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August 2008 |
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County Solid Waste Department needs more money for gasoline and propane
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
Increased fuel, propane and natural gas prices are causing departments and offices within the county to find other sources for extra money to cover costs.
Last week, increases in diesel fuel, but largely propane, have contributed to the need for additional funding in the Solid Waste supplies budget, District Coordinator Dave Reichelderfer said. Reichelderfer is the latest county department administrator to request a budget transfer to address high fuel costs.
Reichelderfer requested $7,000 additional from his cost allocation budget, which is typically set aside for unanticipated operation costs, be moved to the Solid Waste fund supplies line item. Commissioners, who approved the change, said he is just one of several department administrators facing that situation mid-year. |
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City tries ‘luck’ at world record |
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Monday, 23 June 2008 |
By KRISTIN REICHARDT
Assistant Managing Editor
While no one from the Guinness Book of World Records looked upon Wapakoneta this weekend, residents cast hungry glances at tables laden with broccoli salad, chocolate chip cookie bars, chicken and noodles, and other food Sunday during the first-ever community wide potluck.
Members of the Wapakoneta community capped the city’s 175th anniversary celebration with a dose of fellowship — and food — during the potluck luncheon held at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.
Residents, who were encouraged to come out with a dish in-hand, attempted to set the world record for the largest potluck in the final event of Wapakoneta’s 175th anniversary weekend.
“It’s just relaxing,” Deb Zwez, who helped organize the potluck dinner, said. “Nothing real fancy, just a group of people getting together to have a nice meal.”
Zwez said the event was modeled after a similar community event she helped organize nearly 20 years ago.
Zwez developed the idea of a community potluck while living in Upper Sandusky during the mid-1980s.
In the face of a drought, farmers and area residents affected by a lack of rain needed a positive distraction from the difficult economic times.
“It was just a bad time,” Zwez said as she took a break from helping set up food tables. “We thought, how can we bring everyone together and say, ‘Hey, we’re in this together.’”
Members of the Wapakoneta community decided to host a community potluck, billed as an attempt to become the Guinness World Records’ World’s Largest Potluck.
The world’s largest community potluck category does not exist, though not from lack of trying.
“We sent in a request but were denied,” Zwez said of the Wyandot County attempt. “It was very awesome to go out and see all of those people.”
More than 65 diners filled the rectangle folding tables in the Commercial Building at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds during Sunday’s event.
The Wapakoneta 175th Anniversary Committee supplied bratwursts, hotdogs, buns and condiments, and those in attendance contributed additional dishes, ranging from chips and salsa appetizers, various salads and other side dishes to a variable bakery of cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other desserts.
Nathan Winn, 7, of Duluth, Ga., widened his eyes as he started at the desserts clustered at one end of the table.
“I want the cupcakes,” Nathan said with an eager smile as he rejoined his mother, Lecia Winn, and siblings, Nicholas and Natalie Winn.
The family plans to move to Wapakoneta soon, and came up to celebrate the city’s anniversary weekend with Nathan’s grandmother, Jenelle Berry.
The 80-year-old Wapakoneta native said the potluck was the best way to end a weekend honoring her hometown’s history.
“It’s community, and whenever you bring community together like this in solidarity and fun, you’re going to have a better community,” Berry said.
Berry rode in the 175th Anniversary Parade on Saturday with other members of the Helen Hunt Circle, winding through downtown sitting in a convertible wearing a large hat she made.
She said all of the weekend’s events demonstrated the camaraderie found in a small town that she thinks is lost in larger cities.
“It’s a feeling of belonging,” Berry said. “It’s very supportive.”
Wapakoneta 175th Anniversary Committee Chair Rachel Barber said the weekend provided many opportunities for people to gather together to create the belonging Berry described.
“It was a lot of reasons for people to get to know each other,” Barber said. “Yesterday there were so many heartwarming moments in the parade.
“There were just a lot of community building moments,” she said. “It’s just kind of a nice way to end it.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 June 2008 )
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