Awards for Car Tunes on Main Announced
The rain didn't stop more than 250 cars from participating in "Car Tunes on Main" on Sat., Aug. 21. After a day time cruise of 18 pit stops throughout the community, the cruisers parked in downtown Findlay for the evening car show. There was an awards ceremony and many cars received trophies.  Winners who did not receive their trophy can call Kenny Young at 419-894-6284.  For more information about the United Way of Hancock County, visit online at http://LiveUnitedHancockCounty.org or call 419-423-1432.
 
Meaningful Wellness New Website!!!!!
Check-out Meaningful Wellness's New and Improved Website www.meaningfulwellness.com 
 
Camp Fire USA's 19th Annual Non-Scary Halloween Event
October 16, 2010 from 12:00pm-4:00pm
Hancock County Fairgrounds---Merchant's Building
Admission: $2.00, includes 10 tickets (Adults FREE!); additional tickets available 10 for $1.00
Come to the fairgrounds and get treats but not tricks!!  Activity booths include Halloween games, face painting, pumpkins, and the popular Halloween maze. Concessions stand available.
 
Camp Fire USA's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Saturday, November 13 from 8:00 -10:00 AM
Max & Erma's Restaurant, 1107 Trenton Ave, Findlay, OH 45840
Tickets $5 (includes all you can eat pancakes, 2 sausage links, coffee and orange juice)
Call 419-422-5415 for pre-sale tickets
 
Owens Communication College Foundation and AEP Ohio Announce New $25,000 Scholarship Program
Owens Community College has been chosen as one of nine Ohio two-year community and technical colleges by AEP Ohio, a unit of American Electric Power, to participate in a new $225,000 workforce development scholarship initiative designed to help low income Ohioans compete for jobs in an evolving economy.
The Owens Community College Foundation has received a $25,000 scholarship grant from AEP Ohio for the new program. Eligible recipients must be AEP Ohio customers at or below 200 percent of the 2009-10 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are seeking to upgrade their skills, particularly in utility industry careers. For more information, visit www.owens.edu. 
 
Several Community Foundation Grant Deadlines Approaching
The Findlay-Hancock County Community has announced several upcoming grant deadlines.
HANCOCK EDUCATION FUND GRANTS Applications for the Hancock Education Fund grant program are due Friday, October 1. The Hancock Education Fund is a cooperative grant program established in 2001 between the Community Foundation, Findlay Rotary, and Findlay Rotary's Golden Apple Teachers. The fund provides grant dollars to promote classroom learning and to provide Hancock County teachers with resources that encourage learning activities. Grantseekers are asked to focus on "21st Century Learning" skills that experts believe are necessary to prepare our students for success in a global economy.

HANCOCK READS GRANTS
Applications for the HancockREADS grant program are due Friday, October 1. HancockREADS, founded in 2001, is an initiative of the Community Foundation designed to ensure that individuals and families in Hancock County enjoy the benefits of literacy. Many individuals in Hancock County have difficulty reading, writing, or using basic math skills necessary in everyday life. The mission of HancockREADS is to ensure that these individuals can find the help they need to become successful, and to ensure the current and future success of our children.

COMPETITIVE GRANTS
Letters of intent for the first competitive grant cycle of 2011 are due Friday, October 1, 2010. If approved, full proposals will be due Friday, December 3, with the final board decision made in February. Competitive grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that seek to meet community needs and match the goals, objectives, and priorities of the Community Foundation. Grantseekers must submit a written grant proposal for consideration. Competitive grant applications are reviewed four times per year.
Additional information and application forms for these and other grant programs are available at www.community-foundation.com.  If you have questions regarding Community Foundation grants or deadlines please contact Julie Brown or Kimberly Bash at 419-425-1100.
 
RED CROSS REGISTERING LOCAL VETERANS FOR YELLOW RIBBON CEREMONY
The American Red Cross Hancock County Chapter supports local military families, service members and veterans. Now, they will honor them for their service. The Hancock County Red Cross Armed Forces Family Network is sponsoring a Yellow Ribbon Ceremony to honor veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, during the Red Cross B*A*S*H (Barbeque And Service members Homecoming)at Bender's Country Hall, 3881 County Road 140, Findlay.
OIF and OEF veterans are asked to register with the Red Cross to be recognized during the event. Each registered veteran will receive two free tickets to the B*A*S*H, which includes food, live entertainment and many other activities. When registering, each veteran will need to provide his or her name, address, phone number, e-mail address, branch of service, unit, dates of service and dates served in support of OIF or OEF. An online registration form is available at www.hancockredcross.org or information can be sent to armedforces@hancockredcross.org. Registration can also be done by phone at (419) 422-9322 or at the Red Cross office, 125 Fair Street in Findlay.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Ceremony and the Hancock County B*A*S*H, visit www.hancockredcross.org or call (419) 422-9322. Tickets for the Red Cross B*A*S*H are $15 and include a meal from Texas Roadhouse, live entertainment and music and the Yellow Ribbon Ceremony, along with many other events and activities. 
 
Clyde Findlay Area Credit Union hosts FREE Community Shred Days
If you're like the rest of us you probably have years and years worth of personal documents that you really need to get rid of - But you don't want to just throw it away.  Clyde Findlay Area Credit Union will be hosting a FREE Community Shred Day.  Anyone can bring confidential documents and have them shredded instantly, onsite by a professional document destruction company. 

The Clyde office, located at 1455 W. McPherson Hwy. will host the first Shred Day on Saturday September 11th from 9am to 11am.   Residents are encouraged to stop out and dispose of confidential documents during these hours.  Additionally, businesses are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of any records or professional documents.  If businesses are interested, please call ahead so that we can reserve space. 

Findlay will host the 2nd FREE Community Shred on Saturday September 18th from 9am - 11am.  The Hancock County Sheriff will be onsite to provide FREE Kids Identification CDs that parents can take home with your child's personal information in one place. 

Clyde Findlay Area Credit Union hosts FREE Community Shred Days - Saturday September 11th at the Clyde office at 1455 W. McPherson Hwy and Saturday September 18th at the Findlay East location located at 14901 State Route 12.  Call 419-427-0061 for details.   
 
Circle of Friends Wreath Workshop
Hancock Park District will be offering the last program, Circle of Friends Wreath Gathering, in the 2010 Litzenberg Gardening Series Tuesday, September 14 at 7pm at Litzenberg Memorial Woods.  The workshop will take place inside the Activity Barn. 

 Craft an indoor wreath of fresh and dried herbs, sage, artemisia and thyme, and flowers, to celebrate summers end and welcome fall.  Learn some history of the McKinnis Herb Garden, enjoy herbal refreshment and work with fragrant plants that have been our soothing companions for centuries. Ann Boyd of My Own Backyard will share how to make an heirloom wreath without a glue gun! 12 inch base will be used.
 Advance registration is necessary to attend with a $25 fee (exact cash or check payable to HPD) per person by Friday, September 10 at the HPD office.  Space is limited. 

Litzenberg Memorial Woods located on US 224 west of Findlay.  For more information about other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the "What's New" section or call the HPD office at 419-425-Park and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".
 
New Family Center Website a Resource for Many
The Family Center has launched its first website www.hancockfamilycenter.org, a site aimed at communicating to individuals in need and also to those who want to support the work of this multi-tenant nonprofit facility and its agencies.   The center currently houses 14 agencies, which provide a wide variety of services to people in need including food, clothing, housing assistance, medical care, legal aid, and other services. The website lists the agencies, contact information, mission and services. Links to agency websites are also included.  In addition to providing information for people in need, the website also lists many opportunities for those who want to support the Family Center and its agencies. Those interested in volunteering should contact each agency directly. Individuals can donate online directly to the Family Center Endowment Fund to support the ongoing expenses of operating the facility.   The site also includes a building layout and maps to help people find the Family Center. Directions and maps from each town in the county are also provided.  Visit www.community-foundation.com or call 419-425-1100 to learn more about how the Community Foundation is helping our community.

Joseph Scholarship Supports Medical Missions
Applications are now being accepted for the Bradley Joseph Memorial Scholarship for Medical Missions. This scholarship will assist Northwest Ohio pharmacy and nursing students who wish to participate in medical mission trips in 2011.  Applicants must be pharmacy or nursing students in Northwest Ohio; priority will be given to Ohio Northern University and University of Findlay students. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. Applicants must show a history of mission work or participation in faith-based activities/groups, and must be actively involved in church and community activities. Preference will be given to applicants joining the West Ohio Conference Medical Mission Teams to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. Other faith-based medical missions may be considered.

Applications and complete eligibility requirements are available online at www.community-foundation.com. Applications must be received by December 1 at the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation office, 101 W. Sandusky St., Suite 207.

In the last two years, three $500 scholarships have been awarded for medical mission trips to Kenya, the Dominican Republic and Uganda.

This scholarship was established in 2007, in memory of Brad, by his family, co-workers and friends. Brad was very active for five years as a Medical Missionary in Mexico and also attended mission trips to Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina. It is this special part of Brad's life that his family, co-workers and friends have to chosen to honor with this scholarship.

A 1995 graduate of Elida High School, Brad participated in basketball, tennis, golf and baseball. In 2001, he received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from Ohio Northern University, graduating with honors. Brad was a pharmacist at Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center in Findlay and Bluffton, where he started the Coumadin Clinic. Brad was also very involved with his church family. He was a member of St. Paul UMC, Elida, where he was a member of the choir, Nominations Committee and a Youth Director.
For more information about this scholarship contact Marie Swaisgood at the Community Foundation at 419-425-1100.

PRESCHOOLERS CAN STRETCH THEIR IMAGINATIONS AT A YOGA DISCOVERY STORY
Hancock Park Districts' September Discovery Story will be held Monday, September 13, at the "Doc" Phillips Discovery Center at Oakwoods Nature Preserve.  Discovery Stories are designed for preschoolers (3-6 years old) with an adult companion.  Meet at the Discovery Center at 10am or 1pm. 
Join Barb Matheny, certified yoga instructor (with special "Kids' YogaFit" training) and retired Findlay City Schools' teacher for this special Discovery Story.  Children will be engaged in hearing a nature-related story, then learn yoga poses to act out the tale. In addition, yoga games will be used in a fun, creative, non-competitive atmosphere to encourage children with their balance, flexibility, concentration and relaxation.  
Oakwoods Nature Preserve is located west of Findlay at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, of County Road 144 and West Sandusky Street. For more information about this and other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com or call the HPD office at 419-425-PARK and "Discover Your Hancock Parks". 
 
HISTORY OF THE MCKINNIS HOUSE
On Sunday, September 12, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, the 1847 McKinnis House will be open for visitors to take a look at the behind the scenes happenings of this historic site. Living History Coordinator, Casey Lauger, will be on site to explain the history and restoration of this 162 year old pioneer homestead. The 1840's are a rarely portrayed time period for living history sites. Stop by to discover how the park district brings this unique time period to life by using staff and volunteers as costumed interpreters.
The upstairs of the house will also be open for this special day. Living history volunteer, Christa Gupta, will be working on a four harness loom in the upstairs bedroom. The four-harness loom is currently on loan to the Hancock Park District from Andrew and Dorothy Kutz of Vanlue, Ohio. The loom is originally from Connecticut and dates to the late 1600's/early 1700's.  

The Hancock Park District offers programs and events for people of all ages at the 1847 McKinnis House and homestead.  Over the years, living history programs have featured the McKinnis family, friends, as well as historic plant species and animal breeds.  Workshops have also been offered relating to herbs, music, household décor, and other cultural aspects of the mid-1800s.  Seasonal events draw many visitors throughout the year including Maple Sugarin' Days in March, Harvest the Past in October, and Holiday Teas in December.  

 Litzenberg Memorial Woods located at 6100 US 224, 6 miles west of Findlay.  The site is handicap accessible with restrooms available inside the Activity Barn. For more information about other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the "What's New" section or call the HPD office at 419-425-Park and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".
 
 
PARK DISTRICT OFFERS MUSIC BY THE CAMPFIRE
Join the Hancock Park District for some family friendly music around the campfire at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, in the campground at Riverbend Recreation Area. The husband and wife duo of Melody Road, Bob and Mary Fry, will perform patriotic, old favorites and sing along songs, along with some original pieces for the whole family to enjoy around the campfire. Popcorn will be provided courtesy of Hancock Friends of the Parks. Please dress for the weather, bring a flashlight and a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. This is a free program, but registration is required by calling the HPD office at 419-425-7275 by Thursday, September 9.
Riverbend Recreation Area is located off State Route 568, east of Findlay at 16618  Township Road 208. For more information about this and other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com  or call the HPD office at 419-425-PARK (7275) and "Discover Your Hancock Parks". 
 
Learn to Play Disc Golf at Riverbend Recreation Area
The Disc Golf Community Association is holding a Learn to Play Disc Golf Night on Tuesday, September 7, at 6:30pm.  You will learn how to play disc golf from experienced players who will introduce the sport, demonstrate throwing styles, and explain the equipment. Then you will have the opportunity to play with a skilled disc golfer at your side. No prior disc golf experience is required to attend. In fact, if you don't have a disc, you can borrow one during the event.
Learn to Play Night is a free way for beginner's to try out this sport and meet local disc golfers. The program will begin at 6:30 pm at the practice tee near Shelter #3 at Riverbend Recreation Area. In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been scheduled for Thursday, September 9. Riverbend Recreation Area is located at 16618 TR 208, off SR 568 to TR 241 east of Findlay.
This event is provided in cooperation with the Hancock Park District. For upcoming park district programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com or call the HPD office at 419-425-PARK and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".

 

Humane Society's Wish List: Bleach, Paper Towels, Paper Plates, Rawhide Chews, Cat Treats, Dog & Cat Toys, Rabbit Food, Small Animal Food, Pine Bedding, Blankets, Towels, Trash Bags, Distilled Water, Spray Cleaner & Bleach, White & Color Copy Paper, 3x5 Yellow Index Cards, Black Pens, Highlighters, Rubber Bands, AAA Batteries, Lithium Photo Batteries, Newspaper, Kitty Litter, and Financial Contributions.  Drop off your donation at 4550 Fostoria Ave., Findlay or make arrangements by calling 419-423-1664.  www.hancockhumanesociety.com.    You can also become of fan of the Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County on Facebook!