Kamela & Company Realty receives OAR awards

All three owners of Kamela & Company Realty, have earned “President’s Sales Club” Awards from the Ohio Association of REALTORS (OAR). Kamela Kordik, broker, has received the Award of Excellence designation, Cyndi Mueller has received the Award of Distinction designation and Michael Martin has received the Award of Achievement designation.

Kamela Kordik	Michael Martin	Cyndi Mueller

All three owners are members of the Dayton Area Board REALTORS (DABR), the OAR and the National Association of Realtors and are active community volunteers. They have over 40 years of combined experience in the real estate industry.  Kordik serves on Oakwood’s Budget Review Committee and the DABR’s Grievance Committee. She holds a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation, an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation and a Historic Homes Specialist (HHS) designation. Mueller headed up “Team Telford” for the local Cancer Association’s Relay For Life, and is a donor to Cultural Works. Martin serves on the Oregon Historic District’s residential board of directors as well as the Oregon District Business Association’s Board of Directors. He holds ABR and HHS designations.
OAR officially awarded 3,414 of its members “President’s Sales Club” designation in four recognition levels for outstanding sales performance in the real estate industry.
Honorees were recognized at a President’s Sales Club Dinner during OAR’s annual Convention, Sept. 9-12, in Columbus.

All OAR members in good standing were eligible for the award. Award criteria include four levels of recognition: the Award of Achievement ($1 million in sales or commercial leases or 25 sale/lease transaction credits); the Award of Distinction ($2.5 million in sales or commercial leases or 50 sale/lease transaction credits); the Award of Excellence ($5 million in sales or commercial leases or 75 sale/lease transaction credits); and, the Pinnacle of Performance ($7.5 million in sales or commercial leases or 100 sale/lease transaction credits).

The Ohio Association of REALTORS, with more than 35,000 members, is the largest professional trade association in Ohio.

Wright Library launches updated website

On Friday, Oct. 19, Wright Memorial Public Library launched its updated web site. The new web site has the same address, www.WrightLibrary.org, but has an updated format and content. Patrons visiting www.WrightLibrary.org will find the web site more like a visit to the library.  The new web site makes it easier to find the things a patron would want to do in the library – check the catalog, request a book, ask a research question, view a calendar of events, or subscribe to a library newsletter.

 “The new web site is like an online branch of Wright Library.  We have included some new web services such as e-mailing and Instant Messaging questions to the reference librarians.  It’s also much easier to get to the catalog and patron accounts now,” said Ann Snively, Wright Library’s director.  “We have added a ‘Support Wright Library’ section with links to shopping sites that donate money to the library. Soon there will be a link to a web site for the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation, too,” she added.

Anyone with questions about the web site can contact Wright Library at 294-7171.

Little Hands - Big Hearts

The MOMS Group of Oakwood has formed a new committee called “Little Hands, Big Hearts.”  This charitable committee focuses on getting children involved in volunteer opportunities in the community.  “We want to teach our children the importance of helping those less fortunate than ourselves,” said Patty O’Connor-Gross, co-chair of the new committee. The group’s first event was held Saturday, Oct. 20 at the YWCA Shelter in Dayton.  We hosted a Halloween party for the children of the residents. The moms group provided snacks, candy, games, crafts and costumes for 25 children.  A special thank you to Jennifer and Joe Frericks, the owners of the Children’s Orchard in Springboro, who donated a large number of Halloween costumes for the party. The group’s next event will be a craft activity with the senior citizens at Sunrise is Oakwood.

A heartfelt “Thank You”

With his wife Harriet proudly looking on, Dr. James Uphoff receives a handshake and a plaque from Oakwood Board of Education President Paul Vanderburgh, recognizing his 18 years of service to the Oakwood school system during the Bellbrook home football game last Friday evening.

OHS/OJHS students create Peace Cards for gala

OHS art students surround Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel during Annual Dayton International Literary Peace Prize Gala.

Oakwood High School art students, under the direction of Kaye Carlile, and Oakwood Junior High English students, under the direction of Kim Gilbert created over two hundred ‘ART PEACE CARDS’ that became an integral part of the Gala Awards Celebration of the Annual Dayton International Literary Peace Prize, held recently at the Schuster Center.

The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee recognizes and awards prizes to writers whose works focus on peace as an ongoing process of resolving conflict. The winner in adult fiction Brad Kessler Runner, and runner-up Lisa Fugard and Nonfiction Winner Mark Kurlansky, and runner-up Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin were in attendance.  The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Committee chose to honor Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Professor Wiesel, who has written more than forty internationally acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction. Nick Clooney was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.  Artist, Michael Bashaw, created the awards.

Art Peace Card Project Director Karen Bollinger visited the school to speak with the students and assist with the project.  The Peace Cards, strung with silk ribbons, were worn by each person attending the Awards Ceremony as a visual statement of everyone’s commitment to peace. To honor the students, Mrs. Sharon Rab, founder and co-chair of the International Literary Peace Prize, arranged for a group of students, randomly chosen from the names of all who created the Art Peace Cards, to meet privately with Mr. Wiesel.

Additionally Ms. Carlile’s Advanced Art students have created larger scale works of art, with the theme of ‘Peace’ that were be part of an exhibit at the ceremonies and will later be exhibited at the Dayton Peace Museum in the historic Pollack House at 208 W. Monument Avenue.

Ben Rodabaugh achieves Eagle rank at Troop 320

Scoutmaster Trevor Chuna and Eagle Scout Ben Rodabaugh

Ben Rodabaugh has achieved Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 320, which is sponsored by South Park United Methodist Church.  Ben completed a community service project at Cox Arboretum as well as 21 required merit badges, Scout leadership and outdoor activities.  

For his Eagle project, Ben led a team of 10 Scouts to replace an older bridge. Also, there was a need to restructure the water-flow in the area that would enhance the safety of the walking path and prevent further erosion.  

Ben started in Cub Scouts with Pack 151 at Oakwood United Methodist Church in the ‘Three Ben Den.’  Continuing on in Boy Scouts, Ben moved over to Troop 320 and had an opportunity to hike the Appalachian Trail, attend a Boy Scout summer camp in Haliburton Canada, and spend two weeks in the rugged mountains of the Philmont Boy Scout Camp in New Mexico.  Ben is currently a senior at Oakwood High School who plays the trumpet in the High School Band and guitar in the local rock band ‘Shake Base.’  In addition, Ben works at Steak and Shake on West Dorothy Lane. Troop 320 is led by Scoutmaster Trevor Chuna, who took over the reins in 2006 from Dennis Papesh after his 40 plus years of leadership.  

Ben is one of six anticipated Eagle Scouts from Troop 320 this year, which includes Scouts from the Oakwood, Kettering and the Dayton area.

Brownies give to SICSA

Recently, Brownie Troop 660 visited SICSA. They presented a check, a portion of their cookie proceeds, to the adoption facility.

Bumper stickers that bring snickers

Recently I observed a car with two bumper stickers. One said: Don’t blame me— I didn’t vote for his Daddy either. The other proclaimed:  Save our forests— remove a Bush.    

Obviously the car owner was a Democrat complaining about President Bush.  The thought occurred to me that bumper stickers are like a traveling  billboard.  No doubt one’s bumper sticker is read more than 100 times a day as we  move about the City. It’s an excellent way to vent our feelings.

For other examples, I turned to the Internet where I found both bumper stickers and one-liners.  Here are some of them:

Am I getting smart with you?  How would you know?
I don’t have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.
My reality check bounced.
Motto of the Bomb Squad: If you see us running, you better catch up.
If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Nothing in the known universe travels faster than a bad check.
It has recently been discovered that research causes cancer in rats.
If you are given an open- book exam, you will forget the book.
I just got lost in thought.  It was unfamiliar territory.
Everyone has a photographic memory.  Some just don’t have film.
She’s always late.  Her ancestors arrived on the Juneflower.
Honk if you love peace and quiet.
Save the whales.  Collect the whole set.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
Change is inevitable. Except from a vending machine.
He who laughs last thinks slowest.
I get enough exercise just pushing my luck.
Few women admit their age:  Fewer men act it.
I don’t suffer from insanity.  I enjoy every minute of it.
We are born naked, wet, and hungry.  Then things get worse.
Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else.
Be nice to your kids.  They’ll choose your nursing home.
There are three kinds of people:  those who can count and those who can’t
Help wanted: Telepathy. You know where to apply.
I know what you’re thinking and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.
Drink varnish and you’ll have a lovely finish.
Down with gravity!
People who eat natural foods die from natural causes.
Age is a case of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind then it really doesn’t matter.
The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Borrow money from a pessimist. They don’t expect it back.
If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane and
going the wrong way.
Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7 of your life.
It’s been lovely but I have to scream now.
Bad Spellers of the world UNTIE.
I have not yet begun to procrastinate.
Let’s put the FUN back in dysFUNctional.
Vegetarian:  Indian word for “Bad Hunter”.
Plan to be spontaneous — tomorrow.
I childproofed my house, but they still get in.
At my age, “getting lucky” means finding my car in the parking lot.
I need somebody bad.  Are you bad?
I’m not a snob.  I’m just better than you are.
We got rid of the kids.  The cat was allergic to them.
Every time I hear the word “exercise”, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
Live your life, so that when you die, the preacher won’t
have to tell lies at your funeral.
Inn God we trust.  All others we polygraph.

Woodland Cemetery offers “Ossuary” entombment

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum has introduced a new method of burial for cremated remains. In an interview with David FitzSimmons, president and CEO of Woodland, he answered several questions about this new offering from Woodland.
According to FitzSimmons, “ossuaries have been around since the time of Christ and are still prevalent today in Italy, France, Jerusalem and around the world. Bodies were sometimes placed in limestone crypts and permitted to dehydrate and waste away to bone. The bones were then removed from the crypt and placed in a common container (ossuary) with the bones of others, so that the crypt could be re-used. When the container was full, a giant ledger or stone would be placed over the container to secure and protect the bones forever.”

When asked if this the way it’s done today, he said, “In some cases, cremated remains are actually poured into a large crypt and co-mingled with the cremated
remains of others. This is irreversible, of course. In our case we provide a permanent stainless steel identification tag and entomb each cremated remains individually in its own container within the ossuary.” Woodland also includes permanent memorialization via both their cemetery “Interment Database” (www.woodlandcemetery.org), and by engraving a nameplate on the black granite ledger that secures the top of the ossuary.”

Who would want to use the ossuary option? “Many cremated remains that are returned to families are honored and revered for years on a mantel or bookshelf in the home,” FitzSimmons said. But many are eventually stored in a basement or closet and never memorialized at all. We thought this would provide families with a decent, respectful, dignified and affordable alternative for final disposition.”

For more information or advice, call Woodland Cemetery at 222-1431. They not only will provide you with a brochure that explains the ossuary option, but you can talk to knowledgeable staff and can be shown the ossuary, itself.  

Editor’s Note: This article is a repeat of a not-ready-for-print version which accidentally found its way into last week’s Oakwood Register.

City Notes_____________________________________

A pre-Thanksgiving thanks-giving

On Sunday, Oct. 14, I joined many Oakwood citizens in attending our Family Fall Festival and Scarecrow Row event.  What a great celebration and positive statement about our fantastic community.  The Festival at Shafor Park was another example of why people choose Oakwood as their home.  We had gorgeous weather and a spirit of friendship and neighborliness that truly sets Oakwood apart.  

In total, we had 35 scarecrows constructed by enthusiastic Oakwood citizens, friends and businesses.  We had an estimated 2,000 Oakwood citizens enjoy the fall festivities and view the wonderful scarecrow creations. Heartfelt thanks go to Carol Collins, our Leisure Services Director, her staff at the Oakwood Community Center and all of the citizen volunteers who worked hard in planning and organizing the event.  

Speaking of citizen participation, last Tuesday I had the opportunity to meet with city staff, city council and a large group of our 37-member budget review committee to discuss city finances and proposed 2008 goals and objectives.  We reviewed 2007 expenses and discussed the 2008 Budget.  During the course of that meeting, I was reminded of the incredible value we get from so many of our citizens – those who have voluntarily given of their time and talents to serve on one or more city committees.

Towards the end of each year, city council reviews the rosters of our 15 citizen committees to see what committee member terms are expiring and to reappoint or find new citizen members as needed.  Across the 15 committees, we have approximately 150 citizens serving our city committees.  These citizens play a vital role in overseeing how the city of Oakwood operates.  They also provide guidance and advice to city council and city staff on important decisions, many of which involve finances, public facilities and public services.

As council gets ready to review the list of committee needs and to appoint new committee members, I invite all Oakwood citizens to consider serving. Committees include Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Budget Review, Environmental, and many others.  You can find a complete list on our website (www.mvcc.net/oakwood) including a description of each committee and an application form to express your interest in serving.  Alternatively, you can call the city building at 298-0600 or e-mail me at klopsch@oakwood.oh.us to request a packet of information.

The latter part of the year also brings special holidays.  As we approach Thanksgiving, I am mindful again of all for which we should be thankful here in our special community.  We have a wonderful citizenry that recognizes the value in neighborhoods, property maintenance and helping others.  We have the finest schools in Ohio and one of the finest in America.  We have the resources to provide the most comprehensive city services one can find, and we have a very safe community in which to live.  

I hope you enjoy the beautiful fall season and wish you a very enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. 

Norbert Klopsch
Oakwood City Manager

Records destruction services

As a service to our citizens, the city has made arrangements with Shred-It. The world’s leading document destruction company - to be on site at the J.D. Foell Public Works Center, 210 Shafor Blvd. on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon to provide free document destruction services.

Besides paper products, Shred-it has the capability to destroy microfilm, microfiche, CD-ROM diskettes and other material of a secure and confidential nature. All material will be destroyed beyond recognition onsite and, if recyclable, will be baled and shipped to paper mills to be remanufactured into new paper products. Any non-recyclable processed will be disposed of in a secure location.

Jay Weiskircher
Assistant City Manager
298-0411

The City of Oakwood is conducting the annual leaf collection program from Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. As in previous years, the program will provide bi-weekly leaf pickups of all areas throughout the city. The city is divided into ten sections with each being collected on a two-week interval. The leaf collection program follows the same schedule as the brush and branch collection program.

Leaves are to be placed in the street gutter and the brush and branch material in the tree lawn (the area behind the curb, just off the street). The two materials must not be co-mingled.  Also, please remember that the leaf collection season is limited to the 10-week period in the fall of each year.  Leaves should only be placed in the street during the fall program.  All other times of the year, leaves and incidental yard debris must be placed with the brush and branch piles behind the curb, or, if in small quantities, with the regular household trash.

The brush and branch map found in the October-November “Oakwood Scene” shows the scheduled dates for these pickups.  The city will make every effort to stay on this schedule, but may vary a bit from time to time based on weather conditions and other factors.

To help the city provide the best possible service, please remember the following things:

• During the 10-week collection season, all leaves should be raked directly into the street gutter.  Please make an effort to do this just a day or two before the scheduled pickup and make sure to pile the leaves in a narrow row to least obstruct the traveled roadway.
• Under no circumstance should you place brush, branches or other yard debris in the street gutter with the leaves.
• Do not bag the leaves - leave them loose.
• Do not park vehicles in the street on the day your area is scheduled for leaf pickup.
• Do not place pumpkins, corn stalks or bales of straw in with the leaves or your brush and branch materials.

The standard yard debris pickup and dumpster programs will continue through the leaf collection season.  However, as in the past, the special pickup program will be suspended from Oct. 15, 2007 until Jan. 2, 2008.  Please wait until after Jan. 2, 2008 to schedule pickups for the 2008 calendar year.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Theresa Caldwell or Ken Perkins at the Public Works Center (298-0777.)

Kevin W. Weaver
Director of Engineering and Public Works

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October 23, 2007
Volume 16, No. 43

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