Local Archived News May 2007

Hanson bids goodbye to MHS
By KARLYN BYERS
Greg Hanson sees rounds of golf in his future - and perhaps a lot of travel.
Both should be possible in a few weeks when the longtime Marysville High
School principal begins the retirement phase of his life.
Hanson, 60, has been the MHS principal since its opening 17 years ago.
He will retire in late June, along with his wife, Karen, a fourth grade
teacher at Navin. Karen Hanson has taught for 35 years.
The two have a son, Mark, who lives in Dallas, and a daughter, Angie,
who lives in New York. Both are MHS graduates. The Hansons look forward
to visiting their children and possibly exploring the Pacific Northwest.
And the two have a golf trip planned in 2008 that will take them to
Ireland and Scotland, where Hanson hopes they can play at the famous St.
Andrews Golf Course.
"That is a trip I've wanted to take for a long time," Hanson, a
self-described golf fanatic, said.
The trip is planned with two other couples, Nancy and Jim Plant, of
Ostrander, the aunt and uncle of Ostrander's Ben Curtis, winner of the
2003 British Open, and Mike and Judy England of southern Delaware County.
"We're hoping to be able to plan our trip so we're there for the British
Open in England," Hanson said.
A chemistry major at Bowling Green State University, Hanson said his
retirement plans also may include working with Ashland University to
supervise student teachers assigned to the Marysville area. He
additionally plans to work part-time at a golf course.
"I would enjoy that," he said.
Originally from Morgan County, Hanson's career began at Elmwood Local in
southern Wood County, where he taught at the junior high school in
Cygnet. He came to Marysville in 1989 to take the principal's position
at the previous Marysville High School - now Marysville Middle School.
The Hansons grew very fond of Marysville and have no plans to leave the
community Greg Hanson described as "a great place to be."
"Part of the reason we ended up here is because I wanted my kids to have
opportunities," Hanson said of the school district and community.
Being principal at MHS has been "a great ride," according to Hanson.
"I've really enjoyed being here."
"April and May are the busiest times," he said, adding that, beginning
after spring break each year, activities build to a fever pitch which
culminates in graduation.
The really busy time begins with scheduling, which is followed closely
by compiling the awards and recognition lists and the awarding of
academic honors, scholarships, etc. in two assemblies.
It's a very hectic time, because a lot of information has to be gathered
and organized in a limited amount of time. Hanson credits his secretary,
Melanie Blumenschein, with keeping everything to a manageable level.
In fact, Hanson said a lot of his success is because of the staff at MHS.
"Anything that has been accomplished under my (leadership) is because of
the great people in this building," he said.
And it is the staff he will miss most when he retires.
"We've got some phenomenal teachers on this staff who care a lot about
the kids," he said.
However, he will not miss having to inform seniors anticipating
graduation that they have fallen short of standards set by the Ohio
Department of Education and they will not be receiving their diplomas.
Beginning with the 2007 class, students must pass all five parts of the
Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) in order to receive their high school
diplomas. Hanson said while he feels school districts should be held
accountable for educating their pupils, " ... I think every one of those
legislators who mandated this (test) should have to sit in this office
and talk to a kid (who has not passed). It just ruins your day."
He continued, "I won't miss that, to have to talk to those kids."
A lot of good things have come out of state-mandated testing, Hanson
said, but so have some "not too good things."
Students who don't proficiency all five parts of the OGT will still be
allowed to walk across the stage and participate in commencement
activities, Hanson said - provided they have fulfilled all their high
school credit requirements.
They also will be allowed to come back to school whenever the OGT is
administered to take the component(s) they failed. The OGT will be
administered this summer, with other tests scheduled in October and
March 2008, Hanson said.
He said he met personally with each pupil who failed to meet OGT
requirements and who will not graduate. He also tried to impress the
importance of the commencement ceremony upon those who wanted to skip
Marysville's June 3 graduation.
Students need to walk across that stage for their parents, he said, and
because future graduations will never be the same as the first commencement.
Hanson said he also won't miss all the paperwork involved in his
administrative post.
"I will miss the kids - even the ones who give us a hard time - and
seeing them get recognized for what they have accomplished," he said. "I
never cease to be amazed at the quality of their work and what they have
accomplished year after year after year."

MMS students dance their way to fitness
By RYAN HORNS
By the laughter coming out of the Marysville Middle School gymnasium,
one might think the students have taken over the school.
Instead, teachers stand nearby smiling as students get a workout on the
school's new Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Super Nova. It is an
interactive video game, in which students follow arrows flashed on a big
screen television, showing them how to dance to any number of songs. The
levels go from easy to difficult.
Marysville Middle School was able to purchase the game with money from a
three-year federal PEP grant, earned because the district developed new
physical education curriculum. This included conducting regular medical
and fitness assessments/plans for students, health management regimes,
increased training for physical education teachers, implementing fitness
into other areas of academics and more.
"This was a huge thing for the community and school district," Middle
School physical education teacher Lenard Andrews said.
He said the guidelines were pretty strict, but the school accomplished
its goals and will be able to make another purchase in the fall.
Because of this, students playing the DDR in the gym Thursday afternoon
said they look forward to someday having an entire wall filled with
other interactive games such as tennis, bike riding, basketball and more.
"I didn't realize how much fun the kids would have with it," Marysville
Middle School principal Kathy McKinniss said. "And they can compete and
do it in sort of a social way. It's really been pretty neat."
She said the goal was to help make exercise fun for students and provide
a way for them to be active at any time during the day.
"Lenard's goal is to have it being used all the time," McKinniss said.
"The other night we had a school dance. Our school dances are geared
toward a lot of games and dancing, but a lot of line dancing and more
communal things. And (the game) ran the entire time. The whole two
hours. There were kids that rotated in and out."
"I started noticing in some of the arcades the last few years that they
have come up with these systems that involve exercise and that the kids
have a lot of fun playing," Andrews said. "The main thing we are trying
to do with it is increase the minutes of activity throughout the day, to
combat child obesity and instill a healthy lifestyle."
Andrews said a West Virginia school system launched a program to bring
the dance game into its schools. After that, the New York Times did an
article on the health benefits of the interactive video games and how
they are being incorporated into school fitness regiments. He said
studies have shown the games increase brain activity, while giving a
great workout.
"We've had ours for about two months," he said.
McKinniss said she has been inspired by Andrews' passion for teaching
physical education. Especially with so many years of teaching
experience, she said it is impressive how he has found ways to keep
physical education interesting and fun for the students.
"I've been pleased with it. The kids enjoy it. They want to do it. They
do a nice job of being respectful and working in groups together," Andrews said.
McKinniss said the game enables a lot more kids to get involved in
physical fitness, without having to be the "superstar" athlete in the
other sporting events.
In the gym Thursday she got the attention of a group of students
currently taking a run on the DDR, and they explained the different
levels of difficulty.
"Who can do difficult?" McKinniss asked.
The students ushered ahead seventh grader Matt Roberts, considered the
best in the room. He agreed to take the challenge.
"He's just a monster at it. He's really good." student Kyle Thirkield said.
Another student agreed, saying when Roberts takes his turn "my eyes
can't even follow it."
After the song was over, Roberts finished without a mistake. A little
out of breath, he said it was a pretty good exercise.

Events set for Union County Fair
By CORINNE BIX
In about 50 days the 161st Union County Fair will kick off. This year's
fair will be held July 22 through July 29.
The fair's faithful will be at home with the traditional schedule and
those who are first-timers will find something new.
The annual parade will get the week started July 23 at 5 p.m..
Participants will form at the county building parking lot.
Kay Griffith, Union County Fair marketing director, said this is a
change from years past when the parade used to begin at 5:30 p.m. The
parade will disband in the Marysville Middle School parking lot across
from the fairgrounds.
It will feature various community groups, including the fire department,
4-H clubs and churches.
After the parade, the crowning of the fair king and queen will be at
6:20 p.m. at the show arena, to be followed by swine showmanship.
At 6:30 p.m. on July 23 the 4-H style show will be at the pavilion.
Evening entertainment at the grandstand throughout the week will include
harness racing on July 22, truck and tractor pulls on July 24 and July
27, a bull-riding championship on July 26, and a demolition derby on July 28.
On July 25 the Team Extreme Jump-Off will feature a motorcycle acrobatic show.
"On Sunday, July 29 we are bringing back motocross," Griffith said.
She explained that for the past four years the last evening of the fair
featured mud runs, but due to popular demand motocross is back.
July 22 will also be Kid's Day and will offer kiddies tractor pull and
kiddy tractor races, an Oreo stacking contest and baby contests in the
Armory building.
DARE day will be July 25 and all students who are wearing their 2007
DARE graduation shirt will be admitted to the fair for free.
"We usually have about a hundred kids and Papa John's provides lunch for
the participants," Griffith said.
Senior Citizens Day will also be July 25 with various activities
planned, including the senior pancake breakfast, senior cook-off, a
quilt show and senior bingo.
The 4-H pancake breakfast will be held July 28 from 7:30-9 a.m.
The following animal shows are scheduled for each day in the show arena:
July 23, poultry; July 24, rabbit and swine; July 25, goat; July 26,
lamb cook-off, guys and gals lead and market lamb; and July 27, market
steer, heifer and dairy feeder.
Market sales will be July 28, with the first sale at 2:30 p.m. and sale
two at 5:30 p.m., preceded with a buyer's reception at 4 p.m.
On July 27, the Horse Musical Fantasia will be in the horse arena at 7 p.m.
Griffith said this is a unique competition and one that everyone should
try and not miss.
The students who participate dress in costume and perform to music while
leading their horse through an intricate obstacle course.
"It's wonderful and so entertaining," Griffith said.
Other events include veterans to be honored on July 29 at the pavilion,
a flower show and baked goods judging on July 27, a fun dog competition
on July 28 at 11 a.m., along with the draft horse show at 10 a.m.
On July 29, would-be teenage singers can sign up to participate in the
Union County Fair Teen Idol Contest. This is a brand new event sponsored
by GrayFox Audio Sensations, a local DJ music service and the Eagle's
No. 3506 Chapter.
The contest is open to county residents, and the winner will be awarded
a $300 prize.
Griffith said prices for entry into this year's fair will be $6 for
everyone 6 years and older. Week-long passes will be sold for $20 and
senior week passes will be $14.
More information about specific events and times may be found in the
fair book published by the Marysville Journal Tribune.

Hospital celebrates births with music
Each new baby's arrival is marked with playing of "Brahms' Lullaby
By CORINNE BIX
Visitors at Memorial Hospital of Union County may notice a familiar tune
floating over the paging system.
"Brahms' Lullaby" plays for 15 seconds throughout the main facility upon
the birth of a child in the hospital's Miracle Life Center.
Leslie Steiner of West Liberty got to experience the chimes firsthand
after her seven-pound son, Luke, was born on May 16. Steiner, who
welcomed the birth with her husband, Scott, and an older son, said the
ringing of the lullaby was fantastic.
"I felt very important and very special," Steiner explained.
During her stay at the hospital Steiner said she had the opportunity to
hear the chimes upon the birth of other babies.
"I felt like I was bonding and celebrating with people I never met but I
could understand what they were going through," she said.
Hospital officials said the chime is a way to allow the entire facility
to share in the birth of a baby.
"It's a nice way to celebrate as a hospital community with the patient
and families upon the birth of their child," Mary Walker, director of
customer service, said. "This reminder of new life and the exciting
moment for a family will allow us to share in the joy, even if only for a moment."
The idea was first suggested in 2002 during the planning stages of the
Miracle Life Center Obstetrics Unit. The birthing center officially opened in 2004.
Walker said the hospital has a customer service team which is always
looking for ways to improve the patient/family experience at the hospital.
The hospital had to make some improvements to its paging system before
the chimes could be executed this month.
Gwen Hoffman, obstetrics nurse director, said since the May 14 debut of
the chimes that the feedback has been very positive.
"Some of the nurses have said when they hear the chimes they just can't
help but smile," Hoffman said. "It's a reminder to us all of the circle of life."
Walker said the chimes give all staff a chance to take a minute and
remember why they have chosen healthcare as a profession. Hoffman said
that in the event of a stillbirth the parents would be given the choice
as to whether or not the lullaby would be played.
MHUC delivered 670 babies in 2006 and averages about two births per day.

Board adopts new logo
From J-T staff reports
The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities adopted a new logo
during its regularly scheduled board meeting recently.
The action came after a presentation by staff logo committee members and
the firm of Kernacopia, LTD., which provided technical design assistance.
The logo project evolved out of a program in-service in March and was
put forth by staff.
"We wanted to make sure that in some way our logo was tied into our five
core values of excellence, customer-driven, collaboration, integrity and
stewardship," staff member Rachel Hayes said. "The new logo represents a
new beginning for the consumers, staff and programs at the Union County
Board of Developmental Disabilities."
The logo features a starfish reaching out with five waves representing
the five core values and a shoreline standing for the
community-at-large. The organization tagline "Where opportunities make a
difference" runs along the bottom of the logo.
In addition to the main logo, each individual program (The Harold Lewis
Center, WorkNet, U-CO Industries and Support Services) developed logo
variations using the starfish to illustrate what their departments represent.

Fairbanks High School names top scholars
From J-T staff reports
Fairbanks High School held its awards ceremony Friday. It will hold
commencement ceremonies today at 11 a.m. Graduation will be held
outside, weather permitting.
Valedictorian
Jason Link has been named class valedictorian. He is the son of Mike and
Patsy Link of Ostrander.
He has been a member of the Mock Trial team all four years of high
school and served as captain in his senior year. He is a four-year
member and president of the science club and a three-year member of
National Honor Society.
He also has been involved in the film, computer, writer's and
international clubs, as well as concert band and golf. He is a 10-year
member of 4-H and president of The Buckeye Gang.
He is a lifeguard at the Marysville Municipal Pool, where he is also a
water safety Instructor. He was awarded the OSU-Honda Math Medal Award
for outstanding math student in November and also was awarded the
Franklin B. Walter All Scholastic Award for outstanding senior of Union County.
Link will attend The Ohio State University as a member of the honors
program and will major in computer information science.
Salutatorian
Lauren Murray is the daughter of Steve and Nancy Murray of Irwin, and
Ellen and Thom Croyle of Milford Center.
Throughout high school she has participated in varsity volleyball and
track, FFA, FCA, Student Council, ski club, international club, and Mock
Trial. She is vice president of the senior class and is the chairman
for the peer tutoring program.
She was elected fall homecoming queen, is a Renaissance Red Card holder
and has been consistently on the all A's honor roll.
She has been awarded the URE Corp Scholarship, Friends of Fairbanks
Scholarship in honor of Ray Chappelear, and was a Voice of Democracy
winter. After graduation, Murray will attend Ursuline College to study
business and fashion and merchandising.
Honors
Stacy Alderman - $11,000 Otterbein Scholar, $2,000 Otterbein Battelle
Scholarship, $100 Union County 4-H Scholarship.
Victoria Bill - $2,700 OSU Maximus Scholarship, $1,500 Scarlet and Gray
Scholarship, $1,650 Viola Erb Scholarship.
Rachel Bisker - $21,000 Hiriam Trustee Scholarship.
Morgan Burns - $8,500 Muskingum College Scholarship.
Kylie Daniel - $7,000 Otterbein Scholar, $100 Union County Jr. Miss
Leadership Award, $100 Outstanding 4- H Member, $8,000 Ohio Northern Scholar.
Chris Davis - $800 Ohio Choice Grant.
Nathan George - $3,000 DeVry Dean's Scholarship.
Ryan Green - $26,000 CCAD Scholarship.
Ben Johnson - $12,500 Wittenberg College Scholarship, $10,800 Hiram
Garfield Scholarship.
Samantha Kapp - $1,500 Muskingum College Scholarship, $500 PIP Memorial
Hospital Scholarship.
David Lambert - $1,000 Cedarville Leadership Scholarship, $2,750
Cedarville Academic Scholarship, $3,700 Cedarville Grant.
Jason Link - $11,000 Otterbein President Scholar, $19,000 ONU Trustee
Recognition Scholarship, $500 Battelle Otterbein Finalist, $2,400 OSU
Provost Scholarship, $4,500 OSU Marion, $11,000 Ohio Dominican
Scholarship, $2,000 Otterbein Dept. Scholar Award, $900 Ohio Choice Grant.
Josh Litwin - $1,500 Otterbein Endowed Scholar, $1,000 Otterbein Dean's
Scholarship, $900 Ohio Choice Grant.
Lauren Murray - $900 Ohio Choice Grant, $1,000 Ursuline Residence Hall
Grant, $10,000 Ursuline College Presidential Scholar, $500 URE Corp Scholarship.
Tristin Pankhurst - $4,200 OSU Trustees Scholarship.
Josh Pitcock - $1,000 DeVry Dean's Scholarship, $1,000 UPS Tuition Reimbursement.
Vincent Pontius - $7,000 Otterbein Scholar, $1,000 Otterbein Department
Scholar, $900 Ohio Choice Grant, $5,000 Wittenberg Alumni, $12,000
Wittenberg Scholarship, $6,850 Wittenberg Board of Directors Grant,
$1,050 OSU Trustees Scholarship, $1,500 Scarlet and Gray Scholarship,
$5,000 Otterbein Grant, $13,000 ONU Dean Scholarship, $4,200 ONU General
Grant, $1,050 Erb Scholarship.
Travis Powers - $14,000 Olivet Nazarene University Scholarship.
Rachel Rinehart - $2,205 Ohio Board of Regents, $4,000 Gateway
Scholarship, $15,000 Denison Founders Scholarship, $12,500 Transylvania
Presidential Scholarship.
Samuel Stapp - $7,000 Bellarmine Monsignor Trustee Scholarship, $1,000
Bellarmine Institutional Grant.
Kaylann Scheiderer - $7,000 Otterbein Scholar, $1,500 Endowed Scholar,
$900 Ohio Choice Grant, $1,000 Otterbein Legacy Award, $2,000 Otterbein
Art Talent Award, $10,500 Bluffton University Scholarship.
Brittney Troesch - $28,000 CCAD Scholarship.
Kyle Toops - $1,500 Columbus State Partnership, $1,000 Kiwanis Sarge
Chamberlain.
Katie Wilhem - $500 Ohio Quarter Horse Scholarship, $500 Grose Family
Scholarship, Ohio High School Rodeo Scholarship.
Awards
Voice of Democracy - Casey Wilson, Lauren Murray, Nicole Boerger, Justin Noland.
Friends of Fairbanks Scholarship in honor of Ray Chappelear - Lauren Murray.
ATP Scholarship - Victoria Bill.
Richland Bank 4-H Scholarship - Morgan Burns.
Shelly Material Scholarship - Luke Shaffer.
Kiwanis/Sarge Chamberlain Scholarship - Kyle Toops.
Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship - Stacy Alderman.
Olivia Thomas Scholarship - Stacy Alderman.
URE Academic Scholarship - Lauren Murray.
Eagles Scholarship - Morgan Burns.
Union County Bar - Marilyn Wright.
Brian H. Nicol Memorial Scholarship - Stacey Alderman.
Picklescheiderer Scholarship - Kylie Daniel.
Kyle Bowman Memorial Scholarship - Travis Powers.
DAR Writing Award - Travis Powers.
American History Medal - Robert Williams.
Senior Good Citizenship - Tristin Pankhurst and Jason Link.
Milford Center Lions Club Scholarship - Ali Meddles, David Lambert,
Stacy Alderman, Kylie Daniel, Rachel Rinehart.
U.S. Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete - Ben Johnson, Stacy Alderman.
Ohio Board of Regents nominees - Jason Link, Victoria Bill, Vincent
Pontius, Rachel Rinehart, Tim Colwell.
Ohio Board of Regents winner - Rachel Rinehart.
Denison Book Award - Marilyn Wright.
Honda-OSU Math Medal - Jason Link.
Franklin B. Walter Award - Jason Link.
International Club Scholarship - Morgan Burns, Cindy Trivisonno.
Union County BBB Award for Entrepreneurship - Morgan Burns.
Elks Scholarship - Kylie Daniel.
Elks Student of the Year - Kaylann Scheiderer, Travis Powers.
Elks Community Service Award - Tristan Pankhurst.
John Phillips Sousa Award - Vincent Pontius.
Americanism Test
Tenth grade, Chelsie House, Robert Williams;
11th grade, Claudia Ludi Josh Ingram;
12th grade, Kylie Daniel, Tim Colwell.
Law Day participants - Jeremiah Bill, Krysten Dick, Kelsey Follmer,
Celeste Huffman, Sean Knaub, Gretchen Lawrenz, Claudia Ludi, Daniel
Nicol, Sarah Redmond, Cynthia Trivisonno, Josh Pitcock, Chris Reau, Matt
Farr, Marilyn Wright.
Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award - Kylie Daniel, Ryan Green.
OHSAA Courageous Student Award - John Woods.
OHSAA State Award for Service - Dave Saffle.
OHSAA Scholar Athlete Award - David Lambert, Rachel Bisker.
National Merit Commended Student - Victoria Bill.
Award of Merit - Stacy Alderman, Sheila Barnhardt, Ben Johnson, Victoria
Bill, Rachel Bisker, Nicole Boerger, Morgan Burns, Sarah Cantrell, Tim
Colwell, Kylie Daniel, Matt Farr, Elisabeth Haywood, Amy Johnson, Zach
Koehn, David Lambert, Kayla Lindamood, Jason Link, Ali Meddles, Lauren
Murray, Tristin Pankhurst, Vincent Pontius, Kaitlin Ricker, Rachel
Rinehart, Alicia Roberts, Kaylann Scheiderer, Chelsey Stillings, Kyle
Toops, Katie Wilhelm.
Honor diplomas - Jason Link, Lauren Murray, Victoria Bill, Rachel
Rinehart, David Lambert, Stacy Alderman, Ben Johnson, Tristin Pankhurst,
Tim Colwell, Rachel Bisker, Amy Johnson, Zach Koehn, Kylie Daniel, Kyle
Toops, Kaitlin Ricker, Morgan Burns, Kaylann Scheiderer, Vincent
Pontius, Sara Cantrell, Matt Farr, Elisabeth Haywood , Alexandria Meddles.
Valedictorian - Jason Link.
Salutatorian - Lauren Murray.
Class officers
President of Student Council, Kylie Daniel; senior class president,
Morgan Burns; class vice president, Lauren Murray; class treasurer,
Stacy Alderman; senior class secretary, Nicole Boerger; class
representative, Ron Burns.
Junior class president, Kristin Burns; class vice president, Claudia
Ludi; class treasurer, Cody Rausch; class secretary, Justin Noland;
junior class representative, Annie Nicol.
Sophomore class president, Danielle Short; class vice president,
Brittany Greenbaum; class treasurer, Stephen DeRoads; class secretary,
Mollie McIntyre; class representative, Tyler Boerger.
Freshmen class president, Margo Geer; class vice president, Hannah
Burnside; class treasurer, Jim Alderman; class secretary, Ellen
Scheiderer; class representative, Callie Scheiderer.
National Honor Society
Seniors - Stacy Alderman, Sheila Barnhardt, Rachel Bisker, Morgan Burns,
Sarah Cantrell, Tim Colwell, Kylie Daniel, Ben Johnson, Jason Link, Ali
Meddles, Lauren Murray, Tristin Pankhurst, Josh Pitcock, Vincent
Pontius, Travis Powers, Kaitlin Ricker, Rachel Rinehart, Kaylann
Scheiderer, Kyle Toops.
Juniors - Danielle Benedict, Kristin Burns, Allison Conklin, Krysten
Dick, David Grunert, Christine Hoerig, Leah Logan, Peter McCann, Grace
Mullen, Annie Nicol, Daniel Nicol, Justin Noland, Christopher Reau, Kyle
Weese, Jacob Williams, Marilyn Wright.
Sophomores - Kendra Barker, Tyler Boerger, Abby Burns, Stephen DeRoads,
Michael Fink, Sheena Freeman, Brittany Greenbaum, Chelsie House, Shelby
McCoy, Samantha McKean, Brooke Nicol, Ethan Nicol, Jenna Rinehart, Megan
Ryan, Danielle Short, Jennifer Stauch, Larissa Stauffer, Victor Fisher,
Kaylee Walk, Robert Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Molly Zimmerman.
Yearlong distinction honor roll
Seniors - Jessica Adams, Sheila Barnhardt, Rachel Bisker, Tim Colwell,
Kylie Daniel, Matt Farr, Jason Link, Lauren Murray, Tristin Pankhurst,
Travis Powers Kaitlin Ricker, Rachel Rinehart, Chelsey Stillings.
Juniors - Jeremiah Bill, Allison Conklin, Krysten Dick, Leah Logan,
Justin Noland, Christopher Reau, Cindy Trivisonno, Marilyn Wright.
Sophomores - Nora Boerger, Tyler Boerger, Michael Fink, Chelsie House,
Ben Lotz, Samantha McKean, Megan Ryan, Sara Schrader, Danielle Short,
Jennifer Stauch, Larissa Stauffer, Robert Williams, Casey Wilson, Molly Zimmerman.
Freshmen - Heather Abdalla, James Alderman, James Barnes, Hannah
Burnside, Colleen Clark, Austin Clarridge, Melissa Fink, Margo Geer,
Alex Johnson, Sarah Lilly, Adam Mapes, Korah Morris, Elizabeth Parker,
Manuela Perez, Nicolas Reed, Justin Rhoades, Kathryn Rohrer, Ellen
Scheiderer, Callie Scheiderer, Jordan Schrader, Melissa Simms, Robert
Stiles, Ryan Vollrath.
Yearlong merit honor roll
Seniors - Stacy Alderman, Morgan Burns, Sarah Cantrell, Elisabeth
Haywood, Ben Johnson, Samantha Kapp, Zach Koehn, David Lambert, Ali
Meddles, Josh Pitcock, Vincent Pontius, Kaylann Scheiderer, Katie
Wilhelm, Michael Williamson.
Juniors - Danielle Benedict, Hannah Dyer, Christine Hoerig, Celeste
Huffman, Sean Knaub, Claudia Ludi, Daniel Nicol, Grace Mullen.
Sophomores - Sarah Bardin, Kyle Barnhardt, Kendra Barker, Abby Burns,
Laura Campbell, Stephen DeRoads, Victor Fisher, Sheena Freeman, Diana
Hays, Kate Lucas, Shelby McCoy, Zach Merrill, Brooke Nicol, Ethan Nicol,
Jenna Rinehart, Kaylee Walk, Cassandra Wilson.
Freshmen - Ian Flagg, Marilyn Gingerich, Danielle Greenbaum, Robert
Heifner, Katherine Ingram, Nick Koehn, Colene Knaub, Josh Long, Bailey
Nicol, Hasso Opitz, Courtney Phillips, Alyssa Reau, Emily Rogers, Tyler
Smith, Daryl Starr, Brandon Stewart, Sarah VanDyke, Mackenzie Williams.
Perfect attendance
Seniors - Jessica Adams;
Sophomores - Michael Fink, Victor Fisher, James Palmer, Amanda Saltzman,
Ethan Nicol;
Freshmen - Marilyn Gingerich, Austin Keller, Jared Smith, Evelyn Tignor.
Mock Trial team list - Sara Barker, James Barnes, Rachel Bisker, Colleen
Clark, Allison Conklin, Kelsey Follmer, Eric Goeble, Jastyn Hamilton,
Christine Hoerig, Alex Johnson, Ben Johnson, Colene Knaub, Sean Knaub,
Sarah Lilly, Jason Link, Jeff Lucas, Kate Lucas, Shelby McCoy, Mollie
McIntyre, Tristin Pankhurst, Cody Rausch, Sarah Redmond, Nick Reed,
Rachel Rinehart, Kristi Scheeler, Melissa Simms, Sarah White, Tonya Wright.

City may crack down on PODs
Portable storage units are being left on properties
By RYAN HORNS
A new ordinance could put a clamp down on new portable storage
containers residents often use when moving from homes or doing
construction projects.
At the Thursday night Marysville City Council meeting the first reading
was held on an ordinance regarding "temporary buildings" upon
recommendation from the city Planning Commission.
Often referred to as PODs, Planning Commission's Alan Seymour said,
customers rent a large enclosed box to store equipment, household items
or construction materials and are able to enclose the box and lock their
belongings inside for safekeeping. When the projects are completed the
storage container is removed.
Seymour said the problem is that the PODs have been abused. Some
residents have rented the storage containers and have left them on their
driveways or lawns for extended periods of time.
The ordinance language states that a zoning permit would be required to
place PODs on property for 14-day periods. After that time has expired,
applicants may seek to extend the permit for an additional 14 days. Only
one extension is permitted and the cost of that will be the same as the
original zoning permit.
The ordinance also stipulates that only one portable storage container
at a time can be kept in the driveway of the property at the furthest
accessible point from the street and should not obstruct visibility or
block the sidewalk. If there is no driveway, permission may be granted
for its placement location.
Councilman John Gore said that if he were a resident needing to rent one
of these, he "wouldn't dream to have to get a zoning permit and pay a fee."
Seymour said that one example is of a man who rented a POD for storage
and then left for more than a year. The city realized there was no
legislation in the books to do anything about it. With this ordinance
the commission will be able to take action. Without it the PODs could
remain in some places indefinitely.
Councilman John Marshall said that it may only be an issue in Mill
Valley right now, but agreed something should be done.
Seymour clarified that the ordinance will only pertain to storage
buildings that are fully enclosed. The law would not affect construction trash bins.
In other business discussed, the city passed an ordinance to spend
$25,000 to replace the traffic light at the corner of Amrine Mill Road
and Maple Street.
Public Service Director Tracie Davies reported in a Tuesday memo to city
administration that the traffic light has been hit numerous times over
the last several years. The most recent incident happened about three weeks ago.
Davies said that the light was recently repaired, returning its height
to about 15 feet.
"Now three weeks later the signals have again sagged and are now
measuring 13 feet 9 inches in height," Davies wrote. "We had a
discussion internally and felt it would be best to fix the traffic
lights the right way instead of making continual repairs."
She said part of the problem is a drainage issue by the nearby
apartments. The soft ground has been a contributing factor in the
signal's sagging. Steel stress poles would be used instead.
Davies added that citizens have complained about the timing of the
lights, especially when there are school events going on. They can use
this opportunity to replace the controller and alleviate the problem.
In another discussion, councilman David Burke reported on the recent
Uptown Renewal Team (URT) meeting that occurred Wednesday night. Several
issues have begun moving forward in regard to making improvements to the
uptown area.
Burke said URT is looking to work with downtown business owners toward
improving building facades, showing them renderings, cost estimates and such.
He also announced plans to have a city mural painted on an uptown
building. Members are still trying to determine where and what would be
painted, as well as the cost.
In other issues discussed at the URT meeting, he said the city Third
Friday events will begin on June 15. He said this year URT will hold a
follow-up survey after the events, to figure out how to better generate
pedestrian traffic to businesses.
Other topics addressed included:
.Questions arose over the final reading of an ordinance to amend laws on
Traffic Control Devices, as well as chapters on some traffic offenses
and traffic safety/equipment.
Gore said that the ordinance was not clear and there is confusion on
whether or not anything needs to be changed within the ordinance.
City law director Tim Aslaner said that in order to keep within home
rule, the city needed to include the city's director of administration into the fold.
Gore said he understood that council and the state director of
transportation were supposed to be consulted, which has not been
occurring. He wondered if city administration has not been following the
current ordinance.
Kruse said he does not mind who is consulted for the ordinance. The city
normally did so in order to facilitate emergency changes needed on
roadway speed limits. Each issue could come before council, but it may
slow the process during emergencies.
The ordinance was tabled for further discussion until the June 14
council meeting.
.Council passed the third and final reading for the proposed Sidewalk
Replacement Pilot Program. This means the program has officially begun
and residents within the Marysville Historical District are encouraged to take part.

Hospital cool to idea of City Gate presence
By CORINNE BIX
Memorial Hospital of Union County (MHUC) said it would be premature to
purchase two medical buildings proposed for the City Gate development.
At Thursday night's board of trustees meeting, members were brought up
to date on discussions with the City Gate developers.
The developers approached the hospital in late 2006 to make them aware
that two medical buildings with an estimated 20,000 square feet each
were being planned for the development.
Spence Fisher, vice president of physician relations and business
development, said the developers wanted to give the hospital the first
opportunity to lease space in the buildings.
Fisher, along with Chip Hubbs, MHUC president/CEO, told the board that
the hospital wasn't currently in a position to make that decision
because of the recent purchase of medical buildings located at 660
London Ave. and 388 Damascus Road.
In addition the hospital has committed to lease space in the future Mill
Valley medical building.
The hospital is also in the process of working with AMDC, a strategic
facility planning organization, aimed at improving the hospital.
AMDC, along with a hospital organized planning committee, have been
interfacing monthly for the past several months to explore options,
including improving on and rebuilding at the current site versus
possibly building a new facility in the future.
AMDC is set to give its final recommendations in late summer. Hubbs said
in regard to City Gate the hospital would be in a better position to
explore the issue later this year once it has reviewed AMDC's proposal.
Andy Priday, manager of planning and business development, presented to
the board information on the Urgent Care located at the YMCA on Charles Lane.
The hospital has gathered seven months of data on the Urgent Care, which opened Sept. 1.
Overall, the hospital projected a total of 750 patients per month for
the first 12 months. The Urgent Care has exceeded these numbers with a
spike in March of 1,250 patient visits and 900 in April.
"In general, we are very busy," Priday said.
The average patient visit is around 45 to 50 minutes from sign in until leaving the facility.
Priday said this is considered to be a very good turnaround time, based
on other urgent care facilities.
Overall, from Sept. 1 through March 31, the urgent care is under
original estimated budget costs. The hospital has taken a loss of
$25,000 on the facility; however, a loss was expected because of managed
care negotiations.
The hospital has been negotiating with all the major health care
providers in order to be considered an "in-network" urgent care facility.
Hubbs said in order to jump-start the project, the hospital agreed to
take out-of-network payments.
All negotiations with managed care facilities have been resolved, with
the exception of Anthem.
"The hospital will see an increase in payments of 20 percent in managed
care agreements once the negotiations are complete," Hubbs said.
Hubbs gave the board information on the proposed senior levy to possibly
be on the November ballot.
The hospital has been brought into discussions regarding the proposed
levy because of its participation in the Mobile Meals and community
meals programs which are significantly subsidized by the hospital, Hubbs
said this morning.
Within the last three years, the hospital has shouldered a $760,000
operating expense subsidy for the two meal programs.
The board adjourned into executive session to consider the purchase of
property and to discuss two trade secrets of a county hospital. No
action was taken.
The next board of trustees meeting will be Thursday, June 28 at The Gables.
In other action, the board:
.Approved the finance and joint conference committee reports.
.Approved the initial appointment of Dr. Yun You Li, cardiovascular,
department of medicine, active provisional; Dr. Donald Simon, radiology,
department of medicine, active provisional status.
.Approved conclusion of provisional status for Marc Bowman, CRNA ?
department of surgery, allied health.
.Heard a presentation on Healthy Communities from Debbie Stubbs,
director of the health center.
.Accepted the MHUC Annual Report as presented at the April meeting.
.Accepted the MHUC 2007 Medical Executive Committee Conflict of Interest statements.
.Received information on the compliance committee/meeting dates and times.
.Received the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Report.

Alleged daylight burglars sentenced
By RYAN HORNS
Thanks to an unnamed local citizen, two daylight burglars will spend
years behind bars.
The Union County prosecutor's office reported that Jacob Howald, 47, of
Springfield, was convicted by a jury Wednesday on charges of burglary,
theft from an elderly person and receiving stolen property.
Union County prosecutor Dave Phillips said that Howald and another man,
James Quinn, also of Springfield, reportedly broke into a home in the
southwestern corner of Union County.
Following the conviction by the jury, Union County Common Pleas Judge
Richard Parrot sentenced Howald to seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
"The judge said he wanted to send a message that these burglaries have
to stop. I think the seven-year sentence sends a pretty strong message," said Phillips.
Quinn, who entered a plea of guilty to the charges, is scheduled to be
sentenced at a later date.
According to testimony from Quinn, the two men had come from Springfield
to "hit some houses."
Phillips said the two men were nabbed after they went to a home and one
of them went around to the back yard. A female inside the home witnessed
this and did not open the door. She called 911 and asked that deputies
be sent after the man returned from the back yard and urinated in the
woman's driveway.
The two men left and she watched as the pair went to her neighbor's
house and barn.
Once there, Phillips said, the men shattered the glass in the rear door
of the house and stole a jewelry box, several hundred dollars worth of
jewelry and a gift card.
"The 911 caller identified the car, gave the dispatcher the license
number and stayed on the line reporting what she was witnessing,"
Phillips said. "Two deputies were dispatched, but the men were only at
the house for a total of seven minutes. They were in the house and gone
before the deputies could get to the home."
Fortunately, Phillips said, the caller gave the license plate of the car
and reported the direction in which the two men fled. Computer records
revealed the car to be registered in Clark County, so deputies headed to
intercept the pair.
Phillips said that Union County Deputy Sgt. Don Eubanks thought the two
would return to Springfield and ended up stopping their car in Irwin. He
reported that Howald had an active arrest warrant and records revealed
he had previously threatened to shoot a police officer, so Union County
Deputy Eric Rose arrived for back up.
Officers found the stolen jewelry box and jewelry in the car, Phillips
said. The victim in that case returned to find his home had been
burglarized. The man had called 911 and told the dispatcher that his
wife's jewelry had been stolen.
"The 71-year old homeowner just missed them by minutes," Phillips said,
"He was only gone a short while. It was fortunate that he did not return
home sooner."
Along with the stolen jewelry, he said, deputies found a tire iron,
gloves and a crack pipe.
"Quinn testified that the two had smoked crack together the night
before. I suspect the men went to an isolated part of the county to
commit a burglary to steal something that was easily convertible to cash
or drugs," Phillips said.
Howald denied that he was involved in the burglary, but according to
Phillips, the evidence proved otherwise.
"He was caught with the stolen jewelry in his car. He was identified in
a lineup. He had a tire iron which could have been used to break the
window and he had small particles of broken glass on his sweatshirt and
shoes. To me, the evidence was quite clear," he said.
Phillips credited the 911 caller for helping solve this case.
"The two men were in and out of the house and headed out of the county.
But for this woman's willingness to watch out for her neighbor and call
the sheriff, we would have had a much more difficult time solving the
case," said Phillips.

Two injured in crash
From J-T staff reports
Troopers from the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway patrol
reported a serious injury two-car crash occurred Thursday in Darby Township.
According to OSP reports, at 10:27 p.m. a 2004 Lexus RX330 sport utility
vehicle, driven by Roben J. Gantzer, 54, of Dublin, was eastbound on Route 161.
At the same time, reports show a 1998 Mazda Protégé sedan, driven by Ann
M. Lenhardt, 34, of Unionville Center, was westbound on Route 161.
Gantzer reportedly struck a deer on the roadway, crossed the center line
and struck the Mazda sedan head-on. The Mazda came to rest off the north
side of the road and the Lexus came to rest in the center of the road.
Lenhardt was transported to Grant Medical Hospital by MedFlight with
serious injuries.
Gantzer was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital by Jerome
Township medics. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time
of the crash.
The OSP reported that the Union County Sheriff's Office assisted at the
crash scene, and the case currently remains under investigation.

Triad High School recognizes top students
From J-T staff reports
Triad High School will recognize students receiving scholarships, those
graduating in the top 10 percent of their class and those who maintained
a 3.0 GPA or higher during their high school years at its commencement
exercises Saturday at 2 p.m.
Speakers will include Cassie Bentley, class vice president, and faculty
member Payton Printz. Music will be performed by the high school band and choir.
Class valedictorian will be Chelsea Hempy, the daughter of Sharon and
William Hempy of North Lewisburg. She will attend the Kettering College
of Medical Arts and will major in nursing.
Amy Weaver, daughter of Shirley and Dean Weaver of Urbana, will be class
salutatorian. She will attend Ohio Northern University to major in
forensic science.
She has received a Presidential Scholarship and Ohio Choice Grant from
Capital University totaling $55,600 for four years. She also received
the Rev. J. Peter Buschmann Award for $2,000 a year and an Honor
Scholarship and Ohio Choice Grant from Xavier University totaling $8,900
per year. She has been awarded the dean's arts and science award,
distinguished scholarship, Tuition Incentive Grant, salutatorian
scholarship, on campus scholarship and pep band tuition award totaling
$14,000 per year from Tri-State University in Indiana.
She also received an Ohio Choice Grant, dean's scholarship and Ohio
Northern University General Grant totaling $16,700 per year from Ohio
Northern. She has received a Defiance College Grant for $2,400 pr year,
Defiance Scholarship for $10,000 per year and an Ohio Choice Grant for
$900 per year from Defiance College.
Rachel Berry, daughter of Jon and Robin Berry of Cable, has received a
$500 scholarship from KTH Parts Industries Inc. She will major in
agriculture education.
Shelby Black has received a $1,000 scholarship from The Scotts Company.
The daughter of Tamara Creviston of Cable will major in nursing at Clark
State Community College.
Kaylen Burchnell, daughter of Carol Burchnell of Urbana, has received a
$2,500 scholarship for Salon Schools Group. She will major in cosmetology.
Zachery Cauley has been awarded an $8,000 Achievement scholarship from
Defiance College. The son of Donald and Joyce Cauley, he will major in
athletic training.
Thomas Frost will major in engineering at the Ohio State University. The
son of Tom and Cheryl Frost of Woodstock, he has received a $1,200 per
year Scarlet and Gray Grant and a $750 per year Academic Competition
Grant from OSU.
Courtney Ferrell, daughter of Dave and Debbie Ferrell of North
Lewisburg, has received a $1,000 scholarship from Salon Schools Group.
She will major in cosmetology.
Lindsey Green plans to attend Miami University and major in
marketing/pre-law. She received an Otterbein Scholar Scholarship for
$5,000 per year, an Endowed Scholar Scholarship for $1,500 per year, the
Premier Department Scholar Award for $1,000 per year and an Ohio Choice
Grant for $900 per year from Otterbein College. She also received a
$4,705 renewable Ohio Resident Scholarship and $9,400 renewable Ohio
Leader scholarship from Miami University. She is the daughter of Chuck
and Peg Green of Cable.
Jessica Hill, daughter of Mark and Paula Hill of Cable, has been awarded
the Miss Cheerleader of America title and scholarship for $1,000. She
will attend The Community Hospital School of Nursing.
Whitney Miller has been awarded the William F. Gandert Ohio Housing
Authority Conference Scholarship grant for $750. The daughter of
December Miller of Bellefontaine, she will major in nursing at Columbus
State Community College.
Joshua Roberts, son of Mark Roberts and Bridget Eickemeyer of Cable, has
received an Academic Distinction Scholarship for $11,550 per year from
Bluffton University. He will major in pre-med.
Zachary Watson of North Lewisburg, has been awarded an Endowed Scholar
Scholarship for $1,500 per year and an Ohio Choice Grant for $900 per
year from Otterbein College. The son of Amos and Jacqueline Watson, he
will major in communications.
Tentative graduates for 2007 are Alex Alltop, Dustin Alltop, Cassie
Bentley, Rachel Berry, Megan Betts, Shelby Black, Kaylen Burchnell, Zach
Cauley, Skyler Coleman, Jessie Conley, David Coy, Brian Crabtree, Cassie
Current, Shephen Davis, Thad Davis, Tyler Deam, Lauren Donohoe, Miranda
Dutton, Cody Erwin, Brittni Ferguson, Courtney Ferrell, Thomas Frost,
Tracey Frost, Wesley Funderburgh, Brian Gall, Ryan Godshall, Jeff Good,
Lindsey Green, Nathan Hackley, Chelsea Hempy, Paige Herron, Jessica
Hill, Robert Hoover, Beth Huffman, Amber Hunt, Chris Kahler, Woody Karg,
Brittany Keeran, Adam Lee, Michael Meredith, Whitney Miller, Josh
Miller, Michael Millice, Andy Nawman, Skylar Noland, Ben Ober, Nic
Orahood, Jarrin Overfield, Matt Phillips, Tyson Phillips, Joey Rice,
Josh Roberts, Kristen Ross, Travis Sanders, Meghan Shaffner, Brad
Sowers, Sean Stoner, Jeremi Stuart, Ryan Thompson, Ashley Tilley, Pete
Tomlin, Tara VanHoose, Michael Wagner, Zach Watson, Amy Weaver, Brooke
Yocom, Ryan Yocom and Derek Young.

UCSO rolls out new vehicle
From J-T staff reports
A new tool for the Union County Sheriff's Office is expected to enable
deputies to have easier access to out-of-the-way crime scenes.
"For years we have used our personally owned ATVs for manhunts, search
and rescue, drug eradication," Union County Sheriff's Lt. Jamie Patton
said. "Due to the liability of using our personally owned equipment, the
sheriff felt it was time to use a department owned vehicle."
Despite some fun on the Union County Fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon, a
recently acquired HPX John Deere Trail Gator is what deputies have been
hoping for to ease the transportation of gear and officers to emergency
locations. The vehicle was purchased by the sheriff's office for $9,200
after a state contract bid.
Sheriff's deputies were given vehicle training Wednesday, which
consisted of driving through an obstacle course set up through John
Deere dealer Donnie Parrott of Richwood's Parrott Implement and the John
Deere Company's service representative Don Morgan.
Parrott said the vehicle will also be perfect for traffic control and
for security patrol during the Union County Fair this summer. According
to past police reports, the fair can be a time of increased crime.
He said the obstacle course enables officers to familiarize themselves
with the handling of the Gator. Other training was provided in servicing vehicle equipment.
The actual vehicle purchased was outfitted with a Union County Sheriff's
logo and is colored olive green instead of the usual John Deere green.
Patton said the vehicle will also be available for nearby Marysville
police officers to use in order to access crime scenes located off the
roadway, in fields or wooded areas. As an example Patton noted a recent
suicide in which the scene could only be accessed by crossing a large corn field.
It could also come in handy when officers gain access to marijuana crops
during their drug enforcement calls.

Covered bridges reopen
From J-T staff reports:
Historic covered bridges in Union County have recently opened back up to travelers.
Union County Engineer Steve Stolte announced that the covered bridges on
North Lewisburg Road and Buck Run Road opened to traffic on May 16.
"Probably no Ohio County has built two new covered bridges and renovated
a third one within a year since the early 1900s," Stolte said.
The two bridges both span the Big Darby Creek, a national state scenic
river. The new North Lewisburg Covered bridge replaced the narrow
Pottersburg Covered Bridge which was moved about one mile southwest of
its original location just off Inskeep-Cratty Road. The new bridge
accommodates two lanes of traffic with its roadway surface of 29 feet in
width. The bridge is 135 feet long and was built to handle legal loads
including modern truck traffic.
Stolte said that the new Buck Run Road Covered Bridge is also designed
to carry two lanes of traffic and is officially the longest single span
timber bridge built to carry legal traffic loads in Ohio. The bridge
spans 160 feet over Big Darby Creek.
The bridge were designed by Smollen Engineering of Jefferson and were
constructed by The Righter Company of Columbus.
Stolte said the cost to construct the bridges was approximately $3.2
million dollars, with 80 percent of the cost paid for by grants from the
federal government, generated from federal gasoline taxes.
He said the Union County Commissioners contributed $307,000 toward the
local share of the projects. State gas tax and license plate fees were
used for the remaining local share.
According to Stolte, the rehabilitated Pottersburg Covered Bridge, now
located at its new home on the North Lewisburg multi-use trail, will
open in several more weeks. The Shaw and Holter Company of Lancaster
constructed the 1.5 mile trail and rehabilitated the bridge at a cost of
$640,000. A federal transportation enhancement grant of $448,000 paid
for 80 percent of the cost. The village of North Lewisburg, the Union
and Champaign county commissioners and the Union County Engineer
cooperated in the sharing of the remaining cost to complete the project.
An official dedication of the new covered bridges, the rehabilitated
covered bridge, the Multi-use trail and the newly state designed Big
Darby Plains Scenic Byway is planned for June.

Area Memorial Day activities listed
From J-T staff reports
Marysville
On Memorial Day it is appropriate to remember all who have fallen in
battle serving the United States in an unbroken line from the bridge at
Concord to Little Round Top to San Juan Hill to Chateau Thierry in Word
War I to the cliffs overlooking Utah and Omaha beaches at Pont-du-Hoc in
World War II to Pork Chop Hill in Korea, the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam
and the latest battles in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Memorial Day is much more than just a day off from work. It is a special
day to celebrate the memory of our honored dead and what they did, and
express our thanks to family members who have mourned for them.
The names of more than 622 Union County veterans who were killed in
action or died during wartime since the War of 1812 are engraved on the
back of the Veterans Monument dedicated on Armed Forces Day this year on
the Union County Courthouse lawn. Another 175 were prisoners of war. The
back of the monument reminds residents that Freedom is Never Really Free.
As residents remember and honor the past, it should be remembered that
many of Union County's own have been on active duty during the past year
and many remain on active duty today. Some of them have been deployed
more than once in the current global War on Terror. They are standing in
defense of freedom and need support and encouragement. Military
personnel and their families know that freedom has a price.
Marysville Memorial Day activities on Monday are planned as follows:
.9 a.m. - Ceremony on North Main Street bridge to honor the dead lost at
sea. The Rev. Peter Miller will be the chaplain. There will be special
music by Elizabeth Ward and Scott Underwood who will play the Navy hymn.
Attendees will be asked to join in singing. Residents are invited to pay
their respects and add their voices.
.9:30 a.m.- The parade starts on Plum Street at Fifth and will proceed
up Fifth Street to Oakdale Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the
route will be shortened to go to the Veterans' Auditorium where the
ceremony will be conducted. Parade marshal will be the Rev. Ken Daft,
First United Methodist Church.
The Marysville High School Band will provide music in the parade and at
Oakdale. Organizations desiring to join the parade may contact the
sponsor, VFW Post 3320. Individuals may participate. American Legion
Post 79 members and scouts will hand out flags to children at the parade.
.10 a.m. - Ceremonies at Oakdale Cemetery (Veterans' Auditorium on Sixth
Street if inclement weather prevails). The Marysville Middle School Band
will give a pre-ceremony concert at Oakdale beginning at 9:30 a.m. and
the combined bands will play during the ceremony. Honored guests will be
former prisoners of war, Vietnam War veterans, and Gulf
War/Anti-terrorism War veterans. Veterans will be asked to stand to be
recognized during the ceremony. Lawn chairs may be needed for additional seating.
The guest speaker at Oakdale will be Pastor Daft who became the senior
pastor at First United Methodist Church in July. Daft retired last
summer as a colonel in the Ohio National Guard where he spent his last
11 years as the State Chaplain. He served 30 years overall - five years
on active duty and 25 in the National Guard. In September of 2005 he was
the lead chaplain for the National Guard in its response to the victims
of Hurricane Katrina supervising 64 chaplains who cared for the personal
and spiritual needs of the guardsmen.
Pastor Daft has served United Methodist churches for 32 years. He and
his wife, Linda, live in Marysville. They are the parents of four sons,
Doug is a mortgage banker in Cincinnati, Jason is in a graduate program
in philosophy at Ohio University, Brian is a senior majoring in
education at the University of Cincinnati and Jonathan has been serving
full-time in the Ohio Air National Guard.
Two local high school students will participate in the ceremonies.
Justin Noland will present Gen. Logan's orders issued in 1868, one of
the forerunners of Memorial Day celebrations. Justin is the son of Mike
and Mitzi Noland of Marysville. Throughout high school he has
participated in golf, basketball and baseball. He is in the National
Honor Society and is the senior class secretary at Fairbanks. He was the
Voice of Democracy Essay Contest Winner in Union County sponsored by the
VFW. The topic of discussion this year was "Freedom's Challenge."
Joshua Ingram will present Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. He is the son
of Arthur and Pennie Ingram of Milford Center. He has two sisters, Katie
and Lillian. He attends Fairbanks High School where he is a junior. His
grade school education was at St. Paul's and St. John's Lutheran
schools. Josh is a member of the FFA and will be the chapter's
historian. He is also involved in the science club and the drama club.
Wreaths will be presented to honor veterans of the major wars in which
the U.S. has been involved and the VFW sponsored Honor Guard will
provide military honors. Following the ceremony at Oakdale Cemetery,
there will be short services at the Catholic and Amrine cemeteries
conducted by the VFW and American Legion.
Marysville Memorial Day Ceremonies are sponsored by the Memorial Day
Committee with representatives of American Legion Post 79, Blue Star
Mothers Chapter 41, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 55, Hanna Emerson
Dustin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3320.
North Lewisburg
American Legion Post 258, North Lewisburg, will sponsor two parades and
conduct two services on Memorial Day. The times and locations are as follows:
8:30 a.m. - The Woodstock Parade will form on Burnwell Street beside the
Woodstock Community Church.
9:00 a.m. - The Woodstock Parade will then proceed west down West
Bennett Street to the cemetery.
9:30 a.m. - Service at Woodstock Cemetery.
10:00 a.m. - The North Lewisburg Parade will form on West Townsend
Street in front of Carter's Garage.
10:30 a.m. - The parade will then proceed east on Route 245 through the
business section to South Gregory Street.
11:00 a.m. Service at Maple Grove Cemetery.
The Triad High School Band will play and LCDR, James Griffith, U.S. Navy
Retired, will be the speaker.
The community will render honors (Navy 2 Bell ceremony and Legion firing
squad) to veterans who died during the past year and military members
who gave their lives in the War on Terrorism.
Ostrander
Ostrander will host its annual Memorial Day observance at 2 p.m. Monday.
Participants will assemble at Buckeye Valley West Elementary School on
Third Street and procession to the Veterans Board at the center of the village.
Master of ceremonies will be Comm. James D. Ward, Delaware County
commissioner, with Staff Sgt. Damion Warr scheduled as guest speaker.
The Gettysburg Address will be read by Vietnam War veteran Larry Crile.
Music will be provided by Karen Piper and the invocation and benediction
by Pastor Michael Norris. The Delaware County Veterans Association will
present a rifle volley and play Taps. The colors will be presented by
members of the Delaware Hayes High School ROTC.
Mount Victory
The Mount Victory Community Development Association will host its annual
Memorial Day Antique Car Show and Petroliana Swap Meet Monday at the
Mount Victory Village Park.
The nonprofit community celebration includes many activities, such as a
non-judged car show and a large display of gas, oil and automotive
memorabilia for show and sale.
Admission is free. At noon the William Britton Post 6817 of the VFW will
have a ceremony at the Sportsman Building located beside the park. Food
will be served at the Sportsman Building by Mount Victory United
Methodist Church, while the Ridgemont Community Service Club will sell
whole hog sausage sandwiches in the park.
This year's feature vehicle is a 1929 Ford AA truck owned by Jeff Bailey
of Florida, formerly of Kenton. The truck once belonged to his
grandfather, Howard Bailey of Kenton and was used for deliveries and
parades by F.H. Bailey & Sons. The truck was sold in the early 1980s
when the Kenton firm closed.
Jeff Bailey remembered the truck fondly and actively searched for it for
several years. On a homecoming to Kenton, he was surprised by two old
school friends, Rodney Hensel and Bryan Beaman, as they had located the
truck for him.
The truck has recently undergone a body-off frame total restoration that
includes the F.H. Bailey & Sons name on the sides. Jeff's father, Don
Bailey of Kenton, has also been involved in the restoration of his father's truck.
There is no entry fee for auto exhibitors and registration will begin at
10 a.m. The first 250 cars to register will receive a button showing the featured car.
The entire Mount Victory village will participate with yard sales. The
volunteer firemen will hold a chicken barbecue at Memorial Hall
beginning at noon. The antique and craft shops located throughout the
village will have extended hours. Flea market spaces are available
downtown. For further information contact Janie Seiler at (937) 354-5531.
For further car show or Petroliana swap meet information, contact Don
Houchin at (937) 354-5475.
Those interested may visit www.mountvictory.com.
Richwood
Area Veterans of Foreign War Posts will conduct memorial tributes Monday
in the Richwood area. Below is a list of services, which are open to the public.
The Richwood VFW Post 870 and American Legion Post 40 will conduct
services as follows:
. 9 a.m. - York Cemetery with Pastor Jim Wise of the York-McKendree
United Methodist Church as speaker.
.10 a.m. - Procession on downtown streets of Richwood, beginning at
Mills Chevrolet. The entourage will march to Gill Street. Those
interested in participating can contact Sam Chapman at (740) 943-3130.
.10:30 a.m. - Services will continue at Claibourne Cemetery. Cub Scout
Pack 109 will raise the flag, followed by the Star Spangled Banner
presented by the North Union Marching Band. Invocation will be given by
the Rev. Dan Grose, pastor of Advent Christian Church in Claiborne.
Speaker for the memorial will be Jerry Belt, a veteran of the Marine
Corp. A wreath presentation will be given by the American Legion Post
40, VFW Post 870 and Auxiliary.
.11:30 a.m. - Services at Price Cemetery near Essex. Speaker will be
the Rev. Bryan Lauzau, pastor of Essex and Richwood Central UMC.

School on schedule
Northwood Elementary should be completed by July 20
By KARLYN BYERS
Work at Marysville School District's Northwood Elementary is progressing
well and the project should meet its "drop dead" completion date of July
20, according to its project superintendent.
Chuck Oler of Ruscilli Construction Co. and the project's
superintendent, and Adam Drexel of Ruscilli, Northwood construction
manager, led Marysville School Board members and district administrators
on a tour of Northwood Monday evening before the board's rescheduled
monthly meeting at the district board room.
The facility is designed to be energy efficient and minimize noise
levels, as evidenced by the curved ceilings in each room. The curves
will direct natural light coming into the room, as well as deaden the
sound, Oler said.
Its library features flat black ceilings interspersed with narrow oak
panels. It also features a cement riser which creates a "stage" which
conceivably would allow the library to be used for small presentations,
skits or competitions.
Superintendent Larry Zimmerman said "hours and hours" of discussion
centered around the riser.
Northwood also features epoxy floors with a granular finish in restrooms
which offer an attractive, durable finish. Terrazzo tile would have been
nicer, Zimmerman said, but its installation is cost prohibitive.
The building's administrative area is highlighted with a laminated wood exterior.
The latter, according to Oler, "should last forever."
Ground for the 65,000 square foot building was broken in April 2006. It
is housed on 15 acres of land donated to the school district by Dominion
Homes and carried an estimated price tag of $10 and $11 million.
The facility is "very, very impressive," said longtime board member Bill Hayes.
Back at the board office, school board members passed a resolution to
proceed to place a 4.75-mill, five-year operating levy on the Aug. 7
special election ballot.
The action follows the May 11 passage of a resolution of necessity.
Monday night's resolution to proceed must be filed with the Union County
Board of Elections by Thursday, Zimmerman said, to get the issue on the
Aug. 7 ballot.
If passed, the operating levy will generate approximately $3.3 million
per year and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional
$145.47 per year, or $2.80 per week, according to the school district.
In other business, the board:
.Authorized the move of Shawn Williams from his current position as high
school dean of students to the position of high school assistant
principal, effective with the 2007-2008 contract year.
.Employed the following staff - teacher Lisa Adams, speech language
pathologist Angela Beeler, teachers Erin Handler, Jennifer Jones, Makiah
Maxton, Zachary Mylander, Allison Nagashima, Jeremy Pequinot, Morgan
Richards, Jodi Robertson, Mark Russell and Heather Williamson, all under
a one-year limited contract; Jeanine Philpot, aide, one-year limited
contract; Cherie Pugh, latchkey staff, as-needed basis effective May 2
and through the 2006-2007 school year, Nancy Schrock, tutor assigned to
Trinity Lutheran Church and paid for with auxiliary funds; Nick Adams,
Bob Arnold, Steve Fannin, Josh Hegenderfer Joe Jones, Chelsea Eggleston,
Amanda Lotycz, Casey Palivoda, Kylee Powers, Ben Lewis, Glen Lewis,
Andrew Mott, Josh Palivoda, Mike Pilcher and James "JB" Powers, all
seasonal help, all as-needed basis, all effective 2006-2007 and
2007-2008; Teri Heard, health care consultant, one-year limited contract.
.Granted two-year limited contracts to Jeanine Philpot, aide; Andrea
Wolf, special education aide; Jill Huffman, library aide; Stella Mohler,
occupational therapist assistant; Rainie Thompson, Susan Sexton, Pamela
McCracken and Shari Bickel, all special education aides; Donna Sharp,
aide; Jonathan Gibson, custodian; Matthew Murgatroyd, aide (receiving
center); Caroline Keiderling, administrative support; Jason Adelsberger
and Jason Jenson, network technician; Ann Leonard, food services; Amy
Morgan, administrative assistant for transportation; Larry Carsey, Robin
Hurt, Bart Taylor, Joseph Williams and Michele Young, all bus drivers;
and Elizabeth Fraker, Danyal Brogan and Vicky Landreth, all bus aides.
.Awarded continuing contracts to Elizabeth DeWiggins, special education
aide; Kathleen Hall and Tara Gilbert, aides; Laurie Davis, Barbara
Morris and Terri Sproull, Randy Spain and Joellen Webb, all special
education aides; Valerie Davis, custodian; Debra Beany and Josie
Anspach, health care consultants; Kelly McGraw and Debra Kelbaugh,
fiscal; Charles Jolliff, bus driver and bus aide; Susan Smith, special
education transportation aide.; and Christopher Gordon, bus driver.
.Accepted the retirement of John T. Carl as teacher, effective June 30;
the retirement of Stephen Wilson, custodian, effective Aug. 3; the
resignation of teacher Linda Casto, effective at the end of the
2006-2007 school year; and the resignation of Kerry Winks, latchkey
staff, effective May 31.
.Granted unpaid leaves of absence to Carrie Foust, effective at the end
of the 2006-2007 contract year; and the resignation of Kerry Winks,
latchkey staff, effective May 31, anticipated leave dates of Aug.
30-Sept. 28, and Kimberly McClincy, anticipated leave dates of Aug.
20-Oct. 26.

Crash cause probed
From J-T staff reports:
The Ohio State Highway Patrol released the names of two men killed in a
Monday morning plane crash in Marysville.
Pilot Evan G. Wood, 68, and passenger Walter L. Buchholz, 73, both of
Punta Gorda, Fla. were pronounced dead at the scene by Union County
Coroner Dr. David Applegate Monday. A broken clock inside the airplane
told the exact moment of the crash at 8:37 a.m.
The two men were flying in a 2005 RV-7A amateur built aircraft, which
crashed in a cornfield, four tenths of a mile west of 14373 Weaver Road,
less than a mile southwest of the Union County Airport.
Ohio State Patrol investigative officer Brian Jordan said this morning
that they are still trying to piece together the puzzle of where the two
victims were headed and why the crash occurred. Some reports have
indicated they were on their way up to Michigan to visit relatives.
Jordan said he could only add that there is new speculation on why the
pilot may have abandoned his landing attempt at the Union County Airport.
"Apparently as they touched down on the runway, they were headed from
east to west. Somehow he got off the right edge of the runway and struck
type of light for the taxi way," Jordan said. "It was approximately a
mile after that when they crashed."
He said an OSP pilot later discovered a plastic cover to the plane's
wheel lying on the runway as he was taking off to investigate.
"We haven't determined what happened," Jordan said. "We're
trying to put it together."
The Federal Aviation Administration is reportedly now investigating the
crash and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified.
The Union County Sheriff's Office, Marysville Police Department and
Marysville Fire Department assisted at the scene.
The OSP's Aviation and Crash Reconstruction sections are currently
working with troopers on the investigation.
Jordan said the FAA representative is expected to come out to exchange
information today and they will continue to follow their investigation.

NU begins pandemic planning
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
Recent natural disasters have displayed that a lack of planning can lead
to a disorganized response.
With that in mind the Union County Health Department is urging the
schools in the county to plan ahead for an influenza pandemic. The North
Union School Board began its planning Monday night as it discussed the
creation of a plan for the district.
A pandemic would involve a widespread virus infecting a large portion of
the population. Such an outbreak would cause many people to miss work,
disrupting basic services.
Schools are likely to have a higher rate of infection than the general
population because of the close proximity of individuals in the classroom.
North Union district nurse Cheryl Skeins said meetings with the health
department have led her to believe such a pandemic will almost certainly
strike at some time, but there is no way to tell when such an event may occur.
Skeins said the health department is estimating such a pandemic would
result in 30 percent of the workforce staying home and schools could
close for six to eight weeks. She said there could possibly be two
rounds of the outbreak, doubling the problem.
Although such an incident could be many years away, districts have to
come up with a plan on how to deal with such lengthy school closures.
Superintendent Richard Smith said it is difficult to write procedures
for such an event because of the changing nature of education. Trying to
figure out how to educate students at home is a difficult task, because
technological advances cannot be predicted.
Smith said it seems logical to educate via home computers, but not all
homes have them. It was also noted that something as simple as
television or even radio could be used to get lessons into homes in the
face of such a pandemic.
Smith said that as the district tries to put a plan in place, one
constant will remain a part of the district's plan - it will always
follow the directive of the health department and federal government.
The board also heard a report from curriculum supervisor Bruce Hoover
about the district's new value added instruction. Essentially, the
program, maintained across the state by Battelle, tracks student development.
Rather than simply compiling test scores, the program allows districts
and even parents to track the growth of students.
The program allows the students' progress to be tracked on a
year-by-year basis, to see if they are gaining knowledge at an
appropriate rate.
The district can then look at the data to determine where to focus resources.
In other business, the board:
.Heard a brief report on the 2007-08 school lunch program.
.Set the high school awards evening for May 23 at 7 p.m. and high school
commencement for June 8 at 7 p.m.
.Accepted with gratitude donations of $200 for the Kory Keigley
Scholarship Fund and $200 for the Richwood Garden Club Scholarship fund.
.Awarded the contract for summer construction work to B.C.&G. Weithmna
Construction for the amount of $234,900.
.Approved the district's support of the Constitutional School Funding
Amendment petition drive.
.Revised the regular Central Office Staff Employees salary schedule.
.Voted to employ Steve Somerlot as a high school teacher on a one-year
limited expiring contract for the next school year.
.Approved several supplemental contracts for certified and
non-certificated individuals.

Plane crash kills two
Pair of men from Florida killed when aircraft goes down near Weaver Road
By RYAN HORNS
Two men were killed in a plane crash in a field off Weaver Road in
Marysville this morning.
Union County Coroner Dr. David Applegate said two men "of retirement
age" were killed on impact. Both were pilots from Florida and he did not
know yet which one was piloting the plane.
Applegate said he could not release the names of the deceased until he
is sure their families have been notified. A full report is expected after in the day.
He said the men were flying a hand-built single-engine RV-7A
experimental aircraft. They had attempted to land at the nearby Union
County Airport, when they came in too long at the runway and had to abort.
Applegate said it appears that when they tried to turn the plane around
for another try, they went left and may have stalled the engine. The
plane went down nose first.
He said on the scene the propeller broke off during the crash and
embedded itself into the ground. The engine was also ripped off and was
located nearby. He said there was no evidence of a fire inside the plane
before it went down.
"A watch in the aircraft stopped at 8:37 a.m.," Applegate said,
pinpointing the exact moment of the crash.
Eye witness Michelle Phipps, from Plain City, said she was driving down
Weaver Road after dropping her daughter off at a friend's house. She
said there was a plane that suddenly went overhead. It caught her
attention because there was a trail of dark smoke coming from the craft.
"I noticed as I was coming around the curve, right before the airport
there, that this plane had taken off," Phipps said. "But it was still
incredibly low and it appeared at first to look like there was water or
something coming out of the tail end. But I think it was smoke . I have
never seen anything like that before."
Phipps said the dark trail made her pay attention as the plane continued
out across the field near 14373 Weaver Road.
"At first I thought it was a crop duster," she said.
The dark smoke soon dissipated, Phipps said, and the plane appeared to
be having difficulties as it approached the tree-line near Route 736.
"It looked like the plane was struggling to increase its altitude," she said.
Phipps said the plane went out across the field, seemed to clear the
woods and was then trying to turn back around.
"The next thing I saw was he was doing like a barrel roll," she said.
The plane's belly was the only thing she saw, she said, before it
disappeared behind the tree line.
"I slowed down and I pulled into a driveway to see if I could see him
again and I couldn't. Then I saw a puff of smoke," Phipps said. "I just
thought, 'Oh my god, I think I just saw a plane crash.'"
She said several farmers were in the field near the plane crash site, so
she was still skeptical of what she saw. Then a police car approached
and she asked the officer if he was looking for a plane crash. When he
confirmed he was, she knew it had happened.
"I'll never forget it," Phipps said.
Law enforcement crews used access of an old township road that leads
toward Route 736 from Weaver Road. Within minutes the road was closed
off to public access as medics went out to the crash.
Marysville Police officers reported that the Ohio State Highway Patrol
took over the investigation and that more information would be available
later in the day from OSP patrol commander Rick Zwayer.

Carved into history
Union County Veterans Monument dedicated
By RYAN HORNS
About1,500 supporters lined Court Street in Marysville Saturday morning
to celebrate the unveiling of the Union County Veterans Monument.
"You humble me," retired Army Maj. Gen. Oscar Decker told the crowd.
"This makes me feel so good."
The monument honors more than 1,200 U.S. veterans from Union County who
were killed in action, missing in action or were prisoners of war since
the Revolutionary War. All the names are listed on a 35,000 pound stone
monument and brick pavers, with a searchable database of more than
15,000 Union County Veterans available to the public for research at a kiosk.
Funding for the monument took five years to raise through efforts by the
Union County Veterans Memorial Committee. The monument began as a simple
quest to find a nearly forgotten World War II board of names, which once
graced the courthouse lawn before it was lost. But that search soon
turned into a wider scope: To remember and honor all Union County veterans.
Decker said the achievements of all the people involved in the project
were amazing.
"We made it," Decker said. "When you go out and raise $560,000 you don't
do that on a street corner."
When 350 people showed up in the cold and rain for the groundbreaking
ceremony last year, he said he knew they had touched on something special.
"Sometimes these things they take on a life with some of us personally,"
Decker said. "But when they take on a life with the community that's
what we really want."
Decker said he promised the Air Force there would be 1,300 people at the
unveiling to justify an Air Force fighter jet flyover.
"I think we did that and more," he said.
One woman who Decker singled out for her efforts was committee member
Esther Carmany, whose brother was killed in action while serving in W.W.II.
"She put more time in the project . more than anyone else," he said.
In the past week Carmany could be seen standing outside the Union County
Courthouse some mornings, appreciating the monument and watching the
progress. One day she expressed how glad she was that all the hard work
had paid off and the memorial was finally a reality. She said it was
such a relief to her, but she had always remained optimistic.
Throughout the week, Natural Grove Landscaping employees cleaned the
monument and completed the last minute details before the ceremony. Two
of which were there for the unveiling Saturday.
"It has been neat to be a part of this," worker Sean Stauffer said.
"Once you see all the people, that's what matters," fellow worker Kent
Forster said, looking around at the crowd.
When Decker spoke to the crowd he gave recognition to Corp. Kevin
William Prince who lost his life in Iraq after a roadside bomb exploded
on April 23, 2005. He introduced Prince's mother Sue, who sat behind him
on the stage. She received a standing ovation and applause from the audience.
"Thank you for coming," she said through tears. "It means more to me
than you could know."
"You don't realize the pain these people go through," Decker said.
The crowd was also entertained by a speech made by 102 year-old veteran
Opal McAlister, the oldest living veteran in Ohio. She joked that
nationally she is out shadowed by a 114 year-old male veteran.
"But I'm catching up with him," McAlister said.
She spoke about the history of American wars and why the Union County
monument is so important.
"It is lest we forget," she explained.
For generations, McAlister said, people will pass by the memorial and be
reminded that "liberty comes at a high price."
The weather cooperated with only occasional winds which removed the
monument's cover several times. But after the official unveiling, the
crowd applauded and the marching band played.
At that point families were allowed to begin to find their relatives
among the names engraved in the wall and brick pavers. Many kissed their
hands and touched the names of family members who died in service, from
fathers to mothers and children.
Veterans Ronnie and Marion London walked up to point out names of their
family on the wall. Their sister Pat Stoker from Plain City was nearby
and explained that her family had 18 children - 10 of which served in
the Armed Forces.
Ronnie said that it was great to see all the people who showed up to
support the memorial.
Current Iraq war airman Joshua Humble was also among the crowd. He
landed back in the United States on May 11, but is expected to go back
to Iraq in early June.
"I still have a lot of adjusting to do," Humble said about being back home.
He said it has been the small things he has appreciated since returning,
whether it is the smell of the air once he got off the plane in America,
or the trees and grass.
Humble also expressed gratitude for the heart warming response he has
received from the community since coming back.
"You don't realize the level of appreciation people have until you
return home," he said. "People come up to you and say thanks and shake
your hand. It's very humbling to me to see the amount of people who took
their afternoon to come and support our brothers in arms."

MHS announces academic honors for class of 2007
From J-T staff reports:
Marysville High School seniors Jessica Gerber, Leah Christine Hayes,
Ross Drake, John Cheek, Cassie Hines and Kimberly Leininger were honored
in two ceremonies Thursday as top scholars.
Gerber, class valedictorian, is the daughter of Robert and Carol Gerber.
She has been in band all four years of high school, including marching,
pep and concert bands. She is in National Honor Society, Leo Club and is
a member of First English Lutheran Church.
Gerber has been a 4-H member for eight years and served as president and
secretary of her club, the Classic Clovers. She is the founder and
secretary/treasurer of the first Marysville High School anime club, The
Animanga Club. She also is a peer tutor, and she volunteers at the
Marysville Public Library and the Union County Clothes Closet.
She plans to attend Miami University in Oxford, where she has been
accepted into the honors program. Her major is undecided.
She was named an Academic Champion of the Classroom, National Merit
Commended Scholar, and received the following awards: Academic Honors
Third Year Award, George Allemang Science Award, Marguerite Williams
Latin Award, National Honor Society Senior Award, President's Education
Award and Sarah Kathryn Demchak Memorial Scholarship.
Hayes shares class salutatorian honors with Drake. She is the daughter
of Mark and Rita Hayes and has been involved in many activities at MHS.
She played softball for two years, basketball for two years, soccer for
three years and tennis for one year. She also has participated in
National Honor Society for two years, In the Know for two years, Mock
Trial for one year, calculator club for one year, and Student Council,
where she holds the position of treasurer, for four years.
She is active in the community coaching soccer, and in Big Brothers Big
Sisters and the United Way Youth Arts and Recreation. Her future plans
include attending Carnegie Mellon University and majoring in information systems.
Hayes was named an Academic Champion of the Classroom and received a
MacIvor Scholarship. She also received Academic Honors Third Year Award,
National Honor Society Senior Award, Nestle R&D Science Award,
President's Education Award, State Board of Education Award of Merit,
Student Council Senior Leadership Award and Toyota Community Scholar Award.
Drake, the son of Stephen and Carole Drake, has been involved in the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, National Honor Society
for two years, soccer one year and football, one year. Outside of the
classroom he studies guitar, volunteers at Marysville Middle School and
works at Scotts Lawn Service.
He will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall and will
major in nursing. He plans to become a Certified Nurse Anesthetist.
Drake received the following awards: Academic Champion of the Classroom,
Academic Honors Third Year Award, MacIvor Scholarship, Memorial Hospital
Medical Staff Scholarship, National Honor Society Senior Award,
President's Education Award and State Board of Education Award of Merit.
heek, an Academic Champion of the Classroom, received an Academic
Honors Third Year Award, DAR Americanism Essay Award, Jim Kaufman
Chemistry Award, National Honor Society Senior Award, President's
Education Award, State Board of Education Award of Merit, Thelma Carey
Outstanding Math Award and Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award.
Hines also was named an Academic Champion of the Classroom. She received
MacIvor and Nestle R&D scholarships and received an Academic Honors
Third Year Award, and Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence, MHS Science
Faculty, National Honor Society Senior, Thelma Carey Outstanding Math
and President's Education awards, as well as the State Board of
Education Award of Merit.
Leininger, Academic Champion of the Classroom, also received the
Academic Honors Third Year Award, as well as Jim Harmon MEA, Leo Club,
Rotary Club of Union County, Union County Retired Teachers and Pat
Conion Memorial scholarships. She also received the NASSP/Herff Jones
Leadership Award, National Honor Society Senior Award, President's
Education Award and the State Board of Education Award of Merit.
A complete list of those recognized in Thursday morning's program included:
State Board of Education Award of Merit - Martin Ahern, Leslie Albanese,
Josh Alleman, Adam Allen, Gabe Andrews, Gary Bearden, Keriann Beatty,
Muriah Beeson-Kesler, Katie Bennett, Shane Blach, Zach Braithwaite,
Tabitha Bruchett, Amber Caldwell, Lindsay Castle, Rachel Chambers, Amber
Chamblin, Sherman Charles, Jonathan Cheek, Zach Coder, Alex Craig,
Lindsey Cripe, Sean Cunningham, Jacob Decot, Stephanie Devine, Lori
Distelhorst, Danielle Dokman, Ross Drake, Lindsay Dunbar, Matthew Earl
(Career Technology Award of Merit), Jessie Eggleston, Jordan Eggleston,
Daniel English, Jessica Erickson, Mackenzie Fenchak, Kyle Feucht,
Timothy Fridley, Jessica Gerber, Leah Hayes, Joshua Hegenderfer, Ashlee
Hein, Cassandra Hines, Adam Hodnichak, Amanda Hoile, Sarah Hotham, Kelli
House, Rachel Hoying, Sarah Jacob, Cory James, Kayla Johnson, Andrew
Keifer, Jessica Knox, Jeremy Lange, Nathan Laslow, Leah Latham, Kimberly
Leininger, Alexander Marquis, Kayla McCallister, Ericka Mobley, Danielle
Moon, Aashley Morgan, Sean Mulholland, Kyle Murdock, Ethan Newberry,
Amanda Nichols, Ashton Orton, Rachaelle Penrod, Roger Pettit, Nick
Platt, Leigh Ann Porter, Katie Powell, Kristin Preston, Mary Lou Ranney,
Evan Ransome, Ashley Rausch, Cassandra Rausch, Megan Reigle, Chelsea
Rider, Mary Rodenberger, Ryan Roeth, Virginia Rogers, Emma Roman, Paul
Ryan, Hannah Salmon, Sarah Salmon, Niki Sanders, Brent Sauner, Jacob
Schaeffer, Rachel Scheiderer, Emily Schellin, Brandi Smith, Jeffrey
Sondles, Christine Sparks, Zackary Stillings, Anthony Taylor, Michele
Taylor, Laurie Trout, Kevin Truitt, Grace Underwood, Hillary Westbrook,
Gregory White, Jacob Wilson, Derek Wyman, Travis Yoder and Bryan Young.
President's Education Award - Martin Ahern, Leslie Albanese, Josh
Alleman, Adam Allen, Gabe Andrews, Courtney Balch, Gary Bearden, Muriah
Beeson-Kesler, Tristan Browne, Tabitha Burchett, Jonathan Cheek, Zach
Coder, Alex Craig, Sarah Cunningham, Stephanie Devine, Ross Drake,
Lindsay Dunbar, Jordan Eggleston, Daniel English, Mackenzie Fenchak,
Timothy Fridley, Jessica Gerber, Erik Gray, Leah Hayes, Ashlee Hein,
Cassandra Hines, Adam Hodnichak, Amanda Hoile, Rachel Hoying, Sarah
Jacob, Cory James, Jessica Knox, Jeremy Lange, Leah Latham, Kimberly
Leininger, Alexandra Marquis, Ericka Mobley, Aashley Morgan, Sean
Mulholland, Kyle Murdock, Ethan Newberry, Amanda Nichols, Ashton Orton,
Nick Platt, Leigh Ann Porter, Katie Powell, Kristin Preston, Mary Lou
Ranney, Cassandra Rausch, Megan Reigle, Mary Rodenberger, Ryan Roeth,
Virginia Rogers, Paul Ryan, Hannah Salmon, Brent Sauner, Jacob
Schaeffer, Rachel Scheiderer, Brandi Smith, Jeffrey Sondles, Christine
Sparks, Zackary Stillings, Anthony Taylor, Michele Taylor, Kevin Truitt,
Gregory White, Jacob Wilson, Derek Wyman, Travis Yoder and Bryan Young.
Ohio Academic Scholarship - Mary Ranney.
National Merit Commended Scholar - Jessica Gerber.
National Merit Finalist - Zach Stillings.
Valedictorian Award - Jessica Gerber.
Salutatorian Award - Ross Drake and Leah Hayes.
NASSP/Herff Jones Principal's Leadership Award - Kim Leininger.
Academic Champion of the Classroom (presented to seniors who are in the
top 10 percent of their graduating class) - Leslie Albanese, Adam Allen,
Gabriel Andrews, Gary Bearden, Zachariah Braithwaite, Jonathan Cheek,
Zachary Coder, Stephanie Devine, Ross Drake, Lindsay Dunbar, Jordan
Eggleston, Timothy Fridley, Jessica Gerber, Erik Gray, Leah Hayes,
Ashlee Hein, Cassandra Hines, Amanda Hoile, Rachel Hoying, Sarah Jacob,
Jeremy Lange, Kimberly Leininger, Alexandra Marquis, Amanda Nichols,
Nicholas Platt, Katie Powell, Mary Ranney, Ryan Roeth, Virginia Rogers,
Hannah Salmon, Jacob Schaeffer, Anna Rachel Scheiderer, Zackary
Stillings, Michele Taylor, Kevin Truitt and Jacob Wilson.
Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award - Cassie Hines.
Prudential Spirit of Community Service Award - David Nicol.
Toyota Community Scholar Award - Leah Hayes.
DAR Good Citizenship awards - Zach Braithwaite and Kelly House.
DAR American History Award - Jacob Decot.
DAR Americanism Essay Award - Johnny Cheek
National Honor Society Senior Awards - Leslie Albanese, Gabe Andrews,
Gary Bearden, Johnny Cheek, Jacob Decot, Stephanie Devine, Lori
Distelhorst, Ross Drake, Lindsay Dunbar, Jordan Eggleston, Jessica
Gerber, Leah Hayes, Cassie Hines, Adam Hodnichak, Amanda Hoile, Rachel
Hoying, Sarah Jacob, Jessica Knox, Jeremy Lange, Kimberly Leininger,
Alexandra Marquis, Ericka Moblet, Aashley Morgan, Amanda Nichols, Ethan
Newberry, Nick Platt, Chelsea Rider, Virginia Rogers, Rachel Scheiderer,
Zack Stillings, Greg White and Bryan Young.
Business Certification Awards - Derek Dillard, Cory James, Jake
Schaeffer and Tiffany Yarborough, all accounting and finance; Grant
Bauserman, Mickey Gilbert, Aslee Hein, Leah Latham, Borden Marshall and
Jeff Sondles, all business accounting; Jacob Decot, Amanda Hoile, Kayla
Johnson, Jessica Knox, Kaitlin Marshall, Kyle Murdock, Ashley Rausch,
Mary C. Rodenberger, Crystal Wilson and Lloyd Wolfe, all business
management; and Lea Hayes, Josh Hegenderfer and Nick Ohnsman, all
computer technology.
Web Tech Club - Amanda Hoile, Grant Bauserman, Nick Ohnsman, Nick Piatt,
Josh Hegenderfer, David Nicol, Ryan Phipps and Matt Hakola.
In The Halls - Chelsea Burns, Lindsay Castle, Hillary Daniels, Greg
Eichert, Betsy Kale, Kristina Paver, Kristin Ratliff, Nikki
Schimmoeller, Dani Steepe, Katelyn Weis, Paige Whitley and Kaitlin Zitello.
DeKalb Award - Nick Leeper.
FFA Alumni Scholarship - C.J. Nichols.
Jason Mathewson Memorial Scholarship - Zach Braithwaite.
President's Challenge Physical Fitness Awards - Sasha Tsikanovich, Gabe
Kralik, Brandon Cruise, Brandon Lewis, Jonathan Fridley, Zack Zuene,
Cassie Rausch and Ted Cox.
OHSAA Scholar Athlete Awards - Rachel Scheiderer and Keven Truitt.
All Sports Awards - Rachel Scheiderer and Kevin Truitt.
Warren and Polly Widner Award - Sarah Hotham.
Barney Galloway Award - Gabe Andrews.
Dispatch Scholar Athlete Award - Rachel Scheiderer, Kevin Truitt.
Wendy's High School Heisman Award - Kevin Truitt, Rachel Scheiderer.
Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award - Tim Fridley.
Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award - Johnny Cheek and Kaitlin Marshall.
Ohio Mock Trial Awards - Clayton Brown, Jacob Decot, Kelsie Freshour,
Tess Gerber, Lisa Huffman, Caitlin Readon, Katelyn Weiss, Greg White,
Matt Gibson, Melissa Gilbert, Ben Hyun, Yoshi Martin, Stephanie Nusbaum,
Krissy Paver, Brian Price, Matt Sehnert, Conner Gifford, Aaron Nicol,
Mikayla Polacsek, Mary Lou, Malory Underwood, Molly Westfall, Brendan
White, Evan Zimmerman, Zach Braithwaite, Stephanie Devine, Josh Hill,
Aashley Morgan, Virginia Rogers, Zack Stillings, Shelby Howard, Kalyn
Humble, Jean-Sebastien Poirier, Ryan Pratt, Jessie Spletter, Anna
Strohm, Cara Clarridge, Casey Clarridge, Hilary Daniels, Amy Factor,
Sarah Marsh, Jenna Moulton, Kylie O'Keefe and Megan Schmenk.
Semper Fidelis Award - Alan Jones.
Thelma Carey Outstanding Math Student Award - John Cheek and Cassie Hines.
Outstanding Government Student - Oyun Ben Hyun.
Student Council Leadership - Gary Bearden, Lindsey Cripe, Leah Hayes,
Adam Hodnichak, Rachel Hoying, Rachel Scheiderer, Zach Stilliings and
Grace Underwood.
Outstanding English Student Award - Leslie Albanese.
Margrett M. Schultz Latin Award and Marguerite Williams Latin Award -
Jessica Gerber and Adam Allen.
George Allemang Award - Jessica Gerber.
Nestle R&D Science Award - Leah Hayes.
Jim Kaufman Science Award for Outstanding Performance in Chemistry - John Cheek.
MHS Science Faculty Awards for Outstanding Performance in Science - Cassie Hines.
Family & Consumer Science Awards - Britney Bowland (outstanding senior),
Gabe Andrews, Brittany Belville, Rachel Chambers, Brody Dille, Brittany
Glassmeier, Katrena Rogers, Karly Williams, Mallory Williams and Tiffany Yarborough.
John A. Strickler Art Award - Bryant Alvarez.
Student Achievement Award - Billy Renftle.
Lions Leo Club Scholarship - Kim Leininger, Ericka Moblet and David Nicol.
Jin and Gum Hyun Scholarship - Virginia Rogers
Michael Padovano Scholarship - Kris Grossman.
Corey Hoehn Memorial Scholarship - Lloyd Wolfe.
Elks Scholarship - Zach Stillings ($1,000) and Emily Rausch ($250).
Elks Student of the Year - Marty Ahern and Aashley Morgan.
A complete list of those recognized in Thursday evening's program includes:
Academic Honors Senior Awards - Martin Ahern, Leslie Albanese, Joshua
Alleman, Adam Allen, Gabriel Andrews, Courtney Balch, Gary Bearden,
Keriann Beatty, Muriah    Beeson-Kesler, Zachariah Braithwaite, Tristan
Browne, Tabitha Burchett, Rachel Chambers, Sherman Charles, Jonathan
Cheek, Zachary Coder, Sarah Cunningham, Stephanie Devine, Lori
Distelhorst, Ross Drake, Lindsay Dunbar, Jordan Eggleston, Daniel
English, Mackenzie Fenchak, Timothy Fridley, Jessica Gerber, Erik Gray,
Leah Hayes, Ashlee Hein, Cassandra Hines, Adam Hodnichak, Amanda Hoile,
Rachel    Hoying, Sarah Jacob, Cory James, Jessica Knox, Jeremy Lange,
Leah Latham, Kimberly Leininger, Alexandra Marquis, Borden Marshall,
Kayla McCallister, Ericka Mobley, Aashley Morgan, Sean Mulholland, Kyle
Murdock, Ethan Newberry, Amanda Nichols, Ashton Orton, Rachaelle Penrod,
Roger Pettit, Nicholas Platt, Leigh Porter, Katie Powell, Kristin
Preston, Mary Ranney, Cassandra Rausch, Megan Reigle, Mary
Rodenberger, Ryan Roeth, Virginia Rogers, Paul Ryan, Hannah Salmon,
Sarah Salmon, Niki Sanders, Brent Sauner, Jacob Schaeffer, Anna
Scheiderer, Brian Shaffer, Brandi Smith, Jeffrey Sondles, Christine
Sparks, Zackary Stillings, Michele Taylor, Kevin Truitt, Gregory White,
Jacob Wilson, Derek Wyman, Travis Yoder and Bryan Young.
Second Year Academic Honors Awards (3.50 and above GPA) - Bradley Annan,
Matthew Annan, Amanda Belcher, Aric Blythe, Mindy Bogardus, Christy
Bohlman, Katelyn Boldon, Cameron Bushong, Jarisah Carl, Karisah Carl,
Casey Clarridge, Nicholas Cooper, Alex Craig, Rachel Craig, Lindsey
Cripe, Sean Cunningham, Logan Dawson, Danielle Decot, Jacob Decot, Ryan
Del Grosso, Michael DeNoewer, Leah Drake, Matthew Earl, Lee Edwards, Amy
Factor, Richard Fetter, Rachel Forder, Valerie Froehlich, Breanne
Gamble, Jonathan Genzman, Ashley Gonzales, Robert Gordon, Stephen
Griffith, Alyssa Hare, Joshua Hayes, Joshua Hill, Sierra Hodge, Oyun
Hyun, Andrew Iden, Emily Jewell, Elizabeth Kale, Justin Kempfer, Erinn
Kish, Krista Koontz, Kellie Kunkler, Benjamin Lake, Bethany Langley,
Matthew Milholland, Suzanne Nichols, Kathryn Owens, Elizabeth Pease,
Kristin Ratliff, Brittany Rausch, Courtney Ricker, Chelsea Rider, Kelsi
Roberts, Eric Runyan, Shayla Rush, Andrea Sattler, Rebecca Schaeffer,
Nicole Schimmoeller, Julie Seiter, Zackary Shier, Andrew Smarra, Kristin
Smith, Jared Staats, Phillip Troyer, Carly Valentino, Katelyn Weiss,
Paige Wilcox, Matthew Williams, Abbey Wolfe, Erika Wortman, Tim Xie and
Morgan Yutzy.
First Year Academic Honors Awards (3.50 and above GPA) - Brennan Akins,
Frances Albanese, Jennifer Applegate, Matthew Baker, Alicia Belli, Kevin
Bennett, Megan Boissiere, Kelsey Browne, Gabrielle Campisano, Emily
Carpenter, Cornelius Cilliers, Cara Clarridge, Dylan Cook, Ted Cox,
William Cross, Kyle Danner, Kristina Decker, Elijah Demidovich, Paul
Devine, Samantha Doupnik, Jessie Eggleston, Gregory Elchert, Jessica
Ellis, Taylor Evans, Trevor Garrett, Tess Gerber, Kailee Gilbert, Kyle
Goins, Marissa Graham, Alexandrea Greenbaum, Michelle Gregory, Christina
Hines, Justin House, Cassandra Jackson, Julia Judlin, Benjamin Karn,
Ellen Keck, Desirae Kierner, Nicholas Kurtz, David LaFollette, Megan
Lahman, Sarah Marsh, Kayla Mayes, Matthew McCarthy, Hannah McShea,
Jessica Melowski, Meredith Merklin, Christian Merrill, Aisha Mohiuddin,
Brandon Nicholson, Joy Nowlin, Nathan Obakpolor, Kylie O'Keefe, Kerianne
Phillips, Mikayla Polacsek, Ryan Pratt, Brian Price, Austin Rausch,
Justin Rausch, Lisa Rausch, Samantha Ripley, Dakota Robinson, Mary
Rogers, Sarah Rogers, Nicholas Rotonda, Bryant Runyon, Kenneth Rusiska,
Carly Sampsel, Megan Schmenk, Jessica Seiter, Neal Seymour, Allison
Siegfried, Aaron Smith, Sarah Snook, Alisha Speaks, Zachary Tangeman,
Lindsay Tarbox, Ina Tolin, Lauren Tullis, Kyle    Vinson, Michael Waite,
Matthew Watson, Brendan White, Daniel White, Jennifer Whitley, Tyler
Wirtz, Jenna Wolfe, Lauren Woolum, Evan Zimmerman and Kaitlin Zitello.
Third Year Academic Merit Awards (3.00-3.49 GPA) - Roderick Ardrey,
Sarah Barker, Grant Bauserman, Katie Bennett, Clayton Benson, Kahla
Bernacchi, Britney Bowland, Ericka Bussman, Jordan Butler, Amber
Caldwell, Rachel Camp, Lindsay Castle, Amber Chamblin, Grant Chrispin,
Jessica Costello, Danielle Dokman, Kyle Feucht, Brittni    Gamble,
Mickey Gilbert, Joshua Hegenderfer, Sarah Hotham, Briana Hurban, Kayla
Johnson, Andrew Keifer, Courtney Kerins, Annalyse Klagge, Katherine
Komula, Nathan Laslow, Courtney Mabee, Kaitlin Marshall, Eric May,
Danielle Moon, Stephanie Morehead, Justin Morris, David Nicol, Zachary
Noteman, Ashley Rausch, Spencer Rice, Emily Schellin, Evan Shealy, Kyle
Simpson, Tommy Smoot Jr., Laurie Trout, Grace Underwood, Molly Westfall,
Carly Williams and Tiffany Yarborough.
Second Year Academic Merit Awards (3.00-3.49 GPA) - Derrick Allen,
Michael Babyak, David Boyce, Ashley Boyd, Zechariah Burchett, Joshua
Carte, Jamie Castle, Amber Clay, Brandon Creagan, Deziree Cremeans,
Robert Cullman, Jordan Dillahunt, Tosha Dillon, Andrew Ellington,
Jessica Erickson, Tyler Flick, Sarah Francis, Elizabeth Freudenberg,
Megan Harriman, Christopher Hecker, Ryan Hildreth, Kelli House, Albert
Hyun, Levi Keeran, Brandon Koehler, Nicholas Leeper, Holly McClary, Syed
Mohiuddin, Kristina Paver, Larissa Purdy, Cassandra Reck, Jessica
Rigsby, Emma Roman, Brandon Roshon, Christopher Rubadue, Trevor
Schimmoeller, Breonna Scott, Cory Shortell, Savannah Ulsh, Crystal
Wilson and Lynnette Worstell.
First Year Academic Merit Awards (3.00-3.49 GPA) - Joseph Acosta, Azia
Alexander, Stephen Beil, Shane Black, Andrew Bliss, Justin Bliss,
Samantha Bollack, Katelyn Bruner, Kasi Burchett, Erica Burkitt, Leah
Burns, Ashley Campbell, Amy Cheek, Darren Clark, Brent Couchman,
Samantha Cowgill, Anna Crowder, Brian Crowder, Kayla Crowder, Joseph
Cunningham, Shannon Daniels, Nicole Disbennett, Traci Downing, Michael
Easton, Kristina Engle, Alecia Epps, Levi Friend, Timothy Fry, Evan
Garrett, Nicholas Gibbs, Matthew Gibson, Kane Godfrey, Jacqueline Groat,
Nathan Groehl, Lindsey Grzeskowiak, Meghann Gugel, Christopher
Guisinger, Heather Hakola, Brittany Hammond, Shanna Hare, James Harris,
Justin Hayes, Brooke Hellmann, Aaron Hembree, Ernest Heyder, Jessica
Holland, Ian Hotham, Nicole Irvine, Jeremiah Johnson, Paul Kern, Daniel
Kibler, Connie Kim, Michael Klingman, Adam Kulaga, Ian Little, Andrew
Lykins, Austin Madsen, Hayley Mantz, Jacob Matejko, Megan McCurdy,
Nicholas McDole, Karrie McKinney, Justin McLemore, Robert Mead, Aubree
Meredith, Alyson Mowery, Brian Mullaney, James Murray, Jesse Neate,
Zachary Nichols, Mark Norris, Stephanie Nusbaum, Rodolfo Perez-Torres,
Caitlin Price, Kristopher Reese, Nathan Rohyans, Michael Jr. Rosebrook,
Jessica Ross, Kristin Ross, Brandon Schwyn, Braden Short, Cassandra
Slee, David Smith, Jackson Smith, Eric Spaulding, Bethany Spaw,
Christopher Spletter, Brittany Tackett, Carolyn Taylor, Teri Tompkins,
Cara Vanbrimmer, Elise Vetanovetz, Gabrielle Walsh, Kylee Watkins, Amber
Webb, Hillary Westbrook, Katherine Weinlein, Elizabeth White, Jennifer
Wickline, Scott Williams and Lakin Wilson.
Andrew Daum Memorial Soccer Scholarship - Nick Platt.
ArtBox Scholarship - Lindsay Dunbar and Bryant Alvarez.
Charles W. Green Memorial Scholarship - David Nicol and Tiffany Yarborough.
Choral Booster's Scholarship - Katie Bennett and Ashley Morgan.
Jim Harmon MEA Scholarship - Stephanie Devine and Kim Leininger.
Kiwanis Scholarship - Chelsea Rider.
Malcolm and Barbara MacIvor Scholarship - Zach Braithwaite, Ross Drake,
Leah Hayes, Cassie Hines and Rachel Scheiderer.
Memorial Hospital of Union County Medical Staff Scholarship and
Presidential Volunteer Award - Lori Distelhorst, Ross Drake and Rachel Scheiderer.
MHS Alumni Scholarship - Stephanie Devine, Ashlee Hein and Chelsea Rider.
Michael Cox Memorial Scholarship - Aashley Morgan.
Monarch Athletic Scholarship - Rachel Scheiderer and Greg White.
Monarch Quarterback Club Scholarship - Kyle Murdoch, Borden Marshall and
Derek Wyman.
Nel and Gene Hoopes Scholarship - Jacob Wilson.
Nestle $&D Scholarship - Cassie Hines and Greg White.
Pat Conlon Memorial Scholarship - Kim Leininger.
Sarah Kathryn Demchak Memorial Scholarship - Jessica Gerber.
Stiffler Edwards Journalism Award - Bryant Alvarez.
Union County Retired Teachers Scholarship - Ashlee Hein and Kim Leininger.
United Methodist Men and Women Scholarships - Grant Bauserman and Lori Distelhorst.
Rotary Club of Union County - Kim Leininger.
4-H Richwood Bank Scholarship - Jessica Knox.

'Dames at Sea' a rollicking spoof
Review
Editor's note: The following review of "Dames At Sea" was written by Kay
Liggett of the Union County Community Concerts Association.
---
This well cast Broadway musical spoof has sailed into town with some
memorable songs and nautical nonsense from three dames and their guys.
It contains lots of spoofing mixed with music and tap dancing,
hauntingly beautiful melodies - "Raining in my Heart" and "Good Times
are Here to Stay" - sometimes played with muted staccato trumpet that
really gets to a person. The percussion at one point sounded as though a
full band were marching through town!
Katie Paulson is Mona - a talented, overbearing, obnoxious, dragon-lady
vamp (a role to kill for!). What a voice! Her costumes are a visual
treat. She is the vocal music director at Marysville High School - lucky
students; lucky us. (Her students have won many grand champion titles.)
Grace Underwood, who plays Joan, is a MHS senior planning to major in
music and theater at college this fall. What a stage presence! She
controls the stage - really belts out the music to rattle the rafters!
Great actress!
Mallory Underwood is well cast as Ruby, a sweet innocent in this
"Broadway Trio" who hits Broadway singing with charm and naiveté -
perfect for her role.
The men: Rick Hudgel dances and sings his way into the hearts of the
girls and the audience. Evan Zimmerman has a charming "boyfriend" role,
tall and handsome. The ship's captain, Michael Cox, is the one the
leading lady hussy claims as her own. They sing a lovely duet.
The second act stage is set with the fore end of a naval ship - very
clever but a lot of work.
It's a good show with a lot of tap dancing and dance routines that have
the mark of Marian Carson - so you know it will be great!
The audience loved opening night, giving all a standing ovation.
"Dames At Sea" is sponsored by the Union County Community Concerts
Association. Performances will be held tonight at 7:30, Sunday at 3
p.m., May 23 and May 26 at 7:30 p.m. and May 28 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. All
performances will be held in the Union County Veterans Auditorium on Sixth Street.
Tickets are available at Creative Traveline, 106 N. Court St. or one
hour prior to each performance.

Honda engine plant reaches milestone
15 millionth engine produced
From J-T staff reports
Associates at the largest Honda auto engine plant in the world today
celebrated the 15 millionth engine produced since Honda of America Mfg.,
Inc. opened the Anna Engine Plant in 1985.
As the milestone engine was finished, a $75 million expansion project at
the plant continued toward completion later this year.
The project will transfer connecting rod and camshaft production from Japan to Ohio.
"Today we are not only celebrating a production milestone, but the
efforts of our associates, past and present, to satisfy 15 million
customers," said Dan Smith, Honda of America vice president and plant
manager of the Anna Engine Plant.
"Engines power our products. But people power our engines, and the
outstanding efforts of Honda associates in Ohio are the reason we
continue to invest in the expansion of our operations," Smith said.
The 15 millionth engine, produced on Line 2, is a 6-cylinder motor
designed for a Honda Accord Coupe to be assembled 45 miles to the east
at the Marysville Auto Plant. The Anna Engine Plant has three assembly
lines and two foundries, one for aluminum and one for ferrous casting.
The plant produces drive shafts, connecting rods, brake components and
other parts, as well as all of its own engine blocks and heads.
The Anna facility will serve as the engine supply source for the Honda
Manufacturing of Indiana plant under construction in Greensburg, Ind.
Production at this new plant begins in fall 2008.
The Marysville Auto Plant will have a celebration of its own later this
year. It was the site 25 years ago of the first Japanese car built in
America - a Honda Accord. The anniversary coincides with the production
of an all-new Accord for the '08 model year.
The Anna Engine plant reached its milestone 22 years after it opened. At
its current production rate - 1.15 million engines annually - it will
take only 13 years for Anna to build another 15 million engines.
Engines from Anna power the Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe, Civic Sedan,
Element and CR-V, and the Acura TL and RDX made in Ohio - as well as the
Honda Civic Sedan, Coupe and Si, the Ridgeline and the Acura MDX and CSX
models built at two Honda plants in Alliston, Ontario.
The Anna plant has been expanded many times, with the current project
transferring additional connecting rod and crankshaft business from
Japan. Honda's investment in the Anna Engine Plant now exceeds $1.4 billion.
Honda employs more than 15,000 Ohioans, including 12,500 at Honda of
America. Honda of America investment alone in Ohio totals more than $6.2 billion.

Charles W. Fairbanks Family Festival scheduled for Saturday
Family is the keyword in the Charles W. Fairbanks Family Festival.
The event will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on The Green in
Unionville Center and is focused on free family entertainment.
WCOL radio personality Joe Boxer will MC the live entertainment. The
schedule opens with Naveah, an alternative rock band, at 11 a.m. Local
country singer Mollie McIntyre is on at noon.
Classic rock and county band 3 Wheel Drive takes the stage at 12:45 p.m.
David Crone, a comedic magician and ventriloquist, will entertain at 3:15 p.m.
Mollie McIntyre returns to the stage at 4 p.m. and our headliner Arnette
Howard and Friends, with their own style of contemporary pop with a
touch of Creole funk, begins at 4:30 p.m.
The free children's play area includes a climbing wall, an inflatable
bounce and an adrenaline rush obstacle course.
There will also be a corn hole tournament. The entry deadline is noon on
the day of the festival. The tournament begins at 1 p.m. First, second
and third place winnings are based on a 50/50 jackpot. There is an entry
fee for participation.
Food vendors, exhibits, strolling entertainers and raffles will round out the day.
For more information, those interested may visit the Web site
www.charleswfairbanksfestival.com
The fourth annual festival is named for Charles W. Fairbanks who served
as vice-president of the United States under Theodore Roosevelt from
1901 to 1905. He was born on a farm just outside of Unionville Center.

'He murdered our hearts'
Family wants man convicted of 1981 murder kept in prison
By RYAN HORNS
A group of Marysville sisters are facing the tough future of knowing
that the man who killed their brother may soon be let out of prison.
On March 1, 1981 George Shockey was shot six times in the back with .357
Magnum while covering a shift for another worker at the former Omega Oil
gas station, now the location of Advance Auto Parts on Delaware Avenue.
Shockey had a newborn son, just seven days old, at the time of the murder.
Since then, the victim's surviving family said they have taken solace in
the fact that the man responsible for the crime was securely locked up in prison.
Sentenced to 17 years to life for the murder, Robert Strausbaugh, 48,
has spent the past 26 years behind bars. However, on March 26 the Ohio
Parole Board will consider granting his release from the Allen
Correctional Institution in Lima.
Shockey's five outspoken sisters and his niece have requested a full
parole board hearing in order to keep Strausbaugh locked up. The meeting
is scheduled for June 11 at 2:30 p.m. at the Columbus Adult Parole
Authority building, 1030 Alum Creek Drive. They are also asking Union
County residents to help by writing letters or calling the parole board.
The family members gathered recently to discuss the murder and how it
has affected their lives.
"I know eventually he is going to get out," Shockey's youngest sister,
Ann Lowe, said. "But I don't want him anywhere near Union County."
Lowe said officials at the Franklin County jail set Strausbaugh free
once before from a previous prison term, with the understanding that he
would be closely supervised and could be a reliable informant to a
critical drug investigation. Three days into that release, he killed her brother.
"It's pretty obvious that he was not being closely watched," Lowe said.
"So if he gets out of prison now or even later, who is going to watch
him to make sure that he does not crush someone else's life?"
According to reports of the murder, after shooting Shockey over a money
dispute, Strausbaugh then waited on customers while his victim bled to
death in the back room of the gas station. He took the money as people
bought gasoline and when they left, he drove away.
One customer, though, noticed how Strausbaugh placed the cash in his
pocket instead of the register. That set off a red flag and the man
called the Union County Sheriff's Office. Shockey's body was found by
deputies a short time later.
The sheriff's office investigated the murder because at that time
because the city limits did not extend to the Omega station and was
considered in the county.
Therein lies the frustration of a family, who say they have spent almost
three decades dealing with the murder. While they know some think
Strausbaugh has served his time, they also feel a life sentence should
mean a life sentence.
"He does not deserve to be released from prison," sister Mary Price
said. "What he did that day ruined our lives forever. He didn't just
murder my brother, he murdered our hearts as well. No one knows the
suffering we go through every day unless you have walked in our shoes.
How can the parole board even consider letting him out? A lot of people
might think he has served his time after 26 years, but we don't. When he
killed my brother, he killed each and every one of us."
Angie Davidson was just a girl when her uncle was killed, yet talking
about the murder still brings tears. She said what hurt the most was
learning from the coroner's report that her uncle could have lived.
"He would have survived the third bullet," she said, as the sisters
offered her tissues, "but then the idiot decided to shoot him three more times."
Davidson wonders how the community will feel about having a murderer
back in their town. She added that Strausbaugh's potential release from
prison is set to fall on their parent's wedding anniversary.
"That's not a day to celebrate him getting out," Davidson said. "We
still don't feel safe with him around. We don't trust anybody anymore."
During the newspaper's interview, an old green book sat on a table. It
has filled over the years by Shockey's sisters with newspaper clippings
about the murder. They took it out again to remember.
Lowe said her brother has always been in her thoughts. On the wall
behind her rests a picture of a young Shockey mounted on a wooden shelf.
It was one of the last photos taken of him before he was killed. Other
sisters in the room talked about his favorite coat, how he loved
fishing, loved the snow, or how much ruckus they would all cause together.
"We are fighting to keep a murderer in prison," Davidson said. "I would
give anything to have my uncle back. You know, I would be happy with the
fact if George were the one in jail. At least we would get to see him."
"We get to see my brother at the grave site. How fair is that?" Price
said. "George never got to see his son grow up."
Part of the difficulty of dealing with Strausbaugh's potential release,
Lowe said, is that he would come right back into the same community.
With a large family still holding a lot of anger, they worry about how
they will deal with having him in town. They also worry about what he
may still be capable of doing.
"Life is not the same anymore. We still are a family, but there is a
hole. Our brother is gone," Rachel Miller said, Shockey's oldest sister.
She said she sometimes forgets and wonders what her brother is doing
that day - then she remembers. "Oh, that's right," Miller said. "He is dead."
Union County residents may help the family by calling the Office of
Victim Service at (888) 842-8464 or writing a letter to the parole
board. People may send their letter to: The Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation, 1050 Freeway Drive, North Columbus, OH. 43229 or send
them to Ann Lowe at 871 Southwood Drive in Marysville, OH. 43040.
All pages must have "Robert Strausbaugh A165010 Allen Correctional
Institution" in bold text and underlined on each page.

1957 MHS grad will   be speaker at Alumni Banquet
From J-T staff reports
Edward E. Hagenlocker, Marysville High School Class of 1957, will be the
guest speaker at the 128th MHS Alumni Banquet.
The event will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at Marysville High School.
Hagenlocker resides in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., with his wife, Sylvia
Burnside (MHS 1957). A former executive at Ford Motor Company, he will
relate memories of Marysville High School and the values that were
formed during those years. He also will share thoughts on some of the
forces that are changing the United States economy.
Hagenlocker joined the Ford Motor Company as a research scientist in
1964. He was elected vice president and named general manager of truck
operations in 1986, appointed vice president of general operations for
Ford North American Automotive Operations in 1992, and appointed
executive vice president in 1993. In 1994 he was elected president of
Ford Automotive Operations and in 1996 was named chairman, Ford of Europe.
He served as vice chairman of Ford Motor Company in 1996 and chairman of
Visteon Automotive Systems from 1997 until his retirement in 1999.
Hagenlocker also is a director of Air Products and Chemicals Inc.,
AmeriSourceBergen Corporation, American Standard Inc. and Alcatel-Lucent
Corporation.
He will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his MHS graduation.
The Marysville Alumni Association was formed after exercises for
Marysville High School's first commencement ended on June 5, 1879. It
was formed by the five new graduates and has met annually since to renew
old friendships, revive school-day memories, welcome new graduates and
celebrate the common heritage of graduates of Marysville High School,
according to "Monarch Tales" alumni newsletter.

UCSO honored by senior citizens group
From J-T staff reports:
The Union County Sheriff's Office was honored at the 32nd annual Central
Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame awards Wednesday at the Martin Janis
Senior Center in Columbus.
Sheriff Rocky Nelson and members of his staff were on hand to accept the
award for outstanding service to seniors. The agency was honored for
implementing innovative programs that benefit Union County Seniors.
"Sheriff Rocky Nelson truly cares about our seniors.," Union County
Council on Aging Executive Director Dick Douglass said. "His attitude is
reflected by his staff in their service to our community."
According to the awards program, the department was singled out for
starting Project Lifesaver ? a rapid response program that helps locate
people who wander from caregivers because of Alzheimer's disease. The
program has been used with success across the country but the Union
County Sheriff's Department's Project Lifesaver was one of the first
implemented in central Ohio.
Other programs also lead to the award, including:
.Emergency cell phones provided to Union County seniors free of charge.
The emergency-only phones can be used to call 911 in an emergency.
.Senior Watch allows the sheriff's department to check on older Union
Countians. Residents in the program receive daily phone calls to check
on their well-being and others receive visits from sheriff's deputies to
check on their safety.
.Emergency beacons and address signs are available to seniors in Union
County. The resident receives an adapter for their front porch light to
signal first responders in case of emergency. Seniors may also receive a
reflective address sign to assist in locating the home. The materials
for this program were purchased with an Ohio Criminal Justice Grant.
.Self-defense classes for seniors.
.Assisting with senior functions like Senior Day at the Union County
Fair and partnering with the Union County Council on Aging and local
religious groups to deliver Christmas gifts to local homebound seniors.
"The sheriff's office takes a personal interest in each senior they
serve," Douglass said. "We have a wonderful partnership here in Union County."

Triad to purchase corrective reading program
By CORINNE BIX
Triad schools will purchase a corrective reading program for grades two
through 12 within the next several months.
Lindsay Quirk, special education teacher, and Mary Reiser, special
education director, presented their recommendation to the board
Wednesday night.
Quirk and Reiser explained that six total reading programs and
comparative studies were examined before a final recommendation was made
for the McGraw Hill SRA (Science Research Associates) curriculum.
The program will target "Tier III" students who require additional
resources and instruction to improve their reading skills. The district
already has in place an early reading intervention program for grades K-1.
Dan Kaffenbarger, superintendent, said the district already has in place
programs to help "Tier I" and "Tier II" students who need extra instruction.
He said it is normal to have about 5 percent of a student population
fall into the "Tier III" category. The district is currently screening
students to determine what category they should be placed in.
The program is estimated to cost about $24,000 and it is estimated that
$16,000 of that cost will be grant funded.
Kaffenbarger reported that the district would begin implementing the
Dazzle Student information system to replace the current DOS based
system implemented in the mid-1980's.
The overall conversion cost to the updated system will be $2,000.
The district is in the process of interviewing for the elementary school
library aide position. Kaffenbarger said he should have a recommendation
by the June meeting.
At the April meeting, Kaffenbarger said that the district would need to
add back 1 1/2 positions, including a math teacher, at the high school
and a library aide.
The current elementary/middle school library aide splits her time
between the two buildings. The district would like to hire a full time
library aide for the elementary school.
The current full-time elementary/middle school library aide would then
split her time between the middle school library and as a literacy
associate. The literacy associate position is completely grant-funded.
Wednesday night, the board approved the transfer of Becky Creighton from
a one-seventh math and technology coordinator position to fill the
full-time math position at the high school.
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Mary Binge as
kindergarten teacher for the purpose of retirement. Binge has taught for 35 years.
Craig Meredith, elementary principal, said Binge would be truly missed.
"Mrs. Binge is one of those teachers who is leaving with the same
passion for teaching as she did when she first started," Meredith said.
The district is in the process of filing an insurance claim due to
damage from a lighting strike earlier this month. The storm caused
damage to the district's transportation radio equipment, a dot matrix
printer, diesel tank probe, computer switches and the T1 switch for
Internet connection.
The board adjourned into executive session for an appeal of a student
expulsion. No action was taken.
The next regular board meeting will be June 14 at 7 p.m. in the modular boardroom.

Lightning strike sparks house fire
From J-T staff reports
A home in York Township was destroyed after being hit by a lightening
strike caused by Tuesday night storms.
Liberty Township Fire Department reported this morning that crews were
sent to a two-story home at 19399 Powderlick Road after dispatchers
received the call at 11:52 p.m. Tuesday.
The department reported that the lightening strike also ruptured a
propane gas line, which combined with the heavy winds, made
extinguishing the fire more difficult. As a result, the house suffered
extensive damage and the second story is mostly destroyed. The Union
County Red Cross is currently assisting the family.
The fire reportedly resulted in no injuries to the residents or fire
crews. Liberty Township indicated that two adults and a young child
living in the home were able to escape and firemen also were able to
save the family cat.
Fire crews were at the scene until about 4:45 a.m. making sure the fire
was fully extinguished.
Liberty Township reported receiving mutual aid from the city of
Marysville, Allen Township, Northern Union County Fire District,
Leesburg Township, Perry Township and Mt. Victory.

Dedication set for Saturday
From J-T staff reports
What started as a dream will become a reality when the Union County
Veterans' Monument and Plaza will be dedicated Saturday, Armed Forces
Day, at 11 a.m. on the Courthouse lawn.
After five years of planning and raising more than $500,000, the
committee will unveil the monument and plaza to honor all Union County
veterans - past, present and future.
Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. Veterans are
requested to wear their caps, ribbons and medals.
The program will last approximately an hour and include an Air Force
F-16 fly over. Guests may want to bring chairs.
Court Street between Fifth and Sixth streets will be closed for handicap
parking. Cars with handicap stickers should enter from Sixth Street.
Fifth Street from Maple Street to the parking lot at First Presbyterian
Church will be open.
Customers will have access to Huntington National Bank and Richwood
Bank. The street closures will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Susan Prince, formerly of Plain City, mother of Kevin William Prince who
was killed in April 2005 during a tour of duty in Iraq is among the
dignitaries expected. Also anticipated are Ohio House Rep. Tony Core, a
representative from Deborah Pryce's Office and Timothy Espich, director
of the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs.
Eagle Scouts Matt Williams, Troop 101, Justin Kemper, Troop 155.
Jeremiah Bill, Troop 158, Andrew Ellington, Troop 287, Ben White, Troop
355, Nathan Brail, Troop 355, Matt Himmler, Troop 355, Clayton Custer,
Troop 440, Andrew Custer, Zackery Spurlock and Russell Crosthwaite, all
Troop 440, and Josh Hodnichak, Adam Hodinchak, Jim Palmer and Greg
Elkert, all Troop 634, will participate in the dedication. Only 4
percent of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts.
Tabitha Burchett, Gold Scout of Troop 712, Kattie Bennett, Silver Scout
of Troop 712, Kattie Davie, Silver Scout of Troop 712 and Kattie Weiss,
Silver Scout of Troop 712 will assist with the dedication ceremony
representing the Girl Scouts.
After the dedication, individuals will be able to view the 796 names of
Union County residents who have given their lives during wartime or who
were prisoners of war, browse the 1,400-plus pavers and look at the
computer database of those who have submitted their service information.

Charges filed against business
In rare move, officials bring felony counts against local bar
By RYAN HORNS
The future of local bar Lee Dog's Locker Room could be in jeopardy,
after hefty drug-related fines and numerous arrests cast a shadow over
the business in mid-April.
As part of recent indictments against five people accused of trafficking
drugs through the bar, the Union County Grand Jury charged the business
itself with crimes that could lead up to $60,000 in fines. A five-count
indictment against Lee Dog Inc. was also included among the charges.
The business is charged with one fourth-degree felony aggravated
trafficking in drugs charge; one fifth-degree felony aggravated
trafficking in drugs charge; two fifth-degree felony permitting drug
abuse charges; and one first-degree felony engaging in a pattern of
corrupt activity charge.
"Lee Dog Inc. is a corporation," Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips
said. "A corporation is a legal entity, which can be charged with a crime."
Although the law permits such charges to be filed, such filings are a rarity.
"Not very frequently," Phillips said. "It doesn't come up very often."
He said that a corporation can be held liable when one of its officers
or administrators commits a crime to further the business. In this case,
he said, bar owner Lee Alderson, 37, of 18205 Harmon Patrick Road was
indicted on one fourth-degree felony aggravated trafficking in drugs
charge; one fifth-degree felony trafficking in drugs charge; two
fifth-degree felony permitting drug abuse charges and one first-degree
felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity charge. He said
Alderson's crimes make the corporation at fault.
In addition to Alderson's charges, the Ohio Investigative Unit served
warrants for Sheila L. Wyatt, 36, of 21302 Peoria Loop Road in Raymond,
for second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and first-degree felony
engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; Dennis G. Smith, 33, of 321
W. Third St., for four fourth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine
charges, one third-degree felony trafficking in cocaine, one
second-degree felony trafficking in cocaine charge and one first-degree
felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; Ricia Cain (AKA Ricia
Marrs), 32, of 569 E. Tenth St., No. 141, for fourth-degree felony
trafficking in cocaine and one first-degree felony engaging in a pattern
of corrupt activity; and Joshua S. Bradley, 23, of Delaware for one
fourth-degree felony trafficking in cocaine and one first-degree felony
engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Phillips did not indicate which people were employees and which were
customers, among those indicted.
He said that the law stipulates a business entity can only be sentenced
through fines, no prison time. The repercussions for the bar could mean
reorganization and changing the way the business is run.
He said that first-degree felony charges against business entities can
result in up to a $25,000 fine. Second-degree felony offenses can result
in a $20,000 fine, third-degree felonies up to a $15,000 fine,
fourth-degree felony offenses a $10,000 and fifth-degree felony offenses
a $7,500 fine, he said. If found guilty of the crimes, fines could run
consecutively - in this case up to $60,000.
The business, along with its owner, staff and numerous customers accused
of drug trafficking, was arraigned Monday in hearings that began at 1:30
p.m. Alderson is being represented by Marion attorney J.C. Ratliff.
After months of investigating, law enforcement came down on criminal
activity at Lee Dog's Locker Room in early April. The Marysville Police
Department worked with the Ohio Investigative Unit in an ongoing
investigation into illegal activity at the local bar and grill. The
investigation resulted in numerous arrests.
"The establishment was temporarily closed while agents conducted a
permit inspection of the premises and the employees were arrested,"
police reported during the arrests. "The investigation spanned several
months and was made possible with the cooperation of the Ohio
Investigative Unit working closely with Marysville Police investigators.
The investigation will be continuing with additional charges expected to
be filed."
The Ohio Investigative Unit also served Alderson, as owner of the bar,
with several civil permit violations that will be filed with the Ohio
Liquor Commission.
Phillips said he has not heard of any updates regarding what action the
commission may take.
Marysville Assistant Police Chief Glenn Nicol said that despite being
closed during the arrests, the business remains open for business.

Foul ball
Sewage backup near Richwood Little League field draws questions on
responsibility
By CHAD WILLIAMSON
Usually when a stink is raised at the ball park it is the umpire's,
rather than village council's, job to sort things out.
On a recent spring afternoon a gurgling mess began to back up into the
restroom near the ball diamonds at the Richwood Village Park. The
backflow of sewage even made its way out into the parking lot, forcing
the restrooms to be closed.
Geoff Phipps, commissioner of the Richwood Baseball for Boys
organization, told Richwood Council Monday night that Mayor Bill Nibert
was watching one of the games and attempted to call village crews to
handle the problem, but being a weekend no village workers were on duty.
Phipps said he then contracted with a private company to clean out the
lines. He later approached village employees about the bill and was told
cleaning out the lines was the responsibility of the organization.
Council did not agree. Although generally lines running under private
property are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain, the
lines in question run under the village owned park.
Park committee chairman George Showalter read the contract the village
has with the organization and while it says the group must maintain the
restroom, it makes no mention of the sewer lines running under the
structure. Showalter said he feels the lines running under the park are
the responsibility of the village to maintain.
Council agreed and voted 5-0 to pay the bill for the work. Council
member Jim Thompson was absent from the meeting.
Phipps added that the lines back up frequently and he recently learned
that the lines contain a 90 degree elbow in the area of the park.
Showalter said the lines should be dug up and replaced by 45 degree elbows.
Council also heard from Jim Ambos on behalf of the Forest Lane
Condominium Association. Apparently, the 48-unit structure is served by
only one water meter, for which the owners share the bill.
Ambos said the bill, which used to be in the area of $2,500, has now
climbed to $4,500. He blamed the increase on residents who use a high
volume of water without concern for other residents.
Ambos said the condominiums have the hardware for individual water
meters but the remotes were taken from them during a remodeling project.
Council's utility committee called a meeting for May 21 to discuss the issue.
In other business, council:
.Learned from police chief Monte Asher that four unkept properties in
the village will receive maintenance from the village and the cost will
be assessed to the owner's property tax bill.
.Agreed to cancel the next regularly scheduled meeting which would have
fallen on Memorial Day.
.Learned that 18 to 20 projects will be completed within the village of
Richwood as part of the United Way's Community Care Day.
.Heard that the bluegill fishing tournament will be held on June 2 from
9 a.m. to noon for children 16 and younger at the Richwood Lake.
.Acknowledged Jack Kirby and Jim Dillon for their efforts at the recent
village clean-up day.
.Learned that the village has submitted three Community Development
Block Grant applications and may be submitting for State Capital
Improvement Program funds.
.Confirmed that the village still falls under the county guidelines for
swimming pool regulations.
.Discussed purchasing a small paving roller for use on village streets.
The village may also purchase a trailer to haul the piece of equipment.

A day for caring
United Way's Community Care Day tackles dozens of projects around the
county
By CORINNE BIX
Fewer co-workers in the office today could be due to the 250 volunteers
participating in the United Way's Community Care Day.
"Community Care Day is a hands-on volunteer experience," said Dave
Bezusko, campaign and public relations director for the Union County United Way.
The event began in 1997 as part of the United Way's national fundraising
campaign, which kicks off each fall.
Starting in 2006, the county chapter decided to move the Community Care
Day to May because the event was big enough to stand on its own, Bezusko said.
The number of volunteers and projects completed has grown in the past
five years. In 2003, the United Way had 140 volunteers and 74 projects.
This year the United Way has 146 project requests.
Many of the individuals who are assisted are elderly or handicapped.
Bezusko said the United Way recruits projects from its member agencies
and other social service agencies in the area.
The event is funded in part by corporate financial support of area businesses.
Projects include minor home repairs, cleaning windows, yard work,
cleaning gutters and landscaping.
The project list includes requests from all over Union County, including
Richwood, Plain City, Marion, Dublin and Milford Center.
Dave Cingle, Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, and four
co-workers helped prepare and plant gardens at the Richwood Civic Center.
"It's a great community service," Cingle said.
The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission helps those with
disabilities gain employment. Cingle said participating in the Care Day
is an extension of what its office does on a year-round basis.
"We are a presence here in Union County and we want to assist further,"
Cingle explained. "We want people to know we are here."
Betty Hoile has participated in Community Care Day from the first year
it became a county event and coordinates volunteer and projects.
Hoile works out of the Catholic Community Center on Care Day which
serves as "mission control."
"I help facilitate the whole day," Hoile said.
Over the years, Hoile has brought her three children along to help
because she has taught them in order to see change in your community you
have to be part of the change.
"Kids can make change and then see the impact," Hoile said.
Bezusko said the great part of Community Care Day is it gives volunteers
the opportunity to get out and really connect with those that they are helping.
"You get out into your community and team up with real neighbors on a
project that helps another real neighbor," Bezusko said. "There's real
satisfaction in knowing that the time and energy you expended helps in
its own small way to make our community a better place."
In addition to the project list, the Care Day volunteers also held a
"gently-used" clothing drive for the Marysville Clothes Closet, along
with collecting items for the Union County Personal Needs Pantry.
To learn more about the Union County United Way and its member agencies
visit its Web site at http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/.

JA makes change in physical education policy
By CORINNE BIX
The Jonathan Alder School Board met Monday night at the Tolles Technical
and Career Center.
Board members had an opportunity to tour the center and learn more about
its various programs.
Carl Berg, Tolles Superintendent, told the board about upcoming
expansions to Tolles, which include the addition of a two-story medical
building for dental assistant training, pre-nursing, physical
rehabilitation, licensed practical nurse (LPN) lab and library.
The career center also will be enlarging some of its science labs, along
with improving its welding and RPM lab. The building project is set to
be completed by fall 2008.
District high school students will now be able to substitute
participation in sports, cheerleading and marching band for physical
education credit beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.
The school board approved a new policy Monday night that will allow
students to use hours spent involved in various athletic activities
toward the physical education requirement for graduation.
The change to the state-mandated graduation requirements will allow
students to have more time during the actual school day to take
advantage of elective courses.
Superintendent Doug Carpenter said the option is an improvement for the
student population.
Dr. John Adams, board member and team physician, asked that a hourly
equivalent be included in the final policy to account for students who
suffer from injuries and can't complete the athletic season.
After the meeting, Carpenter said he doesn't foresee the change in the
physical education requirement to negatively impact the two physical
education teachers employed at the high school.
Carpenter said they would each continue to teach physical education and
health, along with other physical education electives to be possibly
added to the curriculum in the future.
The board approved salary schedules at a 4 percent increase across the
board for certified, classified, administrative and extra curricular
positions for the 2007-2008 school year.
In 2006, the board approved a 1 percent raise for all employees.
Tom Miller, Plain City Library Board president, asked the board to
formally approve a resolution which will allow the library to put a 0.75
percent property tax on the November ballot to be used for operating expenses.
Plain City Library is one of only a few statewide that is chartered as
part of the school district's jurisdiction. The Jonathan Alder Board of
Education approves the appointment of all members to the library board;
therefore, they are considered the hierarchical governing body over the library.
The board agreed to pass the resolution authorizing the library to put
the levy on the ballot.
In addition, the board approved the appointment of Cathy Kellam as
board member on the Plain City Library Board.
Carpenter informed the school board that the water systems will need to
be updated at Canaan Middle School and Jonathan Alder Junior High to
comply with EPA standards in regard to arsenic levels.
The project is estimated to at about $115,000 but should be credited
towards the phase two district building project which is set to begin
within the next several years.
The next regular meeting will be June 11 at 7 p.m.
In other business, the board:
.Commended the coaches and students for their outstanding performances
in the Madison County Math Contest conducted on April 23.
.Commended all those who helped plan, prepare and conduct this year's
"Celebration of Learning" at the junior high.
.Commended the all-county athletes for winter and spring sports.
.Commended Bobby Moore, Cannan principal, for being published in
Principal Navigator magazine.
.Approved Rhonda Ary (one additional hour) and Tammy Hostetler (one-half
additional hour) for extra time to work preparing and serving student
lunches in the cafeterias.
.Approved supplemental contracts for 2007-2008, including Cheryl
Manbeck, elementary music programs; Karen Dietry, school play; Elizabeth
MacDowell, declamation coordinator; and Molly Sperling, national board certification.
.Approved staff members for the sixth grade camp, including Tammy
Stalnaker, Terri Stahl, Jerry Smith, Beth Newcomer, Shannon Gavrilescu,
Jamie Punk, Cheryl Brockman and Michele Kiste.
.Approved Meredith Shields as a substitute teacher for the 2006-2007 school year.
.Approved LeAnn Weeks as the one-to-one aide for the remainder of the
2006-2007 school year.
.Approved staff for summer intervention, including Micki Hughes,
coordinator; and Karen Dietry, Amy Maxwell, Suzanee Lintz, Donna
McBride, Meredith Abbott, Shannon Gatsch, Beth Newcomer, Shannon
McConaughy, Aeja Vawter and Denise English, all aides.
.Approved summer custodial and paint help - Tammy Robinson, Dana Pyles,
Janet Yates, John Sullivan, Sharon Dulgar, Shannon McConaughy, Katie
Robinson, Josh Bope, Jenna Walk and Zack Page.
.Approved the following for employment for the 2007-2008 school year -
Sarah DeVore, Spanish; Matt Gilkerson, head baseball coach; Rick
Kitchen, first aid coordinator (as per stipend), Stacy Fredendall, fall
and winter cheerleading advisor; and Steve Golden, class four custodian
at JAHS, effective April 18 through June 30, 2008.
.Approved John Wade for custodial help all summer at $10.50 per hour.
.Approved Marge Haney and Kathy Kise as graders of writing papers at $23 per hour.
.Approved joining the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the
2007-2008 school year.
.Approved the "Getting it Right for Ohio's Future" resolution.
.Approved a contract with the Madison-Champaign Educational Service
Center for the 2007-2008 school year.
.Approved out-of-state trips for the 2007-2008 school year.
.Approved no school, no games or activities policy due to weather, with
the only exception to activities/practices to be made at the high school
level at the building principal's discretion.

Unionville Center clerk-treasurer resigns
By AUDREY HALL
Citing personal commitments, clerk-treasurer Tracy Rausch submitted her
resignation effective June 12 at Monday night's Unionville Center
Village Council meeting.
Those interested in filling the position should contact Mayor Denver
Thompson in writing at P.O. Box 5, Unionville Center, OH 43077.
Council voted to change the date of the regular meeting to the second
Tuesday of each month beginning in June. The time of the meetings will remain 6:30 p.m.
Sheriff Rocky Nelson introduced his assistant, Alicia Bosch, to council.
Nelson informed council that Union County golf cart guidelines have been
approved by the prosecuting attorney.
Deputies that will be inspecting golf carts still need to be trained.
Union County has been so thorough establishing the guidelines that the
sheriff's office has received inquiries from other jurisdictions for advise, .
Licensing of golf carts will be through local jurisdiction ordinances.
It will be up to the village to develop an ordinance to meet or exceed
the county guidelines. Nelson expects that the guidelines will be
available to the village by the June meeting.
Charles W. Fairbanks Family Festival Chairman Michelle Blevins reported
to council that preparations for the May 19 festival are on track.
Radio personality Joe Boxer will be present from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Entertainment opens at 11 a.m. with Neveah, followed by Mollie McIntyre
at noon. Rock and country band 3 Wheel Drive takes the stage at 12:45 p.m.
Comedic ventriloquist and magician David Crone includes audience
participation in his act which begins at 3:15 p.m. Arnette Howard and
Friends begin at 4:30 p.m. Luke the Juggler will be strolling through
the audience from 12:45 to 2: 45 p.m. making balloon animals and, of course, juggling.
Registration for the single elimination Corn Hole Tournament closes at
noon. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. There is a $10 per person registration fee.
The Union County Sheriff's Department will give Gator rides to children
and later in the afternoon conduct an obstacle course for those who are 18 and older.
Food concessions scheduled are the Unionville Center United Methodist
Church, Barry's Fish and More, Petty's and Frozen Concessions.
Parking will be available at the Darby Township Building and at the
Unionville Center United Methodist Church.
A resolution to close Main Street between Cross Street and Unionville
Road from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the festival was approved.
Council members will plant flowers on the green this week.
Council members present were Ron Griffith, Mary Lou Morris, Brenda
Terry, Jim Weese and Peggy Williamson.

Ceremony will honor area lawmen
From J-T staff reports
This week is National Peace Officer Memorial Week, and on Thursday at 7
p.m. a ceremony will be held to honor two local officers who died in the
line of duty while serving the community.
The Union County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony is an annual tribute
to those who serve. The statue that stands on the north lawn of the
Union County Courthouse and Sheriff's Office is a reminder of this
sacrifice, and is the site of the ceremony.
The lives of Sgt. Roger Beekman and Sheriff Harry Wolfe of the Union
County Sheriff's Office will be remembered at the ceremony. Beekman died
Sept. 19, 1979, while responding to an alarm. Wolfe was killed while he
was investigating a burglar alarm on Jan. 21, 1982.
In 2006, five Ohio officers gave their lives in service, according to
the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
This year's master of ceremonies will be Chief Floyd Golden whose law
enforcement career has spanned more than 36 years. Golden has served as
the Post Commander of the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway
Patrol, Division Commander with the Union County Sheriff's Office and
currently represents the Marysville Division of Police and the
Marysville community as Chief of Police.
Vincent Pontius, a violinist at Fairbanks High School, will play the Star Spangled Banner.
Officers from all area agencies will participate in the ceremony as a
tribute to those who have given their lives, and also as a testament to
their dedication for service.
The event is open to the public.

Area clergy to honor graduates
The Marysville Area Ministerial Association will offer a Community
Baccalaureate Service for Marysville-area college and high school
graduates Sunday at 4 p.m.
The service will be held at First English Lutheran Church on London
Avenue and is open to the entire community.
It will last approximately 45 minutes, and light refreshments will be served after.
A processional of graduates will be part of the ceremony; those seniors
who wish to participate should arrive no later than 3:15 p.m. In
addition, anyone who wishes to join the Community Baccalaureate Choir
may come to the rehearsal at 2 p.m.
"Let's take this opportunity to come together to offer thanks to God for
our graduates' achievements and to ask for God's blessings on their
future endeavors," said the Rev. Paul Schultz, First English Lutheran Church.
Additional information may be obtained by calling Schultz at 642-8571.

Levy on the horizon for Marysville
By KARLYN BYERS
Marysville School Board members took the first step Friday night toward
placing an operating levy on the Aug. 7 ballot.
Board members Bill Hayes, Jeff Mabee, Roy Fraker and Tom Brower approved
a resolution of necessity to put a five-year, 4.75-mill operating levy
on the ballot. Board member Scott Johnson was absent.
Money raised would help manage new student growth and maintain present
student-teacher ratios, extra-curricular activities and transportation
services, according to a press release issued Friday afternoon.
It will be the 14th tax issue Superintendent Larry Zimmerman has
supervised in 10 years, Zimmerman said.
Marysville Schools have added more than 2,400 pupils and built three new
elementary schools since 1993, but have asked for one new operating levy
to help cover daily expenses since then. That was in 2003, according to
the press release.
School administrators had anticipated postponing an operating levy until
2008, but tax code changes enacted by the passage of House Bill 66 in
2005 have had a major impact on funding, administrators have repeatedly said.
HB66 eliminated taxes on machinery, equipment and inventory throughout
Ohio, and Marysville Schools effectively lost $300 million dollars of
taxable value, or roughly one-third of all taxable property in the school district.
Meanwhile, residential growth has continued to increase. And according
to Zimmerman, residential growth "is the worse type of growth for us to have."
Residential areas fund schools through property taxes, and property
taxes don't begin to bring in enough revenue to cover the actual cost of
educating each pupil, Zimmerman said.
Marysville Treasurer Delores Cramer will submit Friday's resolution to
county auditor Mary Snider, who will certify the dollar amount of
revenue that would be generated by its passage.

City lays out repaving program
By RYAN HORNS
Another phase in the ongoing process to rework Marysville city streets
has been finalized.
Marysville City Administrator Kathy House told city council members at
Thursday night's meeting that the list of streets to be included in the
2007 repaving program has been drawn up. The city opened bids on the
project Thursday and it looks like all the scheduled work will be able
to be completed with the borrowed $1 million this year.
Streets to be completed are:
. Boerger Road (all except 750 feet closest to London Avenue)
. McAuliffe's Place
. Milford Avenue (Stocksdale Drive to Ninth Street)
. Charles Lane (east end)
. Scottslawn Road (city limit to rail road crossing)
. Chestnut Street and Weaver Road (10th Street south to new pavement)
. Delaware Avenue (Five Points to Coleman's Crossing)
. Mill Road (Route 31 to pavement change)
. South Walnut Street
. Stocksdale Drive (Milford Avenue to pavement change)
. Park Avenue, Parkway Drive and Grand Avenue (concrete sections removed
and converted to asphalt)
. Plum Street (Eighth Street through Ninth Street intersection)
Contingent on funds:
. Prairie Drive (Collingwood to Woodline Drive)

Fairbanks moves forward on school construction
By KARLYN BYERS
Fairbanks School Board members passed a resolution Thursday night that
took steps toward participation in the state's school facilities program.
The Ohio School Facilities Commission was created in May 1997 as a
separate and distinct state agency to oversee the rebuilding of Ohio's
public schools. Under its auspices, North Union School District in
Richwood has constructed a new elementary school, is making major
renovations to North Union High School and will building a new middle school.
The two resolutions passed 4-0 Thursday night (Board member Jaynie
Lambert was absent.) were called a Master Plan and Scope of the Project.
They were necessary for participation in the Expedited Local Partnership
Program which is designed to give districts not yet participating in the
state's Classroom Facilities Assistance Program the opportunity to move
ahead with portions of their projects, according to an Ohio School
Facilities Commission Web site.
Basically, that means the school district is planning for its next
construction project, Fairbanks Superintendent Jim Craycraft said.
Groundbreaking for a new elementary in the Fairbanks School District is
imminent. The PreK-fifth grade facility will be located on Route 38 on
ground adjacent to the current middle school/high school.
The school board also passed a 0.5-mill maintenance requirement to enter
the ELP program. The state requires a school district to pass or provide
the equivalent of 0.5 mills for a period of 23 years to maintain the ELP project.
Fairbanks Treasurer Aaron Johnson said 0.5 mills is the equivalent of
$80,000. The board voted to delay the maintenance requirement until (or
if) it decides to participate in the Classroom Facilities Assistant Program.
That program, according to the OSFC Web site, is the oldest state-funded
OSFC program. From a fiscal standpoint, CFAP is the second largest of
the commission's building programs, encompassing $5.4 billion in
projects in 154 active or completed school district projects. More than
$4.39 billion in state funding has been committed to the program.
Fairbanks school administrators have been meeting with state officials
for the past four or five months while an assessment of the district's
growth, facilities, enrollment and future needs was made.
A Facility Master Plan and the Scope of the Project were the result.
According to the OCFC Web site, a district then chooses a "distinct
portion" of its Master Plan to fund through local efforts. When the
district's turn arises in the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program,
the money spent by the district on the distinct portion is credited
against the local share of the entire Master Plan projects.
The board also voted to authorize Johnson to place a notice in the
Journal-Tribune says Gloria Werline, curriculum director, will retire
and seek re-employment with the school district in the same position. A
public meeting on the issue of her reemployment will be held July 23 at
7:30 p.m. in the board office.
Craycraft said he sees no disadvantages in rehiring Werline, and her
reemployment will cost the district no additional money.

Local man killed in crash
From J-T staff reports:
A young Marysville man reportedly died early this morning after a
two-car crash just outside Union County.
The Plain City Police Department reported that driver James A Vandre,
21, of Marysville died at Ohio State University Medical Center as a
result of his injuries. He reportedly lost control of his vehicle and
collided head-on with an oncoming car.
According to reports, at 1:14 a.m. the Plain City Police Department
responded to an injury crash on Route 161 at old Route 161.
Lt. Jim Hill said the crash investigation revealed that a red 1991
Nissan was traveling westbound on Route 161. He said Vandre was the
driver of the Nissan. At some point, Vandre reportedly lost control and
went left of center, crashing head-on into a White 1995 Honda that was
traveling eastbound on Route 161.
The driver of the Honda was reported as Christopher Lustig, 24, of
Delaware. Christopher Dominach, 24, of Powell was reportedly a passenger
in that vehicle.
Information on their condition was not available before press time.
"They are not fatals," Hill said. "But I'm not aware of their medical
conditions right now."
He said that Vandre was MedFlighted to the OSU Medical Center, along
with the Honda occupants.
"The reason for the crash is still under investigation at this time," Hill said.
Because of the early morning time of the crash, police officers are
working with coroner officials to determine what might have caused
Vandre to veer into the oncoming lane.
It was unknown at press time whether Vandre might have fallen asleep or
if there is any indication of alcohol use.
The Pleasant Valley Fire Department responded to the scene and received
mutual aid from Jerome and Washington townships.

Richwood Perennials
Garden club is community staple
By KARLYN BYERS
Gardening is good for the soul and good for the community, according to
the ladies of the Richwood Garden Club.
And they have given to the community in a variety of ways, not the least
of which is their annual Mother's Day sale, which will be held Saturday.
A variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees will be available
from 9 a.m. to noon in the lot next to the Richwood Gazette. Also for
sale will be "flower pockets" to hang on the garden fence, asparagus,
rhubarb, horseradish and an unusual collection of containers, most from
the homes of club members.
"The people who can't get in their gardens anymore cleaned out their
attics," said member Marilyn Coleman, a gardener who has planted 30,000
daffodils on her rural acreage, as well as 2,500 hostas.
Proceeds will benefit community beautification projects and fund
scholarships for North Union seniors planning to further their education
in horticulture.
The Saturday before Mother's Day was chosen so youths can inexpensively
purchase something special for their mothers, said Sarah Hamilton, a
club member of about 35 years.
Each item will be priced 33 to 50 percent below the cheapest price
observed at a discount or department store, Coleman said.
The Richwood Garden Club was organized in 1952 by 20 women who wanted to
encourage an enjoyment of growing plants, to develop an appreciation for
good design and an understanding of color combinations.
They also wanted to make the village of Richwood more attractive because
they were proud of its wide streets and large old trees.
Their first project was to sell tulip bulbs.
"They sold like hotcakes," reported a history of the garden club written
by Vada Grooms in 1955.
They first ordered 3,000 bulbs. Then an additional 3,500 bulbs were
ordered and distributed. The following September, 5,200 were sold.
"In the spring of 1955, we saw close to 12,000 tulips blooming in our
little town in almost every yard," Mrs. Grooms wrote.
But the women didn't stop there. They started a flower show at the
Richwood Fair. The only place available was under the grandstand, and
the very first year a storm blew through and tore down the canvases club
members had put up. According to Mrs. Grooms, it ruined the show.
But still they persevered, setting up tours of gardens and tours of
homes at Christmastime.
Now, they are faced with declining vitality, as club members age and
younger women seem reluctant to make the time commitment.
"We might not be as active but we really enjoy just getting together and
talking about flowers," Hamilton, who enjoys over-wintering geraniums, said.
"I hate to lose a good geranium," she said, adding that she will bring
as many into her Prospect home for the winter as she can possibly fit.
Beverly Ridge has been a club member the longest, 38 years. Known for
her patriotic red, white and blue annual displays, Ridge said gardening
came naturally to her. Her parents had a greenhouse in Richwood, so she
grew up playing in the dirt.
"We depend a lot on Beverly," said club president Ruth Webb. "Her
knowledge, strength ... she's such a lovely person."
Pauline McKinley, 90, is the club's oldest resident. It is McKinley who
telephones members each month to remind them of the upcoming meetings.
"That's one thing I can do. I can still talk," McKinley said. "I don't
garden much anymore, but I'll stay in (the club) as long as I can be of use."
Betty Moore is known as the club's hosta expert. A member since 1999,
she joined after retiring from the workforce.
"I think hostas are probably the easiest plants in the world to grow,"
she said. "And by the way, there are hostas which are snail-resistant."
The latter statement was added while Moore was responding to a question
about discouraging slugs from feasting on hostas.
"There isn't any foolproof way," she said. "Snail bait only works until
you get a couple good rains."
Moore said sprinkling clean cat litter around the plants helps. And so
does crushing egg shells around the hostas and applying chicken grit,
added other members.
Master Gardener Barb Matteson said she has been gardening "forever." She
distinctly remembers a photo of her taken as an 18-year-old newlywed at
the first house she and her husband lived in. Matteson was standing
outside holding a garden hoe, one she most assuredly knew how to use.
The Richwood Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month. Members
are Elaine Benedict, Betty Carey, Coleman, Rebecca DeBoer, Pearle Evans,
Ruth Goedicke, Hamilton, Matteson, McKinley, Moore, Ridge, Ginny
Speicher and Webb.

Two for the road
Girls pass through Marysville on long bike trek
By KARLYN BYERS
Life is a highway for 21-year-old Katie Wittman and 24-year-old Ginny
Sterpka, at least for the summer.
The two cyclists are traveling from Denver to Canaan, Conn., and stopped
in Marysville Wednesday afternoon to avoid the afternoon heat. They left
the Centennial state April 17, and anticipate arriving in Connecticut
within the next two weeks. The two were working at a mountain resort
during the winter.
On their cross-country trek, they've met a lot of nice people - and had
a couple narrow escapes with large trucks.
"There's been times when we're riding on roads with very narrow
shoulders that's it's gotten scary," Sterpka said.
But overall, she said, "We've met so many nice people."
One of those people was a fellow cyclist at Breakaway Cycling & Fitness
in Delaware, who invited the women home and let them shower. Sterpka
said it was the first time they had done so in eight days.
The two pack their 10- and 12-speed bikes with the bare essentials
strapped in plastic milk crates on the back. Wittman's bike is an old
Schwinn and both are heavy compared with newer bikes.
Neither had long-distance cycling experience, although both were fairly frequent riders.
They have traveled a variety of routes, including U.S. 36. But Sterpka
said most of the small towns they encountered along 36 didn't carry the
supplies they needed, so they switched to routes that went through larger towns.
They have encountered very little inclement weather and usually rode
through what they did encounter if it wasn't too heavy.
The most interesting route they encountered was the Katy Trail in
Missouri. An old railroad bed, it was a cyclist's dream.
They ferried across the Mississippi, and once in Illinois, picked up a
biker's guide that has really been a tremendous help, Sterpka said.
Sterpka is from Canaan. She said her mom was excited about her
cross-country trip and wished she could have tagged along.
Wittman's family resides in Australia, although she holds duo
citizenship. She was born in Minnesota, where her dad grew up, and said
her dad was not as enthusiastic about her trip.
"I think it's been great," Sterpka said of their cycling experience.
"More people should get out there and do it because you don't have to
train or anything and you don't have to have a lot of money."
But she adds a caveat: "You do have to be careful because there are some
strange people out there."

Two issues pass in special election
From J-T staff reports:
Voters approved two issues in Tuesday's special election, according to
unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections.
A five-year, 4-mill renewal levy in Richwood passed by a 71-35 margin.
The levy will generate money for the village's general fund, which will
finance police protection, street maintenance and street lights.
A 3-mill, five-year renewal levy in Darby Township passed by a 9-2 vote.
The tax will benefit all of the township except for the Pleasant Valley
Joint Fire District.
Both issues will go into effect Jan. 1.
The board of elections reported no problems in Tuesday's election.

Rabies vaccination clinics scheduled
From J-T staff reports
Dog and cat owners will have a chance to get their pets vaccinated
against the rabies virus during this year's community rabies clinics May
20 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Clinics will be held at several locations throughout the county,
including Nelson Auto Group and the Milford Center, Richwood, Plain City
Fire and Raymond fire departments.
Cost for each vaccination is $5. Only dogs and cats 4 months of age and
older will be vaccinated. All dogs must be on a leash and under the
control of an adult. Dog licenses will also be available for purchase at the clinics.
"The goal of the annual clinic is to protect the health of our residents
and their pets by providing low cost rabies vaccinations," said Marcia
Dreiseidel, event coordinator for the Union County Health Department.
"This clinic allows people who don't utilize traditional veterinary
services because of expense or other factors to still protect their
families and animals from a terrible disease."
The community rabies clinics have been operating for more than 20 years,
vaccinating hundreds of area animals. The clinics are made possible by
the generosity of local veterinarians, humane society staff and health
department staff who volunteer their time. Last year, 381 animals were vaccinated.
"Because of community efforts like this, and responsible citizens, our
community has not had a positive rabies case in more than 40 years,"
Dreiseidel said. "But that doesn't mean we're not at risk. Ohio had 59
wild animals test positive for rabies last year. That is why it is so
vital that all cat and dog owners get their pets vaccinated."
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost
always fatal. It is transmitted to people when saliva from an infected
animal gets into an open wound or mucous membrane by a bite or scratch.
Treatment is effective only if the series of vaccine and immunoglobulin
is administered shortly after the exposure, which is why Ohio law
requires all animal bites be reported to the local health department
within 24 hours. Health departments investigate the exposure situation,
quarantine the animal or arrange to have the biting animal euthanized
and sent to the Ohio Department of Health lab for testing.
The rabies vaccination clinics are sponsored by Union County
veterinarians, Union County Human Society and the Union County Health Department.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Union County
Health Department at 642-2053.

Crash near county line snarls traffic
Grove City man dies in four-car accident on U.S. 33
From J-T staff reports
A crash that backed up traffic for miles and closed parts of the east
and westbound lanes of U.S. 33 this morning claimed the life of a Grove City man.
According to a report from the Dublin Police Department, 37-year-old
Billy Fleenor of Grove City was pronounced dead at the scene of the
accident, which occurred before 6 a.m.
Five other victims were transported by ambulance to Riverside Methodist
Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Traffic going in both directions between Dublin and Marysville was
brought to a standstill while authorities conducted their investigation
and proceeded with cleanup.
Commuters traveling from Dublin to Marysville were rerouted onto Avery
Road and through Perimeter Drive to Post Road.
There, Union County sheriff's deputies assisted Dublin police officers
with traffic control.
Eastbound traffic from Marysville to Dublin was backed up between two
and three miles on U.S. 33.
Traffic was also halted on Industrial Parkway for those trying to get
onto Post Road or U.S. 33 into Dublin.
The eastbound lanes of 33 between I-270 and Post Road remained closed
until mid-morning. The westbound lanes remained closed up until press
time while authorities continued their investigation.

Ready to respond
St. John's has bus, trailer set to roll to disasters or help those in
need
By KARLYN BYERS
Whether responding to a disaster, assisting with mission projects or
helping local members with transportation needs, St. John's Lutheran
Church stands at the ready.
The church on Route 736 will dedicate its new Ford bus, along with a
utility trailer, Sunday after the regular 10:30 a.m. service.
The bus was purchased with a "generous" donation from a member of the
congregation, said senior pastor John Fair. Handicap accessible, it can
seat 12 or 14, and transport two wheelchair-bound passengers. It will be
used to pick up people on Sunday mornings and special religious holidays
and take them to church services.
When not transporting church members, it can be used to transport relief
workers to disaster areas or church work teams on mission trips.
The trailer will haul materials and tools used on various mission
projects. Fair said the church has about six such projects already lined
up, putting roofs on houses and installing handicap accessible ramps.
Its inaugural trip will be May 19, when household items and all sizes,
types and seasons of clothing will be transported to Pleasant City in Noble County.
Part of the Southeast Appalachian Ministry, the Pleasant City
"Giveaway," as it is called, is a project organized through Mary
Woodward, director of Disaster Response for Lutheran Services. St.
John's members Marilyn Britton and Gary Jobe and St. John's pre-K
teacher Mary Marer facilitate the program locally, collecting usable,
clean items to be transported to the less fortunate.
More than 80 dental hygiene kits - toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental
floss - also will be transported, a gift from school children at St. John's.
"It's wonderful. Our people at St. John's have really responded to this
ministry," Britton said.
While church women and youths manage the Giveaway, the church men will
begin various projects in the poverty stricken community, Britton said.
They take all the tools, supplies and equipment they will need, a task
that will be made easier by the compartments installed in the side of
the new trailer, she said.
Not only will the new bus and trailer allow the church to better serve
God's people near and far, but they will offer the church the
opportunity to become more visible, Fair said.
"God's providing us with an opportunity to help people in different
circles and those who are disabled," he said. "These are exciting times
for the church to reach out and express the love of Christ in practical ways."
The new bus replaces the previous church vehicle, a 1982 Chevy, which
Fair said is "held together with chicken wire and duct tape."
The new vehicle was purchased largely through the efforts of Larry
Nicol, chief bus driver in the St. John's community.
Nicol, who has driven the previous church bus about seven or eight years
said the old bus "served its purpose well but it was time for a new one."
He said it took "about 100 e-mails" passing back and forth between
himself, Midwest Transit in Illinois, Pastors Fair and Jack Heino and a
separate graphics company to complete the deal.
Nicol picked the new vehicle up in Indianapolis and brought it home.
He said it has a few more "bells and whistles" than the bus it is
replacing and is more comfortable. It also has air conditioning,
something the previous vehicle was sorely lacking.

Garwood attains rank of Eagle Scout
From J-T staff reports:
David Christopher Garwood of Plain City recently received the Eagle
Scout award at a special ceremony at Cornerstone Church of Christ in
Christian Union in Plain City.
Pastor Phil Conrad was the featured speaker and presented the Eagle
Charge. Sandra Adkins, the mayor of Plain City also was in attendance.
Garwood had the honor of being the second scout to earn the award since
his unit, Boy Scout Troop 873 of Plain City, formed five years ago.
He served as one of the troop's first patrol leaders, senior patrol
leader and is currently a junior assistant scoutmaster. He was elected
into the Order of the Arrow and has earned a total of 35 merit badges.
For his Eagle Scout project, Garwood led a team installing a permanent
video projection and video recording system at the Cornerstone Church.
The new system makes it easier to video record services and special
events for shut-ins. It also eliminates cables and carts which
previously posed as a tripping hazard during services.
A member of the 2007 senior class at Fairbanks High School, Garwood
lettered in marching band, choir and served as the film club president.
He also participated in drama club and prayer group.
He is employed by Subway restaurant in Plain City and plans to study
cinematography in college next year.

WorkNet will help brighten uptown area
By EMILY MASTERS
Uptown Marysville will soon look a lot brighter with the addition of
flowers and plants that will be maintained by a motivated group of young people.
This spring and summer, the Uptown Renewal Team (URT), a division of the
Union County Chamber of Commerce, will partner with WorkNet, the
community employment arm of the Union County Board of Developmental
Disabilities (UCBDD).
The chamber, working with the city of Marysville and WorkNet, came up
with the idea of using those served by WorkNet to solve the staffing
issue of helping the plants thrive during the warmer months.
According to George Finn, the Job Developer for WorkNet, the hanging
flower baskets and plants need a lot of care to stay attractive, so he
came up with a plan for watering and fertilization.
Three days per week, care will be provided by Union County high school
students enrolled in WorkNet's "Success" program. The other three days,
WorkNet consumer Allison Emmons, 24, will provide the care.
Emmons is excited about the opportunity provided through WorkNet.
"I like it, because I don't have to be inside all of the time," she
said. "I have been planting flowers a long time."
Already having some understanding of horticulture, Emmons is
enthusiastic about learning more and making some money in the process.
"I like to earn a check," she said with a grin.
Emmons was diagnosed as an infant with Tetrasomy-18p, a rare chromosomal
abnormality of the 18th chromosome. According to her dad, Pete Emmons,
who is also the UCBDD Outreach and Training coordinator, Allison's
condition was caused by a fusion of other chromosomal material that
latched on to the 18th chromosome at the point of conception. The
condition causes some intellectual impairment.
Allison has learned a lot through WorkNet opportunities over the past
year. She previously worked at the chamber where she was assigned to
fold letters and place labels and stamps on envelopes. She has also
worked for an insurance company through WorkNet, doing mailings and for
Mailbag, a mailing service.
Through that experience she learned the specifics of earning a paycheck.
"I learned how to sign it and cash it myself," she said.
Emmons said she enjoys the Marysville community, so working in the
uptown will be pleasant for her.
"The people are friendly," she said.
Emmons, a friendly person herself according to her dad, says she enjoys
the staff at WorkNet.
"They're my friends," she said with a smile. "George (Finn) looks for jobs for me."
She credits Maria Bowen for taking her to Lunch Bunch, a program through
WorkNet, and Hope Plue for coaching her on the job site.
According to Finn, WorkNet, which was established about 20 years ago,
provides a job coach at all times to ensure training, supervision, and
safety to all participants in the program.
"The workers will learn to follow a schedule, plan ahead, be
responsible, and it just teaches them about work in general," Finn said.
He also said he was grateful to the chamber and the city for providing the opportunity.
"This is one more example of community partnerships working together to
provide opportunities for all Union County citizens," Finn said.

Police department to patrol on two wheels
From J-T staff reports:
The Marysville Division of Police recently obtained a motorcycle to add
to its fleet of patrol vehicles.
Recently purchased from Marysville Honda Motorsports for approximately
$10,000 was a new 2005 model VTX1800N. The motorcycle was purchased with
accessories and necessary emergency equipment being obtained from
various aftermarket suppliers.
The motorcycle was adapted for police work through the efforts of
officer Craig Nicol, Sgt. Ron Nicol and city mechanic Mick McCoy who
collectively added the necessary equipment and completed all the
additional wiring for the emergency set-up.
The motorcycle was painted by Bob Chapman Ford to match the other
division vehicles and the graphics were purchased through Associated
Graphics in Plain City.
The department expects the motorcycle to be used for parades, special
events and for traffic control and enforcement activities.
"We plan to utilize the motorcycle to patrol city parks and to
effectively enforce speed limits in our neighborhoods," police chief
Floyd Golden said.
With the ability of the unit to blend into the surroundings, problem
areas will be targeted for enforcement in an effort to promote
compliance with local speed limits to ensure the safety of city
residents, Golden added.
Specific training for operation of the motorcycle has been scheduled and
will be completed by officers. Several officers within the division hold
motorcycle endorsements and will be authorized to use the motorcycle.
Golden said the department is proud to be able to display and utilize a
vehicle that was produced locally by members of the community.

Former area pastor still missing
From J-T staff reports:
A former Milford Center pastor and her friend who left their retirement
community in Lebanon are being remembered throughout the day on this
National Day of Prayer.
Mary Ellen Walters and Ada Wasson have been missing two weeks to date.
The two set out on a shopping trip to the JC Penney outlet in east
Columbus but haven't been heard from since.
Ron Payne, current part-time pastor at the Milford Center United
Methodist Church, knew Walters well before her retirement from pastoring
five years ago.
"I always knew her as a bright, cheerful person, she had been an
elementary school teacher," he said. "She just had a bright and chipper disposition."
Payne recalls Walters' age being 67 or 68 years old. He said it wouldn't
be out of the norm for her to drive somewhere to go shopping; however,
she did have some mobility problems in the form of arthritis or some
degree of degenerative joint disease.
Payne said Walters' husband, Joe, was in Florida, possibly getting his
mother, who stayed there during the winter months, ready to bring home
when Walters turned up missing.
It was Walters' daughter who discovered something wasn't right.
"They apparently had an appointment together that she (Walters) missed," Payne said.
Numerous searches have been underway since the women vanished.
"The whole congregation is praying for Mary Ellen and Joe that the best
of all outcomes will be realized," Payne said.

Minor crash reported at local airport
From J-T staff reports:
A plane crash at the Union County Airport that left the pilot with only
minor injuries is being investigated.
According to an Ohio State Highway Patrol report of the crash, David L.
White, 53, of Delaware was attempting to complete his landing on the
runway Wednesday at 7:54 p.m. when his Beech RV-6 single engine, fixed
wing aircraft went off the runway, flipping on its top in the grass divider.
White suffered only minor visible injuries but was taken to Memorial
Hospital of Union County to be evaluated. Reports indicate that White
was treated and released at the hospital.
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose, fuselage and left landing gear.
The aircraft was moved to a hangar at the local airport.
The Marysville Fire Department and state highway patrol responded.
According to the Marysville post of the state patrol, the FAA was
contacted from the scene and did not respond.

National early childhood education initiative coming to Union County
Editor's note: The following story was supplied by Dave Bezusko of
United Way of Union County.
---
Sorting clothes by color before running a load of laundry. Collecting
the ingredients necessary for a meal before preparing it. Seeing who can
spot a truck first while riding in the car on the way to the store.
These are simple, everyday activities. But they can be turned into
learning experiences for young children that will help them to succeed
when it's time for them to go to school.
That's the key message of the Born Learning campaign, a national
initiative created by United Way of America that is coming to Union
County. A new partnership between the Council for Union County Families,
Honda of America Mfg. and the United Way of Union County will allow for
Born Learning materials to be distributed throughout the community.
The program is designed to help parents create quality learning
opportunities for children from birth to age 5, preparing them to enter school.
"We want parents to consider that early learning doesn't start at
kindergarten, it starts at birth," said Holly Zweizig, director of
Childhood Behavioral Health for the Council for Union County Families.
"But preparing your child for school doesn't have to be about worksheets
and flashcards. Parents can foster imagination, problem solving,
creativity and language development in everyday moments in the car, at
home, or even at the store."
"Especially with our son, Noah, getting ready to go to kindergarten next
fall, we're always looking for resources that we can use to help our
children," said Dee Brown, a Marysville mother of two.
While children don't come with an instruction manual when they are born,
parents and caregivers in Union County will soon have access to Born
Learning's easy-to-read materials that suggest doable activities that
will enhance learning activities for young children.
A $14,000 grant by Honda will make posters, playbooks, fliers and parent
guide books available to parents with children from birth to age 6.
Parents can also go to www.BornLearning.org or log onto United Way's Web
site at www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org to read the materials.
The information is helpful for busy, working parents who aren't sure how
to encourage early learning or feel they don't have time to do what it
takes to help their child succeed in school.
"As a first-time parent of a 19-month-old myself, I'm finding dozens of
useful tips in these materials," said Dave Bezusko, Campaign and PR
Director for United Way of Union County. "Ideas such as nutritional
tips, how to watch for milestones at various stages in development and
games to play as he grows ... It's very convenient for a busy, working parent."
Research shows that much of a child's ability to transition successfully
into a kindergarten classroom hinges on foundations established during
the formative years at home. As the Marysville School District enrolls
children through the kindergarten registration process this month,
officials say that children come to school at various levels of development.
"We clearly know that the kids who enter kindergarten who we consider
'language-rich' have been engaged in a lot of talk at home in
conversations with peers and adults," said Carla Steele,
kindergarten-sixth grade curriculum, assessment, and professional
development coordinator for the Marysville Exempted Village School District.
"They've been asked questions. They've been read to. They are conscious
of the print in their environment, such as on signs. They can pick out
their favorite cereal in the grocery store. They know when they're going
to Wal-Mart. They are aware of how books work in terms of left-to-right
directionality. They're hearing sounds through stories and rhyming
games. There's a strong correlation between children's language and
literacy development."
Born Learning promotes "Learning on the Go" ? activities that parents
can do at anytime, anywhere, to turn ordinary daily activities into
eye-opening experiences for a child. For example, when taking children
to the grocery store, parents can talk to a child in advance about a
special thing that she or he can buy at the market. They are then
encouraged to look for it, like a treasure hunt. This helps a child
learn to be a good observer.
"It's very difficult to find time, but the payoff for helping these
children grow into very competent literary users is too important,"
Steele said. "It's not just the reading and writing piece, but also
speaking and listening. They're all connected together as a system."
Created in 2005 by the United Way of America, the Born Learning
initiative is being used in more than 350 communities in the country
through the promotional efforts of local United Ways like the one in Union County.
"I think it's a big need in our community for there to be a countywide
focus on early childhood education," Steele said. "With all of us
joining hands together and bringing our expertise to the table, it's
very doable and very powerful. This is really exciting."
"The bottom line is that the Born Learning materials help you as a
parent to relate better to your young child," Bezusko said. "I've
observed things about my son that I read about and it's helped me to
enhance my relationship with him. That's something on which you can't put a price."

Fire district makes offer on N.L. building
By CORINNE BIX
The Northeast Champaign County Fire District (NECCFD) has offered the
village of North Lewisburg a lease/purchase offer of $300,000 on the
village municipal building to be paid $25,000 annually for 12 years.
Mayor Dick Willis and Barry First, village administrator, said they were
both receptive to the NECCFD's offer and recommended that council pass a
resolution in support of moving forward with the lease/purchase process.
Their recommendation was made after the April fire board meeting and was
presented to council Tuesday night.
Council member Steve Wilson moved that the council accept the offer in
principle and the resolution passed unanimously.
In November, council agreed to sell the village municipal building to
the NECCFD for the appraised value of $300,000.
North Lewisburg participates along with Woodstock, Rush Township and
Wayne Township in the NECCFD, which is a tax entity subdivision.
The NECCFD currently operates out of the village municipal building and
pays rent on 5,286 square feet of space. The village voted in April 2006
to more than double the NECCFD's annual rent from $6,000 to $12,500
retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006, when the last contract expired.
Village council also voted to gradually increase its annual rent to
$25,000 by 2008 which averages out to $5 per square foot of space used.
The village found this rate to be in line with standard rental rates of
business properties.
There have been many debates over the past several years between village
officials and the fire board regarding what is in the best interest of
each entity in relation to housing the ever growing fire department.
First said the village will consult with its legal counsel with the
intent to review a draft of the lease/purchase proposal at the May 29
fire board meeting.
In the event of a final agreement, the village would need to work out an
appropriate timeline with the NECCFD until a new municipal building
became available, First reported.
Willis swore in new council member Gwen M. Beech to the unexpired term
of Nancy Stuart, who resigned last month.
Beech, 35, has lived in the village for the past eight years. She lives
with her husband and two children.
"I want to give back to the community," Beech said. "We (my family and
I) feel we've been here long enough so it's about time."
First reported to council on water meter usage for the village. Since
the new water meters have been implemented close to 40 percent of
residents are at or below the 3,000 base gallons of water used.
First said that he is confident that either the base gallons will have
to be reduced or the base rate will have to be increased in order to
operate and retire the debt on the wastewater treatment plant.
The base rate for water and sewer is $45 per month per utility account
and includes 3,000 gallons of water. The former flat rate for water and
sewer prior to water meters was $54.25 per utility account.
Originally council considered using 2,000 gallons as the baseline.
However, it was later raised to 3,000.
First explained that he forecasts that an adjustment will have to be
made within the next six to 12 months before payments begin on the $3.5
million plant upgrade.
He explained that $2.5 million of the cost will be financed over the
next 20 years, with $285,000 due annually.
Council also was updated on a proposed project that would use Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) money to build a walkway for pedestrians
and bikes alongside the East Street Bridge.
The village is in the process of applying for the CDBG funding. An
initial proposal for the 50 foot walkway estimated the project cost at
$93,000 with $23,000 of the project cost to be funded locally.
First said the reasons for the high cost were in part due to meeting
American Disabilities Act guidelines that require the walkway to be 12
feet in width.
After the meeting, First said he saw something eventually happening with
the project but not as a result of this first application which is in
the process of being submitted.
Water lines have been installed in the park in anticipation of the
restroom project set to go out to bid within the next week.
The bathrooms will be completely refurbished with $27,000 received in
Community Development Grant Block (CDBG) funds.
The next regular council meeting will be June 5 at 7 p.m.
In other action, council:
.Heard information from Jason Keeran, council president, on the Storm
Water Management Workshop that he attended with Bart Stokes, street superintendent.
.Deputy Glenn Kemp gave the Champaign County Sheriff's report for the
month of April. It included 10 traffic citations, 15 incident reports,
22 cases of assistance given to citizens, five arrests, one civil and
criminal papers served, 48 follow-up investigations completed, two
instances of juvenile contact and one auto accident.

Two issues to appear on ballot for Tuesday's special election
From J-T staff reports:
Voters will see two levies on the ballot for Tuesday's special election.
The first is a renewal of an existing tax for the village of Richwood's
current operating expenses.
According to Richwood Mayor Bill Nibert, the tax generates about $55,000
for the general fund which includes police protection, street
maintenance, and street lights.
"The levy means no new taxes," said Nibert. "We need everybody to vote
for it to keep this town running the way it has been running."
With new businesses coming in to Richwood, Nibert said it was important
to keep the town looking good while also providing the protection it needs.
The second ballot item is for Darby Township and is also a renewal of an
existing tax. According to paperwork filed with the Board of Elections,
the purpose is for providing and maintaining fire apparatus, appliances,
buildings, and sources and materials for the water supply. The levying
tax would benefit all of Darby Township except for the Plesant Valley
Joint Fire District. The tax rate would not exceed three mills for each
one dollar of valuation, which amounts to 30-cents for each one hundred
dollars of valuation for five years.
The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Restaurant chains look to locate in area
By RYAN HORNS
As the recently passed water rates open up Marysville for growth, some
national restaurant chains have announced they are looking to expand into the area.
Columbus-based Max and Erma's recently announced the business is looking
to locate in Marysville. In addition, Dunkin' Donuts also has plans to
open a location within Union County.
Marysville City Planner Greg DeLong said that to date, the city has not
received business applications from either company.
He added that a similar announcement, which has never come to fruition,
was made from the burger chain Sonic.
Max and Erma's officials reported that the company is "aggressively
expanding throughout the United States." Two states benefiting from this
expansion are Ohio and West Virginia. Marysville is expected to be a
part of the Ohio growth.
Restaurant owner Dave Denti is reportedly spearheading this expansion
with plans to open three new locations within the next four years. That
would add to the three he currently owns.
Denti said he has worked in the restaurant industry for 34 years. Before
becoming a Max and Erma's multi-unit franchisee, Denti was vice
president of operations for the Long Horn Steakhouse chain.
He became a Max and Erma's franchisee in June 2004, opening a location
in Chillicothe. Since then, Denti has opened two other locations in
Huntington, W. Va., and Findlay. Denti has announced plans to grow his
Max and Erma's restaurants, opening three new locations in Ohio and West
Virginia over the next four years.
"Max & Erma's is entering its fourth decade as a leader in casual
dining. We're looking for strategic partners who have extensive
restaurant experience and really understand and appreciate the value of
the Max & Erma's brand and philosophy," said Rob Lindeman, president of
Max and Erma's. "We intend to align with people who complement our goals
for ongoing growth."
Founded in 1972, Max & Erma's currently owns and operates 77 casual
dining full-service restaurants and franchises 24 restaurants. Max &
Erma's is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the symbol MAXE. For
more information, visit www.maxandermas.com.
In another announcement, Michael Misetic, speaking for Dunkin' Donuts,
said the company has its eyes on Union County.
"Dunkin' Donuts is targeting the Columbus area for expansion, including
Union County," Misetic said.
The company is reportedly opening an additional 83 franchise locations
within the next five years. It is part of a national expansion, calling
for a total of more than 15,000 nationwide locations by 2020.
He said Dunkin' Donuts is currently seeking new franchisees with
multi-unit franchise capability and experience to develop the local
Dunkin' Donuts network.
"Area developers with a keen understanding and background in restaurant
operations and real estate development are ideal," Misetic said.
For more information on Dunkin' Donuts visit www.dunkindonuts.com.