Grants are available for teachers in region

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, in partnership with the Walmart Foundation, is pleased to offer the Walmart Strive for Excellence Mini-Grants Initiative, an effort providing investments ranging from $500 to $2,500 to encourage and support the work of teachers across the region.

FAO believes teachers best know how to help their students achieve success and it is not lack of passion, but financial resources that often prohibit innovative programming.

FAO is looking to distribute at least one award in each of Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties.  The deadline for submitting an application is May 14.

More information is available by visiting the FABO website www.ffao.org.

Meeting will focus on broadband study

 A public meeting, designed to report on the Community Owned Fiber Optic Feasibility Study, is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday in Lecture Room 2100 on the campus of Eastern Gateway Community College.

The study was conducted in September by Tom Reid and Associated, based in Athens. The study was supported by the Jefferson County commissioners and the county auditor’s office.

Anyone interested in reducing the costs of internet and broadband access should attend the session. This study is an attempt to meet the present and future needs of technology within the county and currently is part of the Connect Appalachian effort.  

Third Frontier renewal goes before voters Tuesday

Issue 1, which will continue the Ohio Third Frontier program, will go before state voters during Tuesday’s primary election.

Third Frontier is a statewide initiative that’s designed to improve the economy. It creates jobs, helps launch companies and expand businesses, and helps position Ohio as an innovation leader.

Ohio voters approved the current program in 2005. That funding will run out in 2012. Issue 1 will allow the state to issue $700 million in bonds to provide additional funding to extend the program through 2016.

In its short lifetime, the program has created more than 48,000 jobs in the state.

Reception planned for new EGCC board

Eastern Gateway Community College's new Board of Trustees will be feted during a public reception on Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. in Founders Hall on the Jefferson County Campus.

 Employees, students and the public are welcome to the reception to meet the new board: Chairman Molly Seals, Vice Chairman Jack Gilmore, Secretary Dorothy Blaner, Donald Crane, Patricia Fletcher, Presley Gillespie, Sister Patricia McNicholas, Marilyn Montes, William Mullane, Kathi McNabb Welsh and Dante Zambrini.

The reception will precede the trustees' meeting at 4 p.m. in room 2513 on the Jefferson County Campus.

Sponsors being sought for wine, food festival

Sponsors are being sought for the first Friendship Wine and Food Festival, scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 11.

 “Our festival will be nestled in the rolling hills of Jefferson County with the back drop being our large 80-acre pristine lake,” said Roger Hilty, a member of the Friendship Park Board and chairman of the festival committee.

The festival will feature the products of Ohio wineries and local food purveyors.  In addition, local artisans will be on hand to show off their creations.  Live musical entertainment will be offered both days.  Other activities will include a Freedom Run and a Corn Hole Contest.

Hilty said the festival will run from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, and 1-11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Various sponsorship levels are available. For more information regarding a sponsorship, contact Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance, (740) 283-2476.

Animal Welfare League planning benefit

The Jefferson County Animal Welfare League will hold a benefit dinner on July 11, starting at 1 p.m. in St. Florian Hall. The cost for a ticket is $16.

The event is designed to help provide financial support for the medical needs of abused and neglected animals.

For more information, contact Janet Polverini at (740) 537-2294.