PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CELEBRATING AMERICA … Sandy Gordon, center, Director of Montpelier Parks & Recreation Dept., was guest speaker at the Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary meeting held Monday, Jan. 12th, in the hospital conference room. Her presentation included events, activities, and suggestions for America’s 250th anniversary celebration this year. Shown with her are Auxiliary Vice President Lynn Watson, left, presenting Mrs. Gordon with an appreciation gift from the auxiliary, and Jr. Past President Linda Dilworth, right.
PRESS RELEASE – Sandy Gordon, Director of Montpelier Parks & Recreation, was guest speaker for the general meeting of Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary held Monday, Jan. 12th at 1:00 p.m. in the hospital conference room.
Auxiliary President Elaine Willibey welcomed everyone and led all in the auxiliary prayer. Vice President Lynn Watson introduced Mrs. Gordon for the program focused on America’s 250th anniversary plans for festivities at the national, state and local levels.
Ohio’s Signature Events include 250 Buckeye Train-April 25 & 26 Columbus to Denison & return trip, 4th Grade Students Pass-free admission to Ohio museums & historic sites, Heritage Trees-white oaks planted in each county, Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail-exploring Ohio’s waterways & sites, Murals Across Ohio, Next Generation Citizens of Ohio-civics & history education opportunities, Ohio Air Space Trail-visiting Ohio aviation-related sites.
Also included are Ohio Creativity Trail-six distinct artistic themes: literature, music, visual arts, glass & pottery, folk & traditional arts, carousel art, Ohio Goes to the Movies-movies showcasing Ohioans, Ohio Innovation Trail-exploring Ohio innovation stories, Revolutionary War Gravesites-mapping gravesites of Rev. War veterans buried in Ohio.
Finally, Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnics in July-Food, Fun & Freedom-inviting all Ohio communities to gather for food, fun and friendship.
More information on these Ohio events is available online at www.america250-ohio.org. Ohio has a new logo commemorating America’s 250th.
Special America 250 T-shirts, banners and other items are available to order online via www.store-america250.org.
Locally, events and activities are suggested and planned with Montpelier selected as an official America 250-OH community, along with Edgerton & Williams County.
All businesses, organizations and community members are urged to participate in some way to celebrate America’s 250 this year. Local businesses are asked to offer specials or patriotic displays relating to their own business.
Montpelier Parks & Recreation Department and Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce are currently planning local celebrations.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to decorate in red, white & blue, with American flags & buntings up by Memorial Day.
Property owners are asked to “spruce up” homes & buildings. Local businesses may offer specials or patriotic displays relating to their own business.
Sponsored by Friends of Montpelier Parks, Inc., a Fort Meigs presentation regarding the War of 1812 is scheduled Thursday, Mar. 26, at the Montpelier Public Library.
Visits are encouraged to the Montpelier Kids Garden to see the THEN & NOW garden and Liberty Tea garden featuring plants circa 1776.
Parks & Recreation plans a variety of kids activities including “Free Space” activity about Founding Fathers/Mothers each week, “1776 Kids” learning about 18th Century crafts like weaving and tin punch, “Work Before Play: Kids At Work & Learning Trades in Colonial America” interactive activity at the library, patriotic snacks at park & pool concession stands, and patriotic tie-dye shirts.
Montpelier’s annual Bean Days Festival is scheduled July 17 and 18 celebrating America 250.
Participation is encouraged during the entire weekend, not only providing free beans, but also involvement in the parade and free family activities at Founders Park planned through Montpelier Bean Days Committee.
Suggestions include free music, inflatables, ice cream social, kids’ crafts, bands, trail walk, and Washington’s Secret Agents Escape Adventure.
Donations are needed to help provide these activities. Parade handouts may include patriotic stickers, temporary tattoos, candy, pens/pencils, etc.
Also planned are opening and replacing items in the Time Capsule at the Town Hall, possibly in August.
Suggested items to include in the time capsule are photos of local buildings, businesses, and signatures of community members.
American flags or bunting/fan flags are available for purchase from Montpelier veterans at Dane Michael Veterans Center, Peltcs Lumber, or Do-It-Best Hardware.
Following the program, Auxiliary President Elaine Willibey conducted the business meeting. Thought for the day was “You are getting old if it takes you longer to rest than it did to get tired,” author unknown.
Roll call was answered to “How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve?” Reports were given by Secretary Connie Dunseth, Treasurer Joyce Schelling, and Historian Ruth Cooley. Jean Darby reported on Christmas treat baskets provided by the auxiliary for the hospital staff.
Lynn Watson was thanked for donating two FM radios for the hospital activity dept. The auxiliary approved purchasing a CD player for the activity dept. Plans also include providing a book exchange for patients.
Any auxiliary member wishing to submit her name for election of officers is asked to contact a member of the nominating committee—Armeda Sawmiller, Jill Beck and Jean Darby. Slate will be read in April.
Regarding Montpelier Bean Days Festival parade in July, the auxiliary is interested in planning an entry for this event.
Sara Dye, Parkview-Bryan Hospital liaison to the auxiliary, reported a $4000 grant from Breast Cancer for patient assistance such as providing rides, and gift cards for food, etc.
She also thanked all who donated items for the Blessing Tree to provide Christmas gifts for eligible Four County Career Center students.
Past President Linda Dilworth reported her committee for the Silent Auction scheduled March 30th will hold a planning meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Four Seasons Restaurant, Holiday City.
Committee consists of Linda as chairman and Ruth Cooley, Connie Dunseth, and Joyce Schelling. Any auxiliary member can volunteer to serve on this committee by contacting Linda.
The next general auxiliary meeting will be Monday, Feb. 9th at 1:00 p.m. in the conference room, with guest speaker-Montpelier Fire Dept. Chief Brian Fritsch.
Roll call will be “To whom do you give Valentines?”. Members are reminded of the Bakeless Bake Sale to bring a favorite recipe and monetary donation for ingredients and Valentine cards for the hospital patients and staff.
A sign-up sheet will be passed for the Soup & Salad Luncheon on Monday, Mar. 9th at noon.