On September 2, the Mercer County Commissioners met with representatives of the Nextera Energy Company, a subsidiary fo FPL Group of Juno Beach, Florida. Representatives Jim Samuel and Mike Lange explained that they were going across the state to meet with officials in regards to the possibility of their company establishing possible leases to build wind turbines and wind farms in the area.

Specifically, as stated in material passed out to the commissioners and the media, Nextera Energy, although not currently having any wind farms in Ohio, owns and operates more than 75 wind projects in 17 states and Canada with more than 7500 megawatts of wind generation in operation; operating 9000 wind turbines capable of generating enough electricity to power 1.8 millions homes, and employs 700 people.

They explained that their closest wind farm is in Pensylvania. The representatives explained that the company works closely with federal, state, and local environmental organizations. Enviornmental assessments determine suitability of wind sites; land and wildlife are respected and protected during construction and operation, and land is restored after construction.

This was not the first nor it will be the last presentation on wind energy that will be presented to the commissioners. Recently the commissioners met with a wind energy representative from the state and invited several area school administrators to attend. This reporter has heard at least three similar presentations in the last couple of years.

As Commisssioner Bob Nuding said the county will go slow in any wind energy and wind farms establishments in Mercer County. Although not discussed at the meeting, the printed material spelled out the specific steps on the construction of wind farms and how wind turbine works.

Specifically a computer automatically controls each turbine, the computer turns the nacelle and the rotor which consists of three blades and a hub to face the wind. The rotor (depending on the type of wind turbine) 11-22 revolutions per minute. As the wind blows, the pitch of the rotor blades adjusts to suit the wind speed. For safety purposed, the turbine shuts down if the wind speed exceeds 55 miles per hour.

The blades turn a main shaft which spins a generator that makes electricity, which is cabled down the tower through underground connection lines to the main substation where the voltage is increased and delivered to the electric grid. The increase in voltage enhances the efficiency of energy transmission to homes and businesses. (Not mentioned in this explanation is that the energy is transferred and sold to the larger power lines of companies crossing the area.

The representatives said the towers ar 240 feet high, and are located 900 feet apart The commissioners thanked the representatives for their presentation, but emphaisized that they are not currently ready to move forward on wind energy and wind farms.

In other business, the Commissioners approved the Requests for Proposals qualifications for a Ecosystem Restoration Services for Grand Lake St. Marys and set September 17 as the deadline to receiveproposals.

The Mercer County Commissioners will hire, on a contractual basis, a firm to serve as program manager for diagnostic assessment, design and implementation of water quality improvement projects to reduce impacts from nonpoint source runoff into Grand Lake St. Marys. The selected firm will work as an extension of the Grand Lake St. Marys Lake Restoration Commission, Mercer County Commissioners, and the Local Soil and & Water and Grand Lake Watershed Alliance Departments to implement the Watershed/Lake improvements for the period of 2010 through 2012. The contract is for a single prime consultant. A sub-contracting plan based on the needs of the work will be developed as a component of the contract in concert Mercer County as necessary.

The initial work effort for this contract will be for the implementation of the Prairie Creek Treatment Train as funded by EPA 319 Grant (Attached for Review).

Respondents to this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should submit a detailed qualifications package by the due date for consideration by the Mercer County Commissioners. The package should demonstrate the firms experience in the following areas:

1. Evaluation of the cause and effect of various management practices on water quality for in-land water bodies and flowing channels.

2. Restoration of streams and wetlands with specific emphasis on integration of these features into the built environment.

3. Design and permitting of integrated municipal and natural infrastructure “treatment trains”.

4. Implementation of projects using bid/build or self execution via design/build processes

5. Act as an extension of the owner’s staff as the project manager for the various projects (i.e. Management, technical liaison, and administrative assistance) in an effort to assist the owner in meeting the requirements for compliance with grant funding of improvements

Due Date: September 17, 2010 no later than 4:00 p.m. Note: any submission received after this time and date will not be reviewed and will be ineligible for award.

To facilitate the evaluation of responses, please provide the following information organized in the following order and manner. Submittals that are not prepared in the format and order indicated herein may be considered non-responsive and may not be evaluated.

1) Letter of Transmittal (one (1) page maximum): Cover letter shall be on company letterhead and signed by an officer of the firm who is legally authorized to negotiate and execute contracts on behalf of the firm.

2) Executive Summary (one (1) page maximum): Summary of the firm’s qualifications.

a. Name of Firm, Mailing and email addresses, and telephone numbers, name of primary contact shall be provided and a brief description of the firm, location of offices proposed to complete the work, number of professional and technical personnel, and other pertinent information.

b. Indicate years of incorporation and years of providing services. Include information to indicate the financial condition of the firm.

c. Identify the Project Executive who will serve as the primary contact throughout the project.

a. Provide a brief description of the organizational structure as well as the names of all staff members who will work on the project and their longevity with the firm.

b. Provide an organizational chart which identifies relationships and roles of each individual and who they will report to in the overall project organization.

5) Resumes of the Project Team (four (4) pages; one (1) page per person maximum):

a. Provide brief resumes of the staff to be assigned to the project. The resumes should include relevant experience within the past five years and experience relevant to this project. Resumes shall document appropriate level of current certification.

a. This section is an opportunity for the consultant to demonstrate their knowledge and background in implementation of the initial project and how they will perform the work. The consultant’s response to this section should distinguish itself from other consultants by suggesting project management steps that the consultant feels would benefit the County.

a. Project related experience - List no less than three (3) and no more than five (5) relevant previous project experiences within the last five years. Describe the three most recent for which the firm has provided similar services and provide name and contact information and relevant fee.

8) Insurance, Additional References and other Information (not included in the total page count):

a. All Responses should outline current insurance, including Professional Liability policy limits and include a copy of typically carried and current policy amounts in the Appendix.

b. The response should address commercial, auto, workers compensation, and professional liability insurance as a minimum. Should the consultant not typically or currently carry insurance meeting the noted requirements, the consultant should so note and comment on proposed changes in insurance requirements included in the sample agreement that may be required should they be selected for negotiation of a contract.

The Mercer County Commissioners reserves the right to waive informalities and modify or change the RFQ requirements and procedures in any manner it deems in the best interests of the County. Appropriate notice will be given including extension of the time limit as deemed necessary.

The submittal should not more than 15 pages in total length, including all attachments. Alternate Responses (responses that offer something different than what is asked for) may be rejected)

Submit five (4) copies of the information requested and one electronic format (CD) to the following address to arrive no later than September 17, 2010 no later than 4:00 p.m. Note: any submission received after this time and date will not be reviewed and will be ineligible for award.

a. Responses will be reviewed to determine if they are responsive to the RFQ and will be evaluated generally using the criteria as set out herein.

b. The Mercer County Commissioners will use an evaluation committee to evaluate all Responses. The establishment of the committee is at the discretion of the Mercer County Commissioners. Further information may be requested as a result of this evaluation.

c. The Mercer County Commissioners will consider the consulting firm’s experience with similar projects, the qualifications of staff proposed for the project, and the firm’s demonstrated ability to perform the required services, provide qualified personnel and provide quality services and work products.

Firms will not be provided the actual result or any score: they will only be advised as to whether they have, or have not, been selected. The Mercer County Commissioners will evaluate information submitted by the interested firms as it deems appropriate and in the best interests of the County and the Lake Restoration Commission. County personnel other than the Project Manager or Administrative Staff noted herein are not to be contacted regarding this project. Failure to heed this instruction may disqualify a submitting firm.

All proposals, responses, inquiries, or correspondence relating to or in reference to this RFQ (Request for Qualifications) and all reports, charts and other documentations submitted by consultant shall become the property of the Mercer County Commissioners.

The Mercer County Commissioners are not liable for any costs incurred by consultant in the preparation, presentation, or negotiation of proposals submitted in response to this RFQ.

The Mercer County Commissioners reserves the right to cancel the RFQ at any time or change the date and content or extent of items requested for firms submitting qualifications.

Gus Wintzer, president of G.A. Wintzer and Son addressed the Ag Breakfast, discussing the history of the company and the products manufactured there. (Go to www.wcsmradio.com to hear full interview from Ivan Knapp of knappsnews.) Mr. Wintzer completed his presentation with a poem written by a former employee of the company, R.L. McTavish.

Members of the Fort Recovery FFA Chapter who recently attended Ohio FFA Camp in Carrollton, Ohio. Emily Schoenlein, future member Olivia Hawk, Stacy Will, Andrea Lennartz and Kurt Fortkamp in back.

FT. RECOVERY, OH – Ft. Recovery FFA Chapter Officers recently attended a two-day FFA Officer Retreat at Hueston Woods in Oxford, Ohio. During the two-day retreat, officers planned out the 2010-11 school year, discussed officer responsibilities and expectations, and worked on team building activities. Ft. Recovery FFA Officers also set goals, worked on the FFA Chapter Program of Activities and enjoyed the cabins, lodge, swimming, and boating. Ft. Recovery FFA Officers attending the officer retreat included President Nathan Fortkamp, son of Paul and Ginny Fortkamp; Vice President Stacy Will, daughter of Mark Will; Parliamentarian Zach Guggenbiller, son of Daryl and Cathie Guggenbiller; Treasurer Natalie Lennartz, daughter of Duane and Amy Lennartz; Secretary Emily Schoenlein, daughter of Gene and Ginny Schoenlein; Reporter Michelle Brackman, daughter of Doris Brackman-Good; Historian Nicole Hart, daughter of Steve and Jill Hart; Sentinel Jessica Link, daughter of Vernon and Edy Link; and Student Advisor Kurt Fortkamp, son of Roger and Marilyn Fortkamp. Agricultural Education Teachers and FFA Advisors Michael Gower and Joseph Hawk accompanied the team on the retreat.

With summer quickly coming to a close, Ohioans are trying to enjoy as many outdoor activities as possible before fall and winter approaches. Many of my family’s favorite summer activities including boating, fishing and swimming, involve water. However, this year, some Ohioans may not be able to enjoy these activities as they did in the past and blue-green algae growths are to blame.

If you have been paying attention to Ohio news, countless articles have detailed the growing algae problem in Ohio’s lakes. Algae presence on inland lakes in Ohio is nothing new; for example, Grand Lake St. Mary’s has seen algae growth every summer for about a decade. However, this year, the algae blooms are worst than ever and have spread to bodies of water across the state. High phosphorus in the water seems to be to blame for the growth of algae. The problem has been escalated by the abundance of hot, sunny weather we have been having lately, as algae thrives in this kind of environment.

In our area, Grand Lake St. Mary’s and the western part of Lake Erie have been affected by the algae blooms. The concern arises because about half the time the blue-green algae can turn toxic; it has the potential to secrete microcystis, a neurotoxin. At high concentrations, it can cause damage to the nervous system. Although this is concerning, Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Natural Resources are continually monitoring the water and keeping the public informed on the precautions that should be taken. In all cases, a person should avoid direct contact with the algae and avoid ingestion of lake water. At Grand Lake St. Mary’s, where the concentration of algae blooms has been particularly high, state officials recently announced that watercraft are once again permitted on the lake – although the warnings against people swimming or skiing in the lake or eating fish from the lake continue.

Despite these persistent problems, the good news is that drinking water has not been affected. Not a single drinking water quality test has indicated that the toxins are present after the water is treated with chlorination and carbon filtering as is the normal procedure for most drinking water. Even the most basic water treatment plant is equipped with the equipment and process necessary to make the water safe for drinking.

In addition, researchers and scientists across the state are working to find ways to curb the growth of algae blooms and clean up Ohio’s waters. The ever growing field of technology will be utilized to ensure the safety of Ohioans who enjoy spending their time on the many bodies of water in the state.

Outdoor recreation has always been a favorite pastime of my family and the citizens of Northwest Ohio. As my family engages in our favorite summer activities for the final time before the cold weather of winter sets in, we will have to be mindful of the blue-green algae issue and be aware of any potential warnings. I would urge all of you to do the same thing as we all enjoy the last few weeks of summers.

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.

They are located at the corner of Main and Markets
Streets in Celina. Phone 567-890-ROSE (7673)
Owner Judy Hiday and Manager Arlene Sullivan are ready to handle all your floral and gift needs.

Pictured from left to right: George Moore-Chamber Trustee, Arleen Sullivan - Store Managerl Pam Buschur-Chamber Director

The first VALU Class session will be held on Thursday September 16th so, it's time to get signed up! The Auglaize County VALU Class provides an excellent opportunity to meet the folks in Auglaize County who are making things happen. You'll learn things you never knew about our county and you'll make important, lasting business connections! VALU Class is a cooperative effort between the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce, the St Marys Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce.

It's that time of year again, where we review our Ohio workers' compensation insurance package. We're excited to be partnered with CompManagement, Inc. for our workers' compensation group rating.

Don't miss this opportunity to save on your Ohio workers' compensation insurance premium!

Join other SW Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce members who are already participating to control and reduce their workers' compensation while supporting their chamber.

If your organization isn't already participating in our group rating program, in partnership with the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, let CompManagement, Inc., our third party administrator, review your organization for your best risk management solution for 2011.

You may also contact CompManagement at (800) 825-6755, select option 3 and speak to a customer service representative.

Celina, OH-The Grand Lake Agriculture Leadership Program is entering its third class session and we want you to join us! The program is designed to develop and grow agriculture leaders in Auglaize, Mercer and surrounding counties.

A goal of the program is to broaden perspectives and create better spokespeople for agriculture. The comprehensive eight-month course is focused on emerging topics, industry growth and leadership development within the agriculture in our area and beyond. The program begins on November 10, 2010 and registration deadline is October 8, 2010. The program was developed and is managed by the Mercer County Farm Bureau, Mercer Soil and Water Conservation District, Wright State University Lake Campus, and the USDA Farm Service Agency.

“We are thrilled to be in our third year of the program “said Tina Mellinger, a co-program coordinator “it is a great thing, and we look forward to a new class coming on board.”

For more information about the program or to enroll please call the Mercer County Farm Bureau at 1-877-775-7642 or email at mercer@ofbf.org, or the Mercer Soil and Water District at 419-586-3289 or on the web at www.mercercountyohio.org/swcd/ag_leaders_program.htm.

The United Way of Auglaize County is proud to announce the winners of our 2010 Live United Coloring Contest that was held in conjunction with the Auglaize County Fair.

Winning the 3-6 five year old division was Charlotte Broughton of Minster who will begin her first year of Head Start this fall. Mariah Parlett is the winner of the 7-9 year old division and will in the 3^rd grade at New Bremen Elementary this year. The last age group, 10-12 year olds was won by Beth Schultz from Wapakoneta who will be in the 7^th grade when school starts. All three winners received a backpack full of school supplies for the upcoming school year.

The United Way of Auglaize County would like to thank all of the students who participated in our Live United Coloring Contest and wishes everyone the best of luck as they head back to school.

The United Way of Auglaize County positively impacts our community by focusing on the building blocks to a better life: Education, Health, and Financial Stability. We are a local organization serving local needs. For more information or to make a donation please contact our office at 419-739-7717 or visit our website at www.auglaizeunitedway.org.

(In attached picture from left to right is Beth Schultz, United Way Board President Nancy Burkhart, Mariah Parlett and in the front row Charlotte Broughton.)

Senator Keith Faber joins John Kasich and Mary Taylor in calling for action on cutting red tape & improving Ohio’s business climate

COLUMBUS – In his bid to be the next Governor of Ohio, John Kasich unveiled his Common Sense Initiative – a regulatory reform proposal to improve Ohio’s long-term ability to attract and retain jobs. Joining Kasich in his call to action was State Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina), the Senate’s Majority Floor Leader, who has been working on a legislative crusade against government bureaucracy and red tape for nearly two years.

“John Kasich and Mary Taylor understand that Ohio businesses are tired of politicians who say they are going to get rid of frivolous regulation and bureaucracy, but only tinker around the edges. Governor Strickland has tinkered for nearly four years and we’ve lost 400,000 jobs in that same time period,” Faber said. “Governor Strickland just doesn’t get it. Lip service doesn’t create jobs in Ohio.”

Kasich’s Common Sense Initiative calls for a comprehensive review of all state regulations to eliminate duplication, excess bureaucracy and ensure Ohio businesses are clear about what is required of them. Kasich would ensure that regulations would have a definitive sunset date, thereby ensuring a periodic review of whether they are working or if they need change, and he’d seek public and business input in the process. When it comes to the collection of fines, the Kasich plan would require that all penalty funds be deposited in the General Revenue Fund instead of into the regulating agency accounts. This would eliminate the perception among regulators, businesses and the public that agencies are padding their budgets by applying a heavy hand on Ohio employers.

“We need to change the mindset of state government to ensure state agencies are working for the taxpayers, not the other way around,” Faber said. “That is going to take strong leadership at the top. And based on my experience over the past four years, I know that John Kasich and Mary Taylor are the only candidates in this race that are capable of providing it.”

In the summer of 2008, Senator Faber chaired a bipartisan regulatory reform task force which traveled the state to hear from businesses, chambers of commerce and economic development professionals about the barriers to job creation in Ohio. Businesses told the committee that fees, fines and the need to jump through needless regulatory hoops were hurting their ability to reinvest in their companies and create new jobs. Based on the information he collected, Senator Faber introduced Senate Bill 3 in early 2009. His bill passed the Senate in March of 2009 with unanimous and bipartisan support, but languished in the Ohio House of Representatives for over a year.

Senator Faber looks forward to partnering with John Kasich and Mary Taylor to bring common sense back to Ohio’s regulatory environment.

Every Wednesday in September the Rockford Carryout will be donating a portion of Pizza Sales to the Parkway High School Football Program. We are asking the community to help with this program by purchasing Pizzas from the Carryout on Wednesdays in September. Go Panthers!

The Mercer County Engineer, Jim Wiechart, is announcing the closing of Philothea Road between Erastus Durbin Road and Township Line Road in Recovery Township for a culvert replacement. This structure will be closed tentatively on August 30, 2010 and is scheduled to reopen in approximately two to three weeks, depending on the weather conditions.

The Mercer Health Board of Trustees met in special session on Tuesday, August 24, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, to make appointments to the Mercer Health Board of Governors.

John Kremer will represent Franklin Township. He replaces Doug Klosterman who served on the board for six years including one as President.

Current Board members who were re-appointed include Tony Gonzalez (Gibson), Connie Guggenbiller (at large), Dan Hellwarth (Jefferson) and Betty DuBry (Dublin). Ted Bertke replaced Dave Wolters at the July meeting.

Also serving on the Board are Mary Lou Wenning (at large), Cy Brunswick (Recovery), Robert Beer (Butler), Bob Rose (Washington), David Romer (Granville), Tom Stover (Hopewell), Ted Bertke (Marion) and Barb Hamilton (Union). Dr. V. Neelati is the physician representative on the Board.

ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES: Roll top desk(very nice); 3 section glass front book case; Seth Thomas Regulator #3 30-day clock; hall tree; book cases; wood desks; pictures and frames;

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: 2 True 4 door refrigerators; Norlake 3 door refrigerator; large commercial mixer; Vulcan tilt skillet; 2 warming cabinets; Hobart double oven; Energy-Miser dishwasher; rinse table with disposal; Tyler 12’ x 12’ walk-in freezer; 3 compartment sink; stainless serving tables, prep tables, serving carts; can racks; refrigerated vending machine; snack vending machine; Gibson refrigerator; 3 Maytag gas ranges; Amana elect. range;

BUILDING COMPONETS: Dover 2500 lb capacity 3-floor elevator; Cheney Handi-lift handicap lift; Superior Boiler Works model 6-05-350 boiler new in 1990; Gym floor; collapsing bleachers; glass and metal back boards; gym lights; wood bleacher seats; hard wood flooring; marble flooring; black boards; steam heaters; wood work; lockers; wood doors; metal doors; wood trim; brass hand railings; carpet; drinking fountains; door frames; wall cabinets; Honeywell smoke eater; ceiling tile; pocket doors from state 18’high 3” thick length of stage; theater tights; lighting control panel; back drops; auditorium seats; stage curtains; display cases; trophy cases; Bryant wall air conditioners; security gate; chain hoist;

SCHOOL FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT: Student desks (elementary – high school); chairs; projection screens; 200+- TV’s; stools; wood and metal teacher desks; executive desks; desk chairs; shelves; many 2- and 4-drawer file cabinets; shelving; fire extinguishers; PA system; globes; rostrums; window air conditioners; library tables; book shelves; computers; computer tables; clocks; CERAMIC KILN; cafeteria tables and chairs; wrestling mats; overhead projectors; science tables; drafting tables; computer desks and chairs; sewing machines; 3 Everett PIANOS; music stands; folding chairs; straight chairs; 2 large air compressors; parts cabinet; scaffolding; fan blowers; trash compactor; “Tall-Scope” ladder; scrap metal; florescent tubes; outdoor basket ball poles ; 12 storage pods of unsorted desks, chairs, stands, etc.; and more.

TERMS: CASH OR APPROVED CHECK – Checks over $5,000 will need a bank letter of credit. All items are sold “as is”. It is the buyer’s responsibility to remove all items safely by September 26, 2010. Buyers are deemed to be independent contractors and assume all risks in the removal of purchased items from the premises. The Board of Education reserves the right to withdraw any item until the day of the auction.

AUCTIONEERS’ NOTE: The Memorial High and McBroom Jr. High Schools are set for demolition. The above is a partial listing of the building components, furnishings that will be sold. There are multiples of many items. Two rings will be used all day. The sale will start with the cafeteria equipment in ring one and with the antiques in ring two then precede room to room. Photos may be seen at <owenhallauctions.com>.

Celina, Ohio, August 24, 2010 – Every year in Mercer County, many women hear the awful words, “You have breast cancer.”

The science of early detection and treatment are improving, and today, women have a better chance than ever before of surviving breast cancer. Still, treatment of the disease takes an emotional toll on women and their loved ones.

So when women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Mercer County, specially trained women will reach out to them and speed their path to recovery. These women volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery service, which matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with women who have already survived the disease. The conversations that follow are often comforting and inspiring during a frightening time in life.

On Monday, August 23, 2010, local women participated in the certification program to become Reach to Recovery volunteers. “Reach to Recovery is so important because it gives to women a person to turn to who has already been through some of the things they’re going through now,” said Marybeth Torsell, Health Promotions Coordinator for the American Cancer Society.

Jo Ann Hartings, Judy Fortener, Nan List and Deb Wherling are several of the attendees at Monday’s program.

Reach to Recovery began in 1969 and has several breast cancer survivors who provide hope and guidance to newly diagnosed patients in Mercer County. As with all American Cancer Society programs, Reach to Recovery is available nationwide and was developed in response to an identified need and is based on evidence of its effectiveness. Since the inception of the program, hundreds of thousands of breast cancer survivors have been helped.

“When you first hear the word ‘cancer,’ all you can think of is that it’s a death sentence,” said one of the attendees. “You’ll talk to your doctor but many women need to talk to someone else who has been through the disease and is still around to talk about it, as proof that it’s survivable.”

“With Reach to Recovery, there is a great support network for women. For example, if a woman who’s having chemotherapy or radiation needs advice or support, we do our best to connect them with a survivor who has been through the same experience. It’s a good opportunity to talk through difficult topics that you might not feel comfortable sharing with doctors, or even your family.”

About 26 women in Mercer County are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and the American Cancer Society tries to offer Reach to Recovery to as many of them as possible. Take advantage of this free service or learn how to volunteer by calling 800-227-2345.

The American Cancer Society saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. For more information anytime, call toll free 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

The SWAC Chamber Lecture Series presents another session created to help with business development: "Workforce Development" We welcome Mr. Chris Granata (Ohio Dept of Development), who will discuss the various resources available for companies to hire employees and connect with job seekers. Mr. Zach Goldsmith (WIA Area 8/One Stop) will discuss the Ohio One Stop, OJFS and other employment resources. Mr. John Recker (Ohio Dept of Development) will discuss various grants and other resources for training new employees.

The session will take place at the Lockkeeper's House on Wednesday Sept 15th at 1:30 pm and will last approximately 90 minutes. Seating is limited so please RSVP by calling 419-629-0313. This session is a benefit for chamber members and is open to chamber members only. Bring your laptop if it is capable of wirelessly connecting to the internet as this presentation is interactive.

Greg & Ashley Eyink, owners of CrossFit Crave have join the Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce. A new kind of exercise facility with different classes each day. A ribbon cutting was held last week.
CrossFit Crave is located in the old JC Penney building on north Main Street in Celina. Call 419 852-1010 or visit www.crossfitcrave.com

Pictured from left to right:Bill Vondrell-Chamber Trustee,,Gena Bittner-Chamber Trustee, Greg & Ashley Eyink –owners, George Moore-Chamber Trustee,
Pam Buschur-Chamber Director

OUR OLD BOOK CASE

Minnie Mott may have been paid $50 for teaching for 50 days, but R.B. Morrison was paid $135 for teaching 60 days, three years earlier! April 12, 1894, the Blackcreek Twp. Board of Education paid R.B. Morrison $135.00 for teaching from December 29, 1893, to April 13, 1894, for 60 days.

Last May, I saw that a man from Brentwood, Tennessee, was selling old canceled checks from Blackcreek Township, over ebay. I ordered this facet of Blackcreek Township’s history. I will share with you an assortment of checks in 1920, 1936, and 1937.

In 1920, expenses were with road maintenance. June 5, J.F. Harb was paid $53.85 for roadwork. Clyde Harb was paid $6.60 for spreading stone. July 3, Wm. Hoverman was paid $6 and Joseph Huffman, $6.50 for roadwork; Clyde Harb, $43.40 for hauling and spreading stone. June 5, Chas Baker was paid $35 for ditching, and July 3, W. King, $7.75 for tile. June 5, Alfred Miller was paid $13.75 for repairing bridge and shoveling snow. July 3, Standard Oil Co. was paid $63.10 for gasoline, grease and oil tank. The 1920 Trustees were Otto Grotto, Jesse T. Sell, and Chas. E. White. Ralph Schock was Clerk.

February 1, 1936 the Trustees paid bills, including a $14.59 check to Berne Equity Exchange Co. for coal. (Perhaps this coal was used to heat the Township house when they were in session?) Eugene Vining, Burl Rumple, and Harold White were paid for shoveling snow. (I wonder if this was for clearing roads in February?) Clays market received $5.00 for groceries. Charles E. White received $25.75 for labor. Jesse Huston, George Huston and Roma G. Bollenbacher each received checks for Soldiers Relief. March 7, 1936, the Trustees paid bills, including a $14.44 check to Willshire Cooperate Co. for coal. The Trustees paid Rockford Stone Co., $23.23 for stone and hauling. Eugene Vining was paid for shoveling snow. The 1936 Trustees were J.H. Caffee, P.F. Schumm and J.E. Snyder. W.H. Lee was Clerk.

February 6, 1937, the Trustees paid Standard Oil Co. $16.50 for gasoline. Victor Bollenbacher was paid $38.40 for the Township portion of repair on Victor Bollenbacher Ditch. May 1, 1937 Geisler Hardware Co., was paid 65 cents for pipe and fittings. Dewey Carr was paid $40.60 for driving the truck. Dr. Lloyd M. Otis was paid $180.65 for operation and hospital expense. Rockford Stone Co. was paid $212.27 for stone and hauling. Standard Oil Co. was paid $23.93 for 165 gallons of gasoline. James Hays was paid $2.00 for 4 hours of Team Labor. (Would this have been for a team of horses in 1937?) June 5, 1938 Chester Carr, Calvin Carr, and Eugene Vining were paid for labor at Cemetery. Chas. Shope was paid for mowing Cemetery. W. Burgess was paid $25.00 for Memorial Day expenses. June 5, Gledhill Road Machine Co. was paid $8.00 for a set of shaper blades out of the Road and Bridge Fund. O.P. Spitler was paid $3.65 for repair on the Mower. John Regedanz was paid $1.25 for sharpening mower and $6.15 for blacksmithing repair. E.J. R. Implement Co. was paid $3.25 for shovels and oil. Rockford hardware Co. was paid $1.25 for a pair of pruning shears. Walter Avery was paid $1.25 for mower repair out of the Road and Bridge Fund. Dr. M. L. Downing was paid $25.00 for a fourth of the year for medical service. July 3, the County Auditor was paid $20.00 for the Soldiers Relief Refund.

[The Mercer County Historical Society President Joyce Alig, may be contacted at 3054 Burk-St. Henry Road, Saint Henry, OH 45883, or histalig@bright.net or 419-678-2614.]

Photo caption: Board of Education, Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, check for $50.00, to Minnie Mott, for teaching from April 5 to June 11, 1897, for teaching 50 days.

Jim Rentz of the Junior Fair Auction Committee took time out before this year’s auction to recognize Steve Knapke, who had served many years as chairman of the Auction Committee.

He also recognized treasurer Barb Kohnen who was also thanked for her many hours of hard work.

Mikayla Spoltman, daughter of Allen and Teri Spoltman won first place in the Junior Guernsey show

Nicole Bertke, daughter of Dave and Jane Bertke was named 2010 Dairy Queen at the 2010 Mercer County Fair.

Darren Meier, son of Ron and Jane won this year’s light weight kiddie tractor pull.

Carter Bubp, who is shown with Fair Board Member and judge Pat Schmitt won the middle weight kiddie tractor pul.

Lance Orick who is shown with his mother, Dawn, sister Larissa, and grandfather Roy Orick won the heavy weight kiddie tractor pull.

Jordon Geier won both the 13-17 year old and overall 5-17 year old cookie contest. Each of the kids won $10 from the fair board and Jordon Geier won $75 from the judges Short Wilker, Marty Emerine, and Jim Bader.

Donna Pond won first place in the 18 years old and older and received $75 from the judges Short Wilker, Marty Emerine, and Jim Bader.

Amielle Abner won the bubble gum blowing contest for 5 years old and under for blowing a 2 and 1/8 inch bubble. Hope Sudman received second place.

Hannah Sudman won the bubble blowing contest for 6-8. She blew a bubble that was 2 and ½ inches in diameter. Second place was Clair Stammen who blew a bubble that was 2 and 1/8 inches in diameter. Michelle Olberding won third place for blowing a bubble that was 2 inches in diameter.

She blew a bubble that was 3 inches in diameter. Second Place was won by Ashley Tobe who blew a bubble that was 2 and ¾ in diameter. Third place was won by Caleb Luthman who blew a bubble that was 2 inches in diameter.

All participants in the cookie and bubble gum blowing contests receive 50 cents as prize money. First place cookie contestants received $10. First place bubble gum contestants received $10; second place received $5; and third place received $3.

Local attorneys Judy Koesters and Kathy Speelman will be the presenters at the next Dine and Discover (DaD) Program sponsored by Mercer Health at Mercer County Community Hospital on Monday, August 30, beginning with a dinner at 5:00 pm. Their topic is “Estate Planning”.

Both Koesters and Speelman have worked together at their practice in Coldwater, Ohio, for a number of years. They work closely with their clients to help them in planning their estates, both large and small. They will provide practical tips on how to go about planning an estate and discuss the benefits of early planning

Also featured at this event will be the Medical, Educational and Development (MED) Foundation Development Director John Hoying. He will discuss the options in estate planning that can be set up through the MED Foundation.

The Mercer Health DaD program began in September, 2007, and has continued to grow from there. This will be the sixteenth presentation in the series.

This program is open to the public. Dinner will be served beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the presentation from 5:30 to 6:30. Reservations are required. Persons interested in attending are encouraged to call 419-678-5196. Reservations will be accepted long as there are spaces available. There is a $$7.50 fee per person for this event.

It will be held at Mercer County Community Hospital, 800 West Main Street, Coldwater, Ohio, in Meeting Room 1.

August 18, 2010, Celina, OH— Celina Insurance Group recently received a flag that had flown over Camp Bastion Hospital in Afghanistan. The gift was presented to the company by Lt. JG Donelle Spivey, US Navy, who recently returned from her deployment overseas.

The flag was one of several gifts exchanged between Donelle and Celina Insurance from October 2009 through April of 2010. The exchange began when the company first learned that Donelle, the daughter of employee Dian Steele, was stationed in Afghanistan. In order to support the troops, all employees signed a large banner and sent it to Donelle and her medical team. Celina Insurance also helped print over 300 patient journals to be utilized at Camp Bastion and other hospitals in Afghanistan. Medical personnel record updates in these journals and give to the patients when they are released.

Donelle Spivey has now returned to her home base in Pensacola, Florida for additional training before joining a fleet surgical team in San Diego.

Founded in 1914, Celina Insurance Group is a collection of mutual property and casualty insurance companies. Celina underwrites auto, non-standard auto, farm, home, commercial auto and property insurance, as well as umbrella and casualty coverage in eight Midwestern states. Celina Insurance Group is represented by some 600 independent agencies and employs 168 people.

Flag 1: (L to R) Dian Steele, Donelle Spivey, President Bill Montgomery
Flag 2: Flag flying over Camp Bastion earlier this year.

Celina, Ohio/USA – (8/18/10) Anne McMillian, Property Claim Manager, is pleased to announce that Mike Stout has joined the company as the new Property Claim Supervisor.

In his new role, Mike will be responsible for providing assistance to the Property Claim Manager with the day-to-day supervision of the staff. In addition to management responsibilities, his position will involve handling day-to-day claim volume, catastrophe claim volume, and large loss claim volume.

Mike enters the position with extensive experience. He worked for the last twenty-three years in claims roles, during which time he earned the AIC designation. He is also a graduate of the Apollo Police Academy, where he received an inspector’s license and firefighting training.

McMillian comments, "Mike’s stellar reputation in the industry, along with his technical expertise, made him an ideal selection for this position. The company looks forward to the value that he will add to the claims area.”

Mike currently resides in Harrod, OH, with his wife and three sons. He is an Auglaize Township trustee and has been a volunteer fireman for twenty-five years.

Founded in 1914, Celina Insurance Group is a collection of mutual property and casualty insurance companies. Celina underwrites auto, non-standard auto, farm, home, commercial auto and property insurance, as well as umbrella and casualty coverage in eight Midwestern states. Celina Insurance Group is represented by some 600 independent agencies and employs 168 people.

Celina Insurance Group Refreshes Tech Department

Celina, Ohio/USA – (8/18/10) Rob Shoenfelt, Sr. VP – Chief Information Officer, is pleased to announce staffing changes within the technology department at Celina Insurance Group.

Carrol Jeffries

Carrol Jeffries, Celina, has joined the company as a Help Desk Analyst. In her position, she will solve user problems and provide technical support to the company’s agency partners, as well as to internal users. Carol has extensive experience from working in similar technical roles.She and her husband have three children and two grandchildren.

Ryan Homan

Ryan Homan, Celina, will be taking the role of Network Administrator. His new position requires him to purchase, install, and maintain all hardware and software that is related to the company’s network infrastructure. Over the past four years, Ryan has completed numerous programming projects for the company, as well as various networking-support projects.

Ryan Buening

Ryan Buening, Coldwater, has been promoted to the position of Lotus Notes Developer, where he will work with a team to write the code necessary to maintain the company’s rating systems. Ryan started with the company as an intern in the IT Department. Earlier this year, he graduated from the University of Toledo with a double major in information systems and electronic commerce.

Founded in 1914, Celina Insurance Group is a collection of mutual property and casualty insurance companies. Celina underwrites auto, non-standard auto, farm, home, commercial auto and property insurance, as well as umbrella and casualty coverage in eight Midwestern states. Celina Insurance Group is represented by some 600 independent agencies and employs 168 people.

Monday August 16 marked the inaugural session in the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Lecture Series.” Brian Miller and Terry Mescher presented a program outlining the details of the efforts to improve water quality in Grand Lake St. Marys. A group of about 20 interested citizens were on hand to hear the presentations and view the power point information given.

Miller is the Assistant Director at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, and he spoke about the plans regarding the removal of the "internal loading" of nutrients in the lake, i.e. the sediment. There are currently two active pilot projects under way at the lake right now. One involves aeration of the water column (which may ultimately create a situation where the sediment levels are reduced). The other involves the collection of sediments in the tributaries that feed the lake, before those sediments actually reach the lake. The Grand Lake Restoration Commission was formed last winter, and raised over $500,000.00 locally in just two months this past spring to get these two pilot programs in place. If anyone would like to donate or learn more, they can visit the Lake Improvement Association website at www.lakeimprovement.com.

Mescher, an engineer with ODNR spoke about the "external loading" (nutrients entering the lake from the watershed) issues and the plans being developed to address those. Proposed plans by the State of Ohio include requiring the agricultural producers to create nutrient management plans (by December of 2012) that clearly identify how they will manage fertilizers and manure within their operations. Also, the state is proposing that producers cannot apply manure to frozen or snow covered ground, and not during the time period from December 15 to March 1. This will help some of the more drastic nutrient runoff issues in the water shed.

The next Chamber Lecture Series event will be held on Wednesday August 25^th at 1:30 pm. Jerry Good (Ohio Dept. of Development) and Karen Mauch (Village of New Bremen Economic Development Director) will be presenting “Incentives for Business Expansion in West Central Ohio.” Call the Chamber of Commerce at (419) 629-0313 to RSVP, seating is limited.

The Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, Faber & Associates, and McDonalds Restaurants cordially invite Chamber members and local business people to attend their upcoming Business After Hours. This is scheduled

for Thursday, August 26^th from 5pm to 7pm at their newly remodeled offices. These offices are locatedat 7706 State Route 703 (next to Wright State Lake Campus) in Celina. After months of renovations, they are proud to show off the newly updated offices and training center.

The GLWWA Joint Board meeting has been canceled. This meeting was to be held tomorrow, August 19, 2010, at 2 p.m.. The next meeting of the GLWWA Joint Board is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. October 21, 2010, at the Mercer County Central Services Building, Celina.

Traditionally the GLWWA holds a Public Advisory Board meeting in September. Several meeting ideas were discussed at the previous Joint Board meeting. At this time a formal Public Advisory Board meeting for the GLWWA will not be held in September. Anyone interested in giving direction to the GLWWA may provide it at either the cover crop walk or MNM field day or by contacting the watershed coordinator. The watershed project encourages stakeholders to attend these educational opportunities and see what practices may fit their farm. The watershed coordinator will also be speaking at several venues during September and will take additional input for the watershed project at the end of each presentation. The information about the cover crop walk and field day is attached. Please use this flyer for the field day. This copy has all the previous mistakes corrected.

There is still room on the WI trip. We are getting close, so hopefully you have a better determination on your harvest and can free up the time to attend. I want to commend all the producers who are signed up and those who considered attending; majority of the participants are from Ohio! This trip is open to the entire Upper Wabash River Watershed, including Indiana! Registration and trip itinerary are attached. The itinerary locations are set and the times are being confirmed this week.

A formal review of the watershed action plan will be completed in December 2010 by the Public Advisory Board. More information will be provided after the October Joint Board mtg.

The New Bremen Senior Citizens monthly meeting will be held Wednesday August 25 at 7:30 pm in the Senior Citizen’s Center, 700 E. Monroe St New Bremen. Blood pressures will be taken 30 minutes prior to the meeting by Grand Lake Health Systems personnel. All members may use this service.

Erwin Schwieterman, Louise Schwieterman, Verona Poeppelman and Don Homan will serve on the lunch committee for this meeting. An attendance drawing and bingo concludes the evening of fellowship. The organization is open to all seniors over the age of 55. Nw Members are always welcomed. Dues are $10 per year. For further information, call Rita Heitkamp at 419-629-2877.

Two Celina women are facing felony charges in connection with a case presented to the Mercer County Grand Jury by the Celina Police Department. Joan Engle, (68) and her daughter Karen Tester, (44), both of Celina have each been charged with Forgery a third degree felony. Joan Engle is facing three counts and Tester is facing a single count.

The charges stem from paperwork that was filed by the suspects as they applied for loans totaling approximately $64,000. Each of the four loans included paperwork indicating that the victim, Rita Snider of Celina, was a co-signer for the loan application. That paperwork was fraudulent. These four loans were applied for and received without Rita Snider having any knowledge of them.

The first loan application was filed by Joan Engle and approved in July of 2007. The other three were filed at varied times, with the last fraudulent loan being issued in May of 2008. The victim learned of the crime when a local financial institution, checking into a fifth fraudulent loan application, contacted her in December of 2008. Everyone involved in this matter were friends at that time, and the victim offered the suspects an opportunity to clear up the matter. When that offered appeared to be ignored the victim filed a police report in January of this year. The ensuing investigation uncovered the string of fraudulent loan applications that had been filed over the past three years.

Both suspects are scheduled for arraignment in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, 08-18-10.

CELINA, Ohio – The Lake Campus is pleased to announce that the Ohio Rehabilitation Commission and the Ohio Board of Regents have awarded a $60,000 grant to Dr. John Wolfe and the Technology, Academic/Instructional Programs and Services (TAPS) Department. The grant "Mobile Assistive Learning Devices: The Smartphone and Smartpen", partners the Lake Campus TAPS with Memorial High School in St. Marys, Ohio. The major outcome of this project is to demonstrate that two new mobile learning technologies, Verizon's Smartphone and Livescribe's Pulse Smartpen, can contribute positively to the progress disabled students can make toward graduation and employment.

Audio and video files can be downloaded into the Smartphones. Audio files such as eBooks can be downloaded from the Internet and stored on the Smartphone devices to help students with reading comprehension. Podcasts can be created for storage on the Smartphones and accessed at a later time for review. Short video lessons created using a digital camera will be stored on a web server for students to download for additional review. To support content, instructors and students will be using St. Marys' School's Moodle (open source course management software) as an online tool to work with the Smartphones. Students will use the Smartphones and accompanying broadband service to access the Moodle server. The Pulse Smartpen captures everything the student hears in lectures or discussions and at the same time records what the student actually writes. In addition, assignments and tests can be downloaded and reviewed and then taken to a quiet location without the need for an electronic reader.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION: John Wolfe, Director of Technology, Academic/Instructional Programs and Services (TAPS) at the Lake Campus is shown giving a workshop on podcasting. The workshop was attended by Lake Campus faculty, staff, students and educators from St. Marys City Schools.

It has been six years since planning began on the Rotary Centennial Park in New Bremen. It won’t be long until the project is completed. The New Bremen-New Knoxville Rotary Club has lived up to its ideal of “Service Above Self” by raising and donating $35,000.00 and offering many hours of planning and work to bringing the project to completion.

The western bank of the Miami and Erie Canal, just north of SR 274 in New Bremen was weakening over the years, and needed to be reinforced. The Village of New Bremen and the Rotary Club came together to develop a plan whereby the canal bank would be strengthened, avoiding any potential collapse issues in the future. The result of the planning is what is seen at the corner of SR 274 and SR 66 in downtown New Bremen. The Village had contractors come in and clean up the area, construct an underground culvert for the canal water to pass through, then cover it over, leaving a visible depression where the open canal once ran.

The NB-NK Rotary Club has taken a “hands on” role in the project, placing posts, sidewalks, bricks and planting flowers around the new park area (see photo). Club members will plant shrubs in time for Bremenfest and several new trees will be planted this fall. The NB-NK Rotary Club would like to thank the community for its support of the Rotary fundraiser auction over the years, enabling the club to raise the money necessary to complete the project. Learn more about the New Bremen-New Knoxville Rotary Club at www.nbnkrotary.org.

Board Recognition

Joe Hawk and Michael Gower, along with members Stacy Will and Nate Fortkamp, gave the annual FFA report.

Administrative Reports

* Informed the Board of the plans for open building and meet the teacher nights.

* Discussed the plans being made for the start of school: MS open building-Aug. 19; MS staff meetings - first & third Thurs. of every month; tech. meetings-fourth Thursday of the month.

* Discussed the plans for the High School Orientation meeting for incoming Freshman only on Aug. 17.

3. Granted permission for the Superintendent to employ substitute teachers as needed. Salary - $75/day.

***

Agenda Action Items

2. Adopted the Elementary, Middle School Staff Handbooks and Pre School Handbook.

3. Approved Dave Hull as the delegate and Jack Staugler as the alternate to the Capital Conference.

7. Employed Amy Welling as a part-time music teacher for the 2010-2011 school year.

Minster Bank and the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce partner together to discuss health care reform

With healthcare reform questions at the forefront of small business and investment planning, Minster Bank and the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to provide answers. “Healthcare Reform Seminar: The impact on small business owners and financial markets” headlines the Chamber Lecture Series on Monday September 13^th at 9:00 am in the upstairs meeting room of the Lockkeeper’s House in New Bremen.

Presenters will include US Representative Jim Jordan (R) 4^th Congressional District and Steven M. Eiting, CPA and Manager of Private Wealth Management group at Minster Bank. Jordan will speak about the effects of healthcare reform on small business owners, and Eiting will speak about how the healthcare reform will affect financial markets. This is seminar is a part series of seminars Minster Bank will offer, touching on a variety of financial matters. The seminar is free of charge and open to the public. However, seating is extremely limited so persons wishing to attend must RSVP. Please call 419-629-0313 to reserve your seat today.

President, Jim Keller called the August meeting of The Marion Community Development Organization to order by reciting The Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held on August 10, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Marion Township Building. Minutes were approved as read.

Thank you very much for your continued support to the MCDO. If you are uncertain about your membership status, please contact Bill Winner (419) 925-4175 or Barb Kahlig (419) 925-6301.

The Ag Ed Boosters have given the classroom a face lift by painting the cupboards. The boosters also purchased student work tables for the room. Don and Paul Droesch did a great job organizing crews to paint and assemble the tables. Our new teacher, Mrs. Lucy Bambauer, is a regular attendee at the booster meetings and with her assistance the boosters have ordered items which will enhance the learning experience for the students. The boosters feel that the return of Ag Ed to Marion Local is off to a great start. Anyone desiring further information regarding the boosters can email mlaged@roadrunner.com.

Sara Puthoff of Ultimate Fitness in Maria Stein provided an excellent presentation to approximately 20 people. Several attendees also toured her facility after the luncheon on July 21, 2010. She discussed the prevention of back injuries when lifting and other smart uses of our bodies in our daily activities to a very attentive crowd. We were delighted to have her share her wisdom and training with us. Thanks for your help Sara! Stay posted for our October business luncheon - details to be provided next month.

A motion was made by Greg Garman and seconded by Sr. Barbara Ann Hoying to approve a $10 payment to the Marion Local Athletic Boosters for a MCDO membership to the Athletic Boosters Club.

A motion was made by Jeff Schwieterman and seconded by Bill Winner to pay $92 to the Mercer County Development Organization for an advertisement in the West Central Ohio Business Journal.

Bob Unrast reported due to changes at the Township Park, there will be no sledding hill built. Availability of ground necessary to build the hill is an issue. The park board also has concerns that a sledding hill will be less desirable long term than other uses of the space might be.

Thursday August 12, 2010. The crew is heading west on Rolfes Road. This morning they were awaiting fittings to complete the bore they made under the creek which runs just east of the John Schwieterman property at 2371 Rolfes Road. For the moment the sand holes are behind them and they are currently in soil conditions which allow them to make decent progress. They plan to complete Rolfes Road up to SR 716. Tentative plans are to then to continue south on Rolfes Road up to SR 119.

Chickasaw Park Board Report – For information on renting the park shelters, call Sandy Niekamp at 925-4960.

Osgood Park Board Report – For information on renting the park shelters, call Alan Wendel at 419-582-4502.

Marion Township Park Board – For information or concerns about the park, call Ron Hartings at 925-4804.

School Board member Greg Garmann is asking for support for the replacement Levy in November.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm, with a motion from Bill Winner and seconded by Sr. Barbara Ann Hoying.

The next meeting of the MCDO is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14, 2010, at 7:00p.m at the Marion Township Building.

Minster Bank and the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce partner together to discuss health care reform.

Writer’s Club members write their own query or cover letters for July meeting assignment

A three-session program about writing query or cover letters culminated at the July meeting of the Stateline Writer’s Club, when members read their letters created to be sent with an article written for submission for publication to a magazine or other type of media.

The assignment for August is to write about some summer activity or special vacation members had experienced when growing up.

Stateline’s next meeting will be on the 21^st of August. Meetings are regularly held on the 3^rd Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m. at the Celina Mercer County Library. Interested persons are invited and encouraged to attend. Anyone having questions may call secretary Gretchen Bollenbacher at 419-363-2692.

We would like to invite you to join the effort to defeat hunger in Mercer County and at the same time promote Mercer County’s Agri-Business. Mercer County is experiencing an economic downturn which is restricting the money families need to cover their basic living expenses. Some families must make tough decisions on which bills to pay such as rent or fuel for heat and then hope they have enough money to buy food. This scenario continues to happen over and over again, right here in Mercer County. Fortunately for these needy families, C.A.L.L. Food Pantry can help. For twenty years C.A.L.L. Food Pantry has been serving the hungry of Mercer County. We are always looking for creative ideas that will allow us to provide food to our clients and at the same time help promote and increase awareness for local organizations and businesses.

A creative and interesting idea to achieve this goal was presented to me by a few Agri-Businesses in Mercer County. It is as follows: “We want to feed the hungry of Mercer County as well as promote Agri-Business in Mercer County by providing locally produced food products to every client that C.A.L.L. Food Pantry serves.

For example, a group of Pork Producers have agreed to provide up to twenty hogs per month. Two of the county’s slaughter houses have agreed to kill and package the hogs in two pound packs of sausage for half price. Now we are searching for the funding to transport the hogs to the slaughter houses or we need someone to volunteer to transport them. We also need funding to offset the other half of the processing charges at the slaughter houses

I have committed to have a dedicated freezer in the Food Pantry where each family that is served will have the opportunity to receive a package of sausage. We are estimating we will serve an average of 900 families per month which will provide 2= pounds per family.

Please consider the above opportunity to promote Mercer County’s Agri Business as well as help feed the hungry of Mercer County.

Call Pastor Tim Clutter at 419-305-8451 if you can assist with this program or have other similar ideas. C.A.L.L. Food Pantry is located at 420 North Brandon Avenue, Suite B. Celina, Ohio 45822.

Attached are two LOCAL educational events and the upcoming agriculture tour to Wisconsin.

6:15 AM - Pick up more farmers at Scott’s Grocery parking lot on the southside of Bluffton, Indiana

9:30 AM to noon?? – Tour Fair Oaks Dairy, Indiana – Note: one hour fall back in time

7:45 am Current and Future Environmental Issues in Wisconsin - Paul Zimmerman – WI Farm Bureau

9:00 am Role of WI Discovery Farms in Protecting Farming and the Environment - Dennis Frame, Co-Director

11:30 AM – Tour water quality field station (WQFS) located at the agronomy farm northwest of Purdue campus

6:00 pm Dave Brandt, Fairfield County ~ Cover Crop Drill Set-Up & Oil Seed Radish

Hunter's Education Course
August 16, 17, and 19
6:30 to 10:00 pm each night
Ohio Progressive Sportsman Club

Tim Clutter, director of CALL Food Pantry in Celina, is seeking monetary donations for a program to provide food to 188 eligible children in the Celina School district on weekends. This is only the beginning as he hopes to eventually extend the program to all schools in Mercer County. The students receiving this aid would be grades Kindergarten through fourth grade and will begin at Celina West Elementary School. The estimated cost to provide the Back Pack Program meals for this school is $25,000.

Currently, $8,682 has been raised toward the goal of $25,000. The school year is quickly approaching and hopefully you will decide to send a check for this cause. These kids are our future and hopefully we can assist in providing food for them, so they may see the world as a good, giving, and caring place to be.

Tim indicated that a “matching fund” by an anonymous donor has been established, so remember that your check will be matched by this fund. Checks should be made payable to “CALL Food Pantry” with reference to the Back Pack Program.

Hopefully, you will prayerfully consider this project and be able to provide monetary assistance so the program can be effective at the beginning of the school year for all 188 eligible students!

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Aug. 4, 2010 – A partnership involving the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) continues to help bring free Leader Voice Mail service to northwest and north central Ohio residents in crisis.

For the past year, the OCC has partnered with Leader Technologies and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks to offer the free service for individuals in the 419 area code without access to telephone service. Leader Technologies is a private corporation that donated its equipment and technical expertise to support the voice mail program.

Counties served include Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Mercer, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.

Consumers searching for a job, a place to live or seeking to stay in touch with family, medical professionals or social service agencies have the opportunity to use their own unique voice mail number to access their confidential messages.

According to the 2009 Ohio Homelessness Report by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, Toledo and Lucas County saw a 21 percent increase in its total homeless population.

“Leader Voice Mail provides a way for consumers in crisis to maintain a line of communication,” said Consumers’ Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander. “The fact is that the economy continues to hit northwest Ohio hard, and residents need helping hands.”

Clients may retrieve their messages from any touch-tone telephone, including wireless, or by using the Internet. Consumers in the 419 area code may apply to receive Leader Voice Mail with any participating social service agency in their area. Eligibility is determined by the client’s level of need.

Participating consumers are able to create a personalized greeting and are given a wallet-sized card, which includes a user ID, personal phone number and toll-free number and website address to access messages. The service is available to clients as long as they need it and their number remains active.

Social service agencies also benefit from the voice mail service. During difficult economic times, many assistance organizations have been overwhelmed by increased caseloads. Many of their clients do not have a telephone. Leader Voice Mail provides the service agency with a way to leave messages for them and shorten the time it takes to provide assistance.

A similar voice mail service is available to residents of Cuyahoga and Summit counties through Community Voice Mail, a nationwide network available in Ohio since 2000.

Residents interested in obtaining Leader Voice Mail may contact a participating agency, which includes local community action agencies, homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters. To find out more information about Leader Voice Mail, consumers can contact the OCC at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or learn about the service by visiting the website at www.pickocc.org.

Bold, original, surreal, disturbing, thought-provoking and alarmingly funny, "Assassins" is perhaps the most controversial musical ever written.

Please note*: CHORUS will be both Men and Women, crowd folks and bystanders....however there are two songs made up ONLY of CHORUS so it is MORE then just Chorale singing, there ARE SOLOS!!

*Rehearsals will be Monday - Thursday 6:30-9:00pm with TBA for Friday-Saturday-Sunday the last three weeks before Opening night. EVERYONE'S time is important!! SO rehearsals will be very specific for who is needed that night! Nearly ALL of the characters in this show were/are REAL PEOPLE so there WILL BE RESEARCH and CHARACTER STUDY!!! A learning experience for one and ALL!

Children and youths who enjoy photography are invited to enter their work in the Wassenberg Art Center’s 33rd Annual Photography Exhibit. Entry to this juried exhibit is open to all photographers of any age. Photographers age 18 or younger are eligible for The John Flagg Youth Award.

This award, sponsored by the Miller-Warner Foundation, includes two cash awards ($50 and $25) for color photography and two cash awards ($50 and $25) for black and white photography.

Entries will be taken September 11 and 12 from 1-5 p.m. Rules, entry information, and the entry form are included in the show prospectus, which may be downloaded at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg. It is also available by mail from the Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, Ohio. Contact the art center at 419.238.6837, toll free 1.888.238.3837, or e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com. Provide your name and a mailing address to receive a prospectus by mail.

Young people competing for the youth award should write (Youth) after his/her name on the entry form.

Do you enjoy taking photographs? You are invited to enter your pictures in the Wassenberg Art Center’s 33rd Annual October Photography Exhibit.

Entry is open to anyone of any age. There are ten categories for competition. A nonrefundable entry fee of $20 for members and $25 for non-members entitles a person to submit up to nine entries. Photographs must be the work of the person entering, and must originate in a camera.

Thirty-one cash awards are offered. A special award is offered for photographers age 18 and under.

Entries will be taken September 11 and 12 from 1-5 p.m. To enter, photographers must submit a completed entry form along with their framed photographs. Entries must comply with the rules as set forth in the show prospectus. This is a juried exhibit; entry does not guarantee display.

Complete rules, entry information, description of categories, and the entry form are included in the prospectus, which may be downloaded at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg. It is also available by mail from the Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, Ohio. To receive a prospectus by mail, contact the art center at 419.238.6837, toll free 1.888.238.3837, or e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com. Provide your name and a mailing address.

The 33rd Annual October Photography Exhibit will run from October 3 through October 29. It is sponsored by Citizens National Bank and the Van Wert County Foundation.

BUEHRER ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF STATE GRANTS FOR UPGRADES TO LOCAL PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS

COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) announced today that the state Controlling Board recently approved the release of more than $200,000 in state grants to help make needed improvements to parks and recreation areas in communities throughout northwest Ohio.

“For many villages and cities in northwest Ohio and across the state, the local park is a foundation of the community and an important gathering spot for family, friends and neighbors to get out of the house, exercise and enjoy the outdoors,” said Buehrer. “I applaud the effort of state and local officials to secure grant money for these needed park improvement projects in our region.”

Yesterday, the Controlling Board authorized the release of a $53,250 Clean Ohio Trails Fund grant to the Henry County Park District to construct two bridges on the Miami & Erie Towpath Trail. One bridge will be located .25 miles east of Napoleon on State Route 424 and will connect the Miami & Erie with the towpath trail of Independence Dam State Park. The other bridge will be built one mile west of Texas, Ohio on U.S. 24 and will link the Miami & Erie with other trails in the North Turkey Foot area of Mary Jane Thurston State Park.

The Clean Ohio Trails Fund, which provides grants to help communities improve outdoor recreation, is part of the $400 million Clean Ohio program that was originally approved by Ohio voters in 2000 and renewed in 2008 through passage of State Issue 2.

In addition, the Controlling Board approved the release of $150,264 in NatureWorks grants to help upgrade recreational areas in a number of other communities in the region.

· Auglaize County: The City of Wapakoneta was awarded $37,198 to install an asphalt surface to the existing walking trail in Veterans Memorial Park, while Goshen Township will receive a $9,280 grant to replace the backstop and fencing at New Hampshire Ball Park.

· Fulton County: The City of Wauseon was awarded a $11,600 NatureWorks grant to help construct a new building for use as a trailhead on the existing bike trail at the Wabash Cannonball Trailhead Facility.

· Hancock County: The Village of McComb will receive $25,000 to build a .9-mile fitness trail at Cloe Greiner Community Park, while the Village of Arlington was awarded $20,000 to renovate a concession building in Arlington Village Park.

· Henry County: The Henry County Commissioners were awarded a $10,455 NatureWorks grant to help pave a stone road in the Henry County Park.

· Paulding County: The Village of Scott will receive $26,231 to install lighting along the walkway in Village Park.

· Van Wert County: Ohio City was awarded $10,500 to support the construction of a new shelter in the village’s park.

The NatureWorks program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is funded through the Ohio Parks and Natural Resources Bond Issue that was approved by Ohio voters in November 1993. The program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance for townships, villages, cities, counties, park districts, joint recreation districts, and conservancy districts for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas.

Mercer County Pheasants Forever #745

Minutes: (Brian) No June minutes as Brian was absent and the minutes that President Knapke took where ate by his dog. (ha, ha)

Treasurer's Report: (Mort) Current balance – $23,493.56 – Mike Acheson made motion to approve treasurer's report and pay all bills, Ryan Garrison second – motion passed.

Habitat: (Sean) Sean reported that $1595 will be paid out in incentive payments. The Chapter's drill now has 2,000 acres on it and just required $1,000 maintenance.

Farm Bill Biologist: (John Wallace) John gave his report with the biggest news being the upcoming CRP sign up in August. Once again it will be a short window to apply so watch for upcoming news release.

Youth Programs: (Jonas) Mercer PF will be co sponsoring a “Youth Trap Shoot” with Ft Recovery Gun Club this Saturday, July 24 – 10:00 am at Ft Recovery Gun Club. Bret Ayers will be handling the “Youth Dove Hunt” scheduled for September 4^th. Applications will go out in August. Dove field are needed – contact Sean Finke if you have a field that could be used for the event. Last months “Ringneck Day” event was a success with 46 youth in attendance. Brian and Bret will work together to update the youth contacts list.

New Business: The Annual Hog Roast is scheduled for August 21 at Mercer County Sportsman Club. Tarp and skeet shooting start at 4:00 with dinner at 6:30. Admission – Adults $20 & Kids $10. Mike Acheson will mail all corporates two complimentary tickets. Ohio PF Council Summer Social is scheduled for August 14. Unfortunately no one from the Chapter will be able to attend. Gary Steinbrunner made a motion to give up food tent at Duck Blind Drawing to 4H Shooting Sports, Mark Lefeld second – motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn: Sean Finke made motion to adjourn, Andy Stachler second – motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted: Brian Miller

Sunday, August 15^th is Celina Mercer County of Chamber of Commerce day at the Mercer County Fair harness races. Free tickets will be handed out to all who attend the races for door prizes. Prizes will include chamber of commerce gift certificates, t shirts, big screen TV and much more. The Chamber of Commerce will also have a booth in the commercial building. Don’t miss the fun! See you at the fair.

Once again, we're registering students for the Auglaize County VALU Class. Last year 14 folks participated in an informative, entertaining and quite "VALU"able series of monthly tours and discussion panels all around Auglaize County. Now it's your turn to sign up to benefit from this experience.

Own a business... Conduct business... Sell products or services... Consult... Educate... in or around Auglaize County, this class is for you. You'll build a new network of important folks from class and from the various agencies and organizations we visit.

I've attached the registration and class information for your review, call me with any questions you may have!

Also, the Chamber office will be closed for the remainder of the day. I am "taking one for the team" and helping to raise funds for the Minster Fire and EMS by playing in the Minster Civic Association Golf Outing today. Pam will be back from vacation on Monday

AGENDA

Pledge of Allegiance

The board was assured that all notice requirements of ORC Section 121.22 and implementing rules adopted by the board thereunder had been complied with for this meeting.

III. Set Agenda

IV. Business & Records

B. Reports from Supervisor of Student Services, Food Service Director, Technology Director and Gifted Coordinator

VI. Superintendent’s Section

VII. Board Member Section/Discussion Only

VIII. Resolution

It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the salary schedule change for Sue Bills from Masters to Masters+30.

approve the financial reports, listing of funds and payment of bills as presented.

B. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to

approve the minutes of the board of education regular meeting held on July 13, 2010.

D. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the

bid from ___________________ of __________________ for the track reseal project.

E. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to re-affirm

F. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to continue

offering a Section 125 Medical Reimbursement/Dependent Care Reimbursement/Premium program to employees.

G. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve

H. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve

I. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the hiring of Kathy Hart as a mentor for the 2010-2011 school year.

J. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the salary schedule change for Jill Meinerding from Masters+15 to Masters+30

K. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the salary schedule change for Kyleen Seitz from Masters to Masters+15.

L. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the acceptance of the following donations:

M. It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the

It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the

request for an executive session for the discussion of compensation and the employment of

It is recommended that the Coldwater EVSD Board of Education resolve to approve the hiring of Vaughn Schellhause, Girls Golf Coach, for the 2010-2011 school year.

Mission: To promote the delivery of effective and efficient services to meet the needs of Mercer County residents through the organization of existing resources.

Vision: To seek a safe and healthy environment throughout Mercer County to foster a community in which all families grow and prosper.

Call to order was made by Co-Chair Karen Howick at 9:00 A.M.. Those in attendance were Karen Howick, Joyce Jansen, Mike Overman, Andy Smith, John Bruns, Sandy Dorsten, Dale Borger, Kathy Mescher, Karen Platfoot, Deb Vogel, Ivan Knapp, Christel Dzendezel, Sara Beiler and Mary Beougher. Quorum was present.

A motion was made by Karen Platfoot to approve the June 10, 2010 minutes. Mike Overman seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.

Kathy Mescher introduced Christel Dzendezel the new FCFC. Everyone welcomed her. Kathy reviewed the FCFC financial report. Dale Borger made a motion to accept the FCFC Financial Report. Andy Smith seconded the motion. FCFC financial report was approved. Kathy Mescher, and Christel Dzendzel abstained.

Andy Smith distributed copies of the Mercer County Family and Civic Engagement Plan for the council to review and make recommendations. Discussion followed. Under the School Partners section Kathy Mescher will check with IC School to ask if interested in being included in the plan. Kathy will let Andy know their decision. Everyone reviewed the Community Partners and position titles, Andy updated his copy. A motion was made by Dale Borger to approve the plan as amended. Kathy Mescher seconded the motion. Plan was approved.

Family Service Planning: Dale Borger reported the next meeting will be on July 20, 2010. Meeting will discuss spending plan for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

Child and Family Health Services: Sara Beiler reported she is working on annual report due August 1, 2010 to Ohio Department of Health. She received grant notice of award in the amount of $39,340. Next fiscal year 2012 will be a competitive grant cycle. August is Breast Feeding Awareness Month.

Help Me Grow: Sandy Dorsten reported the FY 2011 grants and subsidy is being reviewed at Ohio Department of Health. Discussed new Home Visiting Program and polices to become effective July 16, 2010.

Ohio Summit on Children: John Bruns reported nothing new. Some programs being offered through OSU Extension have given options to educate juveniles.

Other: Kathy Mescher reported she and new employee Christel are being oriented in their respective positions.

John Bruns ask Joyce Jansen about the H1N1 reserve at the Mercer County Health Department. Joyce will be sending back to company to dispose of properly on 7/7/10 approximately 1,800 doses that have expired. Health Department has flu vaccine left that will not expire until the year 2011. The upcoming seasonal flu shot will have the H1N1 vaccine in the shot. It will be important for all individuals to get a flu shot yearly to increase their body’s antibodies.

Next meeting – September 9, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. / Joyce Jansen will bring a refreshment

On Monday August 16th from 5:30 until 6:30 pm, the Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce "Chamber Lecture Series" welcomes Brian Miller (Assistant Director at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park) to the Lockkeeper's House. Brian will discuss the ongoing efforts to improve the water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys.

This meeting is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited so you MUST RSVP in order to attend. You can email back or call 419-629-0313 to reserve your seat today. If there is enough interest, we'll more than likely open up a second session that same evening.

**- Don't forget tonight's business after hours from 5-7pm at Willy's Tavern in Minster, brought to you by MAC Athletics. We'll do a 50/50 drawing, with a great "consolation" door prize from Katterhenry Investments.

Our Red Cross volunteers constitute 96 percent of our total work force to carry on our humanitarian work:

 Every year the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters—including approximately 150 home fires every day.

 About 11 million Americans turn to us to learn first aid, CPR, swimming, and other health and safety skills. Last year, more than 158,000 people volunteered to teach those courses.

 Half the nation's blood supply— six million pints annually—is collected by more than 155,000 Red Cross volunteers.

 Among our emergency services for the men and women of the armed forces is the delivery of urgent family messages—around the clock and around the globe.

 More than 30,900 volunteers serve as chairs, members of boards of directors, or on advisory boards for local Red Cross units - chapters, Blood Services regions, and military stations.

 As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Red Cross reconnects more than 8,000 families separated by conflicts and disasters around the world through international tracking services and Red Cross messages.

Monday, Aug. 16, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Montezuma United Methodist Church, Montezuma.

Thursday, Aug. 19, from 12:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at New Horizons Community Church, Rockford.

Monday, Aug. 23, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery.

Thursday, Aug. 26, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Mt. Tabor Church of God in Celina.

August 13-19th Visit us at the Mercer County Fair! We will be there with the Disaster Trailer

August 15th Polar Bear Classic Kart Race sponsored by Buschur’s Refrigeration at Mercer County Fair at 7pm

August 21st RACING FOR THE RED sponsored by T-102 at Ft Recovery Ambassador Park

Family Caregiving “Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia and Alzheimer’s” at the Miller House, Tues, August 24th at 7pm

Assisting with Operation Freedom Support’s Golf Fundraiser on Sunday August 29th

WOW! what a season this is turning out to be! The point leaders continue to change from race to race. There are only two races left in the season! Be sure to check them out ~

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

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

"On the Eve of Revolution: Lord Dunmore's War of 1774.” Rummel, an independent scholar spent the last 22 years studying the Middle Woodland/Hopewell period, the North American Indian, and 18^thcentury military history. His book on Lord Dunmore’s War is coming soon!

Author of Blacksnake’s Path, The True Adventures of William Wells, the compelling drama of the white man/Indian who fought on the side of the Natives in the Batttle of the Wabash and on the side of the Americans in the battle of Fort Recovery!

· Tony DeRegenaucourt – (Archaeology Explorer/Writer/Lecturer) Archaeology of Greenville – Uncovering Hidden Secrets

· Greg Shipley – (Artifact Collector/Expert, Historian) McKee’s Town (located about four miles south of Bellefontaine)

· Ball State Archaeologists (TBA) – Solving a Mystery - Discovering the St. Clair & Fort Recovery Battlefields

· Bill Pickard (OHS Collections /Archaeology )- A Tale of Two Horses: The Occurrence of a War of 1812 Double Horse Burial

· John Christian Rummel (see above) - "Renaissance in the Ohio Valley: The Art, Ideology and Culture of Hopewell."

Tri Star would like to notify high school juniors and seniors of the starting dates and times of their career technical classes for the 2010-2011 school year. Students or parents with questions may call the Tri Star office at 419-586-7060.

COLDWATER HIGH SCHOOL: Agricultural Mechanics, Horticulture, Veterinary Technician

ST. MARYS DENNINGS BUILDING: Buildings & Grounds, Electronics, Med-Prep, Precision Machining and Welding

The Bar Stool Open, a popular annual event sponsored by the Lake Improvement Association, will be held this year rain or shine at 9 a.m. August 14, 2010. The event funds the effort to save Grand Lake St. Marys, and now more than ever it is important that all supporters sign up to play in the LIA's largest fundraiser.

(GRAND LAKE ST. MARYS, OH) – The Lake Improvement Association announced today that the Bar Stool Open will proceed as planned, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. August 14, 2010. The event is the LIA's largest fundraiser and all proceeds go toward the effort to save Grand Lake St. Marys. Now more than ever it is important to support this effort to restore the lake as an economic booster, recreation hub and wildlife habitat – and contestants get to have a blast vying for cash and prizes while they play to save grand lake.

The following FAQ answers several questions recently fielded by LIA members.

Will the Bar Stool Open still be held even though state officials have warned the public to have no contact with the lake water?

Yes. The Bar Stool Open is a major fundraiser that significantly contributes toward funding the effort to Save Grand Lake St. Marys. It will be held at 9 a.m. August 14, 2010, rain or shine, as scheduled.

The Bar Stool Open is a 13-hole mini-golf tournament held at various local venues around Grand Lake St. Marys. Four person teams sign up to compete for the best score by playing a hole of mini-golf at each venue. Teams can win cash and other prizes, with all organizational proceeds going toward the effort to save Grand Lake. A 50/50 drawing raffle will also be held.

First place, $300; second place, $200; third place, $100; and many prizes donated by local merchants plus a 50/50 drawing raffle.

No, this portion of the event has been canceled due to the current water advisory.

In the past teams have traveled between venues via boat or automobile. Due to the current water advisory, teams this year are expected to travel by automobile and a Designated Driver is highly recommended for each party. Each venue is being encouraged to offer DD perks such as free food and non-alcoholic beverages; and the LIA will issue wrist bands to Designated Drivers to verify their designation. The LIA is asking everyone to step to the plate to help make this happen and ensure future economic viability as so many businesses rely on Grand Lake St. Marys.

Teams can begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 14 at any of the following participating establishments. Final holes must be played by 7 p.m.

Yes, the LIA is extremely grateful to all of our sponsors and we're always excited about welcoming new partners in the effort to save Grand Lake. Please contact Jeff Vossler at 419-305-9995 to become a 2010 Bar Stool Open sponsor.

Simply visit a participating venue and sign up. Please view the attached flyer for more information.

The Lake Improvement Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving Grand Lake St. Marys by connecting the greater Grand Lake St. Marys community and working for local, state, and federal support and assistance to return Grand Lake St. Marys to an economic booster, recreational hub and wildlife habitat that can be safely enjoyed by all. For more information, visit www.LakeImprovement.com.

Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert will hold its Homecoming 2010 on Sunday, September 19, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Everyone -- the public, past members and current members -- is invited to attend this special event. "We hope to see many of the people who have attended Wesley Church over the years so we can enjoy their company again," said a representative.

Biship Bruce Ough will be preaching and the Wesley Choir will present a musical proclamation. Former pastors will be invited to share memories of their time at the church. There will be a carry-in dinner after worship.

The church is located at 551 Center Street (corner of Blaine and Center) in Van Wert, Ohio. Contact the church at 419.238.6216 or wesleychurch@embarqmail.com. Visit the website at www.wesleyvanwert.org.

Midwest Electric apprentice lineman Andrew Roettger places 12th at national Lineman’s Rodeo

Midwest Electric apprentice lineman Andrew Roettger placed first in the written test at the annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo. Roettger, of New Knoxville, placed 12^th overall out of 83 apprentice lineman.

The lineman’s rodeo, sponsored by electric utilities and vendors, was held recently in Seguin, TX.

Roettger, currently in his third year of the four-year apprentice lineman program, said he wanted to compete “to see how I stack up.”

“It was a very good learning experience,” he said. “There were some world-class climbers, so I picked up a few tips. And it teaches safe working practices.”

Roettger competed in three climbing events and 3 non-climbing events – pole-top rescue, “egg run” (transport an egg in the bucket of a bucket truck), fuse change with a long-stick, splicing and knot tying, and various pole top work. The written test based on the lineman’s standard handbook.

MERCER COUNTY Monday, August 9 at 6:00 pm Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center – 900 Havemann Rd, Celina Monday, October 11 at 6:00 pm Grand Lake Regional Cancer Center – 900 Havemann Rd, Celina AUGLAIZE COUNTY Monday September 13 at 6:00 pm Zion Lutheran Church - 210 N Wayne Street, St. Marys Monday November 8 at 6:00 pm Zion Lutheran Church - 210 N Wayne Street, St. Marys

When a woman is undergoing treatment for cancer, she may lose her hair and experience other appearance-related side-effects. The impact can be devastating, making a hard time even harder. The American Cancer Society Look Good…Feel Better program is here to help by putting you in touch with experts who will teach you beauty techniques just for women in your situation. Specially trained volunteer beauty professionals lead small groups through practical, hands-on experience. Women learn about makeup, skin care, nail care, and ways to deal with hair loss such as with wigs, turbans, and scarves. Each woman gets a free makeup kit to use during and after the workshop. Most of all, participants, share laughter and camaraderie as only women going through the cancer journey can. No one should have to face cancer alone. Since 1989, Look Good…Feel Better has been helping cancer survivors.

Mark your calendars for August 7, 2010 for an exciting night at The Rockford Belle! This is to be our first Rockford Area has Talent! event at The Belle located in Rockford, Ohio. The evening’s performances will begin at 7:00 PM with at least 15 fabulous local individuals and groups led by the talented and well known emcee and performer, Louisa Hemmelgarn. There will be singing, yodeling, organ and piano playing, banjo, and guitar. Seasoned Music Director Dick Sherrick will be in charge of sound.

Here are some of the featured performers of the evening:
Eleesha Long-Vocalist
Chip Steffy, Steve and Phil Thompson and Friends-Gospel Strings
Kim Gardner-Vocalist
Jaiden Black-Yodeler
Adam Bollenbacher-Guitar/Vocalist
Paula Linn and Amber McAlhaney-Piano Duet
Grace Linn-Xylophone
Louisa Hemmelgarn -Piano
Bryan Sutton and Friends-Vocals
Megan Decker and Ryan Linn-Vocal Duet
Heidi Groan-Vocalist
Bonnie Smith-Vocalist

Plan to attend this grand event. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The Rockford Belle is located at 135 Market Street, a ½ block west of Subway in Rockford. Seating is limited and a free-will offering will be accepted. For more information, you may contact Tom Rogers at 567-644-9993.

Becky MacWhinney, former director of the Neil Armstrong Musuem in Wapakoneta has been named Director of the Agricultural and Industrial Center in Coldwater. She will work part time through the summer and will become fulltime January, 2011. The museum will be located in the east end of the former AVGO New Idea building. She was director of the Neil Armstrong Museum for seven years and has a degree in Education. She is shown with board president, Jerry Meyer.

Fort Recovery State Museum Newsletter August, 2010

Successful Grand Re-Opening

Over 300 visitors attended the Museum’s Grand Re-Opening on July 11. What a great day it was! The “new” museum received consistently high reviews. It was a pleasure hearing the positive responses. We appreciated the comments made and the beautiful framed certificate and picture presented to the museum by Representative Jim Zehringer. Also presented to the local historical society was a certificate from the Ohio Historical Society. We were proud to host a number of representatives of OHS, including George Kane, Director of Historic Sites.

Coming from a great distance for this special event was patron Victor Wells who drove for 2 1/2 days to partake in the festivities and then turned around and drove right back to his home/work in Colorado. No one could show greater support! Thank you, Victor. We also appreciated that so many of you patrons attended. We were so proud to see the many blue and gold ribbons worn that day! Thank YOU!

Record-Breaking 5K Run

As a result of a well executed 2009 St. Clair 5K, and a super 2010 effort by coordinators, Kathy /Tony Gonzalez and Kim/Brent Niekamp, the number of run participants exceeded our highest expectations - over 350! The coordinators send their appreciation to all patrons who helped and a special “Thank You” to the shirt sponsors: Rep. Jim Zehringer; Natures Green; Independent Capital Management; JR Industries; Cooper Farms; Wabash Telephone; Mercer Osteopathic; and Mercer Health. ( he complete list of Thank You’s is attached.) It appears that the run profited nearly $3500. What a nice “pot of gold” at the end of the St. Clair Run Rainbow!

Civil War Re-Enactment – Coming the second week in September

Although the Historical Society is not involved directly in bringing the Civil War Reenactment to Fort Recovery, we will be supporting the effort through the use of our grounds, facilitating their Fashion Show, and helping with publicity. The main battles – which you won’t want to miss – are at 4:00 on Saturday (September 10) and at 2:15 on Sunday. The Fashion Show is Saturday, Sept. 11 @ 1:15 pm. It will be held on the stage of the Hein Ampitheare in Van Trees Park. Our historical society would welcome help with the fashion show! In the meantime, plan now to reserve that weekend for some really special events!

Mark Your Calendars! Presenters Scheduled (Free for all patrons and their children. Others=$3/Adults, $1/6-12)

Linda Stephens ( Sunday, August 15 at 3:00) is the author of two books: Remembering Leatherlips and They Called Him Leatherlips. Linda will have a different focus from past speakers. She has written her books primarily for children and educators so do bring your school-aged children and grandchildren! Although her presentation will interest children, it also contains plenty of historical material to inform adults. Patrons and their children will be admitted free. Linda will autograph her books which are $10.00 each. Remember, patrons receive a 10% discount. (It should also be pointed out that Hal Sherman – a great artist and friend of our museum – has a number of his paintings featured in They Called Him Leatherlips!)

John Christian Rummel (Sunday, August 29, 3:00) "On the Eve of Revolution: Lord Dunmore's War of 1774.” Rummel is an independent scholar who has spent the last 22 years studying the Middle Woodland/Hopewell period, the North American Indian, and 18^thcentury military history.. He earned degrees in History and Communications from Mount Vernon Nazarene College and has conducted extensive research in major museums all over the United States. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Archaeological Society of Ohio and is the 2009 recipient of the Robert Converse Award for his continued research in Middle Woodland archaeology. His current projects include a book on Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 and participating in 18^th Century reenactments, collecting 18^th and early 19^th Century historical documents and collecting historic Native American art.

William Heath (Sunday, September 26, 3:00) author of Blacksnake’s Path, The True Adventures of William Wells, is coming back by popular demand. The last time Heath was here was on a weekday at noon. Several of those unable to attend said, “Why not bring him back on a weekend?” So that wish will come true when Heath comes back at the end of September. William Wells, the focus of Heath’s book is the accomplished military man and language translator who fought on the side of the natives in the first battle and on the side of the Americans in the second! Heath does a masterful job of unveiling the almost unbelievable saga of this interesting and important man in our history! Blacksnake’s Path is available at the museum gift shop for $21 minus the 10% discount for patrons. What a great gift an autographed book would make.

Archaeological Family Fun Fest Speakers – Sunday, October 3!

Tony DeRegenaucourt – (Archaeology Explorer/Writer/Lecturer) Archaeology of Greenville – Uncovering Hidden Secrets

Greg Shipley – (Artifact Collector/Expert, Historian) McKee’s Town (located about four miles south of Bellefontaine)

Ball State Archaeologists (TBA) – Solving a Mystery - Discovering the St. Clair & Fort Recovery Battlefields

Bill Pickard (OHS Collections /Archaeology )- A Tale of Two Horses: The Occurrence of a War of 1812 Double Horse Burial at Fort Meigs, Wood County, Ohio

John Christian Rummel – (See above) - "Renaissance in the Ohio Valley: The Art, Ideology and Culture of Hopewell."

History Corner

Who was Leatherlips?(1732–1810) First of all, his connection with our history is that he was the Wyandot Chief, who led his warriors to join the great Native American Confederation that waged the history-making attacks of1791 (Wabash Battle/St.Clair’s Defeat) and 1794 (The Battle of Fort Recovery). In 1795, Leatherlips was a signer of the Greeneville Treaty. His life was influential, fascinating and sad.

The Wyandots had been decimated by disease and by a disastrous war with the Five Nations of the Iroquois. (The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Forced out of their homeland near Lake Superior, the Wyandots moved to the Iroquois hunting ground of the Ohio country. After the signing of the Treating of Greenville, Leatherlips encouraged cooperation with white settlers. His policy of accommodating Europeans led to conflict with the movement led by the two Shawnee brothers, Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (The Prophet). Tenskwatawa reacted strongly and with hostility against Leatherlips. The Prophet condemned him to death for signing away native lands, and accused Leatherlips of witchcraft.

Sent by his very own brother Roundhead, six Wyandots traveled to what is now Dublin, Ohio just north of Columbus and announced Leatherlips’ death sentence. Although white settlers pleaded for the old chief and attempted to bribe the death squad, the trial and sentencing were swift. After clothing himself in his finest attire, Leatherlips, joined by his executioners, sang the death chant and prayed. Then he was killed by tomahawk!

The execution supposedly took place at the entrance to the caves that are now known as the Olentangy Indian Caverns, located north of Dublin and south of Delaware, Ohio. A monument to Leatherlips and a memorial art sculpture are tourist stops in Dublin, Ohio today. (Chief SHA-TE-YAH-RON-YA, was called Leatherlips by Americans because of "his admirable trait of never breaking a promise.")

Photo op on top of Chief Leatherlips. Interested in this story of Leatherlips? Come hear Linda Stephens on Sunday, August 15 at 3:00. A good story-teller, Linda will interest young and old, historians and non- historians alike! Time for questions and answers! Come! Enjoy!

If you are like me, this topic of the Wyandot Indians spurred

interest, so I had to read more about them. Attached is some of the information I found.

Wyandot Indians

The Wyandot Indians originally lived in southern Ontario. They were also called Hurons. But they called themselves "wendat" which in time became "Wyandot" or "Wyandotte." They were related to the Iroquois Indians. But in the years before European settlement, the Iroquois Confederacy attacked them and drove them from their homeland. Some came to live in northern Ohio. They built their main villages in Wyandot, Marion, and Crawford Counties, but they lived across northern Ohio and as far south as Ross County.

The Wyandots had a special friendship with the Shawnee Indians. They referred to the Shawnee tribe as their "nephew" or "younger brother." Other Indian tribes could be allies one day and enemies the next. Political alliances changed with the times.

The Wyandots were allies of the French until British traders moved into the Ohio Country circa 1740. The French pushed the British out of Ohio, and the Wyandots became allies of the French again until the British victory in the French and Indian War. But as French trading posts turned into British forts, the Ohio Indians banded together to fight the British in Pontiac's Rebellion in 1764. During the American Revolution the Wyandots fought for the British against the Americans. When the British surrendered, the Indians were left to fight the Americans on their own.

The Wyandots were fierce warriors. Colonel William Crawford led an expedition against the Wyandot town at Upper Sandusky in 1782. His army was defeated. The Indians captured Crawford and burned him at the stake.

General Anthony Wayne once ordered Captain William Wells to go to the Indian town at Upper Sandusky and bring in a prisoner who could tell them about the Indian's plans. Captain Wells replied that he "could bring in a prisoner, but not from Sandusky, because there were none but Wyandots at Sandusky and they would not be taken alive."

General Anthony Wayne finally defeated the Wyandots and other Ohio Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. They surrendered most of their lands in Ohio with the signing of the Treaty of Greeneville.

In 1842, the Wyandots gave up their claim to their reservation at Upper Sandusky. In 1843 the United States government sent the Indians off to a reservation in Kansas. They were the last Indian tribe to leave Ohio.

Tarhe and Leatherlips were the most notable leaders of the Wyandot Indians

Correction on Wyandots Story

Dear Patrons, Wanted to pass on the post-newsletter nformation I received from William Heath(the author who will be here in Sept.) Obviously the sources i used (from the internet) didn't have all the facts on the Wyandots. The corrections are below. This is one of the reasons I have the best job in the world - always opportunities to learn from guests and visitors! That makes life interesting and exciting! nk

That was a very lively newsletter, Nancy. I enjoyed your brief history of the Wyandots, but you might make it more clear that it wasn't the Wyandot's who tortured Crawford to death; it was the Delaware, largely because of the Gnadenhutten massacre in 1782 of the 96 Moravain Delaware (even though Crawford was not present) but also for the infamous Squaw Campaign of 1778, in which the Delaware chief Pipe's brother was killed and his mother injured (she lost the tip of her little finger). Crawford was there for that, although he actually worked to save Pipe's relatives. Best wishes, Bill