Hardin Co. Business & Professional Women’s Club Discuss Various Topics at Latest Meeting

Pres. Sandy Moore welcomed four members and guest Amy Long on May 22 at Kenton’s Royal Buffet at 5:30 p.m. Moore thanked Connie Dietz for being the hostess.

Following the delicious dinner, Dietz introduced Amy Long, Director of Keep Hardin Co. Beautiful. This program is part of Hardin Co. government as the 3 members of the Board of Commissioners support its work. Long began her position as director in August of 2023. She stated that she is trying to continue the work of Ann Boston who had begun this position in the early 1990s. It is part time but well worth the effort to save the environment. She stated that she is learning quite a bit as well.

There are two basic points of concern that she emphasized. The first is the need to accentuate the beauty of Hardin County. The second is the management of waste in Hardin County. It would be beneficial to have all citizens clean up trash and waste from properties and areas of travel. There is a large committee of about 25 people who spend hours working on the 22 flower pots around the courthouse and square,  setting up for Lake of Lights at Christmas, and manning the Hardin Co. Fair Booth. Many people have appreciated beauty of the live plants in the pots during the warm months as well as the decorations and lights during the colder months.

In the Kenton Schools, Long, a former teacher,  worked with the 5th and 6th graders at Kenton Elementary School Leadership Club as well as with 7th and 8th graders in their Recycling  Warriors Leadership Club. The students investigated the amount of waste paper within their schools. They found that each group collected about 90 pounds of paper from their areas each month. Long is available to go to Hardin Co. Schools to share ideas of litter prevention  and recycling. Contact Long at amy.long@hardincountyohio.gov.

It is our duty to know what needs there are and where to go to solve them in order to improve the environment for future generations. Long wants people to know what is offered at Hardin County’s Solid Waste facility, also known as the transfer station. This facility takes #1 and #2 plastics, cardboard, metal, offers a brush pile for sticks and grass cuttings, and accepts E-waste. Wyandot County accepts #5 plastics. This year’s funds needed for her various projects are raised through garden tours. On this June 23 there will be 7 gardens in Hardin County offered for a tour. Tickets are $10 each in advance and sold at New Leaf.

Pres. Moore led the group in thanking Long for sharing her very important information and began the meeting. Secretary Norma Frederick read the April 24 minutes, and they were accepted. There was no correspondence. There were no pin fines, but there were donations which were voted to be added to the scholarship fund.

Director Sandy Moore of the Helen Mabrey Shoe Fund reported for May. The shoe fund received the grant of $1,500 from the Hardin County Community Foundation as well as a donation from the estate of Rosemary Latimer. There were no shoe purchases. All accounts agree with the banks. Thank you notes have been sent.

The scholarship committee of Vanessa Brim and Connie Dietz reported no applicants for the BPW scholarship as of this meeting. Those college students or those in extra vocational schooling who are halfway through their courses are asked to apply. It was discussed and decided to extend the deadline for receiving the applications until June 12. The decision for one or two winners will be decided at Ladies Night Out on June 19.

Discussion followed for the destination for Ladies Night Out on June 19. It was decided to go to the new Casa Lu Al in downtown Lima. A second choice being Texas Roadhouse was accepted if the new restaurant was too busy. The members and guests will meet in the parking lot across from 101 Smokehouse at 5:30 p.m. in order to carpool.

Sec. Frederick shared a treat to celebrate her birthday and thanked all for the birthday wishes. Members were reminded that dues of $36 are accepted now. These were voted to be added to the scholarship fund. Having no other business, the meeting was adjourned, and all were wished safe travels.