PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - <strong>September</strong> 4, <strong>2022</strong> A day for dogs at Prairie Oaks Park www.madisonmessengernews.com It was a day for the dogs at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. On Aug. 27, several hundred canines from across the state descended upon the park’s Darby Bend Lakes area to participate in the annual animal fiesta known as Wag!Fest. For six hours, pooches of all ages and breeds played in the water, met new friends, tested their agility at an obstacle course, and generally had a dog-gone good time. Their human companions joined in the fun, shopping for treats, hearing from local experts on pet care, and taking photos of their beloved pets enjoying the day. – <strong>Messenger</strong> photos by Dedra Cordle Monroe knows all the best angles to give a sweet kiss to companion Dawn Marsh. Findlay resident Steve Chasse and his border collie, Legacy, put on an awe-inspiring show at the Southern Ohio Flying K-9’s skills demonstration event. Solana Cumpian, a volunteer with the Grove City-based rescue organization Speak! for the Unspoken, poses with her Dalmatian, Ren. The small, foster-based rescue is devoted to special needs animal rescue and education and was one of several rescue and adoption organizations on site at this year’s Wag!Fest. Meg Werner, director of the Humane Society of <strong>Madison</strong> County, said Wag!Fest presents a great opportunity for the Humane Society to fundraise and bring awareness to all of the “wonderful animals we have who are looking for a wonderful home.” Dogs and humans frolic at the Water Bark Beach.
www.madisonmessengernews.com TURKEY Continued from page 1 excited. I could see, ‘I’m so proud,’ in my dad’s eyes,” Estep said. Another such exchange came when, after competing against the winners of the other two classes (a brother and sister duo with whom Estep is good friends), Estep and her turkey came out on top as grand champions. “The judge shook my hand, and all I could think was, ‘Don’t cry. You’re on camera.’ I look over at my parents, and they were just floodgates. This had been the goal all along. It can’t get any better than this,” she said. As a grand champion title holder, Estep qualified for the Sale of Champions. Heading into the ring, she said she didn’t know what to expect—certainly not the size of the crowd at the WCOL Celeste Center and certainly not the size of the bids. The auctioneer opened bidding at $1,000 and it quickly went to $10,000, then $20,000, before settling at $25,000. All the while, Estep’s turkey seemed to take everything in stride. “He was strutting and trying to peck the cameras that were everywhere. He definitely was very personable,” said Estep who, even with her nerves on high PARK Continued from page 1 park improvements. The group has since held wiffleball tournaments, raffles, and cornhole tournaments to raise funds. They also have solicited cash donations from friends, small businesses, local civic organizations and churches. “We raised over $30,000 in less than eight months just by reaching out to people we knew. The biggest single donation we got was $2,500. We had hundreds of smaller donations,” said Hall, adding that many others donated supplies and services. Merri Mac Park Miracle contributed $15,000 of those funds toward the purchase of the new playground equipment. The city of London covered the other $80,000. Installation came in the form of a “community build” in July. Volunteers, employees with the city street department, and professionals with the equipment company worked together to erect a zip line, ring fling, four-seat seesaw, spin ride, basketball drop shot, and a 20-foot tall play tower with slides and climbing options. The finishing touches were completed in August. In addition to the equipment installation, Merri Mac Park Miracle members paid to have the existing basketball court resealed and striped. Volunteers painted the shelter house and sanded the floor, painted the picnic tables, and refurbished the existing swing set. The city installed surveillance cameras at the playground and surrounding area. “I’m proud of the Merri Mac Park Miracle committee and the community for putting this together and fundraising to bring activities for the kids,” said Amy alert, did her best to match her turkey’s confident demeanor. Several buyers came together to purchase Estep’s turkey. They were OKI Inc., Cox Concessions, Schmidt’s, Net Steady, SP+, and Expo Services. Of the $25,000, $3,000 goes to Estep. The state fair caps the amount exhibitors can earn. Money from the sales over the caps goes to the fair’s Youth Reserve Program for scholarships, the outstanding market exhibitor program, and FFA, 4-H and other fair competition winners. Estep said she is thankful for her “cheering squad” at the state fair which included: her parents, Brandon and Amanda; <strong>Madison</strong> County poultry 4-H key leader Julia Smith and her husband, Brian, and son, Cade; Olivia Rinesmith and her mother, Annette Rinesmith, who are very involved with the <strong>Madison</strong> County Fair; and Paul Gross, <strong>Madison</strong> County Fair Board president. “It was good to be there with Mom, Dad, and people who just really do feel like family. It’s a moment that will be a core memory,” Estep said. A member of the Beginners to Winners 4-H Club, Estep served as a 4-H camp counselor for the first time Rees, executive assistant to the city administration. These improvements are just the beginning, Hall said. The committee is in it for the long haul and hopes others will come aboard. “Phase I was just a small part of making a change in our community and making Merri Mac Park a part of London as a whole, not just a part of the south end of town,” Hall said. The park’s 100 acres are just waiting to be utilized for recreation purposes for the entire community, she continued. The committee would like to see at least eight ball diamonds installed to meet the needs of the many youths who play travel baseball, AAU ball, and fast-pitch softball. “Right now, they all have to go somewhere else to practice or host a tournament,” Hall said. To make the ball diamonds happen, the group needs to put together a concept plan and continue to fundraise. The next step is to approach corporate donors, Hall said. Anyone who would like to help the Merri Mac Park Miracle committee with their efforts is welcome to attend a meeting. The group typically meets monthly. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page, “Merri Mac Park Miracle,” or send email to merrimacparkmiracle@yahoo.com. “We need people to make a commitment to the children and our city. It’s not a short-term thing. We’re doing this as a legacy to our children and our children’s children. We want to make it a place that all of London is proud of,” Hall said. Donations can be made out to “Merri Mac Park Miracle” and mailed to P.O. Box 674, London, OH 43140. The group is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Aging Agency seeks council members Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) is accepting applications from older adults and community leaders who reside in or serve residents of counties in its region to serve on the agency’s Advisory Council. Council members are volunteers who advise COAAA on services, policies and programs and can represent the interests of older adults or individuals with disabilities in their county. The three-year term begins January 2023. The 32-member council meets eight times per year on the first Thursday morning of the month (excluding January, February, July and August). Council members also serve on one of three committees that meet before council meetings. Members may opt to attend virtually or in-person at COAAA’s offices at 3776 S. High St., Columbus. Free parking is provided. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30. For an application, visit www.coaaa.org/cms/our-agency/advisorycouncils or call Lynn Price at 800-589-7277. COAAA manages services for approximately 15,000 people and funds services for another 25,000 older adults in eight counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, <strong>Madison</strong>, Pickaway and Union. <strong>September</strong> 4, <strong>2022</strong> - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5 this summer and is a member of the <strong>Madison</strong> County Junior Fair Board. She loves the opportunity 4-H and the fair give her to educate others about poultry. “I get to teach parents and families things about my birds and just kind of share the love with poultry at the county fair. It’s one of the main reasons I do 4-H—to teach others about it,” she said. Estep is a freshman at London High School where she is a member of the FFA, runs track, and plays sousaphone and tuba in the marching and concert bands. She is a member of the Capital University honor band. Her dream is to make it into the Ohio State University marching band and “dot the I.” Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF 1-855-517-1892 With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 SPECIAL OFFER
Change language