Woman of Achievement, Founder's Award June 12th

The Women's Network of NE Ohio held it's Woman of Achievement Luncheon at St Joseph's Family Center in Akron, Ohio. I was awarded the Founder's Award. It was such an honor! I commented in my acceptance speech that the Womens Network was one of the most rewarding volunteer organizations to which I've belonged. The programs I've set up in Massillon, Wooster and Canton focus on hleping women advance their careers and open new doors. The WN mission has made my membership a wonderful and rewarding experience. The funny thing about volunteering- you often end up receiving much more than you give.

Sawlex Show in Morgantown, WV

CryoPlus had an exhibit and did a workshop on cryogenics at Sawlex, The Sawmill & Logging Expo in Morgantown WV May 29-30. The Sawlex attracted buyers and sellers from 30 different states for the Great Firewood Processor Competition and Great Portable Sawmill Shoot-out. It was a great show!

I got there Thursday afternoon and searched for a local winery-Forks of Cheat Winery. That evening they were sponsoring a Wild Game Cookout as a fund raiser for the WV State Rifle Team. They just won the National Championships. It was $40 a ticket for all of the wine, beer, wild game dishes and desserts you could eat. I ate everything from pheasant, black bear, moose, deer, to salmon and many more! It was all delicious!

Echoing Hills Lion's District Convention

: Camp Echoing Hills, a camp developed for people with special needs, was the host location for the Ohio Lions District 13-G District Convention on April 3 – 4, 2009. A contingent of Lions from Wayne County rode the curvy hills through Millersburg and south to the Warsaw destination to witness the passing of the gavel from District Governor Robert Buxton to Wayne County’s own District Governor Steve Thornton. Director of International Association of Lions Clubs, Wayne Davis, was the keynote speaker on Saturday afternoon.
Activities included a “Governor’s Roast” on Friday night. Saturday morning a memorial service for Lions who passed away during the year was held just prior to the business meeting. Elections for 2009-2010 District Officers followed. The Grand Banquet was accompanied by the introduction of the Head Table/Guests, and speeches by the District Governor and Director Davis who shared a quote from International President Al Brandel “Where there is great love, there is great miracles.” Davis expounded on some of the Lion Club accomplishments he has witnessed in his travels around the world. He spoke of an experience at RAM (Remote Area Medical) in southern W. Va. in July which was actually filmed by the TV show 60 Minutes. Between 75,000 and 100,000 people were waiting in line at daybreak for the chance to get help for eye and dental needs. He shared that the needs are great right here in the US and told of many programs he has seen make a big difference in the lives of many.
As awards and recognitions were passed out, the new Orrville Lions Clubs was happy to show their support for Lion and Past District Governor Todd Imhoff, who was instrumental in getting the Orrville Lions Club off the ground recently. International President Al Brandel sent his commendation to Imhoff for being one of a select few “Everyday Heroes.” The commendation read “Heroic deeds set caring people apart from others. You are hereby commended for distinguishing yourself as an everyday hero by creating miracles through service.”

Doylestown Lions 75th Anniversary

Deb Gazey, Garth Schoffman, Hobie Bond, Rita Shisler and I, from the Orrville Lion's group went to Brookside CC in Norton to celebrate Doylestown's Lion's 75th Anniversary. There were 96 present and 6 different Lions group represented. Orrville had the most of any one group!

Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association

I went to Indianapolis for the 111th Annual Convention and Expo for the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association Feb 4-5 at the Hyatt. The theme was "Go Hog Wild." The chairman for this year's convention was a Harley rider. The exhibitors were set up in Rumble Alley, showcasing their products and services. For $50 a ticket, you could enter in a drawing for a 2009 Fat Boy Harley.

Gordon Overbaugh from Breeze Dried Inc, Canada, joined me for a photo of my booth.

The Great Outdoors Sportsman's Show 2009

Hobie's explaining to two Amish men about the benefits of cryogenically treating their gun barrels. The new Holmes Co. Expo Center was the perfect venue for this 2nd annual show. There were more than 200 vendors, as well as a 45 foot bass tank. The Hershberger rack was in display. The 240 -plus deer was killed in southern Wayne Co. this year.

Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show 2009

Third annual NE Ohio Sportsman show was held at the Buckeye Event Center Feb. 23-24th.

Woman of Achievement 2008

Kathi Bond, along with Ann Gasbarre and Mary Oxenrider, were recipients of the 2008 “Wayne County Women of Achievement Award.” This was the 15th year since 1989 that awards were presented by the Wooster Community Hospital Auxiliary to a total of 50 “Women of Achievement.”

In accepting the award, Bond noted that she understood the significance of “Achievement” from watching her single mother raise a family, earn a living by working two jobs, and still find time to volunteer in the community. She holds volunteering to a high standard, and encouraged everyone to “reach beyond our office walls to assist organizations working to help the communities in which we work.”

Visit to Berger Bullets

At a visit to the Berger Bullet manufacturing facility in June, we got to see first hand the processing of making custom bullets. As demonstrated by general manager Eric Stecker, all raw materials are quality checked as they come in. During each step of the process of making bullets from the drawing process of the copper jackets to the seating of the cores and pointing up many quality checks are done.During the process washing and drying of components also takes place. This wash water must be treated before it can be put in to the sewer system. Eric advises that the water is cleaner when dumped vs. the incoming water from the city.Packaging and shipping of product takes place daily to dealers and customers all over the world.Berger Bullets/J-4 recently consolidated all their operations into one corner of a larger manufacturing facility. This allows for greater efficiency and to provide better quality checking on the entire process.

Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show

The weekend of January 25/26, 2008 was a date that may be remembered as the beginning of the future for the town of Dalton, Ohio. The Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show was held in the new P. Graham Dunn manufacturing facility. There were over 150 booths demonstrating all sorts of hunting, fishing and outdoor apparel items.