“In the past few years, Ohio implemented technical content standards embedded with academics in 16 nationally recognized career fields – each of them broad enough to accommodate occupational movement based on student interest and economic shift,” she said. “Ohio’s five-year plan calls for Tech Prep opportunities for all secondary career-tech students, paving the way for more students to be both career and college ready…and we place apprenticeships in that ‘college category’, both because they provide rigorous postsecondary study, and they provide college credit through many partnerships throughout the state.”

“A partnership isn’t a one-time shake of hands,” Buschur said. “Jerry (Meyer) and his team are extremely active with our area’s schools. We’re very active here at the plant. We support each other to bring opportunities to kids.”

Appreciation is extended to Tony Elking, Coldwater employee and Tri Star graduate, and Julie Schosker, Tri Star recruitment and placement coordinator, who are not mentioned in the article but who contributed to this story.

For more information about this article, contact Pat Huston at pat.huston@ode.state.oh.us or (614) 644-7388.

Celina, OH/USA – Heidi Moorman, president of the Grand Lake chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW), recently announced that organization raised approximately $1,400 through its annual charity auction. Proceeds from the activity will go toward awarding two local students with college scholarships this Spring.

The charity auction was held last Tuesday at the Celina Insurance Group building in Celina, Ohio. Around 100 attendees enjoyed a soup and sandwich luncheon, which was followed by a special jewelry raffle and live auction. Over twenty gifts were auctioned during the live portion and most centered around the Valentine's Day theme.

The National Association of Insurance Women (International) is the Association of Choice for insurance and risk management professionals. NAIW (International) is the leader in diversification within our industry. Our members consist of CEOs of Agencies & Companies; Claims Professionals; Underwriters, Actuaries; Risk Managers; Customer Service Representatives; Experts in Life & Health and Property & Casualty; Human Resource Managers; Technical Gurus; CPAs, Attorneys and Financial Advisors. These members belong to approximately 350 local associations across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Africa and Australia.

Attached photo: Several of the local chapter members pose with the event’s auctioneer, Rob Shoenfelt.

Nearly a quarter million acres of habitat work for "The Habitat Organization" in Ohio since 1989

Waldo, Ohio – February 10, 2010 – Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at its recent state convention. Those efforts helped improve more than 21,600 acres for wildlife in the past year. The Mercer County Pheasants Forever chapter received multiple honors for its conservation work.

The state convention boasted the largest attendance to date. "There's a renewed conservation spirit that's growing in Ohio," said Doug Bensman, regional wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. "Volunteer conservationists are seeing the efficiency of Pheasants Forever's local model, one that allows local chapters to spend their fundraised dollars how they see fit. The 32 local chapters in Ohio are making conservation happen at a local level, and that leads to nationwide success."

Ohio's 30 Pheasants Forever chapters, 2 Quail Forever and 5,700 Pheasants Forever members completed 846 wildlife habitat projects in 2009. When combined with the work of Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologists in the state, the organization benefitted pheasants, quail and other wildlife on more than 21,600 acres. It also marked the fourth consecutive year Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever spent more than $1 million on the organization's mission. Additionally, 3,592 youngsters attended Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mentored youth hunts and other outdoor youth events in 2009. Since 1989, "The Habitat Organization" has raised and spent $8.9 million to complete 17,800 wildlife habitat projects, which translates to approximately 246,000 acres of habitat improvement.

Conservation excellence awards recognize chapters' abilities to raise funds and turn those dollars into wildlife habitat projects.

"Conservation Excellence - $250K Spending on Habitat" - Mercer County Pheasants Forever and Miami County Pheasants Forever

"Conservation Excellence - $100K Spending on Habitat" - Marion County Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's conservation mission succeeds because of the passion of its volunteer members. The Membership Awards recognize chapters and their dedicated conservationists.

Find Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever online at www.ohiopf.com. For more information about Pheasants Forever, contact Doug Bensman, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever regional wildlife biologist, at (937) 597-3737 and dbensman@pheasantsforever.org.

For centuries, Ohio farmers have helped feed millions of Ohio families, played an integral role in the growth of our economy and worked to make our state a global leader in agriculture production. The root of this success can be traced back to the dedicated, hard-working spirit of generations of Ohioans who have raised livestock, planted seeds and harvested crops for a living. Ohio has also been blessed with fertile soil and rich natural resources, which we must work to preserve to ensure our state’s agriculture industry continues to prosper. Ohio’s local soil and water conservation districts have long been an important part of this effort.

Ohio has 88 soil and water conservation districts (SWCD)—one in each county—which work with farmers and other land owners in both urban and rural areas to help prevent soil erosion and promote responsible water management. SWCDs work through a voluntary cooperative agreement to survey and design grassed waterways, erosion control structures, surface and substance drainage, farm ponds, windbreaks and livestock waste management facilities. Each county SWCD is governed by a board of five locally-elected landowners.

Traditionally, SWCDs have been supported through funding from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as well as local matching dollars. Unfortunately, because of the state’s difficult fiscal situation, resources for these districts were cut significantly this past spring during deliberations on the state budget bill. Not to mention, many cash-strapped counties have been unable to afford to provide matching funds to support their local SWCD office.

Recognizing the importance of land and soil conservation to the success of Ohio farmers, the future of our state’s agriculture industry and the health of our economy, the Senate recently approved Senate Bill 155, bipartisan legislation that would direct a portion of the state’s existing fee on the sale of new tires to help restore some funding for local soil and water districts. In addition, the bill would increase by $10,000 the amount that ODNR can distribute through grants to soil and water districts that currently receive little to no local matching dollars. According to ODNR, this change could help these districts maintain at least one full-time employee to help the SWCD board perform minimum services for the local community and apply for grants and other sources of revenue to continue their mission.

SB 155 also includes language designed to promote greater transparency in the use of Ohio taxpayer dollars by giving the State Auditor more flexibility and discretion to conduct audits of state agency spending every two years.

Current Ohio law allows the Auditor to charge most public offices for the cost of performing their audit. However, the Auditor’s office also conducts biennial audits of approximately 70 state agencies, which are supposed to be paid for through an appropriation at the Ohio Department of Administration Services. This appropriation, however, was not included in the most recent state budget bill. So, in an effort to ensure the Auditor’s office has the resources necessary to move forward with this important work on behalf of Ohio taxpayers, SB 155 would delete the requirement in state law that payments for biennial audits come from DAS.

SB 155, which I cosponsored, passed the Senate with unanimous support and is currently pending in the Ohio House. For more information on the bill, please visit the Ohio General Assembly’s website at www.legislature.state.oh.us.

The Ohio Legislature should be doing everything possible right now to support our state’s economy and help reduce the cost of state government. SB 155 is consistent with these goals. The bill would provide needed resources for Ohio agriculture—our number one industry and a major employer in the 1^st Senate District and many other parts of the state—while ensuring that the State Auditor has the ability to monitor how government spends limited taxpayer dollars.

WASHINGTON, February 12, 2010 — The American Red Cross today issued a one-month progress report on its efforts to provide food, water, relief supplies, shelter, healthcare, family services and other assistance since the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.

“Every day since the earthquake, we have been focused on getting aid into the hands of those who need it most,” said Gail McGovern, president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross. “The American people have entrusted us with this responsibility, and we remain committed to helping the people of Haiti cope with their losses.”

Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has raised approximately $255 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts. To date, it has spent or committed $80 million, with approximately 69 percent of the funds spent or committed for food and water; 20 percent for shelter; and 11 percent for health and family services. As the response progresses and recovery begins, the Red Cross will continue to support these priority areas and longer-term assistance initiatives.

The American Red Cross has provided 3 million pre-packaged meals to the United Nations World Food Programme as well as $30 million in funding to help feed an additional 1 million people for a month. To meet the dire need for clean water, it has also distributed more than 1 million water-purification sachets as well as containers that allow people to clean and carry water. The American Red Cross is also providing supplies for 130,000 people and working with Red Cross teams from other nations distributing relief items such as blankets, kitchen supplies, hygiene kits and buckets.

More than 1 million people in Haiti are in need of shelter. Leaders representing more than 20 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, including the American Red Cross, gathered this week in Montreal, Canada for a two-day summit to develop and coordinate a comprehensive approach to respond to Haiti’s immediate and long-term needs.

“The challenges to quickly develop and deliver appropriate transitional shelters, and to do so prior to the rainy season, are immense,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross. “This week’s meetings establish both a commitment and process to quickly shelter tens of thousands of survivors.”

In coordination with other relief agencies, the Red Cross aims to address the complex shelter situation in Haiti through a combination of strategies, including:

Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has provided more than 1,100 units of blood for earthquake survivors, more than 50 Creole-speaking interpreters for the USNS Comfort hospital ship, and $600,000 worth of food for the mobile clinics and hospitals operated by other Red Cross teams in Haiti.

In the United States, the American Red Cross has been providing welcoming services, shelter and other support for repatriated citizens and medical evacuees who arrived home following the earthquake. In addition, the American Red Cross is helping people find and reestablish contact with their loved ones in Haiti through its international family tracing service – a form of assistance that is also being provided by the Red Cross in Haiti.

It is clear that what took minutes to destroy will take many years and the collective support from governments and relief agencies across the globe to help rebuild. Because of the extraordinary support from the American public, the American Red Cross will continue to play an important role in relief efforts in the months ahead.

“The needs are great, but the generous support of the American people is making a difference every day,” said McGovern.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to the Mercer County Chapter, 909 E Wayne Street, Suite 124, Celina, Ohio 45822. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

Tri-Moraine Audubon Society will feature “Birds & More” on Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Agricultural Service Center, 3900 Campus Drive, OSU-Lima. Take the Mumaugh Road entrance to the OSU campus. The Agricultural Service Center is the first building to you left (first turn left). Note change in meeting location. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Audubon member and Indian Lake State Park Naturalist Vert Molitor will share what’s new at the park such as six Mute Swan nesting pairs and a Bald Eagle due that set up residence in 2009.

Enrolled in a “Birds A-Z” course offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Vert is picking up all sorts of new and interesting bird facts. If you maintain a hummingbird feeder, she’s got some hints for you. The program won’t be strictly for the birds. Other information about animals, plants and park programs will be included in her presentation. And she’ll clue you in about what the Cornell lab has to offer.

Tri-Moraine Audubon Society’s Saturday, March 20 field trip will be to Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area. Join us as we explore acres of wetlands, prairies, and woodlots for ducks, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, sparrows, and other passerines. Wear warm clothes and bring a luinch, field guides, and binoculars. Much of the birdwatching will be of the park and look variety, but there will be some walking. The chapter’s spotting scope will be available for all to use.

Field trippers will carpool departing at 10 a.m. from the Eastgate parking lot behind Wendy’s on SR 309 Lima. Participants may also meet the group at 11 a.m. at the Upland Reservoir. Trippers may stay as late as dusk uinless a Short-eared Owl turns up earlier in the day. The field trip is free and open to the public. Experienced and beginning birders are welcome. Contact Anne at 419-222-3271 for more information.

The calendar often reminds us of information we might otherwise forget—“Washington’s Birthday” on Feb. 22^nd is such an addendum which reminds us it is the birthday of our Nation’s first President—or was he? From February 1787 to October 1787 Arthur St. Clair was “President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.” Then, on October 5^th, 1787 St. Clair was recommended by George Washington and approved by the Congress as Governor of the newly authorized “Territory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio.” Between 1774 and 1788 eighteen members of the

Congress were approved by the First Continental Congress during those early years when the Articles of Confederation called for representatives of the 12 resentful but loyal colonies to elect one of their members as their leader who held the office of “President of the United States Under The Articles of Confederation.”

During St. Clair’s tenure of this office the Ordinance of 1787 creating the “Territory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio” was adopted and the passage of legislation which specified in theArticles of Confederation that those members elected as Congressmen would elect a “President of the

Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution stated: “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this

Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.” Arthur St. Clair was born in Scotland in 1734. In 1789, with Arthur St. Clair, a member of the Loyal Order of Masons, at his side, in New York City George Washington, a brother Mason, was inaugurated as the first “President of the United States.”

Recommended by George Washington, and approved by the Congress of the United States, on October 5^th, 1787 ArthurSt. Clair was selected as Governor of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio, a vast wilderness area out of which were later carved the states of Ohio, Indiana. Illinois,

Arthur St. Clair held this post for 15 years and died at the age of 84, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on August 31, 1818. John Paul Jones said of this controversial wilderness leader, “I pray you be assured that no man has more respect for your character, talents and greatness of mind, than, dear general,

Perhaps posterity will see a statue of Arthur St. Clair erected in Fort Recovery, Ohio on ground consecrated by the life blood of more than 950 brave souls who were killed during the three hour early morning attack by Indians on the banks of the Wabash Ri

Community Organizations Linking Together

Mercer County Pheasant Forever #745 Minutes for February 8, 2010

Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller

SECOND TEAM:

HONORABLE MENTION

SECOND TEAM

NAME SCHOOL GRADE

HONORABLE MENTION

8th Annual Youth Pork Leadership Institute & Scholarship Program Announced

Celina Manor Honored for Employee Retention

Mercer County Pheasants Forever #745 Minutes for February 8, 2010

Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller

8th Annual Youth Pork Leadership Institute
& Scholarship Program Announced