The first thing you notice is the sunny nature of the place and of the staff. The next thing you notice is the great selection of toys and games. Through a child’s eyes, the visitation rooms at Joyful Connections must be welcoming and inviting. For a child whose parents and families are going through troubled times, Joyful Connections must seem like a wonderful respite.

At Riverview Health Care Center in Oak Harbor when the Christmas tree decorations come off the lobby tree, the tree is redecorated with individualized memorial ornaments dedicated to residents who have died in the past year.
The ornaments often reflect the interests of the one remembered. Decorations on and inside this year’s ornaments include golf tees, the Chicago skyline, bingo mementos, a hat and feathers, bowling pins and an OSU emblem.

After the non-native Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered at some Ohio State Parks in western Ohio, The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Forestry and Ohio State Parks formed a partnership to remove the effected ash trees. “The Division of Forestry brings a level of expertise to this project that allows the infested trees to be removed safely, quickly and in a cost-effective way from the state parks,” said ODNR Deputy Director Glen Cobb. “While it is disappointing to lose the ash trees, their removal is necessary to protect the safety of our visitors, which is our biggest priority.”

Adrienne M. Hines, a Port Clinton area attorney, was recently appointed to serve a two-year term on the Ohio Democratic Party Executive Committee. The appointment was made on the recommendation of Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern and was unanimously supported at the Dec.15 Executive Committee Meeting in Columbus.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation invites nonprofit organizations in or serving Ottawa County to submit requests for grant funding to the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants to programs in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environments, natural resources and the arts. The Foundation serves to provide for the enrichment of the quality of life in the Ottawa County community.