Editor’s Note: We here at the West Bend News print all “Letters to the Editor” because we believe that everyone has a Constitutional right to freedom of the press. In saying that, we do not necessarily agree with the content that is printed. We are just the messengers. The name of the person who wrote the letter is placed at the end of each article. To be considered for publication, letters must be no longer than 1000 words, and you must provide a name along with a phone number and/or email to confirm validity of content. You can respond or submit a new letter by email, USPS or fax.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
4-H Camp Palmer needs our help
During the summers of 1963-1967 I worked as a conservation educator at 4-H Camp Palmer in Fulton County. Thousands of campers explored the woods, fields, streams, and Harrison Lake. Many memories are indelible form those years, but one stands out: the wonderful relationshiop the staff and campers had with teh late Donald Hoblet (1924-2009) of ARchbold, then camp manager.
4-H Camp Palmer helped many college students then with great summer jobs; now we need to help the Camp with a donation. All Ohio 4-H camps are closed this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Camp finances – that depend on caper fees – have been devastated.
The Ohio State University has launced a fund-raising campaign to help Camp Palmer and all 4-H camps in Ohio The campaingn ends on Thursday June 18 and may be accessed at http://give.osu.edu/4camps.
I hope former camp staff, counselors, campers and 4-H members and families respond now with generous donations.
Please know, also, that under the America CARES Act – with 2020 tax returns – taxpayers may claim up to $300 in contributions to not-for-profit organizations as a deduction without itemizing.
—Dr. Lynn E. Elfner,
member,
Board of Directors
Ohio 4-H Foundation
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor:
Five years ago I wrote the following paragraph as part of a Letter to the Editor:
“Take a walk around the Live Oak Cemetery in the Village of Paulding and it becomes apparent the grounds are in serious need of maintenance. A toppled headstone of a husband and wife long deceased, weeds and saplings growing in unwanted places, rainwater that has collected sits and stagnates on top of graves are some of the problems you will see. As decades pass, family members move or pass on themselves and the care of these gravesites decline and are left abandoned. What was once the responsibility of the family now falls upon the village which can be costly and the money is hard to find. The village struggles with funding just the basic maintenance such as mowing. The cemetery no longer (and has not for long while) brought in enough money to support itself. Maintenance is a continuing problem and has been, not just locally, but across the United States, since cemeteries began”…
Today, I am writing to say THANK YOU to the citizens of Paulding for passing the cemetery maintenance levy! You heard the call and saw the need and stepped forward… even in these hard times. That’s what I love about my hometown; we step forward when the need arises.
I would also like to take this time to acknowledge and thank Lori Clark for her years of service as a Trustee on the Cemetery Board. This is a volunteer position, appointed by the Mayor. Lori (and her husband) devoted many hours and a lot of hard work for the Village’s cemeteries. There were several times she and her granddaughters would remove the old flowers from the graves by themselves! Never asking for help or waiting until “tomorrow” to get it done. When she sees the need, she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work.
Lori has completed her term and stepped down. Heather Miller has been appointed to fill her position. I know I can speak for Jon Snodgrass and myself that it has been a pleasure working with Lori and we are going to miss her. We also welcome Heather and look forward to working with her.
The Paulding Board of Cemetery Trustees will continue to devote our time and efforts to the maintenance and improvements of Live Oak and Memorial Cemeteries.
Sincerely,
—Kim K. Sutton;
Board of Cemetery
Trustees,
Village of Paulding
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The Paulding County Parks Board and the Friends of the Paulding County Parks want to acknowledge everyone who has been so generous with their donations of time, material, equipment and money. We appreciate everyone for collecting bottle caps. A bench constructed with your caps will be at Five Span Park soon. A picnic table will be at New Rochester. We will continue to collect caps for more benches and picnic tables.
Check out the Cecil Bridge Canoe and Kayak Launch, New Rochester Park, Five Span Park and the Miami Erie Canal Corridor. You have made improvements at these parks possible.
A workday will be held at New Rochester Park June 13th beginning at 10:00 a.m. Bring tools and a sack lunch. The park is large enough for us to maintain social distance.
This summer we have a need at Fort Brown, our newest acquisition. We are grateful to the family who maintains so beautifully the west side where the monument stands. However, we need volunteers to mow the east side between Rd 171 and the river. If you would be able to mow that area just one time this summer, please call Linda Hodges at 419-594-3659. Thanks for your help.
—Linda Hodges
