November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017
Bringing about a vibrant community where people lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions.
Into the Forest
with Artist in
Residence
Visitors to the accessible treehouse at the
end of the Sensory Trail behind Forest Rose
School will be greeted by a glimpse into
the forest, and not just through the windows.
A large-scale work of art by Art & Clay
Artist in Residence Brandon Muck was
commissioned by the Sensory Trail Committee
and installed by Fairfield County Historic
Parks, who operates the Sensory Trail.
Special thanks to Art Brate, chairman, and
Two roads diverged in a
wood and I — I took
the road less traveled
by, and that has made
all the difference.
- Robert Frost
to Chris Vargo from FCH Parks [both pictured below], Brandon’s piece, titled Into the Forest, now graces the large
wall directly inside the treehouse where a previous artwork had been, before being destroyed by vandals.
“The piece is about how I want people to feel when they see it,” Brandon said. “It’s about peace. People might
feel peaceful being in the
woods or maybe my art will
make them feel that way.”
Brandon created his work
by using a wood burner to
trace over a landscape design
he first sketched by
hand. It is a woodland scene,
complete with forest animals
commonly found in
this area. The tones in the
work are natural, achieved
by Brandon through the use
of stains and varnishes. Finally, the art is coated in multiple layers of
polyurethane, including several coats of a product that will resist
graffiti.
“I’m happy with it,” Brandon said. “It feels good for people to see
my work. I don’t know what they will get out of it. I hope it just makes people happy and calm.”
BRANDON MUCK Since 2013, Brandon has sold several works throughout central Ohio and participated in three
group exhibitions. In 2014, Brandon had his first solo exhibition titled, Sifting Through Muck at Art & Clay on Main in
Lancaster, Ohio. He’s been accepted by a jury in both 2016 and 2017 to the VSA Ohio: Accessible Expressions Tour in
Columbus, Ohio. Brandon also has an outdoor work on display by the downtown gazebo, commissioned by Fairfield
Federal Bank in Lancaster, Ohio. He is employed at Art & Clay and Fairfield Medical Center and lives in Fairfield
County.

50th Anniversary Concludes
in a Stately Manner
It has been an exciting year
celebrating the 50th Anniversary
of County Boards in Ohio,
made even more so because
I have been working for county
boards for more than half of
that time.
So to be able to attend the
Anniversary Celebration at the Ohio Statehouse a few
weeks ago with many who have been with me on this
journey was very meaningful.
Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger, who is serving
his fourth term, drafted and presented a poignant resolution
which was passed during the recent session, taking
place the same time as our celebration. I didn’t
have a chance to fully read his resolution until a few
days later, but I was moved by much of what it stated.
Here is an excerpt:
WHEREAS, We are certain that as Ohio’s county
boards of developmental disabilities maintain their dedication
to service, they will carry on the tradition of excellence
that has long been their collective hallmark. We
are proud to note that it is through the unceasing efforts
of such agencies that the State of Ohio will continue to
provide people with developmental disabilities complete
access to housing, education, employment and recreational
activities, allowing them to pursue fulfilling lives;
therefore be it RESOLVED, that We, the members of
the House of Representatives of the 132nd General Assembly
of Ohio,, in adopting this Resolution, commend
Ohio’s county boards of developmental disabilities on
their Fiftieth Anniversary and extend best wishes for the
years to come.
When I saw that the resolution used the phrase
“pursue fulfilling lives,” I was struck by just how closely
that resembles our own mission statement at Fairfield
DD. I don’t think it is a coincidence that the efforts we
make every day to abide by our mission mirror the observations
made by our elected officials.
We have made a difference. We continue to make a
difference. We will always have more work to do because
we will always be moving forward.
Spending my career in this field, in turn, has given me
a fulfilled life.
Happy Anniversary to you all!
- John Pekar, Superintendent
In 2017, the Ohio Association of County Boards of DD
celebrated the 50th Anniversary of County Boards of
Developmental Disabilities with the Always There Ohio
campaign, which culminated in the Always There Day
of Celebration and Advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse
on October 24, 2017 – the eve of county boards' official
anniversary date.
Dean Fadel, OACB Board President and Franklin DD
Board Member, and Jeffery Fadel, Dean's brother,
served by Franklin DD, served as co-masters of the ceremony
as representatives from all Ohio County Boards
shared in the celebration. A resolution sponsored by
State Representative Michael Duffy and Speaker of the
House Cliff Rosenberger was taken to the floor and
passed. In addition, all Boards contributed to the Always
There time capsule which was then sealed and
will be opened in 25 years. Fairfield DD’s contribution
included current
brochures, statistics
of people
served, several
promotional items
and photographs.
Locally, we will
end our celebration
with a live,
free concert at Art
& Clay on Nov.
17th at 7 pm. See
page 5 for more
details.

Let’s face it. It’s much, much more fun to spend the day at the county
fair with kids your own age than to spend it with only your teachers and
adult supervisors. Thanks to the accommodations of Fairfield Christian
Academy, members of their high school football team were able to accompany
the students of Forest Rose School for a day of rides, friends,
food and all things carnival during this year’s Fairfield County Fair. Many
of the students formed previous friendships after the football team accompanied
Forest Rose students on a fishing expedition earlier this year.
But nothing compares to experiencing the spinning rides at the fair with your friends. Thanks to all who worked
out the logistics to make this fun day a reality!
REMINDER FOR EMPLOYEES: The
34th Annual Convention of the
Ohio Association of County
Boards of DD will take place November
29 to December 1 in
Columbus. See your supervisor
for details.
NOTICE: Rule changes for unlicensed personnel administering
medication will go into effect Nov. 6. Mandatory implementation
of changes is Jan. 1, 2018.
Among the rule changes, direct service providers who are not
certified to administer medication but who have taken stateapproved
annual training will be able to use vagus nerve simulators,
Epinephrine auto-injectors, and administer a limited number
of over-the-counter topical products without a prescription.

The Fairfield Union High School Key Club Threw
One Heck of a Party for the Students at Forest
Rose School! Candy, Games, Costumes and Zany
Teachers! Now THAT’S a Good Time!
Thanks to all who donated candy and
stopped down to join in the fun!

Join Us!
A live concert celebrating 50 Years of County Boards in Ohio.

Calling All Book Lovers
Check out the Art &
Clay Next Chapter Book
Club every Friday afternoon
from 1 to 2 pm.
Your facilitators are Marguerite
Grimm and Matt
Wideman, two community
FANS who volunteer
their time and friendship
to lead the group. Order a yummy smoothie,
soda or coffee drink, and enjoy a good
book with new friends. All reading levels are
invited, and non-readers too. Everyone participates
no matter the reading level or
choice to read or listen. Club members
need to bring their own money to buy a
drink or snack at the Square7 Coffee Shop.
Call Julie Bruckelmeyer at 740-652-7220 or
email at jbruckelmeyer@fairfielddd.com for
more information or to register. There is also
a book club at Tim Hortons on Memorial Dr.
from 4:30-5:30 pm on Thursdays and they
would like to welcome new members to the
club too. To learn more about Next Chapter
Book Clubs, go to https://
nextchapterbookclub.org/ .
Mark Your Calendars for
Annual Gift of Time & Pancakes
Community volunteers and organizations are gearing
up for the 23rd Annual Gift of Time event, 10 am to 2
pm , Saturday Dec. 2 at Lancaster High School. This
yearly event is sponsored by the Fairfield Association for
the Education of Young Children and was created to
give children of all income levels the opportunity to participate
in crafts and play activities, as well as to receive
complimentary services, free photos with Santa and
even receive a free book!
Aimed at children ages birth to 8, all kids must be accompanied
by an adult.
In addition, the event takes place the same time as the
annual Kiwanis Pancake breakfast which raises money
for children in the community. Pancake tickets are just $2
for children and $6 for adults. It has become a tradition
for those unable to attend the pancake breakfast to instead,
buy tickets for families attending Gift of Time. If
you’d like to donate some tickets, please see Temple
Montanez or Julie Burckelmeyer and they will see that
your donation gets to the right people. For information
about Gift of Time, contact Cathy Crawford at 740-654-
0897.
Dynamite Abilities
Paves the Way
The Dynamite Abilities Self-Advocacy group held an old fashioned
field day at the Lancaster Camp Ground Community
Center in late September to invite friends to join the group.
There were 65-plus attendees with special guests from the Amanda High School MH Classroom. The classroom
teacher, Mr. Polinski, used the opportunity as a hands-on learning experience for building skills of independence.
Each student applied for their Lancaster-Fairfield Public Transit mobility pass and then rode public
transit from the high school to the Lancaster Campground. The hosts and guests ate lunch together while
learning about the Dynamite Abilities group and the importance of being a responsible self-advocate.
The Dynamite Abilities group meets the third Thursday of each month from 10:00am to 11:30am at the Hope
Center at 1629 Hubbard Dr. Lancaster. For more information, contact Scott Campbell at 740-689-1494 or Julie
Bruckelmeyer at 740-652-7220.
Home Energy Assistant Program (HEAP)
HEAP offers heating bill assistance during the winter heating season. Whether an eligible household heats
with electric, gas, firewood, coal, propane, fuel oil or kerosene, this program can help. Customers who receive
utility services from AEP or Columbia Gas may also be referred for the Percentage of Income Payment
Plan (PIPP). Those eligible for the program may receive electric bill payment assistance. Call Lancaster-
Fairfield Community Action for information, 740-653-4146.

And We’re Live!
Art & Clay on Main
and Square 7 Coffee
House has a new
look—online that is!
Fairfield DD launched
the new website last
month with a cleaner,
easy-to-read format
for phones, tablets
and desktops! An
interactive calendar
lets patrons sign up
for classes online and
a brand new photo
gallery offers a plethora
of ideas for painters. Most importantly, a page devoted
to social purpose enterprises will better explain to
the community the true mission behind this important
component of Fairfield DD. Take the time to check it
out. We’d love your feedback!
www.artandclayonmain.com.
Need a coat, TAKE ONE....want to help, LEAVE ONE.
Natural Remedies, 323 S. Broad Street in Lancaster is
now accepting new or gently used coats for anyone
in need. Know someone in need of a warm winter
coat?? Stop by and take a look...no strings attached!!!
Starting November 1st they will have a coat
rack outside for you to drop off your items or pick one
up. Accepting all sizes!!! Newborns to adults!

795 College Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Contact Us
Temple Custer Montanez, Editor
www.FairfieldDD.com
Administration ...................................................... 740-652-7220
Superintendent ..................................................... 740-652-7220
Services and Supports ......................................... 740-652-7220
Family Support Services ....................................... 740-652-7220
Department of Quality .......................................... 740-652-7235
Forest Rose School .............................................. 740-652-7225
Early Intervention/Birth to 3 ............................... 740-652-7225
Opportunity Center ............................................... 740-652-7230
Art & Clay on Main/Square 7 Coffeehouse ......... 740-653-1755
JobFusion ................................ 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Transportation ...................................................... 740-652-7228
Pickerington Regional Office .. 614-835-2700 or 740-652-7235
Volunteer Opportunities ....................................... 740-652-7220
Our Mission
To bring about a vibrant community
where people lead fulfilling lives and
make meaningful contributions.
Superintendent
Board Members:
Mark Weedy, President
Theresa Nixon, VP
Linda Barber, Sec.
John R. Pekar
Robert Competti
Sharon Scruggs
Sharon Murphy
Elizabeth Burwell
“When I started counting my blessings,
my whole world turned around.”
- Willie Nelson