Synopsis and Communication Piece

Transcription

Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid
Springfield, OH
Permit No. 6
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
20 S. Limestone St., Suite 100
Springfield, OH 45502
REGION
view
G R E A T E R
Heart of Ohio Antique Center
“Extravaganzas”. We had to do something different,” Bruce said.
Last year, the Knights closed down their pipeline to China. Over the
years that pipeline led to the shipping of 300 40-foot containers full of
antiques out of that country. The profit margins were getting too small to
continue.
They promoted it with television ads and radio spots and expanded the event to
three days.
“I will never quit dealing, but I might try to slow down,” he said,
mentioning a home they own in Florida.
His route to China went through Vietnam where he was stationed
during the war. As luck would have it, he was assigned to a postal unit. He
sent more than 400 packages back home while overseas. One can imagine
what was in them. During his free time, he’d go into Saigon in search of
antiques.
Through an effort to get a vase that he admired sent back home, he met
Frances Chui, an antique dealer. Chui was successful in getting the vase out
of the country.
It’s not difficult to surmise that no other business in Clark County brings in the
number of visitors that the antique show did and still does under the new owners,
Jenkins Management of Indiana. The Knights sold the show to them at the end of
1998 to devote more time to the Heart of Ohio Antique Center.
Before that happened, Bruce remembers calling Vivalyn out of the office at the
fairgrounds and leading her up to the top of the grandstands.
“We looked out and we had them parked on the race track and there was a line
of people that looked like some migration. People were straggling back to their cars
and dragging all this paraphernalia. They were worn out,” he said.
The show became an antique mecca. Even Bruce’s father
acknowledged his success. An article appeared in the Springfield
News-Sun highlighting the magnitude of the show.
Vivalyn recalls the acknowledgement. “His father said ‘you
know, Bruce, you’ve really done something with that place.’ He
was proud of him at that point,” she said.
Heart of Ohio
They were among the first Americans to go to China
for the purpose of buying antiques. When they would shop
in the market, they were often the only non-Asians there.
The Heart of Ohio Antique Center has produced the same
kind of “wow” factor as the Antique Show and Flea Market. The
center was listed in Martha Stewart’s Living Magazine two years
ago as “America’s premier place to buy antiques.”
They established two shops in China that employed
185 people who fixed, cleaned and refurbished the items
they purchased prior to shipping here. Chui worked fulltime for them for 11 years. One day he called and asked if
they would like to buy the gates to the French Embassy in
Shanghai. They were interested.
“This place has got us ruined for going anywhere else,” said
Richard Thomas, a shopper at the Center from Lynn, Ind.
The antique center employs 40 to 45 full and part-time
employees, some who have been there since it opened.
The center has 650 dealers who come from eight states, selling
on consignment. The center has had a full capacity of vendors, in
addition to a waiting list.
Jim and Kathy Bradford search for that special item
When he started, it was a sideline. He was adhering to his father’s
wishes by working at International Harvester (as it was then known) first on
the line and then in the employment office for over 10 years.
Decision day came when one of his antique shows was scheduled for the
weekend. Conflict arose because he was needed at International Harvester.
Knight followed his heart and chose antiques.
Extravaganzas Are Born
The Antique Show and Flea Market grew from what started annually in
1968 with 40 dealers to bi-annually the following year, but after some time
they became redundant.
“We were trying to stir the mud up so we started what we called the
C O M M e R C e
f A L L
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golden Leaf gala set
for October 22nd at
Champions Center.
Page 4
“During the first Extravaganza, it took a guy 45 minutes or an hour to get
from the Interstate (exit) to the fairgrounds. We were not set for the numbers that
showed up,” Bruce said.
Vivalyn said they filed the letter away, never expecting
to go there. Knight had been going to England to buy
for over 20 years, but the excitement dwindled, so they
contacted Chui.
The idea for an antique show and flea market came from the antique
flea market in Washington C.H. There also were antique shows that
were more sophisticated. His idea was to combine the two, creating the
Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market.
O f
To say their efforts were successful would be an understatement.
“Oh, and by the way, Chui wrote in a letter, if you’re
ever interested in going to China, I can help.”
Combining Antique Show and Flea Market
C h A M B e R
2 0 0 9
(continued from front cover)
Many Trips to China
Besides, Knight said, at age 66 he wants to slow down a little but not
completely.
S P R I N G F I E L D
Bruce said if you check license plates in the parking lot on the weekend threefourths are from outside the state.
Candy Pack of Portsmouth asked not to show the drool coming from her
mouth as she was photographed browsing through one of the many booths. “I’ve
never been here before. I love the place. You could spend a couple days here,” she
said.
It’s where Bruce and
Vivalyn can be found most
days if they aren’t off on some
foreign excursion, relaxing
in their home in Florida, or
scouring local garage sales.
german shepherd
national show will
be here for week in
October. Page 12
Calendar See a
schedule of events
in coming months.
Page 19
INTHIS
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Bruce and Vivalyn Knight, owners of Heart of Ohio Antique Center, have been all over the world in pursuit of antiques. Bruce, who started the Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market, said it’s the thrill of the hunt
that keeps him active in the business.
KnighT hAs PuT sPRingfieLd On MAP
AMOng AnTique LOveRs WORLdWide
He and Wife, Vivalyn, Have Traveled Extensively in Search of Antiques, but Also Scour Local Garage Sales
Bruce Knight remembers the day he got hooked. The year was 1955 and the
place was Arlington Avenue in Springfield. A neighbor was holding an auction
of his household items and as a 12-year-old boy he wandered down the street to
watch the proceedings.
“I was fascinated,” the king of antique collecting said.
Born that day was an idea which would one day lead to Springfield becoming
one of the country’s, and the world’s, most well-known centers for antiques.
As proof: His wife, Vivalyn, had an uncle who struck
up a conversation with some fellow diners while visiting
England. When told he was from Springfield, Ohio, the
Englishman sat up and said: “Oh, where the big antique
show is.”
He would turn around and sell them to Ralph Nawman, a dealer with a store in
Tremont City, and to Chet Kitchen, who had a location on Route 40.
People who bought items out of people’s homes were called “pickers.” “I never
did like that term,” Bruce said.
As Knight told these stories, he and Vivalyn were taking a break from their
duties at the 126,000-square foot Heart of Ohio Antique Center, located along
I-70 in Harmony, which they currently own.
“As far as we know–and I’m sure we’re right because
we surely would have heard something in 11 years–I think
we are the biggest antique center in the United States,” he
said.
“There’s nothing like it anywhere,” Vivalyn said,
at least not in the approximately 20 countries they’ve
The Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market,
traveled, searching for antiques.
which he and a partner started in 1969, was Bruce’s idea;
the partner had the connections. He and Vivalyn had sole
Bruce had no intention of making a career out of
ownership before they sold it after the last show in 1998.
collecting and selling antiques. When he started during
It was considered the largest such event in the country
his youth, it wasn’t like today. Antiques and flea market
with attendance at its peak, estimated at 50,000 people
Jay Fissel, employee of the Antique Center, waits to help shoppers items then were easy to find and hard to sell.
for the weekend.
There also was his father’s philosophy against the antiques and flea market
He went house to house
business as a career. His dad felt that to be successful you had to go to college and
become a business executive, just like him.
By age 16, he recruited the assistance of a man living on the south side known
as “Scatterbones.”
Knight went to college at Ohio State, but “In my spare time and on weekends,
“He knew everyone,” Bruce said. “Scatterbones” would take him to all of
his acquaintances’ homes and Bruce would buy items out of houses and garages.
I’d be chasing antiques,” he said.
continued on back cover
W E L C O M E T O T H E F O U R T H E D I T I O N O F T H E G R E A T E R S P R I N G F I E L D C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E ’ S N E W Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R
THIS EDITION OF
REGION VIEW
“It’s been a wonderful,
interesting business,” he said.
Richard and Janice Thomas of Lynn, Ind. look in a glass case
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ATWORK.
ATPLAY.
Groundwork Laid for
Eco-Adventure
Excellent Schools
Boating Taking Shape
continued on page 6
continued on page 18
sPOnsORedBY.
VisitSpringfieldOhio.com
CALENDAROfEVENTS
Raleigh-durham
initiatives Offer
ideas for springfield
Mike McDorman, President & CEO
Greater Springfield
Chamber of Commerce
Strategic Vision Update
Every so often it’s good to go through the process of reinforcing where
you’ve been as a community and where you’re going. We’re going through that
now.
You may have heard about previous strategic plans orchestrated by the
Chamber and facilitated with help from community members. The most recent
was Vision 2020.
As the community has changed and some goals have been reached, it came
time to update that vision and look out as far out as 2030. What do we want
to look like as a community in 20 years is the underlying theme of the vision
plan.
Our updated Strategic Vision will be focusing on five areas. Each has a
Chamber board member and a community champion heading the goal. The
five are:
•
Develop the Workforce by enhancing education and training.
•
Change Perceptions of Springfield internally and externally through
branding and marketing.
•
Revitalize Strategic Community Areas through such efforts as the ecosports corridor on Buck Creek and Veterans Park, Hollandia
Gardens, housing options, strategic planning, etc.
1-3 Jack Osbun 40 Year Retrospective: A Search
for Significant Form: Held 9 am to 5 pm at the
Springfield Museum of Art. Inspired by the
culture, land and people of Mexico, Jack brings
to Springfield paintings rich in color and texture,
steeped with a cultural overlay.
1 - 25 Cowvin’s Corny Maze, Young’s Jersey
Dairy: See if you can navigate your way through
the maze of over three acres of cornfield and over
one mile of paths. The maze has many twists and
turns and is “amoosing” fun for the entire family.
Noon – 6 pm, $6 per person, $2 for ages 4 and
under. Call 937.325.0629 for more information.
2-3 Buck Creek Fall Campout Weekend #1.
Join us for our annual fall campout. Activities
include a hog roast, chili dinner, campsite
decorating contest, pumpkin carving and painting,
hay rides, trick-or-treating, haunted trail and
live entertainment. For more information call
927.322.5284.
2-4 New Carlisle Heritage of Flight Festival
and Parade of Planes. The three-day festival
includes a cruise-in, a kiddy tractor pull, rides,
food and performances and attracts thousands of
festival-goers from around the state. The festival
transforms downtown New Carlisle into a flurry
of activity and features a Parade of Planes, during
which people line the streets to watch aircraft
and other parade participants travel through the
Main Street midway. Call 937.845.9492 for more
information.
Grow Greater Springfield through economic development, thus jobs.
•
•
Holding the American Conference of Chamber Executives convention in
Raleigh-Durham, N.C. gave Chamber President Mike McDorman an opportunity to
see two projects in each of those communities that are applicable to Springfield.
Raleigh has a Steven Covey magnet school operated under the public school
system that is based on his “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” A tour
of Durham showed how a tired downtown area turned old dilapidated tobacco
warehouses into the largest mixed-use development in North Carolina.
Covey’s magnet school was opened as part of the urban public school system for
those students and their parents who wanted something more for their children than
the traditional school setting offered. It was an example of school choice within the
same school district. Soon after it opened with 300 students, enrollment skyrocketed
to 800.
As Springfield looks to stem the tide of student defections to rural districts
because of the perception of inferior education, such an offering would be worth
exploring, McDorman said.
Springfield City Schools has the prestigious International Baccalaureate program
for motivated students, one of only a handful of such programs in Ohio.
“Imagine an entire school for motivated students who are looking for an
educational challenge,” McDorman said.
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1 Oct – 31 Dec “112 Years and Counting: The
History of the Clark County Historical Society”
is outside the Crabill Discovery Hall. The exhibit
examines how the historical society has changed
over time and highlights its collections, the
different venues where it has been, and looks
at the move to the Heritage Center. For more
information call 937.324.0657 or visit www.
heritagecenter.us.
2-31 Haunted Wagon Ride, 7:30 pm – 10 pm,
Friday and Saturday nights at Young’s Jersey
Dairy: things are going to get a little scary around
Young’s this Fall! Our Haunted Wagon Ride,
Scary Stories and Bale Maze are designed for
families with children. A responsible adult must
accompany all children under age 11. This is a
family fun activity that will help get you into the
proper Halloween spirit! www.youngsdairy.com/
cowlendar.html.
3 Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk: Young’s
Jersey Dairy – 9 am to Noon, no admission
charge. Participants are expected to raise funds
for Alzheimer’s Association. The walk is a non-
Build a Culture of Implementation and Accountability by providing the
resources necessary to succeed, and tracking the progress of stated goals.
competitive, fully accessible course. For further
information, contact The Alzheimer’s Association
at 937.291.3332.
3 Masterworks! Peter Stafford Wilson,
Conductor, Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Featuring one of the most electrifying pieces
for piano and orchestra written in the past 100
years! Christopher Durrenberger of Wittenberg
University kicks off the season performing the
Piano Concerto No. 2, composed by one of
America’s most performed and recorded living
composers, Lowell Liebermann. Beethoven’s
cheerful Symphony No. 8 rounds out our marriage
of old and new. Don’t miss a pre-concert talk
with composer Lowell Liebermann at 7:15 pm Preconcert music in the Lobby also begins at 7:15 pm.
3 2009 South Fountain Tour of Homes and Porch
Festival: The South Fountain Historic District
Tour of Homes is one of Ohio’s foremost heritage
tours, featuring one of the best collections of
historic and architecturally significant houses in the
Midwest. Experience Victorian America firsthand
through several period houses, see the latest
interior fashions by area decorators, and learn
about the Underground Railroad at the historic
Gammon House, currently under restoration.
The 2009 Tour will mark the South Fountain
Preservation group’s thirteenth year sponsoring
this self-guided walking tour through houses rarely
open to the public. Tours start at First Baptist
Church, 638 South Fountain Avenue.
3 Clark County Retired Teachers Annual Car
Show: Young’s Jersey Dairy, 10 am – 3 pm.
9 ABBAMania and Stayin’ Alive, 8 pm at the
Clark State Performing Arts Center. Get ready to
experience the seventies again with this special
tribute extravaganza, rock concert musical with
ABBA and The Bee Gees! Take a trip down
memory lane and visit that not so long ago era
where sideburns, platform shoes and glitter balls
ruled! 1.866.PAC.TKTS.
9-10 Buck Creek Fall Campout Weekend #2.
Join us for our annual fall campout. Activities
include a hog roast, chili dinner, campsite
decorating contest, pumpkin carving and painting,
hay rides, trick-or-treating, haunted trail and
live entertainment. For more information call
927.322.5284.
10 Yellow Springs Street Fair, 9am – 5pm: Over
200 booths selling fine arts & crafts, clothing,
jewelry, fair trade items, unique gifts, massages
and much more. Enjoy the international selection
of cuisine from Vietnamese shish-kabob to
Mexican empanadas to Thai wraps to hot dogs.
But Street Fair in Yellow Springs is much more
than an arts and food fair; it’s an all-day festival
with entertainment throughout the day. Local
favorites, the Egyptian Breeze Belly Dancers and
the drumming sounds of Wulf, will delight the
crowd. Call 937.767.2686 for more information.
beloved composer Irving Berlin. It follows the
journey of a piano as it moves in and out of
American lives from the turn of the century to
the present. To be held at the Kuss Auditorium,
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 8 pm, 300 S.
Fountain Ave., Springfield, Ohio.
10 – 11 Enon Apple Butter Festival - 10 am-6 pm
Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday. 5 50gallon kettles
of apple butter being stirred. All types of festival
foods and activities. Come join in the fun. For
information, phone 937.864.2797.
17-18 Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market,
Friday 4 pm – 8 pm, Saturday 8 am – 5 pm and
Sunday 9 am – 4 pm, Clark County Fairgrounds,
exit 59 off I-70. The Springfield Antique Show
and Flea Market has been a favorite source for
thousands of collectors and dealers for over
twenty-five years. Whatever you’re looking for;
fine period furniture or funky fifty’s rattan, Bakelite
jewelry or diamonds, fine art or folk art, you can
expect to find the unexpected in Springfield.
11 Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap Meet, Clark
County Fairgrounds, exit 59 off of I-70. Indoors
& Out. All brands of Motorcycles. 8 am - 3 pm.
Admission $6, vendor spaces $40. Clark County
Fairgrounds, I-70 & S. R. 41, Springfield, Ohio.
Walneck’s, contact 630.985.2097 or visit www.
walneckswap.com
12-19 German Shepherd Dog Clubs of America
National Specialty Show: Held at the Champions
Center, Clark County Fairgrounds, Exit 59 off I-70
with German Shepherds coming from all 50 states
and Canada. For more information please call
937.325.7621.
16 Leon Redbone, 7:30 pm at the Clark State
Performing Arts Center. Though his iconic guise
of white fedora, jacket and sunglasses has been
thoroughly satirized, it‘s easy to overlook the
genuinely gifted artistry of Leon Redbone. If there
is one common element to Redbone’s diverse
music, it’s his mastery of his acoustic guitar. Lobby
party begins at 6 pm with free appetizers and a
cash bar! 1.866.PAC.TKTS.
16-18 Yellow Springs Fall Arts Excursion
Weekend: A series of events featuring the 3rd
Friday Fling in the Springs and annual Artist Studio
Tour on Saturday and Sunday. Call 937.767.2686
for more information.
17 Ghosts and Goblins: Literature to scare and
delight at Mac-O-Chee, $6.00 for children 5-15,
$10.00 for adults (MFH members discount is
$1.00). This program begins at 4:30 pm and lasts
until 6:00 pm It is not recommended for children
under the age of five. Mac-O-Chee is located two
miles east of West Liberty. Discover the fun of
Halloween traditions and how imagination can be
sparked by a good story. The program includes
Victorian autumn games, stories and dramatic
scenes, a scavenger hunt for literary treasures, a
spooky cellar walk and a bonfire.
17 Oct-28 Nov Aminah Robinson – Along Water
Street. Held at the Springfield Museum of Art,
this unique and complex body of work features
paintings, books, journals, sculptures and mixed
media objects that span more than 50 years of
work by this internationally acclaimed artist.
20 Collin Raye and Restless Heart, 8 pm at the
Clark State Performing Arts Center. One of the
true hit-makers of the 1990s, Collin Raye still
continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material
with the honesty and richness that is signature to
his vocals. Don’t miss this special evening of great
country music! 1.866.PAC.TKTS.
23-25 Wittenberg University Homecoming
Weekend. Wittenberg University Alumni
celebrate with annual Homecoming festivities.
For more information, visit www.wittenberg.edu/
administration/alumni/events/homecoming/2009.
24 Ghosts and Goblins: Literature to scare and
delight at Mac-O-Chee, $6.00 for children 5-15,
$1.00). This program begins at 4:30 pm and lasts
until 6:00 pm It is not recommended for children
under the age of five. Mac-O-Chee is located two
miles east of West Liberty. Discover the fun of
Halloween traditions and how imagination can be
sparked by a good story. The program includes
Victorian autumn games, stories and dramatic
scenes, a scavenger hunt for literary treasures, a
spooky cellar walk and a bonfire.
30-31 Fork Lift Rodeo: Clark County
Fairgrounds, Exit 54 off of I70. Local, regional,
national and international companies compete in
skills competition.
17 Broadway and Beyond Series presents the
music of Irving Berlin. “I Love A Piano” is a lively,
nostalgic celebration of the music and lyrics of
These goals are simply areas of focus toward the ultimate vision goal of
becoming the most livable city in Ohio.
Maybe that seems like a stretch to some until you look at what has already
been done in this community and what’s in the works. If we are to be bold
enough to eventually designate ourselves as such we must look at quality of life
issues, affordability, crime, job opportunities. We must look at such amenities
as our educational system, parks, arts and culture and recreation.
We have the building blocks for all of the above. They include a new
downtown surgical center and a $235 million hospital being built that
promises a state-of-the-art health care system. There are all new city schools,
accounting for a $166 million investment.
We have a nearly 2,200-acre lake, the C.J. Brown Reservoir, at Buck Creek
State Park minutes from downtown. Our bike trail system will only get better
as signage is improved and linkages to other parts of the state are made.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Westcott House, Heritage Center, Art Museum
and Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center and arts and
cultural opportunities distinguishes us.
The eco-adventure kayaking/canoe venue on Buck Creek and bouldering
in Veterans Park will provide seasonal recreation that will bring visitors from
throughout the region.
The redevelopment of downtown is a strong focus for us that will drive a
more positive perception among residents and visitors.
As we do these things and accomplish the action items that will be
developed within each one of these goals, we are going to quickly see that we
can become the most livable city in Ohio.
The good news is we are already well on our way. Think of it as our Vision
2020 and current Strategic Vision plan on steroids.
Our discussions with the community champions just recently began. Our
hope is that as the process gets further along we will hire a consultant to help
facilitate the process and hold public town hall meetings to gather additional
input.
I am aware that strategic visions tend to be great things when you do
them. They create “wow” moments but distractions down the road tend to
cause a loss of focus.
That’s why one of the committees’ purposes is to hold the other
committees accountable and keep moving the process forward.
I will leave you with this thought about why we need a Strategic Vision
Plan from former NFL Coach Tony Dungy:
2
“The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the
ability to envision it. VISION will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our
commitment to WHATEVER IT TAKES to achieve excellence. Only
VISION allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of
achievement through human action. VISION has no boundaries and knows
no limits. Our VISION is what we become in life.”
Tobacco warehouses were converted in downtown Durham.
As part of the program, seven students from grades K through five spoke on how
their school is applying one of the seven habits. “They were speaking in front of 1,200
Chamber executives. They were impressive,” he said.
McDorman said there’s a correlation between the educational initiative and the
rebuilding of neighborhoods. Revitalization in Durham meant rehabilitating old
buildings, instead of tearing down and building new.
“We have an opportunity to do that in this community. We need to have great
vision around what redevelopment of an old structure can mean to what we are trying
to achieve with the adventure sports corridor and the renaissance of Springfield,” he
said.
Bold education initiatives and a vision for rehabilitating downtown and
neighborhoods happened in both Raleigh and Durham–cities not unlike Springfield,
McDorman said.
A vibrant, attractive downtown with recreational opportunities in the area and a
strong educational system, he said, would lead to the third piece of the puzzle–JOBS!
small Business/
Legislative Council
Becoming More Active
The Small Business/Legislative Affairs Council is being rejuvenated.
While it never went away, it had been somewhat dormant until recently when
Attorney Jim Lagos serving as chairman and Stacy Gianakopoulos as vice chairman
breathed new life into it.
Membership is open to anyone. Call the Chamber to be placed on the
membership roll.
“Basically, there is no way you can be in business and not be involved in
government,” Lagos said.
He said government is going to be involved in business so it makes good business
sense to be a member of the council.
“I think a lot of small business people who are very active in the community
need to get even more active and continuously active with members of the legislature
and all levels of government,” Lagos said.
The Springfield Chamber’s Small Business/Legislative Affairs Council was one of
the first in Ohio, dating back to 1976.
Lagos said the need to “fire up” the council again came about because of
economic conditions and changes in the political climate.
n
O
v
4 Model Train Show – Held 11 am – 4 pm at
the Clark County Fairgrounds, exit 59 off of I70.
Admission is $5 with children under 12, free. Call
937.399.6647 for more information.
7 NightLights I: Hailed by critics as a composer
whose music reflects a “charging, churning
celebration of the musical and cultural energy of
modern-day America,” Cindy McTee “brings to
the world of concert music a fresh and imaginative
voice.” You’ll also meet Chad Hoopes, the recent
winner of the Young Artists Division of the Yehudi
Menuhin competition. Don’t miss the Opening
Notes, with composer Cincy McTee herself.
Performance Prelude and Opening Notes begin
at 7:15.
7-8 Annual Mid-Ohio Insulator Show: Arts &
Crafts Building, Clark County Fairgrounds, Exit
54 off I-70. Plan to meet your friends at this huge
show with over 150 sales tables and displays. Call
937.323.3090 for more information.
13-14 Addis Equine Arabian Auction at the
Champions Center .
d
e
C
1-31 Holiday in the Village, Yellow Springs,
Ohio. Holiday lights, one-of-a-kind shopping,
special events, festive foods, music.
5 Holiday Open House at the Springfield
Museum of Art, 10 am to 3 pm. Just in time for
the Holidays, the Museum opens its doors on a
December Saturday with a potpourri of studio
demonstrations, gallery tours, artist presentations
and booths featuring original artworks for sale.
Call 325.4673 for more information.
5 Leahy, a Celtic Christmas, 8 pm at the Clark
State Performing Arts Center. Celebrate the
season with the musical powerhouse Leahy as
they unwrap their Celtic Christmas charm for the
holidays. In this special program of traditional
carols and Christmas memories past and present,
these eight brothers and sisters from Lakefield,
Ontario, bring their unique family blend of Celtic
music-making to the season. Enjoy your holiday
favorites and theirs.
5 Yellow Springs Holiday Festival: It’s that
time of year again. Come join us for a oneof-a-kind holiday shopping experience; kisses
under mistletoe; the winter beauty of the Glen;
carriage rides; music; festive foods; and other
entertainment. Call 937.767.2686 for more
information.
14 Broadway and Beyond Series presents an
evening with Howie Mandel. A season extra
performance, look out Springfield – here comes
Howie! To be held at the Kuss Auditorium, Clark
State Performing Arts Center at 8 pm, 300 S.
14-15 Cars & Parts Springfield Swap Meet: Bring
a sweater and stock up with automotive and other
supplies for Winter! Actually, due to Ohio’s mild
end-of-season weather, you may still need to apply
your sunscreen! One thing you can be sure of is
the hearty midwestern shoppers and vendors who
just can’t get enough parts and supplies to survive
the long Winter months until Spring. Clark County
Fairgrounds, exit 59 off I-70. For more information
visit www.OhioSwapMeet.com.
15 An Evening with Linda Eder, 8 pm, Clark
State Performing Arts Center. Among her many
milestones, Linda has been profiled by the Bravo
Nertwork, had a solo concert run at Broadway’s
Gershwin Theater, and performed the track
“Gold” to which Kristi Yamaguchi skated during
the opening ceremonies at the 2002 Winter
Olympics. Singing with amazing power and clarity,
5 Christmas Mornings at Mac-A-Cheek (1 mile
east of West Liberty), $6.00 for children 5-15,
$1.00). Enjoy living history, storytelling, Victorian
era games and hands-on activities as you discover
how families celebrated the season in the past.
Reservations are required for these programs
which last from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m, and includes
admission to the seasonal exhibit: Traditions Over
Time. The programs each week are different,
come to one or all. The program this week is A
Visit from Saint Nicholas.
6 MasterWorks II, 3 pm Matinee Concert,
Opening Notes 2:15 pm, with composer Stephen
Paulus and Augustin Hadelich on the violin.
Stephen Paulus, a “bright, fluent inventor with a
ready lyric gift,” brings us Voices from the Gallery,
a work vividly depicting a collection of classic
paintings. Augustine Hadelich, one of the most
in-demand soloists on the circuit today, will share
the music of Mozart. Clark State Performing Arts
Center.
era games and hands-on activities as you discover
how families celebrated the season in the past.
Reservations are required for these programs
Linda delivers an intimate evening of glorious
songs.
20-31 Dec Yellow Springs 3rd Friday Fling:
Holiday in the Village Kick-Off, Yellow Springs,
Ohio. Holiday lights, one-of-a-kind shopping,
special events, festive foods, music.
21-22 Glen Helen Nature Arts and Crafts Show,
Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm, art
from nature in the Glen Helen Building. Admission
fee benefits Glen Helen. For more information
please call 937.769.1902.
which last from 9:30 to 11:30 am and includes
admission to the seasonal exhibit: Traditions Over
Time. The programs each week are different,
come to one or all. The program this week is
Wassailing and Mummers Plays.
12 Dec- 23 Jan Western Ohio Watercolor Society
Held at the Springfield Museum of Art, this annual
juried exhibition showcases the finest watercolors
of the region.
13 Christmas in the Village, South Vienna, 5:30
pm – 8 pm. Come enjoy an evening of carolers,
carriage rides, crafts and food vendors, and
of course Santa. Call 937.568.4311 for more
information.
16 Broadway and Beyond Series celebrates the
holidays with Sandi Patty. Backed by a sparkling
twenty-five piece orchestra, Sandi Patty returns
27– 31 Dec Christmas at the Clifton Mill, 73
Water Street, Clifton, OH. For over 19 years
Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas Season
in a very special way. Our light display is one of
the country’s finest with over 3.5 million lights
illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks,
trees and bridges. The flip of one switch turns
all the lights on at once transforming night into a
winter wonderland.
28 Caroling in the Castle: The 9th annual holiday
concert by Schola Camera. $10.00 for adults
(MFH members disount is $1.00). This program
begins at 4:30 pm. Reservations are required.
28 Holiday in the City: Downtown Springfield
4:30 – 9:30 pm: Springfield’s signature holiday
event kicks off with a parade, the opening of
Santaland and one of the most fantastic fireworks
displays you’ll ever see! For more information
please visit www.holidayinthecity.com or contact
937.327.7312.
to the Springfield spotlight in this spectacular
event of Christmas carols and beloved yuletide
favorites guaranteed to make your holidays bright
and joyous! To be held at the Kuss Auditorium,
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 8 pm, 300 S.
18 3rd Friday Fling in the Springs: Holiday
Shopping Spree, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Shops
open late until 9 pm. Wine-tasting at the
Emporium; light bites at Village Artisans; and
music.
era games and hands-on activities. The program
this week is A Dickens Christmas Party. Call
937.465.2821 to make reservations
31 New Carlisle’s 200th Birthday Celebration:
Throughout 2010, bicentennial events will ensure
that is truly one for the ages! The fun will begin
with a downtown New Year’s Eve Party designed
to ring in our bicentennial year! The celebration
will include a ball drop at midnight, music, food
and surprises.
19
sPOTLighTATTRACTION
Boating, Climbing Will Attract Outdoor enthusiasts
Bouldering Venue Ready; Buck Creek Activities Will Be Seasonal
Sometime next Fall, if all goes as hoped, Springfield might host an outdoor-adventure festival.
It could include kayaking and canoeing on Buck Creek and a climbing competition on the rocks at Veterans Park.
For John and Kevin Loftis, it would be the result of what is now a nearly seven-year journey to make Springfield
an eco-adventure destination. It would attract enthusiasts of bouldering, which is a form of rock climbing, traditional
kayaking and canoeing on Buck Creek and what’s referred to as play boating or rodeo boating on waves created on the
creek in Veterans and Snyder Park.
John Loftis demonstrates bouldering
“I don’t know a lot of cities our size where one day we can go
rock climb, go back to your car and put on your swim trunks, get
your boat off your car and go paddle, all in your downtown,”
Loftis said.
exhibits
The bouldering venue is ready for climbing and has been
used by climbing clubs from Wright State University and the
University of Cincinnati among others.
John Loftis, left, and Kevin Loftis stand at the dam that was removed to
make Buck Creek navigable.
On Buck Creek two dams need to be modified – one near
the Springfield Museum of Art and one just downstream near the train trestle in Snyder Park. Another dam on Beaver Creek,
near Beaver Lake and Old Reid Park, and a natural rock shelving spot just below Carleton Davidson Stadium need to be
modified. Top priorities, however, are the museum and Snyder Park dams.
It’s at those locations where large boulders will be placed to create V-shaped slides that produce waves. The modifications at
the museum and Snyder spillways will allow for rodeo boating and under the right conditions even surfing with a surfboard.
Rodeo boaters use the waves to do tricks using smaller kayaks.
“The idea is you could do these cartwheels, flips and different moves on the wave,” said Loftis, a Catholic Central and
University of Vermont graduate who with his brother, John, developed an interest in such adventures while living in Steamboat
Springs, Colo.
When John moved back to Springfield, he began looking for a nearby place to continue kayaking.
He saw that Buck Creek had a similar flow to the Yampa River in Steamboat Springs. He thought it would be a fairly quick
process but getting permits to place the boulders and gravel fill in Buck Creek initially were ignored by the Army Corps, which
once it did respond demanded a number of impact studies.
Permission to remove the dams was willingly granted by the Conservancy District due to the danger created by the
dangerous waters below the spillways.
Work on removing the dam near the Art Museum began in September. Estimated cost is $250,000, which has been
secured. Work in Snyder Park is more extensive and is expected to cost more than $500,000 and should be completed early in
2010.
Four waves will be created on the creek in Snyder, allowing it to handle more play boaters.
What’s attractive for play boaters is it all takes place in one spot, removing transportation issues associated with canoeing or
kayaking downstream. A person could climb the rocks in Veterans Park and ride the waves at either site without moving one’s
car.
For those who wish to paddle downstream, Kevin said old Reid Park below the spillway on Buck Creek will be the most
logical place for kayakers/canoeists to enter the water.
Any type boating on Buck Creek will be seasonal, likely limited to approximately eight weeks in the Fall.
The brothers have to work out an arrangement with the Army Corps to develop a different fall water release schedule from
the reservoir into Buck Creek. As it stands now, larger amounts of water are released from the reservoir over a shorter period of
time in October.
They will ask that the releases be made over a longer period of time and especially be timed for the weekend.
“People will come from all over Ohio,” Kevin said. “If they know there is a guaranteed release (of water) on Saturday and
Sundays they will be here. I can promise you that and there will be a lot of them.”
He said there’s no other such place in Ohio. The nearest are in Paducah, Ky., nearly 400 miles from Springfield, and South
Bend, Ind., 280 miles away.
Heavy rains would raise the water level, Kevin said, but until the combined storm and sewer discharge issue is alleviated,
as has been mandated for all cities by the EPA, there will be a water quality issue that will discourage use of the creek for
recreational purposes.
(See video at www.youtube.com/greaterspringfield)
Brothers Wanted a Place Locally to Go Kayaking
John and Kevin Loftis said they took on the task of developing an eco-adventure
venue in Springfield for selfish reasons. The reason: they wanted a place to continue
kayaking and canoeing, which they did while living in Steamboat Springs, Colo.
They do not envision any financial gain from developing Buck Creek for
downstream canoeing and kayaking, rodeo or play boating on waves that will be created
in two locations on the creek and bouldering on the rocks at Veterans Park.
They just want a place to play. “I’ve gone cold turkey (from kayaking) for five
years,” said Kevin, who works for Midland Properties, a local development company.
John is a general contractor and owns Mad River Craftsmen, a home building
company.
While they spent years cutting through the Army Corps of Engineers requirements
to prepare Buck Creek for adventure sports, they began wondering what else they could
do to take advantage of Springfield’s natural assets. They came up with the idea of
making the rocks in Veterans Park a bouldering site where adventurists could partake in
low level climbing.
They envision more to come. They’d like to bring rock climbing back to the cliffs
below the Masonic Home, which was once a popular venue but is on private property.
18
“People are chomping at the bit to go back there. To get that opened up would be a
big deal,” Kevin said.
They’d also like to add mountain biking paths.
The Loftis brothers hope to add those to the current bike path, Buck Creek State
Park and the Mad River with its great fly and trout fishing.
“You really can’t overstate how unique it would be for Springfield to go market
itself in a way that I’d argue very few cities our size are able to market themselves in the
Midwest or anywhere,” Kevin said.
What makes bouldering in Veterans Park so appealing is its easily accessible
location. Many other bouldering venues require long hikes to the sites, Kevin said.
Eventually, he said people could be wading in the water at Buck Creek, fishing in
deeper pools created below where the spillways were removed. Tiers will be created on
the banks in spots where people can watch canoers/kayakers go downstream or rodeo
boaters do stunts.
“These are absolute magnets for people to hang out by the water,” Kevin said.
He expects rodeo boating to catch on “big time” among local teens.
“It’s fun, it’s contagious to be able to park your car and go play in this wave, sit on
it for five minutes and just surf,” Kevin said.
INSIDEvieWs
SPRINGFIELD Keeping up with what’s happening at the Chamber and how it effects you
Leadership Management forum
Speaker Talks About Role of Business in Sustainability
One might think from hearing
what Fred Keller espouses that he
wears his hair in a pony tail and
can tell stories about his week at
Woodstock in 1969.
He admits that his topic
sounds very “left wing.” He
talks about “sustainability” and
roles businesses can play in
improving the environment
and the human condition.
Fred Keller
But Fred Keller looks more
like a button down president and CEO. That’s because
he is – of Cascade Engineering, a Grand Rapids, Mich.,
plastic manufacturer.
Still, he says “I have this kind of desire to save the
world. That’s me, that’s who I am.”
Keller spoke at the Chamber Business Management
Forum at the Courtyard by Marriott in the spring. He
discussed how his company began a successful Welfareto-Career program and addresses environmental issues,
such as recycling, and consumption reduction.
He admits eyes roll among some when he begins
talking about such issues. They see it as a demand to
change their quality of life, which Keller disputes.
Does it mean your business has to change its
thinking?
“Sure. And that’s where the
opportunity for business lies
in figuring out those creative
solutions, maintaining the same
quality of life while consuming
less,” he said.
Businesses want a return on investment if they are
going to make changes.
“What’s an eco-efficient thing to do? How about
turning off the lights when we don’t need them.
How about changing the light bulbs to the compact
fluorescent. It gives you a return on your investment,”
Keller said.
He noted that Nucor Corp. has overtaken U.S.
Steel as the nation’s largest steel producer. They have a
goal of 100 percent renewable energy, and they measure
the return on investment from that initiative. It’s 51
percent.
“People have to start out with
the attitude that it’s the right
thing to do, and I’ll make it
good for the bottom line, not
‘I’ll do it because it’s good for
the bottom line,’” Keller said.
His company has received national attention for
its Welfare-to-Career program. After two false starts in
implementation, the company has been successful in
transitioning former welfare recipients to productive
members of Cascade’s workforce.
The key was understanding that people in poverty
didn’t understand what it takes to function in a
working-class environment and the middle class didn’t
understand those in poverty.
He gave the example of “Jane,” who is having a
bad day at work, making mistakes with the part she is
producing. The supervisor talks to Jane, who says she is
having car problems.
The state has supplied the company with an onsite social worker to help with issues such as that or
problems with their children or marriage. The social
worker helps her resolve the issue and she’s able to be
productive again.
“We found out we needed to learn a lot about
poverty. Previously, the supervisor would have said ‘I
don’t want to hear (your problem),’” said Keller.
He said the company’s culture changed from one of
judgment to one of support.
“That sounds awfully left wing but it works,” he
said.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Chamber Membership Drive Surpasses Goal
The Chamber of Commerce’s goal for its membership drive was 80, but there was a challenge put out to bring
in at least 100 new members. It was a stretch during these economic times.
But with the help of a lot of people, the goal was surpassed and the Chamber signed up 106 new members.
Reports are we are one of only two Chambers in Ohio that increased its membership.
Thanks go out to the Ambassador Club that rallied to the cause and the Chamber staff. Special thanks to the
Springfield News-Sun that offered a $400 discount on any advertisement from a new member or $200 for a renewal.
Also, Speedway offers six cents per gallon discount cards to all Chamber members and their employees. If you
are a Chamber member and haven’t received discount cards for your employees, call the Chamber at 325-7621. If
you work for a Chamber member and haven’t received your card, ask your employer for one.
Winner of the Ambassador challenge to sign up the most new members was Charlene Roberge, Real Estate II,
who received $1,000. Angela Shinkle, SERVPRO, won a $500 drawing in which the seller’s name was put in a bowl
for each membership sold.
Thanks to all who participated in the drive and to the new members who recognize the value of being a part of
the Chamber and supporting your community.
Here are the most recent new members:
AFLAC, BSA of Ohio, Bank of America Home Loans, Bennett’s Tax Service, Barrett Benefits Group,
Bartenstein and Associates, Burial Vaults by Neher, Casey’s Restaurant, Cashland on E. Main and N. Bechtle,
Cleaners Extraordinaire, Collier’s Family Restaurant, C&S Tree Service, Cascade Corporation, Chetty’s at
Northwood Hills, CompuNet Clinical Laboratories, Dependable Roofing, D. & L. Termite and Pest Control,
Dr. Seema Dhingra, Document Solutions/Xerox, Fifth Third Mortgage, The Digital Fringe, Discount Casket and
Funeral Consultants, Drive 1 Car and Truck, Eva Carey Realty, First Ohio Home Finance, Framecraft, Gill’s Quality
Meat Market, Gordon Food Service, Independent Living of Ohio, James Flooring, Jockey Person to Person, L&M
Construction, LWS Tax and Accounting Services, Medical Cleaning Specialist, Michael’s Florist and Gifts, Mick’s
Flowers and Gifts, Mid-Ohio Home Inspection, Muzika, National City Mortgage Mary Mann, North Spring
Dental, Natural Solutions Landscape, O’Conner’s Irish Pub, Ohio Lyric Theater, Ohio Valley Medical Center,
Olive Garden, Ohio Real Estate Title, The Original Mattress Factory, Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, Pratt
Industries, Putt Putt Fun Center, Phygen Coatings, Rainbow Muffler and Service Center, Real Estate II Charlene
Roberge, Real Estate II Al and Lori Fulk, Real Estate II Linda Phillips-Schutte, Roediger Realty Dori Gaier,
Roediger Realty Mike and Linda Knox, Reasonable Choices, Rinehart Family Health, Roediger Realty Linda Kadel,
Springfield Civic Theater, Springfield Human Resource Management, Springfield MotoMart, State Farm Insurance
Fuller/Hines, State Farm Insurance Rick Chimento, Ken Stone Realty, Subway Restaurant, IT Solutions On Call,
Strileckyj Law Office, Tubman Towers, Wilt Public Relations, Chad Yancey CPA, Dr. Thomas Rak, MediaMonster,
The Roger Wentworth Group, Inc., City of New Carlisle, Budget Rent-A-Car, Carmichael Appliances, T&M Pool
Products, Otto Paintz, Champion City Consulting.
Former U.S. Congressman David
Hobson (R-7th District) addressed the
Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership
Management Forum, touching on a
number of topics.
Among his comments:
• “One of the things I think that the state is
not doing a very good job of is they are backing
away from helping all education. They are going to
concentrate more on state schools, but I think people
forget that in our community and a lot of other
communities, a big economic driver are
these private schools.”
• “We have a number of things that
other communities don’t have that
are really key. We are one of the few
places in the world that has a really
good water supply.
We’ve never really
marketed that. I
used to be chairman
of energy and water.
Long term that water
in this community
will become – maybe
not in the next five
years but over a long
period of time – a
David Hobson
major marketing
force to attract people to this area.”
• “I think the problem with our government today:
People are too partisan. Somehow this country has
got to get back to figuring out how to work together.”
• “(Another) thing I think is very important for
this community to do is to work together. I think we
have great leadership in the city, I think we have great
leadership in the Chamber, I think we have great
leadership in the county. We have all worked together.
I think one of the things we need to figure out is how
we continue to work together and not step on one
another’s toes … and when somebody comes to this
town we all work together so they get located on the
best site for the betterment of the community.”
• “Clark State is growing dramatically. They have a
new campus building down in Beavercreek, which is
one of the (fastest) growing areas in this state.”
• “Wittenberg, I think, has one of the most
dynamic couples (President Mark Erickson and his
wife, Lyn) that I’ve ever seen in this area. They are
outstanding. They have done a great job with the
school.”
• “There’s a whole group of young people that we
need to educate in this community. That’s another
thing we need to work on–our school system. We are
getting better. I think with the new superintendent
we are going to do well.”
• “One of the things that worries me about the
stimulus money is a lot of it hasn’t been used to create
long-term jobs. Some of it has been used to fund
things at the state level, because we didn’t have the
money. I think eventually they are going to have to
come back and do some other type of funding that
encourages more creation of jobs, and not funding
existing programs that we didn’t fund because we
didn’t have the revenue.”
Fitness Cellar
Networking
The Fitness Cellar
hosted a Networking At
Night at its new location
in the Tuttle Brothers
Building.
Angela Shinkle
of SERVPRO won the
drawing among Chamber
members who sold new
memberships.
Chris Schutte and Angela Shinkle
3
Forest Glen Health Campus is building seven separate buildings to accommodate 28 independent living rental units. Each will have two bedrooms and two baths.
Forest Glen Project Ranks as One of Largest in County
Two downtown hospitals have received most of the attention but another building
project that ranks as one of the largest taking place locally is nearing completion.
Forest Glen Health Campus at 4100 Middle Urbana Road in Moorefield Township
is expanding just two years after completion of its first construction project on the 80-acre
campus located just a few hundred feet south of Kenton Ridge High School. Work is
expected to be completed in October.
The new addition includes the 30-bed Legacy at Forest Glen, a 22,000-square-foot
building that will be home to Alzheimer and related memory impaired patients.
Surrounding it will be 28 independent living rental units. They will be located
in seven separate buildings with four living spaces per building. Each will have twobedrooms, two-baths, a kitchen, great room and a one-car garage. They will total 1,277
square feet, including garage.
ChAMBeRNEWSvieWs
PLAY “Deal or No Deal” on October 22nd at the Champions Center at the Clark County Fairgrounds
golden Leaf gala to be Presented by foreman-Blair
One Lucky Contestant to Face-off with Security National Banker
The Golden Leaf Gala will be held Thursday,
October 22nd at the Champions Center at the Clark
County Fairgrounds.
to play the game. It came down to them having the
possibility of either winning $300 or $6,000 or taking
the banker’s offer of $3,000. They made a good choice
by taking the banker’s offer as their case only had $300.
The Golden Leaf Gala is a fun networking event
that includes a cocktail hour, food stations and
valuable prizes.
Under the slightly revised “Deal or No Deal”
game show rules, a main contestant will be chosen by
drawing to be on stage to play the game. There will be
25 other ticket holders that will have an opportunity
to win a prize. Event tickets are $125 and table tickets
are $900 (8).
Because Ohio has a moratorium on additional skilled nursing home beds, Trilogy
Health Services of Louisville, Ky., parent company of Forest Glen, could only enter the
local market by purchasing an existing operation. So in the summer of 2004, Trilogy
bought Castle Knoll, formerly operated by the Knights of Pythias at 901 W. High St.
Trilogy continued to serve patients in the 98-bed unit until completing Forest Glen.
Kevin Rose and Marta Wojcik, 2008 Winners
The third annual Golden Leaf award will be
presented as part of the evening. Previous recipients
of the award, that goes to a person or business in the
community for their contributions
to the Chamber, were Bob Warren,
owner of Hauck Brothers Heating and
Air Conditioning, in 2008 and the
McGregor Metalworking Companies
in 2007.
The person then chooses six cases to be opened,
followed by the first offer from the banker. If the
banker’s offer is declined, the game continues with the
contestant calling out five cases to be opened in round
2, four cases in round 3, etc.
Each case opened will have a dollar amount and
a donated prize associated with it. A number will be
drawn with an audience member winning the prize in
that case.
Bob Warren, owner of Hauck
Brothers Heating and Air
Conditioning
The game ends when the contestant either accepts
the banker’s offer or plays the game to its completion
when only two cases remain.
Emcees are Dean Blair, left, and Tom Rue
The program begins
with cocktails and live
music from 6 to 7 p.m., food
stations open at 7 p.m. and
the contestant drawing and
Golden Leaf Gala award
presentation at 7:30 p.m.
Emcees will again be Tom Rue of Littleton and
Rue Funeral Home and Dean Blair of Foreman-Blair
automobile dealership.
Among 2009 projects only the two hospitals and two new housing facilities being
built at the Springfield Air National Guard Base adjacent to the Springfield-Beckley
Municipal Airport at a cost of $15 million are larger.
Forest Glen employs 140 of which 15 are therapists, who work for a subsidiary
company of Trilogy. Another 25 employees will be hired once the new project is
completed. There were 50 employees when located at Castle Knoll.
Lacey said the Legacy for memory impaired patients will employ generalists who can
serve a variety of patient’s needs so as to deinstitutionalize the surroundings. Patients will
be allowed to assist in their own care.
“It’s not sit back and let us do for you. They might play a part in taking care of
themselves, helping prepare meals for example,” Lacey said.
Castle Knoll was the first venture into Ohio for Trilogy, which now has 13 campuses
in the state and 56 in five states despite being created only 11 years ago. Although based in
Louisville, Lacey said the home office wants its campuses to be involved locally.
“Our company challenges us to be engaged in the community,” he said. Their dining
room is available for use by outside groups. Employees have supported the Second Harvest
Food Bank and the Moorefield Township Fire Department while encouraging visitors
through a strawberry social held in June and inviting friends and family to dine with
residents after church on Sundays.
Morgal Diversifying, Expanding & Receiving Support for Growth
In addition to automotive, the company currently serves the transportation
(locomotive), agriculture and lawn and garden industries with stamped sprockets, metal
stampings, related assemblies and steel pulleys.
2008 Case Presenters
“We filled up very quickly and for that reason our company chose to add here where
it can,” he said. There are no limitations on adding assisted living space, thus the decision
to build the Legacy for Alzheimer and memory impaired patients and the independent
living units.
Mike Lacey, Executive Director of Forest Glen and a Catholic Central High School
The metal forming and stamping company, located at 2100 S. Yellow Springs St.
here, has been heavily reliant on the automotive industry. By expanding existing markets
and generating new ones, Morgal Vice President and General Manager Rodney Hickman
said it’s hoped that the percentage of work generated by each of its four market segments
will be more equal.
Here is how it works. The contestant will choose
one case in hopes it contains the highest dollar
amount, which is $10,000.
4
Cost of the combined legacy and villas project is $6.5 to $7 million and is in addition
to the original $8 million project that was completed in April of 2007. The initial building
has 58,000 square feet under one roof with a capacity of 124, 98 of which are skilled
nursing home beds and the remainder for assisted living.
Morgal Machine and Tool is diversifying its customer base as a way to counter future
market downturns.
Anyone wishing to donate a game show prize
should contact Chris Schutte at the Chamber at 937521-1942 or email him at cschutte@greaterspringfield.
com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Last year, Kevin Rose, Historian with the Turner
Foundation, and his fiancé Marta Wojcik, Curator
of Interpretation at the Westcott House, were chosen
Once completed, the health center campus will offer a continuum of care from
independent living to skilled nursing, assisted living, transitional care (for those who are
rehabilitating before going home), long-term care and Alzheimers/memory impairment.
graduate, said by the end of 2007 the new facility had reached capacity.
automotive industry,” he said.
Changes in emission standards for off-road vehicles are driving the new work related
to the agricultural sector.
Initial steps in the process will be to work with customers to design components that
are cost effective. The final phase of the project will be the training and recalls or hiring of
production operators to staff the equipment.
Darlene Carpenter, McGregor Human Resources Director, said a recruiting effort for
new hires could take place in 2010 or 2011 after those on layoff have been recalled.
“It also gives us the versatility to go out and
market to different industries we haven’t previously,”
Carpenter said.
“Through intense marketing diversification
efforts, we have been working diligently the last three
to four years to diversify,” Hickman said.
As an example, she said entering the fitness
equipment sector could lead to additional work in
that industry.
Morgal officials said they hope the new markets
will allow for eventually recalling laid off workers and
hiring additional ones as needed in coming years. The
company currently has 68 employees.
Hickman said the company has worked the past
few years in identifying potential customers, working
with them in engineering designs and removing cost
from those designs.
The company received a 40 percent, six-year
Job Creation Tax Credit for their project, which is
estimated to be worth over $27,000 to the company.
Capital expenditures by the company are expected to
be more than $2 million over a three-year period to
accommodate its diversification program.
Its first new market will be treadmill frames for
the fitness industry. Plans are to go into production
on that product before the end of the year.
“Now they are coming to fruition and we are
launching the production phase,” he said.
Morgal Vice President and General Manager Rodney Hickman inspects a robotic
welder, the type that will be used to assemble components for the fitness equipment
contract secured by Morgal Tool and Machine.
Hickman said there’s also potential for new work in the lawn and garden segment for
consumer riding lawnmowers and in the longer term for sub assembly and stamping work
in the agricultural industry.
Treadmill frames should be on the market next year and the new lawn and garden
product in 2011. Production and redesign of the tractor components are scheduled for
2011 with the product hitting the market in 2012.
Hickman said the company, one of the McGregor Metalworking Companies, hit the
agricultural, recreational vehicle and fitness equipment industries aggressively in seeking
additional contracts with both current and new customers.
“Those markets have seen some reductions but not nearly the magnitude of the
Company officials said the additional contracts
should provide steadier work throughout the year,
thus avoiding seasonal downturns. It also could lead
to additional work for other McGregor companies in
Springfield.
Another benefit could be in capturing work that
has gone overseas by making the company more competitive globally.
“We have invested heavily in improving our manufacturing processes and efficiencies.
We are optimistic that some of the work we lost over the last four to five years may be
coming back,” Hickman said.
The company also foresees an opportunity to pick up contracts from competitors who
haven’t survived the economic downturn. Hickman said a number of potential customers
looking for a new supplier have contacted Morgal.
said.
“They are looking for healthier suppliers. We think we can take advantage of that,” he
17
Future Ohio Budgets Could Be More Difficult To Balance
CiCNEWSvieWs
Ohio Chamber Official Addresses Chamber Live! at Rotary
ECONOMIC development
Additional space, new Product sets sutphen up
for further growth in springfield
When a fire truck goes flying down the road, how can you tell
if it was made by Sutphen Corporation?
This is not a trick question. There’s an easy way to tell. Look
at the headlights. If they stick out from the cab, as opposed
to being imbedded, it’s a Sutphen. “That has kind of been our
trademark,” said Rand Smith, Engineering Manager, Chassis.
More of those trucks will be built at its plant at 1701
County Line Road as the result of the Amlin, Ohio
headquartered company expanding its chassis line and
introducing a more economical commercial line to its product
offerings.
Sutphen explored building the new product in a southern
state due to the incentives offered. Fortunately, Amy Donahoe,
Director of Hiring and Employment Services at the Greater
Springfield Chamber of Commerce, by chance called the
company as part of the Chamber’s Hiring, Investing, Training,
Space (HITS) innovative retention and expansion program.
When Sutphen told her of their plans, she passed the information on to David
Zak, Chamber Vice President, Economic Development, who put together an incentive
package that made it economically feasible for the company to expand at its existing
plant.
The incentive package was put together with the cooperation of Clark County
government, the Northwestern School District, German Township and the state of
Ohio. Sutphen will receive a 45 percent five-year Job Creation Tax Credit, worth about
$75,000 and a 10-year, 60 percent Enterprise Zone tax abatement. In return, the
company voluntarily set up a $50,000 scholarship fund for Northwestern
High School students, generating $2,500 in scholarships per
year.
Chamber President Mike McDorman thanked the
company at its open house for its commitment to the
community and the investment it made here.
A total of 17,386-square feet of production space for the
chassis line was added to accommodate increased demand
of current product and for the new “C” series commercial
vehicle. The company, which employs 80 in Springfield,
added six to the commercial side and 10 to the chassis line
with plans to add as many as 25 within three years.
During an open house at the Springfield plant
introducing the new product, Company President and
CEO, Drew Sutphen, got emotional. “This is one of
my proudest moments in 33 years here. It’s great to
be part of the growth. A 119-year old company and
we’re still growing,” he said.
Drew Sutphen
Projections are for 15 “C” Series trucks to be built this year and 60 annually
in the future. Sutphen said reaching the goal of 200 total units was their biggest
accomplishment during his tenure. “Our big goal now is 300 units,” he said.
He believes the company can grow in the next couple years after the economy
turns.
Chamber vP Taking Advantage of social Media
Zak uses LinkedIn, blogging, Twitter and now Facebook as a
way to communicate and to promote Springfield from an economic
development perspective.
David Zak
“Social media is different than traditional marketing because
social media is about value-added information as opposed to just
putting out your brand with some kind of slogan,” he said.
Think of it as a way to back up our own Springfield brand and logo with
information about what’s behind it by providing information about the community and
opportunities that exist here.
He uses Twitter to send out a “tweet.” An example: While attending a meeting
of the WorkPlus Services Committee he learned that there was $100,000 available in
stimulus money for training workers. He sent out that information while the meeting
was in progress. Immediacy of information is another advantage to social media.
Twitter is designed for the user to send out short (140 characters maximum) bits of
information or “tweets.” Zak said that he initially didn’t comprehend the value.
“Now, it’s a core of what I do,” he said. He may send out five to 20 tweets per day.
“I’m always putting out small messages about positive things that are going on in
Springfield,” he said.
16
Most are “hard news” economic development items. His social media verbalizations
target businesses, local and state economic development officials, city and county
commissioners, legislators and site selection consultants.
In addition, the most recent budget was
balanced by taking just over $1 billion out of the
rainy day fund, leaving it with 89 cents remaining.
State forecasts are that there’s no reasonable
opportunity for an economic recovery before the
first quarter of next year or early second quarter.
What threw the 2008-09 budget into chaos
was the announcement in late April that personal
income tax revenues were down by 22 percent
over revenue estimates that had been revised in
December of 2008.
Strickland reversed a previous stance he
took against them, and Ohio voters have four
times turned down enhanced gambling in Ohio,
including casinos.
The governor, the legislature and the Ohio
Chamber are opposed to increasing taxes.
Navin said the Ohio Chamber believes the
state is well positioned once the economy recovers
to be more competitive for capital investment and
job creation.
Dan Navin addresses ChamberLive! at Rotary.
Gov. Ted Strickland closed the $3.2 billion
budget gap for the next biennial budget by making
$2.4 billion in cuts and authorizing Video Lottery
Terminals, or slots, at Ohio’s nine race tracks. It’s
estimated the VLTs would generate $933 million
Another major budget issue facing the
governor is K-12 education funding. He has issued
what he calls an evidence-based model for funding
schools that would involve about $4 to $5 billion
more in spending over the next eight years. “How
do you pay for it is the issue?” Navin asked. It’s
estimated that 80 percent of new state revenue
generated over that period would go to K-12
education under the governor’s proposal.
Winning Golfers Call Themselves “Dream Team”
“A lot of people are under the perception that our chassis have come from
International. (But) This is the first time this has ever been done. All our commercial
chassis are coming from International,” he said.
Twitter, blogging, LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace are all examples of social media.
Much of the coverage has been about how it’s used and popular among teenagers but
these sites also can be advantageous in business.
Dan Navin, Ohio Chamber Assistant and
Vice President, Tax and Economic Policy, said
future budgets could be more problematic because
the latest budget included $3 million in federal
stimulus money. In the fiscal 2012-13 budget that
$3 billion will have to be in addition to whatever
happens to the fiscal 2010-11 budget.
but various groups are threatening to derail the
plan.
“Now we have the capacity for 20 to 30 custom
chassis a month and that is the key to our future,” he
said.
Sutphen chose the Navistar 4400 chassis which will be produced at the
Springfield Operations, located approximately one mile away.
Some of you may be well aware of this relatively new term. Zak defines it as being
about communications and relationships.
“So you are about four percent out of balance
and you only (had) two months to make that up,”
Navin said. It had to be done because Ohio has
a constitutional provision requiring a balanced
budget.
The month they moved into their expanded facility the company had its
best month with 20 chassis. Sutphen said the additional space
allows them to alleviate their backlog and meet production
goals.
The company has concentrated on producing
custom fire trucks that are made to order by the
customer. Sutphen said, however, there are 1,700
fire trucks produced yearly on commercial chassis so
they can now compete for that market. Commercial
vehicles appeal to fire departments and cities on a
more limited budget.
The Chamber’s Economic Development Vice President David Zak is all a twitter
about social media.
While one two-year state budget was balanced
by dipping into the Budget Stabilization Fund, or
rainy day fund, at the end of June, balancing the
next two biennial budgets looks to provide more
of a challenge.
About 10 percent of his tweets
are personal. He wrote about a trip
to the downtown Farmers’ Market
and to Snyder Park, noting that the
park was once the No. 1 rated city
park in the United States.
“They are personal but they
somehow still connect to the
economic development message
that this is a good place to do
business,” Zak said.
Where to Find:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/springfieldedge
Blog: http://bit.ly/seblog
Facebook: http://bit.ly/sefacebook
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/selinkedin
His blogs are often an
expanded version of a tweet. He blogged about the Job Creation Tax Credit,
summarizing the program, discussing the process and the hidden pitfalls. He has
blogged about the Splash Zone Water Park and other amenities, showing outsiders that
this is a great place to live.
The No. 1 networking business site is LinkedIn. It’s the fifth most visited site on
the Internet and the No. 1 business networking site. Users can post information about
themselves and their business, but also provide information.
Zak uses it to update what he is doing and the status of local projects.
“It’s what I call a very soft marketing tool,” he said, defining soft as not continual.
He said it has allowed him to connect with people he may not have otherwise.
An example is Darlene Carpenter, Director of Human Resources, McGregor
Metalworking Companies in Springfield.
“I’d never met her but through LinkedIn I was able to make a connection
through a third party,” Zak said.
He also receives valuable information with the social media tools. He follows
about 2,000 people on Twitter, 20 of whom he has set up to receive their tweets on his
cell phone because of the potential immediate importance of what they send.
The winning team in the Chamber’s P.
Dennis Sheehan Memorial Golf Open are
two-for-two. The team of Scott Wilke, Terry
O’Connor, Bruce Spencer and Joe Earley had
a score of 16-under par 56 on the Springfield
Country Club course to take home the Claret
Cup. All but Earley belong to the Country Club.
They also won a scramble in July at Muirfield
Village Golf Club in Dublin that benefited the
Northwest Ohio Special Olympics, also posting a
16-under score and winning by three strokes.
Presenting tournament sponsor was Jeff
Wyler Auto Mall and New Carlisle Federal
Savings Bank sponsored the Golf After Hours.
What has been the secret to their success?
They all agreed. They all get along and have fun
playing together. It doesn’t hurt that Earley, the
youngest of the group, is a long hitter and all four
are tremendous putters.
Plus, they said, the elder statesman, Bruce
Spencer, aka The Godfather, keeps them focused.
After their second win in as many tries, they now
refer to themselves as the “Dream Team.”
Second place with a 58 was the team of
Chris Wells, Andy Koelsch, Danny Sheehan
and Paul Sheehan. Finishing third in a scorecard
playoff was the team of Lee Barker, J.B. Davis,
Eric Gibson and Billy Sutterlin.
There was no winner in the million dollar
shootout. The closest to the pin winners were
given the opportunity to score a hole-in-one
on No. 9. Only Jim Foreman out of the four
contestants hit the green.
All contestants received a new pair of
FootJoy golf shoes.
“Even with the two brief rain delays,
the tournament went well. I can’t thank our
Ambassadors enough for the hours they put
in,” said Chris Schutte, Chamber Director of
Marketing and Tournament Director.
Ambassadors helping at the tournament
included Terri Belliveau, Security National
Bank; Jennifer Price, Wallace & Turner; Mike
Stannard, McMann-Smoot-Riddle Agency;
Jennifer Belford, AFLAC; Julia Maiolo, OIC;
Paul Bendik, Clark, Schaffer & Hackett; Marcia
Lyons, Jockey Person to Person; Bill Cadieux;
Dick Groeber, Dick’s Weather Service; Herb
Greer, Springfield Township.
Sponsor of the Claret Cup, which goes
to the winners, was the Springfield Masonic
Community. Assurant Specialty Property
sponsored the $1 million Shoot-Out. Eagle
sponsors were Security National Bank and Fifth
Third Bank. Hole sponsors were Jeff Wyler Auto
Mall, Springfield Masonic Community, Assurant
Specialty Property, Fifth Third Bank, Security
National Bank, Sequent, Hauck Brothers Heating
and Cooling, Excel Sports Medicine, Panera
Bread, Forest Glen Health Campus, 3G Graphic
Solutions, Littleton and Rue Funeral Home and
Crematory, Speedway SuperAmerica, Springfield
News-Sun, The Nehemiah Foundation,
Sheehan Brothers Vending, Merchants National
Bank, Bob Evans Farms, Avizent, Springfield
Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Carlisle
Federal Savings Bank, Taylor Applegate Hughes,
Community Improvement Corporation,
Consolidated Insurance and the Springfield
Foundation.
The next Chamber pillar
event will be the Golden
Leaf Gala on Thursday,
Oct. 22 at the Champions
Center where one
contestant will have the
opportunity to win $10,000
and attendees can win
other valuable prizes.
Event tickets are $125 each
and table tickets (8) are
$900. Phone the Chamber
about sponsorship
opportunities or tickets
at 937-325-7621 or email
Chris Schutte at cschutte@
greaterspringfield.com.
P. Dennis Sheehan Chamber Golf Open winners were, left to
right, Scott Wilke, Terry O’Connor, Bruce Spencer, Joe Earley.
Jim Senese tees off at the hole sponsored by
Speedway SuperAmerica.
New Carlisle Federal Savings Bank sponsored the
Golf After Hours dinner on the Country Club patio.
5
ThuRsdAYLIVE
Kayaking and canoeing on Buck Creek, bouldering in Veterans Park are part of plan
CompuNet Opens
Second Lab
groundwork Laid for excellence – estrop
Recycling Made easier
Outgoing Superintendent Recognizes When Turning Point Occurred
West Main Street Facility Has Helped Make Clark County Greener, Cleaner
New Springfield City Schools Superintendent David Estrop told the audience
at a Chamber-sponsored reception that the groundwork has been laid to build an
excellent school system. Outgoing Interim Superintendent Don Thompson can
remember when this groundwork began.
“Somewhere around February, the high school turned the corner and things
improved each and every day -- starting on that mystical day in February. And we feel
good about the progress that has been made there,” Thompson said.
Estrop said his job will be to carry on what Thompson and the Board of
Education has started.
CompuNet Clinical Laboratories opened its
second Springfield location in the Crystal Clear
Imaging Building, 2100 Emmanuel Way this
Spring. The Springfield North Patient Service
Center was the 27th opened by CompuNet
in the Miami Valley. The lab works with
hospitals and physicians in collecting and
testing specimens. CompuNet also has a lab
on High Street. It is open from 8 a.m.-noon
and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8
a.m.-noon on Saturdays. Pictured, left to right,
are Paul Labbe, Vice President Operations; Ed
Doucette, CEO; Terrie McManes, Director
Patient Services; Pat Kelly, Vice President Sales
and Marketing. The new service center phone
number is 937-342-0015.
First Diversity in
Historic Building
“The work done by the Board of Education and Don Thompson is a great,
solid foundation to build upon and that’s what we plan to do – to build on that
foundation. Build programs, build partnerships and continue to move in the direction
of excellence,” the former Lakewood City Schools superintendent said.
Feels Welcome
He was grateful for the welcome reception he’s received since arriving in
Springfield.
“I would also like to mention the kindness and energy of the Board of Education
and the process in making my wife and me feel welcome to Springfield. I can’t thank
you all enough for the kindness and community spirit you have demonstrated and
already made us feel very much a part of this community,” Estrop said.
He told the business leaders gathered that he’s committed to working with them
to build on the foundation that has been laid.
David Estrop
“Finally to all of you in the Chamber – I mentioned this to (Chamber President)
Mike (McDorman) earlier – the energy in this room and the excitement in this room is
very positive and something we can all build on. That’s a commitment from me.
“I am absolutely convinced by working together, and by having high expectations, and having students meet those
expectations, you will move this whole enterprise forward and I want to be a part of it and I’m delighted to be here,” he added.
Change Was Noticed
Thompson tells the story of how one outsider noticed the change at Springfield High from beginning of the year to the end. It was a
class ring salesman who came to the high school at the beginning of the school year. He said to Thompson, “Don, what are you going to do
to help this system? Do tell me, I want to know.”
“He looked around,” Thompson said,” and he didn’t feel positive (about the high school). That person came back for our graduation,
and he came up and said ‘you know, this is one of the finest graduations I’ve attended anywhere in the region that I’ve been in. I just don’t
believe what happened.’”
First Diversity Management Group moved
its offices into a house built around 1845 for
Springfield Industrialist Guatavus Foos and
his wife, Elizabeth, at 560 E. High St. The
railroad tracks to the north and west of the
property were laid in the mid-1840s. The
original house was Greek Rivival style but has
been significantly altered over 150-plus years.
First Diversity is a bilingual, minority owned,
full-service staffing agency that uses three
principal programs to assist customers: Labor
Outsourcing, 90/180 day Temp-hire and Direct
hire. It provides office support, production, unskilled and semi-skilled labor and management/
supervisory positions.
Thompson said a critical change that should help at the high school this year is the elimination of staggered starting and ending times for
classes. He estimated that 50 percent of the concerns expressed at the high school revolved around staggered starting times.
“I think the benefits are going to be great for that {change} having been made,” he said.
Springfield City Schools added five additional students from October to February. Thompson said that may seem like a small number
but not when it had been losing 200 to 400 yearly.
“That is fantastic news. I believe you put the cork in the bottle,” he said.
A Road Runs Through It
Garrigans Thought They Had Prime
Real Estate to Operate Their Business
When news broke that the new Springfield Regional Medical
Center would be built a block from their office supply store, Joe and
Julie Garrigan thought their site was the equivalent to having ocean
front property.
Box King Opens
Garrigan’s Office Plus location at 234 West Columbia St.
seemed ideal. “It was going to be an economic opportunity with
all the health care companies and workers. They were the type of
businesses that we attracted. We would be sitting here on ocean front
property,” Joe said.
In preparation, they had a new roof put on the building at a
cost of $35,000 and $10,000 to $12,000 in concrete work done. New plantings were placed around the building. The owners envisioned
adding a second story to the building and renting it out as office space.
Box King owners Donald and Kathy Williams
address those attending the opening of their
new facility in the former Hollywood Video in
the Park Shopping Center, 1125 N. Bechtle
Ave. The move tripled their size from 2,000
square feet to 6,000 square feet, which was
needed to meet customer demand. Box King
offers shipping, packaging and printing services.
They have a new digital print production
area, graphic design department, additional
computerized shipping stations and provide
Penske Truck Rentals. In supporting the
“Buy Springfield” campaign, they utilized
such local companies as QC Paint, Mallard
Cabinetry, Bostick & Pyle’s Electric, James
Flooring, Winterhoff Internet Solutions, LAW
Communications and GLP Restorations.
They ship via FedEx, UPS, USPS and LTL
Freight. For more information, visit www.
boxkingshipping.com or phone 937-322-8117.
6
They aren’t sure when or how they learned that not only were they not sitting on prime real estate but the building that had housed
their business since 1957 was destined for the wrecking ball.
The new hospital needed to have North Street diverted south one block so it would run parallel to Columbia for two blocks before
reconnecting with the present traffic pattern to the West. Guess where that diversion took the new North Street. Directly through
Garrigan’s store. They would be forced to move.
Because the owners had decided to shut down their retail side of the business, which constituted only about four percent of revenues,
they could throw up a steel building and relocate about anywhere. All their business orders are taken by phone, through their customized
Internet site, by fax or email. Location did not need to be a significant issue.
But the Garrigans didn’t see it that way.
“It would have been a lot less expensive to put up a metal building in some farm field,” Julie said.
“We just didn’t want to do that,” said Joe.
They insisted on finding another downtown location. Afterall, grandfather Al Garrigan started the company with a downtown location.
A second move also was made to a downtown location near Elderly United prior to moving to West Columbia.
Joe explained why they didn’t take the less expensive option. “Downtown is going through its evolution and we’d like to be here when
it’s on the upswing. So we made the investment to do that,” he said. But where? Their business requires bringing in semi trucks for loading
and unloading out of the weather and off the street.
continued on page 10
There were refrigerators and appliances side-by-side. Computers were stacked high.
Televisions, including the big screen variety, were scattered throughout.
“I can’t even begin to compare 62 days per year now that they can bring these materials
as opposed to one or less (days) in some years (before the center opened),” she said.
Sounds like the description of a big box appliance and electronics store, but it’s what
you see inside the Clark County Waste Management District’s Recycling Center at 1602
W. Main St.
When special recycling events for computers, tires, paint, etc. were held once per
year at most, it wasn’t convenient for some. Now, they have a weekly opportunity and one
Saturday per month.
True to its name, even the building, which once housed
Ziebart, was rehabilitated using recycled material. The block, wall
board, flooring, paint, laminate, lighting, furnace, water heater,
glass were all made using recycled material.
“We’ve had a few people come in and
really investigate (the recycled materials)
and take the information back with them,”
said Debra Shaw, Director. Ask and they’ll
give you a paper listing all the recycled
building ingredients and where to get
them.
There is a nominal cost for recycling some material.
Televisions are 20 cents per pound or a maximum of $20, 10
cents per pound for computers and other electronics, 25 cents
per pound for latex paint, 10 cents per pound for tires, 50 cents
per fluorescent bulb and $5 for large appliances with per trip
limits on numbers of some items.
Businesses can utilize the district staff for recycling advice.
They will do anything from give advice over the phone to going
through your trash and seeing what’s recyclable and how.
John Haughey, Waste Management District Recycling
Facility Manager, cleans off graffiti on a building in Snyder
Park using the graffiti removal trailer equipment.
Those appliances and electronics found inside the building
are the result of collections made during the drive-thru recycling
hours of operation on Thursdays 9-noon, 4-6 p.m. and 9-noon
the first Saturday of each month.
Small businesses are welcome to use the center to recycle
some materials, usually paper and cardboard. Larger businesses,
Shaw said, usually have their own program. The district has
worked with Duncan Oil, Fairfield Inn, Mental Health and
Recovery Board, Eagle Tool and Springfield Metropolitan
Housing Authority this year. Reiter Dairy underwent an
extensive recycling effort last year.
Paper, newsprint, plastic, metal, glass and corrugated
cardboard can be dropped off during normal business hours
Monday through Friday at the facility or any time behind the
County Children’s Home, 525 E. Home Road, or the Southwest
Landmark Lot, 149 N. Chillicothe St., South Charleston.
While use of the recycling center and the remote locations
are growing, the WMD staff of Shaw, Program Coordinator
Steve Schlather, Program Assistant Linda Mitchell, Recycling
Facility Manager John Haughey, part-time Community Service
Team Leader Jim Oliver and Environmental Enforcement
Officer Dave Burch agree it could be utilized even more.
Shaw said rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t say
“Oh, I didn’t know you were here.”
“That is often a very useful tool for
businesses that are trying to get a handle
on their waste disposal,” Schlather said.
The district staff will help businesses and organizations seek
Ohio Department of Natural Resources grants to start or expand
recycling efforts. Paygro received $245,000 last year and Quest
Adult Services $50,000 this year.
Waste Management District Program Assistant Linda
Mitchell, Program Director Steve Schlather and Director
Debra Shaw stand amidst the cardboard waiting to be
prepared for recycling at the Waste Management District’s
recycling facility at 1602 W. Main St.
Shaw said the existence of the center makes a huge difference in the amount of
material being recycled by residents.
Last year the local Great American Cleanup, which is part
of the Keep America Beautiful campaign, expanded from a one
month to a three-month effort. This year, nearly 27 tons of litter
was collected by volunteers and by PRIDE Deputy Burch’s team
of select inmates who collect litter along the Interstate and state
roads.
“I would challenge anyone to take a look at our highways and keep driving into
surrounding counties and look at the difference. Ours are noticeably cleaner,” Shaw said.
Residents enthused About eco-Adventure, ice Rink
(related story page 18)
It seems local residents are looking forward to the
eco-adventure venues being prepared on Buck Creek
and in Veterans Park and for the opening of the new ice
arena.
Brothers John and Kevin Loftis are spearheading
the effort that has created a bouldering experience in
Veterans Park. Bouldering is a type of rock climbing.
They also are preparing two locations on Buck Creek
for rodeo or playboating and seeking to make it
navigable for kayaks and canoes during certain times of
the year.
“Don’t forget about the artists,” noted one voter
who checked kayaking-canoeing and ice skating-ice
arena.
“Put this town on the map! Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“I like the idea.”
“These are all positives for Clark County to
revitalize our area.”
“Would love to have this in Springfield.”
“Will provide training?”
In addition, site selection continues for the ice
arena that was delayed when the Ohio Valley Medical
Center chose as a location where the facility was to be
built.
Voters in an unscientific Chamber poll were
asked which events they are most likely to participate:
bouldering, kayaking-canoeing and/or ice skating-ice
arena. They also were given space to make a comment
about the plans. Some commented but did not vote
and others voted but did not comment.
It appears by the vote that there are some kayaking
and canoeing enthusiasts here. A total of 96 percent
of the voters said they were likely to go kayaking or
canoeing. There were 70 percent who said they would
use the ice arena and 39 percent would go bouldering.
Comments made were enthusiastic with nary a
dissenting vote about the plans.
The question was: How excited are you about these
activities?
Here are other comments made:
“Ice skating rink sounds very exciting. I would love
to see more businesses and activities downtown.”
path! Kayak Mad River, Clark Lake, & the reservoir
now. Would love to see the glow from an ice arena
downtown ... hockey teams in action, couples gliding.
It would be so cool to skate on my lunch break!”
“Too old to participate, but these are great ideas for
the community.”
“An ice rink has been discussed for the last 40 years
with little results. Currently Columbus has the best
rinks in the area. (MANY!)”
“Our family is very excited! I think the more
we can all get moving, the better. Having some new
outdoor venues will be great for Springfield and for our
entire family.”
“Very motivated to paddle Buck Creek.”
“Water sports - yes. We already canoe on the
Mad River and are looking forward to a new canoeing
location nearby. Hope they also have tubing – because
it is affordable fun for everyone.”
Ice Rink Rendering if located at Metallic Casket
“Would love to see an ice rink in Springfield. My
children would definitely enjoy it!”
“I think these are great ideas. Who wants to live in
a community that has nothing to offer?”
“I think any activity we can add to our area is a
great benefit. Our youth and adults need more physical
type events to enjoy.”
“Looking forward to having something at my
fingertips to enjoy with my children and not spend
most of the day driving.”
“VERY! This initiative is an asset to Springfield and
will help make our community more attractive to live,
work and play in!”
“Very excited. Looking forward to the new
changes.”
“Water sports - yes. We already canoe on the
Mad River and are looking forward to a new canoeing
location nearby. Hope they also have tubing – because
it is affordable fun for everyone. Totally NOT interested
in the Ice Rink. Doubt if I or any of my family would
ever use it. Bouldering – not interested – especially if
it defaces natural cliffs. We should protect our natural
scenery. It is too good to not preserve.”
“Cannot wait to cruise past the banks of the
Mighty Buck in the water instead of on the bike
“We love canoeing and would greatly welcome
such an addition through downtown.”
“Very excited about both kayaking and playing
hockey.”
15
sPRingfieLdLIFE
SAFETYCOunCiLNEWS
Another successful great Buckeye Challenge held
Nearly 700 athletes from nine states and at least two foreign countries participated
in the second Great Buckeye Challenge Half-Triathlon and Duathlon at Buck Creek
State Park in August.
The competitors said they love the venue
and Shannon Kurek, founder of HFP Racing,
which puts on the event, said they plan to return
next year.
“It’s a wonderful swim. It’s a relaxing swim. It’s close to the shore so it’s safe. It’s
clean water. The bike course is really smooth. There’s one place where the bike course is
a little bumpy, but that’s like 10 minutes, and it’s
not too hilly,” she said.
Well, there were exceptions.
“There were a couple pitches that were more
challenging than I thought they’d be and the run
is great. It’s just a killer coming in – that last hill
could make you cry,” she said.
“For one thing, Virgil Goodwine, the
manager here, is probably one of the most
accommodating park managers that we’ve ever
had at an event and most of our events are in
state parks,” he said.
HFP Racing has put on more than 500
such races in its 21 years. Competitors can
compete in just two of the three activities,
choosing swim-run or swim bike or bike-run, of
varying distances.
Men’s Half Tri Winner John Dils of
Richmond, Ind., called it a “great venue.” He
won in 4:34.23.
Why do people put themselves to such a
grueling test?
“I loved the course. The trail was nice, the
streets were nicely paved, good rolling course so
it keeps it kind of interesting. Law enforcement
did a good job keeping everything safe,” he said.
“It’s more than a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. They
bike, swim and run year round,” Kurek said.
The bikes the competitors ride cost on
A young boy celebrates as a competitor crosses the finish line.
The half tri course consists of a 1.2 mile
average $4,000.
swim in the reservoir, a 56-mile bike ride through the park and onto outlying roads and
The athletes also stay in local hotels to assure themselves a good nights sleep in
a 13.1 mile run in the park and through Old Reid Park along Buck Creek.
anticipation of the 8 a.m. start.
Paula Bennett of Pittsburgh won the women’s division in 4:53.56. She ran the race
“They (the athletes) are very willing to travel and also very willing to spend money
as a tuneup for the World Championships in Hawaii in October.
when they do travel,” Kurek said.
“I thought this would be a great course to get a good half in before October, a nice
(See video of the event and interview with the winners and Kurek at www.youtube.
hard half,” she said.
com/greaterspringfield) and photos at www.flickr.com/photos/greaterspringfield and
She wasn’t disappointed.
click on sets.
Wittenberg, Cedarville Mentioned Among Best schools
The area was reminded again what an asset it has when Wittenberg University and
Cedarville University received high rankings in surveys conducted by the Princeton
Review and U.S. News & World Report.
Wittenberg was lauded in both surveys, ranking among the top 50 percent of liberal
arts colleges in the nation at No. 118 by U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges.
The Princeton Review compiles a list of the 371 best colleges. Wittenberg received
high marks in categories “Professors get high marks (19th),” “Most beautiful campus
(17th),” and “Everyone plays intramural sports (18th).”
“This is a great selling point for our area when we can point to the number of
highly-respected colleges and universities so close to us,” said Chamber President Mike
McDorman.
Guidance counselors from America’s Best High Schools in 2008 were asked which
liberal arts colleges they think offer the best education to their students. They rated the
colleges on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the top score) or marked “don’t know” if they
were unfamiliar with that particular school.
Wittenberg was 87th with a 3.8
grade. The Naval Academy was No. 1
at 4.8 among the 262 colleges ranked.
Counselors did not rank baccalaureate
colleges.
Cedarville was ranked sixth among
baccalaureate colleges in the Midwest
using U.S. News criteria. The top
five were Taylor, Ind. University, Ohio Northern University, Augustana (S.D.), Dordt
College (Iowa) and Northwestern College (Iowa).
U.S. News rankings are weighted with 75 percent of a school’s ranking based on a
formula that uses objective measures of academic quality such as graduation rates. The
remaining 25 percent is based on a peer assessment survey. Each indicator is assigned
a weight (expressed as a percentage) based on our judgments about which measures of
quality matter most.
U.S. News asks the president,
provost, and dean of admissions at
each school to rate the quality of the
academic programs for schools in the
same ranking category, including their
own.
Each school is placed into a
category based on its mission (research
university or liberal arts college) and—for universities offering a range of master’s
programs and colleges focusing on undergraduate education without a particular
emphasis on the liberal arts—by location (North, South, Midwest, and West).
springfield To enter
America in Bloom
The challenge has been issued.
A group of interested residents
have decided it’s time Springfield came
together and entered the America In
Bloom competition.
Cedarville was ranked 14th last year.
CvB group forming
There was the Welcome Wagon and now there’s the Convention and Visitors
Bureau Tourism Ambassadors. This is a volunteer committee being formed to represent
Destination Springfield.
These Ambassadors will provide personal service to incoming groups including
serving as “step-on” guides for motorcoach tours, and staffing CVB welcome tables at
events and conventions.
The goal of this program is to increase visitor satisfaction, leading to return visits
which will serve to grow this very important element of our local economy.
Tourism Ambassadors will receive training in the areas of: local history, CVB
branding and marketing, and destination sales. The committee will meet quarterly as
part of the Greater Springfield Tourism Coalition.
Ambassador benefits include: promotion on CVB website, recognition in
RegionView magazine and CVB Annual report, networking within the tourism
community and “Destination Springfield” logo apparel.
The Tourism Ambassador program kicked-off with an informational meeting in
August but there’s still room for you. If you’d like to be involved, email Chris Schutte at
cschutte@greaterspringfield.com or phone him at 937-521-1942.
14
Pam Corle-Bennett gives a presentation at the first
America in Bloom organizational meeting in the
FirstEnergy Foundation Community Room at the
Chamber of Commerce.
The national competition is
divided into population categories
for judging that takes place in July
and August over one day in each city
entered.
Pam Corle-Bennett, Ohio State
University Extension, Clark County,
horticulture, has been a judge for the organization in both the United States and
Canada and has viewed similar competitions in Europe.
She believes Springfield would stack up well with the assets it currently has.
There are eight judging criteria that include floral displays, environmental
awareness, landscaped areas, tidiness, urban forestry, heritage preservation, turf and
groundcovers and community involvement.
Melanie Wilt has volunteered to chair the effort.
“It’s more than just beautification and that’s one of the things that I really liked.
They talk about galvanizing communities and that is the part that really intrigued me. It
brings people together,” Bennett said.
She said current programs such as the heritage conservation taking place on East
High Street, the cigarette butt cleanup as part of the Keep Clark County Beautiful
affiliation with the Clark County Waste Management District, the hanging baskets
around downtown and the Southern Gateway Initiative could be highlighted in the
competition.
Workplace violence Often stems from domestic issues
Know the Signs to Help
Employees Avoid Confrontations
the workroom or workplace and put safety tips in with the payroll checks. Utilize your
insurance carrier’s loss prevention program.
Bell said accidents are more than a financial matter because they can result in bad
publicity. The vehicle involved may have the company’s name on the side.
The vast majority of workplace violence issues
involve domestic spillover and stalking, said Jim
Carter, retired Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
fraud case supervisor and ex-FBI agent.
He gave statistics at the June meeting of the
Springfield-Clark County Safety Council meeting that
showed 66 percent of workplace violence incidents are
domestic or stalking related, also 25 percent involve
current employees and nine percent involve former
employees.
Carter also said homicide is the #2 cause of death
Jim Carter
in the workplace, behind motor vehicle accidents, but
homicide is #1 among women. For that reason, he said employers have to be extra careful
if they employ a large number of women.
Employees who fear a domestic situation spilling into the workplace should warn
security or a superior.
Among the triggers of workplace violence are less than desirable reviews in a
performance evaluations an employee may receive. People with a history of mental illness
or substance abuse often are these perpetrators.
Carter said anger needs to be addressed in the workplace. If it’s buried and not dealt
with, it will resurface.
Among the red flags he cited were increased use of alcohol or drugs, unexplained
increases in absences, declines in appearance or hygiene, depression or withdrawal,
explosive outrage, verbal abuse, repeated suicidal comments, problems coping, paranoia,
preoccupation with violent acts in the news, overreaction to changes, or obsession with
weapons.
When confronting an employee who could become violent, Carter said to be aware
of body language. Remove any devices such as a letter opener, phone or umbrella that
could be used as a weapon. Two people should be in the room with the potentially
harmful subject and at least one should be able to reach the exit quickly in order to
summon help. Prior to such a meeting, security or a person outside the room should be
advised.
Keep an AED on Premises
Plan Ahead When Traveling
BWC Seeks to Save Money
Did you know if you are a parent traveling to Mexico with your children, you need a
notorized statement from the other parent giving permission for the travel?
That was one of the cautions Jim Eberly of AAA Miami Valley in Springfield warned
of at the July Safety Council meeting on Vacation Safety.
Other tips:
When traveling to a foreign country, take the prescription for any pills you carry
or at least leave them in the prescription bottle. Officials in that country can detain you
while the pills are checked at a lab.
A woman traveling alone should try to get a room on a lower floor as most assaults
take place in elevators. The less time in the elevator, the better.
If on a cruise be sure to attend the safety briefing on the ship.
Make copies of your passport papers to carry with you. If the passport is lost or
stolen, it could take anywhere from three days to a week to straighten out, unless you
present authorities with a copy.
Check with your insurance company when traveling overseas. Your car or your
medical insurance may not be valid in other countries.
The most important thing you can do is plan ahead for domestic or foreign travel,
Eberly said.
Fleet Safety Manual Important
Companies that have fleet vehicles or have employees traveling while on business
should take precautions to avoid liability exposure, said Andrew Bell of Consolidated
Insurance and attorney Ann Larimer of Brower Insurance Agency.
One of the most important items each company
should have is a Fleet Safety Manual. The manual
should include driver training details, the alcohol
and drug policy, cell phone usage policy, vehicle
maintenance and inspections program, accident
report procedures and driver selection, and retention.
Larimer said it’s not good enough just to have a
manual–but it must be followed.
Employees should be trained on what to do in
case of an accident. She suggests having a camera
in the vehicle to take photos at the scene. Don’t
admit fault. Employers should have safety posters in
Ann Larimer
A total of 21 companies received Special
Awards at the April Safety Council meeting
for going 500,000 hours, or six months,
without a lost-time injury. The 21 were
Benchmark Industrial Supply, Benjamin Steel
Company, Cascade Corporation, Clark State
Community College, Clark-Shawnee Local,
Dole Fresh Vegetables, ISS Group, Inc. Lowe’s of
Springfield, M&M Restaurant Supply, Mental
Health Services of Clark County, Mercy Health
Partners, Oakwood Village, Security National Bank, Southwest Landmark, Speedway SuperAmerica,
Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center, Springfield Masonic Community, Springfield Newspapers,
Tecumseh Local Schools, Transcontinental Printing, Wittenberg University.
American Red Cross Executive Director, Mike
Larson, recommended that all businesses give serious
consideration to having an Automated External
Defribillator (AED) on their premises.
Larson spoke at the April meeting of the
Springfield-Clark County Safety Council held at the
Courtyard by Marriott.
“The expectation is for you to have an AED if
someone has sudden cardiac arrest. You will probably
spend more money defending yourself in a wrongful
Mike Larson
death lawsuit than it costs to have an AED,” he said.
It likely will cost more to replace an employee than it costs to buy a device and
significantly more if the person is a member of upper management. The retail price of an
AED is around $1,500.
To justify not having an AED, someone might say their business is located near a
fire station with an emergency squad. The average response time for a call is five to seven
minutes. Still, Larson said, an AED is a critical piece of equipment.
“For every minute you don’t shock a victim, you lose 10 percent of that person’s
survivability,” he said.
Larson said NBC Studios did not have one when NBC’s Meet the Press host, Tim
Russert, died of a heart attack in June of 2008.
Incentive Programs Work
Employee incentive safety programs work and can be fun if supervisors take them
seriously, representatives of Dole Fresh Foods and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
said during an August meeting.
Dole conducts a year-long competition among departments, based on football rules,
posting updated scores and culminating with a Super Bowl at the end. The winning team
is treated to a Super Bowl banquet.
Each period one employee who has gone above and beyond in support of the
program receives an All-Pro blue jacket.
Mark Ashworth of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Division of Safety and
Hygiene said the BWC, like other businesses, has taken steps to save money.
For one, it closed the Springfield office that was located in the Credit Life Building
and consolidated with the Dayton office. Ashworth said the bureau has gone from 4,000
employees to 2,500 with more cuts to come.
He said field workers who spent much of their time visiting businesses will be doing
more work in the office, utilizing technology to accomplish more.
The maximum discount went from 85 percent to 77 percent. In addition, group
rate employers will receive a 9.5 percent premium increase on average and non-group rate
employers will receive a 25 percent decrease.
He said what led to this change was complaints about the difference between group
and non-group rate insurance premiums and studies showing the inequity.
On July 1, the bureau introduced a deductible program. Employers can opt for a
$500 to $10,000 deductible per claim as a way to lower the cost of their premiums.
Forklift Rodeo Scheduled
The 2009 U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo and Safety Expo at the Clark County
Fairgrounds is scheduled for Oct. 30-31.
The rodeo has attracted international attention bringing in a team from Portugal
and a team from Baltimore this year.
There are two divisions of competition–Championship and Masters. The
Championship Division is for competitors who may only drive a forklift occasionally on
the job, while the Masters Division is for past champions.
Teams will consist of two people. If a company only sends one person, the
individual will be teamed with a single person from another company. Cost is $90 per
individual or $175 per team.
The first Forklift Rodeo in Portugal was based on the Springfield-Clark County
Safety Council model. It had 19 companies, and 24 two-person teams.
“Needless to say that without your support and enthusiasm about this event, this
success would not have been possible, and for that we cannot thank you enough,” wrote
one of the organizers, Antonio Oliveira, in an email to Dick Higgins, founder of the
Forklift Rodeo and Safety Council member.
For more information, go to Chamber.GreaterSpringfield.com and click on “Safety
Council” in the toolbar.
In addition, the Community Safety Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31
from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with the rodeo. If you would like to be a
participant, contact Kent Sherry at ksherry@brycehill.com or phone (937) 325-0651.
The updated list of Community Safety Day participants includes:
Reiter Dairy - giving away milk chugs; Ohio Air Guard - Kid-Saf ID’s, Safety Dog
Mascot, Model Jet Fighter; Clark State Community College - Nursing Students - blood
pressure checkups, health info; Springfield Fire Division - 36’ Fire Safety Training
Center; 40’ Trailer Maze Simulator; Building Industry Assoc. - Solar Powered Job
Trailer; Moon Bounce; American Red Cross - Defibrillators information; Regional
Air Pollution Control Authority - Radon information, state hybrid car; Clark County
Sheriff - New DARE digitalized convertible; Humane Society - Info on how to treat
pets; Clark County Emergency Mgmt - Various pieces of equipment; Pleasant Twp. Fire
Dept - Fire truck rides for the kids; a pumper; tanker; ambulance; SERVPRO - info on
insurance restoration work, safety handouts.
7
AROUNDsPRingfieLd
Hartman Rock Garden
Their patterns include historical documentation of the clothing, which the wearer is required to provide during inspection prior
to a living history event. Many companies mass producing patterns do not include documentation.
circles.
“Its renovation will provide us with another valuable
marketing ‘chip’ in our efforts to promote Springfield as a
destination. Its location adjacent to the southern corridor
of the Little Miami Bike Trail will further enhance our
marketing opportunities as we include the Hartman Rock
Garden in potential recreational itineraries,” he said.
Schutte said it also serves as another logical “heritage”
destination for the CVB to market to motorcoach and
group tours.
Rock Gardens aren’t rare. It was a hobby popular
among some, especially in the Midwest, during the
Depression. But each was unique. Yoho said what makes
the Hartman site different is the massiveness of it. The
cathedral is so large that Hartman used it as his work and
tool shed.
Another oddity is the white picket fence. It’s made of
concrete.
“What really stands out here is we’ve never worked at
a site where the neighbors have this level of enthusiasm,
interest and support,” Yoho said.
This is the ninth site the foundation has restored, only
the second outside Wisconsin. The other was in Louisiana.
“Usually there are some naysayers, somebody who
doesn’t like it, and there’s nobody here who doesn’t like it.
They all love it. People are just wonderful,” Yoho said.
People bring food to the workers or stop by to
check the progress and tell stories or bring photos of the
site. (They are asking for old photos so the site can be
restored as Hartman left it.) RoadsideAmerica.com has a
She has traveled around the country and even to Europe doing research on the clothing of the era, studying artifacts in various
museums and private collections.
Fort Dearborn and Eagles Castle; Last Supper in cathedral window arch; Valley Forge.
Kannik’s Live in the Past
Couple Makes Vintage Clothing Patterns, Toy Theaters
One could say that Fritz and Kathleen Kannik are living in the past. They would take it as a compliment.
After all, they live in a home on High Street built in 1885, they have a home business creating easy-to-use patterns for
making vintage clothing from the 18th century and he has an interest in Toy or Model Theaters, whose origins date back to
the early 1800s.
They also are re-enactors from the 18th century, specifically the French and Indian War to the Napoleonic period. In fact,
that’s how they met. He is a native of Denmark and she is from Michigan. They have been active participants for years in the
Fair at New Boston.
Before TV There Was
Model Theater
Before there was television there
was Model Theater or Toy Theater,
especially in Europe.
A family would invite a few
neighbors over for, perhaps, dinner,
and entertain them with a play,
original or purchased, with little
cardboard characters serving as the
actors in the doll house size theaters.
When Fritz Kannik’s mother passed
out household items from their
home in Denmark to her children,
he got the toy theaters and brought
them with him to the United States.
He didn’t say much about it to his
wife, Kathleen, who one day found
them put away in a closet.
As a half-timber framer and union carpenter, Fritz has restored and built log structures
and old homes in the Ohio region, and has built many of the properties at the Fair. Kathleen
has been instrumental in helping others make their period clothing.
“It’s really because of the Fair at New Boston that we live in Springfield,” said Kathleen.
They moved here 20 years ago with the promise of a carpentry job and having traveled here
previously for the Fair.
Like any business, they began making patterns to improve on what they saw re-enactors
wearing.
The characters and set design are
purchased on sheets of paper, cut
out and pasted on cardboard.
Denmark and Germany are noted
for producing the best designs.
Kathleen Kannik holds up an 18th century
period dress she made using one of her patterns.
“We found the patterns were not well documented and were not constructed in a very
historic manner. With our research and our involvement in living history, we decided we would like to see better clothing on all the
other re-enactors,” Kathleen said.
story about the garden. Google
“Hartman’s Rock Garden” and numerous references come
up. Hartman’s creation is referred to as “self-taught art” or
“outsider art.”
Since the late 1970s, the preservation of folk
architecture and art environments has been the
foundations primary focus.
After restoration efforts are completed, the site is
then gifted to a county, town, or
museum for the education and
enjoyment of the public.
“I think you might be
amazed at how many people in
the country tour around looking at sites like this. There is
a huge contingency of people with this interest,” Yoho said.
If you would like to make a donation for the perpetual
care of the Hartman Rock Garden, send tax deductible
contribution to the Friends of the Hartman Rock Garden
fund. Address envelopes to: The Springfield Foundation 4
W. Main St., Suite 825 Springfield, Ohio 45502.
“I am very familiar with the typical construction technology of the period,” she said.
One of the biggest obstacles is creating a pattern for today’s body and posture. The reenactors, especially the men soldiers, tend to be larger than they were of the period.
Both know how to sew, and Kathleen’s background as an art education major and
journalism minor helps her with the workshops she gives on sewing the clothing, writing
the pattern instructions, creating illustrations and producing the how-to-sew instructional
booklets.
“It captured my heart right away,”
she said.
The theaters come in two sizes and
resemble a stage. Because of the
theater size, typically, the audience
consists of no more than six to 12
people.
The property was acquired in late 2008
or a year after the son, Ben Hartman,
who lived on the property, died. Work
at the site began in April with a target
date of the end of this year to have
it completed and gifted to an as yet
to be determined local non-profit to
serve as caretaker. Terri Yoho hopes an
empty lot, which also was purchased
across the street, will house a comfort
station for visitors. The existing house
on the property could be used by the
artist-in-residence. H. G. Hartman,
an iron foundry worker with a limited
education, made the garden while laid
off from his iron foundry job during
the depression between 1932-1939.
Themes are patriotism, religion,
education and history.
(continued)
Fritz Kannik peers into a model theater he
created. Model Theater productions were a way
to entertain guests.
The pair made the booklet in a period manner so someone re-enacting at a living
history event can flip through the book without having a paperback version of modern
construction. They’re in the third printing of the beginner’s how-to booklet with each
printing consisting of 1,000 to 1,500 copies.
The intent was to sell their patterns in specialty stores but that changed when two of
their best customers closed their doors in the same year.
“That hit us hard enough that I realized we had to do something different to make up for that and had to start doing retail,”
Kathleen said.
Their daughter learned how to make websites for her engineering college as a graduate student at Virginia Tech and established
www.kannikskorner.com for them.
They make the actual clothing item when creating the pattern but only occasionally do they make clothes for individuals due to the cost and time involved.
“It’s better for me to spread the knowledge of how to make a garment by teaching people how to sew and make better reproduction clothing,” Kathleen said.
They have created 17 patterns for men, women, children and infants.
German Shepherds
New Moon Drive-In Site Now Woeber’s Distribution Center
Show Director Offers Praise for Help Received in Hosting Event
Woeber’s Mustard held Open House for its Distribution Center Where New Moon Drive-In Once Stood.
Their alertness and instincts and ability to understand what needs to be done
make them valuable in police work or as guard dogs, he said.
Located at the intersection of Urbana Road (Rt. 68) and Moorefield Road, the distribution center has 65,000-square feet that includes 5,100 square feet of cooler
space, 2,400 square feet of freezer space and 5,000 square feet of office space. The cooler/freezer space has the capacity of 6,875 standard refrigerators.
The man talked to a government official assigned to help in the aftermath of
9-11. He was amazed at their ability compared to other breeds to concentrate on
what had to be done, which was look for victims, and ignore their surroundings.
The pallet racking can hold more than 1,200 full pallets, which is enough to fill more than 55 semi-trailers.
The distribution center will operate 24 hours per day with an expected initial output of 25 full trucks per day.
Woeber’s started with two products – Woeber’s Superior Mustard and Woeber’s Horseradish Mustard – when the company was
founded in 1905 and both products are still offered today. They now have more than 500 products.
The company’s products are sold across the United States and in 15 foreign countries,
including England, South Korea, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa. Private
label partners include JackDaniels, Hickory Farms, Honey Baked Ham Company, Beano’s,
CVS, Marzetti and Heinz.
Each year, Woeber’s processes 10 million pounds of mustard seed, 4.5 million pounds of
horseradish root and 12 million gallons of vinegar.
The Woeber’s Mustard Man logo was originally developed by Walt Disney in 1940 for the
animated film Fantasia. However, his poor dancing skills kept him out of the final cut. After the
character was used to sell war bonds under the name Pesky Pete, he found his home at Woeber’s.
Woeber’s Mustard Project
Manager Chris Woeber
stands beside one of the
company’s displays.
8
(continued)
The $4.7 million total investment is expected to create 20 new jobs. The Springfield MSA,
the Moorefield Township Trustees and Clark County Commissioners approved a 60 percent, 10year Enterprise Zone tax exemption for the new construction, saving the company an expected
$350,000 over that time.
A Woeber’s Mustard truck sits outside the
company’s new distribution center.
Competitions in herding will be in Nova, Ohio on the Hado-Bar Farms on
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Monday Oct. 12 and tracking will be held at Sycamore
State Park in Trotwood on Sunday, Oct. 11. Events at the Champions Center will
begin on Monday, Oct. 12.
Competitions will be in various classes based on age and other factors from
around 8 a.m. to noon each morning and 1-4 p.m. each afternoon. Vendors with
dog-related products and services will be on the premises and speakers
are- scheduled. Dr. Richard Hutchison, a veterinarian and breeding
expert from the Cleveland area, will speak on Wednesday evening at
the Holiday Inn on Leffel Lane.
Burggraaf said Springfield and the Champions
Center were selected a number of years ago
after a club member recommended it to the
board, which visited the site. Last year’s event
was held in Beaumont, Texas and in Denver,
Colo., in 2007. The 2010 show will be in Salt
Lake City, Utah.
“Springfield has been very good. I have been
involved with the American Kennel Club all over the country and Springfield has
really reached out to help. The (Convention and Visitors Bureau) has been active
and I shared that at a meeting we had last week. I think this is something the
community should be proud of,” Burggraaf said.
The American Kennel Club has statistics that show on a
Saturday-Sunday only show people spend an average of $374 in a
community and the Nationals are going to be here for about eight
days. It’s estimated the show will bring several million dollars into
the community.
He said Chris Schutte, the Director of Marketing with the
Chamber’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shirley Mann,
the Champion Center manager, and Leah McMaken
at the Leffel Lane Holiday Inn, have been especially
helpful. When they needed a place to store hundreds
of trophies for nearly a year, the CVB offered them
free storage in the basement of the Commerce
Pointe building. Burgraff said it would have cost up
to $100 a month otherwise.
At the suggestion of the CVB, the group overcame
the lack of a banquet room at a local hotel large enough
to accommodate attendees by scheduling the Tuesday
welcome dinner and the Saturday night victory dinner at
the Champions Center.
13
NON-PROFITS Serve the City and County
Hartman’s Rock Garden to be Local Attraction Again
United Way Does More Than Raise Money
Have a Question? Call the Agency’s 211 Information Referral Service to Get Help
When Dana Barrett (Sigourney
Weaver) needed a paranormal
extermination in her Manhattan
apartment, she called “Ghostbusters” in
the 1984 movie of the same name.
From left-right. Art Conservator from Los Angeles Ben Caguio and Kohler Foundation Executive Director Terri Yoho working at Betsy Ross House with Lincoln log cabin and Lincoln Memorial in foreground. Known as the
cathedral and the largest building in the garden, the cathedral served as Hartman’s work shed. Openings are adorned with religious figures, including the Last Supper. Scott Dixon of Springfield works on the Noah’s Ark replica.
Wisconsin’s Kohler Foundation Is Restoring Treasure to Original Look
Here’s a quiz. Where in Springfield can you find a
replica of Lincoln’s log cabin, Flanders Fields, the Liberty
Bell, Noah’s Ark, Mount Vernon and numerous other
historical and religious depictions all in a space the size of
a city lot.
At the corner of McCain and Russell, two blocks
west of South Yellow Springs Street, sits Hartman’s Rock
Garden.
If one were to list the most unique or fascinating sites
in Springfield, the Rock Garden would be on the list and
near the top.
The Kohler Foundation of Kohler, Wisc., (think
bathroom, kitchen fixtures) bought the property, including
the home, once occupied by the garden’s creator H.G.
Hartman, who died 65 years ago in 1944. He probably
departed not knowing the treasure he left to local residents
and visitors who continue to stop by from places far and
wide as restoration efforts continue.
“It’s a treasure for Springfield, and it’s wonderful to
see people cherish it,” said Terri Yoho, Kohler Foundation
Executive Director.
Chris Schutte, Director of Destination Marketing for
the Chamber Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the
garden is well known in both folk art and “outsider” art
continued on next page
From left-right. Temple where Jesus was found by his parents as a youth discussing religious doctrine is located behind a replica of Flanders Field and the Liberty Bell. Ph.D. art history student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lucy Traverse works on a pedestal. She has been identifying each piece in the garden. The Tree of Life includes on its branches a church, school house, eagle and doves.
If you have a similar problem in
Springfield, you can phone “211.” No,
not 911, unless it was a true emergency.
The United Way of Clark,
Champaign and Madison Counties has
for approximately four years used the
211 informational referral number as
an easy way for local residents to obtain
information on about any subject. The
service (excluding Madison County) has
been in existence for much longer but the
211 exchange made it more accessible.
Within the past few months, United
Way Executive Director Doug Lineberger
met with the 911 dispatchers to ask them
to forward non-emergency calls they
receive to 211.
“We had no idea the amount of
(non-emergency) calls people made to
911,” said Marilyn Martin, a 211 United
Way operator in the Springfield office.
A day or two prior to the July 2
fireworks display at the Clark County
Fairgrounds, Martin said she had two or
three calls from people who said they’d
called 911 and were told to phone 211.
They wanted to know when the fireworks
would be held.
“A lot of 911 callers are being
educated about 211,” Lineberger said.
If you need to know how to feed
your pet monkey, do what the caller did a
couple years ago – call 211. Have a dead
cow in your yard as one caller did. Call
211.
TOuRisMNEWSvieWs
“Some of the calls are funny, some
are sad,” Lineberger said.
SPRINGFIELD You and our visitors can get local information from the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
German Shepherds Aim to Please
a German Shepherd champion the
family had and a withdrawn young
boy who wouldn’t talk. The boy’s
family requested they take the dog to
be used in pet therapy for their son.
After the dog and the boy bonded, he
was asked to read to the dog, which he
surprisingly did.
But despite their ferociousness
when trained to be so, no one need
be alarmed that between 700 and 900
German Shepherds will be visiting
Monday, Oct. 12 through Saturday,
Oct. 17 at the Champions Center at the
Clark County Fairgrounds.
“His teachers and everyone else
were shocked at how comfortable he
was reading to this dog,” Burggraaf
said. “We have pictures of the dog just
laying there and paying attention to
this boy.”
They will be participating in the
German Shepherd Club of America
Nationals, the breeds equivalent to the
World Series.
Show Director Bill Burggraaf, of
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said he and
his family that includes two daughters
have five German Shepherds. They
got involved more than 40 years ago
because the dogs are such caring, gentle
animals.
To illustrate, he tells the story of
12
Shepherds can be wonderful family
pets, guard dogs, herding animals or
used for tracking. They’re often used in
searching for lost people.
Bill Burggraff and his wife, Rachel, with their German Shepherd,
“Barbie” or Ch. Kridler’s Kota American Girl, her registered name.
United Way Recipients
Must Show Results
When the United Way began, many agencies
looked at the organization as a source for all its
funding or a way to balance their books.
“We aren’t just about raising money,”
said Lineberger of the United Way.
“With 800 non-profits in Clark County,
United Way no longer has the capacity to
be that sole funder,” said Executive Director
Doug Lineberger.
A few weeks ago, a Volunteer
Reception Center was established that
would be activated in the event of an
emergency. Had it been in operation
during the time of the September
windstorms of last year, it would have
been utilized, Lineberger said.
UW will be the coordinating agency
for volunteers in partnership with the
Emergency Management Agency in
that the center will respond to local
emergencies and disasters, such as floods,
tornados, ice storms, industrial accidents
or train wrecks.
Volunteers have been trained
to operate the center. Other random
volunteers would report to one of two
locations in the county where the center
would register, screen and track those
who report to do cleanup or whatever’s
needed.
If it was an outbreak of swine flu,
doctors and nurses could volunteer to be
dispatched to administer shots.
“The wind storm – although it
was very costly – was an opportunity to
learn what our community needed to
do to respond to something like that,”
Lineberger said.
They found out that seniors in some
high rise apartment buildings didn’t have
access to elevators because the elevators
wouldn’t work. They couldn’t cook meals.
The Red Cross and other groups
delivered meals, whereas now the center
would coordinate those efforts.
The $1.27 million that was distributed this
year in three counties goes to organizations
with specific programs that have goals and
objectives, Lineberger said.
Doug Lineberger,
Executive Director
Lineberger said it doesn’t duplicate
the Red Cross’ efforts because that
organization is a first responder.
The UAW’s Volunteer Center also
serves as a matchmaker, pairing volunteers
– both adults and youth – with agencies
that need them. Lineberger said there are
plenty of opportunities.
“As times are
tough right now,
agencies really need
volunteers. Agencies
don’t have the paid
staff so volunteering
is probably more
important now
than it’s ever been
because of the
downturn in our
economy,” he said.
“We are not just talking about number of
people served but how lives are improved,”
he said. “What we’ve done is we’ve gone to
outcome-based funding. We pay for results
now.”
The fund-raising campaign takes place
from late August to mid-January. The fund
distribution announced in July went to
support 53 agencies and 86 programs.
Agencies make requests in February and
March after which volunteers meet face-toface with agencies, who have one-half hour
to state their cases. Impact committees send
recommendations to the United Way Board.
“The staff makes no decisions. People think I
make the decisions. I don’t even influence the
decisions,” Lineberger said.
Each county keeps what it raises. Clark
County received $922,900, Champaign
County $197,000 and Madison County
$152,000. Clark’s total represented an eight
percent drop from the previous year, while
Champaign showed a 10 percent increase and
Madison County a 7.5 percent increase.
Right On Cue: OIC Program Benefits Brown, Others
Breed’s National Dog Show Scheduled for October at Champions Center
An impression many have of
German Shepherds comes from seeing
them unleashed by a police officer to
bring down an overmatched criminal
with its teeth.
Like the call from the 17-year-old
girl who had been thrown out of her
home and didn’t know where to go.
The phones are answered 24-7. Calls
made during the day are answered in the
Springfield office. After hours calls are
picked up by the Dayton trained and
certified staff who have access to the local
database of referral information.
“I’ve had different breeds, but
the German Shepherd dogs have
a tendency to want to please their
family. They kind of look at you like
‘what would you like me to do?’ They
have a tendency to know how you feel,”
Burggraaf said.
continued on next page
Dominic Brown was one of 140 young people working on the crew that was
sprucing up Snyder Park as part of the Opportunities Industrialization Center’s summer
employment program. He enjoyed the outdoor work – after all, he also considered
becoming a zookeeper – but as an aspiring actor and producer it didn’t help him on his
career path.
about 12 minutes.
Brown was talking to OIC Summer Youth Director Dan Cox who asked him what
his hobbies were and what he liked to do.
Brown, 19, is one of 140 workers placed by OIC at 24 work sites who are part of
the $625,000 grant. The summer employees who are between the ages of 14 and 24
must qualify under the federal poverty guidelines to be eligible.
“I told him acting and directing and I did a lot of videography,” said
Brown, who had been involved in community theater for years back in
his previous hometown of Memphis, Tenn. and been told he has a knack
for acting.
He plans to attend Atlantic Acting School to study acting, directing
and film making. Prior to that he has an assignment in Chicago where,
among other projects, he will introduce and possibly produce one of his
own plays for a theater company.
Ward said the hardest and most critical part is the editing.
“He has a different eye. He’s younger. That was why I was excited about having
someone young come in and kinda shake things up a little bit,” Ward said.
The money was provided under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act or stimulus package and pays workers $7.30 to $9 an
hour.
Ward said Brown stepped in and began his assignment with
minimal instruction.
“The (editing software) program he’s working on, 80 percent of the
people who start on it dump it because it’s complicated,” she said.
Dominic Brown amidst
Meanwhile, a few days before Brown and Cox talked, Angela Ward,
Brown came to Springfield in February with his mother from
studio editing equipment
a City of Springfield contract employee and producer of Springfield
Memphis, Tenn. Also a singer, another of his aspirations is to sing on
(Channel) 5 on Time Warner, was jokingly trying to recruit the OIC summer intern at
John Legend’s record label. He hadn’t realized Legend was from Springfield.
the Clark County Waste Management District.
Before he pursues singing, however, there was a piece on the depression centered
The Waste Management District staff suggested she phone OIC and ask if they had
around a talk given by local historian Dr. William Kinnison to edit. There was another
anyone available with an interest in videography. She was inundated with video that
video to be edited on Amelia Earhart. He’d completed one on Woofstock, shot at the
needed editing before being added to the channel lineup.
Wiggley Field Dog Park, and one on Rambo and Mike, the drug enforcement dog and
its handler.
Yes, they did know of someone through this chance conversation between Brown
and Cox, so in early July he was pulled off his Snyder Park assignment and placed with
“He completed six pieces in his first two weeks. You don’t find many kids very often
Ward.
who are self starters,” Ward said.
“He has been a huge help. There was no way I could finish half the projects he’s
Among the other OIC summer youth works sites were Buck Creek State Park, City
helping me with,” Ward said.
Hall, the Department of Job and Family Services, Clark State Community College and
with utility crews.
He arrived in time to edit her two hour Fourth of July Fireworks video down to
9
Urbana Banquet Hall
Second to None
Todd Woodruff believes others will agree
that the Woodruff-Vernon Banquet and
Corporate Training Facility in Urbana
exceeds most any other such hall in the
area.
The banquet area can seat more than
400 and there’s the capability to house as
many as 1,500.
“There’s an addition that isn’t as polished
as the banquet part of it,” said Randy
Runkle, owner of Carmae Catering and
a catering partner with Woodruff in his
banquet facilities.
Former Dealership Now an Events Facility
Bringing Life Back to North 68 Pleases Partner in New Banquet Hall Venture
Growing up in Northridge, Randy Runkle
remembers how the Route 68 corridor north of
Springfield was an active part of town with several car
dealerships and a variety of other businesses.
“We really are trying to do what we can to
revitalize this area of town,” he said.
He and Todd Woodruff of Woodruff Enterprises
turned what was Bowshier Buick, and more recently
Weiss RV Sales, into an event facility where weddings,
corporate functions, business luncheons, reunions and
proms can be held.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Press Clippings is a report about
media coverage of Springfield and Clark County in
other areas of the state, nation and world.
“The set up of this particular facility is unique. It certainly isn’t your average banquet hall,” Runkle said.
The Champaign County Chamber
of Commerce, Urbana University
Foundation and Grimes retirees are
among those who have used the hall.
“It way exceeds anything in the area as
far as the décor and the look inside,”
Runkle said.
They believe a couple aspects of the business sets them apart. One, they view the banquet room as a blank canvas that can be
turned into a myriad of different settings.
“You don’t know it’s the same facility from one event to the next because it lends itself to so many different options,” Runkle said.
The other is if a person wants it can be a one-stop shop for all event needs. If it’s a wedding, Carmae will provide the catering and
they have an association with a florist, a photographer and a videographer. All can be paid with one bill. Or, customers can make their
own arrangements.
“We are kind of an event planner,” said Woodruff, who considers agricultural auctions his primary business.
Their first event was a Christmas party hosted by Konecranes in December of 2007.
Runkle said a welcome feature for some if the noise gets too loud in the main room is a lounge with a big screen TV where quiet
conversations can take place.
Woodruff and David Vernon also own the Woodruff-Vernon Banquet and Corporate Training Facility at 240 Twain Ave.,
Urbana, the former Honeywell site.
“We tried to make both facilities on the upscale side. We want to make people walk in and say ‘wow,’” Woodruff said.
He added that while it can be given an upscale look the room is available for all types of budgets. It’s even been used for a
birthday party. They hope to market it in the near future for corporate luncheons.
Garrigans Office Plus
(continued from page 6)
Joe’s father, Pat, who used to operate the business, began the search around
2004. First place he looked was 14 North Yellow Springs Street, which had been
a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership since the late 1950s. He was told, sorry, but that
property was in the hospital zone and unavailable for purchase.
They had drawings made for a new building in Parker Court, near the Bechtle
Avenue and West Main Street intersections.
Meanwhile, they kept looking when the late Naomi Caldwell, who was
Community Mercy’s vice president of facilities management and development and
an acquaintance for many years, said if they ever needed anything to call. They did.
Not long afterwards, Tom Loftis, of Midland Properties, who was in charge of land
acquisition, called to ask if they wanted to go through the North Yellow Springs
property. Jennifer Baader, former Center City executive director, also worked with
them to locate downtown.
They moved into the building Pat first looked at in early August. It has just over
10,000-square feet with 4,318 for office space and 5,894 for the warehouse area,
about 1,800 more than at their former location.
Kapp Construction was the general contractor and Habitat Creations of Ohio
did the landscaping, which was extensive because only limited parking was needed
for the business. The Center City Association presented Garrigans with a $10,000
Façade Improvement
Grant.
“We have so much
green space (I had) to
go out and buy a lawn
mower,” Joe said.
They showed their
downtown commitment
by spending $1.2 million
on construction, new
equipment and real estate.
10
Legend, a native of Springfield, Ohio, says he may not
be able to end poverty alone, but that he’s doing what he
can as an individual to change the world.
MLB.com wrote a story about former Boston
Red Sox slugger Jim Rice touring the Hall of Fame in
anticipation of his induction into baseball’s shrine.
Press Clippings
As a kid Runkle remembers people saying it would make a great reception facility even when there were Skylarks and Regals
sitting in the middle of the floor.
Runkle said he caters in Columbus,
London, Piqua, Dayton, Troy and has
not seen anything that matches the
Woodruff-Vernon facility.
The nonprofit aims to end poverty around the world
and has already helped villages in Africa get clean water and
better access to health care, education and the Internet.
Local Man Interviewed
Woodruff bought the building as a location for
Todd Woodruff, left, and Randy Runkle stand in the Woodruff Center banquet hall.
his temperature-controlled trucking company but was
looking for a way to utilize what was a dealership showroom. Outdoor space is leased by Averitt Trucking. He and Runkle, owner of
Carmae Catering, were introduced by a mutual friend and both had a vision for how the building could be used.
It is the site of the former Honeywell
plant at 240 Twain Ave., Urbana.
NEW YORK — John Legend held a benefit dinner
for his Show Me charity, and celebrated the event with an
intimate performance for his invited guests.
Tuesday’s event raised about $300,000.
The two-story building, known as the Woodruff
Center, has a glass enclosed banquet room that
provides an unobstructed view to the outdoors. The
room has a 250-person capacity.
“Our intent is to get it to that point,”
Woodruff said. He and David Vernon
own the building.
Kyle Rose and Allan Rae
stand by The Big Red
Truck, which was the
subject of a children’s
book they wrote and
illustrated. It’s available
at www.navistar.com/
Brutus.
Networking Event Held at OVMC
Tours of the new Ohio Valley Medical Center downtown was part of the
Chamber’s Networking at Night event in September.
Hospital Administrator Steve Eisentrager said the hospital had performed
approximately 1,000 surgeries as of Sept. 17 and projects it will do 10,000 per
year.
“What that means is there will be about 30,000 people coming down here in a
year’s time, including family members and friends,” Eisentrager said.
Add to those numbers the 100 staff members of which there are now 65, and
100 physicians and it’s obvious there will be additional activity generated
downtown.
“You see them going up and down the street to grab lunch and connecting
with what’s going on downtown. Over the next few years we will see office
development nearby and many other things. It’s going to be really exciting to be
here,” Eisentrager said.
He said patient satisfaction is 99 percent in the early going and that the hospital
staff will keep working to make things better and better.
Gingrichs Welcomed
From the Pocono, Pa. Record
Two new majors joined the battle to fight poverty and
help those in need in Monroe County.
Community leaders greeted Majors James and Debra
Gingrich as new corps officers at a reception Wednesday at
the Salvation Army’s Washington Street Headquarters in
East Stroudsburg. They came from Springfield, Ohio, where
they spent more than 16 years serving the cause.
“I will make you this promise — I will never ask you
to make a donation. But what I will ask you to do is to
invest in our community,” he said.
The enthusiastic, baby-faced minister addressed an
audience that included several members of the army’s
advisory board. He said the Salvation Army had been able
to change its focus from being dispensers of assistance to
agents of change.
“Instead of going in and helping people paying bills
and bringing in food and other assistance only, we help
people to change their lifestyles,” he said.
Honor Flight Gets Donation
The Des Moines Register reported on a donation to
Honor Flight
Hy-Vee Food Stores Inc. will donate $250,000 to
a charitable organization that provides free tours of war
memorials in Washington, D.C., to World War II veterans,
the West Des Moines grocer plans to announce today.
Honor Flight, a Springfield, Ohio, charity, arranges
to fly veterans to see memorials for World War II and the
Vietnam and Korean wars as well as trips to the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier.
Big Red Truck book acclaimed
LibraryNation recommended the book Brutus
the Big Red Truck, written and illustrated by two local
employees at the Springfield Operations of Navistar.
Here is an encouraging story about employees of
Navistar International Corporation who donate their time
and talent to community outreach and literacy:
Phil Needham didn’t make it to Churchill Downs to
see the horse he’d bred and foaled pull a stunning upset in
the Kentucky Derby.
He had his own race to win.
Mine That Bird became the second-biggest long shot
ever to win the Derby, covering the 1¼ miles Saturday in a
little more than two minutes and two seconds.
A few hours earlier, Needham, 67, rode his bicycle 123
miles in six hours to win his age group in the 18th annual
Calvin’s Challenge road race, which drew 210 cyclists to
Springfield, Ohio.
Actress has Springfield Connection
Haddix Feat Remembered
When Terrence McNally created a new character for
the musical play “The Full Monty,” he may not have been
thinking of Elaine Stritch.
The 50th anniversary of Harvey Haddix “greatest
game ever pitched” on May 26 brought national
attention. This story by Mike Lopresti appeared in USA
Today.
The defeat like none other in the history of baseball
turned 50 on Tuesday. The widow of the man who lost it
spent a bittersweet day remembering.
The end came in the 13th inning that famous night in
Milwaukee, when the Braves finally got someone on base
against the Pittsburgh pitcher. Harvey Haddix had been
perfect for 12 innings — 36 Braves up, 36 down, including
Hank Aaron four times. But he would leave a loser, anyway.
His 1-0 downfall remains among the most memorable,
honorable and excruciating ever seen in the game. May 26,
1959. Tuesday being the 50th anniversary, it was natural
to wonder what the family back in Springfield, Ohio was
doing.
“It’s kind of sad for us,” Marcia Haddix said over the
phone. “We don’t have Harvey here anymore.”
Haddix died of emphysema at 68 in 1994. The perfect
game he lost 35 years before was mentioned in the first
paragraph of his obit. So on this Tuesday, Marcia Haddix
would walk a careful line, honoring the date — there are
local ceremonies for the native son — while trying not to
dwell on what she has lost.
Witt Grad Helped Pave Way
The Fort Worth, Texas Business Press wrote a
story about more women needed in tech fields, using a
Wittenberg University graduate as a source.
Navistar employees Kyle Rose and Allan Rae, who
work at the truck assembly plant in Springfield, Ohio,
collaborated on a children’s book called Brutus the Big
Red Truck which is being used as the basis for an outreach
campaign to children.
When Lynn Peterson was in high school, the physics
instructor didn’t let her take his class. He’d never taught
girls, and wasn’t about to start, and when Peterson enrolled
as a math major at Wittenberg University in Springfield,
Ohio, she knew physics was the first class she’d need to take.
She took it, worked hard in the class, and won the physics
prize of the year.
Brutus the Big Red Truck is a
delightful children’s story that sends
a positive message to respect others,
play nicely, and notice the “good” in
everyone, despite differences. Vivid,
colorful artwork brings to life some
important lessons that parents and
children can discuss together.
Today, Peterson holds several advanced degrees,
including a doctorate from the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center in medical computer science.
She’s senior associate dean of engineering for academic
affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington, which she
joined in 1982, and among the students she’s taught
are young women who are like herself, eager to go into
engineering and technical fields.
Navistar employees have gone to schools to distribute
and read the book and to talk with students about the
book’s lessons. The company reports that approximately
5,000 copies of the work have been donated so far.
“I think there was always more encouragement than
discouragement,” Peterson said of her schooling, despite
that one teacher in high school.
Derby or Springfield?
Tom Eblen, Lexington, Ky., Herald-Leader
columnist found Derby winning breeder in Springfield.
“I think it’s just fantastic and long overdue,” said Dan
Reihing, 61, of Springfield, Ohio, watching in The Gallery
room as Rice was being shown where the plaques will be
hung for him, Henderson and Gordon. “I think of his
power. I’d root against him, because I was a Tigers fan back
then. I admired his talent. I always felt bad because Boston
never won. It broke my heart. But you have to say this: He
was brutal with that bat.”
Legend Holds Benefit
The Associated Press gave coverage to Springfield
native and Grammy Award Winner John Legend’s
benefit concert.
Story by Charles Paolino in Parsippany, N.J. Daily
Record refers to actress Elaine Stritch’s local tie.
But when the veteran stage and screen actress read the
script — and particularly the role of piano player Jeanette
Burmeister — she called McNally to say, “This is a lovely
part you’ve written for me.”
The outspoken Burmeister comes out of retirement to
play piano for the act.
Stritch has won multiple Emmy awards, including best
guest actress for her appearances on “30 Rock.” She also
won a Tony award for her 2002 one-woman show, “Elaine
Stritch at Liberty.”
A native of Michigan, Stritch lived for many years in
Great Britain. Stritch noted that her own background cuts
across the social spectrum.
“I’m interesting because my family was well-to-do, but
my father was a self-made man. He came from nothing. His
father was a tailor in Springfield, Ohio, but my mother’s
family was loaded. There’s a combination of both in me.”
Witt Grad in Roanoke Times
Story by Denise Membreno tells of microbiologists
international experiences.
When Kay Schmeding and husband Dr. Robert
Schmeding retired to Moneta (Va.) in July 1998, she missed
her work as an international educator. To fill the void, she
shares her experiences with area college students by giving
talks about her work as a microbiologist.
“I did most of my work in microbiology for Johns
Hopkins [University],” said Schmeding. “I traveled, mostly
to Africa, but also to the Philippines and taught doctors and
nurses how to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases. It is
not an area I thought I would get into; that’s the job they
had to offer me.”
Schmeding’s world travels actually started long
before her work for Johns Hopkins. She earned a degree
in chemistry in 1955 from Wittenberg University in
Springfield, Ohio. She taught in a high school, but her
husband’s work soon took them all over the world.
Junior Linebacker Piling Up Offers
Bill Kurelic wrote the following on the ESPN.com
Midwest recruiting blog:
Linebacker Trey DePriest (Springfield High School,
Ohio) is one of the top class of 2011 prospects in the
Buckeye State. The 6-1, 215-pounder has been a varsity
starter since the beginning of his freshman season.
DePriest, who made 75 tackles including four sacks
during his sophomore season, already has scholarship offers
from Michigan, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Central
Michigan.
DePriest attended Ohio State’s advanced camp June 14
and a Buckeye offer seems on the horizon.
11
Newsletters/Magazines
RegionView
Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
ACCE – ACE
Summary
The Greater Springfield Chamber President and CEO Mike McDorman determined that many
stories of a positive nature about the Springfield/Clark County community were being ignored.
He wanted a vehicle that would provide additional local coverage of the Springfield community.
His idea was for the Chamber to expand what was a monthly four-page 8 ½ by 11 RegionView
newsletter into a quarterly 11 ½ by 17 20-page glossy combination magazine and Chamber
newsletter that would appeal to a wide audience. This would be distributed throughout the
county at no charge so that we could better tell our story.
Synopsis
Identify the need: Many cities smaller than Springfield, Ohio have both television, radio and
newspaper outlets to disseminate news about their community. Steubenville, Mansfield, Athens,
all in Ohio, are three examples. Slightly larger Lima has three network affiliated TV stations.
Two TV stations in Dayton, 30 miles away, provide some coverage of Springfield, but primarily
police/fire stories. We have one daily newspaper that has downsized staff and content in recent
years and a weekly newspaper. Our single radio station does not have a news department.
We felt many stories of importance, particularly ones demonstrating progress made in the
community, were being overlooked or underreported. As an example, few understood that Reiter
Dairy quietly made Springfield its headquarters a few years ago, moving from Akron. Woeber
Mustard has had a long-time presence in Springfield but few knew of its continued market
expansion and that it distributes product throughout the country. One of the country’s, if not the
world’s, premier antique dealers created one of the largest antique shows and flea markets in
Springfield. He also owns and operates what’s believed to be the largest antique mall in the
world, but few knew of his background and how he got started. These were among the
RegionView cover stories.
Explain how it fits our mission: Communicating these stories fits the Chambers mission of
supporting local businesses. These stories benefit the business/organization and inform the
community of the many good things happening here.
Discuss the process: It was often frustrating when local media did not attribute the same
importance, if any, to certain news events that the Chamber did. How could we get the message
out or even repeat/reinforce positive events that may have received coverage? Produce your own
publication was the answer. Chamber President Mike McDorman had the vision but upon his
arrival in April 2006 no one on the staff had the expertise or time to produce such a publication.
Staff member Tim Bucey took a buy-out from the local newspaper in January of 2007. His
knowledge of the community would be ideal as he worked at the local newspaper for 36 years,
13 as a business/feature writer. He was hired with the idea of this publication being one of his
assignments. He knew the community well, was familiar with many of the people in whom he
would come in contact at the Chamber and had an extensive writing background. He was given
responsibility for coming up with story ideas, which were submitted to the Chamber’s president
and vice president for approval. At staff meetings, the publication is discussed. Prior to launch,
much discussion was devoted to size of the piece. Staff ideas for stories were solicited.
The first issue was produced by Oxiem, a local marketing firm that developed the layout
concept. Later issues were produced in-house following Oxiem’s format by the Chamber’s
graphic and design designate, Mindy Tillman. Printing was done by 3G Graphics, a local
printing company. Bids were submitted by several printers, including the local newspaper which
would have been less expensive but did not print the size publication we decided on using.
Objectives
Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely: The primary objective of RegionView was
to get the Chamber message out. What is that message? That there are many positive things
taking place in our community; that the Chamber encourages a “Dream Big” approach to the
community’s future; and there is great hope for the future.
For example, the Chamber president’s letter in each issue tells of his vision for the community,
what activities the Chamber’s involved in, what goals are being set, how to achieve them and,
hopefully, inspires readers as to what’s possible. Our theme for several years has been “Dream
Big” and his letter, usually either directly or indirectly, makes that connection.
The Chamber also consists of its economic development arm (Community Improvement
Organization) and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Getting news out about the Chamber, the
CIC and the CVB was difficult when relying on other media outlets. We felt it was important
that the community-at-large understand the role of the Chamber, what the CIC was doing and
how the CVB promoted our visitor attractions and any news involving them. At least two pages
in each issue was dedicated to the Chamber, the CIC and the CVB.
The local newspaper had downsized in the past 3 years so the need for additional coverage of
local events was evident.
ID target audience and how objectives are relevant to audience: Many newsletters are
targeted only at members of that organization. We wanted to target, not only our members, but
this publication needed to appeal to a wider audience. Our target audience was the entire
community -- from a CEO to an hourly worker and a stay-at-home mom.
Our story selection was meant to inform, have people say “I didn’t know that,” make them feel
good about the community in which they live, develop pride in their hometown and give them
hope for the future by conveying the possibilities.
Stories of new companies moving into town, of a new whitewater rafting venue being created on
Buck Creek that runs through town, by reporting on the many aspects of downtown revitalization
taking place addressed those objectives. We want to make people feel good about our
community. Presenting these good news yet journalistically credible stories was a way of doing
that.
Among the places the publication is placed are grocery stores, the libraries, apartments, coffee
shops, businesses, and various other places so as to be available to a general audience.
Methodology
Discuss the ways the objectives were reached: A difficult balance was to make our newsletter
interesting to a wide audience, not only Chamber members. We do this by including general
interest feature stories and by doing so the wider audience also is exposed to Chamber news.
Among the general interest articles were the couple who makes authentic clothing for re-enactors
of a post Revolutionary War period and makes model theaters, the United Way’s 211 hotline for
help, an article about Springfield mentions in out-of-town media, Fantastic Facts about
Springfield, renovation of an historic hotel and more.
What we hope to do is build a loyal readership so people will anticipate each new issue and be
motivated to read it when it appears on the newsstand. Our target audience objective was reached
by seeking out interesting and important businesses to be featured on our cover. Speedway, a
gasoline and convenience store company headquartered in our county, explained how it sought to
grow market share in its 18-state coverage area without necessarily adding more locations.
Assurant Specialty Property, which became the largest employer in our county in just over 10
years existence, gave a detailed explanation of what it does and how it grew so quickly. These
were stories that a local audience was anxious to read about because they had not received much
coverage in the past. These are just two more examples of stories that were of interest to the
business community but also to a wider audience.
Members received the RegionView by mail to their homes or businesses. They were encouraged
to place it in waiting rooms after they read it or leave in break rooms. There were more than
5,000 issues printed and a little more than 800 mailed to members. This left nearly 4,000 to be
distributed to a general audience. It was distributed throughout the county of 142,000 people, not
limited to the 64,000 residents of Springfield.
If a company or individuals were looking at Springfield/Clark County as a place to locate, we
included the RegionView newsletter among packets prepared for them, seeing it as a way to
inform about what is happening in our community.
Marketing: Launch of the publication was made known primarily through Chamber networking
events and through the weekly email newsletter. Solicitations for sponsorship was also carried
out in this manner. Phone calls also were made to businesses seeking sponsors.
Production schedule: The original plan was to produce the 20-page RegionView Chamber
newsletter quarterly. Any more often would tax staff resources. The sole writer of the publication
is a part-time employee with other communications responsibilities. The graphic design person
for the publication is a fulltime employee with many other assignments. While the writer spent
time each week on preparation of the next issue, the design person set aside two weeks to make it
her priority.
Staff and external resource allocation: After stories were written, they were proofread by a
staff member. When pages were completed, all stories on the page were proofread by no less
than two staff members. When the entire issue was completed, it was reviewed by the Chamber
president and final revisions were made. This was a time consuming process that challenged staff
to meet self-imposed deadlines. The writer devoted approximately 40 percent of his time to the
publication and the graphics design person 15 percent. The original design (see attached) was
created by a local marketing/design firm.
*Detailed budget: There was also an intent to achieve a financial gain or to at least break even.
It was originally thought ads could be sold but our financial officer said as a non-profit
organization we could not sell ads without coming into conflict with IRS rules. Selling ads also
would have had us competing with some of our other publications and would have taken
significant staff time to sell and produce the ads.
Instead, it was determined we would ask local businesses or organizations to sponsor an issue at
a cost of $1,500. In exchange, the business/organization would receive a front page logo in the
bottom right hand corner and an approximate 250 word article inside the issue. A
business/organization also was given the option of purchasing one or two pages and submitting
their own content at a cost of $400 per page.
*See attached for budget projection.
Timeline: December 2008: Winter issue published; March 2009: Spring Issue published; July
2009: Decision made to not do a summer issue due to financial constraints; September 2009: Fall
issue published; Plans for the expanded RegionView newsletter was first considered in 2006 and
realized in summer 2008 when the monthly 4-page newsletter became the 20-page quarterly.
Communication Piece
Production choices: A traditional size 8x11 ½ magazine was considered but the decision was
made to go with an 11x17 format using 70 weight, high gloss paper. To cut costs, a 60 weight
paper was later used with no noticeable downgrade in quality.
Size was debated. Some felt a magazine size would be best but others felt a larger size was
needed so as not to be “lost” among other publications in an office or waiting room. The final
decision was we wanted to publication to stand out so the larger size was used.
This decision did encounter some comment. Those who stocked the publication said it was
difficult finding a place for each issue, saying it was unwieldy. It didn’t fit in some racks.
However, it did stand out and was quickly recognizable as the Chamber publication.
It was attractive with large front page photo and often received a “wow” response from
recipients who expected something like a newspaper print format.
One will notice that the first few pages are devoted to Chamber programs and many other pages
are labeled according to content. The CIC pages and the CVB pages are clearly labeled.
Evaluation
Results: While the publication was well-read and locations often had to be restocked with more
issues, sponsorships did not materialize. Only one outside sponsorship was found for the four
issues between Nov. 2008 and October 2009. The CIC and CVB sponsored issues but they are
in-house organizations. The International Harvester Employee Credit Union sponsored an issue.
Interface, a local arts advocacy group, purchased two pages in one issues and submitted its own
content. Due to lack of sponsors, a summer issue in 2009 was not produced.
In the summer of 2009, the local newspaper approached the Chamber about being part of a new
bi-monthly Business2Business magazine it was launching in 2010. Under the agreement, we
would produce eight pages of content and be an insert in their B2B. The magazine would mailed
to Chamber members and heads of local companies. The Chamber also would receive 2,000
stand-alone copies of the eight-page RegionView publication which we would distribute as we
did previously. The local newspaper would assume all publication costs. We would have the
opportunity to sell sponsorships to our part of the publication and had sold two as of late 2009.
We project to break even or make a small profit.
Determination of objectives: Between November 2008 and October 2009, three issues of
RegionView were published. One sponsorship and two pages to outside businesses/organizations
were sold.
Regarding content, a variety of stories were published that would not have been so otherwise.
Also, some stories that had been covered previously by other media were reinforced with
followup stories in RegionView.
However, the objective of making a profit or at least breaking even was not met. RegionView
was a money-losing proposition so a new vehicle had to be found as is described in the
cooperative venture with the B2B magazine. The economy may have had some impact.
Qualitative and Quantative results: One objective was met. The publication conveyed
information not available anywhere else and many compliments were received. A few follow:
“Last week Tim brought us all copies of the Chamber publication, which was really interesting
to read.” Sandy Yeazell, Springfield News-Sun clerk, retired.
“Nice job on that publication. I’m only moderately interested in Chamber stuff, and I ended up
looking through the whole thing. Everything seemed to have some import and urgency. The filler
percentage seemed very low. At any rate, good job.” Tom Stafford, resident.
“We didn’t know half of what they were doing over there. No one in my office did.” – Turner
Foundation Executive Director John Landess commenting on the cover story about Reiter Dairy
in Springfield.
“I didn’t understand what Assurant did until I read the article.” – Dan DeLong, resident,
commenting on a cover story about Assurant Specialty Properties, a mortgage services company
and second largest employer in Clark County.
Revenue information attached
Disregarding the financial shortfall, the publication content was a success. It met the previously
state objective of getting the Chamber message out to a general audience in addition to members,
detailing the many positive projects taking place that gives Springfield/Clark County a hopeful
future and provided interesting stories.
Our revised RegionView launching in 2010 promises to do the same.

Synopsis and Communication Piece

Transcription

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