Tom Risch (Mercer County Veterans Service Officer)
Tom Risch, Mercer County Veterans Service Officer, was the guest speaker at the October 1 Lions Club meeting. He spoke of the duties of his office that takes care of the 2,839 veterans and dependents in Mercer County. They distribute approximately $10,400,000 in benefits annually in the county. Services and benefit offered include pensions, disability, health care, and transportation assistance. He encourages any veteran to contact his office to see if they qualify for benefits. Pictured above is Ed Fishbaugh, a Vietnam Veteran and member of the Lions, presenting Tom Risch with the Celina Lions mug after his presentation.
Bulldog Levy Committe talks to Celina Lions
The 84th year of the Celina Lions Club kicked off with a meeting September 18th. Pictured above is guest Steve Keller, interim superintendent Celina City Schools, Club President Glenn Hux, and guest Chris Mohr, chairman Bulldog Levy Committee. The guests talked about the school's importance to the community and the need to replace the elementary buildings built in the 1950's. A slideshow was presented showing many of the less than conducive learning environments of those buildings. The project is helped being financed by the OSFC and the local levy. Since 1997, the OSFC has helped build 919 buildings in Ohio's 625 districts. The levy would cost a $100,000 homeowner $11.29 per month. The Celina Lions meet at 6:30 pm the first and third Tuesday's of the month at Casey Jones in Celina.
CONGRATULATIONS to Carolyn Glock of Celina WINNER of the Corvette Raffle. Ticket sold by the Celina Lions Club at our Taste of Celina booth.
Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel Speaks at Lions Meeting
Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel and Safety Service Director Tom Hitchcock were the guests at the May 1 meeting of the Celina Lions Club. They stated their primary goal in the first year is to focus on financial issues in the city budget. Their goal is to payoff two million dollars in debt each year. They continue to look to leverage ODOT funds to help reconstruct the major thoroughfares of Celina. They were able to balance the budget based on revenue alone; they did not have to use carryover dollars to balance their budget. Another goal is to begin a re-paving fund to save money to pay for future projects without requiring as much debt. Overall, their goal is fiscal prudence.
Celina Lions Club Honors 101 YEARS of Hall Family Service
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Mark Fleck, Membership Chairman for the Celina Lions Club recently made a special surprise presentation Owen Hall. The plaque read, "Presented to Owen Hall in appreciation for 63 years of outstanding dedication and community service through the Celina Lions Club. When asked to speak, Owen talked with emotion and pride about the projects that area Lions have accomplished over the years. "The Lions have built shelter houses, poured sidewalks around the Celina Fieldhouse, built the gazebo at Northshore Park, and carried out several childrens programs," Hall mentioned. Lions clubs members were actors in a musical fundraiser production called the Minstrels for 10 years in the 40s and 50s. Hall challenged present Lions Club members to keep the tradition alive. "It has required a lot of work with fundraisers and donated labor to carry all of this out, Hall said." Owen's son Jon has been a Lions member for the past 38 years as well--a combined 101 years of service.
Celina Lions Club Learns of Czech RepublicTrip
Thad Forsthoefel was the guest speaker at the February 21 meeting of the Celina Lions club. Forsthoefel, a social studies teacher at Coldwater High School, spent 10 days in the Czech Republic last summer where he was able to teach a few days in the local vocational school in Prague. He noted how the lingering effects of World War 2 and the subsequent fifty year communist reign could still be felt and seen in the country today. The country has now been a capitalistic free market for twenty years. Forsthoefel discussed the numerous cultural and social differences of the regions long, rich history. Pictured above is Thad Forthoefel and Lion Mary Jo Hellwarth.
Celina Lions Club Donates Rescue Grain Tube to Celina Fire Department
Lt. John Schumm of the Celina Fire Department had much to say about safety at a recent Celina Lions Club meeting. Schumm thanked the Celina Lions for purchases of mutliple pieces of safety equipment over the past several years. Included in that list are thermal imaging cameras, heart defibrillators, and the recent purchase of a grain silo rescue tube. Schumm said a typical year involves 1300 ambulance rescue runs, 300 fire calls, and 400 building inspections. Also, the department has gone door-to-door to check the status of smoke detectors and provide free detectors to those that needed them. Carbon Monoxide monitors should be placed near a bedroom to insure occupants can hear the high pitched sound in the night. It is imperative that the family have an escape plan and all know where the circuit breakers are in the home.
Grain bin accidents occur when a person enters a bin and the auger pulls the unsuspecting victim downward as it moves the grain. Once the individual is knee deep in grain, he cannot get out. Schuum related that to standing in concrete. If a person enters a bin with something to put over the face such as a cap or bucket, there is a better chance that the individual can create a space with a pocket of air. Rescue is possible if the squad can surround the victim with the grain tube sides which slide together. Also, the tube is light and can fit down the hatch of any grain bin.
Lt. Schumm indicated the fighting fires has branched out into water and ice rescues, cleaning up hazardous waste spills, and carbon monoxide training.
Pictured above are John Schuum and Lion President Luke VanTilburg as the two demonstrate the use of the grain rescue tube.
Celina Lions Club Learns 911 Central Dispatch
The Celina Lions Club recently visited Central Dispatch and listened to an informative presentation by 911 Administrator, Monte Diegel. Monte said that the dispatch receives approximately 3400 911 calls per month, and this number continues to increase. The fact that most people have converted to cell phones has increased the use of the 911 line. With 41000 people in Mercer County, this is about a normal load for emergency calls. Parents are reminded that phones cannot be shut off from the 911 function. Therefore, when a child is allowed to play with an old phone that is not shut off from this function, the child may accidentally tie up important phone time for dispatchers. Depending upon the strength of the tower to phone signal, dispatchers can pinpoint incoming cell phone calls to within 50 feet of the caller. Central dispatch works closely with the auditor's office with new addresses and changes of addresses so that the system is automatically updated. Monte said that there has been a 2 fold increase in calls related to Breaking and Entering, probably due to the influx of heroin use in the area. His goals include upgrading all the two-way radioes with the latest technology, and he is grateful for a recent federal grant relating to safety measures in a 7 county area of which Mercer County is a participant.
Monte is pictured with Lions members Dick Heiby, Doug Wolters, Bill Vondrell, and Todd Hone.
Celina Lions Club Learns about Ski Patrol
Lion Program Chairman Jon Hall introduced National Ski Patrol member Ed Raudabaugh at a recent meeting of the Celina Lions Club. Ed discussed the importance and training of ski patrol members in service at resorts across the country. Founded in 1938, the National Ski Patrol boasts 28,500 volunteer members. The patrol specializes in rescue and educational services, and two years of training is required. Members can be identifiedby the white cross on their attire as well as a two way radio and first aid kit. Next year will mark the 50th year for the ski patrol at Mad River Mountain in Bellefontaine. Ed shared several joys and anxious moments that have occurred during his watch on the ski slopes.
Lions Club makes donation
Mark Fleck, treasurer of the Celina Lions Club, recently presented 2 checks totalling $720 to Tim Clutter, minister and executive director of the C.A.L.L. Food Pantry. The money was raised at a recent Christmas party held by the club. In lieu of gifts being exchanged, the executive committee decided that the club would match donations made by individual Lions Club members. The money was then presented to C.A.L.L. ministries, and will be used to assist local families during this holiday season.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
