MonroeUSA

MACF: A Cornerstone for a Strong Monroe Future

2010-12-10T12:40:00.000-05:00

Monroe Area Community Foundation
The Cornerstone for a Strong Future

Local Contacts: John Singleton and Gloria Miltenberger
Phone Numbers: 513/478-8112 (John's cell) or 513/633-7672 (Gloria's cell)
John's E-mail: bighornet32@yahoo.com
Meeting Location: 60B American Way, Monroe, OH 45050

Photo: Monroe City Manager Bill Brock and John Singleton, MACF Executive Director

Memberships:
Individual memberships are all available at $25 per person, per year. The memberships provide operating funds to administer community grant requests and scholarship awards and to grow the many funds within the Foundation. In addition, members are asked to vote for the selection of Trustees and to help serve on Foundation issues and community committees.
As always, your memberships are used to promote and improve the quality of life of Monroe citizens by providing monetary support for grants for Monroe students and community groups. The Foundation also has several funds to which you can contribute, including but not limited to, our scholarship and endowment funds. For more information, go to www.monroefoundation.com.

Mailing Address: PO Box 56, Monroe, OH 45050
Quarterly Meetings for Board of Trustees and Development Committee

Calendar of Events:
   Annual Meeting in April
   Board of Trustees and Development Committee meet in January, April, July, and October
   Scholarship Awards at Monroe Senior Awards Assembly
   Applications for grants received quarterly
   Cornerstone Award presented at Annual Meeting in April

ABOUT THE M.A.C.F.

The Monroe Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 charitable organization to seek and receive donations; invest for growth; to make charitable and civic contributions to enhance the welfare of individuals or groups in the Monroe area.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline for filing scholarship applications is 3:00 p.m. on March 31 of each year. The scholarships available through the MACF are the James M. Anderson, M.D. and Bertha Anderson Family Scholarship, G.I.G.G.L.E.S. (Nancy Cahill Scholarship Fund), James A. Macready, M.D. Memorial Scholarship, Richard L. Miltenberger Memorial Scholarship, Monte R. Miltenberger Memorial Scholarship, three for the Lee Ann Miltenberger Memorial Scholarship and Janine Westercamp Memorial Scholarship

Contact Monroe Jr/Sr High School Counseling Office for applications and criteria for these scholarships at (513)539-8473.

MONROE SENIOR AWARDS

Each year the Monroe Area Community Foundation presents several scholarships to qualifying graduating seniors at Monroe Local Schools. The MACF does so by utilizing trusts, memorial gifts and designated contributions to build individual funds to make the monies available.

More information: http://www.mainstreetmonroe.com/macf.asp

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Joe Morgan Honda Opens in Monroe

2010-11-22T12:21:00.002-05:00

The Joe Morgan Honda dealership ground-breaking last November 17th was one of the top 15 Monroe News Stories of 2009

Today, marks day one of the Hall of Famer's dealership.

David Martin, a 20 year veteran of the new car sales industry was kind enough to show me around the place. Mr. Martin explains that this dealership is much different than any other he has worked in over the past two decades.

"What's so different?" I asked.
"The attention to the customer is much greater. Everything is about the customer and how we can provide the best customer service possible. It's drilled into us during training." said David Martin.

As David showed me around, I could tell that everything is indeed centered around the customer. For example, when you bring your car in for service, you park your car in the service advisors area. You park right next to their desks.

There is a very nice waiting room where you might find Joe Morgan talking to customers.

Best of all Joe Morgan Honda is close to home if you live anywhere near I-75 in SW Ohio. Great cars, great customer service AND maybe you get to see Joe Morgan too.

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A Top Hornet Sports Photographer in Monroe, Ohio - Bryan Garde

2010-09-15T13:43:00.001-04:00

Photo by Bryan Garde

There are many people who photograph Monroe sports. Many contribute to this site. Main Street Monroe is news, photos and videos of, by and from the people of Monroe. Residents, community leaders and businesses in Monroe have contributed photos of events in Monroe. Main Street Monroe featuring the Voice of Monroe, is the place for the latest news and information about Monroe.

As far as sports photography, three Monroe photographers stand out as the best of the best. Bryan Garde is one of the top 3. Here is why:

Photo by Bryan Garde

First of all Bryan Garde. Bryan has been contributing sports photographs since just about the inception of Main Street Monroe over a decade ago.

Photo by Bryan Garde

He has photographed Hornet Track meets, Hornet Soccer, Girls Hornet Softball, Hornet Football and Hornet Tennis.

Photos by Bryan Garde - April 9, 2008 - Notice the old Lemon-Monroe High School in the Background.

Bryan Garde owns a business called HornetPhotography.com, he takes wedding photos, graduation photos and other event photos. Recently, Bryan joined up with Bob Carroll, another great Monroe photographer to start Blue River Images.

I recommend Bryan Garde for any event where professional photography is needed.

Next post: Top 3 Sports Photographers in Monroe, Ohio -Part 2

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Monroe Neighborhood E-Watch

2010-08-08T18:50:00.001-04:00

Just like any other community, the citizens of Monroe worry about crime and violence in their neighborhoods. Thanks to the city and the Monroe Police Department, there will soon be a new way for concerned citizens to be proactive.

Neighborhood E-Watch is a way for current and future neighborhood watch programs to communicate with citizens and police officers about what's going on in their neighborhoods. It's designed to provide citizens with monthly neighborhood crime reports, crime alerts, resident surveys, crime prevention messages, and community service messages.

The program is great for anyone in the community who would like get involved and know more about what's going on in their neighborhoods but may not have the time to attend neighborhood watch meetings. If you're interested in having your neighborhood watch program added to the system, or you'd like to know more about how you can help with any type of neighborhood watch program, contact Community Resource Officer Mike Worley at worleym@monroeohio.org or 513-360-2206.

While it's not yet clear how citizens can sign up for notifications, Officer Worley says the program is currently a "work in progress." You can read more about what Worley has to say about the program in a letter posted on The Voice of Monroe at MainstreetMonroe.com.

If you're interested in adding a little extra security to your neighborhood, check out Ohio Security Cameras.

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4th Annual Hornet Day

2010-08-01T20:52:00.004-04:00

It's time for the 4th Annual Hornet Day!

Sunday, August 22, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Monroe High School athletes, band members, and coaching staff will be on-hand at the Monroe High School Sports Complex. At 5:00 PM, the athletes, band members and coaching staff will be introduced to fans.

Following the introductions, at 5:30 PM, they will be holding mini-camps for band, cheerleading, golf, softball, football, soccer, volleyball, and cross country. The mini-camps are free for any youth interested in sports or band.

After the mini-camps, you can get autographs or take pictures with your favorite coaches and players, decorate lockers (bring your decorations already completed to the event), and dunk the coaches and players in a dunking machine. You can also purchase Hornet spirt wear. In addition, the 1st Business Expo will be part of the event this year.

Hornet Day is free and open to the public! A great evening for family fun in Monroe. If you have any questions, contact Ann Hinkle at 513-539-9923.

For more Monroe, Ohio news, check out MainStreetMonroe.com.

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Monroe Primary's First Annual Fall Festival

2010-07-26T04:20:00.003-04:00

Monroe Primary School is looking ahead to the fall!

The school will be hosting its first annual Fall Festival on October 5th, 2010, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The festival will include games, activities, picnic food, and of course, lots of fun!

If you're interested in volunteering to help with the event, the school needs you! For more information on how you can help with game booths, food, set-up, break-down or any other duties, please visit Monroelocalschools.com.

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Movie in the Park

2010-07-12T14:14:00.004-04:00

If you're looking for a fun way to spend a few warm summer evenings, the City of Monroe is having its third annual "Movie in the Park." The City, along with its sponsors, want to provide families with a way to get out and spend an evening together. This is a great way for the community to get out and spend an evening together as well!

If you missed the June 18th showing of "Where the Wild Things Are," don't worry, there are more shows to catch this summer:

July 23rd: "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
August 21st: "Up"

Each movie will begin at dusk at Monroe Community Park.

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Summer Fun at the Monroe Lending Library

2010-07-05T02:56:00.001-04:00

If you're looking for something fun to do this summer for you or your children, the Monroe Lending Library is the place to be!

First of all, the library will have two reading contests. The first one, sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, started on June 2nd and will last through July 18th. The contest features nature books, crafts, and creepy, crawly bugs!! The top five readers will receive a prize. The second contest begins July 19th and lasts through August 30th. All who enter will receive a certificate, while the top three readers win prizes.

Saturday mornings at the Children's library will be tons of fun with stories and crafts. Below, you'll find a schedule for July and August:

Children's Library Schedule:

Saturday, July 12th, 2010 - 11:00 AM
Story: My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks
Craft: Family Portrait

Saturday, July 19th, 2010 - 11:00 AM
Story: Bathtime Piggy Wiggy
Story # 2: If You Give a Pig a Party

Saturday, August 9th, 2010 - 11:00 AM
Story: Bad Dog Marley
Craft: Musical Instruments

Saturday, August 16th, 2010 - 11:00 AM
Story: Wolf Plays Alone

Don't worry, grown-ups! The library has lots of fun activities planned for you as well!

Adult Library Schedule:

Wednesday, July 16, 2010 - 7:00 PM - Needlecraft Group Meets

Monday, July 28, 2010 - 7:00 PM - Book Review Group Meets
Book is Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Wednesday, August 20, 2010 - 7:00 PM - Needlecraft Group Meets

Monday, August 25, 2010 - 7:00 PM - Book Review Group Meets
Book is A Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus

The Monroe Lending Library Quarter Raffle will take place on July 25 and August 22 at the Mount Pleasant Activity Room, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Preview takes place at 6:30 PM and all proceeds go to the Library Building and Operating Funds.

If you're looking for new books, the library has lots of them by your favorite authors!!! For adults, new titles include Hold Tight by Harlan Coben, Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts, Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walter, Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson, Where Are You Now by Mary Higgins Clark, Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, and Confident Baby Care by Jo Frost.

For kids, new books include: Jelly Bean and the Big Dance by Laura Numeroff, Lady Bug Girl by Jacky Davis, and Read All About It by Jenna Bush and Laura Bush.

The library is located at 231 Macready Avenue, behind Monroe Primary School. Hours are Monday 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Wednesday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 Am - 1:00 PM. Go check out a book, or even volunteer, today!

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Monroe Fourth of July Celebration 2010

2010-06-27T23:49:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again. The good ol' USA is celebrating yet another birthday and the city of Monroe is putting together another great Fourth of July Celebration this year.

The Fourth of July Parade will start at 4:00 PM on Sunday the 4th. The parade route will begin at Heritage Plaza Drive and the Kroger Parking Lot, and it will end at Community Park on South Main Street. If you'd like to participate in the parade, contact the city at 513-539-7374 option 7.

At Community Park, there will be fun, food, and fireworks for everyone. Also, the Monroe Historical Society will host book readings in the pioneer cabin every thirty minutes from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Elaine Garver from the United Way's Women Working United/Dolly Parton Imaginarium Project will be giving away free books for children.

The Golden Lads olde tyme baseball team will also be playing a game at 6:00 PM on diamond number one in front fo the concession stands.

Fireworks are schedule to start at 9:30 PM.

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PETA Offers Aid to Solid Rock Church

2010-06-22T12:42:00.007-04:00

PETA sent a letter to Solid Rock Church offering to help pay to replace the "King of Kings" statue that burned after it was struck by lightning on June 14. PETA's offer comes with the stipulation that two changes be made to the statue. They ask that the statue depict Jesus holding a lamb, with the message "Blessed Are the Merciful. Go Vegan" inscribed on the base.

The statue was insured, and the insurance policy will cover nearly all of the damages to the statue and surrounding structure. The church plans to rebuild the statue using fireproof material to prevent a similar disaster. The church says that they appreciate the gesture, however, they do not plan to take PETA up on their offer. When asked why, Reverend Darlene Bishop responed, "We're not interested. We raise cattle. We never build a statue with stipulations that we would have to advertise for PETA."

Sources: Middletown Journal, PETA News Release

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June Events at the Monroe Lending Library

2010-05-28T04:25:00.003-04:00

The Monroe Lending Library has a busy summer full of activities planned for all ages. Here is a look at some of what you and your children can participate in.

June 2nd - 30th: The library's Annual Reading Contest will take place on these dates and the top three readers will get the chance to ride in the Fourth of July parade, as well as receiving other prizes. All books read must be from the Monroe Lending Library.

June 4th: From 7:00 - 9:00 PM, the library's Quarter Auction will take place at the Mount Pleasant Retirement Village Activity Building. All proceeds go to the Monroe Lending Library Building and Operation fun.

June 12th: The Children's Library will take place at 11:00 AM. The story will be Where the Wild Things Are and children will have the opportunity to make Father's Day cards.

June 16th: Adults are invited to take part in the Needlecraft Group. It meets at 7:00 PM

June 19th: This week's Children's Library will take place at 11:00 AM and the story will be Stinky Cheese Man and the Other Fairly Stupid Stories.

June 26th: Tweens age 9-12 are invited to attend Tween Time at the library. This will take place on the 26th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Tweens will have the opportunity to play games, puzzles, creative arts, and have book discussions.

June 28th: On Monday, the 28th, the Adult Library Book Review Group will meet and the book to be discussed is Sarah's Key by Tiana de Rosnay.

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Summer Fire Safety Tips

2010-05-28T04:00:00.004-04:00

It's that time of year again. Memorial Day weekend, a time when families begin spending more time outside camping, grilling and having a good time. But each year, 10,000 Americans are injured in incidents involving fireworks and 5,000 are injured in grill fires. In 2009, in Ohio alone 19 people died and 207 people were injured in fires during the summer months.

And with that in mind, the Division of State Fire Marshal has released some information to help people prepare for fire safety this summer in case of an emergency. Interim State Fire Marshal, Donald Cooper, issued the following statement, "Summertime should be a time for fun and making happy memories with vacations, reunions and picnics. Taking a few simple precautions, knowing fire safety tips and following instructions will help everyone enjoy a safe summer."

So, how can you ensure a safe summer for yourself and your family? First of all, remember that the only fireworks that can legally be discharged in the sate are trick and novelty devices that smoke, sparkle, snap, and snake. Children should never handle fireworks and any adult in charge of handling the fireworks should be familiar with the different types and understand the hazards. Reading the instructions is an absolute must.

When it comes to sparklers, light only one at a time and hold it away from your body. Sparkler wires can burn up to 1800 degrees and will remain hot after burnout. They should be placed in a bucket of water. If someone is burned, hold the wound under cold water for a few minutes and if necessary seek medical help.

When it comes to building campfires, it's important to build them away from dry areas of grass and leaves where they can easily spread. Also, keep them away from overhanging trees. Keep your campfires small and keep water and a shove around for dousing or putting out a fire when you're finished. Never leave your campfire unattended. If you're in a park, make sure you know the official park rules for extinguishing campfires.

One of the most popular summer activities is grilling, which makes grilling safety a top priority. Before getting started make sure the connection between the gas tank and fuel line is okay and never overfill your gas tank. Never wear lose clothing around a grill and be careful when using lighter fluid. If your fire is already burning don't add more lighter fluid. Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children and teach your children that in the event they do spot either of those items, they should report it to a trusted adult immediately. Also, make sure your kids know how to "stop, drop, and roll," as well as call 911 in the event of an emergency.

When it comes to charcoal make sure you douse hot coals with water when you're finished cooking and never place them in a container made of plastic, paper, or wood. Grilling in an enclosed area is something you should never do because of the production of carbon monoxide.

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Free Boat Safety Inspections Offered

2010-05-25T21:32:00.000-04:00

The new boating season has begun and the Ohio government is urging you to be safe while having a good time this summer. One way you can do that is by taking advantage of the free vessel safety inspections being offered by the Ohio Department of National Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft and its boating partners.

These inspections, which are free to the public, help increase safety awareness. Watercraft officers will provide the written inspections so that boat-owners may make any necessary or recommended improvements. Many Ohio residents will be getting their boats out soon, to take advantage of warmer weather and a new boating season, and keeping their boating trips safe should be at the top of their priority list.

Inspections usually look at things such as fire extinguishers, horns, navigational lights, and distress signals, and life jackets and life vests, which according to Ohio.gov must be, "in good condition and readily accessible to all boat occupants."

For more information about boating rules, safety equipment and any other boating questions you might have, check out www.ohiodnr.gov/watercraft.

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Infamous Peacocks Still on the Loose

2010-05-19T00:33:00.008-04:00

The elusive pair of peacocks were first spotted on the morning of April 5 in the middle of the road at Bypass Ohio 4 and Hamilton-Mason Road. Since then the peacocks have been creating traffic hazards in the area with dozens of calls reporting that the birds have been darting in and out of traffic. Police have issued an alert about a pair of peacocks and the city of Fairfield animal control continues to look in vain for the pair.

Most recently an Ohio state trooper spotted the bird near the rest stop on Interstate 75 near the Monroe exit but, true to form, the peacock was able to evade capture once again. It isn't clear exactly where the peacocks came from, but authorities advise if you happen to spot one of these birds to be sure to call your local police station.

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Monroe High School's New Vocal Group, "Between the Lines"

2010-05-14T19:37:00.000-04:00

Monroe High School has a new "pop-a cappella" group and their name is "Between the Lines" or "BLT." The group is made up mostly of kids who will be seniors next years. They rehearse each day, after school, from 2:45 - 4:45 PM and will be singing at high school events and events in the Monroe Community.

The group is being directed by Mark Jauss who, according to Main Street Monroe, says he is exciting about direction because the music is fun to perform and the group "has the potential to energize the entire Monroe choral program." BTL is made up of twenty students, however three of them will graduate this spring.

The singers are:

Kaitlynn Nall (Soprano)
Katya Hernandez (Soprano)
Hannah Robertson (Soprano)
Ellen Short (Soprano)
Gayle Bryan (Soprano)
Hannah Robbins (Alto)
Nikki Larkin (Alto)
Corinne Minor (Alto)
Emily Hoover (Alto)
Rachel Hoover (Alto)
Jeff Mack (Tenor)
Jay Miller (Tenor)
Saxon Hall (Tenor)
Eric Stone (Tenor)
Troy Patrick (Tenor)
Michael Luciano (Bass)
Joshua Barrett (Bass)
Brian Fiscus (Bass)
Taylor Young (Bass)
Matthew Kakaris (Vocal Percussionist)

The group's first performance will be the closing act at the Monroe High School Choir Concert, on Tuesday, May 18. It will take place in the school's auditorium at 7:00 PM. They will perform Lionel Richie's "You Are," which was arranged specifically for the group by a member of Wright State's "Fight Club," an all male a cappella group started by Jauss.

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Monroe Residents Help Nashville Flood Victims

2010-05-09T20:33:00.005-04:00

Earlier this year, much of the Nashville, Tennessee area was flooded after nearly 20 inches of rain over the course of two days, resulting in property damage throughout the area and even the loss of several lives. According to Mayor Karl Dean, damages throughout the area will so far cost around $1.5 billion, and those numbers are expected to climb. People from all over the country are offering whatever they can do to help the devastated area and that includes the people of Monroe.

Next weekend, on Sunday May 15, the Monroe Hornets Football Team, together with the First Baptist Church of Monroe youth will be collecting clothes, shoes, etc., for flood victims. The event will last from noon to 3:00 PM.

There are two drop-off locations in the community. The first one is at Monroe High School and the other is at the First Baptist Church of Monroe. Football team members and members of the First Baptist Church and First Baptist Cur ch youth will be on hand to take any and all donations.

In addition to clothing items, monetary donations are also welcome to help pay for shipping the items to the Nashville flood victims. All checks must be made payable to the First Baptist Church of Monroe. For more information, check out Faith, Football, and the Flood.

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Free Fishing Days in Ohio

2010-04-26T22:27:00.003-04:00

If you're looking for something to do this upcoming weekend, why not go fishing? The state of Ohio is offering "Free Fishing Days" on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This means anyone can fish in any of the state's public waters without having to have a fishing license. Normally, if you're over the age of sixteen, you must purchase a licenses to remove fish, frogs, and turtles from any Ohio water. Fishing licenses are $19 and are available at bait and tackle stores, outdoor outfitters, major department stores, and online at WildOhio.com.

Free Fishing Days began in 1993. The goal was to promote fishing as recreation in the state and encourage residents to buy a license. It's good for all Ohioans and includes all public water, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. According to Ohio.gov, about 1.3 million people fish in the state each year. It also allows kids to experience the fun of fishing and provides families with a fun bonding activity.

If you do plan to take your child fishing, there are a few tips to remember. Keep it simple. Don't worry about the size of the fish your kid catches, they will be excited to catch anything. A simple rod and reel costs just between $15 and $30 and is easy for people of all ages to use. You'll probably want to take children shore fishing and don't plan to spend the entire day doing the same thing over and over. Also, be patient. As Ohio.gov says, "By concentrating all your attention on your young angler, you'll likely be developing a fishing buddy for a lifetime." And don't forget to bring a camera!

If you are interested in getting a license and fishing year-round, Ohio is a great place for the sport. In winter and early spring, walleye and steelhead trout can be found in northern streams. Spring is also great for catching sugeye and crappie. When the weather gets warmer, Lake Erie is known for its yellow perch, walleye and smallmouth bass and the Ohio River is a great place for striped bass fishing.

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Free College-Bound Event for Monroe High School Students

2010-04-18T13:59:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday, April 27, at 6:00 PM, the Learning Enrichment & Assistance Program, LLC (LEAP) will host a free event for families with college-bound high school students. The event will take place at Hope Church in Mason, Ohio.

Vendor tables with presenters, graduation gifts, announcements, and more will be on hand to help students and their families learn more about the college experience. Presentations will include:

Choosing a College Major that Sticks
Financial and Other Benefits of Living Off-Campus
College or Retirement: You Don't Have to Choose
Campus Safety
High School to Higher Education: Organizing a Smooth Home to Dorm Transition
Maintaining a Healthy College Lifestyle
Part-time Work and Full-time Students
Insurance 101 for Families with College Students
Online Living Balance Sheet: Simplifying Your Family & College Finances

And much more! The event is also for families of students already in college.

This event has helped prepare students for college and beyond for over ten years. For more information, visit www.leapcollegebound.eventbrite.com or call 513-754-2240.

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Monroe Vets Visit World War II Memorial in DC

2010-04-01T20:23:00.003-04:00

A recent ABC story called, "Greatest Generation Gets the Wish of a Lifetime" featured a group of World War II veterans from the Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village in Monroe, who got, well, the "wish of a lifetime." The group was able to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

United States Navy veteran Milton Mapou was just 19 when he joined the service in 1940. He recalls his time at Pearl Harbor in an interview with ABC, "Kamikazes came in and one of them peeled off and came right at us. As the ship was going down, I came to and I was laying there with my foot twisted around...all I could see was bone sticking out of my femur."

Mapou told ABC that visiting the World War II Memorial has been one of his biggest wishes. The trip was made possible by Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime. Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime is a nonprofit organization founded by Jeremy Bloom, a former Olympian and NFL wide receiver.

The group's executive director, Deirdre Moynihan told ABC she's "embarrassed" by what happens to some American veterans, "They don't expect and they don't ask for anything, but maybe they shouldn't have to ask. Maybe we should offer. Maybe we should all be standing there and say, 'What is it you need?'"

ABC goes on to talk about just how under appreciated the "Greatest Generation" is in today's society. From having problems finding a job to the lack of education today's students receive about the struggles our World War II veterans went through to fight for our freedom, many younger people do not understand exactly what it means to be a World War II veteran.

Mapou told ABC, "I went to one of the schools in Columbus and was giving talks about Pearl Harbor, and the first thing I asked them was, 'Do you know where Pearl Harbor is?' And not one of them knew where Pearl Harbor was. Schools don't teach them. They don't teach that stuff."

For more of the story, including photos and a video, visit: Greatest Generation Gets the Wish of a Lifetime

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April Events for Butler County

2010-03-30T10:30:00.000-04:00

Spring has sprung in Butler County! It's time to get out of the house and get out on the town. Looking for something to do in April? Below are a few events you might want to consider.

April 2nd - Gather the whole family up for a performance of "The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi" at the Oxford Community Arts Center on Friday, April 2nd. The play begins at 7:30 PM and is great for kids ages four and up. It's performed by the Cincinnati Playhouse and is free to attend.

April 2nd & 3rd - If you don't have children, Little Sonoma in West Chester has a great event for adults. The "Best of 2010 Fest" takes place on the 2nd from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, as well as April 3rd from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Sample six award-winning wines from the 2010 Cincinnati Wine Festival. If you have a group of six or more, you'll want to call ahead (513-942-9463). Cheese and crackers will also be available. Cost to attend is $10.00.

April 10th - Is your child ready to show off their baseball skills? Then join the MLB/Pepsi Pitch, Hit, and Run in Hamilton. The event, which takes place at Foundation Field, is free, but make sure you bring a copy of your child's birth certificate. Festivities take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

April 14th - The Oxford Community Center's "Green Screen" program features films about science, art, and spirituality of the natural environment. This month's film is "They Killed Sister Dorthy." It will begin at 7:00 PM.

April 16th - Helen Welch will be performing at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Her act includes songs from jazz to Broadway, and after the show you can meet the artist, as well as enjoying hor d'oeurvres, wine, and beer. Tickets for members are $15.00 and $17.00 for non-members.

April 23rd & 24thAnother fun event for the whole family, the Miami University Men's Ice Hockey Team, along with the Miami University Synchronized Skating Teams will take part in a theatrical production: the Annual Spring Ice Show. The event, which takes place at the Goggin Ice Center at Miami University in Oxford, starts at 7:30 PM on Saturday and 4:00 PM on Sunday.

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Monroe HS Senior Prom Set for April 30

2010-03-25T15:00:00.004-04:00

Monroe High School's Senior Prom has been set for April 30th. The theme is "If Only for a Night." The event will take place from 8:00 PM - midnight at the Lake Lyndsay Lodge and tickets are on sale as of today. Tickets can be purchase from Ms. Black in Room E105 at the school or Ms. Gray in Room E201, or in the school's rotunda before and after school hours. Prices are as follows: $35.00 if tickets are purchased between March 25 and April 1, $40.00 if tickets are purchased between April 12 and April 23, and $45.00 if tickets are purchased between April 26 and April 29.

Students who purchase tickets must be juniors or seniors at Monroe High School. The dress code will be formal, meaning girls should wear dresses and boys coats and ties. Guests cannot be over the age of 20 and must be in at least ninth grade and guests from other schools must return a signed permission form. Students must arrive to the prom by 9:00 PM or their parents will be notified and will not be allowed to leave until the crowning ceremony, which begins at 11:00 PM, is over.

Your ticket includes hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, as well as soft drinks. Tickets and directions will be handed out in the Auditorium on the day of the prom at 11:01 AM. Students must be in school that day by 7:30 AM and stay until after the prom meeting that day. If students plan to leave early, they must return a form, granting them permission to leave early by April 28. No tickets will be sold after the 29th.

For more information, visit the Monroe High School Prom website.

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Dayton Shrinks While Cincinnati Grows

2010-03-23T14:03:00.003-04:00

The U.S. Census Bureau released some preliminary estimated data on Tuesday and according to the Dayton Business Journal, Dayton's metro area is shrinking, losing 1.5 % of its population in 2009. Dayton's population dropped from 848,000 to 835,000, making it the 61st largest city in the United States (it was the 54th). The official information won't be released until December.

On the other hand, the Cincinnati-Middletown metro area, the largest metro area in Ohio, gained about 162,000 people since the last census was taken. Currently, it is the 24th largest metro area in the United States with a population of 2.1 million people. It was also the 24th in 2000, when the last Census was taken. Many experts believe that after the 2010 data is retrieved, the Cincinnati and Dayton areas will be joined together to form one large metro area.

In the rest of the state, Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor also lost rank. In 2000, it was the 23rd largest city and became the 26th in 2009. It's population dropped from 2.15 million to 2.1 million. Columbus, on the other hand, gained population over the last ten years, going from 1.6 million to 1.8 million people. However, it lost rank, moving from 31st to 32nd place.

In other nearby cities, things didn't change too much. Indianapolis, Indiana stayed at 34th place, but saw a rise in population: 1.5 to 1.7 million people. Louisville, Kentucky moved up from 43rd to 42nd largest metro area and saw an increase in population as well (1.16 to 1.26 million people).

New York - Northern New Jersey - Long Island is the largest metro area in the United States, with a population of 18.3 million, with Los Angeles - Long Beach - Santa Ana's 12.4 million coming in second and Chicago - Naperville - Joliet's 9.1 million coming in third place. For the complete list with more information, visit Buffalo Business First.

Looking for a Surveillance System? Then call 513-422-1907 for a Security Camera System in Middletown, Cincinnati, or the Dayton, Ohio areas.

Monroe's Lady Swarm Has a Great Season!

2010-03-17T11:49:00.003-04:00

Monroe's third grade Lady Swarm won their post-season tournament, making them the 2010 Dayton Metro 3rd grade Tournament champions! They beat Middletown 22-2, Waynesville, 26-9, Madison 29-27, and Franklin 28-16.

In addition to winning the Tournament, the team went undefeated all year at 17-0, making them the League champions. They also won the pre-season Thanksgiving Day tournament at Kingdom, with a 3-1 record, making their total record for the entire year 22-1. The girls are coached by Suzanne and Gary Sloneker.

The team is pictured above. In the front row, you have Lauryn Dessauer, Shelby York, Ashlynn Yarletts, and Makenzi Moore. The back row features Head Coach Suzanne Sloneker, Averi Glick, Haley Brabant, Sophie Sloneker, Katie Sloneker, and Assistant Coach Gary Sloneker

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Monroe Students Get Excited About Reading

2010-03-07T19:36:00.001-05:00

The students of Monroe Local Schools have all sorts of reasons to get excited about reading this spring. From author visits to book fairs, there is a lot going on in March and April!

On March 11-12, author Shelley Pearsall will meet with fifth and eighth grade students. The students are reading her book Trouble Don't Last before her visit. The book, which tells about an eleven-year-old's Underground Railroad journey, won the 2003 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and is a 2009 Choose to Read Ohio Community Read selection. The author will talk about historical fiction writing and how she used primary source documents to write the book. Students will be allowed to create a character sketch of their own.

Later this month, on March 22-23, author Candace Fleming will visit the School System. She is the author of a number of chapter books, pictures, books, biographies, and historical fiction. Her latest book is The Great and Only Barnum: the Tremendous, Stupendous, Life of Showman P.T. Barnum.

March 9-11, the Scholastic Book Fair will be visiting Monroe Junior High. It will be open from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM each day, and parents, families, and members of the community are invited to attend. The theme is "Catch the Madness-Read a Book!" and on March 11, from 2:30 -6:30, Family Night will be held. Several local businesses have donated prizes, including Cincinnati Bell, MacDonald Insurance, Skilled Care Pharmacy, Kings Island, Danbarry Cinemas, Gold Star Chili, IGA Express, Wendy's, Eastern Bowling Lanes, AXA Equitable, and Kohl's.

Two Monroe Businessmen Open GreenSource Cincinnati

2010-03-05T08:48:00.005-05:00

The Midwest building community is going green - that is if William "Ez" and Will Housh of Monroe Mechanical have anything to do with it. The father and son duo are hoping their new project, GreenSource Cincinnati, will do just that!
Over the last year, the Housh's have worked to restore and renovate a historic building in downtown Cincinnati. Located at 19 East 8th Street, the $1.5 million resource center will showcase green building products, services, and education. It is scheduled for a grand opening in about two weeks.
The building, which was built in 1875, was given a "green" makeover. They recycled the existing materials when possible, re-finishing wood floors, adding insulation, and installing new heating, plumbing and lighting.
"The center is registered for LEED Gold certification. LEED is the standard in the green building industry. Our goal is to be a resource center and to inspire the Midwest building community with energy efficient, sustainable technologies," Will House told Cincinnati.com.
In addition to consulting individual clients, the group will offer educational training at "green" events and seminars. They also plan to schedule regular events that will showcase energy efficient HVAC systems, electrical technologies, water reclamation systems, green roof systems, a green data center, and more. They hope to appeal to building professionals such as commercial builders, architects, designers, engineers, building owners, property managers, and other event attendees.
Right now, over 50 technology partners plan to display their products and services at GreenSource. They include: Schneider Electric, Lennox, Kohler, APC and Sun Windows. All technologies are installed, serviced, or distributed by Monroe Mechanical, which serves commercial clients or by their sister company HOUSH - The Home Energy Experts, which serves residential clients.
The grand opening for GreenSource Cincinnati will take place on March 18t from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory and Cincinnati U.S. Green Building Council Vice Chairperson Susan Brownknight will both be in attendance. For more information or to register for the event, call 866-846-4733 or visit GreenSourceCincinnati.com.

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