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Craig Ratzlaff, left, and Darrell Schmidt helped load up food for families in need at Saturday’s holiday distribution at the Hamilton County Food Pantry. -
Susan Williams craddles a stack of used books in her downtown store, explaining a strategy to revamp her business model in hopes of getting more donated books into the hands of people who need them. -
Fifth grade students raised more than $2,450 recently through a change war competition, all designated to help families in need through a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry. -
Diane Keller -
Aurora’s Denae Nachtigal sparked the offense with 12 second half points, including nine in the third quarter during a 39-33 win over Lakeview.
Food for the holidays a relief
Bags filled with food fit for a holiday meal brought smiles to people on both sides of the table Saturday at the Hamilton County Food Pantry.
Carrying on a tradition established many years ago, food pantry volunteers and board members distributed holiday meals to people in need, many of whom said it meant more than words can portray.
“This helps so much in that we are able to get together for the holidays without the extra stress of figuring out what we’re going to have on the menu,” said one woman expecting to host a family group of 12-15 for Christmas. “The extra help really makes a difference at Christmas and we appreciate it. It’s just so great that the community works so well together and helps each other out.”
Susan’s Books revamps business model
Susan Williams believes in her heart that a single book can change a person’s life, and she offers her own life and business as an example.
While fighting through the challenges of a COVID-forced closure of her downtown used book store a year or so ago, Williams was inspired by the auto-biography of Andrew Carnegie, the namesake of the Carnegie Library series and Carnegie Hall. At a very young age Carnegie faced immense tragedy and challenge in his life, but found a way to seek inspiration, and in so doing inspired others for generations to come.
“If people read they can handle grief much better,” Williams explained of what has long been her philosophy of life. “You hope that in any intense moment because you’ve been handed a book you can get through it because you read history and realize you’re not the only one that’s gone through this. There are really strong people who have gone on to live lives where they can still see beauty because they read about those people and try to emulate them.”
CmPS conducts 13th annual Food Fight/Change War to benefit local food pantry
Fifth grade students raised more than $2,450 recently through a change war competition, all designated to help families in need through a donation to the Hamilton County Food Pantry. Marsha Pawley explained that a group of students volunteered for the project, first taking a tour of the food pantry and then spreading the word with presentations to each of the elementary classes. Sticking with a COVID change initiated last year, students were asked to bring coins and dollar bills rather than food items, which were totalled up and donated to Bruce Ramsour during a check presentation Thursday. The third grade won the change war this year by donating $689.02. This is the 13th year of the Food Fight/Change War.
Nachtigal lifts Aurora to 1st win
The Lady Huskies went to the locker room down six with only nine points to their credit, needing an offensive spark.
They found it with Denae Nachtigal.
The Aurora sophomore came out firing with nine points in the third and 12 total second-half points as the Lady Huskies earned the first victory of the year -- a 39-33 win over Columbus Lakeview Friday night.
Aurora coach Kelly Boshart, wearing a big smile after the game mentioned that seeing the ball go in the hoop was a confidence boost for everyone on the team.
Keller announces retirement at MCHI
The operations board of directors of Memorial Community Health, Inc. (MCHI) has announced that CEO Diane Keller will be retiring from the organization effective June 12, 2022.
Already a milestone itself, Keller’s chosen retirement date will mark 50 years of service on behalf of the board, staff, patients and residents of MCHI. She started at MCHI in 1972 as a registered nurse in the hospital and began her journey to CEO through various roles. As Keller gained experience, she took on the roles of staff education, utilization review, and as needed, served in interim capacities as director of nursing for the hospital, director of nursing for long-term care, and clinic manager.
