Holiday Decorating Contest winners announced

Congratulations to the 2007 winners of the Holiday Decorating Contest

District A:
Day - 944 East Schantz Ave., The Whalen Family
Night - 246 West Thruston Blvd., The John Haley’s

District B:
Day - 121 East Dixon, Donald & Martha Szumnarski
Night - 248 Beverly Place, Susan, David, Merritt, and Benjamin Williams

District C:
Day - 24 Greenmount, Judy Stolle
Night - 159 Aberdeen Ave., Roger, Robin, Raphael, & Ilaria Crum

District D:
Day - 100 Peach Orchard Dr., Milissa & Christopher Smith
Night - 25 Triangle Ave., Shannon Lawrence

District E:
Day - 801 Oakwood Ave., Ruth & Bob Deddens
Night - 361 East Drive, Jeffrey & Wendy Mauch

Multi- Family:
30-34 Wisteria Dr. Mark & Kim Hoelscher and David & Jackie Harris

Business:
8 Triangle Ave., “Collage”, Stephanie McGohan

Winners will be presented with an award at the Oakwood City Council Meeting on Jan. 7.

Wright Library seeks new board member

The Board of Trustees of the Wright Memorial Public Library is accepting applications for an open Board position. This appointment will be for a partial term of four years, commencing in 2008.  

Current trustee Steven Byington will be leaving the Library Board when his term on the Oakwood City Council begins in January. The regular term of office is seven years and trustees may serve two terms.  

Applications may be obtained at Wright Library’s Checkout Desk, on the Library’s web site at www.WrightLibrary.org, or by calling Linda Cosgrove at 294-8572. Individuals who have applied previously are encouraged to reapply. Completed applications are due at the Library by 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2008.

Members of the Board should live in the Oakwood School District. The Board meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Library’s meeting room. Each board member is also assigned to at least two committees that meet on an as-needed basis. Library trustees should show a strong interest in the welfare of the Library and its place in the community. They must have the time and energy to devote to the Library. Board members must make a commitment to active participation and consistent attendance. They should be team players. Trustees are chosen to reflect the community.

Some important issues the Wright Memorial Public Library will be facing include the wide variety of new technologies, future funding, strategic planning, and intellectual freedom.  Board responsibilities include approving long-range goals; monitoring short-range goals; approving annual budget and capital expenditures; making final decisions on building, renovation, or expansion; establishing policy and budget for materials; adopting policies on fines and fees; adopting service policies; and evaluating the Director and Fiscal Officer.

For more information on the Wright Memorial Public Library and its Board of Trustees, contact Ann Snively, Library Director, at 294-8572.

City Notes________________________________

Open seat on planning commission, zoning board

Oakwood City Council is requesting applications from citizens interested in being considered to fill a vacant seat on the Oakwood Planning Commission and on the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Citizens interested in being considered for appointment should submit an application form by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7.  Applications are available at the city building or on the city’s website at www.mvcc.net/oakwood.  For questions, contact City Manager Norbert Klopsch or Clerk of Council Cathy Blum at 298-0600.

Reception for Roger Blumensheid Jan. 8

On Monday, Dec. 31, Roger Blumensheid will conclude a term of nearly six years as a member of Oakwood City Council. Mayor Judy Cook, city council and city staff will honor Roger’s outstanding public service at a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8.  The celebration will take place in the council chambers at the city building, 30 Park Avenue.  All citizens are invited and encouraged to attend.

Gingerbread Project raises $2000

Pictured, left to right: Annie Bartlett, Max Snyder, Jack Chambers, Dan Fecher, Peter Roll, Anne Connelly, Claire Davis, Amanda Winch and Emma Roll.

The Gingerbread Project raised $2000 for the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association! This project was developed by eight junior high students from Oakwood. These students have participated as a team in Destination Imagination and wanted to use the skills they have developed to raise money for charities that benefit children with special needs and, long-term, to hold workshops for these children. They chose the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association as their charity. Anne Ross coordinated the project and the students designed and built (2) gingerbread houses to enter in a national competition. Both of their entries made it in the top 10 out of 75 entries in the teen division of this competition. Some of the top pastry chefs in the country were judges. To raise the money an Open House was held where professional gingerbread houses were raffled off and the student’s houses were on display. The $2,000 check was presented at the annual MVDSA Christmas Party.

Twins share birthday with less fortunate

By Ryan Wineberg

Since kindergarten Maggie and Erin Greer, daughters of Dr. and Mrs. Greer of Oakwood, have been celebrating their birthday by giving to others. This year was no different. On Dec. 1, students in the girls’ fifth-grade class were invited to a skating party at Skateworld in Kettering, but the Greer twins asked that rather than bringing them gifts, guests bring food and “personal care items” such as: razors blankets, toothpaste and toothbrushes to be donated to St. Vincent de Paul in Dayton.

The girls’ birthday, moreover, was a success. Eighty-two people showed up to the bash and brought what amounted to an SUV overflowing with things to be donated to St. Vincent’s. And a donation of that size does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Ann Goebel, director of volunteers at St. Vincent said that they serve over two-hundred people a day—that’s over two-hundred showers and tooth-brushes and bars of soap, not to mention the over six-hundred meals that St. Vincent serves on a daily basis. Last year St. Vincent provided 77,000 nights of shelter to the homeless in Dayton, and the Greer girls helped to make that possible.

The generosity of Maggie and Erin is an example to us all. This Christmas season amidst the hustle and bustle: the buying, getting and giving, remember that kindness starts with an idea and the world changes one person at a time.

Ann Goebel said of Maggie and Erin Greer, their parents, and all the people who give of themselves to help the less fortunate: “When I hear terrible things about young people—I don’t believe it. We see the best of people everyday.” And everyday is a new start. Everyday is a new chance to make a real difference in the world—to do something like Maggie and Erin Greer, a chance to put others first.

Ramus and friends raise $500 for Special Wish 

Breana Ramus celebrated her eleventh birthday with about thirty of her best friends at SkateWorld of Kettering last week. The girls enjoyed skating, as well as pizza and cake, but there was another generous twist to the party.

Instead of presents, the girls each brought monetary donations for the Special Wish Foundation, an organization that seeks to fulfill the wishes of young people ages 0-20 suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

The girls collected over $500 for the foundation.

Tresses from Taylor

Taylor Jervis, a Harman fifth grader, donated eleven inches of her hair to Locks of Love. The non-profit organization provides hairpieces to children suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy and other medical hair loss.

Chinese language Open House celebrated

Oakwood Chinese Language Program celebrated their 1st Open House recently. Special guest A Fu Hong demonstrated Chinese calligraphy and brush painting. Students aged 5 through 17 from four classes performed Chinese poetry and songs. Students interested in attending winter quarter can contact Pam at 293-9232.

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December 26, 2007
Volume 16, No. 52

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